Once Upon This Time

Once you begin this story that is about to be told, you will realize that when one book closes another must begin. This story is not like any other fairytale you have read. For the Queen in this story, life has been filled with sorrow and regret. There is no reason to fret on how the story will conclude. Especially, since she has faith in such a wonderful friend. With a promise from a Savior for a happy ending, and with the enchantment of hope for a new beginning, Regina will finally get her happily ever after.

Bad things can happen when you least expect them, just as changes can happen overnight. But what if the terrible leads to the delightful? What will happen when Regina faces the unimaginable and is pushed further than ever? Will she give up? Or will she overcome all the terrors haunting her and find that this unexpected event is just what she needed?

Chapter 1

The New Beginning

Once upon this time there was a woman who had finally surrendered to the light of good after many years of cruelty in her heart. She had fought many battles against evil and won more times than she could count. Good always wins, as her son, Henry, had continuously reminded her throughout the years. It was like a blink of an eye that her cute little boy had turned into a handsome young man. Sixteen years goes by fast when it is spent battling things from other worlds, and always having to fight to keep things the way they are supposed to be. This woman, formerly known as the Evil Queen, was named Regina.

Regina looks at everyone sitting around and all she could think about is how lucky she is to be sitting at this table filled with friends. She was flooded with happiness as she surveyed everyone chattering and eating happily. The final battle had finally been won, everyone was together at last. Snow and Charming finally had the family that they always wanted, and she smiles as she watches her teenage son fight with his grandpa using utensils as swords. Belle and Mr. Gold had their precious baby, and the admiration for him was clear in their eyes as they took turns holding him in their arms.

Emma had married Hook and they couldn't be happier. Emma seemed to have a light carefree persona about her as she not so secretly stole a cookie from her husband's plate. With her recent discovery that her family had been by her side all along, Emma seemed to have shaken her curse of the Swan Princess. She had been found, and was no longer destined to be alone and now her true love was at her side at last.

Everyone would live their lives contentedly because they had each other. At the end of the night when everyone went home from Granny's dinner, Regina would be alone. Henry was staying with Emma and Hook, so her house felt cold and lonely lacking the energy that had once been occupied by an adventurous child. The silence in the halls was almost deafening. All she had to look forward too was when Henry would decide to grace her with his presence on the weekends, or the nights that he needed a little break from Emma.

Everybody had they're happy ending, everyone except Regina. That was why when she left Granny's that night she had decided that she was going to do a little experiment. With all the power she had inside her. She knew she had to at least try to see him again. Just because Robin was no longer among the living doesn't mean she couldn't use her magic to see him.

Regina was powerful; a fact that she knew very well. The magic she held inside her was strong enough to let her glance into the world were Robin resides. What would it truly hurt for her to just look and make sure he was alright, Regina ponders as she takes off her jacket and gloves and places them on a hanger in the closet. Robin's death had been one of the hardest things she had to deal with in her life.

"I just need a sense of closure," she declares out loud to herself, as if saying it out loud would give her the right to fool around with unknown magic.

With a nod of determination, she glances over to the glass mirror that hung deviously in her hallway. She decides once and for all that she deserves just one more glance into her true love's eyes.

Regina stands in front of the mirror and gently places her hand over the cold smooth surface. Taking a deep breath, she lets her magic flow freely through her fingers. Dark purple swirls of magic engulf the mirror guiding her mind through a tunnel of brilliant colors. Regina feels as if she is in one of those dreams in which she felt as though she was falling, but always woke up just before she hit the ground. Opening her eyes to watch the maze of swirling warm orange and yellow colors come into solid form. She was determined to just take one last look at her beloved, so she could continue to live her life in peace and happiness.

Without any warning, there was a loud popping noise and she was standing along a rivers edge. The air smelled fresher than anything she had ever smelled before. The leaves on the trees look almost golden as they sway lightly in the cool breeze.

Suddenly, she sees him. Struggling to hold herself upright, she stares at his tall figure standing before her. He was standing on a pier skipping rocks and laughing gently as each one he threw went further than the first. The ripples were trailing along the top of the water until they would collide with one another. He was smiling; it was a light and gentle smile, the kind of smile only given when a person is truly happy. He was happy; that was all that mattered.

