Final chapter!
Let's see how things wrap up.
It's been quite a ride with this story, I hope everyone enjoys the ending!
As the guards open the door, Emma sees Walsh sitting there, hands cuffed to the metal table. She walks inside and sighs, waiting until the door closes behind her to ask, "Why?"
"Why what?" is Walsh's raspy answer. He looks up at her slowly, the smile that usually graced his face nowhere in sight.
"Why did you do this? Why would you work with someone to murder a person? Why didn't you tell me about this?" Emma retorts, her anger mounting.
Walsh purses his lips and hums. "Wow, you really expected a lot from that 'why'. Let's see. I did this because I wanted to; Regina Mills is poison to the world, and her exposés do more damage than good. I'm happy to have done my part. She deserves this, and why would I tell you? You're the president of the Regina Mills fanclub with your puppy-love crush on her."
Emma is finding it really hard to not punch her ex-best friend in the face. "So that's what this is about. Jealousy? You were jealous and angry that I supported Regina and so you decide to side yourself with a couple of murdering megalomaniacs."
With a sneer, Walsh adds, "I like to think of it more as having someone enjoying my company and appreciating me for who I am."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Emma gapes. Her stomach clenches at the thought of who Walsh is talking about.
"Zelena. When I met her a year ago, she showed me what it's like to be appreciated. To be loved by someone."
Emma feels sick to her stomach. "You rebounded to Zelena? Seriously? You take rejection that badly?"
"Badly? You humiliated me. Rejecting me and then telling me you had a crush on Regina? You'd think you would realize that it's hopeless right? The hero doesn't get the girl. I mean, would you really want to endanger her? That would be a bit selfish of you. And her poor kid..."
Emma slams her hands on the table, the sound rebounding all over the room. Walsh looks scared, and Emma takes a deep breath to reign in her anger. "I swear to god Walsh, I will make sure you're locked away for a long time. But if by some miracle someone takes pity on you and releases you, I can promise you, if you touch a single hair on either Regina's or Henry's head, I will make your life a living hell."
"Bold words for a hero. Too bad you won't actually do anything. Now just leave well-enough alone Emma. I've heard the news. Poor Regina perished because of your incompetence, so now you have no one."
Making a fist with her hand, Emma punches the table and makes the smooth metal surface concave. Walsh jumps and then takes a deep breath. They hold eye-contact for a few minutes until Emma blinks, turning around to leave.
Walsh lets out a cackle. "The hero of the people has no one! Remember that Emma!"
Emma's been letting off steam by stomping around the endless DEO hallways. She's not even sure where she's going. She's just resisting the urge to return to Walsh and punch him. She pauses when she sees Henry sitting with his back against the wall, seemingly in his own world. She stops and sits down beside him.
"What's on your mind, Henry?" Emma asks.
"Why is mom so upset? I thought she'd be happy that we'd be getting the bad guy," he answers, fiddling with a pencil.
Emma sighs. "Because she's worried about you Henry. You're going to be doing something very dangerous."
Henry makes a face of disbelief. "I'm getting Gold to confess, what's so dangerous about it?"
"He's a dangerous man Henry. He tried to hurt your mom." Emma doesn't mention that Gold has been ready to kill Regina. He doesn't need to hear that.
He nods. "But you're going to be there right? And Mulan. Plus grandma is planning this."
And so Emma explains that Cora isn't someone to go against, and that Regina isn't a fan of the idea, but that she wants Henry to be able to choose for himself.
"I just want to help her," he sighs. "Do you think there's another way to do this? Because if there is, then I won't do it. I don't want mom to be worried for me."
"I'm sure we can find another way," Emma says, standing up and holding her hand out to help him up. "Come on, we can plan for this together."
Regina's ecstatic at the change of plans, not so much at having to tell her mother, or having to come up with an alternative with only a few hours before the event.
But by the time they are in the final meeting before going to the gathering, they have a plan, and Cora is not pleased.
