Jewel thieves- part 2
CharmingsDaughter asked for a oneshot of a sequel to 2214 "Jewel thieves" where we see the family in hospital. This was a very easy one to do as I did start writing a multichapter fic for this, but it just never came to anything. So, here's what I wrote. This does include the original chapter, as it was in the middle of everything else I wrote. Think of this more as a director's cut than a sequel.
Meeting chapter
There was a small buzz of conversation scattered throughout the room. Up and down the long dark wooden table, members were having smaller hushed conversations amongst themselves as they waited for the real meeting to begin. It had been so long since they'd all been summoned together throughout their various stationed realms. For them all to be gathered like this, especially at such short notice, something incredibly important must be about to occur.
The room fell silent as they heard the heavy oak door being pushed open. Some shrunk back into their seats as the Grand Master slowly began to confidently stroll to his seat at the head of the table. Flanked, as always, by the two highest ranking members. Those who had completed the most missions, and taken out the most vermin. There was a loud scratching noise as the members all pushed their chairs back in sync, standing at the same time as a show of respect for their leader as he sat down.
"You may sit." He said in a quiet, raspy voice after he had settled himself. Immediately, the rest of the members took their seats once more. Not one made another sound. They all watched their leader eagerly, awaiting his announcement. What had been so urgent that they had to drop whatever they were doing and return to the Enchanted Forest for this meeting? "I suppose you are all wondering why I insisted upon your attendance today?" Again, silence. The Grand Master smiled. "We have a new target, brethren. One who is much more a threat to our cause than any we have ever faced." The tension in the room was almost palpable. Who could be this great new enemy to their cause. "And worst of all, she claims to wield light magic." Many of the members hissed. To them, there was no such thing as light magic. All magic was wicked, regardless of the wielder and their intentions. "Silence." The Grand Master said quietly. Immediately, silence fell over the room once more. Some of the members dared lean forward on their chairs, inching ever closer to their leader. It was rare for any outside the two highest ranking members to ever see the Grand Master. He was a mysterious man, but all members knew how much he could do without ever being seen. None dared cross him, or defy his instructions. Ever. Even now, as they sat in the same room as him, he seemed almost invisible. Most of his face was hidden under a cloak hood. All that could really be made out under the dim candlelight of the room was a pair of dark piercing eyes, seemingly watching everyone at once. A long, thin nose and a pair of thin lips, that hadn't entertained a smile in years. If ever. It was clear to all members that this was a man who preferred to keep his secrets.
"We must take out this new threat, immediately." The Grand Master announced. The members all sat up attentively. Who would be chosen for such an honour? "Oh, don't worry, brethren. You will all have a chance to prove yourselves on this mission. Make no mistake. This one is probably the most powerful foe we have ever faced. Her magic is strong, denying that would be foolish. We will all need to pull together to take her down. Our advantage is, her magic is new to her, she does not yet know the extent of her powers." The Grand Master explained. "She lives in a small pocket of the Land Without Magic, tainting it with her powers. She is not the only magical user there, but by making an example of her, the others will soon fall back into line. For most of them are not strangers to us." The Grand Master sat back in his chair, resting his clasped, bony, hands on the table in front of him. "This particular enemy needs eliminated quickly, before she does realise the extent of her abilities. She has a name, of course. But she also goes by a moniker. A moniker familiar to us, we have dealt with her kind before. To others, she is known as, The Saviour."
Emma's current life
Life in Storybrooke had settled down, somewhat. No major villains had popped up to cause havoc in the small town. Heck, Emma was hardly getting any challenging work as the sheriff, let alone the Saviour. The only issue Emma and Charming ever came across now was a new gang of thugs that seemed to enjoy hanging out around the station. Neither Emma nor Charming had ever had any proper complaints about any of them. They just seemed to enjoy looking tough, standing around with their hoods up all the time. No, Storybrooke had gone quiSnow and Charming had finally gotten what they'd fought so long to achieve: a normal life.
