Underworld residents

Pearsons asked for a oneshot of Snow and Emma meeting Eva in the underworld.

The very air down in the Underworld seemed to suffocate the crew who had come to save Hook. Apparently, that wasn't a feeling saved for the living visiting the Underworld. Apparently, the longer a soul stayed in this limbo of sorts, the more joy and hope was sucked from their soul. They eventually became a shell of their former being, floating around aimlessly. No chance of ever finding the redemption they were here to seek. Every so often, someone from the gang would bump into a former acquaintance from their lives. Whether they be friend or foe; seeing them on the scale from freshly captured to hopelessly gaunt was terrifying. So when Snow and Emma were walking through the sad sight that was Main Street and Snow stopped in her tracks, Emma figured she might have recognised someone new. She just didn't realise how heart breaking the sight would be for her mother.

"What's wrong mom?" Emma asked, looking around. "Do you see someone else? Think they're saveable?" Emma asked. Snow couldn't even make herself speak. Her mouth hung open slightly in shock. She stared towards another woman. A woman was long black hair which once was lush and always pinned nearly in place. Now it was limp and hung scraggily around her shoulders, defeated. Her once rosy cheeks were now hollow and pale. "Mom." Emma prompted, placing her hand on her mother's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"That's my mother." Snow croaked. "My mother is here."

"Oh." Emma answered awkwardly. She didn't really know how to respond to that. Instead she followed her mother's gaze to look at the woman who was apparently her grandmother. Unfortunately, this answered one of Emma's earlier questions. It looked like Eva was already past saving. Eva seemed to notice that someone was watching her. She turned her head and looked upon Emma and Snow. Her head cocked to the side, clearly thinking intently. Slowly, she walked towards them.

"You look…familiar." Eva said quietly. Her voice was raspy, as though she had not spoken in a long time. "Have we met?" She asked, looking only at Snow. Snow's eyes filled with tears. She didn't know how to respond. Emma nudged her slightly. There was nothing she could say to help the situation.

"Yes." Snow breathed. "Yes. You know me. I- I'm your daughter. I'm Snow White." Snow answered. She waited with bated breath. What if her mother didn't recognise her? Snow didn't think she could cope with that. Although Eva's eyes stayed dull, she gave a small nod of recognition.

"Yes. My daughter…Snow." Eva said, reaching out and placing a cold hand on Snow's cheek. "Are you dead?" She asked matter of factly. Snow shook her head.

"No. We're alive. We're not staying." She answered. Snow placed her hands on Emma's shoulders. "This is my daughter, your granddaughter. This is Emma." Snow explained. Eva's gaze swivelled to Emma. Emma smiled awkwardly, not really sure what to say.

"She has your chin." Eva answered.

"So I've been told." Emma responded. Eva frowned.

"You shouldn't be here. Not if you are alive." She told them. "Hades…he won't like that. You should leave before it's too late." Eva answered before aimlessly walking away. Snow watched after her mother, a million thoughts flooding her head, but none of them made it to her lips.

"Mom…are you ok?" Emma asked timidly. She knew she wouldn't be if it were her in this situation. Snow mentally shook herself. Truth be told, no, she was not ok. She was the furthest thing from ok. That did not mean she would show that sadness in front of her daughter. She turned to Emma, forcing a smile onto her face.

"My mother died a long time ago. I have dealt with that grief. We're here to find Killian so that's a grief you don't have to go through. Come on. Let's see what we can find." Snow said, quickly ushering her daughter in the other direction. As they walked away, Snow allowed herself to look back towards her own mother. A single tear fell from her eye. She truly wished she had been here in time to save her too.