Chapter 13

Emma's eyes slowly fluttered open, sunlight cascading through the windows onto a bed left empty where Regina's naked body had once been. As the sleepy, blurred vision of the room started to sharpen, bringing her awake immediately. There was a sense of urgency that caused her heart to pound. Where was Regina? Typically, she would assume that everything was fine, but there was something inside of her that made her desperate to find Regina once more. Perhaps, she would blame it on the fact that whenever things seemed good, something would swiftly change that. The rug was always swept out from underneath her, and what would say that this time was different?

Emma shot up from the bed quickly, reaching for her clothes to throw on. Her shirt had hardly been slipped on before she had the door open to rush out.

"Regina!" She called out as she looked down either side of the empty halls. Her boots thudded against the carpeted ground as she moved rapidly through the castle. Guards only stared awkwardly at her as she moved from the top floor and down. Finally, she stopped to one of the guards, her hand gripping the shoulder of his armor.

"Where is the queen?" She asked firmly, intimidating the man almost instantly. He stepped back in surprise and found himself actually stuttering in response.

"Ah…uhh…"

"Out with it!"

"Sorry miss! Your majesty was seen heading toward the dungeons, miss!" He stammered out, falling back against the wall as she let go of him. Emma managed to mutter out a thank you before she was rushing toward the dungeons. She knew that Regina was in the dungeons for one reason and one reason only: Rumplestiltskin. Footsteps tapped against the stone steps as she moved down into the darkness. Muffled voices became louder the closer she moved toward Rumplestiltskin's cell. Staying hidden in the darkness, her green eyes stared out to see Regina in front of him, angrily clutching a heart in her right hand.

"You said this would work! Rocinante was my best horse! My most prized steed!" She growled, demanding explanation. He shot off of his seat with his finger pointing in her direction.

"You stupid girl! Do you honestly think that the heart of a beast would suffice? This is the Dark Curse! The only thing that can enact a curse of this magnitude is true sacrifice!" He shot back without hesitation. Regina remained stunned into silence, speaking only after a few seconds. This time, her voice was much quieter.

"What do I do then?"

"The heart you must sacrifice is the heart that you love the most," he replied, his smile widening as his green eyes slivered over toward the shadows in which Emma was hiding.

"Come on out, dearie. You're going to love this next part," he called out with his fingertips drumming together excitedly. Emma slowly stepped out of the shadows and walked toward Regina who turned toward her. Her heart pounded in her chest, and based on the expression on Regina's face, she knew that hers wasn't the only one. This was what she feared the entire time: this happy ending wasn't going to come easily. Emma's jaw tightened as she reached for Regina's hand, fingers lacing to lock their hands together. Her green eyes remained hardened as she stared at Rumplestiltskin. He only giggled in reply, bouncing slightly on his feet as he pushed himself up to the bars holding him captive.

"You sacrificed your father to enact the curse before," Emma said softly, certain that the revelation to Regina would hurt. The knowledge of her pain only broke her heart that much more. Her head turned toward Regina, meeting her gaze and confirming the ache in her heart as Regina's eyes held the emotions Emma never wanted her to experience.

"My father?" Regina's eyes glistened as the tears threatened to spill over her cheeks. Emma wanted nothing more than to kiss away every pain. If the words I love you would spare her and bring back happiness, they would be the only words she spoke. Alas, there was nothing she could do to alleviate the damage. Before she could speak, Rumplestiltskin piped in with a widening smile curling upon his lips.

"Ah, ah, ah! Not so fast. All magic comes with a price, dearie. You didn't think you could change history without repercussion, did you? You see, the king was the necessary sacrifice. That is, until you came along and stole our dear Regina's heart. He will no longer suffice. The only one who can now take his place as the sacrificial lamb for slaughter would be…well…you, dearie."

"No! You're lying!" Regina growled as she stepped in front of Emma, as if to protect her. Rumplestiltskin only smirked, making no movements behind the thick, prison bars.

"Am I? And why would I do a thing like that? Suit yourself, dearie. Your curse will not work without the heart of Miss Swan. Perhaps you should have thought about that." He spoke in such a lackadaisical voice that the flicker of his hand seemed to solidify his claim.

"I won't do it. I can't." Regina's voice quivered as the tears spilled onto her cheeks. She turned toward Emma, gripping her jacket. "I can't do it. Our future…it can be here, right? We can just start anew here. Say it, Emma. We can just stay here together. You and me. We can be happy," she said softly, as if pleading to Emma would change the outcome. This time, Emma felt her own tears stinging her cheeks as her arms wrapped around Regina's waist to draw her close.

"If you don't enact this curse, our son will cease to exist. As will I. This is the only way," she whispered as her forehead rested against Regina's. Emma wasn't afraid of dying. There was always a part of her that knew her role as The Savior would end up with her sacrificing her life at some point. What she hadn't anticipated was dying when there was so much to live for. Her hand came up to cradle Regina's neck, holding her close as the tears fell to the ground between them.

"Always so overdramatic!" Rumplestiltskin sighed loudly and fell against the bars to catch their attention. When they looked over toward him, he reached into his vest pocket to retrieve a small vial of golden liquid, showing only a hint of color in the glowing amber that glistened against the faint fire lighting the dungeon.

