"I just don't know how to convince her," Killian sighs.
He's found his way to Granny's restaurant to talk with Ruby, Regina, and Elsa, some of Emma's most trusted friends over milkshakes and fries.
"It's clear she's going to need professional help," Regina says before sipping her milkshake. Ruby stands behind the counter cleaning up after the lunch rush and talking to her friends. "No one can go through what she's experienced and come out unscathed."
"And you said it's already showing?" Elsa asks.
"Aye, she's been waking up screaming bloody murder in the night. She avoids physical contact with anybody. Her hands shake, she's much quieter than ever before, she cries all the time…"
"Jeez," Ruby says.
"That can't be healthy," Elsa says.
"It's not. Emma may be strong, but a person can only bend for so long. It's only a matter a time before she breaks," Regina says. "And with the baby… The stress is terrible for it. Mary Margret is living witness to that."
Killian sighs and runs his hand through his hair. Elsa pats him on the shoulder as a sign of comfort. He's never been put into such a situation before. He's worried about Emma and their baby. He also has concerns for Henry and himself.
"To be honest I haven't been sleeping well either," he admits.
"It sounds like we all need help," Ruby agrees.
"It's true, these kinds of things will not go away magically. We're going to have to work through it," Regina says.
"But you know Emma, she won't burden other people with her problems and she hides behind those walls," Elsa says.
"Well then Killian is going to have to smash those walls," Regina says firmly. "For her sake and for the sake of your daughter."
Killian sighs and nods. He knows that trying to convince Emma of anything is a mammoth task on its own.
"Try to give her some comfort food and then sit down with her and talk," Elsa suggests.
"Right I'll have Granny make some onion rings and I'll make her a chocolate milkshake. Those are her favourites and then you can try to convince her to get help."
"You should try strawberry Ruby, she's been craving the red fruits recently. This morning, Mary Margret brought over raspberries for breakfast and she ate the entire basket."
"At least she's eating healthy," Regina shrugs. "But I do have the doctor you two can see."
Regina reaches into her pocket and pulls out a business card. Killian takes it and reads the title.
"Dr. Archibald Hopper?"
"He's the best of the best. I've been seeing him for years after the death of Daniel and after the divorces. He offers all kinds of counseling including couples and child psychology."
"Thank you, Regina," Killian says. He gets his wallet out to pay for the onion rings and shake.
Suddenly, the bell of the restaurant rings and a familiar, angry red-head walks in in black stilettos.
"I thought I'd find you stuffing your face with greasy food," Zelena says. "You should lay off the burgers sis."
Regina rolls her eyes and takes in a deep breath to face her half sister.
"Beats starving myself to fit into that dress," she snaps back. "What do you want Zelena?"
"I wanted to see if the rumors are true. That Emma has been found?"
Everyone looks at one another.
"Aye, she has," Killian answers.
"And no one thought to tell me. Call or even a text?"
"It kind of happened very fast…" Elsa begins.
"Save the excuses Blondie," the lawyer snaps. "I want to know why I wasn't informed that Emma was found and pregnant no less. I had to find everything out on the news."
"How did you know she was pregnant?" Ruby asks skeptically. "That wasn't on the news."
"You think Mary Margret doesn't send out mass texts whenever her child burps? Most of you don't realize that I'm also on that contact list."
"Well, you haven't exactly been working hard to find Emma."
"I've been busy with new cases," Zelena says, sticking her nose into the air.
"Like the one you just got fired from?" Regina smirks.
Zelena's blue eyes go wide.
"I…I don't know what you're talking about."
"Save the lies Zel," Regina says getting up from the stool and walking towards her half-sister. "I know that Robin fired you. I know that because he brought his son to my apartment after your call to Child Protective Services basically forced the kid out onto the street and away from his mother. I know that you will fight dirty in order to get what you want, even if it means hurting an innocent child and separating him from his mother to do it."
The two sisters now face to face, glaring daggers at each other. If looks could kill, they would both be dead. Elsa and Killian watch on in stunned silence, not sure about how this is going to go while Ruby secretly gets her phone out to film the potential cat fight. The other few customers in the restaurant try to ignore the dispute but can't help but be intrigued.
"You have no proof that I made such a call," Zelena says, trying to keep her chin high.
"I don't need proof, your attitude and predatory intentions for Robin are enough to convince me."
"How dare you!" the red-head growls
"I'm not afraid of you Zelena and I never have. Face, it, Robin is not interested in you and never will be. You played dirty and didn't come out clean."
The anger inside her half-sister boils over into physical violence. The older sister slaps Regina across the face. The dark-haired sibling doesn't waste any time fighting back, return the assault and eventually it's turning into a fight.
"Hey, Hey!" Granny shouts, coming out from the kitchen. "None of that in my diner!"
Killian and Elsa jump right in and pull Regina away from her sister. Neither wants to go near Zelena. The two siblings look at one another with pure fury. Regina's lip is bleeding slightly and a bruise is forming beside Zelena's eye.
The lawyer immediately brings out her compact and tries to touch up the bruise.
"I have to be in court tomorrow morning, I hope you're happy."
"To see you get what you deserve I'm always happy," Regina sneers.
The red-head begins to storm towards her sister again, but Granny holds her spatula up as if to create a line between the two women.
"I won't tolerate any of this now get out of here," Granny orders Zelena. Her blue eyes narrow in on her sister and she bites her lip angrily. She sucks in a few breaths before backing up and turning to leave.
"Good luck with your bastard child Killian, I just hope Emma will be sane enough to take care of it. And Robin will never be interested in you dear sister. Mark my words, he will come back to me."
"I'll mark more than your words," Regina snarls, but Killian and Elsa hold her back.
With her heels punishing the tiled floor, Zelena exits with a swift flick of her hair.
The tension in the room seems to dissipate once she's gone and the restaurant seems to go back to normal. Granny shakes her head before offering to get ice for Regina.
"I'm fine," she assures the older woman. The owner nods and then disappears into the kitchen again. Killian and Elsa release their friend and she goes back to the counter, putting a napkin to her lips.
"Did you have to break up the fight so soon?" Ruby whines. "I wanted this to go viral."
The three others roll their eyes and Ruby smirks at her own joke. She then hands the bag of food and milkshake to Killian.
"I wish you the best of luck Killian Jones," she says through her ruby red lips. "Try to break those walls around Emma Swan is going to take more than a sledgehammer, it'll take a wrecking ball."
Some sister rivalry. Unlike what's happening in the show where Regina and Zelena are bonding and the former wicked witch hitting the Black Fairy with her car was priceless. I'm not a big fan of Zelena, but she makes a great secondary antagonist to the story. There will be more tension to come.