A/N: So this is my first OUAT story. I started writing it after the season 2 finale aired and wanted to get most of it posted before Season 3 started. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Once Upon A Time

This story starts out picking up right where Season 2 ended. Gold, David, Mary Margaret, Emma, and Regina boarding Hook's ship to chase after Henry, Greg, and Tamara.

Ch 1.-The JollyRoger

As the ship continued to fall through the portal everyone was trying desperately to hold on, but most were failing miserably. As the people on board were jostled more and more Emma eventually lost her grip on the rope hanging from the mast. She felt herself being thrown hard to her right as she struggled to find something to latch onto. Just as she felt her body being propelled over the side of the ship she felt a soft, yet strong, hand grab hold of her own. She felt her body connect hard with the side of the ship and she felt herself drop a bit further. As Emma looked up with frightened eyes she found Regina hanging more than halfway over the side of the boat, her brown eyes looking just as terrified as Emma's green, yet Regina's were also filled with determination, as she clung tightly to the blondes hand.

"Hang on" the brunette shouted

All Emma Swan could do was grasp Regina's hand tighter as she threw her other hand up as well, latching onto Regina's hand with both of hers. The blonde could see the pain etched across the brunettes face as she desperately hung onto the blonde even though the ship was still falling, and spinning. Emma wondered how the brunette was holding onto her and the ship at the same time, until Regina finally tossed over the rope she had been hanging onto with her left hand.

"Grab the rope" Regina shouted

Emma let go of Regina's hand with her left hand as she reached out for the rope. Once she wrapped it around her wrist she reluctantly let go of Regina's hand with her right hand and grabbed the rope. Emma looked up to see that Regina's face had disappeared. The blonde began trying to climb the side of the ship, and as she did, she also felt the rope being pulled up. Emma fought desperately to keep her feet from slipping as she continued her ascent up the side of the ship. When she was almost to the top she felt the ship begin to tilt again. Emma looked up in horror as Regina nearly tumbled over the side. She somehow managed to catch herself before reaching out to Emma once again. She grabbed the blonde's right wrist with her own and yanked as Emma pushed with her feet as quickly as she could. Just as the blonde came tumbling over the side, the ship tilted one more time before crashing hard into a body of water, sending all of it's passengers flying across the ship as they all began grabbing for something to hold onto. Regina felt as the blonde smashed against her before they both went sliding across the wet deck, eventually hitting the other side before the ship came to a standstill.

"Miss Swan. Really. Do you mind" Regina stated as she attempted to push the blonde off of her

Emma knew she was halfway on top of the smaller woman and grunted when she felt the woman attempt to push her off. The blonde finally rolled the rest of the way off of the brunette before both women sat up and leaned against the side of the ship, breathing heavily.

Both women were rubbing their wrists and had just chanced a look at each other before they heard

shouting.

"EMMA"

The blonde looked over Regina's head where she saw Mary Margaret rushing towards them, David in tow. As the parent's made it over to their daughter the short haired woman began hurling questions at the blonde.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes" Emma replied slightly annoyed

"Don't worry I'm fine also" Regina said sarcastically

Emma smirked at the remark as Mary Margaret turned to look at the other brunette, who was sitting on the ground, next to her daughter, nearly shoulder to shoulder.

David came up behind his wife at this time and immediately pointed at Regina,

"What did you do?"

"Excuse me?" Regina questioned as she narrowed her eyes at him

"We saw you with our daughter. Did you push her over the side?" he questioned angrily

Emma immediately got to her feet and stepped between Regina and her parents.

"She didn't do anything except save my life. I fell over the side and she saved me" she told her parents angrily, disappointed in her father's accusation

The brunette pushed herself to her feet and then pushed Emma slightly out of the way to come face to face with David and Mary Margaret,

"You're welcome for saving your daughter" she said, the spite clearly evident in her voice, before she turned and walked away.

