Title: In a Land Far, Far, Far Away

Summary: Begins in a time prior to the commencement of the TV Show and totally AU. No magic, but eventual Regina/Emma. Regina is the Queen of Rock and Roll, and when not touring runs the Bar & Grill left to her by her mother. Emma is an Officer with NYPD and when circumstances bring these two together, the sparks fly.

Pairings: Regina Mills/Emma Swan; David Nolan/Mary Margaret; Ruby Lucas/Dorothy Gale and Killian Jones/Zelena West

Rating: M for mature readers and for language content as well as sexual situations.

Disclosure: I am merely borrowing the characters for the sake of entertainment. No financial gain is made and all remain the property of creators Adam Horowitz & Edward Kitsis; Production Companies Kitsis/Horowitz & ABC Studios. Any original characters that appear are all mine.

A/N: Please feel free to leave a comment. It motivates the Muse.

Chapter 1

Thursday 24th December, 2010

Emma Snow, twenty seven and blonde, stood on the third rung of the foot ladder and gently placed the angel figurine upon the apex of the Blue Spruce then began to descend. "What do you think Kid?" she enquired of her nine year old son Henry.

The child with shaggy brown hair and brown eyes so like his father's, scrunched up his facial features and whined, "I think we should have gone with another star mum."

Shrugging her shoulders while folding up the ladder, Emma pointed out, "Well, if your Aunt Ruby wasn't suck a klutz and hadn't dropped the box of decorations this morning and broken several; we could have had a sparkly star sitting right up there."

"Here now, I heard that," complained a voice from the kitchen. The owner of the words, Ruby Lucas also twenty seven, entered the lounge room and placed two bottles of Budweiser on the coffee table, "I can always get another ornament. The department stores are open until midnight and my darling wife wouldn't mind picking one up on her way here."

Orbs the colour of milk chocolate widened and Henry did a little happy dance, "Would Auntie Dorothy do that for us?"

"She sure would Little Man," replied the raven haired beauty with a strip of dark red on the left hand side while taking a seat beside him on the couch. "That woman can't say no to you."

"I love her so much," announced Henry with a humungous grin. "You too mum and Auntie Ruby."

"We love you too Kid," returned Emma proudly before ruffling her son's hair. "It's bedtime Mister, so which story will it be tonight?"

"Ooh, Once Upon A Time please. It's my favourite."

"You got it. Go brush your teeth and we'll meet you in your room."

"Okay," acknowledged Henry prior to bouncing off the couch and running into the hallway bathroom.

Withdrawing her mobile from the front pocket of her jeans, Ruby looked to Emma, "I'll just text Kansas and have her add the star to the shopping list."

"Thank you and I'm so glad you pair are spending Christmas with us again this year."

Nodding, Ruby rose from the couch and stretched her long legs. Approaching her childhood friend, she wrapped her arms around the blonde's midriff, "There's no place I'd rather be and Granny is so excited about visiting your new house."

Returning the embrace, Emma was all smiles, "I'm pleased she is doing the cooking."

Stepping out of the clinch, Ruby giggled, "I am too. I still have nightmares of your disastrous attempt last year."

Despite the fact Emma had burnt the turkey and vegetables, she nevertheless laughed, "Oh god, don't remind me. I was still adjusting to my new oven and totally miscalculated the timer."

"Indeed you did my friend and I won't mention you had to buy that oven because you blew up the previous one."

"I'm so thankful you didn't," joked Emma before slapping her friend of twenty two years on the bum.

"I'm always subtle sweetie."

Rolling her eyes, Emma headed towards her son's bedroom, "That is something you are definitely not Rubes."

"Yeah, yeah, but I am one hell of a friend."

"I can't argue with that and it's your turn to read all the male character's parts tonight."

Black eyebrows curved in question, "Hey now, why do I always get the butch roles?"

A smirk formed on Emma's lips, "Because your beautiful wife insists you are all bad arse and know how to rock a pair of Doc Martins."

Smitten by her spouse's assessment, Ruby glowed, "Isn't she sweet?"

"You should know; you married her," retorted Emma with a huge amount of sass.

"Hush now! Remember the boy is awake and you need to keep it PG rated. There will be no talk of how tasty my darling partner is."

Stopping in the hallway, Emma shook her head, "Oh please Miss Potty Mouth 2010 and she who has no issue with telling me how amazing her sex life is."