"What is that?" Emma asked, keeping her arms protectively around Regina.

"It has many names, but you would know it as a forgetfulness potion. All Regina has to do is drink it, and her memories of you are gone. All is returned to as it was," he replied with a grin as he held it out. When Emma went to reach for it, he pulled back quickly.

"Do not misunderstand me, Miss Swan! I don't give magic without a price. For this potion, you will owe me a favor in the new realm. To be collected at my discretion. You cannot refuse whatever it is I ask for. Do you agree to these conditions?" He asked, tongue excitedly running over his teeth. He was far too excited for this deal, and it was a deal they could not refuse. Emma reached out and snatched the potion from him.

"Fine. You've got yourself a deal," she mumbled with a scowl upon her face. He only grinned and held his hand out once more. This time, he held a wand toward her.

"Good. Then you will need this wand to return home, Miss Swan. Only a wielder of magic can open the portal to take you home. If you can figure it out before the Dark Curse is enacted, then you can go home. Who knows? Maybe you'll have a chance with Your Majesty after all. May I remind you both, however, that you're running out of time," he said sarcastically before stepping back into the shadows. He would not help any further. Emma held the wand and potion. They had the solution they needed for right now. God only knows what she would have to do in the future, but she kept telling herself…it would be worth it.

"There has to be another way," Regina started, but Emma shook her head.

"There isn't, sweetheart."

"I can't just…forget about you. I don't want to. What if I never remember? What if you can't find a way to bring me back to you?" These were questions that Emma was already asking herself, but what other options were there? Emma's hand came up to tuck a few strands of Regina's hair behind her ear.

"I will. I won't lose you, Regina. I'm going to find you. I'm going to find a way to make you remember me, this. Us. This is our only chance. I love you and I have to trust that our love is going to be enough. Can you do this too?" Emma asked as she locked eyes with Regina once more. This could be the last time those eyes look back at her with love and affection. Could she bear it, being around her without being able to touch her…kiss her…?

"I can do it. For you," Regina said softly as she stepped in to press her lips against Emma's. The kiss lingered and the two clung to one another for those brief seconds, losing one another in the kiss that ended all too soon.

"I have to go. I have to get Hook and get back to the portal before the curse is enacted. We don't have much time," Emma's voice trembled. Everything in her being wanted to stay wrapped in Regina's embrace. Her muscles ached, begging to hold on though she forced herself to let go. Her hands squeezed Regina's as she took a step back from her, still wanting so desperately to hang on. Regina pulled her back once more for a final kiss, her lips crushing against Emma's and lingering as long as she possibly could. The kiss broke and Regina whispered against Emma's lips.

"No matter what happens. This was all worth it. You brought me back to life again. You made me believe in love again. Thank you, Emma. For showing me that I do have a happy ending somewhere out there. With you."

"I love you, Regina. I love you so much. I'm going to find a way to bring your memories back. We'll be together again. I promise…" If it weren't for Regina, Emma wouldn't have found the strength to let go. Regina pushed her out of her arms, which as the only way she could let go.

"I love you. Now, go, before I lack the strength to give you up." Regina's arms wrapped around herself tightly, keeping her eyes on Emma's. Neither of them took their eyes off of each other as Emma walked backwards, heading to leave the castle. Even as her body turned in the shadows, Regina watched on, unable to hold back the tears of loss. Would she ever truly find a happiness that wasn't torn from her? She had to wonder what she'd done to make fate hate her so much.

With trembling hands, she pulled the cork off of the vial. With just a small mixture of potion, all of this would be gone. The only comfort she gave herself was in the knowledge that while she wouldn't remember it, Emma would be out there, fighting to bring her back. With a shaky breath, she threw the vial back and drank it, the sweet liquid sliding down her throat. Memories of Emma's kisses, laughter and touch melted away, bringing back only the cold memories of loneliness and bitterness.

"Why is my face wet? Why am I even down here?" She growled to herself as her hands came up to wipe away the tears. There was no time for this. It was time to finish this blasted curse if it was the last thing that she did. Her hatred for Snow returned, fists clenched by her sides as she started out of the dungeons. Daddy Dearest would be her next stop.

Emma ran as fast as she could, rushing out of the castle with the wand in her hand. Her heart broke the further from Regina she got, which made her breathing erratic. As she got out into the woods, Emma allowed her sobs to escape. There was nobody to hear her cries. So she thought.

"Swan?" Hook's concerned voice broke through the sobs, catching her off guard. Emma slowed down from running, turning to see him standing there with Marion. They both stepped out from behind the tree. Hook made his way up to her and she immediately fell into his arms, crying against his shoulder.

"Love, what happened?" He asked, hand petting the back of her head over her blonde hair.

"You…were right. I c-changed everything. Regina…had to take a forgetfulness potion. She d-doesn't remember me…anymore…" She tried to calm down to speak, but some of her words were caught in the midst of her cries while the others tried to push the pain away to rise above it as she had done so many times before.

