Disclaimer: Fanfiction, hence author owns nothing but hopefully, the plot. Title base on a Filipino Local song by e-heads, Waiting for the bus.
Summary: Regina is fed up with her life always going against her, so she needs a new beginning and she just know what she exactly needs. Cross the barrier and lose all her be damned.
I know there are a lot of stories out there were Regina crossed the line, some forgets, some doesn't, I want to write my take on this idea, stepping out of the townline, betrayal, etc etc., but as you know, I am not good with angst, so there maybe none. Not gonna be a very long story, probably as long as three times the charmed... kanna.
To be safe, M. No beta still. Right after the Cricket game (No Cora, Hook perpetrated it all).
One
It was a mistake you said, but the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting you.
- David Levithan, The Lover's Dictionary.
-0-
Regina, now ex-mayor of Storybrooke has her back leaning at the side of her car. She had parked outside of King George's mansion, former DA and adoptive father of David, who decided to stick with Nolan instead of being linked to the old ex-royal. Eyes red rimmed, she cares not if the man saw it, she is hurting... after all the good deeds she tried to sow, betrayal was 'their' answer. The fruit really never falls far from the tree, she mused. But Emma's betrayal wasn't enough to drive her out of Storybrooke, she could just ignore Snow's spawn, but the mere fact she took her son away from him, and that son believed his biological mother's story without second thought stings. It seemed ten years of loving the boy, giving him everything, giving him more than what other children have... they are all nothing. SHE is nothing to him, she feels like an old rag that was tossed out when she's not so useful anymore.
Well, he has grown, he is healthy, educated, he doesn't need her protection anymore, doesn't need her when he gets nightmares... no, Emma Swan swooped in with nothing to show but her family tree, and now she's a pariah in her son's eyes.
Correction, it is noted that from six days ago, Henry is not her son anymore, and he is probably enjoying it. He's probably celebrating at this moment for finally ridding himself of the Evil Queen. And the Charmings are celebrating with him, encouraging him.
Her further musing was cut short by the presence of the man she came for,
"I don't get why I should help you, you are on their side."
She sighed, "Haven't been out for a while are you?" she watched him shake his head, "I apparently killed the cricket, hence, now I am once again the Evil Queen, not that I was treated otherwise."
One light colored brow rose, "I see," he grinned, "If I help you out, you will keep your word not to return to Storybrooke?"
"Yes," yes, she had made her decision, she's leaving Storybrooke, and if that means all her memories be erased, being the caster of this curse, so be it.
"And the mansion..."
"In exchange..."
"Even in a cursed town, it is indeed great to have power as a DA isn't it?" Rolling of dark eyes from the ex mayor was the answer, "Anyway, his name is Martin,address and contact number is here, he knows what to do once he read this." he said handing Regina an envelope, "I guess you will need this, a letter and direction, since you are losing your memory. I maybe evil like you Queen Regina, but also like you, I keep my word."
"Thank you,"
"Remember, I have the right to hunt you down and have you killed if you so much as put a finger inside the town line. That is our deal."
"I hope you put that in writing since I will be losing my memory once I go out of town."
He grinned, "I made sure of that of course." And without anymore word he turned to go back to his house, he stopped midway, "No need to leave the key, I'm having the mansion's lock changed."
No sense in prolonging her pain, so she too turned her back and went in her car, started the engine and drove towards the townline. A few meters from the townline and the Storybrooke sign, she stopped, took a deep breath and close her eyes.
She has no idea what the curse would do to her, she just deduced that since she has no cursed memories, that means everything will be wiped out, unlike the rest of the Town citizen minus Emma and Henry. She breathed out and opened her eyes, turn her head to look at the things she cramped inside the mercedes, satisfied she has everything she needs, she nodded her head and slowly drive.
-0-
She felt nothing.
Where she expects pain, there was none.
But the pain that should have gone away...
"Noooo!"
-0-
"Damn it!" Emma Swan cursed as she enters the apartment followed by Henry. The two just got back from New York with Mr. Gold, and along with them was his son, who surprisingly was Neal Cassidy, Henry's biological father. The boy had an argument with Emma but was resolved immediately, though now, Neal wanted time with his son and she was reluctant to give in... what would Regina say?
