A/N: Hello everyone, sorry for the wait. Hopefully you'll forgive me with this longer update. I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season xx

As soon as Henry, Snow, Kathryn and Ruby entered the house all Henry wanted to do was to run up the stairs to finally see his mom, but he was stopped by Snow's hand lightly gripping his arm.

"Henry wait," she said gently.

"What?" Henry asked, dragging the word out in exasperation.

"Before you go up... just keep in mind that Regina has been very badly hurt." Snow said, keeping her tone gentle. "She's in a lot of pain, and I know you're excited to see her but please go easy on her okay?"

Henry nodded silently, he was starting to get a little nervous as to what to expect.

"She's also extremely tired, she's still recovering from the effects of quite a few injections and–"

"They drugged her?" Henry cut in, frowning as he considered what that meant. He doubted very much that the needles had been beneficial. "What did they give her? What did it do to her?"

Snow placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as David entered the room. "I believe that is a question for your mothers, but as I said Regina is still recovering so don't be upset if she seems a little distant. And please don't try to keep her awake to talk if you notice she's struggling to keep her eyes open."

"I won't." Henry said in a small voice. "Can I go see her now?"

Snow nodded, "yes."

Henry immediately went for the stairs and took them two at a time.

David and Snow shared a hug in greeting. "I'm so glad he's okay." David said, raising his head as he watched the boy disappearing up the stairs. "Where was he?"

"At the hospital," Snow replied. "Kathryn found him."

"He was in that little girl's hospital room, the one who went missing." Kathryn responded. "He was talking to her mom."

"Does Julie know that we found the people who were responsible for her daughter's disappearance?" David asked.

"Yes." Kathryn replied. "She was a little nervous when she found out Whale was involved, and that he's actually being treated in the same building as her daughter is right now."

"Understandably she was also pretty upset when she realized Whale had been treating Katie when he was probably the one who drugged the poor kid in the first place." Ruby said. "She felt terrible about Regina too. It's pretty clear that Whale must have been going back and forth from the hospital and the house where Regina was being kept. I don't know why she feels at all like it's her fault, I guess she feels guilty because she thinks she should have noticed something."

"I feel bad for her," Snow said sadly. "She shouldn't have been involved in any of this."

"No she shouldn't have." David agreed. "But hopefully she can at least take some comfort in knowing that Whale and Blue are detained now."

Snow nodded in agreement, leaning sideways into David as he wrapped his arm around her.

"I'm going to go upstairs okay?" She said softly to him.

"Okay, I'll come with you."

"We'll stay down here," Kathryn offered on behalf of herself and Ruby. "It's probably best not to overwhelm Regina right now."

Regina was lying down again, huddled in Emma's arms. There were still tears streaming down her face as she worried about Henry. For the most part she kept her eyes closed, long since ready for sleep to pull her back under its comforting wing. Emma's eyes were red-rimmed as well and her lashes were a little damp, but her tears had stopped a while ago.

Emma's head rose a little when she heard some movement from downstairs. The sound of distant voices caused her heart to speed up a little.

It couldn't be.

She looked down at the brunette and by Regina's lack of reaction Emma wondered for one frightful second if she had imagined it. Her heart sank a little at the sound of Regina's soft crying, but then she heard the pounding of small footsteps coming up the stairs.

"Regina," Emma mumbled in awe.

The brunette sniffled, opening her eyes again but not looking up.

"Regina," Emma repeated, patting her arm gently to try to get her attention.

Henry had appeared in the doorway but was frozen to the spot, his eyes were fixed on his two mothers. Emma had kept her word; Regina was really home. His grandparents had warned him that Regina was badly hurt and that her appearance might be a little upsetting, but from the angle he was currently seeing her at she looked the same as she always had. He could only see her from the back and for those few seconds he could tell himself that everything was normal. She was fine, and she was home.

"Mom?" A tiny voice asked.

Regina's breath caught in her throat at the sound and she looked up at Emma for confirmation.

Emma nodded. "It's him," she said, looking towards the door before quickly helping Regina up to sit beside her.

Regina turned towards him and what he saw wasn't as bad as he had expected. She looked almost as she did the last time he had seen her. In fact the way she looked didn't bother him at all. Yes she was obviously still very sick, yes she was badly hurt, but she was home.

