Yes, I'm trying out a new story.

I might not really be in the position to do that right now, but my muse was biting at me and I wasn't about to ignore it. I'm missing Once Upon A Time like MAD now that it's on such a hiatus and am frustrated that I may be missing the season premiere due to a trip to Ohio.

That being said, although I have other Once stories I could probably be working on, this story decided to pop into my head and demand to be written down.

Know ahead of time that all of this being said, yes, I have a thousand other stories to work on so updates will likely not be regular. I work on each of my stories as my muse sees fit. Just know that I have a "no story left behind" policy, so no matter how long a break between updates is...the stories will be finished, this one included.

I decided to title this story: The Light to Her Darkness for reasons you'll probably understand even after this first chapter.

Let me know what you think, okay? Constructive criticism and other reviews accepted, unnecessary hate ignored.

Love always, Hayley

Chapter 1:

A 17 year old Regina Mills sat cross legged on the hill under the Toll Bridge, (or, what most people in town decked it as, the Troll Bridge) in Storybrooke, Maine. The water from the creek flowed calmly beside her, but Regina felt anything but calm. She felt fury, she felt confusion, and she felt…aroused. Intrigued. Amused. Smitten.

And it was all because of a special someone that had been flooding her thoughts for months and months now.

She knew she had to write about it, else her emotions would get the best of her again and she would lose control of her magic once more. Her magic that she was not yet so able to contain. Crazy things happened around her when she couldn't get a grip on her feelings. Her mother had yet to properly train her how to deal with things like this.

With a small sigh and a ton of thoughts running through her head, Regina glanced down at her journal and began to write in a fine, neat calligraphy,

That damned Emma Swan is at it again with her stupid Pirate boyfriend, the thief, and the liar. I've had it up to here with their nonsense. Why does she hang around with such a crowd? They simply aren't right for her…not that anybody would argue that I'd be much better, I suppose. I'm a disaster just waiting to happen…

I just don't understand what I ever did to make them hate me so much. Is it because I'm the daughter of the infamous, evil Cora? Do they know that I'm not like my mother at all?

Of course they don't…they've never bothered to try to get to know me. They've stereotyped me for the cruel things that she does since day one…everyone except for Emma…and though I will admit I can sometimes be just as terrible as my mother is…I'm not evil.

I'm not, even if they may think of me in that way.

….There are many different forms of evil in this world. Thievery, and dishonesty are among them, but you don't see Miss Swan noticing me for a change, instead of her usual crowd.

Actually…notice might not be the right word. I know she notices me. She and her parents and everybody else in this god forsaken town. Maybe the problem is that they notice me too much. Because I'm the daughter of Mayor Mills….and everybody hates cruel, evil Mayor Mills.

It doesn't help that mother has once again been sneaking around with Mr. Gold, the other most hated person here.

I suppose I'm just going to have to face the fact that Emma will never want me.

In any way, shape, or form.

Not as my girlfriend…and not even as my friend.

The only person I have is Daniel, and sometimes I wonder if I even have him.

Hearing the branch of a tree snap, Regina flicked her head around and slammed her journal shut, nervously, her heart pounding. If anyone found out about her love for Emma Swan…and heaven forbid it be her mother who did so.

She stood and brushed off her clothing before starting to walk back up the side of the hill and over the "Troll" Bridge. But before she could make it very far, trouble was brewing directly in front of her. Trouble in the form of Neal Cassidy, Killian Jones, and August Booth…followed closely behind by one Miss Emma Swan. Regina dry swallowed and stood up, back straightened. She would not let them win.

"Is that a diary I see?" Killian jested her, scrunching his nose. "A bit old to be spilling your deepest secrets to books, aren't we, Regina?"

Regina couldn't keep her eyes off of Emma, even though she tried her damndest to. The girl was stunning, as usual, without even attempting to be. Long, gorgeous blonde hair that was windswept today from the crisp autumn breeze, jeans that hugged her toned legs in all the right places, her usual pair of comfy combat boots, and her signature red leather jacket. The top of her head was covered by a white knit hat, no doubt made for her by her mother, Mary Margaret. She wore a soft smile as she looked at Regina, which started to fade once Killian opened his mouth to taunt the girl. Emma loved Killian to death…sometimes…but couldn't he just learn to leave the Mills alone?

