The mother-son bond
diya-mehta2 asked for a oneshot of Cora taking Emma's heart in season 2. Snow carries her back through the portal where Henry wakes her with true love's kiss. I hope you don't mind the way I've done this, but I wasn't sure how Cora could crush the heart, kill Emma, and Henry still be able to wake her so I hope you like this :) It also in a way covers a grievance some of you have had with me from a very old chapter!
"Emma!" Snow screamed as she saw the wicked woman's hand plunge into her daughter's chest. She tried to move, but Cora had frozen her to the spot.
"You foolish girl," Cora said, almost merrily. "Don't you know? Love is weakness." With that, she pulled Emma's heart right out of her chest. Emma gasped, feeling a pain like she'd never felt before. She sunk to her knees, unable to breathe properly.
"NO! Please, don't do this!" Snow begged. "You can have my heart, just leave my daughter alone!" Snow had tears pouring down her face as she struggled against Cora's invisible bonds. She couldn't lose Emma, especially not like this. Not with Emma trying to protect her. It should be the other way around- Snow protecting her. Cora looked at Snow, Emma's heart pulsing slightly in her hand.
"No, I don't think I will." Cora said calmly. "I think your daughter's heart will do just nicely. What Regina really wants is you to suffer. I think having you watch while I crush your only daughter's heart will do more damage to you than killing you. Besides, without Emma, Regina is the only mother Henry has. It kills two birds with one stone." Cora looked down and smiled at Emma, clutching her chest on the ground. "I should really thank you for being stupid enough to dive in front of your mother. Now, say goodbye…"
"NO!" Snow yelled once more, using all her strength to try and break free as Cora tightened her grip on Emma's heart. Cora froze. It wasn't working. Emma's heart should be dust by now, but it wasn't giving it all. She looked at the heart more closely and scowled. They were a faint golden sheen radiating from her heart- magic. The stupid brat's heart was protected by her own magic. She couldn't even control her with it, but all was not lost. Having such a pure heart being held by someone so evil would not be good for the owner of the heart. It could cause some unpleasant side effects- including a coma so deep it could never be broken. Cora would let them have their little moment, let the pair think they'd won.
"Your heart." Cora said quietly. "It is useless to me. Protected by your magic. You may have won this time- but we're not done." Cora said, slamming the heart back into Emma's chest and disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke. Emma gasped as the heart was placed back inside her body, feeling the pain subsiding. As soon as Cora was gone, Snow fell to the ground, Cora's hold on her broken. She got up and sprinted to Emma's side, placing a hand on her chest.
"What just happened?" Emma asked breathlessly. Snow gave her a watery smile as she placed her other hand at the side of Emma's face, just looking at her. Her amazing, strong daughter.
"That," Snow said getting up. "Is a great subject for discussion, when we get home." The portal was still open. They were finally going home. Snow extended her hand to Emma, who took it gratefully getting to her shaky feet. But then the pain was back, and if possible it was worse than before. Emma couldn't hear her mom crying out her name over the shrieking sound ringing in her ears. Then, her world went black. Snow watched in horror as Emma crumpled to the floor.
"No." Snow whispered, getting down beside her. "No! Emma!" She shook her daughter gently, but it had no effect. She had been fine, and then she just fell. Almost like a curse… The more Snow looked at her, the more Snow thought it looked like Emma was in some sort of sleeping curse. Had Cora cursed her heart before placing it back in Emma's chest? Quickly, Snow pressed her lips against Emma's forehead. Nothing. It was Emma and Henry who'd broken the last curse, maybe it was Henry Emma needed now to break this one.
"Don't worry Emma." Snow said, hooking her arms under Emma's. "I'll get you back to Henry, he can sort this." As carefully as possible, Snow half carried half dragged Emma over to the portal. She made sure she had as tight a grip as possible as she jumped in, pleading that her grandson could solve this.
When they arrived back, Snow quickly worked out they were in the bottom of the well. By herself she could climb out no problem, but with Emma she'd need help.
"Help!" She called up. "Is someone there?" She heard muffled voices before a little face peered over the edge. Snow's heart was thumping madly in her chest. This was the only chance her daughter had. She knew Charming needed her too, but at least Snow knew she could wake him with a kiss. She didn't know what would wake Emma.
"Grams! Mom!" He said excitedly. Next, Snow saw Regina and Rumple cautiously looking over.
"I need your help!" Snow called up. "Emma's unconscious. I can't get her up myself." She explained. Henry's face fell.
"What's wrong with her?" He asked as Regina and Rumple used their combined magical efforts to pull Snow and Emma out of the well. Snow turned to Regina.
"Cora." She said simply. "She pulled Emma's heart out. But Emma's magic protected her from it being destroyed or controlled. She passed out not long after Cora put it back in chest." Snow explained. Rumple and Regina shared a look. They could tell what had happened. "What?" Snow asked, desperate for information.
"Sometimes when someone particularly evil holds a good heart it's too much for the good person to take." Regina explained. "It can have nasty side effects…like comas. It's like a sleeping curse."
"That's what I thought it looked like. Henry," Snow said, looking up at her grandson. She tried her best not to put too much pressure on him, but he really was their only hope. "Kiss her, please." Snow begged. Henry didn't need told twice. He leaned down and kissed Emma's cheek. A bright light shot from Emma, quickly covering the whole town. Emma's eyes shot open as she took in a deep breath, sitting up. She blinked rapidly, taking in her surroundings. How did they get back to Storybrooke? Snow cried out in sheer joy, wrapping her arms around her grandson and kissing his head repeatedly.
"You did it Henry! You saved her!" She said, sure she could burst with happiness. At the mention of Henry's name Emma looked round. She grinned widely when she saw her son, pulling him close. Snow joined the hug. Pulling her daughter and grandson close to her, nuzzling her nose into Emma's hair. They were home, they were safe…but not all of them were. Now that she knew Emma was alright, she had to save Charming. "Where's my husband?" She suddenly asked.
"The diner." Henry told her. Snow shot off in that direction, a wide grin on her face. Everything was going to be alright.