Chapter 9

"Why so serious, Emma?" Charming asked as he relaxed on the white and gold sofa with Snow at his side.

After Henry had gone to bed, the blonde spent the rest of the night tossing and turning as she ran through her limited options. Regina's appearance the other day had confirmed what she'd feared all along and while definitely dangerous and probably stupid, Rumpelstiltskin was her best chance and most expedient course of action. Deciding to follow Henry's suggestion, she'd asked to meet with her parents after lunch. Emma would have preferred any other room for this conversation, but their chambers were the only place they were guaranteed privacy.

Standing calmly in front of them, a determined expression settled across her light features as she spoke.

"I want to talk to Rumpelstiltskin," her voice was strong and steady.

"What?" "Absolutely not."

Twin voices of shock and outrage filled the room as the couple simultaneously jumped to their feet.

"I want to talk to Rumpelstiltskin," she repeated, articulating every word so there was no mistaking her intent.

"I forbid it," James growled, "he's too dangerous. All anyone ever gains from dealing with him is misery and pain."

"He might also be the only one who can help me," Emma replied.

"Help you with what?" Snow asked in a slightly hurt tone. "Our every resource is at your disposal. What could he possibly do for you that we can't?"

"He can tell me how to get Regina's memories back. He can help me save her from the Evil Queen."

"They're the same person!" James bellowed.

"You're wrong!" she yelled back as frustration bubbled to the surface. "Regina is nothing like that woman I saw the other night. Something happened. Something... broke her and planted a seed of hate so deep in her soul that she felt the only way to be happy was to seek her revenge. That is the Evil Queen. The Regina I know is the person she should have been all along."

A sheepish expression crossed Snow White's delicate features, but Emma missed it as her eyes never strayed from James.

"Emma, you cannot possibly claim to know this woman when you only met her a year ago. You have not seen what she is capable of nor have you had to live through the agony she has inflicted," he continued to argue.

"That may be true," the blonde conceded, "but I've seen the way her head hangs and shoulders sag when she thinks she's alone. I've seen the scars left by years of heartache and loneliness. Most importantly, I have seen love and fear shining from her eyes every time she looks at Henry... and every time she looks at me."

"Wh…what are you saying?" Snow asked with a look of dawning horror.

"Exactly what it sounds like; Regina loves me… and I love her."

"She's bewitched you some how, used a spell to turn you against us," desperation laced the brunette's voice.

Emma vehemently shook her head.

"You were the one teasing me all those nights I came home late and the 'goofy' smile I always sported the next morning."

"That was because you were dating August, right?" Snow asked hopefully.

Laughter burst from between pale lips at the absurdity of the question.

"There is nothing about this situation that I find amusing," the brunette practically growled in displeasure.

"You're right," Emma said as she brought herself under control, "there is nothing funny about any of this. I'm stuck in a world that shouldn't exist with a lover who doesn't remember me and parents who won't listen. I don't know how to be more clear. Regina and Henry are the greatest source of joy in my life and with her gone, I feel like half of me is missing. And for the record, the only interest I had in August was trying figure out what the hell he wanted in Storybrooke."

"Fine," James broke in, "for the sake of argument, let's say she hasn't placed you under some kind of spell and your feelings are in fact genuine. How do you know she returns your affection?"

"She told me."

"She lied!" he cried in exasperation. "It's what she does."

"I know when people are lying, every time," her voice lowered dangerously, daring him to contradict. She'd called him out on enough lies during the Kathryn/Mary Margaret fiasco for him to know it to be true. "Regina has secrets, like everyone else, and she may not have been very forthcoming with several aspects of her life, but she has never once flat out lied to me. When she told me she loved me, the truth was written all over her face."

"Try to see reason here, Emma," Snow practically begged. "What little heart she may have once had died long ago. All the evil she's wrought has left if cold and black and incapable of feeling anything, let alone love."

"No!" she bit out as green eyes flashed fire. "We have all done things we aren't proud of, every single one of us. They make us who we are and we can't change the past, but that's the problem. She doesn't remember a huge part of her past that helped her become so much more than just the 'Evil Queen'. Storybrooke, Henry… me, it's all buried. If she had those memories, you'd finally see the person I fell in love with. You'd see the real Regina."

Emma took a deep breath to collect herself before continuing in calmer tone.

"When the world was crashing down around us, I promised to find her no matter what. There's a way to bring her back and he's the only one who knows how. You know me well enough to realize that I never go back on my word. I will find Rumpelstiltskin with or without your help and I will save Regina."

It wasn't a bluff, but she hoped it wouldn't come to that. Tracking down Rumpelstiltskin would not only be tedious, time-consuming work, but going against her parents would irreparably damage their already fragile relationship.

An uncomfortable silence settled around the emotionally exhausted trio as indecipherable blue eyes studied her. Emma was determined to make good on her threat if they refused to help, even if she had to crawl there; her stubborn set jaw and unwavering gaze reflected that.

"Alright," James finally conceded with a small nod. "However, two guards are to be near you at all times, another six will accompany you on this journey, and you must give us your word that you will not agree to any deal he offers you, no matter how attractive the offer."

"I promise," she dutifully replied.

She gave him a small grateful smile before making a quick escape. Snow White's pale skin had turned beet red while blazing green eyes shot daggers at her husband. Emma knew it was only a matter of moments before she exploded and the blonde did not want to get caught in the line of fire.

"How are you okay with this?" the brunette erupted as soon as the door closed.

"Who says I am?" Charming asked in a defeated tone. "I hate the idea just as much as you do, but we both know Emma isn't going to let this go without seeing it through first. At least this way we can keep an eye on her and hope that she comes to her senses in the process."

"It's still not safe."

"No," he agreed, "but Rumpelstiltskin won't give her any answers without a deal and she promised she wouldn't accept."

"And you believe her?" Snow's question was not one of disbelief but of worry.

"Yes, I do," James answered as he wrapped the brunette up in his arms.

"I hope so," Snow White sighed.

Me too, darling… Me too.

A/N: Sorry for the wait guys! I had issues with this chapter so it's not my best, but it does what I need it to do. Also, I haven't actually seen the episode that tells us what Snow did to Regina, so no spoilers, please. I wanted to get this done first so I wouldn't be influenced by it and as a reward for actually finishing. Also, I had an idea for another story. I haven't actually started writing it, yet. I will finish this first before i do. I promise. But i have been mapping it out and keeping notes. I think you guys will like it. But, first, we gotta get through this. Thanks again for reading! You all rock!