Since the Black Fairy's defeat and Emma's wedding, Snow and Charming had begun looking for a larger home. They knew there was a large chance Neal wouldn't be their last child, and they wanted to be settled into a bigger home before they even thought about having a third child. They had been gently introducing Emma to the idea of them moving to a larger home. They knew Emma was attached to the loft apartment, they understood why. Emma had found a real home and family in its walls. But it was time for the parents to move on and make new memories in a new home. Of course, that included with their daughter. They didn't think it would be long before they began looking for a new place, so they wanted to ease Emma into the idea. She was to be heavily involved with the planning and helping them choose. Their new home, of course, had to have rooms for Emma and Killian as well as Henry. As well as that, the parents wanted Emma to remember that she was still part of the family and still very much wanted. So they were spending more time with her than they had when she actually lived with them. Since Henry was staying with Regina for the weekend, and Killian was spending some time with his old crew on the Jolly Roger, Emma would actually be spending the whole weekend with them. Just a nice, relaxing weekend with both their children. Nothing exciting, nothing that could go wrong.
It had been such a pleasant evening. Henry was with Regina for the weekend, and Emma hated being in that big old house by herself (Killian had taken some of his old crew out to sea for the weekend) so Emma had gone round to spend the day with her parents and little brother. They had spent the day talking, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Now here they were, curled up together watching a cheesy movie before Emma would leave to go back to her house for the evening. Her parents had offered her to stay the night, her room was still upstairs, as it always would be. But Emma had kindly refused, she didn't want to intrude. That was when things went wrong.
Screech. Thud. Suddenly, all three adults were up at the window. A minivan had just pulled to a halt outside the family's home. Getting out were three men, all wearing ski masks or balaclavas. Two were carrying guns, and one a baseball bat.
"Shit." Charming muttered. It was too late for them to leave, they'd bump into them on the way up.
"Snow, get the kids upstairs." Charming said quickly. Snow and Emma both began to protest. They weren't leaving him down here to face thugs alone! Especially when they couldn't even call the police. The police were already here.
"Don't argue with me, please." He asked, kissing each of them on the side of the head quickly.
"I'm co-sheriff. Mum can take Neal up. I've got your back dad." Emma said. Charming sighed. He didn't have time for this. They'd be here any second.
"Emma, you don't even have your gun. I know you have your magic, but trust me, they'll be prepared for that. They've come here for a reason. Your mum and I had thugs try and break into the palace plenty of times. This time, we don't have knights to help us. The less leverage we give them, the less they've got to make us give them what they want." Snow knew her husband was right, and she knew one of them had to be with their children, she just hated that it was her. But he had called it first, and it would do no good arguing over it. One thing they both agreed on: Emma was going upstairs.
Snow quickly kissed her husband, speaking to him with her eyes: please be careful. She then grabbed Emma's wrist, ignoring her protests and quickly scooped Neal up from his crib. She had never been so grateful that her little boy was such a heavy sleeper. Now would not be the time for him to start crying. She then took her children upstairs into Emma's room, just as they heard the thugs beginning to break down the front door. Again, Emma made to go and help her dad. Snow thought fast.
"Here." She said, placing Neal in Emma's arms. She then manoeuvred Emma back so that she was between her children and the wall. "Now whatever happens, you stay behind me." Snow said quietly.
"Mom-"
"Emma, I know this is unpleasant, but your dad's right, this is the best way to keep everyone safe. If there's more than one person down there, they'll use one as leverage. Your dad is much safer if we're all up here. It's going to be ok." Snow promised her daughter, even though she was terrified. Emma and Snow then fell silent, doing their best to listen to the conversation down below.
"What do you want?" They heard Charming growl. They heard a gun being cocked. Snow and Emma prayed it wasn't aimed at Charming. "I'm armed, just like you. No matter what happens you don't leave here unscathed. Now get the Hell out of my house." They heard the intruder laugh.
"Go ahead, pull the trigger. See what happens. You think we'd come here letting you use weapons on us. See this right here? This is a magic dampening band, combined with a useful little shield that means your bullets will bounce right off while ours pass through your skull. So you pull that trigger if you want. You'd be the only one who'd end up dead." Snow was having to fight hard not to fall to pieces, or to run to Charming's aid. She knew it would only make things worse, but knowing he was down there alone with those thugs was terrifying.
