Willing sacrifice
snoopykid asked for a oneshot of *6x07 spoilers!* Emma surrendering her heart to protect her parents.
Emma couldn't take this any longer. This wasn't the way her parents were meant to be. They belonged together. She could see it was tearing them apart being so close to each other, and yet so far away. She could put an end to this. She knew that she could. One of the few advantages of her parents' current situation was that it was easier to do things they'd deem as risky since they didn't know what Emma had told the other parent she was doing that day. So when her dad was sleeping- and therefore couldn't know she wasn't at work like she was meant to be- Emma said her goodbyes. She could tell her mother seemed suspicious.
"You ok sweetie?" She asked. Emma nodded, at least attempting to smile. "I know this is difficult, but we're going to beat this. We will defeat her again."
"I know." Emma responded, hugging her mom. Snow hugged her in return, putting the need for contact down to feeling insecure because of the curse. Emma pulled out of the hug and also said goodbye to her father and little brother. She had said her goodbyes to Henry the previous night. "I'll see you later." Emma lied. She then made her way towards Regina's vault. That's where the Evil Queen was most likely to be, or at least agree to meet her. Emma didn't see what extra risk she was taking. After all, she already had a death sentence hanging over her. So she had no fear when she made her way to the vault and called out to the Evil Queen, summoning her.
"What do I owe the pleasure?" The smarmy voice asked from behind her. Emma didn't turn around to give her eye contact. She didn't deserve that level of respect.
"I want to make a deal with you." Emma snarled. She heard the Evil Queen laugh.
"Have you confused me for Rumplestiltskin, dear? I'm not quite sure how, we look nothing alike and my voice is nowhere near as annoying." The Evil Queen taunted her. Emma chose to ignore her.
"You can't get my heart. That much I know from when your mother tried to take it. My magic protects me. End the curse on my parents and I'll hand it over for you to crush. Think about it, I'm the Saviour. Without me this town could be yours." Emma didn't believe that for a second. She wasn't the only hero protecting the people of Storybrooke, but the Evil Queen didn't need to know that. Emma finally turned to face her. She could see her thinking, contemplating the offer. "Do we have a deal?" Emma asked her. The Evil Queen smirked.
"I end this new curse on your parents, and your heart is mine?" The Evil Queen confirmed. Emma nodded. Her life was a worthy sacrifice in her mind to safe her parents. The Evil Queen laughed coldly. "Then yes, I say we have a deal, Miss Swan. There will be no time for soppy goodbyes. This happens now." The Evil Queen warned her. "Hand over your heart."
"I suspected you might say that. I said goodbye before I came." Emma explained, preparing to reach into her chest.
"They let you come here knowing you would sacrifice yourself? My my, what loving parents you have." The Evil Queen said sarcastically.
"They didn't know I was coming here." Emma snapped. "They didn't know I was saying goodbye. Do you want my heart or not?" The Evil Queen stayed silent. Emma then commenced with the act at hand. She plunged her hand into her own chest and, as gently as possible, circled her heart. She yanked it out. Emma gasped from the pain, only just managing to stay on her feet. "Now end the curse and my heart is yours." Emma grunted. The Evil Queen waved her hand, a bright light shot out from it.
"Done." She told her. "Hand over the heart."
"How do I know you're not tricking me?" Emma asked.
"Oh trust me dear, you'll know." The Evil Queen assured her. Before Emma could ask what that was meant to mean, the Evil Queen grew impatient. She flicked her wrist, and Emma's hand was in her palm. Emma stood stunned. "I might not be able to rip it out of your chest dear, but there was nothing stopping me taking it out of your hand." She pointed out. Emma prepared herself from the inevitable pain.
"Do it." She winced. She was ready…but then she heard the cold laugh again. Emma opened her eyes once more.
"You silly girl. Why would I crush the heart of one of the most powerful enemies I have when she handed herself over oh so willingly? No, I think I'll hold onto this." Emma's eyes widened in horror. She hadn't expected this. With her heart in the hands of the Evil Queen, who knew what she would have Emma do?
