"No..."
That was the only thing Emma managed to say while stuttering. Truth hit her like a hard slap on her face.
"Oh yes. I have no reason to lie to you."
Gold smiled proudly and tapped her shoulder. He stood up and grabbed his walking stick looking at emma with a broad smile on his face.
You can clearly see that he's the kind of man that doesn't really get sad or upset over someone's shitty life. The former sheriff bowed down her head holding it with both of her trembling hands shocked.
"This can't be happening... you're telling me that she saved my ass... and that I..."
Gold interrupted her.
"And you were about to ruin her life yes! That's exactly what I'm saying!"
"And why the hell didn't you tell me earlier?"
She snapped with tears forming at the corners of her eyes.
"That would have ruined all the fun."
He winked playfully and tittered.
"You're a fucking animal! Such an arrogant, and rotten inside! Belle is not that stupid to stay with you, even if you managed to hide your wicked deeds!"
She chanted annoyed and pointed her finger towards him.
"Get out of my way! Get out of my life! Don't you ever dare come near my family ever again!!!"
Her eyes wide open and her cheeks burning in anger.
"What family?"
He raised an eyebrow looking at her with an intimidating look on his face as an evil smirk spread on his face. He finished his phrase and immediately walked away limping slightly. He always had the last word... not the kind of man that would let you have the last say on a conversation especially on a fight.
She sighted shrugging her shoulders and run her fingers through her hair as a few tears slipped down her burning cheeks. She was at wit's end with worry and embarrassment... she managed to ruin her life for once again. Maybe it was never about what Regina did at the hotel.
She was rational enough to realise that Regina hiding such information from her was just an honest mistake that any kind of person who hesitated would have made. Nope... it wasn't Regina's actions in Paris and now she certainly knew about it. What bothered her the most and led her all the way here was her broken heart.
She was in love with that woman, and the very thought that she couldn't get her out of her head drove her insane. Losing her after Paris was obviously her own decision. Breaking Regina's heart by trying to move on with that girl back then was her own decision as well...
"What on earth did you do?"
David rushed over snow grabbing her shoulder and pulled her closer to him looking at him with a pained look on his face. He clearly expected emma reacting in the worst way... snow just pressed her lips together confidently before she spoke.
"You know exactly what I did David! I did the right thing!"
She run her fingers through her hair looking around the room to see that Emma nowhere to be seen. She had probably left.
"You promised! You promised that you had her back! You fucking promised to support her snow! This is our daughter for fuck's sake! I can't fucking lose her again! I can't take this madness anymore!"
He barked through greeted teeth as the tears in baby blue eyes were slowly forming and wanting out. He bit his lips in despair and anger as he shook Snow's shoulders.
"I had no choice! I lied! I lied okay? What was I supposed to say? That I was clearly planning to help Regina from the beginning??"
"And lying to her is supposed to be better considering you did not hurt her all along..."
He mumbled ironically.
"No... but I couldn't risk losing my chance. In case I told her my opinion straight forward she wouldn't let me come... and I wouldn't be able to help Regina."
She finally admitted and took a deep breath finally being able to look inside his eyes. She raised her hand and slowly cupped her husband's burning cheeks lovingly.
"I wouldn't be able to sleep at night ever again if I helped the judges sentence Regina. She doesn't deserve any more pain."
"Sometimes being extremely selfless harms your family you know. I used to admire your kindness and will to help people... but right now... you helped someone that ruined us and fooled us way too many times to only ruin your family... how could you?"
He bowed down his head not being able to hold his tears back. The pain in his voice was pretty obvious now. He sobbed and rubbed his face in despair.
"Look at you Snow... you just helped a fucking monster!"
"Don't call her that David! You're obviously too blind to see the truth! Just like your daughter... the apple didn't fall far away from the apple tree."
Her tone harsh and sassy. His eyes widened open at Snow's words in disbelief. His wife rarely made a mistake when she followed her instinct. He wanted to believe her so badly.. but life was a bitch to them lately to let him follow his heart right now.
He crossed his arms underneath his chest as his eyes gazed around the room seeking Emma's face. Nope... she had left. Of course she did. He bet that she wouldn't even be in the mood to ever hear from them again.
Snow focus on the exit door when she watched Gold walking inside the court house again with an evil grin on his face.
"Follow me."
She said and grabbed David's hand as she rushed outside the court house to find Emma drinking a half emptied bottle of beer.
"Thank god."
The prince cried out as he run towards his daughter.
"Emma it's 2:00PM."
Emma just groaned in despair as she raised her head weakly looking at him with a poker face. Anyone could tell that her eyes were unable to focus entirely on the two figures of David and Snow.
"Dad... mum..."
She mumbled feeling her body entirely unable to move. She felt weak. Weaker than ever. David sat down next to her and pulled her closer for a tight hug. He let her rest her head on his chest slowly rubbing her head soothing her.
