Gonna be a bit of time jumps in this chapter. I'd drag it out, but I don't think I can do that for this particular plot. Sorry if you think it's rushed, it will require a bit of a stretch of imagination, but I want to hurry to FTL land soon. We're almost halfway through :)

Chapter 8:

Finding Kathryn opened a lot of floodgates. But there were two that were the most important. One: it proved Mary Margaret's innocence. And two: it implicated the Mayor being involved somehow.

Now that Emma had a lot of the pieces together, adding up all the discrepancies and the little oddities here and there that Regina had been connected to, she knew that something was up. She knew the Mayor was involved in something big, something that shouldn't go undiscovered.

And Emma was determined to find out what.

She kept everything close to the chest. She only told those she knew she could trust with her life. There wasn't many, but it was easier to keep track of everything that way. The small group included Henry (when Regina wasn't keeping him under lock and key), August, and Mary Margaret (who had been released due to recent evidence, aka Kathryn's reappearance).

There were a few others that she might've added, but these three were the only ones that she trusted fully at the moment.

So she laid out all her evidence to them. And she told them all she had come across, and that's when the idea of taking Regina to court for the kidnapping of Kathryn came to creation. But she had to plan it carefully, she couldn't have this blowing up in her face like the 'shovel' ordeal.

She went to the hospital, to talk with the recuperating Kathryn, taking great pains to stay as far away from another certain room as possible. She got as much information as she could, taking it easy on the woman. She had been through so much as it was, Emma didn't want to make it worse.

However she was given great leads. And then from that she was able to get more and more evidence. Time passed, a few months went by and Emma had finally accumulated a case against the Mayor.

When she had finally gotten everything she needed together she went to him.

She hadn't talked with him much, only for small things here and there. He had helped her with some of her ideas, and he had helped her with gaining the proof, but that was about it. Emma tried to distance herself from him. She didn't want to get to close, not when he had Beth to take care of now. She didn't want to intrude and the feelings that kept bubbling up when she was around them were starting to become more and more noticeable.

But she needed to confer with him about what she was about to set out and do. She didn't feel right about not telling him. After all, he had helped her out with everything else. So, with a weight on her shoulders and a deep breath she knocked on his front door.

She didn't know if he had Beth there with him or not, though she was hoping for the latter. She didn't want to be around them together again. She had finally gotten her stomach to stop churning from the last encounter.

She heard the sound of footsteps and a cane walking in harmony towards the door. She readied herself for him, straightening her shoulders and taking one more deep breath.

The door opened.

The first thought that flit through her mind was 'I've missed him.' And she had. Looking upon him now, an emotion she hadn't felt since she had seen Henry again filled her: intense longing. He looked essentially the same since she last saw him some weeks ago. However there were some big changes. The way he held himself for instance, something was off. He stood straighter, more in control of himself, and more confident. The other thing was his eyes. They held more knowledge, if that were even possible, and more mischievousness. However they were also worn down, she could see a hint of sadness in those dark depths and she wondered if all was right in paradise.

The minute those eyes landed on her they seemed to lighten, and his customary smile for her grew on his lips. She couldn't help but smile back a little, but it faded quickly. She needed to get down to business.

"Hello, princess. What brings you to the Beast's castle?" he smile morphed into a smirk, and Emma rolled her eyes in exasperation and amusement.

" I am not a princess and you're certainly not a beast. At least not yet, anyways." She grinned at him, joking. She licked her lips, "Actually I need to talk to you about something." He quirked a brow, "Yes, dear? What is it?"

Emma bit her lip and glanced behind her, feeling imaginary eyes on her, imaginary spies of Regina's watching her. Or even the woman herself. She turned back to him and he seemed to realize what it was she wanted to talk about without her voicing it. "Please come in, dearie." And he let her in.

The rest of the house seemed empty. No other footsteps echoed through and Emma made sure of this by listening out for them. Or maybe she wasn't walking around…

The thought caused bile to rise and Emma tried to keep it down, instead focusing on the man in front of her. He walked her into a sitting room, the room where they had their little standoff when he had been robbed. He offered her one of the comfy looking chairs and sat in the one opposite of it.

