The sound of crunching leaves was the only distraction for Emma as she walked purposely away from the room, where they put Snow White in glass coffin. She has dodged several clenching swords-the last thing she wanted was to tangle with yet another group of soldiers. She was sick of them, sick of their superior attitude and even sicker of their machisom. Since her mother's death, Emma had a new purpose, and it wasn't to just kill the militias but to inflict as much damage as she could in every imaginable.

Emma pulled her coat collar tighter around her neck as the wind picked up, and she hurried along. It was the fortieth day since her mother's death, and her faith in good magic had shattered but Father H believed in her. She spent a great deal of her time inside of the room that the seven dwarfs have created which led to the villagers thinking she had lost her sanity and pitied her.

Emma was lost in thought until a hand touched her on the shoulder and she jumped in surprise.

"Whoa."

"My child, did you not hear me?"

"What?" Emma turned to find Father H standing beside her, his long black robes reaching to the ground is his cover from the Evil Queen. No one will notice an old man with black robes. "You were daydreaming again," Henry Mills teased. He had become a surrogate parent to Emma after Snow White's death. He had given her a place to stay, and he had cared for her during those long months when she just wanted to lie in bed and refuse to move at all.

"Father," Emma said as she kissed him on the cheek in reverence. She may have lost faith in herself and everyone else on that godforsaken day when Snow White was killed, but she still loved and respected Henry Mills as if he was her father.

"I want to speak to you."

"Why?"

"It's an important matter and we need to speak inside," Henry Mills indicated a house with red door, a beautiful small house that outshines the entire villagers. He repeated, "please, Emma."

She didn't reply but walked up the steps reluctantly. She stood still for a moment at the doorway and without thinking, crossed herself before entering. Henry Mills smiled.

"All right, I am here," Emma folded her arms and sat across from Henry.

"I haven't seen you lately these days. Is something wrong, my child?" He knew the answer to his question but wanted to reach her, to try to get her faith in herself and magic restored. He knew he had a difficult task ahead of him. He didn't believe Emma's faith in herself had entirely died. It was just buried in a bottomless hole, and she hasn't done one single magic since she's sleeping, waiting for Prince Charming. I knew she hasn't been killed; no magic can kill her when she has True Love.

Emma stared up at the ceiling then back at Father Henry, "I have no use for it."

"You have no use for your magic?"

"It's gone."

Father Henry nodded in understanding but says, "so sayeth the fool."

"What?" Emma asked sharply.

"My dear child, you have so much good you can do," instead of killing them.

"Well," Emma sighed, "then I'm a fool. I must get going, Father."

"I need to speak to you," Father Henry smiled at her to sit back down.

"Didn't you just do that? What else is there to talk about?"

"Please, do not go out tonight."

"Bae has a big mouth. It's a miracle he hasn't killed himself," Emma muttered.

"He confided in me, and he was worried. He was a little…"

"Let me guess, he was scared?"

"No, he was concerned."

"It's not the first time I've gone out with them, Father."

"No, it's not but …"

"Bae doesn't want me to go because he thinks I'm somehow going to break the curse and free the people. He has memory problems because I was with him in every missions. That child died when Papa was murdered, when my cousins were killed. When Mama died, I … I promised to kill all of them, and I will," Emma's brow furrowed as she glared at Henry Mills.

"What have you been doing for them? You just sit here in little house that they gave you and did nothing!"

Henry Mills stroked his short beard before he responded, "I can honestly say I have never killed a man, so I do not know what that is like, but you are losing your belief, Emma." He needed Emma to believe again, to restore herself.

"I can't lose what I don't have. They took it from me. They took her from me."

"I love you and I don't want to see you get hurt or worse-get killed."

Emma sat down slowly again on the chair and gazed down on the floor. "What would it matter if I got killed? There is no one left to mourn me if I do."

"Now, that's silly thing to say. Bae, myself, the village, your people. So many people would miss you. They need you, Emma."

Emma looked up and blinked in the glow of the candlelight. "I want to be with my family, Father. I want .. I can't live like this."

"Is that why you're going out tonight? You want to get killed?" Father Henry gently asked as he pulled a chair next to her. "That's suicide, Emma. You have family here, my dear child."

"It's fine, Father. I'll let her do it," Emma flippantly replied.

"You will not be with Mama and Papa if you go to the Evil Queen. It should not be flippantly entertained."

