It wasn't that Emma was giving up. She can't afford to give up and she doesn't want to. She kept so much of her emotions bottled inside and always put on a brave face. Sometimes it was real and sometimes she even fooled herself. She wasn't lying to herself. It's just… Everybody else is way more important than herself right now, that's all.

Emma places her hand on her heart. But this pain… This pain hurts so much. Her chest aches and twists in all sorts of ways. She knew she was mourning. Mourning over Yuugo, Lucas, those two boys, and the children Andrew killed. She knew it because it's what she felt when Norman died. But had it been this intense?

Maybe it was the stress. Today had been pretty intense, what with meeting Jin and Hayato. Chris's status suddenly getting worse, breaking into a plantation, Emma almost getting killed multiple times today, etc. But…

On the bright side, Minerva is alive! And Jin and Hayato are taking them to him! But even with this, the ache in Emma’s chest doesn’t subside. No, no more feeling like this. She has to distract herself somehow. Placing both of her hands to the ground, Emma pushes herself up. Gillian looks over at her and Emma waves her hand, giving her, her best fake reassuring smile.
“I’m fine. Just need some time alone.”

Gillian gives her a look, but nods either way and tells her to be careful. Emma nods and walks into the forest, making sure not to stray too far from the group. Amongst one of the big thick trees, Emma places her hand on the rough bark and slides down. Her hair getting caught by the wood but is too short to be stuck. And the wood scratching her back. Reaching the ground Emma’s face stares at the mostly blocked night sky. Releasing a deep, shaky breath that she didn’t even know she was holding in

Emma buries her face into her knees. She thought that being alone would help the ache in her chest go away. But it’s only managed to make it even worse, and she feels her breathing stutter. No. Emma refuses to cry. Now isn’t the time to start crying, right now Emma’s family needs her to be strong. But… Why has it been getting even harder for her to be strong? Why did they lose everything so quickly? Why--

The sound of twigs and leaves being crushed makes Emma jump only slightly. But she knows it’s not a demon. She places her left hand down and turns her body to her left to the source of the sound. Ray stands next to the tree, gazing down at Emma. His face blank but his eyes filled with concern. Emma gazes back at him, her eyes meeting his.

“Ray?”
She asks. Ray gently lifts his hand up, ”Yo.” He says in a hushed tone. Ray takes a step forward and sits next to Emma. His gaze is no longer on Emma, but rather towards the ground. Emma moves her gaze to the ground also as a small smile takes place on her lips.

“What’re doing here?”
A chuckle fills the air. Emma missed that sound, it had been awhile since Ray even looked happy. Let alone sounded happy, although it did sound a bit forced. But Emma didn’t want to think about that. She whips her head towards Ray who has a small smile on his face also.

“You’re an idiot if you think I’m gonna let you wander around unknown territory alone.”
Emma puffs out her cheeks and jokingly glares at him.
“I’m not an idiot! So don’t call me one--”

“You know it’s okay, right.”

Emma is taken aback by Ray’s words. Her lips quiver slightly but she bites the inside of her cheek to try to stop it. She tilts her head innocently to try to fool Ray, which, she should’ve already known that it wouldn’t work. In her most innocent tone she says.
“What do you mean?” Ray only sigh’s in reply at Emma’s attempt to lie. He looks up at the night sky, which is mostly being blocked out by the trees.

“You said it yourself today. You’ve been worried sick, just like me.
“Even after everything that we’ve found out today, you’re still worried. It isn’t fear or anything like that. But, you know Emma,”--

Ray turns back to Emma, his eyes stare straight into hers.
--”Even the greatest, most strongest leaders need a moment to express the emotions they hold in.”

Emma stares at Ray for what feels like hours, as the ache in her chest grew and made its way up her throat. A short strangled cry escapes her lips and Emma quickly bites her lower lip to stop it. But her face betrays her as it scrunches up and tears form on the corners of her eyes. A small quiet cry leaves Emma’s lips as the tears spill out. Her cries become more frequent along with her tears as Ray slowly starts to wrap his arms around her small figure. Emma’s arms wrap around Ray’s body as her hands cling onto his shirt.

And Emma cries. She cries over losing Yuugo and Lucas. Over the kids that Andrew and his team killed. Losing the place they called home for two years. And Norman, who she never really truly got to mourn for those two years ago. And she cries into Ray’s shoulder, his warmth embracing her. And Emma thanks God for him still being alive, without him she would feel lost at this point. He truly has been with her through everything these past two years. And for a second, Emma wonders what her future holds with him. And not only him, but everyone else. And she smiles at the thought, and feels herself drip into sleep. The warmth of Ray’s body never leaving her, and the happy thoughts of the possible future she can have with her family swirling her head. And for the first time in awhile, Emma lets herself relax. And secretly hopes that her and Ray will have more moments like this somehow.