She sat down and took the time to look around her at the room. There were a lot of knick-knacks laying around and Emma wondered if he actually sold anything at his shop. She stalled for a few more moments, trying to drag it out as much as possible by never looking back at him. But with a clearing of his throat she had to look over at him.

"You wanted to talk, love?" He gestured with his hands. She pushed the fact that he called her love out of her head and tried to focus on what she wanted to say. She swallowed and leaned forward in her seat towards him.

"I'm going to take Regina to court. And I'm going to try to put her away for what she has done."She stopped then, watching for his reaction. His brow furrowed and his mouth went into a firm line. His face went utterly serious and his eyes were intense on her own. He leaned forward as well.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?"He searched her features, and she allowed him. She nodded, "Yes. She needs to be tried for her crimes. They've gone unchecked for too long."

She was trying to convey her determination. She needed to do this. For the town, for her own peace of mind, but most importantly for Henry. She wouldn't be doing any of this if not for Henry. She felt a fierce need to protect that kid, and she would die trying. Or…in this case, deal with Regina.

Mr. Gold nodded, "What are you planning to do about it? You can't just accuse the Mayor without evidence."

Emma nodded frantically, and she scooted her chair closer to his, "Well, here's what I have so far-" and began to list everything she had accumulated. During her explanation he would nod and keep his full attention on her. He didn't speak until she was finished.

"Well, you have a fine case, Sheriff. All that's left now is for me to ask you a question."

She stared at him, anxious, "What is it?"

He paused, "Do you believe?"

Silence permeated the air. She knew what he was asking her. She knew, but she could not answer, her voice would not come to her. She couldn't look away from him, and she couldn't find the words, though she knew them. Her mind suspended from her body and everything seemed to pull and push away from each other.

Until something stuck.

A picture from Henry's book. Just one.

Of a Queen with lips red as blood and hair black as night. Sitting on a bed next to a Charming King. Holding a child, a newborn, in a white blanket with purple embroidery.

It said 'Emma'.

And suddenly she had her answer.

"Yes."

He smiled.

And so they began. Gold helped her finalize everything, helping her get everything together. Henry made sure that Regina had no idea that they were creating a case against her. August gained more evidence, secretly asking around and garnering trust from the townspeople one by one. He spread doubt on the Mayor, subtly, but it was there. Mary Margaret was Emma's backbone, what held her up. She gave her the support she needed and provided any kind of help she could.

And it was because of everyone's efforts that she could walk into the Mayor's office now. Henry found out that everyone of 'importance' in the town, including reporters, would be at a meeting today. And so, today Emma would strike.

She walked in without hesitation, and when Regina turned to yell at her, Emma interrupted her.

"Mayor Regina Mills, you are under arrest for fraud, theft, lying under oath, and the attempted murder of Kathryn Nolan."

And then all hell broke loose.

Emma knew the trial would be a sham. She wasn't under any delusion. But she would bring to light everything she knew about the Mayor. Her townspeople would be under no delusion about the person governing them.

Mr. Gold agreed to be the prosecutor, to Emma's surprise. He had only smiled at her shocked expression, but she was glad that he was helping her still. She didn't want let him know just how much she relied on him.

Before the trial happened, Regina had gone through the same process as Mary Margaret and stayed in the cells at the Sheriff's office. She was there for two days. The short amount of time was because of the importance of her position. They wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. And at every chance she could, Regina would spit poisonous words at Emma.

Emma just ignored her.

Finally it came time for the trial.

It was hellish and sluggish. Emma knew it wouldn't be impartial, since Regina had her claws in everyone and everything in the higher ups. But Gold went toe-to-toe with them. He would take what they threw at their accusations and turn it around. It was like he was spinning a thread, it was so intricately woven that even Emma herself couldn't find any flaw in it, not even Regina's puppets could say anything against it.

And then they called Regina to the stand.

If she thought Gold's standoff with the defense lawyer (funnily enough it was Spencer) was something, then she was in for a treat with this. It was like watching a tennis match with bated breath. They both were relentless, each not giving an inch. Regina had her own story fully ironed out, and she stuck with it.

