disclaimer : i dont own any one or anything in this story.

i really like the idea of regina trying to redeem herself like she promised henry. i thought that she could start with belle. this is probably going to be a one-shot unless you guys ask me to continue. thanks for reading! feel free to review :))

Regina Mills took a deep breath before pulling open the door to the library. She walked inside and looked around. The books seemed to be a bit dusty and disorganized. The windows were still boarded up so the lighting was dim.

Belle walked out from another room. "Can I help you?"

"I heard the library was having a grand opening in two days. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to help."

Belle looked at her suspiciously. After Regina had held her captive for almost 30 years, she wasn't sure if she could trust her.

Regina realized Belle thought she had something up her sleeve. "I promised Henry, my son, that I would be better. I thought that I would start by helping you out. I want to make up for what I did to you."

The young librarian just nodded, unsure of what to say. She gave Regina a list of things to do. Together, they quickly accomplished most of the list. Within a few hours, the library was sparkling clean, the windows were opened, and they were organizing the books.

Belle was impressed at how hard working Regina was. She was glad the older woman had offered her help. While Belle had refused Gold's help, she was quickly realizing that she couldn't do it on her own in time for the opening.

"Thank you for your help." Belle said as she finished organizing another row of books.

"Of course." Regina gave her a genuine smile.

"Can I ask you a question?" Belle asked hesitantly.

Regina just nodded.

"Why did you do kidnap me?"

The former mayor sighed. She should have figured that would be her first question. She kept her eyes on the books in front of her. "I realized that Rumple had stopped you from breaking his curse with True Love's Kiss. I send my men to grab you on your way back to your father's palace. I figured you would be a good pawn. A way for me to control the Dark One."

Belle was silent for a minute as what Regina said sunk in. "So I was just a way to control him? But you never told him that you had me."

"I couldn't bring myself to use you. So I just let him continue to believe you were dead. I was so caught up in my revenge, in my pain, that I didn't care who got caught in the crossfire. And for that, I apologize to you."

Belle nodded, accepting her apology. "Why did you want revenge on Snow? What did she ever do to you?"

Regina stood to put the books she had organized on another shelf. She was silent for so long that Belle thought she had overstepped and Regina was going to leave. But much to her surprise, she sat down again and faced Belle. She pushed her hair behind her ears as she thought about how to begin.

"When I was younger, I fell in love with the stable boy, Daniel. My mother was obsessed with me increasing our family's social status, so we had to keep our relationship a secret. One day, I saved a girl from her runaway horse. It turned out that she was the King's daughter, Snow White. He was so thankful that he proposed to me. My mother accepted."

Regina paused as an expression of horror crossed Belle's face. "Daniel and I decided to run away together to get married. Snow caught us. She promised not to tell anyone about us, but she told my mother. She ripped his heart out in front of me."

Belle looked even more horrified. Regina closed her eyes, willing the tears not to fall. Belle quietly moved to sit next to Regina. She held her hand. "I'm so sorry."

Regina stiffened as she felt Belle grab her hand, but relaxed briefly. "Thank you, dear." She pulled away and stood up. "It's getting late, what time should I be here in the morning?"

Belle blinked, shocked at the former Evil Queen's behavior. She had been really honest with her and now she was planning on returning to help? She definitely seemed to be keeping her promise to her son.

She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard Regina softly call her name. "Yes, right. Is nine o'clock okay?"

"That's fine. I'll see you then." She picked up her bag and left Belle sitting on the ground.

It was noon the next day when the two women were interrupted by Rumple. They were almost done organizing all the the books, just in time for tomorrow's opening.

Mr. Gold became quite angry when he saw his girlfriend laughing and working with his enemy. "What is going on here?"

"Rumple, what are you doing here? I thought we were going to lunch at one." Belle stood to kiss him.

"I wanted to stop by early to see how you were doing. Regina, what are you doing here?" He said as he glared at her.

"I'm helping Belle get ready for tomorrow's grand opening."

"Why? What is it that you want, Regina?"

"Rumple-" Belle started but Rumple continued talking.

"Why can't you just leave her alone? You don't think you've done enough damage?"

"I'm not here to hurt anyone. I'm just trying to help." Regina said defensively.

"Rumple, please. Regina has helped me a lot. Without her, I wouldn't be ready tomorrow. Why don't I meet you at Granny's in an hour?" Belle pushed him to leave. He reluctantly nodded and left.

She turned to find Regina finishing her pile of books. "I'm sorry about that. He's very overprotective."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, dear. I wouldn't trust my motives either." She placed the last book on the shelf and stepped back to make sure everything was in order.

"It looks good. Thank you, Regina. It means a lot to me."

Regina nodded. "Good luck tomorrow."

"You aren't coming?"

"The townspeople aren't exactly happy with me right now. It's best if I don't show my face for awhile." She smiled. "I'll see you later."

"Goodbye." Belle waved as she watched Regina leave. She couldn't help but feel bad for the older woman. Whoever she was now, she certainly was not the Evil Queen that had kept her locked up. She had clearly changed, even if everyone else refused to see it.

Belle cleaned up and left to meet her boyfriend at Granny's dinner.