Chapter 16:
At first nothing happened. Then a pulse seemed to run through the room, and a searing pain shot through him. He gasped, and wrenched away from her, falling to the ground. His hand clutched to his chest as he tried to ride the pain out. He didn't notice anything else around him as the agony engulfed him…
Emma was in that darkness again. Just floating in a sea of nothingness. Except this time she could hear everything around her. It was like she was paralyzed. She knew what was happening, but she couldn't say anything, she couldn't move.
She could hear Belle and Rumplestiltskin talking. Not the exact words, but she could just hear their voices. She wondered if she was dead, because if she had to listen to them together then it must be Hell. But then again she had heard Henry earlier, something that had killed her. He was begging her to wake up, and she couldn't. She didn't know how.
She knew that Regina had thrown something at her at the last minute, putting her in this unending sleep. But she had no clue how to wake from it.
Suddenly she felt a presence above her. And she heard words being whispered, but she could not comprehend them. Something caressed the side of her face, and then something touched her lips.
And everything suddenly clicked and righted itself.
Life seemed to shoot through her veins and her body surged up, her eyes wide open. A loud gasp ripped from her lips and she seemed to be able to breathe once more. She sucked air into her lungs as she tried to get her bearings. Her eyes were looking wildly around, catching on the sword in her lap and then on the dress she wore and then to the bed she lay on.
And then she looked to her right and she saw something that made her heart almost stop once more.
She didn't even hesitate, she flopped her still recuperating body over the side of the bed onto the floor and crawled over. Rumplestiltskin was curled up on the ground, breathing erratically and in pain. When she reached him she placed her hands on his shoulders, nudging him to turn over so she could see his face. His body seemed to convulse as he stayed in his position, not moving the way she wanted him to. He curled even tighter into himself, his form trembling and jerking. She tried even more to get him to turn, wrapping her arms around him and trying to look over his shoulder. His head was ducked down, his face against the floor. Lowing keening noises of pain escaped his mouth.
Emma didn't know what to do, she just held onto him as best she could. But before she could truly despair, his body went lax. He lay on the floor, his body still shuddering at intervals but overall he was calmer compared to a few seconds ago. She turned him over, wanting to make sure he was okay, to find out what was wrong. His hair was limp in his face, covering his features from her, but she knew something was off. Her hand reached up to push some strands away gently and gasped when greeted with this sight.
He looked normal.
"Rumplestiltskin…what-?" she breathed. Her palm cupped his face, studying his visage while the other continued stroking his hair out of his face. He looked like he did back in Storybrooke, his skin smooth and without scales. Everything else was the same, but he just…looked like Gold.
His eyes widened, and she saw panic start to rise. But before he could say anything, Henry and everyone else rushed in the door. Emma's eyes connected with her son's and he ran over to her in a flash. "Emma! You're awake!"
His arms encircled her, and she pulled a hand away from Rumplestiltskin to reciprocate. Her confused gaze went to her parents, ready to ask what had happened when Belle came running in. She saw Rumplestiltskin's slumped form and ran over too.
"Rumplestiltskin! What's happened?" She sat on the other side of him, looking him over for injuries, but her gaze kept straying to his face. He couldn't seem to answer her though, the words were stuck in his throat. He was frightened, Emma could see. His eyes held fear in them, fear that his power was gone. Emma wanted to reach for him, to console him. But when her hand began to lift she tucked it in her lap instead.
It was her fault. If she hadn't fallen into that sleep he wouldn't have had to risk his power. And now it's gone because of her. She lowered her eyes, and then turned to Henry. She hugged him to her as tight as she could, burying her face in his dark hair.
A fluttering noise drew all their attention though. "Do not despair, Dark One."
All looked up to see the Blue Fairy floating overhead. She gazed down with a surprisingly compassionate expression at Rumplestiltskin. He stared back, confused and distraught.
Belle spoke up, "What's happened to him?"
The Blue Fairy answered, looking only at Rumplestiltskin, "Because of your selfless act, you have brought back to life the princess. Despite knowing what it could do to you and your powers, you continued without heed." She paused, and a smile crossed her face, "And it is because of that that you may keep your powers."
A silence ripped through the room. Rumplestiltskin finally spoke, "What do you mean?"
"You have proven yourself. You have proven that you are not fully evil, and because of that, we have made it so you can keep your powers. The only change is that now, you look like a normal man. You no longer look like a monster."