"Regina wait" Emma tried as she took a step after the other woman

The brunette turned a cold stare towards the blonde,

"Don't Miss Swan. I only did it for Henry"

Regina then turned away and continued walking. Emma watched her go before tearing her eyes away and bringing her attention back to the two people in front of her.

"What is wrong with you two?" she asked angrily, "Weren't you the one, just a couple of hours ago telling me that we couldn't leave Regina to die in the mines because she was family?" Emma said as she looked at Snow

"You're right. We were just scared" Mary Margaret told her

"Well you owe Regina an apology" she said, this time looking at David

The blonde man nodded, "You're right"

Emma sighed as she finally took in the sight around them. They were surrounded by water, no land in sight. She then turned her attention towards the other two occupants of the ship. Hook and Gold were glaring at each other as Hook steered the ship. Emma marched towards them.

"Where are we? I thought we were going to Neverland?"

"We are dearie. We have to sail there. You didn't think we were going to magically appear where Henry was, did you?" Gold questioned

"Isn't that why it's called magic" Emma said crudely

"You should know by now that isn't how magic works" Hook said

"Shut up" Emma snapped, "Just tell me how long until we get there"

"There's no way to tell for sure" answered Gold

By this time Mary Margaret, David, and Regina had joined the conversation.

"Great so we are all trapped on this boat, together, for God knows how long" stated Regina, clearly annoyed

"Well the bright side is there are three beautiful women on this boat" Hook said with a smile as he wiggled his eyebrows in s suggestive manner

"I am sure I can speak for all of us when I say, clearly not interested" Regina stated flatly

Emma smiled at the brunettes reply before watching her turn and sashay away from the group.

"So what are we supposed to do until we get there?" the blonde questioned

"There are a few cabins below, I suggest everyone rest up while we have a chance, but everyone's going to have to double up" Hook said turning his attention to Emma

"So if you want to share-"

Before he could even finish his sentence David had his hand around the pirate's neck, "Stay away from my daughter AND my wife"

"Alright daddy dearest, ease up. I can take care of myself" Emma told him

David slowly let go of Hook's neck before taking a step back.

"Emma why don't you bunk with us?" Mary Margaret suggested

The blonde looked almost horrified, "No that's okay"

"But who will you bunk with?" the short haired woman asked

Emma didn't skip a beat as she answered, "Regina"

What the hell Swan, you don't even know if she wants to bunk with you. Although I think I am safe considering her other options, the blonde thought to herself

The blonde then turned and walked off in search of the brunette woman. Mary Margaret and David could do nothing but stare as their daughter walked away.

As Emma descended the steps to the bottom of the ship she could feel the drafts of cold air blowing down the narrow hall. As she began searching nearby rooms Regina came out of one of the doors. The two women looked at each other before the brunette spoke up.

"Miss Swan can I help you?"

"Nope. I was looking for you. Looks like you and I are bunkmates" the blonde stated

"Excuse me?" Regina questioned slightly horrified

"Apparently there are only three extra rooms and I didn't think you would be too keen on sharing a room with my parents or Gold. But if you're interested Hook said we were more than welcome to room with him" Emma told her with a smirk

The blonde watched as Regina grew more repulsed at Hooks name and she couldn't help the slight smile that formed on her lips.

"Well that is definitely not going to happen" the brunette stated matter of factly, before adding,

"However, I'm not sure you and I should share a room. I mean what do you think your parents would say" she questioned with a raised eyebrow and sly smirk

Emma rolled her eyes, "They really have no say in the choices I make. I'm an adult not a child"

"Are you sure about that Miss Swan? Because as I recall you have behaved quite childishly in the past" Regina said, taunting the other woman

"Okay Regina. I know you are taunting me and it's not going to change anything because the truth of the matter is neither of us wants to bunk with anybody else on this ship. And while we don't really want to room with each other, we are still each other's best options at this point. Besides, we are on a united front because really we both want the same thing. What we both love more than anything. And that's our son"

Regina had no snarky comeback to the other woman's statement because she knew she was right. And that was the first time Emma had refereed to Henry as their son, instead of yours or mine. Even Regina hadn't had the guts to state it like that because of the implications it would most surely bring. The brunette watched the other woman carefully for a moment to see if she would take back or show any sign of regretting her last statement, but she saw none.