"You can't just change the plan like this!" she splutters.
"We can, and we have," Regina counters. "Nothing is inherently changing, just the main players."
Emma looks around the room with an interested expression in her face as she asks, "Does anyone here have a problem with the new plan?"
The rest of the people in the room just shake their heads.
"Then majority wins," Emma concludes, looking entirely too smug at having pulled one over Cora.
But Cora isn't at all satisfied with this turn of events, but rather than fight back as expected, she just huffs and says, "Just don't come crying to me when everything goes to hell in a handbasket!"
Everyone watches as she turns around and leaves, before going over the plan one more time. Once they're done, the heroes part ways, getting ready for the night's event.
Well, everyone except for Emma. She's going as Supergirl, and she's already in costume and she decides to wait outside Regina's room while her girlfriend changes.
When Regina exits her room, she's faced with a curious sight of Emma looking at her costume disapprovingly. She quietly tells Henry to go head to the entrance, and that she'll catch up in a minute.
"Did you stain it?" Regina asks airily, even though she can figure why Emma is looking at her costume with such a face.
"Well I do have a metaphorical stain on it: the fact that the person who designed and made this costume turned out to be working for your sister because he was slighted that I didn't return his romantic affections and then helped her to create ploys to hurt you with the eventual intent of murder."
Regina nods, going to stand in front of Emma. "I imagine that isn't easy. But speaking as someone who has many times collaborated with people who either despise me, or wound up despising me because of something or other, I'd say it's your prerogative to mourn the end of this, but carry on. Still wear that same costume while Walsh continues watching from his jail cell."
Emma looks less assured. "But how can I do that? Every time I look at it I'll be reminded of him. Maybe I can get a new costume..."
"No," Regina shakes her head, pointing to the shield on her chest. "Every time I look at it, I see hope. And I can't be the only person that thinks that. You change that costume, and you let him win. You show him that he affected you so much, you couldn't bear the thought of continuing to wear it."
"But he did affect me," Emma counters.
"And why should he know about that?"
Emma sighs. "I'm not that strong emotionally. I mean, how do you deal with a situation like this?"
Regina looks pensive for a moment and then begins, "When I was an intrepid investigative journalist, I teamed up with another writer, Greg for a project. We were going to take down a major company that was hiding millions of dollars in off-shore holdings, and right when we were about to publish, the company bought Greg out. I didn't know about it until the day we were going to hand in our report, when I saw all the papers had been burned. I was living with a roommate at the time, and we thought it was more secure if all the papers stayed with him, and I felt so damn foolish at the time for having trusted him.
"Three months later, I did all my research again, and published the investigation by myself. It was what put me on the map to where I am today. Every time I read an article or bio about me, they mention the piece, and every time I feel sick remembering how Greg was paid off so easily, and what a betrayal it was. But I didn't let it deter me. It obviously doesn't compare to your experience, but as you asked: I deal with it by remembering it, but not letting it affect me."
"Wise words," Emma says, nodding with a smile. "And now, we need to go to your party."
"You mean the party honouring my death?" Regina corrects as they begin walking to the entrance of the base.
Emma shrugs, keeping pace, letting Regina's arm entwine with hers. "Semantics. You're still very much alive, and you'll make an amazing entrance."
"Let's hope. If this doesn't work, I'll be in for a long life of hiding."
"And I won't let that happen. We'll win." Before they reach the entrance where they hear everyone ready to go, Emma pulls Regina in for a deep kiss. She hopes to convey everything in it: her hope and reassurances, as well as her love for the woman in her arms.
When they part, Regina smiles at her. "With you by my side, I know we will."
The celebrations are well underway when Ruby notifies Emma of Gold's arrival. Everyone gets in their places, and the hero approaches Gold.
"Supergirl," he greets, at least courteous to keep her secret identity to himself in this public venue. "How wonderful to see you here."