'But he didn't look like one before,' Emma thought. Then she looked down at Henry who still had scaly gold skin. He looked happy for his father, but still she could see the sadness in his eyes. He had probably never let go of the idea that he was monstrous looking. She stroked his hair from his forehead and leaned down and kissed his forehead. In that kiss she tried to convey how much she believed he was not what he thought. That he was beautiful. He rested his body into hers and she hoped he understood. Looking up with her arm still wrapped around him, she saw that she wasn't the only one thinking of Henry.
While Belle was smiling and congratulating him, Rumplestiltskin was gazing over at his son. Emma smiled softly at him, trying to let him know it was alright, that they were okay. An unreadable look fell into his eyes, and Emma wondered what he was thinking. She couldn't keep the connection though, and dropped her eyes to the ground.
Taking a few deep breaths, she pushed herself off the ground, taking Henry with her. Glancing once more down at Rumplestiltskin, who was still trying to get his bearings, staring down at his hands, she began slowly walking over to where her parents were still standing in shock.
"E-Emma…," her mother began, she leaned in further and whispered, "Emma, did he really-?"
She knew what Snow wanted to ask. Did the Dark One really just wake her up with True Love's Kiss?
She couldn't open her mouth to answer though. She was still in shock herself. Did that really happen? So she just jerked her head, hoping that that would be enough.
It seemed to be, because Snow nodded, her expression clearing a little. Charming still looked a little dazed. They all stood there awkwardly for a moment. Emma cleared her throat, "So, uh…what'd I miss?" she shot for humor but she might've missed. Her mother's jaw dropped.
Before anyone could answer her, a fluttering noise drew their attention once again. The Blue Fairy flew over with other fairies flanking her. Emma had just then realized that they were there with their leader.
"We have one more gift to give, Princess," the Blue Fairy smiled softly at her. "You have defeated the Evil Queen, and have broken the curse. You have saved all of us."
Emma went to brush it off, to act like it was no big deal, but the fairy continued on before she could.
"And it is because of that, that we would like to grant you anything you desire, anything you want. All you need to do is ask." Emma felt the weight of what they were offering. Anything she wanted. Anything at all. She could ask for anything.
Her eyes, unbidden, went to Rumplestiltskin, who was still on the floor. Her heart throbbed with pain. She knew what she wanted, but she would not make him want it as well. All she wanted, she realized, was his happiness.
She wanted him to finally be happy.
It was then that she recalled a conversation they had had during a magic lesson. They went onto the topic of children and his past. About when he gave her the walkie-talkies. He was hesitant to talk first, but she didn't push him and slowly by the end of the night he had told her all about Bae. Knowing the same pain of losing a child, she easily sympathized with him and understood his heartache. They actually talked all night after that lesson. She had never felt so close to him.
And she knew what she had to- No, what she wanted to do.
She turned to the Fairy, "I want you to find Baelfire." The Blue Fairy looked like she was about to protest, but Emma cut her off, "I want you to find him and then bring him back to his father. And then," she got up close to the fairy, her eyes intent, "I want you to let them live in peace."
The Blue Fairy studied her expression and Emma didn't move. Then the fairy nodded. "Okay. If that is what you wish, princess, we will grant it."
Emma nodded, "It is."
The fairies left the room, and Emma felt her shoulders droop. She felt better, she really did. But…she realized that now…he had no reason to stay. Once he has Bae, then there's nothing left to keep him here. He'll take his son and his love and book it out of here as soon as possible.
She chanced a look at him. He was staring up at her with a wide-eyed expression. He had heard every word. He seemed shocked that she would do that for him, and she wondered why. Was the trust between them that bad? She sent him a smile, taking a risk that he might actually return it.
It took a moment, but slowly he smiled back. His eyes lit up as what she had just done for him finally took effect in his mind. The lines erased and for the first time she saw him look happy. Really and truly happy.
And it made her happy that it was her that put that smile there.
She turned back to Henry and lightly tugged his hand, "Let's go eat. I'm starving."
He grinned up at her and they began walking to the exit, "I would think so, you slept for three days. We couldn't feed you because we were afraid you'd choke!" He laughed at her expression, and she shook her head in amusement.
She was happy, her life was good now. No more monsters, no more evil queens trying to destroy her and her family. She was happy…but that didn't stop her from feeling just a little bit incomplete.
Still not done! About one more chapter….maybe two :) Hope you guys enjoyed this one :)