"Henry," she whispered.

"Mom?" Henry's voice broke, he was on the verge of tears

Regina gave a small gasp, hardly daring to believe her eyes.

"Mom!" Henry ran towards her.

As Henry threw himself into her arms Regina whimpered in pain from the sudden contact, but she held onto him as tightly as she could in return, closing her eyes and bowing her head towards his as she broke into relieved sobs.

"Henry be careful!" Emma said in worry.

"Thank you... Thank you." Regina was whispering to no one in particular as she clutched Henry desperately close to her.

"I'm sorry mom," Henry sobbed, burying his face against her shirt. "I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

"Henry..." Regina breathed. "Henry I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Henry sniffled. "I was scared you were never coming back. I love you Mom."

A few tears slipped from Regina's cheeks and dampened Henry's hair as she pressed her lips to the top of his head.

Emma had a pained look on her face, her hands were hovering around Henry because she could see Regina wincing but she could also see that Regina had absolutely no intention of letting go of her son.

"Henry be careful you're hurting her." Emma said quietly, placing her hands gently on his arms.

Henry opened his eyes, looking up at Emma and then at Regina. "Sorry," he said in a quiet, trembling voice. "I didn't mean to." He started to pull away but Regina's fierce hold on him tightened and so he gratefully stayed where he was.

Emma gave a nervous sigh, glancing towards her parents who had previously entered the room. She left the pair alone after that, accepting that it was best left up to Regina to decide when it was too much. "God Henry... we've been worried sick about you." She murmured as she rubbed his back gently. Her eyes flicked to Regina's, there were fresh tears streaming down the other woman's face. She was obviously still being crushed by Henry's unyielding hold but it didn't seem to bother her.

"What happened?" Emma asked softly. "Where did you go?"

Henry didn't respond, he used his sleeve to wipe his tears away as he remained huddled in his adoptive mother's embrace, so thankful that she was okay.

"We found him at the hospital." Snow responded softly for him as she sat down on the bed in front of them. "He wanted to talk to that little girl's mother."

Emma's expression changed. "Really? Why Henry?" She asked gently, brushing her fingers through his hair.

Henry was quiet for a few beats, they could hear him sniffling as he tried to regain the strength to speak. "I wanted to know if that girl remembered anything about my mom. I thought maybe she was the last person to see her." He explained, glancing up at Regina who was not making eye contact with anyone.

"But Henry you already knew that she didn't see anything. David and I went to see her mom remember?"

Henry shrugged. "I just wanted to talk to her." He murmured. "She was asleep... but her mom was nice to me." He closed his eyes, taking in the feeling of being back in his own mother's arms. He had welcomed the comfort that Julie had brought him during his visit to Katie's hospital room. The little girl's mother had been kind; the way her arms had felt around him was so reminiscent to that of Regina's that he had actually felt calm for the first time in days. Emma of course had been there for him too but it had been so hard when she was away searching for Regina.

"Mom? Did you see that girl at all?" Henry asked.

Regina didn't seem to realize that the question had been directed towards her. She was sitting there, lost in her own thoughts until she realized her son was looking up at her.

"Hmm?" She asked.

"Did you see that girl? Her name is Katie. Was she with you when you were kidnapped?"

Regina's expression changed. She shook her head once, dropping her gaze away and closing her eyes.

"It's because they drugged you isn't it?" Henry asked in a small voice. "That's why you didn't see her?"

Regina remained silent, another tear escaped her lashes.

"Henry..." Emma said, earning her a look from the ten-year-old. "Maybe we can talk about this later okay?"

Henry nodded, he felt a little let down but tried not to let it show. He wanted to know what had happened and he had to hope that Regina would tell him so long as he was patient.

Regina wrapped her arms around him more protectively. For the entire duration of her kidnapping she had never known that a four year old girl had been taken alongside her, Emma had been the one to inform her of that. Regina didn't want Henry to know that part of the reason she had never seen the girl was because Regina herself had been locked in the trunk whereas Katie had probably been in the backseat of the car, closer to their abductors. Regina couldn't decide which was worse. Perhaps in a way it would have been better for Katie if she had been put with Regina just in case the girl had woken up, but it definitely would have been worse for Regina if she had known.

