A/N: Sorry this took so long! School has been burying me...

TW: mentions of child abuse, implied rape, child endangerment

Killian and David brought Emma back to Regina's about an hour later. When Regina opened the door David was carrying Emma, who was in a semi-catatonic state. Regina gasped and went to reach for Emma when Killian stepped in front and shook his head.

Regina took a step back and opened the door for them to come in.

Kathryn was standing by the door watching when David carried Emma past and downstairs to her room.

Killian followed closely behind David and made sure that he was constantly in Emma's sight.

When David got downstairs he brought her into the bathroom and placed her the toilet seat. Killian walked in behind them, turned the shower on, and said, "David, I got this. Go tell them what is going on."

David looked from Killian to Emma and asked Emma, "Is that ok Emma? Can I explain what happened to Regina? Will you be ok?"

Emma sadly looked at David and nodded, "Yeah, Regina needs to know that she and Henry are living with a nut case."

David took a large step forward and seriously said to Emma, "You, Emma Swan, are not a nut case. You get me?"

Emma looked into his eyes and saw nothing but honesty. Emma nodded slowly and whispered, "Yeah. I get you."

David tapped Emma on the head and said, "Good. Are you ok with Killian helping you this time?"

Emma looked at Killian and smiled, "Yeah, we're good. It's his turn anyway."

David nodded and walked out of the bathroom and closed the door.

Regina and Kathryn were sitting in the kitchen waiting for someone to come back upstairs and explain what the hell is going on.

Regina had never been so relieved when Henry decided to go to sleep early; she would hate to have him see Emma that way.

Regina and Kathryn were softly talking about what they think could have happened.

Kathryn took a sip of her wine and said, "Maybe she is just crazy."

Those were the first words David heard when he entered the kitchen, "Hey! Emma isn't crazy. She has dealt with more shit in her lifetime than you could ever even possibly imagine. The fact that she isn't in some institution is a fucking miracle. Don't ever say that she is crazy, to her or when I am around. Got it!"

Kathryn was shocked by the fierce protectiveness and seriousness of David's voice. Kathryn knew when she should just nod and say nothing, this was definitely one of those times.

Regina stood up and offered David a water. David gave a small smile and stood next to the island where Kathryn and Regina were sitting.

Regina handed David the water and sat back down, "David. I need to know what is going on. I can't be there for Emma without knowing."

David took a small sip of water and then let out a deep breath. He leaned forward and gently said, "What I am telling you doesn't leave here. That Includes not telling Henry."

Regina looked at David and said, "Ok."

David looked directly at Kathryn and lifted an eyebrow. Finally Kathryn caught on and said, "Fine, I won't say anything. Geez."

David turned back to Kathryn and looked her dead in the eyes, "Look I don't know you so I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you aren't completely a cold hearted bitch; correct me if I'm wrong. Me telling you what happened tonight won't even begin to scratch the surface of what Emma's life has been like. So excuse me for wanting to make sure that Emma isn't going to be on the front page of the gossip column."

Kathryn ducked her head down and softly apologized, "Sorry. Honestly I didn't mean to sound insensitive."

David gave her a slight nod and looked back at Regina, "I can only tell you what Emma told me and what I had seen. If you really want to talk with Emma about this you are going to have to ask her."

Regina nodded in agreement and understanding.

David sighed and began telling Regina why Emma reacted to the bully the way she did.

"Emma has always taken care of herself. When I first met Emma, Emma was 13 maybe, she had just come from a really bad foster home. I don't mean the usual bad foster homes, the ones without enough food or space, I mean horrendous. I still don't know the full extent of what happened but from what she has said her foster brother was a bully in school and abusive at 'home'" David took a sip and water and then continued.

"Seth.. Seth Farnham. That was his name. The Farnham's were always out at the casino gambling away the money, leaving Seth to look after Emma. He... he used to do the usual middle school bullying stuff, shove Emma into lockers, called her names, watched as others beat her up."

"But the torment didn't stop when they got home. Seth would lock the refrigerator so Emma couldn't eat, turn the hot water off so she couldn't shower with hot water, pushed her down. But he...he-um... he used to get into her bed at night a do things. According to Emma he never actually.. you know..?"

