A/N: I want to start by thanking my writing partner, AlwaysOnMyWayToYou, for helping me start to bring this idea to life. I also want to thank RoRo Ponce and Emily Fest who will be helping create beautiful fan art to go with the story. We're all really hoping you enjoy it as much as we do. Lastly, and on a personal note, I want to thank my girlfriend for being so supportive. I hope you all enjoy! Please review!
Disclaimer: All aspects of OUAT belong to the rightful owners at Disney and ABC.
It takes her a couple of seconds before realization kicks in. She blinks once and then again just to be certain. Her jaw is set tight when the inevitable groan leaves her lips because… How could she be so stupid? Not Regina herself, of course… But… How could that hero-complex-harboring blonde be that stupid… to such an incredible extent.
"What did you do to her?" Her head snaps to the side as soon as the grouchy pirate decides to speak… to her… The. Nerve. "What?" she scoffs, her voice laced with disbelief. Could he really be that thick? "Where is she? Why are you unharmed?"Hook yells at her, looking utterly bewildered, not to mention livid. "Do I look like an oracle to you?" she hisses with narrowed eyes. "Why would she even do that? Why would she save you?" He pulls up his nose in disgust,sneering the final word as if to insult her. "She didn't do it to save me, you idiot. She did it to 'do the "right thing.'" Regina takes a step forward and uses air quotes to emphasis her point. "It's in those stupid charming genes of hers… So if you're looking to blame anyone, blame the happy couple on your right and spare me your pathetic excuses for insults." She sneers while trying so desperately not to rip the moron's heart out.
When she feels a soft weight land on her left shoulder she flinches slightly. "Calm down, darling." "Don't."she murmurs huskily. But he does anyway… He tightens his grip a little and pulls her into his overly warm embrace. When she sighs he thinks it's stress and tension leaving her small frame, while really… it's the exact opposite. "Robin." she whispers against his chest. "Sshh darling." He silences her again. So sweetly, so softly… So effectively… because she does stay silent. Trying so desperately to ignore all the pent up tension, eating at her from the inside. It's relatively quiet. Some wind, some cars further down town, Snow's girly crying, Charming's soothing words to his wife and finally, Hook's "Dark One I command thee, show yourself."
Regina cannot believe her ears. She gasps audibly and turns around in Robin's arms. And then holds her breath until… Absolutely nothing happens and a very strange sensation is felt somewhere deep inside of the former queen's soul. Relief, a strange glimmer of happiness… even now, in this dark hour… And then as soon as it came, it's gone because… How can she not be completely disappointed with herself? She's changed, so much at that. She should be feeling… well, anything but relief and happiness. Unwilling to delve deeper into the roots of these completely misplaced feelings, she locks them away and sets on anger. "Give me that, guy-liner." she sneers at him, finally pulling away from the forest-thief's embrace.
"Regina." Charming warns her calmly. She looks at him and shakes her head. "What?" she says while pulling Emma's dagger from the pirate's loose grip. "Don't do anything stupid" His eyes are void of judgment, for which she can't help but feel grateful. Not that she'd show it. No, instead she chuckles darkly and sneers sharply "Should have told that to your princess."
"Regina." it's Snow's turn to warn the older brunette. "Seriously? What could I possibly do to make matters worse? The Savior, the product of True Love and owner of the lightest magic ever…" She says oh so dramatically before her expression turns blank and her tone flat. "has turned dark."
"We have to save her." Charming whispers but with clear determination. "Of course we do." Regina says, and means it. Although…the words might have sounded just a little sarcastic in pure Regina fashion. "And you're not going to stand in our way." The guy with the hook steps forward and shares his thoughts. To say Regina is completely stunned is a huge understatement. She's speechless for just a couple of seconds before she manages to gather herself, turn her royal attention towards the undeserving piece of filth and looks at him as if he's the weirdest little rat she's ever laid eyes on. "I don't think we should allow him to speak anymore." She says almost calmly before turning back towards the un-charming pair. "Regina, we're going to need you."
It's not a question but the pleading tone doesn't go lost on Regina… And why the fuck is it that everyone just assumes that she wouldn't be helping?! It's these type of situations that make her boil and sizzle with annoyance. Her grip on the dagger in her hands is firm and vice like. What is she supposed to say…? 'well of course I'll be helping! Don't worry… I've got your back… Together we can do this!' ? Yeah right… Hell can freeze over and she still wouldn't utter those words. It's not because she's no longer the Evil Queen she once was, that she actually has to stoop that low.
So instead of sharing those thoughts she goes for… "Well, she didn't leave me with much of a choice, did she?" "Forget it Your Majesty" Killian then snarls, voice laced with frustration. "I don't think we're going to need" "Oh shut up, will you?" Regina interrupts whatever idiotic remark was slipping past those rum reeking lips, rolls her eyes and turns on her heel.
Not even sparing the leather clad pirate another glance. She's not about to say something about it, but Regina's all too aware of the fact that she's still holding the Dark One's dagger tightly. It's weird and she's got no idea why, but she so hopes that she can get away from here before anyone else notices. She starts walking. Killian's saying something that- she's sure- isn't worth her time. Ignoring him comes naturally. And Robin… well he's just standing there.
God, she could really use a drink right about now. That's exactly what she's heading for. Only, less than three seconds later her favorite word in the world halts her effectively. "Mom!" "Henry" Regina sighs and smiles without effort. "Mom, are you okay?" His voice cracks. A combination of puberty and sincere worry. Once he's in front of her, he doesn't hesitate and warps his lanky arms around her shoulders. It's perfect. The exact right temperature even.
"Sweetheart." Regina breathes into thick brown hair. "Where's Emma?" He then pulls away slightly and looks at his mother. "We'll get her back." Regina says, voice filled to the brim with determination and nods. Her fingers tighten their grip and absentmindedly her eyes shift downwards towards the piece of metal in her hand. By doing so, Henry's attention is immediately drawn towards the dagger in question.
His eyes find his mother's "You get to have it?"He gasps, placing emphasis on the first word of the sentence as if to make a point. So, it hurts a little that he actually sounds that surprised… But Regina decides to simply shake off that negative feeling. Although it seems she doesn't really have an answer for him either. She kind of just took it and left, didn't she? To be honest, she's not even certain as to why she felt so compelled to take it from Hook at all. Okay… well… that's not true… anyone would agree with her that he is about the worst person to be holding on to such an important and powerful object. Honestly, she is the best choice…
While she's standing there, taking forever to come up with a simple quick response, Mrs. un-Charming clears her throat, startling Regina slightly. "Can you keep it safe? We're going to have to think of a plan to bring her back." Snow is emotional alright. Of course she is. But her words are actually making sense. At least a little...For once. So Regina allows the woman to go on. "In the mean time… the dagger… it can't land in the wrong hands." "The wrong" "Yours aren't the wrong ones. I wasn't saying that, Regina."
"Okay." Regina swallows back a snappy remark about the other woman's choice of attire for today… out of the goodness of her heart. "I just need to hear it from you… I need something to hold on to." Snow then says.
"You need me" there's a small pause there but Regina pulls herself together quickly "to tell you it's going to be okay?" Snow looks down, breathes in, out and levels her eyes with the other woman's before nodding. "Please." Regina feels awkward, nauseous, uncomfortable and something else that she can't quite put her finger on. Whatever it is, it's what makes her say her next words.
"Of course, we'll keep it safe. For Emma."
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and we're hoping to have the next one up very, very soon! Comment, Review Share!