"Well Miss Swan I've already found this room to be the best out of the options we have. And while it doesn't really live up to the standards I've been used to, it will have to do. Would you like to take a look?" Regina said as she stepped to the side to allow the blonde to enter the small room

Emma hesitated only slightly, not expecting Regina to have reacted the way she did. Then she walked past the brunette into their room. The blonde looked around noticing the somewhat small quarters. There was a bunk bed against one wall and then not even, maybe four feet, to the other wall. Against that wall was a small trunk with a kerosene light sitting on top of it, but the room itself was quite tidy.

"I guess it will have to do. I've stayed in worse places" the blonde commented

"That doesn't surprise me" the brunette mumbled

Emma rolled her eyes, "I can still hear you"

"Oh I know dear"

"You can be so infuriating"

"As can you"

"But I usually have just cause"

"So you think"

"You are unbelievable" the blonde practically shouted

"Miss Swan there is no need to shout"

"I'm not shouting Madam Mayor" she countered as she raised her voice more

"EMMA"

"Emma are you okay?"

Both women stopped and turned towards the door to find Mary Margaret and David in the doorway, worried looks plastered on their faces.

"Wow" Emma replied, clearly annoyed, "I'm fine"

"But the shouting-"

"Was two adults having a disagreement" the blonde stated, as if it should have been obvious

"But-"

"But nothing. Your daughter is an adult in case that wasn't apparent" Regina pointed out

"We are well aware of that Regina. Especially since we missed the last twenty nine years of her life" Mary Margaret replied

Before Regina could respond Emma stepped between her parents and Henry's other mother.

"Okay that's enough" she told them holding out her hands, "In case you forgot we are all supposed to be a united front in order to save the one thing we all love. Henry. So put aside all of your differences. Please"

She paused for a moment before continuing.

"David, Mary Margaret, I am an adult who can take care of myself and make my own decisions. I don't need you coming to my rescue every time I raise my voice or you think I'm in trouble…at least while we are on this ship. Okay?"

They both nodded and replied 'okay'

"And you" the blonde stated as she turned to the other brunette in the room, "Can you please stop antagonizing me"

"Me?" Regina questioned, "I believe it's you who antagonizes me"

"Oh please. We both know-" before Emma could finish she was cut off by Mary Margaret

"Oh for heaven's sake. It's both of you" she stated as she crossed her arms

"Excuse me" Regina and Emma responded simultaneously

This time Mary Margaret rolled her eyes, "Both of you are to blame. You both antagonize each other. And quite frankly I think you both enjoy it…to a certain extent"

"I can assure you I most certainly do not" the brunette replied at the same time as Emma responded with "That is not true"

There was a moment of silence as the four adults stood there staring at one another before Emma finally spoke up.

"Well if you guys are finished checking up on me, you can leave now"

"Oh honey are you sure?" the short haired brunette asked

"Yes. I. Am. Fine. Now please go" the blonde told them as she began to push her parents out of the room

"Okay well if you change your mind about…you know"

Emma rolled her eyes at her mother's comment, but had her back to Regina so she could not see the older woman make the same gesture.

"I assure you Snow White I will not kill your daughter. I've managed to go over a year now with her around. I think I can last a little longer. Besides if I wanted to kill her I would have just let her fall overboard earlier instead of saving her life" Regina stated as she smiled wickedly

Emma merely shook her head before shoving her parents the rest of the way out of the room and shutting the door in their face.

"Wow. I'm impressed dear"

"Really Regina? What did I just say"

The brunette merely shrugged her shoulders as she sat down on the bottom bunk her back hunched over slightly so that she wouldn't hit her head on the bunk above her.