And speaking of the woman, she and the rest of her family owes the woman a huge apology, the damn pirate abducted Archie by posing as Regina. She knew he has no magic, so he must have help, he attacked Rumpelstiltskin, or Mr. Gold while in New York and is now in grave danger. The poison Hook used has no antidote in this world, unless they go to Neverland, then Rumpel is one sure dead man. He is now in jail, the pirate, and her father has been assigned to watch him. Neal is with his father and Belle and she, here in the apartment to sort out what to,do with Regina.
Mr. Gold also said that if there's anyone who could help him, anyone who could replicate the antidote for the poison, it would be her. So they need to find her, ASAP.
"Emma, what are we going to do with mom? She didn't do it, she was telling the truth and no one believed her." he frowned, "Not even me,"
The sheriff lift a hand to her head and tried to smoothen her hair, "I'll find her Henry, and if I have to grovel in front of her, just for her to forgive me, I will do it."
"I said so many bad things Emma..."
The blonde mother stepped close to Henry and put a hand on one of his shoulders, "We all did, but if there's anyone she'll blame, it would be me. I... I broke her trust Henry, I believed a dog over her." she smiled sadly and sighed, "Besides, I doubt your mom would hold a grudge with you. She's hurt but once she sees you, she'll be okay again."
"You think so?"
"I know so," mother and son conversation was interrupted by the opening of the door and in came Snow White. Her mother was frowning and looked worried. "Hey,"
"Hey," she said smiling as soon as she eyed her daughter and grandson, "You're back!"
Emma rolled her eyes, "Yeah, Gold though wasn't lucky, Hook got him..."
"Yes, yes, David told me, so is there a way to save Gold?" she asked.
"Regina,"
"Mom,"
And the worried expression returned, "Oh..."
"Grandma, we were wrong, all of us! Mom didn't kill Archie, we didn't believe her!"
Snow nodded, "I know, I was here when he came, and it was thanks to Belle that he got away." she held her hair in her fingers, "What are we going to do with Regina? I'm nervous, she might do something drastic..."
"She's not going to be evil again! She changed even though none of us believed her, she won't be the evil queen again!" Henry protested.
"Henry," Emma wanted to hug her son but from what transpired in New York, she decided not to. "Your mom stopped being the evil queen even before the curse broke. I believed her once, and I made a mistake... something I need to rectify big time." she said then eyeing the other woman, "So any news about where she might be hiding?"
And then there was a slight paleness to Snow's face, "Grandma?"
"Ah, I think we need to talk Emma," Snow's face was so open everyone who sees it knew there was a big problem, and that it is related to the missing woman.
"I'm sure Henry can handle the situation," she said looking at her son who nodded and smiled at her.
"I doubt..."
"Mary Margaret... I mean..." The raven haired woman waved her off,
"Are you sure?" At both mother and son's nod, she sighed, "I went to the mansion to see if perhaps Regina had returned, well, you're not the only one who owes her a big apology, and after saving us from that death curse..."
"Can we go now to the point?" she said frowning,
"I found George supervising a group of men, changing all the locks in the mansion's house."
"WHAT?" Emma and Henry asked wide eyed,
"Why would Regina..." and before she completes her sentence, Henry was out the door. "HENRY!"
"Don't worry, David is there, I sent him over." Snow said as the two women followed the now distraught boy.
"And who's looking after Hook?"
"Leroy for now, Ruby's not yet through with her duty."
"Not fucking great,"
-0-
Leroy's frown deepened, "I have a strict instruction that this skunk is not to receive any visitor, so you can go," he said grumpily, as per usual.
"I don't need your permission dwarf," the visitor said as Leroy slumped forward from his perch on the sheriff's table.
"Always a pleasure seeing you in action," Killian Jones said grinning, "Are you here to let me go? I do believe we both got what we want..."
"True, I seemed to have heard your crocodile is in the brink of dying." The visitor grinned, "You must be pleased."
