A/N - I'm so sorry for the delay. I had exams and assessments to finish off and then I was tired and I just couldn't find time to write :( But the next chapter is a lot more dramatic so that should be easier to write! Thanks for all the support 3

The residual magic lingered in the air as she stumbled forward a step. She was weaker than expected but not so weak that she couldn't defend the baby. Holding the bundle against her chest caused memories to come flooding back to her. Happy ones. She looked down at him and it was like looking at Henry for the first time all over again. Their smiles were almost identical. Or perhaps she was imagining it…

"Come on, little one," Regina said as he screwed up his face, on the verge of tears again "Let's get you to your mommy."

Everyone had cleared out of the hospital since the attack except a few braver people. Nurses rushed to and fro, treating those who could not run from the threat, carrying bandages and needles and medicines. It would have helped if she had a guide to Snow's room since the place was so big and she couldn't for the life of her remember the way, but she doubted many people would be willing to talk to her despite her heroic deeds lately. Her blood relation to the wicked witch had made people even more suspicious of her. She'd heard the whispers; that she was on Zelena's side, that she wanted revenge on the Charming family once more. Not that she cared – she had her family and all she needed. A little faith from outsiders would be nice though. To think she'd ever work with her sister… Her hand subconsciously hovered over her chest.

Emma was functioning purely on adrenaline. Her magic was going haywire, shooting beams of blinding light in every direction without her consent. She had burned holes straight through trees, sending them crashing to the ground. The grass was also badly scorched. Oh how she wished she had paid attention in her magic lessons instead of goofing around. Why had she not thought it sensible to learn in Neverland?

"Give it up, saviour," spat Zelena "You can't defeat me."

The blonde shot her a defiant glare, followed by an uncontrolled stream of crackling fire. As much as she hated to admit it, she was not going to win this fight. Zelena was an experienced sorceress, trained by the Dark One himself. The odds were never in her favour but having Rumplestiltskin against her made it even more impossible. For the first time she was thankful for the Charming optimism coursing through her veins, even if it was unrealistic. It was the only thing keeping her going.

A ball of green fire skimmed her ear, the heat remaining long after the deadly flame had burned out a few metres away. Her magic complied to her will for once and a snapped tree branch hurtled towards Zelena. The woman cackled menacingly as she caught it in one hand; her injured hand no less. Show off.

"Snow, Snow, wake up," she said as she entered the room, the baby in her arms mewling for milk.

Reluctant to put the child down in case he vanished, she made sure he was supported properly as she bent and tapped Snow's cheek. Sedated. She should have known. There was no way her step-daughter would stay behind while her son's life was at risk. It was probably the first intelligent decision Charming had made. Emotion as strong as a mother's would get you killed. She placed the baby in Snow's arms first, and then placed both hands over her forehead.

"Regina," she said, her voice tired and broken.

"He's safe," responded Regina with a smile "In your arms."

Snow looked down immediately and a smile that shone brighter than a million suns lit up her face. She cradled her son in her arms, lifting him and placing a kiss on his head before settling him on her chest. The sound of her heartbeat seemed to be enough to allow him to drift off, his need for food momentarily forgotten.

"You saved him," breathed Snow, her eyes watery.

"I told you I would, Snow," said Regina, taking the younger woman's hand in her own.

"Thank you, Regina. Thank you. I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"Hush, Snow. I do not wish to be repaid. My curse ripped your firstborn away from you for twenty eight years. I would never wish that upon you again. If I could change the past I…"

"I forgive you, 'Gina. With all my heart. In truth, I forgave you a long time ago."

At the mention of her heart, Regina remembered that she was still without her own.

"Where's Henry?" she asked, suddenly.

"He hid behind the receptionist's desk after Belle woke everyone else up. Archie left to find Emma…" explained Snow "Wait… where is she? Where's my daughter?"

"I left her fighting my sister and Rumplestiltskin. There was no way I could rescue both the baby and her. She insisted she be the one to stay."

"They'll kill her."