Emma looked up at ceiling again and down to the floor, heavily sighed, "So, no killing myself with the help of Evil Queen or her militias?"

"No."

"It is awful to kill people, Father? Is it all right if I go out tonight and sliced the bastards-"

"Emma! Please do not swear."

"Sorry," Emma mumbled, "I haven't killed anyone, Father. Yet."

"Those who killed by the sword, die by the sword."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that if you try go out and kill, you may get yourself killed…"

"You're missing the point, Father. That is exactly what I want."

"I do not want that to happen to you," Father Henry explained, "Yes, it is evil to take another human's life, but we are at war. We fight not for riches or glory, but we fight for liberation from Evil Queen. We fight to save our enslaved brothers and sisters. This is just a fight."

"Even those without a sword die by the sword. My Mama didn't have a sword and she's dead."

"Yes. Not everyone who passed away wields a sword, but this is war."

"Why don't you join in the fight, Father?"

"Remember, the less you know, the better it is; for your safety and mine. You shouldn't ask too many questions, Emma," Father Henry replied. "Now, I want you to promise me that tonight you won't try do something evil."

"Um, too late, Father, I'm trying to kill Evil Queen's militias and everyone else."

"I'm trying about a far greater evil, Emma. Your soul depends on it, please, Emma don't turn evil."

"You mean, I shouldn't intentionally get myself and others killed?"

Father Henry sighed. "Emma, you have power of greater good, pure magic. Believe in yourself."

Emma is losing faith and belief in herself slowly little by little. Father Henry been working hard trying not to let Emma fall down the cliff and become evil herself. "I don't want you to die by your own hand, Emma."

"We are going to die anyways, Father." Emma melodramatically sighed. "Fine. I promise, Father. I won't intentionally kill myself and others tonight."

"Good. I know you have been taught that your 'yes' means 'yes' and your 'no' means no,' so I will take you on your word."

"Not that I will be around for you to tell me off," Emma giggled and almost immediately stifled that giggle on seeing Father Henry's stern look directed at her. "All right. I promise I won't do it."

"Thank you. I also want you take care of Bae. He worries about you so much and you give him much to worry about."

"Bae is trouble, Father, but he is trying to be good. I wouldn't worry about him too much."

Henry Mills put his arm around Emma and kissed the top of her head. "I love you very much, Emma Swan."

Emma left her home, walking quickly, rounded the corner toward her parents' home. She stopped and looked up into the heavens. Why is it that my plans don't work out? Emma felt little annoyed but somewhat pleased Father Henry had taken an interest in her and she walked cheerly back her parents' home.

The wind was blowing her long curly blonde hair into her eyes. She absentmindedly brushed back the strands as she turned toward the sound of a black carriage coming to a stop across the road from where she stood. A young guard opened the door, and King Leopold got out with a scowl on his face. He always wore the same expression.

Emma was about to enter her small house when she caught the sight of a familiar figure coming up the street. A sneer curled her lips, getting closer. The tall figure of Regina Mills made its way slowly up the road, her head bowed; her whole body was curved in red dress, not hiding her figure but covered in cloak and her face is hidden. She has never seen a beautiful woman such as her. Regina wore the cloak even on hot summer days with a perfect dress that doesn't hide her figure, hugged around her body with pride. There were a few occasions when Emma had seen Regina without the hood over her head, but never without the cloak.

Emma's hatred for King Leopold's wife was well known in the village, and she had already prevented twice from killing her, much to her disgust. The entire town was very much aware of what had transpired of the massacre six months before, even though no one could recall Regina except Emma. Emma tried to tell them that Regina laughed while their families were dying. Many thoughts Emma was still in shock and in grief over the loss of her mother.

Regina reminded Emma of Henry Mills, the dark hair and skin so different than the Evil Queen. Regina's eyes were mostly cast forward with pride as she went about her business, not eager to make eye contact with anyone though. Wherever she went, she had two guards shadowing her, ready to protect her in case anyone tried to harm her. Not that they could have protected her, she looked strong woman of means.

Emma continued watching her as Regina passed and without thinking knelt and picked up a small rock. She tried to enhance the stone in her hand for a moment and saw an opening in between the two guards. It was perfect, Regina's head was in the middle, and it was an ideal target. Emma drew her arm back and threw the rock, hitting Regina in the back of her head. A thud echoed back to Emma, who grinned and jumped in triumph as Regina stopped and slowly turned. Regina lowered her hood and stared at Emma in surprise. Emma kept smiling, oblivious to the danger that she could be killed where she stood. One of Regina's guards, the one Emma had nicknamed Goliath, advanced towards her in anger, his sword in his hand and the other is preparing to aim at her, waiting for Regina's signal.