The grin widened, "Of course, there is still a score to settle with the savior though...b"
"I don't care, that's not part of our deal." The visitor smiled.
"Alright, so just let me go."
"That's not part of the deal either."
Killian frowned, "What the hell, you get me out of here now!"
"You're in no position to demand. I gave you what you want, its not my fault you let yourself get caught."
The prisoner growled, "It is not in our deal for me to keep my mouth shut."
Solemn smile, "Oh I know that,"
"What..." Killian gasped when the visitor held his hand and pricked his finger and he suddenly dropped on the ground.
"I didn't spend 28 years in Storybrooke doing nothing."
-0-
David stopped at the road leading to the station when he saw his family running in his direction. From the look on their faces, they were headed to the mansion, but everything was clear already. The men had done quick work and George wouldn't budge. He wouldn't explain how he got the ex-mayor to transfer the mansion's title to him, and he wouldn't tell if he knew where Regina is.
"David!" Snow called out and the family met at the road side, "What happened?"
He shook his head, "He got the title of the mansion, Regina doesn't own it anymore." he said sadly.
"No! My mom wouldn't give up the house! All of my memories are there! she wouldn't live anywhere else." and here David's expression became sadder.
"She left,"
"What?" three sets of green eyes focused on him,
"What do you mean by she left? She was just hiding right?" Emma asked in her most worried voice.
"George told me he received a report seeing the mayor's car crossing the town line."
"NO!" Henry yelled and then ran towards the mansion. Snow and Emma eyed each other and the decision of Snow following the lad was made.
"Does he tell you where she went? And when was this?"
David shook his head, "He said he has no idea, but I think he was lying, but I'm not the one with the built in lie detector, so I can't force him. And he said his man spotted the car two days ago," he looked at Emma's slacked jaw, "While you were away,"
"Thats... she can't cross the line, she... what would happen to her? Her memories?" Emma started pacing, "Gold... I mean, he had all his memories intact during the curse, and he said that if he go beyond the townline, he'll forget everything... Regina is the same! And only Gold has the potion to counteract the effect!"
"Emma we're not even sure..."
"She's going to forget EVERYTHING David, and that includes Henry!" she yelled and before David could stop her, she sprinted towards the mansion. The prince followed.
-0-
[One year, seven months later]
She stretched her body after opening her eyes, and then she turn her focus on the window and glare at it, as if it would stop the spilling of sun into her room. She hates waking up with the sun poking in, not that she hates the sun perse, but its because of her damn migraine that usually attacks when she wakes up on such condition. She cursed herself for forgetting to close the blind before going to bed. Yesterday was quite hectic, what with three shoplifting incidents, and as the owner/store manager, it was imperative she stay to help out with the sudden inventory.
Good thing for self reliant and efficacious employee like Amanda, two of three were caught. And still she needs to stay behind for police procedures. Further musing was interrupted by a knock at her door and the slightly muffled voice of another, "Danny! Are you going to get up or what? I'm going to go bathe now if you don't, I don't care if it's your supposed turn!" She rolled her eyes.
Daniela Miller is living in a two bedroom plush apartment, it was a big apartment and it feels so empty with just her, so decided to have the other room rented, hence, the loud woman now knocking at her door. Aire had been renting the room for six months already, and despite the loudness, her straight forward approach is refreshing for her. "Coming!" she replied, stood and then hurriedly open the door, "There's no need for you to make a ruckus Aire. I'm already up and I know my schedule."
"Yes, but I am in a hurry today. I can't be late for work anymore or I get probation. You have no idea how evil Helen is!"
She raised one dark brows, "You have no idea what a true evil looks like," she grinned and then walked pass the taller woman before patting the blonde on her shoulder.
"I thought I'm your friend? Why are you siding with the witch?"
"I am your friend, that's why I am siding with Helen, and please, don't mess up witches' image by comparing them to her." Both women grinned.
"If I am not so in love with Nevi, I probably would have fallen for your wits and charm." Aire said laughing.
"Oh I have my moments," she smiled, "Why don't you take the first dib at the bath then, I'd get me some breakfast."