Regina felt a gentle hand on her shoulder and looked up to see David sitting on the edge of the bed beside her. The look on his face silently asked her how she was. She reached up for his hand, giving him a few nods in appreciation before she settled down with Henry again. There were once again fresh tears in her eyes, she tried to blink them away but they just kept coming.

"Henry what were you thinking?" Emma suddenly scolded him, but kept her voice down. "Running away from Granny like that."

"What?" Henry asked in a small voice.

"Did you learn anything from the last time you ran off? You might think you're helping but you're just making it worse. Didn't you stop for even just a second to wonder what it would do to us? We've been worried sick about you!"

"I know... I'm sorry," Henry sniffled, on the verge of tears again.

"If you knew it was wrong then why did you still do it? We thought someone might have taken you, we didn't know if you were okay or if you were hurt... You know better than that Henry."

"Emma," Regina's soft, tired voice interrupted. "Emma none of that matters now."

Emma looked over into her watery eyes. She then looked down at Henry trembling in his adoptive mother's embrace. She gave a small sigh. "You're right..." Emma moved a little closer and wrapped her arms around the both of them, loving the way they instantly adjusted themselves to lean in close against her. "I'm sorry. What's most important is that we're finally all together now." Emma looked to each of her parents in turn.

Snow, who was a little teary from watching Henry and Regina, sniffled and nodded. She soon wormed her way beside Emma and joined the hug from Emma and Henry's side. She reached out for David. Regina looked up slightly as she felt David place a gentle arm around her. She felt a warm reassurance run through her as she realized everyone was around her. She knew it was just an illusion but for the first time in far too long she actually felt as if she could maybe, truly be safe.

It was a little while later and Emma was sitting up while Regina and Henry slept next to her. Regina was leaning sideways into Emma's embrace and Henry was still practically glued to Regina. Being the only one awake, Emma was currently thinking about their options. The one that still made the most sense was Boston, and Emma believed that with Henry's return Regina was sure to agree to go. She would likely want to get the medical care so that she could ensure his wellbeing, and also so that she wouldn't have to break his heart. If anything, his stubbornness would convince her to change her mind about staying in Storybrooke.

Emma also thought about the possibility that she really did have magic of her own. She already knew that even if they stayed behind Regina probably wouldn't have enough energy to fully teach her anything substantial, so Emma worried that even if it was true, she would not have time to learn enough to be able to heal Regina before it was too late. While Regina and Henry had been asleep Emma had even made a few attempts. She tried to mimic whatever she had supposedly done the last time, and she tried to focus on making the rest of Regina's injuries go away. She knew that if she could first manage that, then she could later try to heal Regina's kidney failure. Unfortunately though, none of Emma's attempts were successful.

Soon she could feel Regina moving slightly in her arms. She looked down to see the brunette's eyes blinking open again after about a forty-minute nap.

Emma gave a small, tired smile. "How do you feel now?" She asked softly. "Any better?"

Regina exhaled softly, she closed her eyes in response, huddling deeper sideways into Emma's embrace. Henry was asleep in Regina's arms, and was partially lying against Emma.

"You know... if we're going to do this I think we'd better get going soon. The longer we wait the riskier it will be to bring you out into town."

Regina was silent for a few moments, she didn't open her eyes. "Emma I thought I already told you, I don't want to go."

Emma felt as if all the air had left her lungs. "I thought you said you weren't sure yet? Didn't seeing Henry change your mind at all?"

Regina sighed, giving a tiny shake of her head.

"But Regina you have to go to the hospital." Emma whispered emotionally.

"I want to stay here Emma."

Emma felt her eyes water as Regina pulled away from her a little, careful not to move Henry too much as she sat back against the pillows behind her.

"I don't want to live this way anymore." Regina whispered. She took in a shaky breath, hating that she had to repeat this again. "I just want it to be over, and in the meantime I want to stay somewhere where I know I'll feel more comfortable. Living out the rest of my days in a hospital," she shook her head slightly, "that's not what I want the end to be like. I want it to be somewhere that's familiar to me."

"You don't know that it will be the end." Emma countered, her voice a little shaky too.