With nowhere to go, Ruby conceded, "I resemble that remark."

"Indeed you do," tossed Emma over her right shoulder while moving into the bedroom to find her son sitting up against the bedhead and eagerly holding his highly adored bedtime story book against his pyjama clad chest.

Grinning, he held it out to Ruby, "You can be the girl and mum the boy."

Trying not to roll her eyes again, Emma took up position to Henry's right and a chortling Ruby settled on the left.

-o-

Fifteen minutes passed before Emma and Ruby both kissed the temple of a sleeping Henry and adjourned to the lounge room and their bottles of beer. Taking a seat on the couch, Ruby asked, "Have you heard from what's her name lately?"

Scrunching up her nose, Emma relaxed into one of the two leather armchairs on offer and answered, "No that ship has sailed."

Sensing there was more to the story, Ruby pressed on, "I thought Nurse Alice Gardener was your one true love."

"She was far from it. The fact I have a son was the deciding factor. Alice wasn't ready for an already made family and bid her farewell over two weeks ago. If I am being honest, I don't miss her and neither does Henry."

Eyebrows shot up Ruby's forehead, "How come I am only hearing about this now?"

A chuckle escaped from Emma's lips, "I didn't want you making a big deal about it at work. You know how savage the guys can be when I fail at another relationship."

"They are a bunch of dicks and I'm sorry things didn't work out."

"I'm not Rubes. Alice never made time for Henry and that is not how I want a partner of mine to act. Henry and I are a package deal and in the end, Alice couldn't and wouldn't accept that."

"Fair enough Ems and I know your happy ending is out there somewhere."

"Maybe, but I am really not looking."

"And that is when love will find you," noted Ruby before taking a sip of amber fluid.

"I think you are becoming just obsessed as Henry with those fairy tales."

"Well, I am a romantic," bragged Ruby.

"Oh shit, you are a nut bag Detective Lucas."

Laughing out loud, Ruby shared, "I heard a rumour Captain Booth was heading down the Department's decision on who is being promoted to Detective on the day we return to duty."

Green eyes sparkled at the news, "Monday the fourth of January?"

"Yes and I have a very good feeling that you will be joining me and the Homicide Squad in the not too distant future."

"Crap, if I earn my Gold Shield I will be so content, and spending eighteen months undercover with Vice would have been worth it."

"It's all you've wanted since joining the force five years ago," noted Ruby while getting to her feet. Walking into the open kitchen, she enquired, "You want another beer?"

"Sure, although that will be my last. Henry will be up at the crack of dawn rummaging around the tree for presents so I need sleep. Don't let me forget to toss out the cookies and milk he left for Santa before we turn in."

"I won't and Dorothy should be here within the next hour."

"Great and no loud sex tonight Miss Lucas," warned Emma with a chuckle.

Ruby handed over a beer and protested, "I'll have you know Kansas and I can be extremely quiet when called for."

"You better be because I don't want Henry having nightmares and asking all kinds of questions. I am not ready to have the birds and bees discussion with him just yet."

"Too funny and you better get to it soon; the boy is ten next birthday."

"I know, but please allow me at least another couple of years before you start badgering me again," pleaded Emma with a wink.

"You got it Em and moving right along, what did you get Henry?"

"I got him that new bicycle he wanted. He's outgrown the old one and even left the ad from the bike store on my chest of drawers two weeks ago."

"That kid of yours is subtle."

"I think he gets it from you."

"I'm happy to accept that and I bought him a professional drawing pad and pencil set."

Emma's face lit up, "Wow, he'll love it, thank you."

"Considering your refrigerator is covered in his art work, I thought he needed to upgrade his material."

"That was thoughtful of you and I'm so glad Henry stills believes in Santa Claus."

"He is big on fairy tales and I hope he never loses that wonder."

Nodding at her friend, Emma's eyes filled with tears, "He is growing up so fast."

"Does he ever ask about his dad?"

"No, not since I explained Neal was in heaven and unable to return."

Ruby was all smiles, "I'm so proud of how you have managed to raise Henry on your own. He's a terrific kid and sees the good in everyone."

Emma let out a loud sigh, "I'm grateful for the support my friends have given me over the years; especially after Neal's passing."

"I know he wasn't much of a father to Henry the first few years, but I'm glad he stepped up to the plate those last two years of his life."