Regina never thought the sight of Snow crumpling into tears would stir so much sadness in her; but she suddenly felt like breaking down and crying herself. It was all so hopeless. She didn't know how on earth she would survive Round 5 with her sister. Emma. Emma was relying on her.

"No! No, they won't!" she said, firmly "I'm going back for her."
Snow looked surprised as she clutched her new-born with even more desperation.

"I need you to look after Henry, Snow. Take them both and go down to the basement. Use the back stairs. Walk back to your apartment. Take any shortcuts you can. Stay off the main road."

"I will, Regina. Henry will be safe."

"Don't come out of your apartment. No matter what. It's the only safe place for you. At least for a while."

"Henry needs his mother. Be careful, Regina."

"If the barrier fails, it means I am either dead or too weak to maintain it. All hope will be lost, Snow… and I'm sorry."

"I have faith in you."

"Enough of this!" said Zelena, growing bored "Rumplestitlskin, the girl is an amateur. Are you telling me you can't kill her?"

"Can't you?" he snapped back.

"I ordered you to kill her," she growled "And kill her you shall. Now. No more delaying it."

"She's powerful, dearie. More. Powerful. Than. You," he said in a sing-song voice that sent shivers down Emma's spine.

"That's an order."

Rumple was heading towards her, a black shape forming in his palm. Fuck. There was no point in trying to reason with him while he was under the power of the dagger. Another fight it was then.

The black dagger he'd created soared through the air and stopped a centimetre from her nose, white light shimmering around it. She breathed out, clenching her fist to stop her hand shaking. If it hadn't been for her magic, she'd have had a dagger sticking out from between her eyes by now. She'd never complain about her powers again.

Zelena screeched in fury.

"If you insist on protecting yourself, I will be forced to turn my attention to an easier target," threatened the witch "Are you going to let your own father die, saviour? Or perhaps it should be the bookworm."

"Belle never did anything wrong," said Rumple, looking murderous but completely helpless.

"But you have, Rumplestiltskin. You can't even kill this girl for me," responded Zelena, maliciously "Perhaps I should punish you."

"You are not going to touch either of them, Zelena. This fight is between you and me," growled Emma, hoping that her companions had the sense to get as far away from the madwoman as possible.

"Oh, but who says I fight fair?" she taunted "Perhaps I'll just kill both of them and be done with it."

Emma saw red and lunged at her. Her magic may have been inferior to Zelena's, but her physical strength was not. Both women crashed to the ground, leaving Zelena momentarily breathless and clearly stunned. The blonde watched in satisfaction as the witch's head snapped to the side, her nose spurting blood. She punched her again, transferring all her weight into it. Despite her magical prowess, she still bled like anyone else.

"You are going to pay dearly for that, Miss Swan," threatened Zelena.

Regaining her bearings, she threw Emma backwards with a quick flick of her wrist and lifted her into the air in a magical hold before she could even hit the ground. The blonde blinked rapidly to get rid of the dizziness and saw that Zelena had already got to her feet once more. She was so screwed.

Invisible fingers dug painfully into her throat, cutting off her oxygen. She thrashed in the air, hands clawing at her own skin in a desperate attempt to breathe. Zelena relented for a second, allowing her to suck in as much air as possible whilst coughing. Then the harsh grip returned and she was drowning again. Her lungs were burning now. If someone were to drag sandpaper across her lungs, she imagined this was exactly how it would feel. Everything was beginning to go hazy and she wondered if this was the end. Her torturer wanted her dead and there was nobody to save her. All she could hear was her heart futilely thumping, the blood rushing to her ears. She was only slightly aware of the choked wheezing she was emitting.

Regina. Regina was her only hope now.

"Not so powerful now, eh, saviour?" mocked Zelena.

Fresh, cool air flooded into her lungs and all she could do was breathe it in. Her air supply remained and Emma was finally able to raise her watery eyes. She wondered why her magic wasn't lashing out in an attempt to save her life. If ever there was a useful time for a manifestation of her supposedly wondrous powers, it would be now. She had never felt so powerless

"As much as I would like to toy with you, I have work to do," said the witch "Goodbye, Miss Swan."