"I take it your claiming the bottom bunk" the blonde stated as she stood, with her hands on her hips, looking at the other woman

Regina shrugged again, "I don't care"

This caused Emma to raise an eyebrow before biting her lower lip as she struggled with her next question. She didn't want to upset the brunette, but she could tell something was wrong.

"Are you okay Regina?" she asked carefully

"No I'm not okay Miss Swan. My son is missing, lost somewhere in Neverland, and I'm stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean, or whatever it is, with a bunch of imbeciles" she said as she raised her voice angrily

Emma was about to retaliate with just as much anger when she thought she saw a tear drop fall from the brunettes face. She swallowed the anger she was feeling, knowing the other woman was worried about her son. Their son.

"Regina, we are going to find him. I promise. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get him back" the blonde stated firmly

The brunette slowly looked up into very determined green eyes. They stared at each other for a moment as Regina regained her composure, quickly wiping away any stray tears. But Emma could see the worry and fear in the older woman.

"Are you really willing to do whatever it takes to get Henry back?" Regina questioned

"You're damn right I am. Those two jackasses took our son and jumped through a fucking portal. You can bet your ass I'm pissed and that I will do whatever I have to in order to get him back" she stated, the anger clear in her voice and her body language as she clenched her fists

Regina smiled, almost a wicked smile, "Well then I suggest you learn to control that magic of yours, because I can tell you right now you are going to need it once we get to our destination. We are all going to need our magic in order to save Henry. And I think we both already know that I will do whatever it takes to get him back"

The blonde saw Regina's confidence returning and couldn't help but crack a small smile as the determination began to show across the other woman's features once again.

"But I don't know anything about my magic, I've only used it sporadically"

"Well then I guess someone's going to have to teach you"

Emma raised an eyebrow as she stared at the other woman, "You mean you"

The brunette tilted her head to the side and added a slight shrug, "Unless you would prefer to learn from Gold"

Emma didn't skip a beat as she quickly responded, "NO"

Regina grinned again, this time not as wickedly, as the blonde fumbled over some words.

"I mean. I trust you…I mean with everything that's happened…I mean…Oh hell. At this point Regina, you and my parents are the only people on this ship that I trust. And I also know that you will do

whatever it takes to get Henry back and that most likely means you will need my help, because we seem to be stronger when we work together. So yes. I want you to teach me, because I trust you and know you will teach me what I need to in order to help save our son"

"You're parent's might not approve" the brunette pointed out

"I think they would rather you teach me as well"

"Just so we are clear Miss Swan, this isn't going to be fun or easy. You are going to have to concentrate and be a quick learner because we have no idea when we will reach our destination. So be prepared to be taught by a very angry Regina"

Emma cracked a smile, "I think I've seen an angry Regina several times now, and I'm not really that scared of her"

The brunette narrowed her eyes at the blonde who was still standing there with a smirk on her face.

"However, you are an angry mother now, who's son has been kidnapped by wackos and taken to a different land. And that Regina, I might just be a little bit scared of"

Regina let a small smile appear on her lips before she replied, "That is very true dear. Like I said, I will do whatever it takes to get my son back"

"I know" the blonde replied as she walked towards the bed

She stepped onto the bottom bunk before hoisting herself the rest of the way onto the top bunk to lay on her back. She heard Regina move on the bottom bunk, assuming she was stretching out well.

The blond smiled before saying, "I'm glad that I'm on your side this time…or you're on our side…whatever…I'm just glad we are on the same team"

Regina smiled slightly as she stared up at the top bunk, "For once Miss Swan, I agree with you"

Emma rolled to her side before hanging her head off the bunk to look down at Regina, "So when do we start lessons?"