"A bit old for this childish banter as well, Killian, yet here we stand." Was Regina's cold, dry retort as she pulled her gaze away from Emma. You will not do this today. She chastised herself. Pull yourself together, Gina, or forever suffer the consequences. Emma could never want you. There are so many reasons why Emma doesn't want you. Stop staring at her, for god's sake…

She dragged her gaze back towards Killian, that mental wall building itself up. She stood firm, her gaze strong—something she learned from her dear mother.

Emma dragged her eyes over Regina as well, but was much less subtle about it. August shot Emma a warning glance—he, Neal, and Ruby Lucas were the only ones who knew about Emma's secret crush on the girl and didn't want Emma giving herself away. Double blinking, Emma stopped staring and turned her attention to Killian, clearing her throat.

"Do we have to do this today?" she asked, clearly annoyed. "Just leave her alone, Killian. This isn't why we came here…"

"Why should I leave her be?" Killian scoffed. "Suddenly you're a supporter of the "Evil Queen"?"

Regina double blinked at the comment, unsure if he was referring to her mother as an evil queen, or to herself. She was completely unaware of the nicknames the group of seventeen year olds had come up with for everyone in the town. August was into fairy tales and had an active imagination. If only he knew that there were in fact magical forces within this town…forces that would make his toes curl. Yet another one of Regina's dark secrets.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked of Killian, her heart pounding. She was sure he had no idea of her powers, but all the same…

He laughed a deep, condescending laugh. "Never you mind. You wouldn't understand, love, it'd go right over your head."

"Killian," Emma spoke up again in warning. "Seriously, back off…" but she went ignored. August and Neal exchanged an irritated glance. Killian could just never give up the chance to taunt Regina Mills, no matter how much the girl kept to herself. Neal secretly wondered if Killian could feel the building loving tension between the two girls and was getting irrationally jealous. But he wouldn't dare question it, out of respect for Emma's privacy.

"That's big talk coming from a guy who can hardly understand High School arithmetic." Regina shot back, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting to get to. I'm already running late…"

She tried to push past Killian. Tried to ignore the burning at the back of her eyes that told her that her emotions were getting the best of her once more. Tried her best not to make eye contact with Emma, who was watching her like a sad puppy.

Killian stepped in front of Regina before she could go anywhere and she let out a tired sigh.

"Watch yourself, Mills. Or you might just find out what I'm really capable of." His voice was low and menacing but Regina scoffed, unafraid. Did he forget who raised her?

"Perhaps you'd like to get a step stool, dear, so you can look into my eyes while you threaten me?" she ridiculed, pushing past him and making her way, her pace quick but not running, back to Mifflin Manor. For he had no idea what she was capable of, and was worried that if he made her much more upset he would soon find out. Besides…Her mother would be waiting for her to join her for dinner.

Emma watched as Regina stormed off, leaving Killian red faced and irritable. Emma didn't care that he was mad—she was angry too. She walked up to him and punched him in the arm, making him grunt in pain.

"What the hell is your problem?!" She demanded. She couldn't for the life of her understand his hatred for the girl, no matter how often she tried to. Her eyes searched his face, confused.

Emma herself happened to find Regina particularly interesting. There was something about this girl that excited her. Perhaps it was the mystery. But anytime Emma got anywhere near trying to get Regina alone…something like this happened.

"What has Regina ever done to you?"

Killian scoffed. "Existing was bad enough, don't you think, love?"

That was the final straw—Emma rolled her eyes. "Grow up, Killian." She growled, taking August and Neal by the arms and walking away from her supposed "boyfriend". The guy she'd been on again off again with for the past three years now. It was growing tiring, pretending to love him as much as he loved her. She wanted a change, but felt too cowardly to go for the one person her heart truly desired.