No tears came out. The feeling of anger had officially disappeared. She ruined everything... it was her fault this time. There's was no one else to put the blame on and make herself feel better anymore. She had to finally look at the truth straight in the eyes and admit her mistakes while facing the consequences as well.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry Emma! I had to! I had no other choice... you know me... I... I- I wouldn't be able to forgive myself ever if Regina ended up behind bars. I know your heart is broken... I know you hate her! I know she broke my multiple times and made you feel entirely useless but.. that's Regina's way to make herself feel better and retain the walls she raises every time she feels unprotected! She's a proud woman. I know her better than anyone else... I couldn't do this to her."
She spit out in one breath and huffed at the end of her phrase waiting for Emma to snap at her.
"I know.."
The blond woman replied as a loud sob followed. David looked at snow with worry filling his eyes. That didn't seem normal. Emma was supposed to be angry! But here she was... helpless and more heartbroken than ever.
Emma's hand were shaking underneath David's touch. Snow immediately sat down next to her daughter tacking her hair behind her ear.
"What's going on? Aren't you mad?"
She hesitated but finally asked.
"I'm an idiot... she... she didn't cast the curse."
"What?"
Snow and David asked in unison.
"Gold told me. Obviously most of the people here knew about this. She was just protecting Gold from Belle's wroth. She had made a deal with him... he casted the curse, put the blame on Regina but gave me a good life with Killian and Henry instead."
Snow swallowed hard at Emma's words.
"Baby... you couldn't have known."
"WELL I COULD HAVE! But I'm so fucking blind mum! Killian tried to tell me... gold tried to warn me! I should have known the minute I met Regina! She didn't tell me... she didn't even give a fucking sign... she protected me and Henry all along and here I am sentencing her for being a bad and worthless mother... how could I?"
She sobbed.
"You can still talk to her."
David admitted and rubbed her hand softly.
"It's too late. We're both way too hurt to give this a try. It's not just Regina... it's Henry as well. I humiliated myself in front of their eyes and your eyes guys! I used to tell you this all the time! I'm not a saviour! Anywhere I go I bring disaster... I'm just... a lost girl. And that's not gonna change."
She drunk a sip of her beer and leaned her head back on David's chest again.
"You know exactly who you are Emma! Being the saviour doesn't mean that you can't fail! You're allowed to make as many mistakes as you want... we are humans. And sadly we can't predict the future. But we can shape it via our actions."
He gave her a loving smile and wiped away her tears with his thumb.
"She's right there my love."
Snow admitted as she pointed her finger towards Regina who was currently talking to Archie outside of the court house. She had won, but still she didn't look happy. That wasn't her happy ending and she knew that as well. It was a shame that she knew exactly which was her happy ending but still she couldn't have it.
She was trapped in her own story and she couldn't escape her demons no matter what. Love... the most important gift of them all... was the kind of forbidden fruit for her.
"And what am I supposed to say?"
Her voice trembled and her heart kissed a beat the moment she saw the brunette woman glancing over her.
"Apologise... that's a start."
Snow advised her and helped her up. Emma balanced her weight as she threw the empty bottle of beer in the garbage and cleared her throat trying to look dissent.
"I'll be back."
She mumbled as she put her hands in her pockets awkwardly and approached Regina and Archie hesitantly.
"Ugh... hi..."
She said to get their attention. The ginger head man smiled uncomfortably at her.
"Miss swan..."
"It's okay Archie. You did good."
She forced a smile feeling the air around her tensing.
"I couldn't..."
"I know! You did good. Can I interrupt you two for a couple of minutes? It won't take long."
She asked and looked at the cricket smiling. Archie smiled.
"Of course of course. I'm sorry."
He walked away holding his umbrella and approached Henry.
Regina fixed her hair and looked away as the wind blew her hair from the other side. She pressed her coat against her body and licked her lips with an annoyed look on her face.
"Regina... I'm sorry."
"About what?"
The former mayor raised an eyebrow and crossed her hands over her stomach protecting the swell underneath her coat which was very obvious by now. Emma's eyes wondered on Regina's body, landing on her swollen stomach.
She got bigger... way bigger than she remembered. She was probably close. She cleared her throat and looked back at Regina's eyes.
"For... for trying to accuse you for something that wasn't really your fault."
"And who's fault was it really?"
Regina replied with a firm tone in her voice. Fuck... why did she have to be so cold and calm during this conversation when Emma was already grasping for air and confidence.
"Mine. You... you saved me and Henry. You should have told me about Gold casting the curse back then. Everyone accused you... and you didn't tell anyone about the truth! Why?"
"I'm used to people turning against me. Didn't really care about their opinions anymore. Still don't."
"But still. I appreciate what you did for me and our son and I hope that I knew about this earlier."
"What would have changed Miss swan? Tell me... don't tell me that you wouldn't have moved on with that whore!"