Rubbing tears from her eyes, Emma spoke, "Yeah, me too and it's hard to believe he has been gone four years."

"I know what you mean."

"He was a mistake, but I don't regret ending up with Henry as a result," lamented a sad Emma.

"How could you Em? You got the good end of the bargain girl."

"I sure did and I'm off to have a shower."

Ruby watched her friend collect her empty bottle and stand, "I'll make a pot of hot chocolate while you prepare for bed."

"Thanks and don't forget the cinnamon."

"I hardly need the reminder after all these years."

With a huge smile, Emma replied, "I was just checking Miss Lucas and I sometimes forget you know me so well."

An eye roll came from Ruby, "Duh, how many beers have you had?"

"Two, be back soon." In a flash Emma had retreated to the upstairs bathroom.

-o-

All five foot five inches and fifty six kilos of Regina Mills heaved a sigh of relief as she placed the last carton of cinnamon bottles onto the middle shelf of the spacious store room. "Thank goodness that is done," she exclaimed out loud while stretching her back muscles.

"What did you say Sis?" enquired auburn haired Zelena West when she sauntered into the room carrying a five kilo bag of plain flour.

"I was just voicing my gratitude for this being the last of the kitchen supplies."

"Too bloody right," agreed Regina's English born half-sister. "I can't believe you didn't hire some mug to stock the place."

Dusting off her black Eagles tee shirt and jeans, Regina ran fingers through her jet black wavy collar length locks and locked onto glistening blue eyes. Smiling, she explained, "I didn't want to keep anyone from being with their family on Christmas Eve."

With a giggle, the five foot seven redhead reached over and deposited her load next to the six other bags of flour she'd previously lumbered out of the van parked in the alleyway and retorted, "Your kind heart never ceases to amaze me. On the other hand, I would have gladly paid some burly fellow handsomely to do all the hard labour and still remain guilt free."

A smile formed on Regina's lips, "And that is where we differ dear sister."

With an eye roll, Zelena confessed, "I know I am more like our mother than you Reg. You know, I am still coming to terms with her leaving me your father's art studio and gallery in her will."

Dropping a hand on her older sibling's left shoulder, Regina squeezed, "I'm not Lena. It was only natural you would inherit daddy's business considering you're the renowned painter of our family."

"Cheers for the ego boost love and by the way, you are really well suited to run a bar."

Exiting the chamber, Regina waited for Zelena to follow before securing the door, "I really do appreciate all your help."

"Think nothing of it. Consider it payment for allowing me to stay in your fabulous apartment over the holidays."

"Speaking of which, let's go home for dinner. I'm famished after all this work."

"Ooh, what is on the menu this evening?" asked Zelena as the two women made for the exit.

"We are having grilled salmon with seasonal vegetables and apple strudel for dessert."

Linking her right arm around Regina's left elbow, Zelena cooed, "Sounds absolutely delicious. You've always been an outstanding cook and I've missed sampling your delightful cuisine."

"Well, now that you plan on moving here; you'll have plenty of opportunities to savour my cooking."

"I'm practically salivating at the thought dear sister."

Once Regina extinguished the lighting and secured the building, she opened the solid steel rear door then reset the alarm system.

Making her way to the new Mercedes-Benz delivery van, Zelena queried, "Is everything in order for the grand reopening on Friday the eighth?"

"Yes. I employed the last of the staff last week and all the restorations were completed two days ago.

As Regina drew near, Zelena embraced her, "Mother would be so happy to see you carrying on her dream."

"Thank you and she'd be overjoyed with your full time return."

A sniffle escaped from Zelena, "You've gone and made me cry."

Cuddling tighter, Regina let her own tears fall, "I miss her."

"As do I and it is bloody marvellous we get to spend two whole weeks together before I fly back to London to tidy up my affairs."

Dropping her arms, Regina remotely unlocked the front doors of the vehicle and wiped away the teardrops before responding, "I couldn't be happier."

-o-

After handing the van keys to the Valet, Regina slipped him four fifty dollar notes secreted in an envelope, "Merry Christmas Oscar."

"Same to you Madam and to your sister," returned the middle aged, blond haired male.

"Cheers and the same to you dear chap," responded Zelena while walking towards the main entrance of the Yorkshire Towers situated at 305 East 87th Street.

