If you've been following "Never Let Go", my Captain Swan story, the final chapter will be posted in a few days! I won't leave you hanging, I promise. In the meantime, I just couldn't stand to see Regina so devastated at the end of the Season 3 finale, so of course, I had to fix it! I hope you like it, and love it or hate it, please do drop me a review to let me know! I love your feedback.

-KM-


CHAPTER 1

Her heart in her throat, refusing to allow Emma Swan to see her tears, Regina managed two steps out of the diner before she could no longer blink back the haze of moisture clouding her vision and hot tears slipped down her cheeks. She felt a hand on her elbow and hurriedly brushed at her cheeks with the back of her hand. She whirled to face the one person who had dared come after her. "What do you want?"

"Merely to inquire about your well being." Hook replied.

"I'm fine."

His only answer was a raised eyebrow."Obviously not, your highness." He let his hand drop from her arm. "I would implore you not to do anything rash, if not for your own sake, for Henry's."

She glared at him. "You can relax Hook. I've no plans to flatten the town, or your girlfriend. My son would never forgive me for it."

"I didn't think you would." He reached into his pocket and offered her his flask. "Looks like you could use this."

She took it, knocked back a healthy swallow and moved to hand it back. He waved it away. "I've plenty more where that came from." She nodded and slipped it into her pocket. "Shall I have Emma send Henry by this evening?"

She shook her head. "No. I'd rather be alone tonight." Her voice sounded hollow even to her.

"Very well. May I escort you home?" He offered.

"No. I'll be fine." Hook looked skeptical. "Really. I'm going to get myself a pint of chocolate ice cream, a sappy movie, and a glass of wine and attempt to forget these last few days ever happened for a while."

"I think you'll require more than a glass of wine to accomplish that." Hook observed.

"Well, perhaps more than a glass." She conceded.

"Goodnight, then." As she'd apparently managing to convince him that she wasn't homicidal, he turned to go, leaving her standing alone on the path. She raised her hand and disappeared in her signature cloud of smoke.

She rematerialized in her crypt, walking swiftly through the door to the dimly lit workroom in the back. She resisted the urge to rip her heart from her chest, wanting nothing more than to lessen the anguish, but to do this she needed it in her chest or the pain would be for nothing. She withdrew a box from the shelf, opening it to reveal parchment, a silver fountain pen, and a small knife. Setting pen and parchment aside, she raised the knife to her arm and began to cut.


Next chapter should be up in a few days! Thanks so much for reading. Please review and let me know what you think! I'd love to know where you think the story is going, how you feel about it, and what you're liking or not liking, especially if you've favorited or followed!

-KM-