Outraged eyes met stormy green and held for a few moments. Regina lowered her gaze but not before Emma noticed, much to her surprise, that her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Regina turned back without a word, mumbled something to her guards, and walked away. Her guards quickly followed her down the street. Goliath looked back at Emma and glared before he turned his attention back to his charge.

Emma stood transfixed at the doorway, watching the retreating figure. She was mesmerized by Regina's shy but strong behavior, but thought, "what a fucking coward." Emma chuckled and shook her head in amazement. She had barely opened the door to her parent's house when she was pulled inside, and the panel was forcibly shut behind her.

"What the hell are you trying to do?!"

The door shook as Emma was held against it by Bae. His black hair and dark eyes made him appear evil, but Emma knew he had the kindest heart. At that very moment, he was snarling at her, and despite the situation, Emma couldn't help but giggle.

"Stop laughing, woman!" Bae implored. "I saw you hit King Leopold's wife. Have you lost your mind?"

Emma looked up at the ceiling with a grin on her face, savoring the memory of the incident. "Did you see me bop her on the head, Bae? Now that was such a great throw!" She said excitedly. "Whap!"

Bae sighed but wondered how she could throw that far, "Emma … did you use magic?"

"I didn't think I would hit her! It's not my fault the rock hit the cripple on her thick head," Emma chuckled, denying her use of magic when she shrugged.

"You could be killed…"

"Ah," Emma held up a finger to stop Bae from continuing. "But I wasn't."

"Keep that up, and one day you will be the other end of the sword."

"Well, it's not going to be today," Emma chuckled. "Whap!" She slapped her hand gently over Bae's head. "I wish Neal were still here, so I could show him how my aim has improved." Emma laughed.

Bae shook his head. "Killing King Leopold's wife isn't going to help."

"Are you going soft on her?" Emma teased only to get a scowl from Bae.

"I am not the one gone soft on them, but all your attacking his wife will do is get us all killed. That demon is already insane. Do you want to kill us all?"

Emma looked down at her scuffed boot. "It would be easier than living like animals."

Bae hugged Emma. "I am sorry I got rough with you. I was terrified of what they might have done to you."

"Don't worry about me, Bae," Emma mumbled.

Bae grinned "Who else do I have to worry about?"

Emma shrugged. "Find yourself a girl, and then you can worry about her."

"I'll always worry about you Ems," Bae laughed as Emma slapped him on the head. Emma tried to change the subject away from her and her stone-throwing. "The bastard didn't look very happy."

"The new officers have arrived," Bae made the sound effects of bombs going off, which had Emma grinning.

"Big fire?"

"Huge kaboom," Bae grinned.

"Does she go anywhere without Goliath?"

"Emma, please, drop this idea. It's only going to get you killed."

"I can't, Emma mumbled and picked at the cracked wood on the table.

"Why can't you? She's a nobody."

"I promised Mama that I would," Emma replied solemnly. "If she's nobody, why can't I kill her?"

"Because if you do, King Leopold will kill hundreds of us, and Evil Queen will kill you, that's why. Is she worth hundreds of your people?"

Emma shrugged, "No," she said reluctantly.

"Good, I am glad we finally got that sorted out," Bae sighed with relief. The relief was short-lived when he saw a mischievous look on Emma's face. "What?"

"What?"

"Spill it. I know you want to," Bae said as he was gently pushed away by Emma.

"I had a chat with Tink and she said that they are looking for a maid for Regina Mills."

"Who is?"

"The bastard."

"You want to work for that animal? I thought you said …"

Emma grinned, the edges of her green eyes crinkling in delight. "Once I get close to her, then I can kill her when the time is right," Emma said and rubbed her hands together.

"Did you hear anything I just said to you?"

"Yes, I heard you. If the need arises, I'll be in the right place at the right time," Emma reasoned. "Who to know the White Kingdom better than me. I knew that this was perfect for me."

"Bae groaned. "You don't believe in yourself anymore."

"I'm beginning to see the light," Emma said with a grin. "Bae, don't worry. You already worry too much," she admonished him and walked away chuckling.