"I'll ask you again. What do you want?" Charming growled.
"Where's everyone else?" The main thug asked.
"I'm alone. Emma and her boyfriend took my wife and son on his boat for the weekend. I get seasick. My grandson is with his other mother."
"Then you'll have no problem directing us to the crown jewels." They then heard Charming laugh. "What's so funny?" He barked.
"You really think we have anything like that here? We lost all of that stuff after the first curse. We make an honest living here. You'll find no rubies or diamonds. No sapphires or emeralds. No gold and the only silver you'll find is the silverware that won't be worth all that much. Now leave before someone sees you're here and comes to help us." Charming warned them. Snow desperately hoped they would leave knowing they had no riches here…when Neal started fussing. He screamed out, not liking how tense Emma was.
"Boss, can you hear that? -"
"Of course I can hear it! You lied to us. The others are here. I knew you were lying. Maybe they'll help you loosen your tongue."
"No please…" Snow and Emma heard a struggle before the feet starting getting closer.
"Mom, I'm sorry.."
"It's not your fault." Snow quickly told her before holding her arms out, doing her best to shield her children. The thugs burst in, one with a gun now pointing it at Charming's head. Snow stared icily at the group. The head thug grinned at her.
"Well it seems we're having ourselves a nice cosy chat up here." He sneered. "All while your husband is dealing with guests downstairs alone? I expected better, Princess Snow…"
"Queen." Snow interrupted him. "You heard my husband. We don't have any jewels. Nothing valuable you can sell. Now leave our home." She hissed. The guard didn't seem phased by this. Emma, meanwhile, was trying to create a fireball. But to her frustration, found that she couldn't. The head thug seemed to notice. He tapped his wrist.
"Trying to use magic to save your skins? Not gonna happen. We know all about your magic, Saviour. That's why we've got these. Your magic doesn't work while we're wearing them." He then turned his attention back to Snow. "Here's the thing, queenie. I don't believe you." His eyes drifted behind Snow to Emma and Neal. Charming saw this and tried to struggle.
"Keep that up and my friend will introduce your wife to his bat." He was warned. Charming had never been so frightened. Not for himself, but for his family.
"You." The head thug snapped, looking at Emma. "What's that around your neck?" Emma's free hand moved to clutch her swan pendant.
"This?" She asked. "This is nothing, it's worthless. I got it from a gas station store years ago." Emma told them.
"Take it off and give it to me." He ordered. Emma's hand clutched around it tighter. It might not be worth much in cash, but it had a lot of sentimental value to her. The head thug nodded to the man with the bat, who then proceeded to smash the nearby lamp to smithereens. "Do not make me ask you again!" Emma reached behind her, with Neal still in one arm, and with shaking fingers, unclasped her necklace. Snow tried to take it off her.
"If you want it that badly, I'll give it to you." Snow said, not wanting Emma near the thugs. It was bad enough Charming being in harm's way.
"No." The head thug snarled. "I said her. So give the baby to your mother and give me your necklace." He ordered her. Emma nodded, not wanting anyone to get hurt. She handed Neal over to her mom who quickly got him in one arm and firmly took Emma's hand in her free hand. The thugs looked at her suspiciously.
"You might be forcing her to give you the necklace, but I'm not letting her go." Snow told them firmly. She wasn't letting her child near people who were such a clear and present threat. The head thug laughed at this. Snow chose to ignore him. Both she and Charming had their eyes fixed firmly on Emma. The head thug had his hand held out, waiting. Emma dropped the necklace into his hand, but as she turned to walk away, the thug dropped the necklace and pulled out another band. Snow used her hold on Emma to yank her back, but the man with the band stepped forward and whacked Emma's arm. Emma let go of her mom, letting out a painful yelp. The head thug quickly placed the band on Emma's wrist, pulling her over to him.
"No!" Both parents yelled. Charming once again fought against his bonds. Only when his captor hit him in the head with the heel of his gun did Charming stop, fighting to keep consciousness. Emma tried to fight for herself, but found her vision had gone blurry and her muscles had gone weak. The head thug held her up tightly around the waist.