Emma returns a very fake smile that she's sure she picked up from Regina, and says, "Someone needs to talk to you."
"Right to business aren't we? I'm afraid I must decline. You see, I'm here to celebrate dear Regina's life, not get accosted by you and your allies once again."
Rather than back down, Emma counters with, "What's wrong Gold? Afraid of me now that your pet security guard isn't here? Though I'm surprised, I'd figure Zelena would want to attend."
Gold's mouth twitches in a brief smile before he responds, "Alas Zelena is mourning in her own way. But since you seem hellbent on having me meet this mysterious person, then very well, lead the way."
Pleased that she's getting her way, Emma nods and leads them away from the party, and into an unused side room in the banquet hall.
Once inside, Gold says, "If I didn't know any better dearie, I'd say this seems relatively ominous. What's the purpose of this meeting? I see no ally of yours here."
From the shadows, a voice calls out, "Well that would be understandable, as I am dead."
It's an unmistakable voice, and Gold notices, faltering every so slightly. Her turns to Emma and chuckles. "Quite the trick you've got here."
Emma just stares at him blankly while Regina says, "Oh it's no trick Gold. I'm afraid you weren't as successful as you thought you'd be."
"Cut the crap and show yourself," Gold huffs, slamming his ever-present cane on the ground.
Regina steps out of the shadows and holds her arms out as if presenting herself. "Believe the crap now Gold?"
"You-you're supposed to be dead," Gold stumbles over his words, blinking and pointing. "I verified you were dead!"
"Verified?" Emma repeats, interested. "And what's your vested interest on Regina's life? You're not family."
"Don't say another word!" Everyone in the room pauses as Cora sweeps in the room. "In case you haven't realized yet dear, they're trying to bait you into revealing you were the one who ordered the attack on my daughter. Ms. Swan here is wearing a recording device."
Gold smirks widely, much more assured of himself. "Well then. It's good to see I still have some allies in the world."
"Mother!" Regina looks betrayed. "How could you do this?"
"How? If you're not going to do the plan right Regina, then why should I help you?"Cora responds haughtily.
Emma's fists are balled and she grinds out, "And that's reason to betray us?"
Cora shrugs. "Survival of the fittest. Speaking of..."
She pulls out a gun with a silencer from her purse and hands it to Gold. He doesn't waste a second before pointing it at Regina.
Emma quickly moves to stand in front of Regina.
"Ah ah ah!" Cora tuts, before removing yet another object from her purse and holding it up. "I would step aside, unless you'd rather I throw this Kryptonite at your feet."
When Emma doesn't budge, Cora shrugs. "Very well, have it your way."
She chucks the green rock by Emma's feet, and Emma's legs shake until she collapses on her knees and hands on the floor, shuddering.
"Emma! Mother, please, stop this!" Regina begs bending ever so slightly to place her hands on Emma's shoulders comfortingly.
"Oh no Regina, this is what happens when you try to make foolish plans, I think Gold can agree with that," Cora says, turning to her new partner.
"Indeed. Now Regina, would you be so kind as to remove Ms. Swan's recording device? And don't think about kicking the Kryptonite away, this gun is still pointed at you." He wiggles the gun the slightest bit to show he's still holding it, and Regina slowly reaches around to the front of Emma's costume and removes the device they had installed there.
"Good, now throw it to the ground, and step on it. Really dig your heel in," Gold continues relishing this moment.
Regina does just that and then stands there, a furious façade showing, while Emma breathes heavily by her feet. After a few silent seconds, Regina says, "Now what? Going to finish the job?"
"Of course; as the saying goes, if you want something done right, you must do it yourself."
Cora nods. "Indeed. Leaving it to lackeys never works. Not to mention that you get irrefutable proof that the deed is done."
Regina decides to try another tactic. "What if I promise to not say another word? I will stop the investigations and leave you alone Gold. Please, Henry...my son-"
"Will be fine in my hands," Cora interrupts.