"I'm sorry, Swan. What can I do?" He asked as he pulled back to see her face, wiping away the tears staining her cheeks. She shook her head and stepped back. It was then that she heard the thunder. Turning to look toward the castle, she saw the purple smoke rising from the top of the Queen's castle and she knew that the Dark Curse had begun.

"We need to get back to the portal. We have to go back before the curse comes over us. Come on," she said as she pushed past them both. Marion turned toward Emma and reached for her arm.

"Wait. I want to come with you guys. Can I? I have nothing here. I can't stay here and fall under this curse. Please?"

"Fine. Let's go," Emma replied as she ran back toward the portal. The purple smoke darkened the sky around them and the three of them only ran faster. They were running out of time. Should the smoke reach them before the portal, Emma would cease to exist. Henry. All of Storybrooke. Gone in an instant. She couldn't let that happen. Her hand extended forward with the wand, remembering the training Regina had given her in the past. Think of love…light. Emma thought of her moments with Henry, with Regina. She would return to Storybrooke and find a way to bring the memories back. They would be a true family...if it was the last thing she did.

The determination brought a white light from the wand as the portal opened before them, drawing them closer.

"You sure this is gonna work, Swan?" Hook called out, staring at the vortex forming before them. Emma gripped the wand and shook her head.

"Not really, but it's this or die, so. Let's do this!" She turned to see the dark purple smoke nearing them second by second. Pushing Hook and Marion forward, she leapt immediately after them, into the portal that once again sent them swirling into nothingness. Falling, falling, falling until eventually a firm ground broke their fall. Their bodies landed with a loud thud and a large abrupt stop as they landed against the concrete.

"Are we..home…?" Emma asked as her eyes lifted to find themselves on the streets of Storybrooke. It was nighttime, and Emma could only hope that it was the night before everything happened.

"Aye..." Hook whispered as he looked around the town once more, clearly wondering the same thing.

"What is this place?" Marion asked as she pushed herself up, starting to brush herself off.

"Storybrooke. Come on. Let's find everyone," Emma said as she turned in the direction of Granny's. She was certain that they would all be there. Boots thudded upon the concrete road as they rushed onward toward the small, busy diner. The lights became closer and brighter as they hurried toward the restaurant.

As they stepped through the gate, Emma hesitated, eyes staring through the blinds of the windows. Her eyes fell on Regina who stood there with Robin's arms around her. Immediately, jealousy and wrath seethed through her. She wanted nothing more than to run him through with her sword, which was obvious as she reached for the handle of her sword. Hook rested his hook on top of her hand and shook his head.

"Don't, Swan. Remember, we don't know what changed around here yet, aye?" He said softly, knowing she was being unreasonable. He nodded toward the door. As the three of them walked up to the door, Hook stepped in first with Marion close behind him. Mary Margaret was the first to see them.

"Where have you two been?! We've been worried sick! It's been a few hours since we've seen or heard from either of you!" She started toward Emma, but Emma could only look at Regina. Regina pulled herself out of Robin's arms, eyes locked on Emma's. The potion worked…based on her eyes that held only a mild liking for Emma, she could see that the love…was not there. It was then that Robin's voice broke through the crowd.

"Marion?" His voice cracked as he recognized his wife immediately. Rushing toward her, he opened his arms to take her in his embrace. Marion instantly ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck.

"Robin! I thought you were dead! I thought I would never get to see you again!" She cried. Roland recognized her right away and ran toward her.

"Mommy!" He shouted as he flung himself to her legs. The realization of who Marion was hit Emma and Regina at the same time. Emma's heart sunk. Shit. How was she going to explain herself? Regina turned her head and looked directly at Emma. The tears were forming, only this time, it wasn't for Emma. They were for the pain she was about to endure in losing Robin to his wife.

"You did this?" Regina asked, a snarl in her voice.

"Regina, I-" Emma stopped, unsure of what to say. I love you? I want you to be with me? Regina would think her insane if she spoke the truth. Before she could say much else, Regina held up a hand and shook her head.

"I thought you were better than this Miss Swan. I expected this from Snow, but not from you," Regina said, unable to hide the hurt in her voice. The pain caused an ache in Emma's heart, knowing that she couldn't fix it as desperately as she wanted to. Emma reached out to touch Regina's arm, but she pulled away quickly and shook her head. With that, she stormed out of the diner. Emma rushed out behind her, but Regina was already disappearing into a poof of purple smoke.

"Regina wait! I-" she'd started to try and stop her, but it was useless. The queen had already made her exit.

"I…love you…" She whispered softly, knowing that her confession fell on deaf ears. Finding a way to get Regina's memories back wasn't going to be easy. There had to be a way and Emma would die trying. She wasn't going to give up on her true love. After all, Regina was her true love. Stepping forward to head toward Regina's mansion, she felt an a hand on her arm. Turning to see David standing behind her, he squeezed her shoulder gently.

"Give her some time." He was right…even if Emma didn't want to admit it. Regina would need time to forgive her and move past this. And Emma would wait. She'd wait as long as she had to.

Emma knew she would find a way to make Regina Mills fall in love with her. Again. All she had to figure out was how.