Regina's words hit emma like a thunderstruck.
"Regina what are you talking about?"
"Oh so now you don't remember! The day I came over your house to apologise, you were with somebody else."
"Right right I know! I remember... of course... it was just a one night stand Regina. She didn't mean anything."
"No need to convince me miss swan. I'm well aware of what I saw and I don't care about further explanations. What you do in your personal life shouldn't concern me at all. I'm just glad that I have my son back."
"Listen to me! She meant nothing okay? I let my heart lead me all the way here when I should have just think rationally! I'm sorry I brought you into this when you clearly didn't deserve it."
Regina rolled her eyes trying to remain strong and confident. Her heart was aching... she wanted to end this war. She wanted to grab the former sheriff and kiss her. She lusted the passionate kisses and safety emma provided for her. She craved that woman... she craved her happy ending... but. There's always a but! She couldn't let her in again. Not after what happened the last time. She couldn't take any more pain any more.
"You're right! I didn't deserve it at all. That's why we can pretend like this never happened and live our happily ever after! If you're worried about Henry then don't. I'm not stupid enough to take him away from you miss swan. We are going to share his custody like we always did. Now excuse me but I have to go!"
She was about to walk away when Emma unconsciously grabbed Regina's hand and pulled her closer to her.
"Regina don't... don't push me away. I made a mistake! I'm no saviour I know! I'm not perfect either... I'm human! I make mistakes! But I know how to love and I'm not afraid to show it!"
She cried as a new wave of tears escaped her eyes.
"Damn you woman..."
She sobbed and hid her face behind her palms. Regina looked at her in loss of words. She had no idea how to react. Her heart was screaming at her grab her chance for a lifetime of happiness but at the same time it ached in the very thought of more pain and loss.
She was about to speak when she heard a loud cry. Both saviour and queen turned around gazing the entire area to notice Gold kneeling down on the stairs holding his heart. David rushed towards him with Archie while Belle was shouting at snow to call an ambulance.
"Gold..."
The former queen whispered in confusion. More and more people surrounded the dark one in worry. So did Regina and Emma! They had to act...
"What's going on?"
Belle screamed in terror holding his hand as he breathed heavily. Regina pushed Archie away and sat down next to him looking in his eyes seeking for a sign that he was gonna be okay.
"WHATS HAPPENING?"
Belle screamed again holding his hand as a loud sob escaped her lips.
"Don't worry dear the ambulance is coming!"
Snow replied as she helped him lay down on his back.
"My... my heart..."
He whispered breathless looking at Regina.
"A heart attack?"
Belle's eyes widened open.
"No..."
Regina replied as she placed her hand over his chest feeling his beating heart underneath the flesh.
"Darkness."
She continued and looked at the heroes in front of her with worry.
"What- what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"He... got way too dark."
The older man nodded his head in agreement and held Belle's hand inside his own with pleading eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"What... what for? You didn't do anything."
Gold glanced over Regina who decided to remain silent and not ruin this for them. The dark one smiled weakly.
"My dear Belle... you're the purest person I know. Just promise that you'll never lose your innocence."
He managed to say and Belle broke down in louder sobs holding his hand closer to her chest. Snow massaged her shoulders softly.
"Shhh... just relax rumple! The doctors are coming."
Snow said.
"There's no way the can save what's already rotten."
He mumbled and winced in great pain. Regina hold his other hand.
"I'm proud of you."
He finally looked at her with tear in his eyes and a pained smile on his face.
"What?"
"For the woman you have become. You're no longer afraid, and most importantly you're not like your mother at all."
"Stop that! We'll find a way! Get Blue. Someone find blue!"
She cried out at Archie who was sitting still next to her speechless.
"Best student I've ever had. Follow your heart dearie... in the end your heart is the only one that knows."
He coughed and squeezed Belle's hand inside his own as his princess leaned over him placing soft kisses on his forehead and cheeks.
"We're gonna meet again my Belle. You'll never be alone."
He admitted as his voice lowered and completely faded at the end of his sentence. His eyes shut as he let out his last breath. Belle screamed in pain hugging him and crying over him.
"He's gone..."
Snow admitted and hold his hand in hers crying as well.
"How the hell did that happen?"
David screamed.
"Even evil has its own boundaries. There are limits we don't even get to breach either."
"What boundaries? What did he do that led him all the way here?"
Emma chocked on her saliva looking at Belle in shock.
"What the hell was that?"
Belle shouted at emma and then glanced over Regina.
"You know something..."
She pointed her finger towards Regina and Emma who looked at each other and swallowed hard.
"You act like you don't know your husband at all."
"Sometimes I feel like I don't! You didn't even know that Robin hid a psychopath inside of him!!"
"Belle..."
"TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW QUEENIE!"
She shouted at the top of her lungs and her eyes softened again as she sobbed again...
-This one is intense. Hope you like it!