"I made pancakes, left some for you. Coffee at the maker."
"Oh, how sweet of you."
"The things I do for you woman!"
-0-
"This is neat," Henry said as he inspect the medium sized, two bedroom unit his mother rented. It was fully furnished since the rent condition is temporary, the owner of the unit had signed work contract for two years in LA, and will be back. Emma thought it works perfectly, they're not going to stay that long anyway. New York is just the fifth place in their list of where Regina might be. The two doubt they'll be staying long if they get no lead in here.
"Way better than my unit in Boston." Emma said smiling.
The boy shrugged, "It's cozier,"
"I know what you mean." The two sat at the medium sized couch.
"You think we'll find mom?"
She looked at her son, "We'll keep on trying,"
Silence
"If we don't find her, if we don't.. I won't be able to forgive myself."
"Kid..."
"I made her leave, it was me Emma."
"Your mom loves you, she won't..."
"I pushed her away, I think... remember what grams said? If you truly love someone, set them free." He frowned, "Maybe... that's how it is, if what you're saying is true. I didn't give her anything to hold on to you know, so she let go."
"Henry,"
"I missed her."
"Look," Emma faced her son, "That maybe so, but this is not all your fault. I for one has a big part in this, I threatened her of taking you, and well, we all encouraged you to stop seeing her, convinced you how she's not going to change."
"And I let you,"
"You're a kid, what could you have done?"
He smiled sadly, "Run back to the woman who had raised me and made sure she'd taken the right path?" here the blonde woman tussles his hair. "Anyway, how long do you think does the sleeping curse will work on Grandpa Gold?" he grinned,
Emma shook her head, "The irony huh? The man who made the monster is now lying on the coffin meant for the monster's nemesis!" a small smile graced both faces. "Who would imagine, Storybrooke had been trying to eradicate your mom since the curse broke, and now that she's gone..."
"Everyone needs her back, including grams and gramps huh?" Henry watched his mother nod her head. "What would happen if the barrier breaks down?"
"No idea, no one knows actually. And without Rumpel and Regina there, no one feels safe." Emma frowned. "We really need to find your mom," and then she grinned, "And since we're talking about finding your mom, I took a bail bondsperson work while here, part time, we need the cash plus I'd be able to use their networking to find your mom."
"That's a great idea Emma," Henry's downtrodden mood lightened, "Is there a way for me to help?"
"Oh yeah, first, you continue your web education, your mom would be mortified if she learns that you stop schooling, at least we can both tell her that you continued, just not in the normal way." She watch her son nod his head,
"I'm up to date, exams in two weeks. I got that one under control Emma."
"Good, second, keep your eyes and ears open when you go out. Don't go to the shady parts of town without me, understand?"
"Understand."
"Good. Now, my new boss needs to meet with me, something about my stellar work in Boston as bail bondsperson." She shrugged noncommittally, "There's a pizza parlor nearby, come, I'll take you there then we can go our separate ways."
Henry stood from the couch as well as his mother and they both took their respective jackets from the coat rack behind the door, "Are you going home late?"
"Probably not, it's my first day on a part time job, what interesting event could happen this early?" Really, this is gonna be a boring first day.
-0-
It's 9am, Emma had just been interviewed by her new boss, Paul Stetson. An old, shrewd looking man who had been a bail bondsperson all his life, so he says, so she really understood where his cloudy disposition in life comes from, and from his tale of life threatening events, she also understood the reason for the 24/7 frown on his face.
But he seemed like an okay guy, he likes hard working people and is easy to give compliments. He seemed to like her because he gave her a desk by the window and didn't gave her field work at once, he told her to familiarize herself with the other staff and with how things are done in Stetson Investigative Agency. Which she is grateful for, she is a fast learner, adaptable so familiarizing herself with their rules is easy, that means she's got time to use their hardware looking for a missing person.
She just sat herself on the not so comfortable computer chair, sighed and decided to look out to familiarize herself with her surrounding. There on the opposite side of their building is a bus stop.
And she thought she fell asleep, because there in that bus stop was no other than, Regina Mills.
TBC