"Oh, did I forget to mention?" He sneered, his nose pressed against the side of Emma's head. "Magic dampening bands have a very profound effect on magic users if they wear them. Messes them right up." He then started to laugh. "Did you both really think we were stupid enough to believe that you would have some diamonds and pearls sitting here somewhere gathering dust?" He laughed darkly. He looked back at Emma. "No, I think the real crown jewel is right here. What do you think, guys? How much do you think we can rent the princess out for a night? Heck, maybe we can even sell her on for a small fortune." Snow's eyes widened in horror. Charming seemed to stir back to full consciousness at this. They'd both heard of events like this happening before. Thugs breaking into palaces (normally in the dead of night) and stealing members of the royal household. They'd either sell them to the royal's enemies or…other cruel things.
"No." Charming growled, his fight returning. "You're not taking my daughter anywhere. Get your stinking hands off her!"
"Shut up." His captor warned. Charming didn't stop. He could see the way the head thug was holding Emma tightly to him. If Charming got free he would beat him to a bloody pulp. Snow made a calculated risk and set Neal down on Emma's old bed. She was fairly certain these thugs weren't going to go for her son. It was clearly her daughter they wanted, and as such, they weren't going to fatally harm Emma. Snow still had to be careful though. They clearly weren't opposed to hurting her. They'd already put this band on that had made her so weak and they may have broken her arm with that bar. Also, Charming could still be killed.
"Here's the thing." Snow said coldly. "If you think you can just take our daughter out of here without us getting her back, you're wrong." Snow warned them. "We have friends, very powerful friends, and I'm betting there's more of us than there are of you. You seem to know magic, so you'll know of a locator potion, of the power of mirrors. As soon as you take Emma in that van, we can follow you. We can use any item of hers to find her again. Then as soon as we find her, and whoever she is with, we will show no mercy. Let me assure you of something. You do not mess with this family. When you engage your brain and realise that I'm right and you haven't though this through, you'll have ten seconds to get yourselves out of this house and never be seen near it again. Any longer than that and my husband will do to you exactly what's running through his mind right now since you may well have given a concussion and broken our daughter's arm. Not to mention what else you threatened to do with her. Your ten seconds starts now." Snow growled.
"Split!" The head thug yelled. He dropped Emma who plummeted to her knees before collapsing to the ground, the band still on her wrist. Charming's captor dropped him too and the man with the bat fled with his cronies. Snow and Charming didn't even check to see if they'd left, they knew they had. Instead, Charming scrambled over to Emma. His head was thumping, but he didn't care right now. He, and Snow, had to make sure Emma was alright. Charming picked Emma up and got her onto the bed beside Neal. Snow was then able to slip the band off her wrist. Not that Emma noticed, she still felt weak. Snow assessed her arm. She winced, it did not look good. Snow framed Emma's face with her hands. She had never been so frightened.
"Emma baby, can you hear me?" Snow didn't know what damage that band had done. Emma could hear her mother, but her brain felt so muddled.
"I- I can-mum." Emma said, frightened herself. Snow stroked Emma's cheek.
"It's alright." Snow said, trying to sound assuring. "You're ok now. We're going to make sure you're ok. Just stay awake for me." Snow told her before turning to face Charming. She didn't like the deep cut in his head blood was trickling down from caused by the heel of the gun. "We need to get her to hospital." She said seriously. "And we need Blue to assess what damage is being done by that band. You'll need checked over too Charming so I'll drive. Don't argue with me. Let's move." Charming then quickly picked Emma up in his arms again as Snow did the same with Neal. Charming held Emma slightly closer and tighter than was probably necessary. Emma had never really been brought up as a princess, so here neither he nor Snow thought of the dangers she faced purely because of that. This had been a startling reminder for them both. One they would not forget.
Hospital
Snow wasn't normally a speeder, but she would make exceptions for this journey. She kept glancing in her rear-view mirror every few moments. Charming had stayed in the back with Emma just in case. Snow didn't like the way either of them were looking. Charming was losing the colour in his face quickly. Emma didn't seem to have a clue where she was at.