Of course if she wanted to be less daring she knew she could always turn to Neal and he would welcome her in with open arms. He'd always pined after her and they had even been together once, for a short while. Then again, Neal knew about her interest in Regina, so that probably wouldn't work anymore.

August was the only one in her group with no romantic interest in her whatsoever, besides of course Ruby and Lacey. That was why August was her favorite male friend.

"Why didn't you help me defend her back there?" she demanded of Neal and August as they walked deeper into the woods.

August shrugged. "I didn't really think she needed defending—she was doing pretty well on her own. Don't forget who her mother is."

Emma sighed. "How could I…" she muttered, wishing people would stop being so quick to judge Regina based on who her mother was. She was also wishing that Ruby was out of work so she would have someone who wasn't a male to talk to. But Ruby wasn't as close to her as August was—Ruby was better friends with Lacey than anybody else in town.

"Why do you like her so much?" Neal asked softly. It was a genuine question, he wasn't goading and Emma knew that. She let out a long, slow, shaky breath.

"I don't know." She whispered, and then let out a soft sigh. She had yet to even try to process these feelings that had cropped up in the past month or so…and had yet to act on them, too. "I'm gonna go home, guys." She decided after a pause. "I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"

"Okay..." August often worried about Emma, but knew that if she wanted to talk about it tonight she'd climb through his bedroom window and do so. "See ya, Swan."

"Bye, Emma..." Neal said softly. They watched as the troubled girl made her way back towards the apartment that she and her parents lived in.

On the way she found herself daydreaming about the daughter of the "Queen of Hearts"-the daughter that Killian called "The Evil Queen".

She doesn't deserve a nickname like that, Emma thought to herself. I mean, Regina is tough. She's strict, stuck up, and kind of bossy...but that doesn't make her evil. She's just...misunderstood. Nobody even really knows her besides that boy she hangs around with…Daniel. As cliché as Emma knew that sounded, she also knew she'd never get the boys to understand that.

They wouldn't see how fragile Regina actually was. How sweet and precious and loving she had the potential to be. Emma could tell that Regina didn't want to be anything like her mother. If only everyone else would see that, too.

She made it home with reddened cheeks from the cold and the moment she stepped into the doorway, her mom noticed that.

"Getting pretty chilly out there, huh?" She asked, joyful as she always seemed to be.

Emma nodded in response. Mary Margaret's optimism was always so refreshing.

"Cinnamon hot cocoa?" Mary Margaret suggested. Emma nodded again and her mother put the kettle on to heat the water.

She watched her daughter carefully. Emma, who was sitting up at the counter, staring down at her hands and moving her feet in circles, contemplating.

"...something on your mind?" Mary Margaret finally asked after mixing the hot cocoa into the hot water, dolloping whipped cream and cinnamon on top, and setting it down on the countertop in front of Emma. "I'm always here if you want to talk, you know."

Emma shook her head, still in thought. She wanted to go and talk to Regina herself...apologize for her boyfriend's behavior. But would Regina even give her the time of day? After everything she's let Killian say and do to Regina? After all of the taunting and miscommunication? How would she even get the girl alone? She thought for another moment and realized she didn't think she'd ever actually spoken to Regina alone. Would this be something she'd be able to do, or would she crumble under pressure and nerves and essentially belly flop? Her accidental embarrassment of herself was legendary in this town to say the least.

Emma let out an audible sigh, officially stumped.

Mary Margaret could tell something was seriously wrong. She decided that if Emma wasn't going to tell her, she would try to guess. Sometimes Emma needed a little push to get her to communicate. She wasn't always great about talking about her feelings.

Mary Margret sat down and started to drink her own hot cocoa and cinnamon. "...does this have something to do with Killian?" She wondered.

Emma glanced up at her mother. She wasn't wrong, not really. She took in another breath, questioning whether or not she would just tell her mother everything. Emma was even closer to her mother than she was to August, despite this one kept secret.

She would start slow, she decided, and see how Mary Margaret handled each little detail. She wasn't going to out her feelings about Regina right away—not when she didn't understand them herself.

