Emma sat on the ground in the clearing, her sobbing fading as she regained control over her emotions. She was far more angry than sad; she was angry about the time she had lost with her family, her loved ones, and people she cared about. She was angry that she had all this love surrounding her but she couldn't reach out for it because of her fear of hurting others. Closing her eyes and lowering her head on her knees, she regulated her breathing until it evened. Soon, her magic was singing in her veins and she smiled, thinking of Regina.

Who would have thought Regina was her True Love? And that they would have produced a daughter from their one night together? Emma shook her head. She was going to put every ounce of effort into staying, but only if she could control herself and her dark impulses. After all, she couldn't act as judge, jury and executioner in this world. But, for now, she would take the time to see Henry, maybe speak to him if the time was right. Emma let out a sigh, exhausted, and laid down to allow sleep to overtake her.

The next day found Emma, appearance altered to resemble that of an old woman, sitting on a park bench near the school where she knew Henry would walk by that morning. As she watched a throng of kids pass by on their way to school, she scanned the crowd for Henry. As her eyes fell on a tall boy grinning a goofy grin at Jefferson's daughter, Grace, her mouth fell open. Henry. Her Henry had shot up since she had seen him three years ago and she grieved for the boy she had lost, but rejoiced for the young man she had gained. Eyes glowing with pride and unshed tears, she watched as Henry passed by, unaware of his mother's presence on the bench. She didn't feel it was the right time to reach out to Henry, speak to him, but promised herself she would do so very soon. Sitting still, working on regaining her composure, she didn't notice a familiar figure approaching until he sat down besides her on the bench. Emma tried her best to hide her shock as she turned to look at Rumplestiltskin, but failed when he looked calmly at her and said, "Morning, Miss Swan."

Emma dropped her appearance spell and glared at Rumple. "You're alive? Last I saw, you were at death's door." Rumple grimaced, "I'm not alive. Not without my magic." Emma growled, "I'd return this magic to you in a heartbeat if I could, but I don't want to die. I hate this fucking magic. How did you survive?" Rumple played with his cane in both hands before responding, "I suspect, Miss Swan, that you are having a harder time with the Dark One's magic because you have retained your light magic. The battling of your dual nature will destroy you eventually."

Emma narrowed her eyes, "And why didn't it destroy you?" Rumple smiled slightly, "Simple, Miss Swan. I do not have a dual nature. My nature is very much singular in that it is malicious. There was no battle in me between good vs evil or such." Emma stared at him wonderingly, "But… but how did you hold the darkness at bay? Some days, it is all I can do not to kill someone. And you didn't kill very often." Rumple continued playing with his cane, thinking, before he answered, "I would say that the darkness was satisfied through the manipulations and machinations I put in place. I never was as driven to kill as I was to scheme endlessly."

Emma turned her gaze to the street, lost in thought for a minute. "So, maybe you being the Dark One is the lesser of the two evils. If we found a way to transfer powers—not through killing me, sorry, Rumple, but I want to live even if it's as the Dark One—maybe we could make this work."

Rumple sighed, "Miss Swan, I have been thinking nonstop about this ever since I woke up from the coma. After much research, I believe there is a spell that would work, but it has never been tried."

Emma looked at him, "Why?" Rumple smirked, "Because never has it come to pass that the Dark One wants with all its soul to get rid of the power, and for another to want the power with all his soul." Emma brightened, "That's you! And me! So… what do we do?" Rumple held up a finger "Patience, Miss Swan. I need some time to get some things together. Come see me at the shop this evening. Oh, and bring the dagger." Emma nodded curtly and vanished, leaving grey smoke in her wake.

She paced the clearing, heart in her throat as she considered the implications of giving up her Dark One powers. There was nothing she wanted as the Dark One, but as Emma, her family was everything to her. Emma hoped Rumple wouldn't do anything too malicious and make her regret letting Rumple have his powers back. Emma had gone back to the other realm and, eyes roaming the little stone hut, decided the only things she would bring back would be Queenie and her armor. Returning to Storybrooke, she poofed Queenie to the stables and soothed her riding companion, "Don't worry, my Queen, you'll be safe and comfortable here. I'll come ride you as often as I can." The armor, she transported to Regina's vault and left it hanging up on display besides one of Regina's Evil Queen dresses. Snickering slightly at the irony, Emma took herself back to the clearing to wait out the remaining hours until evening.