"Well aren't you eager?" the brunette replied slightly caught off guard by the enthusiasm

"Hell yeah" the blonde replied, "In case you forgot, which I'm sure you didn't. Henry is my son too. And I want to be prepared whenever we do reach our destination. Because these guys picked the wrong two mother's to piss off"

Regina bit her bottom lip to stop the smile that wanted to spread across her face. She was not thrilled with Emma pointing out that she was Henry's mom too, but she knew it was the truth. She was trying not to smile at the fact that Emma was, clearly, as pissed off as she was.

"We will sleep for a few hours and then go on deck to begin training" the brunette said as she closed her eyes and rolled to her side to face the wall

She didn't hear the blonde shift on the bed and took that to mean she was still hanging off the top bunk.

"Miss Swan do pick your head up from the position and try to sleep. We don't need any more blood rushing to your head. This is probably going to be challenging enough without you getting any dumber"

Emma knew Regina was just playing with her, she could tell by the tone of her voice. The blonde smiled as she pulled herself back up fully onto the top bunk.

"Good night Regina" the blonde whispered into the somewhat dark cabin

"Good night Miss Swan"

Emma smiled again, "Wow you sure are being nice. I wonder-"

"Miss Swan do shut up and go to sleep"

The brunette smiled as she heard the blonde above her giggle slightly. She knew Emma was just antagonizing her for fun.

Unfortunately their slumber was short lived, when the ship hit some rough waters and the occupants of the bunk bed were both thrown out of their beds. Emma felt herself being thrown from her bed and could do nothing as she fell through the air. She was ready to brace herself for the hard landing even though she was still half asleep. But instead of the hard floor she landed on something a little softer that groaned when her body came into contact with it.

Regina was jarred awake when she felt herself being thrown from her bed. She tried to remember where she was right before her body came into contact with the hard floor. It was then that she remembered that she was on a ship in the middle of nowhere in search of Henry. She was just rolling to her back when she felt a body land heavily on top of her, knocking the wind out of her and definitely leaving bruises. She groaned as she felt the breath get pushed from her body and the back of her head connect with the hard floor.

Both women laid there for a moment, neither moving, until Emma finally regained her composure. She noticed, or more so felt, her legs tangled with Regina's and realized that her full body weight was pressing down on the smaller woman. Emma opened her eyes and came face to face with that of the brunette's. However, Regina had her eyes closed and was biting her bottom lip, obviously in pain. Emma shifted her upper body weight slightly and Regina let out another groan of pain as her right hand reached behind her and grabbed the back of her head.

"Regina? Are you okay?" the blonde asked as she still lay on top of the younger woman

The brunette felt the blonde's breath tickle her face, but only nodded slowly as she continued to rub the back of her head.

"Are you sure? Cause you haven't really moved and it looks like you're in pain"

Regina grunted, eyes still closed, before finally speaking up,

"What do you expect Miss Swan. I just had a body land on top of me, quite hard, I might add, and had

the wind knocked out of me"

"Sorry"

"Really? Because you would think if you were that concerned you would have removed your larger

body from mine already"

"Oh umm" the blonde squeaked

"Or perhaps you like being on top of me, considering this isn't the first time this has happened" the brunette smirked, this time opening her eyes to see the expression on the blonde's face

When brown eyes came into contact with green, Regina's breath hitched slightly. She saw Emma's eyes darken slightly and as much as she wanted to tear her gaze away, for some reason she just couldn't.

They were both silent for a moment before Emma spoke up, "Did you hit your head?"

It was only then that Regina realized she was still holding the back of her head. She nodded and answered, "With your help"

"Sorry…again" the blonde said in a sincere tone

"Miss Swan, as comfortable as you might be in your current position, I'm finding it more difficult to breathe, do you think you could-"

"Oh right. Sorry" Emma replied as she pushed herself up on her elbows to sit back

"Stop apologizing. You sound like a broken record" Regina told her as she sat up on her own elbows for a moment, feeling a little bit dizzy

"Let me see your head" the blonde said as she reached out towards the brunette

"I'm fine" Regina said as she reached out to swat the hand away. However, when she did she lost her balance and nearly fell back again. Luckily Emma reached out and grabbed her wrist holding her in place.

