NOTE: I do not own OUAT or its characters.
NOTE 2: This takes place in the immediate aftermath of the finale
Regina drank down what felt like her 20th glass of water that day. She felt her face – a little warm.
"Just great, as if things couldn't get worse now I am getting sick," she said to herself. "Par for the course."
The last few weeks had taken its toll on her. First she finally opens her heart to the possibility of love again, then she defeats her half-sister only for her to die, then Emma Swan – the bane of her existence manages to ruin what was probably her final chance at love by bringing Robin's wife Marian back with her from the past.
She had spoken to Robin once since when he came to see her the next day.
"I don't know …"
"Don't," Regina said interrupting him. "This … this situation … let's not make it harder than it already is. She is your wife. She is Roland's mother. You love her and that is all that needs to be said. I won't interfere with that. I know what it's like to be on both ends of interfering with true love and I want no part of it. Just … tell her I am sorry for past me, and you … you go be with your family and enjoy the happiness you deserve."
"I do care for you."
"I know," she said giving him a small smile. "I know, but we both know where your life and your love are. Don't, don't apologize or anything stupid like that. This isn't your fault."
"I know you are angry with Emma."
"That isn't your concern."
"It is my concern. You tell me to apologize to Marian for past you. You aren't the Evil Queen anymore Regina, don't let your anger ruin who you are now is all I am asking," he said moving toward her. He placed a small kiss on her cheek. "You are a good person. Don't change that."
"Good bye Robin."
The pain she felt wasn't anything compared to losing Daniel, but her heart had still ached. She had allowed the belief into her – the belief she could be happy again, and love again. She should have gone with her first instincts and avoided Robin from the start.
Regina poured another glass of water and took it upstairs with her to bed. It was only 8:30 p.m. but sleep sounded really good to her right now. All she had to do was get through work tomorrow and on Saturday she would get to spend time with Henry.
She knew Henry was worried about her and she didn't want him worrying like that. He had even apologized to her like he had anything to do with this. She loved him so much. He was the one thing her life that wasn't a complete disaster.
Emma pulled up to the mansion. "You got everything you need?" she asked.
"Yes," he said pulling his bag from the back seat.
"I will pick you up tomorrow, right here."
"Ok," he before getting out. She pulled away, figuring that she shouldn't linger. She had gone to speak to Regina a few days after her return from the Enchanted Forest. She hadn't even gotten the chance to try and apologize.
"Miss Swan, we have to deal with each other in an official capacity since I understand you will be resuming your role as sheriff. I want to see my son on a regular basis, so I have to deal with you in that regards. Most of those things can probably be worked out over email or if they must over the phone. But if you have some topic you wish to discuss that doesn't fall under one of those two categories don't bother coming near me because I don't want to hear it. I don't care what you have to say. I don't care if you are sorry. Because you aren't sorry, not really. You aren't sorry for saving her life – and I accept that you shouldn't be sorry for that. You've reunited true love. Congratulations Savior. Maybe we can discuss having your statue erected in the town square at the next council meeting. But you aren't sorry for your actions affects on me. It's not sorry that you feel, it's called guilt. And don't worry, that will fade quickly enough. After all you didn't give a shit about my thoughts or feelings when you were going to take Henry away to New York, so don't expect me to believe you care now. Good day sheriff."
Regina had closed the door on her and they hadn't spoken since.
Even when she had faced Regina as the Evil Queen in the Enchanted Forest she hadn't been as afraid as she was in that moment. Despite all that she must have been feeling, Regina had delivered her little speech in the most unattached, unemotional way. It was if she couldn't muster up the anger – as if she was dead inside. And that made Regina scarier to her than the hot-headed brunette she proved herself to be at times.
The scanner went off startling her from her musings. She barely caught "unknown medical emergency…." But she caught the Mifflin Street address. Doing an illegal u-turn in the street she raced back to Regina's.
Running from her car to the house somehow she knew this emergency wasn't Henry. It was Regina.