"She's not doing good, Snow." Charming croaked, stroking Emma's cheek. "Her eyes are darting everywhere. I don't think she has a clue what's going on." Snow felt like she was going to vomit. Why had they done this to Emma? She didn't deserve this treatment.
Snow went as fast as they could until they reached the hospital. She got her car as close to the entrance as she possibly could and got out with Neal's carseat hanging off her arm. By the time she was out, Charming was already sprinting with Emma towards the entrance. Snow quickly caught up with him as a nurse came running over with a wheelchair.
"What happened here?" The nurse asked, seeing Emma's disorientated state.
"We got attacked." Snow explained. "They put this…magic dampening cuff on her and it caused her a lot of distress." Snow explained. The nurse frowned. The hospital couldn't do much with magical injuries.
"We can check her over physically. You'll need someone else to check over any magical damage." The nurse explained. Snow nodded.
"I have a few people I want to call over." Snow said. The nurse started wheeling Emma off towards a private room to begin some tests. Meanwhile, the receptionist paged Whale to come straight to her. Charming moved to follow after her, but Snow took his hand.
"My daughter isn't the only one requiring medical assistance." Snow explained to the receptionist. "My husband received some nasty blows to the head. Can you please arrange for a medical professional to see to him as well?" Snow asked. The receptionist nodded, beginning to page another nurse.
"Snow!" Charming complained. "My head's fine. Even if it's not, we can deal with it later. Emma needs us right now." Snow framed Charming's face.
"Charming, you won't be any good to Emma if you pass out right in front of her. Go, let someone check you out. You'll be with her in no time. Please, I couldn't bare it if something happened to you." Snow pleaded with him. Charming frowned. He glanced in the direction Emma was taken off in. He knew Snow was right, but he just wanted to be with their daughter. A nurse came out and called his name. Charming pressed his lips against Snow's, and then kissed the top of Neal's head.
"I won't be long." He promised. He would get out of there and discharge himself as quickly as possible. "Don't come check on me. Stay with Emma." He told her. Snow didn't like that. She wanted to split her time with each of them, but she nodded, letting the nurse take Charming away. As soon as he was out of sight, Snow and Neal left to find Emma. There was a team of medical professionals surrounding her, and it was clear Emma was in distress.
"What's going on?" Snow asked, coming into the room. "Why is she so distressed?"
"Get her out of here." Whale ordered. A couple of nurses approached Snow. Whale could see she was going to put up a fight. "Snow, you won't do yourself, Emma or your son any favours by being in here. I need to insist that you leave. I will have someone come and get you when Emma is ready for visitors again. In the meantime I suggest that you find someone you trust to deal with assessing that cuff. Whatever it is, it's done a real number on Emma." Whale said. Snow felt awful that she had to leave her daughter in such distress. She didn't want to. She wanted to insist that she stayed and hold her hand, but Snow understood that they doctor knew best.
"I'll be back soon." Snow promised Emma. "I'll hopefully have your dad with me as well. We'll get to the bottom of this, Em. I promise." Snow left, feeling like her heart was shattering into tiny pieces.
Snow made her way to Charming's room. As she did, Snow called both the fairies and Regina to bring them in and get down to the bottom of this cuff. Charming looked surprised when he saw Snow come into the room. The nurse had just finished her assessment of him.
"Snow?" He asked. "What are you doing here? How's Emma." He could see that Snow was clearly upset. She shook her head.
"They won't let me in while they do tests." Snow croaked. "I've called Blue and Regina and told them magical damage was done. They're coming now. How are you?" Snow asked, taking his hand.
"He's fine." The nurse promised. "No concussion. Just let us know if there's any sickness or dizziness. You're free to go, Mr Nolan." The nurse told him. Charming had never got out a bed so fast in his life. He took Snow's hand and together they headed back to the reception. That's where someone would come to tell them about Emma. When they arrived, Blue and Regina had already poofed themselves in. Regina had also brought Zelena and Henry.
"Snow, David." Blue greeted them. "How is Emma?"