Before she was due to meet Rumple at the shop, she had one last errand which was to retrieve the dagger. As the sun set, she poofed herself to Regina's bedroom. Once there, Emma looked around in wonder at the retreat of the woman she loved. She had never been in this part of Regina's house and a slight sense of guilt wormed its way in her heart. Shaking it off, as there was no better place for Regina to come to her, she went to the window and, seeing a bird, whispered a command to it. Secretly delighting in the irony of sending Regina a message Snow White style, via a bird, Emma went to sit on the chaise to wait.

It wasn't long before the bedroom door opened and Regina came in. "A bird. Well done, Dark One," Regina said with a smile that quickly turned serious. "Emma… when I felt your magic leave earlier today, I…" Emma stood up, interrupting Regina, "I'm sorry. I had business to conclude in the other realm. I didn't mean to make you worry. As you can see, I'm still here." Regina smiled softly, "Yes, I can see that, Emma. Are you… staying?" Emma's eyes met Regina, and a world of emotions passed between them before Emma broke eye contact and answered, "Yes, I'm staying. I'm working on… things… so I can." She didn't want to tell Regina about the possible transfer of power, as not to get her hopes up only to have them crushed.

"Regina, in order to work on things, I need the dagger." There was silence as Regina processed the request. "I… yes, Emma, I trust you. I'll give you the dagger." Emma's heart swelled with emotion as she sensed the love and trust behind that action. Regina waved her hand and the dagger appeared in her other hand. Tracing Emma's name on the dagger, Regina sighed, "I'll never forget that night, Emma. The anger and rage I felt at you sacrificing yourself for me, but also the feeling of being so loved that you sacrificed everything for me."

Emma stepped forward, hand rising to cup Regina's cheek. "It was worth it. You were worth it, Regina." As the two women's eyes met, the sexual tension in the room became palatable and Emma leaned forward to meet Regina's lips in an open mouthed kiss. As the kiss grew longer, their magic danced together, further escalating their passion. Regina broke the kiss, breathing harder than usual. "Come to me tonight, Emma." Emma nodded, passion still darkening her eyes and reached for the dagger. As she held the dagger, the voice exploded into her head Emma Swan you have the dagger you are free you are freeeeeeeee. Emma shook her head, refusing to fall under the influence of the darkness, and stealing one last lingering look at Regina, she poofed to Rumple's shop.

Rumple was arranging things on the counter when Emma appeared behind him. Rumple turned and said, "Oh, good, Miss Swan, you have the dagger." His hand reached out and Emma stepped back. "How do I know you're not planning to stab me with this and claim the dark powers for yourself?" Rumple chuckled, "Dearie, as much as I'd love to take the easy way out, unfortunately, you would live long enough after the attack to curse me to hell and beyond, so that's not a viable option for me."

Emma looked at him suspiciously and ground out, "But what if you try to control me with the dagger and command me to, oh, kill myself?" Rumple cackled, "You really are new to this, aren't you? People who hold the dagger that control the Dark One cannot command the Dark One to commit harmful acts against himself. That's a built-in failsafe." Rumple grinned, taking delight in Emma' snort.

"Alright." Emma hesitantly held out the dagger and Rumple's hand closed around it like a hand on a prize. He looked at it lovingly and whispered, "Soon, soon." Emma grimaced at the desire the man had for the darkness, and impatiently muttered, "Anytime, Rumple." Rumple grinned up at her and began the chanting that marked the first part of the spell that would transfer Emma's powers to Rumple. As Emma listened to Rumple's chanting, she felt rather than saw the storm gather outside, and she felt the first twinges of concern about the safety of the residents of Storybrooke.

Regina looked out of her windows at the gathering storm, and noted that the coloring did not look quite right. This wasn't a normal storm, this was a magical storm, and Regina knew deep down it was related to whatever Emma was attempting to do. Concern rising, she called the sheriff's department and David answered. "David. Have you seen the storm outside?" Getting an affirmative answer, Regina continued, "Send out an emergency alert. People should seek shelter at the Town Hall, the school, Granny's, or other designated emergency shelters." Hanging up the phone, she went to usher Isabella and Henry to Granny's as it was command central, and people would know to find her there.

As Emma watched Rumple chant, she realized that in some part, he was still the Dark One. He was able to cast a spell, and he was not magical before becoming the Dark One. Emma surmised that holding the dagger was giving him the ability to perform magic. She felt the storm above becoming more powerful, and heard the windows in the shop rattling. Growing concerned this would get out of hand, she looked at Rumple but he was lost in the incantation of the spell. Shifting her feet nervously, Emma waited.

After a few minutes, Rumple's eyes opened and they were pitch black. He sneered evilly, "Emma Swan." Goosebumps ran up Emma's arms; this was the darkness. The voice that whispered to her to do things she'd never wanted to. Emma stared bravely back, "Leave me. Go to the one who wants you."

