Here's a little two-shot to kick off the weekend! When I saw this scene, I thought, why isn't Snow stepping up to the plate? She was protective in the enchanted forest; they get back to storybrooke and suddenly that changes. I didn't like that. I've been meaning to redo this scene for a while. Finally got around to doing it.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling, Hope you enjoy! Stay tuned for part two tomorrow!

By Your Side

Chapter One: Stand

Emma didn't slow her pace. The voices behind her, telling her to stop, lets talk about this, we'll figure out a way, you don't know what you're doing… she blocked them out. She kept her head held high and hurriedly marched across the cement, her feet quickening with every step.

Snow took her hand from her husband's grasp and ran the short distance to catch up with Emma. She grabbed her daughter's wrist, forcing her to stop.

"I'm going," Emma said firmly, before Snow had the chance to open her mouth.

"Emma," David called as he caught up to them. "You can't just confront her. Not like this."

"The hell I can't."

David sighed before Snow cut in and said, "she can hurt you," the words gentle.

"Are you forgetting that I have magic too? That even Cora couldn't take my heart."

"You can't just jump into things, Emma," Snow scolded. "No one knows what you're capable of, including yourself. What if there wasn't magic protecting your heart? Cora would have ripped it from your chest without a second thought. She'd have complete control over you."

Emma's face softened a bit at the worry tangled in Snow's words. "I won't apologize for protecting you. And I won't sit around and wait for her to hurt someone else. I won't wait for her to take my son. I'm going over there. You're more than welcome to come with me."

Before Snow could argue further, Emma turned around and started jogging down the street. Quickly, she and David followed after her.

XOX

Things were quickly getting heat. But Snow didn't expect anything less. Regina wouldn't go quietly. They would have to use fairy dust. Blue was hidden from sight, waiting for the okay.

Words were being thrown back and forth. Snow couldn't keep the butterflies in her tummy at bay. This plan worked once before. But that was a long time ago. Would it work again?

Emma turned from the porch, snapping Snow from her daze.

"He deserves to hear my side of the story! He's my son!"

Emma spun around her face filled with anger. "He's not! He's mine! And after this you're not getting anywhere near him! Do it!"

With wide eyes, Snow rushed to her daughter. She took Emma's arm, stepping in front to shield her. David was quick to follow but it all happened so fast. Regina caught the fairy dust in her palm then threw it towards David, trapping him in an invisible cage.

Snow feared for her husband. But the good thing about the cage was that not only did it keep magic from going out, but also from going in.

"Regina, please," Snow started, "stop and think about what you're doing."

"What I'm doing?" Regina challenged. "I should stop and think about how I'm being falsely accused of murder?"

"Stop lying!" Emma yelled angrily while stepping out from behind her mother.

"If you're think you're going to keep Henry from me, you're delusional," Regina said. "I could kill you in a heart beat."

"Do it," Emma challenged.

Snow turned to her daughter in surprise. She quickly looked back to Regina and said, "don't touch her," the words firm.

A too sweet smile spread to Regina's face. "Is it nice? Finally having mommy to hide behind?"

Emma stepped forward, not backing down. "Do it. You can kill me so quickly and easily, then do it. You'll lose Henry forever. But all you care about is some twisted form of revenge that you think you're entitled too, so go ahead. But a word of advice before you do… your mother tried to rip my heart out, but she couldn't... Have you ever met anyone whose heart your mother couldn't take?"

Regina kept her stance. She tried to keep the suddenly apprehension she felt from taking her expression, but she failed.

"Maybe you had the upper hand before. But not anymore. You're going to pay for what you did. And you're going to stay away from my son."

Snow hadn't realized she was holding her breath. Not until Regina disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke and a huge puff of air finally escaped from her lungs.

TBC…

Thoughts before you go? Please and thank you!