Parallel situations
Walking dead fan asked for a oneshot of Emma watching the episode of TWD where Lori dies and it reminds her of when her mom almost died. (I'm glad you didn't say the one where Beth dies. I'm still grieving).
"No, they can't kill her now! She's giving birth! Carl's there! It must be scarring enough to see your mom giving birth by caesarean section let alone die! Maggie's going to have to kill her…"
"Wait and see." Emma said, not taking her eyes off the screen. Emma found this episode to be one of the most emotive to her. In a show where main cast members died every other episode it didn't do well to get attached, and Emma wasn't attached to Lori, just the situation. She had watched all the episodes and was eagerly waiting for season six. Her mom had shown interest in watching The Walking Dead, mainly so she could have some sort of bonding activity with Emma, so was trying to catch up with the show before the season premiere in October. Together they watched as the baby girl was born. They watched as Carl took responsibility for his mother. Watched as he shot her in the head. Snow jumped a little at the sound of the gunfire, even though she knew it was coming.
"I can't believe it." Snow said, horrified. "That poor boy. He just watched his mother die…"
"Yeah, it's a horrible feeling." Emma said, turning off the DVD player as the credits rolled. Snow looked at her, confused.
"You say that like you can empathise. Far as I know I'm alive." Snow said jokingly. Emma turned and looked at her, a deep sadness in her eyes.
"But you weren't." She said quietly. "Not as far as I knew. I didn't know you were a bug." Snow now understood. Emma was referring to the time she'd gone back in time to the Enchanted Forest and thought she'd witnessed her death. Seeing Carl go through the same thing made Snow realise just how traumatic that must have been for Emma. She reached out and placed her hand on Emma's cheek.
"I'm so sorry." She said sincerely. "Had I known who you were I would have never put you through that."
"It's ok." Emma said, understanding. "I know you weren't trying to hurt me. We can move past it. I'm just glad you weren't really dead. It made me realise how much I still needed you." Snow's heart leapt. Was this Emma showing her feelings? Had she been hit hard in the head? Snow took her moment and pulled Emma into a bone crushing hug. Emma still needed her, and Snow would be there for as long as she did.