Safe in my arms
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma running straight home into her mother's arms as for some reason she just needs her mom.
Neal was down for a nap which left Snow free to clean the house. She was in the hall putting things on the radiator when Emma burst through the door. Snow jumped slightly, not expecting Emma home so early.
"Emma." She gasped, what are you doing…"
"Oh thank goodness you're safe!" Emma panted running straight to Snow and wrapping her arms around her. Snow could feel Emma shaking and hear her sniffling. Something was very wrong.
"Emma, what's wrong?" Snow asked, alarmed. Emma pulled out of the hug and gave Snow the paper she'd been holding when she came in. Snow looked at the front cover.
Child abuser released from prison into furious community the front page read.
"He was my foster dad." Emma told her mom, feeling her heart pounding in her chest. "I was about five. I told him my parents would come and get him. When they took him away he said he'd find me. He said if I ever did find you he'd kill you too. He's coming mom he's coming!" Emma started to hyperventilate. Snow was now sure she was having a panic attack.
"Emma, focus on me." Snow said, taking Emma's face in her hands. "Just breathe for me honey. Nice slow breaths." Snow led her over to the couch and sat her down. She waited patiently until Emma's breathing was under control, but her daughter was still shaking in terror. "Ok, now listen. Emma nobody is going to kill any of us. Not your father, me, Henry, Neal or you. He can't get into the town, it's sealed off from everyone. And even if he somehow did get in he wouldn't get very far without your father and I hunting him down. Nobody that ever hurt you is getting a chance to do it again I promise you Emma." Snow took Emma's hands in her own. They were still trembling, and had broken out in a cold sweat.
"I'm so scared." Emma admitted quietly. "He's too strong for me. I can't protect you from him…"
"Hey." Snow interrupted her gently, moving one of her hands to cup Emma's cheek. "You don't do the protecting, we do. Does your father know about this yet?" Emma shook her head.
"No. He doesn't even know I'm here. I bought the paper on my lunch break, saw the headline and came straight here to make sure you and Neal were safe. I knew Henry was with Regina and dad has his gun. I had to make sure he hadn't gotten here…"
"Shh it's alright." Snow hushed her. "I'm going to call your father and fill him in, ok? I'll be right back, don't worry." Emma nodded, but that didn't stop her worrying. This man was the stuff of her nightmares. Snow went into the kitchen and dialled the station number. Charming answered and Snow quickly filled him in.
"I'm coming back now." Charming said, and Snow could hear him gathering his things. "If she doesn't feel safe we should both be there to protect her. I'll see you soon." Charming then hung up the phone in a rush to get back as soon as possible for Emma. Snow returned to where she was sitting on the couch.
"Your dad's on his way back." Snow told her, running a hand through her hair. "See, we're both here. Nobody's going to get hurt. Well, except him maybe." Snow corrected herself. She wrapped her arms around Emma protectively, her heart shattering when Emma reached up and grabbed onto her sleeve, clinging for dear life.
Snow could see that Emma was slowly relaxing again, but the fear wouldn't leave her completely for a long time Snow was sure. But she wasn't half as frightened as that man would be if he came anywhere near Storybrooke. If Snow and Charming caught so much as a whiff of him…they would tear the son of a bitch to shreds.