Regina was silent for a few seconds. She bowed her head towards Henry. "I think it might be." She said in a barely audible voice.

"But why?"

Regina watched Henry for a few moments, she gently ran her fingers through his hair. "I don't know... the health care at Massachusetts General may be among the best in the world but..." She breathed a heavy sigh, "but I still have this... horrible feeling that it won't be enough. And I think after everything that's happened to me in the past few months... I think it's just too much for me to be able to come back from. I'm not sure I'll ever be quite the same again, health-wise at least."

"So because you think you might not make a full recovery you're afraid to even try?"

Regina's tear-filled eyes held Emma's for a few moments. "No it's not that." She whispered. "I think I might not make it through this at all. And if that is the case... then I don't want to go to Boston if it means never coming home again. And most importantly I don't want any of you to throw your life away trying to get me there."

"Regina no, you don't mean any of this." Emma's eyes were filled with a fearful sadness.

"I do." Regina whispered. "Emma..."

"What is it Regina?" Emma asked softly, placing her hand on Regina's arm.

"I think..." Regina swallowed heavily, not being able to finish right away. She closed her eyes and took a shaky breath. "Emma I think maybe it's time for all of you to let me go."

"What? No! Regina how can you say that when we're so close?"

"Emma we both know it's a miracle that I'm still alive after everything that's happened. I was able to see Henry again, and in my last days I was given a family... these are the only things that truly matter. I'm not saying I want to die, but now that I was able to come home again I can be at peace with it."

Emma shook her head, for a while she couldn't speak. A tear rolled down her face but she simply let it fall. "Regina, back when you gave me those legal forms... you know, the Will and the medical advancement form and everything... I thought you were giving up on yourself then. I thought that you had lost hope and were no longer willing to fight. I later saw that I was wrong. Regina you're the strongest person I know. The fact that you're still here with us proves that. But that day you gave me the forms I believed you were giving up on yourself. Please don't prove me right by giving up now."

"But Emma," Regina shook her head as tears streamed down her face. "It's too dangerous. I can't ask all of you to risk your lives for me, especially not when there is a good chance I could still die in Boston anyways. I couldn't bear it if one of you were killed protecting me. You've all done enough. This is my fate Emma, I'm ready to accept that now."

"That's not true! And I am not giving up on you Regina. None of us are. We all know the risks, it's our decision. Look at Kathryn, we didn't ask her to come and help but she's downstairs right now because like the rest of us she cares about you. You were there for her when she needed a friend and now she wants to be here for you. Don't be selfish and take away Kathryn's first real friend here by giving up on yourself."

"I think it's the exact opposite of selfish," Regina defended. "None of you, including Kathryn, should have to pay the price for the dark path I took in life. I've done so many terrible things, this is my fate and I think it's finally time for me to stop trying to avoid it."

"I disagree. You still have a chance to get better, and you still have people here who need you. If you stay strong you can get through this, and we'll help you every step of the way. Everyone makes mistakes Regina, and everyone can make up for them."

"Nothing could make up for everything I've done, I do deserve this Emma."

"What about the rest of us? You're not the only one involved in this Regina. Do you think Henry deserves this? Do you think your son deserves to lose his mother this way?"

"Don't make this about him Emma."

"But it is about him. It's about all of us."

Henry made a small noise as he was finally pulled from his sleep. He blinked his eyes open groggily as he listened to the conversation going on between his two mothers.

"But Emma with all those people out there who still want to see me die, it's going to be so dangerous. I don't want to go through that again; I can't go through that again. Emma I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"But Regina–"

Regina held up a hand to stop her. "If I'm going to die I want it to be here at home with my family by my side."

"No, with all of us united together we can get you out of this town Regina, you just have to believe in us."

Regina opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted.

"Mom?" A small voice asked from below.

Regina gasped softly, looking down at the ten year old, not having realized he was awake.

"You don't really want to die do you?" He asked, his eyes wide.

"Darling no... of course not," Regina replied sadly, "but... I also don't want to keep suffering this way." She forced a small smile for him as he sat up beside them. "There is only so much one person can handle and sweetheart, I'm at the end of my tether. I've been pushed farther than I even believed physically possible. But now I'm just exhausted. "

"But our family saved you. You have another chance to get the hospital. You have to take it." Henry pressed.