"I think I'm going to break up with Killian." Emma said the first part of her dilemma, drinking more of her cocoa. Her mother did the same and then spoke up,

"Again?" she wondered why. "What has he done this time?"

They'd broken up at least 5 times in the past for numerous different reasons. Too clingy, too similar and causing disagreements, too repetitive…

"He's rude as hell." Emma scoffed. "To everyone but me. Especially to Regina Mills. And he doesn't know anything about her. I don't like the way he treats people. I can't believe I never noticed it before…It's not okay. He's been acting so stuck up and arrogant recently...he's just being a jerk." She wasn't exactly sure how to explain just how rude he was. Today certainly wasn't the first time running into Regina like that, nor was it the worst. She was surprised things hadn't gotten physical. She gulped. Yet.

After finishing her little rant, she watched Mary Margaret's face to see if she was understanding any of this. Emma was so tired of Killian's antics...and they weren't fair to anyone, particularly not Regina.

"Well, I'm glad that you're starting to stick up for yourself and for others, Emma." Mary Margaret said. "Killian isn't being very rational and it's going to come back and bite him sooner or later. You don't need that sort of negativity in your life."

Emma nodded in silent agreement.

"But..." Emma spoke up. "Being with Killian is..." She couldn't think of the right word, luckily her mother had it for her.

"Comfortable. You're used to it, honey, you've been like this with him for years and you're afraid of this comfort going away. But sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones in order to have the life we truly desire. You know that."

"Yeah." Emma whispered. "But I don't want to lose him again…especially if it means maybe losing him forever, I mean…He's one of my best friends." She admitted, knowing that if he found out who she really had her sights on, he wouldn't ever take her back. His opinions about almost everything were biased and cruel. His mind was anything but open, in the case of Emma…he wanted her all to himself.

"Oh, sweetheart." Mary Margaret caressed her daughter's face softy and placed a kiss to her temple. "You still have August and Neal and Ruby and Lacey...and you'll always have me and your father."

Nodding, Emma let out a sigh. "I know. He's turned into a real jackass. Regina doesn't deserve all of that, even if she is the Mayor's daughter...I mean kids aren't their parents..."

"I'm glad that you understand that, Emma." Mary Margaret said sincerely, so very proud of her daughter's compassion. "Because a lot of people don't and you're right, they treat Regina terribly because of it. But that poor girl has had it rough, especially since her father's death. It is clear that the two of them were very close. I think what Regina needs now is a true friend."

Emma dry swallowed, her heart thumping. If only it were that easy. And if only friendship were the only thing on Emma's mind.

She found it slightly strange that her mother was speaking so kindly of Regina. She knew that her mom and Cora had a troublesome past. But she also knew that her mom tried her best to be kind to everybody regardless.

A silence passed between them where Emma fumbled with the tips of her blonde hair after which Mary Margaret spoke up, "You should go and try to talk to her, Emma. You never know what might happen if you do..." The mother had the sense that this conversation was deeper than Emma was letting on, but was waiting for Emma to say so. Mary Margaret knew all too well what happened when assumptions were made, and it was Emma's story to tell.

Emma was terrified of what might happen if she did go and talk to Regina, even though at this point she knew it was something she was going to have to do.

Mary Margaret might be kind and accepting of Regina despite who her mother was, but Cora would not be so unprejudiced. Nor would Killian.

After finishing her cocoa, she kissed her mother goodnight and shuffled to her bedroom, glancing out the window and across the yard towards August's house. On any other night she would sneak out and climb through his bedroom window so they could talk.

Tonight, however, she knew she needed to figure herself out and get herself together. She had some things she needed to take care of the next day.

. . .

Regina sat in her bedroom, staring down at her journal. She had school in the morning and dreaded running into the foursome that made her life so frustrating...except for Emma.

No, Regina could tell she was different than the others. She wanted to be nice, and she tried to stop them from being unfair. At least she tried to understand.

She was like...white light that distracted Regina from the darkness that always seemed to surround her.

She was beauty, kindness, and happiness...everything that Regina had always wanted.

And everything that Regina knew she could never have.