"But this one time he had been out drinking with his friends. He came home drunk and caught Emma picking the lock on the fridge... He freaked. He slapped her off of the step stool she was standing on. Emma fell to the ground, she broke her wrist with the impact alone. But he didn't stop, he just... he kicked and punched, and just when she thought it was over her spit in her face. Told her 'she would never ever leave', that she was 'his cute little bitch', and that when she turns 14 he was going to 'take what makes her so innocent'."

"Emma ran away that night. She was found unconscious on a park bench the next morning. I don't really know what happened between her going to the hospital and her coming to the group home. She doesn't talk about it. All I know is that when someone spits at Emma, she loses it. Today was nothing compared to previous incidents."

Regina and Kathryn both had tears in their eyes. Neither could believe or understand why someone would do such a thing to a child.

Regina wiped away her tears and softly asked, "Previous incidents? This has happened before?"

David sighed and nodded, "Twice. First time it was a kid at school. She was the new kid and he wanted to show her who's boss. He shoved her down and spit at her. Before anyone could stop her she punched him in the face. Broke two of her knuckles and the boys jaw."

Kathryn then asked, "What about the second time? What happened?"

David looked at the ceiling and sighed, "She was in an altercation with Giselle's drug dealer. She ended up knocking him out, shattering his nose, and she broke 3 of his ribs."

Kathryn swallow and said, "Emma. The tiny teen downstairs? She can't even weigh more than 125 pounds. Max. How did she take down a dealer? Who is she Ronda Rousey?"

David smirked and said, "Don't let that small stature fool you, Emma's learned to hold her own."

Kathryn wasn't satisfied, "How? Who trained her?"

David sighed and said, "Look, Emma is resourceful. She met some people, did some favors and in return they taught her how to always protect herself; with and without a weapon."

Regina nodded and said, "Well do you think the people that taught Emma would be willing to teach Henry?"

Kathryn looked at Regina shocked, "Regina! You want to teach Henry to fight?"

Regina rolled her eyes and said, "No Kat. Of course I don't want Henry to fight, but I do want him to know how to protect himself. We aren't always going to be there to fight his battles."

David nodded, "You would have to ask Emma about that. All I know is that the guy who taught her is back in New York City."

Regina nodded and said, "I will discuss it with her."

David took another sip of water and looked at his phone. David texted someone back and put the phone back into his pocket.

Killian then came up the stairs and joined David.

Killian gave Regina and Kathryn a polite nod and tapped David on the arm. David looked at Killian and asked, "She good?"

Killian nodded, "She is working on the next song. She just needs some alone time."

David nodded looking back at Regina, "She will be fine. She just needs a minute to cool off. I would say leave her be for the rest of the night and talk to her in the morning."

Regina nodded and escorted David and Killian to the door, "Thank you both so much."

David and Killian both nodded and said, "Any time." They bid Regina good night and drove down Mifflin Street back towards the B&B.

Regina closed and locked the door. She made her way back to the kitchen to talk with Kathryn again.

It was almost 12:30AM by the time Kathryn decided it was time for her to leave. Kathryn called her neighbor Tink to come pick her up since Regina drove her here.

Regina gave Kathryn a hug and said, "Thank you for staying."

Kathryn scoffed and said, "Of course Regina, anything, any time. You know that. Please tell Emma I'm sorry I was such a bitch today."

Regina smiled and nodded, "I will. Maybe we can all get dinner together at Granny's sometime this week."

Kathryn smiled and said, "I would love that." Kathryn gave Regina one last hug and walked to Tink's waiting car.

Regina again closed and locked the door. She went back to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water before turning out the lights and heading upstairs.

She checked on Henry before heading to her room.

Regina got ready for bed and sighed when she thought about the days events.

Regina got into bed and thought about all that Emma had gone through in her short lifetime; Regina's heart broke at the thought.

Regina then rolled over and thought of Henry, 'Maybe I should get him self defense lessons. Maybe I should have Emma show us how she learned. Maybe."

A/N: Again sorry this took so long to update and that it isn't the longest. Next chapter is still a work in progress so no telling when that will be ready. Again sorry for inconsistent posts. Hope you all enjoyed, please Review! Reviews make me happy!