"Henry you know how dangerous the people out there waiting for me are, I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."

"Regina we can handle them." Emma affirmed. "Just let us worry about that part. All you're going to have to do is sit in the car and lay low. Nothing will happen to you I promise."

"Emma," Regina sighed through the word.

"Remember what you said to me a few days ago? That you didn't want to die? Don't let them take away your will to live. They did this to you because they wanted revenge, but they also wanted to break you. They wanted power over you and if you let yourself die then you've given it to them. If you give up now you'll be letting them win."

"Emma why are you saying these things?" Regina asked, hurt.

"Because this isn't the Regina I know. The Regina I know would be fighting like hell, she would never give up if it meant abandoning Henry. You're stronger than this."

"No." Regina whispered. "I was stronger than this, but the person I used to be... well," her eyes dropped to Henry, "I guess she's gone. I believe she's been gone for some time now, she may even have died the night I swallowed all those pills."

"She didn't die Regina," Emma's voice rose emotionally as she tried to get the brunette to see. "She's still inside you! Everyone else can see it, you just have to let yourself see it too."

"Emma you have no idea what this feels like!" Regina's voice broke as she began to lose control of her emotions too. "You have no idea what it's been like for me these past few months. I just need it to be over. I can't take any more, I am not strong enough."

"Mom..." Henry sobbed, he was now crying too as he listened to her. "You don't mean that..."

"But Regina–" Emma's voice broke.

"Miss Swan," Regina stopped her. "I am done telling you no. I am not going to Boston, so please stop making me explain myself to you. We are staying in Storybrooke and that's final."

"But Mom I don't want you to go," Henry sobbed, his breaths were coming in shaky gasps. "I don't want to lose you again."

"I don't want to lose you either Henry..." Regina said as she very gently ran the back of her finger across his cheek.

"Then why don't you want to go to the hospital?"

Regina sighed, looking over at Emma tiredly. She couldn't keep repeating herself, it was wearing her out.

"Emma said it would be okay, she said you would be safe." Henry continued.

"Henry," Regina stopped him gently. She could feel her heart aching. "Please don't argue with me on this. It's hard enough for me as it is." She said kindly, but firmly.

"Okay..." Henry said in a shaky voice as tears streamed down his face. He crawled forward and burrowed into her embrace, his entire body was soon shaking from crying.

"I'm so sorry Henry." Regina said in heartbroken whisper. "This is one of the most difficult choices I've ever had to make... But it is my decision, please respect it." Her eyes flicked up to Emma's as she said this, letting the blonde know that she was asking the same from her too. She wrapped her arms more fully around her son, trying her best to ignore the waves of pain that were coursing through her as Henry clung too tightly to her.

"I love you mom..." Henry wept.

"I love you too." She whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his head. "And no matter what happens, no matter where I am, I'll always love you."

It was about an hour later and Emma had made perfectly sure that Regina was asleep before making any attempts to get up. Henry was now sleeping in Emma's arms since the pressure against Regina's injuries had become a little overwhelming for the brunette, but Regina's arm was draped lightly around the boy, making sure he knew she was still close.

Emma softly whispered his name, and was relieved when she heard a small, sleepy "yeah?" in response.

"Henry can you come with me for a few minutes? I want to ask you something."

"What about mom?"

"She'll be okay, I promise."

"I don't want to leave her."

Emma nodded, she more than understood. That had been her all day after all.

"Okay. I'll get someone to come up and stay with her okay? If someone is here to watch over her will you come downstairs with me?"

"Why?"

"You'll find out downstairs."

Henry made a sound of annoyance, but it was tainted with sadness. "Okay."

Ruby and Kathryn had both gone back to the hospital to make sure Whale was still being detained, and so David had agreed to go upstairs to sit with Regina.

Emma was pacing in the living room, waiting impatiently for Henry to come down. When finally she saw his somber, slow-moving form enter the room she instantly forced herself to sit down.

"Why'd we have to come down here? I want to stay with my mom." Henry said, his voice was still a little raw and his eyes were still red-rimmed.

