The ultimate sacrifice

jsgh asked for a oneshot of Emma dying whilst fighting Zelena to save her baby brother.

Charming felt numb as he carried her back towards the hospital. Red was behind him, carrying Neal. He refused to let Emma go. If he let her go he had to admit she was dead. Zelena had decided if she couldn't have Neal for her plans nobody could have him. She aimed her magic at him, but Emma dived in the way. She didn't see Charming behind her pulling Neal out of the way. Neal would have been fine, but it was too late. His baby girl was dead. It was left to him to tell her mother and her son.

Henry wasn't anywhere to be seen when Charming and Red reached the hospital. So it would be Snow he had to tell first. It was breaking Charming's heart just thinking of her face. He slowly made his way towards the room.

"You go first." He said to Red. "Let her see Neal is alright before we hit her with this." Red nodded going into the room. Charming stood just outside, still cradling his daughter's body. He could hear Snow's joy at seeing their son again. It took her a few minutes before she questioned where he or Emma was. Charming braced himself as Snow questioned Red some more on what was wrong.

"Charming's outside with Emma…" Charming heard Red say. "I'll…I'll go get them. You might want to put Neal in his bed." Red suggested.

"Why?" Snow asked sounding distressed. "Red tell me what's wrong." But Red didn't have the heart to tell her. She'd leave that to her husband. Red left the room and squeezed Charming's shoulder. She looked at Emma's still body and couldn't help but feel her eyes tear up. This is not how things should be. Charming took in a shaky breath, carrying Emma into the room.

"Charming." Snow said, smiling. She noticed the pain on his face…and then Emma in his arms. "Emma! What happened? Why is she unconscious?"

"She's not unconscious Snow." Charming croaked, carrying her over and sitting on Snow's bed with Emma on his lap. "She was trying to save Neal. Zelena got her…she's gone Snow." Charming told her, finally breaking and bursting into tears.

"No." Snow said, not believing him. Her daughter couldn't be dead, could she? "No, Charming you're wrong. She's not dead. She's not!"

"Snow." Charming said. "I'm sorry, but she's gone. I didn't get a chance to save her…" Charming was wracked with guilt. His daughter was dead and he had failed to protect her. Snow was wailing horribly. Charming wanted to comfort his wife, but he didn't want to let go of his daughter yet. But he knew they had to. They had to say goodbye. "Snow, we need to say goodbye." He choked.

"No!" Snow wailed defiantly. "I don't want to say goodbye! This isn't fair, Charming! Our daughter should not be dead before us!"

"I know Snow, I know but she's gone. We can't hold onto her forever. We need to let her go." Charming could see Snow needed his support. He was going to have to go first. He bent his head down and kissed the top of Emma's head.

"Emma…I'm so sorry. I should have protected you, and I'll never be able to forgive myself for letting you die. All I can promise you is that we'll look after Henry. He'll always be alright. And we'll never let you be forgotten. Your brother will know all about the big sister he never got a chance to know. He'll know how amazing you were. How you gave up your life so he could live. Emma…we love you so very much." That was all Charming could say. He broke down again.

"Snow." He said through his tears. "You have to Snow. You need to say goodbye." Snow knew Charming was right. Even if it wasn't fair Snow had to say goodbye to her little girl.

"Emma," She whispered, stroking her cheek. "Sweetheart. We love you so very much." Snow reached over and kissed her daughter's cheek…and then it happened. The familiar warmth washed over Snow and Charming and spread out across the room. They heard her gasp for breath, and then open her eyes.

"Emma?" Charming asked, not quite sure he wasn't dreaming.

"Dad?" Emma asked weakly. "Where am I?" Snow and Charming shared a look. Their faces broke out into grins as they both hugged their daughter, both still crying. But both now with happy tears.

"Woh, what's going on?" Emma asked.

"It doesn't matter right now." Snow told her. "What matters is you're ok. Oh Emma, my beautiful, beautiful Emma. You saved your brother. I can never thank you enough."

"It's what big sisters are for." Emma said, giving a weak smile. "Where is he?" Snow moved over and picked her little boy up from his hospital bed. She brought him back over to where Emma was still on her father's lap and held him close.

"Neal," Snow whispered softly. "Meet your big sister." Emma smiled at the gorgeous little baby in her mother's arms. Things were going to be ok.

Did I fail to mention in the description that Emma was to be woken by her mother's kiss? ;)