Gold smirks, clicking the safety off. "And if you truly did mean a word of what you said, you would have stopped when the most I sent was confetti. Not even sending death threats stopped you. Nor trying to kill you. So I'm afraid I will have to try again."
"Stop!" Emma tries, feebly trying to get back on her feet.
"You look pathetic. It's a wonder she manages to do anything," Cora mocks.
"Indeed, and yet she managed to stop two of my attacks on your daughter here, so it's good you came prepared," Gold says, impressed.
"Of course, I have a thing with working for the winning team. And all bets are off because Regina is too sentimental; I figure it's best to switch sides, and join you."
Gold agrees. "A perfectly understandable notion, though I clearly underestimated your black heart Cora."
Cora flashes a brilliant smile at him. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Well, I've heard tales of how ruthless you can be. Though I thought that undoing your family by trying to kill Regina this past week, and being responsible for taking Zelena away from you with the explosion five years ago, would have made you less than receptive to taking my side of things. But no matter, time is of the essence."
He points his gun and is about to shoot Regina when he hears yet another voice yell, "Got it!"
Transfixed, Gold watches in surprise as Emma stands up, stretching her neck. "What the-"
In his confusion, he tries to shoot the gun, but finds it just clicks, the clip empty.
"Oh silly me, did I forget to load it?" Cora clucks her tongue.
Emma steps over the rock and walks to stand in front of Gold, taking the gun easily from his hand. He stutters, "N-no. Y-you, the Kryptonite-"
Regina picks up the green rock. "I believe this is an emerald, right mother?"
Cora nods. "Quite right."
"But-" Gold seems completely nonplussed by this twist.
"In case you haven't yet figured it out," Emma begins with a smirk. "We've been playing you for a fool. Cora's working for us."
Marian comes out from the shadows, waving. "And I got this all on tape. Apparently your statute of limitations with Zelena isn't quite up, so your admissions to being responsible for the explosion, intent to murder Regina, as well as explaining that all the attacks were your idea, well...I'd say you're pretty screwed. Gotta love a villain that likes to gloat"
Gold watches, stunned, as DEO agents burst inside, ready to arrest him.
"You bastard!"
Everyone freezes as someone else joins them.
"Well then, this is a surprise, I believe I'm late to the party." It's Zelena, and she looks positively seething, strutting in as if she owns the room. But she only has eyes for Gold. "You disgust me! You tried to murder my sister?! I agreed to intimidate her, not murder!"
Regina steps forward, much to Emma's chagrin and says, "Zelena-"
"Shut up!" she screeches, not even turning to face her sister. "I'm here for Gold, that's all."
It's as if time is working in slow motion. No one can stop the forming of shards of Kryptonite in her hands, nor her firing them off towards Gold, hitting him square in the chest. He falls with a thud, and agents are rushing to contain Zelena.
Emma wants to jump in and stop the green woman, but it seems Zelena's anger is feeding her Kryptonite, and she's radiating it to the point Emma's fatigued from just being in the room with her. But even where she falls short, the DEO is hurrying to intercept Zelena.
"Oh don't bother," she rolls her eyes and flies off, smashing right through the ceiling and out towards the night. Agents rush off to try and see if they can track her down, while others to tend to Gold.
Emma surveys the scene of chaos, trying to regain her wits, and Ruby holsters her gun, coming to stand beside her. "Well, we got Gold."
They watch as Regina burrows into Cora's arms, the events creating a kind of peace between them for once. "Yeah well, it's a half-win really. Zelena is still out there."
Ruby shrugs. "We'll catch her. Now if you'll excuse me, I think Mulan is glaring at me to get to work."
Emma chuckles silently and nods, seeing her sister walk off, only to be joined by Regina, who asks, "Are you okay?"
"I've had better days; your sister is quite something when she's angry. And anyway, I should be asking that to you."