"She's not good Blue." Snow said honestly. "Whatever they done to her, it's done a lot of damage." Snow and Charming led the three over to a secluded corner of the waiting area to discuss matters.
"Tell us exactly what happened." Regina told them. Snow and Charming launched into an explanation of the attackers. How they had thought they just wanted riches, but they had been after Emma the whole time. Some kind of royal payday. How they had placed the cuff on her wrist and Emma seemed to break down.
"A magic preventing cuff caused that big a reaction?" Zelena asked. Her face scrunched up. "Seems strange. She's had one on before. It never caused that large a reaction, did it?" Snow shook her head.
"No, not a magic preventing cuff. This." She said, pulling it out her bag. Zelena and Regina practically leapt backwards. Even Blue noticeably backed up.
"What?" Charming asked. "What's wrong?"
"Keep that bloody thing away from me." Zelena hissed. "Those things are vile. I can't believe you'd be stupid enough to bring it with you."
"Excuse me?" Snow asked. "What's going on?"
"That's a magic dampening cuff, Snow." Blue explained. "They're much stronger than the magic preventing ones. They take energy from magic users. Even having one in the close vicinity can make them feel queasy. I can't imagine the damage it done to Emma having one on.
"Can you put that in your bag?" Regina asked. "I'm beginning to feel sick."
"Sorry." Snow said, placing it back in her bag. She and Charming were beginning to feel sick as well, knowing the pain Emma must be in.
"Is my mom gonna be ok?" Henry asked. Regina bent down so she was at eye level with him.
"I hope so, Henry." Regina answered him. "We'll get a better idea of what the magical damage is once the medics have assessed her."
"Who would want to do this to her?" Snow asked. She and Charming had both figured this was no normal royal kidnapping. The three magic users all looked between each other, clearly too nervous to speak.
"Tell us, please." Charming pleaded with them. "Emma's life could be at stake here." Zelena clamped us. She clearly wasn't going to say a word. Regina looked like she wanted to, but was just too frightened. Blue sighed. She had to tell the Charmings the truth.
"There is only one organisation I know that has access to such terrible devices." Blue said. "Judging by the reactions from Regina and Zelena, they had come into contact with them as well. If they're after Emma. Well, let's just say we have a problem."
Getting the information
It was clear that not Blue, Regina or Zelena were going to give another word of information about whoever it was that used the magic dampeners. It made Snow and Charming feel sick. If these people were powerful enough to silence the former Evil Queen…how powerful were they?
"Ok, so you won't tell us anything." Charming said, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "There must be someone in this town who would be willing to talk?" Zelena snorted in a derogatory manner.
"You clearly have no clue who you're up against." Regina nudged her. That wasn't going to help.
"Yes, that's kind of the point." Charming snapped. He didn't see any funny side to this.
"Most magical users will have knowledge of those." Blue said, gesturing to Snow's bag. Neither parent liked how vague she was being. "Although, most of them will have a similar reluctance to speak of them. I think the only one who might be willing to talk, at the correct price, would be from the group of people they have the most reluctance in dealing with."
"The Dark One." Charming said. He had more worked it out from Blue telling them that it would require a price. Blue nodded, not looking them in the eye. They really didn't understand who they were about to begin messing with.
"Well let's go." Charming said. He took Snow by the hand, ready to pull her in the direction of the exit. Before he did, however, Snow handed Neal in his carseat over to Regina.
"Watch over him please. If they say that Emma is ready, call us immediately." Snow instructed. Regina nodded. Snow and Charming then ran off. They didn't know who Emma was up against, but it clearly wasn't good.
The couple ignored the closed sign in front of Rumple's shop. This was a matter of urgency.
"Rumplestiltskin!" Charming yelled out. "Show yourself!" They heard the Dark One before they saw him. His cane made a hollow tapping noise against the wooden floor. He came to the front desk, clearly in no hurry. Clearly not alarmed by the sudden intrusion.
"Do they not teach you how to read in royal lessons?" He asked coolly. He pointed his cane at the door. "Only the sign says that we're closed." Rumplestiltskin turned his back on them both, ready to once again walk to the backroom. Snow pulled out the magic dampening cuff. They noticed the way Rumple stiffened as soon as it was out in the open.