Until Gold finally found the chink in her armor, the hole in her story. The meeting with Kathryn before she took off. And her fingerprints on the Nolan's doorknob. Kathryn's side of what had happened. Regina hadn't expected the other woman to talk, and was caught off guard. Gold knew this, and boy did he take a chisel to it.

Suddenly Regina was stuttering and letting everything out. She didn't seem so invincible anymore, and the jurors could see that. Regina's eyes were wide and her armor had fallen. She turned to glare at Emma. Emma returned it without hesitation.

"Oh, don't look at her, Mayor. I'm the one asking the questions." Gold stepped between them, a smirk permanently attached to his face. His eyes, though, were hard and cold as they stared at Regina. She turned her glare on him, and snarled, "Protecting her, are we? We all know you are both in on this."

Mr. Gold's smirk widened, "I'm not the one on trial here, Ms. Mills. I'd worry about yourself."

Regina ground her teeth, her rage tangible in the courtroom. "Oh, wouldn't you just like that! You planned this, you little imp! You knew this was going to happe-!"

"I didn't plan anything, Mayor." Gold interrupted her, cool and calm again. "In fact, you're the only one indicting yourself right now. Sheriff Swan just finally took action."

Regina once again glared at Emma, her eyes almost slits. The courtroom was silent except for the three. Regina seemed to forget everyone else was there, and everyone else were too afraid and speechless to interrupt them or say anything. Everyone was focused on them.

Emma stood up then. Her own eyes narrowed at the fallen Mayor. She could hear the judge telling her to sit down, but Gold waved him down. Regina kept her eyes riveted on Emma, practically spitting fire at her. Emma squared her shoulders. "You are an evil person."

Regina scoffed, but Emma continued, "Yes, you probably have reasons behind this. You are probably horribly scarred and bitter. But that is no excuse for the things you have done."

Regina cocked her head, "All the things I've done? Miss Swan, you have nothing."

Emma smirked and tilted her head, "I don't mean just in this world."

That stopped Regina cold. Her face dropped and she stared at Emma, a touch of fear in those dead eyes. Emma's smirk turned icy, "Yea, scary, huh? That I know, now? That I know all about the crimes you've committed. Against me, my family, this town." Emma began walking out behind the prosecutor's table, and she could feel Henry's support behind her. She knew he was sitting with Mary Margaret and David Nolan, who had made amends with the woman and his ex-wife, in the front row. She felt their support and knew she could do this.

Gold stood near her, but by her side. He watched the Mayor quiver in anger and fear in her seat without saying anything. But the smirk on his face said it all. He was enjoying this.

Emma stood in front of the Mayor, between her and the townspeople. Silently taking up her role of protector, even now.

"It sucks, doesn't it, Mayor? All your hard work, down the drain."

Regina glare deepened and she lowered her head and hunched her shoulders, "What are you going to do?" her voice was low and rough, anger coursing through every word.

Emma smiled at her, "I'm going to stop you. Because guess what, your majesty? I believe now," she paused for an effect.

"And you don't win."

And then the building started to shake. Everyone jumped, and started to grab onto something. Emma looked up at the ceiling. It was starting to crumble and come apart. This world was starting to fall apart. Purple smoke and clouds began overtaking everything and she could hear everyone start screaming.

The building began to fall in pieces and the clouds began to swoop down. Without thinking Emma whipped around, her eyes searching. "Henry!"

"Emma!" She could see him behind the rail, his entire face lit up with a smile. "Emma! You did it!"

She tried to run towards him, frantic to get to him, to wrap her arms around him and protect him. But before she could even take two steps the purple smoke swooped in front of her and she had to throw her arms up.

"Henry!" and then darkness claimed her.

And that's the end of Storybrooke. I know this is definitely not how the curse is broken, but I kind of saw it happening this way. The purple cloud brought them there, and it'll take them back :) Hope this was okay. I know the court stuff was bad and rushed, but honestly…I'm not that good with stuff like that and I needed to hurry it along to FTL xD We're about halfway now, so please keep a look out for more. Regina's not going down that easily ;)

Hope you liked it, please review :)