"I know you do, so I'll make this quick I promise. Will you come sit with me?"

Henry nodded, and crossed the room to sit down beside her.

"So here's the thing Henry... your mom is not in a good place right now. She's just been tortured, her health is getting really bad... and she's just worn out and in a lot of pain. She's having a really hard time and as a result she's ready to give up. But Henry, I don't think this has to be the end."

"But she doesn't want to leave Storybrooke. Without her magic and without a hospital won't she die here?" Henry frowned in thought. "Unless now that Whale is gone she can go to Storybrooke General. Can she do that?"

Emma shook her head. "I'm sorry kid."

Henry's shoulders visibly sagged. "So then what can we do?"

Emma breathed a heavy sigh. "Okay... bear with me. Regina thinks it's over for her, and so she's giving up, but she can still make it through this if we can just get her to go to Boston with us."

"But she told me not to argue with her about it. I don't want to make her mad at me." Henry said, looking like a lost puppy.

"She won't get mad at you Henry..." Emma said, biting her lip uncertainly. "If anything she'll just end up hating me."

"Why?" Henry asked as Snow entered the room.

"Because..." Emma closed her eyes for a few moments, shifting nervously in her seat. "Because what if I told you that I'm prepared to take Regina to Boston, no matter what she says."

Henry just stared up at her, not knowing how to respond. "But how? She won't go."

"She doesn't have to want to go... for me to take her there..." Emma explained guardedly, hoping he would catch her drift.

"Emma," Snow said as her eyes flashed suspiciously.

"Emma what do you mean?" Henry looked from Snow to Emma again. "Are you saying you want to... kidnap my mom?"

"Well... kind of." Emma shrugged her shoulders, holding them there in an I don't know what else to do sort of way. "Yeah?"

"Emma!" Snow exclaimed in shock.

"What?! What else are we supposed to do?" Emma countered.

"Won't she get... really mad?" Henry asked.

"Probably... yeah." Emma replied with a frown. "But it would probably also save her life. I know how horrible it sounds, but it could be for the best." Emma studied him, waiting for a response but he remained quiet. "So what do you say?" She asked a little softly, as if she were afraid of the answer.

Ignoring Snow's huffs and glares, Emma watched Henry. She could practically see his internal struggle.

"I don't want her to die Emma." Henry finally said.

"So that's a yes? You'd be okay with taking Regina to Boston against her will?" Emma asked, hardly believing her ears.

Henry nodded. "I want her to get better. I want her to stay with us."

Emma gave a relieved laugh, pulling him into a tight hug. "Oh my god Henry thank you."

"Can I go back upstairs now?" Henry asked as he returned the embrace.

"Yeah kid, of course you can." Emma said, releasing him.

Henry actually smiled up at her. "Thank you Emma." He said before hurrying out of the room.

Emma's giant smile only faltered when she finally made eye contact with her mother again.

"Emma please tell me you're not actually planning on going through with this." Snow said, appalled.

"What?" Emma asked defensively. "I'm trying to save her life."

"But Emma what you're planning is cruel."

"She doesn't know what she's saying Mary Margaret! This will help her, she's just scared, she doesn't seem to realize that she's giving up so much!"

"Emma she does know, this is hard for her too, but it's also what she specifically said that she wants."

Emma shook her head, "but she wanted to go to Boston... She was ready to go..."

"And then she changed her mind!"

"And what if she changes it again when it's too late?!" Emma snapped. "I'd rather do this now and have her hate me than to have her wishing she had gone to the hospital when she still had the chance!"

"Emma you're trying to justify your actions but you don't know that she's ever going to change her mind."

Emma folded her arms, she was shaking her head. "We should have left the instant we got her home, then none of this would have happened. She would have left, I know she would have... but then when we were waiting for Henry she had time to change her mind. She got too comfortable here and now she's decided that she would rather stay home and give up."

"Emma she's just been through hell, you can't blame her for wanting to be somewhere that's familiar and comforting. And besides, you said it yourself earlier... Regina never would have left without Henry."

"I should have just taken her anyway." Emma mumbled. "Then she would be safe. I would have come back for Henry."

"But Emma she never said she was okay with leaving."

"She hadn't said she wanted to stay either." Emma challenged.