"We need you to tell us who uses these." Snow demanded, ignoring his orders to leave. Out of curiosity as to what was making him feel so ill, he turned back around. When his eyes first found the magic dampener, for the first time, Snow and Charming saw a brief flicker of fear in the Dark One's eyes. He pointed at the cuff.
"I suggest you get that thing out of sight very quickly." He said darkly. Snow quickly put it back in her bag, not wanting to agitate him. After all, they needed answers.
"So you know what it is." Snow said calmly. "Do you know who it belongs to?" Rumple smirked.
"Why would I tell you that, dearie? This seems like your puzzle to solve."
"Only they paid a visit to our daughter recently, so whoever they are, they're in town." Charming added. This caught Rumplestiltskin's attention. "She's in hospital, and she's very sick. She wasn't just in the same room as one, she had it put on her." Charming explained. Rumplestiltskin was clearly listening now. "We will give whatever it takes to know what we're up against here. They're after our daughter, and we won't stop until they're gone." Charming looked Rumplestiltskin in the eye.
"What do we have to do to find out who these people are, and why they want Emma?" Charming pleaded with him. Rumplestiltskin moved around the front desk and leaned against it. He was cautious about how much he revealed, but was not as frightened as the others were.
"The people you are trying to find, they have a deal with the Dark Ones." Rumplestiltskin began. Snow and Charming were hanging on his every word. This was their one chance at helping Emma. "Your daughter wouldn't know that. She wasn't Dark One long enough for them to find her and explain the deal. But she was Dark One long enough to get their attention." Rumplestiltskin said cryptically.
"What do you mean?" Charming asked. "Whose attention?"
"They are an organisation that are very much against magic." Rumplestiltskin carried on. "They tried taking down a Dark One years ago and found that it was much more beneficial to have us on side. They leave the Dark One alone to terrorise, in exchange for the names of other magic users in their realm." Rumple explained.
"You told them where to find the fairies." Charming worked out. "And Regina." Rumple nodded. "And in return, I was never terrorised by them. It was a good deal for me."
"Did you tell them where to find Emma?" Snow asked.
"No dearie, I am guilt-free on this rare occasion. They found her all on their own. Which must mean they are gunning for her."
"What will they do if they find her again?" Charming asked, beginning to get worried.
"Well dearie, I'm not as knowledgeable on that, having never had to deal with them. All I can tell you is some scraps of information."
"We'll take anything you've got." Charming said. "What do you want in return?" Rumplestiltskin smiled.
"If they find me here, they'll know they can have leverage over me here. You wipe them out, and that suits me just fine. Just don't involve me again." He said.
"Deal." Snow answered. "Now please. Tell us everything you can."
"Very well dearie." Rumplestiltskin sighed. "But there isn't much. All I know is that, most people, they don't deem as appropriate threats. If they don't feel the person or group's magic is strong enough, they are threatened with that cuff, made to give away a small portion of their magic for the group to use for testing and to prevent them bothering the group, and then they're left alone. Providing they don't go looking for the group again. If they do, there are consequences. You might want to remember that." Rumplestiltskin warned them. "Some are deemed useful, and sent on suicidal missions. The group don't care if they don't make it back alive. Then there are those who are deemed too powerful to be left alone." Rumplestiltskin said. He looked at the parents almost apologetically.
"What happens to them?" Snow asked after a beat. Rumple almost didn't want to have to tell them.
"Well, those magical users are first tortured into trying to force them to give up all their magic, I don't know if any ever actually succeeded. If not, or if they refuse, they are disposed of." Snow felt Charming's fingers entwining with hers. Both their hearts plummeted to their stomachs.
"So you mean this group might think Emma is one they'll find too powerful?" Charming asked. Rumplestiltskin nodded.
"She is the Saviour, after all." He pointed out. "That's bound to have turned some heads."
"Well let them come." Charming growled. "We'll show them what happens when they mess with our child." Rumplestiltskin smirked again.
"Mr Nolan, these people have taken down some of the most powerful magic users in all realms. They have stunned the Evil Queen and the Wicked Witch into fearful silences. What chance do you have if they come for Emma again? Trust me when I say, next time, they'll be more prepared."