Regina shakes the matter off. "I'm thinking of her less like my sister and more like someone who looks a lot like her and is taking advantage of that. For all her jealous rage that she had, Zelena was never like this. I was trying to get justice for someone who had five years to get a message to me that she was fine, and she didn't. And now she just waltzes in and attacks Gold in my name. It's a bit disconcerting really. The only bright thing is that it seems to have brought my mother to her senses. She's actually repentant at having mistreated me all these years."
Emma wraps an arm around Regina and brings her girlfriend closer, planting a kiss on her forehead. "If you want to talk, I'm here."
"I know. I just want to focus on our victory," Regina answers, leaning her head on Emma's shoulder and relaxing. There will be time later to focus on Zelena.
Taking the cue, Emma shifts topics. "And our successful ruse. You and Cora gave quite a performance, even I believed it for a second," Emma says with a grin.
Cora nods, coming closer. "Indeed, worthy of a Tony award! Broadway has nothing on me."
Regina sighs. "And now I'll need to give a performance of my own, telling everyone I'm not really dead."
Emma gives her a kiss on the lips for good luck, and takes her hand. They walk to the banquet hall, ready to face the world together.
After they finally manage to wrap everything up, Emma accompanies Regina and Henry back to the Mills' house. Poor Henry is exhausted from the day's events, and Emma carries him to bed, where Regina tucks him in.
"I'm sure he'll enjoy having someone who can carry him to bed if he falls asleep no matter what age," Regina comments after they've settled down on the couch together, Emma lying down with her head on Regina's lap.
"The question is whether he'll allow it. I've heard moody teenage boys might not be so open to that idea," Emma counters, enjoying as Regina combs her hand through her hair.
"Touché. For now, I'm just happy to have him at home, and that you made him see that the mission was too dangerous before it was too late."
"He just wanted to help, and I guess for a ten-year old, the need to protect you preceded his regard for safety."
Regina smiles. "Sounds like someone else I know."
"But I'm nearly indestructible," Emma points out.
"Doesn't negate the fact you're reckless." Regina looks smug and Emma has to concede her girlfriend has a point, mostly because she gets a lovely kiss on her lips that cancels any and all arguments she could counter with.
They continue talking well into the night, and even on their way to work next morning.
When Emma sits down at her desk, she looks around the office and feels a sense of calm knowing that she can still have this world of normalcy. It makes her feel like she can fit in, and she's happy that she always has this job to fall back on. Ruby often asks her why she keeps this job, considering she could always pursue more exciting opportunities. But as she glances to her left at Regina working in her office, Emma concludes that there's nowhere she'd rather be.
And when she hears commotion outside, Regina looks up from her work and gives Emma a subtle wink before calling out, "Miss Swan! I needed those copies five minutes ago!"
Taking her cue with a barely contained grin, Emma barely manages a "Yes Ms. Mills!" before she's rushing up the elevator to the roof. As she shucks off her cardigan and her costume comes into view, she thinks that Regina is right. Her costume is a symbol. It means hope, and nothing can change that.
She's proud to wear it. It's what makes her Supergirl.
And that's the end of this story!
I know that it's very open-ended, and I'm sure more than one person would love for a continuation, but as this was meant as a big bang story all along, I had a clear end in sight, and I feel like there exist enough Supergirl-inspired SQ fics without me inundating the trope.
Besides, I have plans for my own original superhero sq story. Which I will wrote one day, when I don't have a gajillion stories to update. Anyway! Lots of things happening in this closing chapter, and Cora actually pulled through! Go figure.
Meanwhile Zelena is off free in the world...who knows what wicked havoc she'd wreak.
I hope everyone enjoyed this story, and I'm super sorry for the delays in finishing this, and now I'm fully planning on diving back into my regular schedule of fics, starting with a very important chapter of Such a Heavenly View!
Let me know what you thought of this, and thank you to everyone for the support!