The voice laughed and laughed, making Emma sick. "Whyever would I leave you, my dear Savior? I so enjoy seeing you losing your battle with evil, over and over. This one, he sneered with disgust, looking down at the body he was inhabiting, is done. No, my love, you are mine and mine alone. Grinning evilly, he reached out and as he did so, part of the blackness rose from Rumple to hang in the air menacingly.

Emma stepped back, trying to calculate her best move. She knew she wasn't powerful enough to take on the Dark One and win, but perhaps she could fell them both and rid the realms of this menace. She knew it meant the cost of her own life, but it would be worth it to know her family would forever be safe. She knew Regina would understand eventually. Matter decided, Emma raised her hands and commanded her magic to wrench the dagger from the hands holding it. The darkness screamed angrily as the dagger flew from Rumple's gasp to Emma, and wielding it, Emma pointed the dagger in the direction of the darkness.

Screaming, Emma spat out, "If you want me so badly, come and get me!" and shot a magical bolt at the darkness for good measure. The darkness multiplied angrily, and the voice growled hatefully, You think to best me? Think twice before pointing that thing at me! Emma watched the darkness roil around her furiously and heard the laughter as the bulk of the darkness wrapped itself around her torso.

Emma, at that moment, finally truly let go of the tight rein she had on her emotions and they rose to the forefront; anger, hate, jealousy, passion, and love, and they clashed in a mighty battle for possession of Emma's magic. The clouds above flickered, changing colors as each emotion temporarily took control, but ultimately it was the Savior's love that won out, tingeing the clouds pink and red, and Emma's hand that held the dagger came crashing down.

The dagger pierced the darkness, and carried by powerful momentum, slammed through all the way through Emma's abdomen. An unearthly shriek escaped the darkness, for Emma had unknowingly set free an ancient incantation, long forgotten, used to banish the darkness, with the use of both blood and emotion. The darkness spun around on itself violently, and Emma sank to the floor, arms wrapped around her stomach, watching in wonder at the spectacle. Finally, there was a burst of light and Emma closed her eyes. She felt her body leave her surroundings and she was helpless to stop it.

Regina was holding Isabella in her arms, Henry by her side, worry outlining her eyes as she watched the clouds through the windows at Granny's, the crowd of people milling around at her back. Henry asked, "Mom, is there a reason why you're so worried? This seems to be just another storm." Regina sighed, "I don't know. There's something different about this one and I just have a feeling." Henry turned to look outside the window again, the Charmings joining him. Snow smiled, "I'm sure it will be alright, Henry." David, toddler Neal in his arms, nodded. Regina gave them a small smile and stroked Isabella's sleeping form.

A bolt of lightning hit the street in front of them, and all of them turned, wide-eyed, as a plume of white smoke rose from the street. As soon as the smoke cleared, there Emma was, kneeling on the pavement. She is dressed in the same clothes she was when she was taken by the darkness, and there was a look of wonder on her face.

Emma looked down at her abdomen and quickly yanked up the white sweater, an expression of relief on her face following her actions. She slowly stood up and turned around to face Granny's, and her family is there, looking at her in shock. People started streaming out of the building, and her parents are the first there, of course. Emma is embraced in their hugs and she looks over their shoulders to where Henry is, standing by Regina and Isabella. Emma released herself from her parents' embrace, and smiling reassuringly at them, jogged on over to where her children and her true love were.

Tears formed in her eyes as she looked Henry up and down, and whispered, "You're so big." Henry, not quite believing it, whispered back, "Are you… back?" Emma grinned, "You betcha, kid." Henry grinned back, "Awesome!" and stepped forward to grab Emma in a bear hug. Emma can't believe she has to reach up to hug Henry, and she doesn't let go for a long moment.

When she does, her eyes met Regina's, gazing lovingly upon her, and drifted down to small emerald ones. Letting go completely of Henry, Emma took small steps and knelt down in front of Isabella. She smiled at the little girl, who returned it shyly. "Mama?" Emma looked up sharply at Regina and Regina lifted her eyebrow. "I've always told her the truth. Always. She knows you're her other mother." Emma returned her attention to Isabella and said "It's wonderful to see you, little bug." Her daughter threw herself at Emma, drawing her in a hug. Standing, she released one arm from Isabella and turned, embracing Regina. Henry joined their little group hug and Emma allowed a tear to escape, for she was finally with her family and nothing was more important.

-and the former evil queen lived happily ever after with the former dark one and their family-