"So will we." Snow pointed out. She turned to Charming. "So we know what they want now. We can start to-" But Snow wasn't able to finish her sentence. Her phone started to ring. She answered it immediately.
"Regina?" She said. Charming stared at her, waiting. "We'll be right over." Snow said, before hanging up.
"What did she say?" He asked.
"It's Emma." Snow answered. "We can go in and see her now." Neither parent needed told twice. They fled the pawn shop and straight back to the car. Rumplestiltskin watched them go. He truly felt bad for Miss Swan. If she was targeted by these people…well, they never missed. She was doomed.
She's awake
Snow had never urged Charming to speed more than she had there and then. Emma was properly awake again. So many thoughts ran through both parents' heads. Was she ok? How much pain was she in? What were the extent of her injuries? How long was she going to have to stay in hospital? Did she understand what was going on? All of these were questions they could ask Whale and the other medics when they got there.
Charming parked the car as close to the entrance as possible and together, he and Snow ran as fast as they both could into the hospital. They were quickly greeted by Blue, Regina, Zelena and Henry, who had been waiting for them.
"They won't let me go in." Henry said, pouting. "They said I'm not old enough."
"We'll let you come see her as soon as they allow us, kid." Charming promised his grandson, bending down so they were at eye level. Henry sighed, but nodded. He was annoyed, but he understood. Charming ruffled his hair, his hand intertwining with Snow's. They were equally as relieved that they were allowed to see her as they were terrified at the state she would be in.
The nurse led the anxious parents through to the Emma's cubicle, where Doctor Whale was writing up a few last notes.
"Mom, dad." Emma gasped out. Snow and Charming had never seen her looking so frightened before. She looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Her eyes roamed the room around her, looking for signs of threats. The parents were immediately by her bedside, trying to reassure her.
"It's ok." Snow promised her. "You're alright." Snow winced at her arm up in a sling. Her magic wasn't helping her heal.
"Can you give us a rundown?" Charming asked him. Whale nodded.
"I don't know what that cuff was, but it did not do Emma any favours." Whale told them. "From Emma's reaction, I gather she's used to her magic being able to heal her. Well, it seems that ability's been temporarily taken away. Her arm will have to heal the slow way."
"How long exactly is that going to take?" Snow asked, slipping her hand into Emma's good hand.
"No longer than ten weeks." Whale said. "But it isn't just the arm. Her vision has been distorted. By the looks of things, it will heal up too, but I can't give you a timeframe on that. The band seems to have messed with her head. She's showing symptoms of a strong concussion. I'm not happy letting her go to recover at home until we know more about what's going on in her head."
"No." Emma whimpered. "No, I want to go home." Emma complained. Charming reached down and kissed the top of her head.
"It won't be for too long." He promised her. "Anything else we need to know?" He asked Whale.
"I think you should some kind of magical analysis, but I can't help you there." Whale told him. "Other than that, I'll see you later, Emma." He said, leaving her to it. Charming sat on the edge of the bed beside Emma.
"It's gonna be ok." He promised her, running his hand up and down her arm. Emma rested her head against his shoulder. Her head was still swimming. No matter how hard she focused on anything, she couldn't see properly. She couldn't quite get everything formed straight in her head. Snow and Charming had one of their silent conversations over Emma's head. They were terrified. This group were after their daughter. How far would they be willing to go to get her? The only blessing here was that Emma didn't know she was a target for anyone. As far as she knew, the people who had come into the house only came in because she was a princess. As far as Emma knew, her parents had scared them off and they wouldn't be back. She didn't need to know the truth. Not yet.
Emma squeezed her hand. They needed to get the magical analysis done ASAP.
"I'll be back in a minute." Snow said gently. "I'm just going to get Blue." Snow tried to leave, but felt Emma gripping her. Snow's heart melted for her daughter. She had never seen her so terrified.
"Ok." She said gently. She kissed Emma's hand. "I'll stay." She promised her. Snow and Charming didn't know what they were going to be able to do to make this better.