They stared at each other before Emma tugged Regina slightly so that she was sitting up all the way. Emma was now leaning back slightly on her thighs. She kept a hold of the brunette's wrist with her left hand and let her right hand reach around and feel the back of Regina's head. The brunette had her left hand on the ground bracing some of her weight.

At that moment there was noise in the hallway before David and Mary Margaret burst through the door, startling both of the women on the floor. Regina saw the look on both of their faces and heard the gasp that came from the short haired woman. It was then that the brunette realized the position she and Emma were in, and what it must have looked like to her parents.

Emma was basically sitting on Regina's lap, straddling one of her thighs, and it looked like they were holding hands, even though Emma was just holding onto her wrist, although she still didn't know why, and she also didn't know why she had allowed it.

Emma turned around to look behind her at all of the commotion and saw her parent's standing in the room. Regina took that moment to shove the blonde off of her lap.

"Ouch. Regina. What the hell?" Emma stated, her right leg still caught on the brunette's right leg

"What the hell is going on in here?" David asked as Mary Margaret stood beside him

"Nothing" Regina replied as she leaned forward to knock Emma's remaining leg off of her own

Emma looked from Regina to her parents, obviously annoyed with both, as she blew some stray hairs out of her face.

"I think the better question is what the hell are you two doing in our room?" Emma questioned, turning the tables

"We went through some rough waters and we wanted to make sure you were okay. It kind of threw everyone around on the ship" the short haired woman answered

"Yeah. We kinda got that when we were thrown out of bed" Emma replied

"Well we just wanted to make sure-"

"I heard you the first time. Still doesn't explain the look on your faces right now, or the fact that you just barged in here"

"But you two were…I mean…It looked like-"

"Seriously guys. You are ridiculous. I don't have to explain myself to you. But just so you know I fell on Regina when I was thrown out of bed and she hit her head. I was just making sure she was okay"

"Oh" her parent's answered, looking at both women who were still sitting on the floor, not fully convinced that was all that had happened

"You can go now. I am fine. We both are. I think. Regina? Is your head okay?" the blonde asked, turning her full attention to the woman sitting on the ground next to her

The brunette seemed shocked for a moment as she turned to look at Emma, but then quickly nodded her head, "I'm fine"

"Okay then" Emma said turning back to her parents, "You guys can go now"

"Oh ummm okay" Mary Margaret answered as she and her husband made a slow exit

Once they had left Emma turned to look at the brunette again, "Seriously Regina, was it necessary to shove me off so quickly"

The brunette shrugged her shoulders before stretching slightly.

Emma pushed herself up to a standing position before reaching a hand down to the brunette who willingly took it. Once Regina was on her feet she rubbed the back of her head again and the blonde reached out to check it, again. The blonde felt the small lump forming on the back of the other woman's head.

"You're definitely going to have a bump there for awhile"

"Well thank you Dr Swan. How much do I owe you for that diagnosis?"

Emma rolled her eyes, "Smartass"

"Better than being a dumbass"

Emma smiled widely before letting out a small laugh as the brunette stood there in shock.

"What is so funny Miss Swan?"

"You kind of cracked a joke Mayor Mills"

"Oh I was being dead serious" the brunette replied

Emma continued to smile before she stepped into the brunette's personal space, "You can say what you want, but I've learned a lot about you lately, and I know you just like to tease me as much as I tease you"

Regina's breath hitched slightly before the blonde stepped away, turning on her heels to head out of the room.

"Since we are already up can we start our lessons?" Emma asked as she glanced over her shoulder at the brunette

Regina composed herself quickly as she started off after Emma, "I suppose that's a good idea"

Emma nodded as the two women made their way up onto the deck.

A/N: Well I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter, and if you did please let me know, it always helps the rest of the writing process! :)