Taunting
Jade Star asked for a oneshot of *6x02 spoilers!* Snow at Granny's watching her family tear each other apart, as the Evil Queen threatened. Emma has her visions and tremors. Charming is arguing with Emma because he's stressed about this thing with his dad. Henry is blaming himself as the Author. Snow tries a hope speech, but everyone snaps at her and goes their separate ways. Snow is heartbroken. The EQ taunts her when they're all gone.
"I'm the Author. I should have seen this coming. I should be powerful enough to stop it…"
"Well, we can't win every battle." Charming snapped. "There's no point in moaning."
"Dad." Emma said, horrified. Snow, Henry and Emma were all looking at Charming, quite confused. "Henry's upset. Don't make it worse."
"Well he's not the only one. We're all having to fight the Evil Queen and Hyde as well as all the other damn villians he's brought." Charming could see Emma grasping hold of her arm tightly to stop it from shaking. "And don't think we haven't noticed that." He said, pointing at her hands. "We're not stupid, Emma. We've all seen your hands shaking. You're letting this get in the way and putting everyone in danger. So don't lecture me about making things worse…"
"What's your problem tonight?" Emma bit back. "You went outside to get some air and you come back acting like a douche. Clearly something happened that you're not telling us…"
"Don't you speak to me like that, young lady…"
"Enough!" Snow shouted. Her family turned to look at her. "That's better. You're letting the villains win, bickering like this. We haven't lost a fight yet, so why should we expect to lose now…" Snow snorted. "Care to tell everyone what's so funny?" Snow asked her.
"Haven't lost a fight? You found out I was the Saviour, popped me in a wardrobe and didn't see me for nearly three decades. I'd call that a loss to team hero."
"Emma." Snow said, shocked.
"She's been in a bad mood all day grandma." Henry grumbled. "I don't think a hope speech is going to help here." Snow looked to Charming for support, but he wasn't looking back. Emma was right about that; he was hiding something. "Fine." Snow snapped. She got up from the booth, and stormed outside. She wasn't putting up with their tempers.
Snow stood in the alleyway outside of Granny's and inhaled the cool air. She rested her head against the brick wall and closed her eyes, counting to ten. She heard the door of Granny's slam a few more times. She was sure that was her family leaving in dribs and drabs. This was such a mess.
"Trouble in paradise?" Snow opened her eyes. Of course it was her. Snow was right. This was exactly what the Evil Queen wanted.
"Leave me alone." Snow growled. She wasn't in the mood for her torments.
"No, I don't think I will." The Evil Queen responded, delighting in Snow's misery. "Looks like your precious hope speeches have lost their edge, Snow White. Nobody cares anymore. Not even your own family. What's the matter? Lost your touch?" Snow ignored her. "Oh, is that the game we're playing? Well maybe I'll just go talk to them instead…"
"Leave them alone." Snow growled. She might be pissed off with them all, but she still wasn't having the Evil Queen mess with their heads. The Evil Queen chuckled darkly.
"It seems you care more than they do. But why shouldn't they? Your so-called 'Prince Charming' would easily find himself another wife. Emma hasn't needed parents since you abandoned her. Neal wouldn't even remember you. Then there's Henry, he's the easiest to sort out, he has me." The Evil Queen said happily. "Nobody would even miss you…"
"Your lies mean nothing to me." Snow stopped her. "You will not get inside my head. Not anymore. So you might as well save your breath."
"For now, Snow dear. But your resilience won't last long. I'll crush your heart soon enough, but in a way that you'll live with the pain for the rest of your miserable life." And with that, she vanished. Snow slid down the wall, exhausted. How were they meant to win this battle, when the Evil Queen had them all exactly where she wanted them?