"If anyone is going to kill Miss Swan, it will be me, sis," quipped Regina, striding over to her sister, giving the illusion of confidence. Emma hadn't lied when she'd told her that she could always tell when she was lying. She knew her well enough to see the doubt in her eyes. There was no fear though – her eyes glinted with rage.

Feeling like she wasn't in danger of passing out anymore, Emma rolled her eyes. Charming.

"You always proved especially tricky to get rid of, dear. I see that hasn't changed," continued Regina, sending her a brief flicker of a smile.

"Enough of this, Regina. Get out of the way. Or do you want me to order the Dark One to deal with you?" said Zelena.

"You think I'm scared of Rumplestiltskin? We both know you need me alive."

"I think mother must have dropped you on your head as a child, Regina. You would be a fool not to fear what I can order him to do."

For once, Emma was in agreement with the wicked with. To be unafraid of Rumplestiltskin was like running in the direction of a bomb set to explode.

"Then I must be a fool."

Zelena shot a bolt of lightning at Emma in anger, but Regina was just as quick. She managed to dispel it before it could come close to harming her. She launched a series of fireballs in retaliation and the distraction resulted in Emma landing roughly on the ground.

"Thanks," she grunted.

"Are you hurt?" asked Regina, quickly, having only a moment to spare. Less than that.

"I'm fine," she coughed out.

Rumplestiltskin stood to the side, silent and downcast. There was no surviving this for any of them. Especially not Emma Swan. She was simply too big of a risk to allow free reign. If this was his plot, she'd be the first person he'd get rid of.

"Dark One," called out his mistress "You're looking very bored over there. I have a job for you."

His body obeyed her despite his will to remain stationery. Too soon, he was standing between Zelena and the united front of the saviour and the queen.

"I want you to bring Henry to me. My dear sister has probably cast some pathetic protective wards on him, but you can get through them, can't you, Rumple?" she asked with a smirk.

"Yes," he growled.

"Quickly, now, there's a good boy," mocked Zelena "It's time these two learned the price of defiance."

"It'll be done," he finished with a deep sigh before teleporting to where he knew his grandson would be.

Emma glanced at Regina, expecting to see her own panic reflected on the brunette's face. Her companion was all too skilled at putting on a front, though, and there was only a flash of fear in her eyes before it was gone and she faced her sister once more. She hoped she had a plan. She had to.

Rumplestiltskin materialised outside the Charming's' flat. There was a strong spell around it, one that made him feel a twinge of pride for Regina despite the dire situation. It would take a lot of energy to break it down. However, the direct command from the one who held his dagger controlled his mind to a degree too. There was a loophole in Regina's spell. No magic could break the barrier, nor could a practitioner of magic enter; but he could burn the apartment to the ground if that's what it took.

"Snow, I know you are in there," he called, eyes closed "Zelena has ordered me to take Henry to her."

Silence.

"If Henry does not come out in five seconds, I will have no choice but to reduce this building to ashes," Rumple explained "She did not send me after your baby, Snow, but you will all perish if you don't comply."

Henry was at the door a moment later, closely followed by his grandmother with the baby in her arms. His face was set determinedly which reminded Rumple of both his mothers. He was a brave boy indeed.

"I'll come with you, granddad. I know you have no choice," said Henry.

"No, Henry, you can't!" protested Snow, white as a ghost.

"I have to grandma! To protect you both. You know there's no way out of it," he finished "I love you!"

Snow screamed and tried to grab the back of his shirt before he stepped across the threshold.

"I'm sorry," said Rumplestiltskin, before waving a hand over Henry to cause him to fall into a deep sleep in his arms.

"Why did you…?" asked a tearful Snow.

"He doesn't need to see what Zelena is going to do to his mothers. I will try to spare him as much pain as possible, as much as the dagger's control will allow. That's all I can do, Snow."

The brunette nodded sadly but he had already vanished.