"Goodnight Oscar and give my best to your family," added Regina as she made her ingress to the apartment building.

Sidling up to her sister, Zelena noted, "He's quite a dashing fellow." She turned and waved.

"You're incorrigible dear and Oscar is happily married with two children."

"Then I will leave well enough alone; I never set my sights on a taken man."

"But not a woman?" slipped in Regina while pressing the up button of the elevator.

Zelena let out an exaggerated sigh behind a smile, "Seriously Sis, I only slept with two married women."

"Uhm, you sure about that?" quizzed Regina prior to stepping into the empty car and selecting the sixth floor.

An almost inaudible giggle filled the space, "I swear it was only two wedded women who succumbed to my charm, but there may have been one or two unattached ladies I left out."

Regina couldn't help but scoff, "You have had more women in bed than me and I'm a lesbian."

A loud roar echoed off the walls, "That may well be true and I seriously doubt I've bedded more of the fairer sex than you."

Not willing to take up the challenge, Regina moved into the corridor when the lift doors slide back, "I'm not so sure."

Moving forward, Zelena proposed, "We can discuss the matter over dinner with a delectable bottle of Shiraz I bought duty free. It's from the Australian Hunter Valley and is most scrumptious. I discovered it during my last visit to my gallery in Sydney."

"I'll trust your judgement," accepted Regina, glad to finally be home after a full day consisting of picking up Zelena from the airport at six am then attending to the last minute organising of the bar as well as receiving a visit from her lawyer Sidney Glass. Sidney had several documents for Regina to sign and as usual, the man didn't stay and offer his services in regards to the energy sapping activities she and her sister were involved in. When Regina first put Sidney on retainer ten years ago, he was most willing to assist her in all manner of issues, but that changed the day he met her girlfriend of two years Danielle.

With that memory, sadness gripped at Regina's heart, but she ignored it and unlocked the door to her three bedroom abode. Turing on the lobby light, she announced, "Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes."

Closing the door behind them, Zelena cheered, "Jolly good and I will pour us both a glass of wine. I'll indulge in mine with a hot bath while you do your magic in that beautifully designed kitchen of yours."

"That's most generous of you," mocked Regina while the pair walked into the above mentioned room. "Actually, it will probably only take twenty minutes to prepare dinner."

"Barely enough time to get one's tastebuds functioning," teased the taller sibling.

"I'm sure you'll adapt."

"Indubitably, I'll just go grab that bottle of wondrous nectar from my room."

Watching her sister amble along the hallway, Regina smiled and discarded the unpleasant thought of Danielle and replaced it with contentment at having her sister sharing the festive season with her after an absence from the family for the past two years.

-o-

Emma was startled awake when Henry dive bombed her and declared, "Time to get up mum, Santa's been and left presents."

Grabbing her son by the shoulders and shifting him off her bladder, she remarked with a grin, "Merry Christmas Kid and we better go see what Santa brought you."

Leaning over, Henry wrapped his arms around Emma's neck and pecked her cheek, "Merry Christmas and I love you."

"I love you more," returned Emma as Henry let go and hopped off her. "Are Ruby and Dorothy up?"

"Yup, they're making pancakes."

"Great. Give me a couple of minutes to get ready and I'll be down."

"You got it." Turning around in the doorway, Henry enquired, "Can I stay in my pyjama for a while longer?"

"Sure you can Kid; it's a special day when normal rules don't apply."

Grinning at the permission, Henry departed and Emma glanced at the bedside clock – 6:15.

"Crap, it's way too earlier to be up on a day off," she mumbled while tossing back the covers and sliding off the mattress. Collecting fresh underwear, socks, beige linen lounge pants and her faded New York Rangers Jersey, Emma made her way to the bathroom down the hall.

Passing by Henry's room, she couldn't help but notice his unmade bed or the two sheets of drawings lying on the hardwood floor. Deciding to allow her son to forego the usual routine of tiding up, Emma entered and retrieved the paper. She smiled as she viewed the pencil sketches of Granny, Ruby, Dorothy and herself standing in front of a Christmas tree. Henry had displayed a talent for drawing several years ago and she hoped he continued to show an interest in the skill. Looking at the other page, she burst out laughing when a picture of Henry riding a bike appeared.

Placing the drawings on the study desk, Emma set about making the bed before going into the bathroom and preparing for the day.

-o-