"Sweetheart she could barely move when we first brought her here."

"It doesn't matter, I would have just carried her out to the car. It would have been easier then too, she wouldn't have had the energy to try to stop me."

"Do you even hear what you're saying?! Emma... this isn't you."

Emma's expression changed, she dropped her gaze a little. "Well... it looks like it is now..." She said, sounding a little disappointed with herself.

"So you think you should have just taken her without even asking her first?"

"She was barely even conscious." Emma tried to defend herself.

"That doesn't make it at all okay."

"But it was our original plan!"

"I know..." Snow said sadly. "But then something tragic happened and everything changed. Emma you have to include her in your decisions, especially because they are about her."

"She's giving up, she doesn't even want to try to save herself." Emma breathed a heavy sigh, shaking her head. "I can't let her do this, she has her whole life ahead of her. I'm taking her to the hospital whether she wants to or not." Emma declared as she stood up and headed for the hallway.

Snow's face paled as she realized that her daughter was really serious. "Emma no."

Emma had a guilt-ridden, but determined look on her face. "I'm not going to let her stay here." She said in an emotional voice. "It might be what she thinks she wants, but with everything that's happening to her she's not thinking straight. She even has that brain disease thing, of course it's messing with her rationality!"

"Emma that was never confirmed." Snow reminded her, her tone a little dangerous now. "The doctor said Regina could possibly develop it. That doesn't mean she already has it."

"But with how much more sick she's become and after everything Whale and them did to her how do we know if she hasn't developed it by now? She chose me to be her medical power of attorney, she wanted me to make these decisions for her."

"Emma that was only meant for when she would be unable to do so herself! You have no legal right to take the choice away from her right now."

"I'm doing this Mary Margaret, it's what's best for her. She'll thank me a few years from now when she's still alive and watching Henry walk across the stage at his high school graduation." Emma argued, there were tears in her eyes but she couldn't stop herself.

"Emma you can't do this!" Snow begged, hurrying after her daughter up the stairs.

"Actually yeah, I can! You heard Henry, he agrees with me. We have to do what's best for her, and for him too. We have to get her to the hospital. She can hate me all she wants, if she won't fight for her own life then I'll do it for her."

"Emma you need more than just Henry's approval! This is Regina's life we're talking about, I know how hard it is but you can't just ignore her wishes. What's best for her is to show her that you support her, not to forcibly abduct her!"

"She's tired, she's been through too much and it was more than she could handle. She just doesn't realize how much she still has to live for!"

"Think about what she's just been through Emma, you don't want to force her through another traumatic experience like this." Mary Margret desperately argued, "think about how scared she is! If she tries to fight you you could end up really hurting her, and if that happens Emma you would never forgive yourself."

"I won't hurt her, I'll be careful."

"Have you even thought about how you would keep her in the car? I know she's weak right now but if she's determined enough merely putting her in the car might not be enough to keep her there."

Emma stopped, she breathed a heavy sigh.

"I know you know I'm right Emma. So what are you going to do?" Snow challenged accusingly. "Are you going to bind her already-bruised wrists? Are you going to drug her and risk overdosing her system? Are you going to handcuff her to her seat? It would certainly be effective for keeping her in the car but if you did end up getting attacked in town you would be leaving Regina trapped in a corner if anything happened to you. She wouldn't stand a chance."

"But I can't just let her give up. I can't let her die." Emma said in a smaller voice.

"Then you have to convince her that leaving town is her best option. Remind her of everything she has to live for."

"But I've already tried that, she won't listen." Emma said, blinking back a few tears. "Even Henry wasn't able to change her mind."

"Emma if she wants to stay here it's her right to make that decision. She's already lost so much, don't take her free will away from her too."

Emma breathed a heavy sigh. She glanced in the direction of Regina's room, there was an internal battle raging inside her. She didn't want to do this to Regina, she didn't want to hurt her and she didn't want to see the look in Regina's eyes when she did betray her trust. She didn't want it to stir up any bad memories and most importantly, she didn't want it to be what would destroy their relationship. On the other hand though, she needed Regina to make it through this. She wanted her to live, and she wanted her to be safe.

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A/N: Thank you for reading, please review. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone xx