Disclaimer: We do NOT own any characters from Once Upon A Time or OUAT itself. If we did, then the show would not have turned into a soap opera and Zelena would be dead. :) Some of the Ocs are based on actual characters from TV-shows and movies.

"I think you travel to search and you come back home to find yourself there" ~ by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Prologue

3rd P.O.V.

It's been 84 years... well, not really, but it surely feels that way. In reality, it's been 6 months, 2 weeks and 18 hours since the curse broke, so it's been uuuuuuuuuuuh, 8 months, 3 weeks, 12 hours, 54 minutes, in counting, since Miss Swan came and ruined everything. Her own son had brought the infuriating woman to her town, convinced that she was the Evil Queen, and that this woman was the savior.

She had tried, oh, she had tried, to get rid of the damn woman, but of course, she stuck around like an STD that nothing short of death would get rid of. She had tried to kill it- I mean her, but God forbid she's happy. Instead, she ended up nearly killing her own son, only for Miss Swan to come save him and break her curse.

So, what had happened (yes that was on purpose) was, she was forced into hiding. The peasants wanted revenge, so they formed a mob (as if they were in the 18th century witch hunts, pitchforks and all.) showed up on her doorstep and dragged her out of her home (the savages). Dr. Whale, then proceeded to try and strangle her, (Again,the savages!) and just when she was about to go all Evil Queen on their ungrateful asses, Miss Swan comes to her "rescue"! The two idiots gave their hope speech and decided to have mercy on her and lock her away for her own good, they said, it'll do her some good, they said, to think about all that she's done, they said, those idiots.

So, here she is, locked in her own cell, looking down at the magic restraining bracelet that the damn blue Doxy enchanted. She can feel her magic flowing under the binds of the bracelet. "This is for Henry...", she thinks, "He doesn't want you to be the Evil Queen anymore. So...who are you, if not her?" She isn't the young, naive girl she once was with Daniel. She isn't the formal mayor anymore, nor is she the strict, but loving mother to Henry anymore. So, who is she?

The sound of heels clicking on the cold hard floor drew her from her thoughts. Looking up to see who had entered, she's surprised to meet a pair of amber eyes staring right back at her.

"Ruby?", says Regina, surprised.

"It's Red, actually.", corrects Red.

Regina raises an eyebrow."What are you doing here? Come to gloat?"

"I actually came to say 'thank you'."

Regina's eyes widen in shock. "'Thank you?'", asks Regina, completely bewildered. "That's the last thing I'd expect from anyone, right now, much less Snow White's pound puppy."

"I know; I'm full of surprises.", responds the former trashy waitress. She winks and holds up the Sheriff's keys to cells, "Look, I don't have anything against you", she shrugs. "Your curse was more of a blessing to me than anything. It gave me a new start to be more than just a wolf."

Regina rolls her eyes."Well, glad to be of service. It's nice to know that my revenge was such a wonderful thing to you, people, you little folk!", she snarks, turning her back to face the wall, "If that's all, you may leave."

Red rolls her eyes at the childish display before her.

"Look, Regina, I know that this is hard, but I've been thinking how about you and I take a little trip. We could really learn a lot from each other.", Red approaches the cell, forcing Regina to acknowledge her,

"We could just get in my car and just drive. Away from all the magic, from all the self-righteousness, the two idiots and just see what the world has to offer. We could just drive away and only make essential stops."

Regina looks up at her, with challenging eyes and asks, "Are you serious, Miss Lucas? This coming from the girl who makes a midnight run to the video store and comes back with Booty Call and The Lion King?"

"As serious as a heart attack."

Regina chuckles and snorts, "You're funny."

Red smiles, "Comedy is my fort. Another reason why you should come with me."

Regina sighs, before saying "I have to stay...for Henry."

Red scoffs, "Henry doesn't need you. He has Emma, Snow and Charming, his real family-"

"I am his Mother."

"He doesn't even know who his Mother is! All he sees is the Queen.", Red reaches out through the cell's bars and carefully puts her hand on the former mayor's shoulder. "You don't even know who you are. So, come with me and find out.", Red jumps back, dramatically points her index finger at Regina and shouts "WHO IS REGINA MILLS?", then whispers, "You are!"

Regina whisper-shouts, "Go home! Visiting hours are over!"

Red throws they keys at Regina, "You know where to find me.", and with that, she turns on her stilettos and strutted out like a boss ass bitch (Excuse my French! No pun intended on the word "bitch".*)

AN: *The pun is...Bitch=female dog and Red=female wolf so, yeah. This is for those like ExtraCheeseCake who take a bit to get a pun. After the curse breaks, people can cross the town line only if accompanied by a magic user. Snow and Emma didn't go to FTL. Belle found out about Gold almost killing Regina and forbid him from trying again. There's no Owen or Greg.

Booty Call : 1997 film

The Lion King : no explanation needed

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