Taking a deep inhale of acceptance, Regina slowly starts to turn and walk back to where she entered this dreamland. Regretfully, she lets her mind begin the journey of taking her back to Storybrooke. But as she walks away she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, something was wrong, it felt as if she was being watched.

"Regina."

The shocked voice was so filled with emotion, Regina could actually feel the hurt within her soul. It was the voice that she had wanted, and craved to hear for so long. The impact of her name from his lips was so powerful she couldn't move.

Terror flooded her delicate features as the realization of her being discovered struck her. How was that even possible she thought to herself? She was just supposed to be an onlooking guest, not physically there, and there was no way she could have been visible.

Regina turns to leave but before she could release her magical hold there were hands gently placed on her shoulders. Turning around swiftly to try and explain herself, she was slightly startled by lips being pressed against hers. Lips that were even softer than she remembered. Fireworks danced along her eyes as she stood there kissing Robin for the first time in what seemed like forever.

It is just a dream, it is not possible that she was truly there. Zelena had been experimenting with portals for years, and it took a lot of magic to power a portal. I must have somehow used my magic to enter a dream realm, she theorized to herself, as she stood there in shock. Well, dream or not, she was not going to waste this moment. A moment like this only happens once in a lifetime. Realizing she was already wasting her time she decided to give in and relax in Robin's arms. Their kiss deepened, and all the lust and tenderness she had craved for so long began to overwhelm her senses. Soon she and Robin were engulfed by their emotions and clothes started to fly faster than fingers good remove them. Regina and Robin, for the first time in ages, were finally together again.

With a sudden jolt, she awoke, back in the comfort of her own home. Her legs gave out causing her to collapse in a heap on the floor in front of the mirror, trembling from the exhaustion of using so much magic.

Exhausted, she looks at the clock and notices that several hours had gone by, but she had no recollection of how time had passed so quickly. Somehow, hours had felt like moments when she returned from the dream realm. Ungracefully, she stumbles to her bed hoping that she could continue her dream where she left off, but the morning light came cruelly. She had not returned to Robin after she'd fallen asleep.

Feeling as if she had not slept at all the Regina forces herself off of the bed and grumpily makes her way to the kitchen. Her head was pounding as if she was hung over, so she decides to pour herself a cup of black coffee. As soon as she finishes her breakfast she stumbles up the stairs to her room and starts to get dressed for the day. Dressing quickly, so not to be late for work she stops at the mirror. She stares one last time at her tired reflection before turning to leave for work.

Reaching the office Regina starts promptly on her mayor duties. But the day was dragging along slowly. She was distracted and unable to get Robin out of her head. After working for an hour Regina realizes she has not accomplished a thing. With a sigh, she finally gave up trying to complete her work and decided it was a perfect time to give in to what she really wanted to do. Giving up trying to complete anything she decides that it was a perfect time to take a break. Walking across the room where a mirror sat teasingly on the wall she decides to retrace her steps back into her true love's arms. All she could think about is the feeling of safety and comfort she felt as Robin held her in a tight embrace close to his heart.

Once again, she places her fingers across the reflective surface and watches as the familiar tendrils engulf the bumpy edges of the black framed mirror. Nothing happens. She tries again desperately exerting herself harder than she ever had in her life. Still, she does not enter the mirror.

Deciding that she must be too exhausted to keep trying, she walks back to her desk. Once seated, she places her head gently on the desks cool surface. Fatigue overwhelms her, and she quickly falls asleep.

Once more, she enters the dream realm, but this time Robin isn't there. Everything looked different, as if the colors were not as vibrant. The sunny sky was now gray with a light drizzle and fog covered the top of the once sparkling river.

Curiously, she begins to call out his name. This time when she sees him his smile is not as bright, instead in its place there is worry.

"You left so quickly we didn't have a chance to say goodbye," Robin whispers gently as he leans in to caress her soft face.

Nodding slightly with a tear betraying her, she starts to speak. Only to be stopped by lips crashing into hers.

Stopping the kiss abruptly Robin tenderly wipes Regina's stray tear away, "I love you Regina more than anything, but you must promise to never return here."

Confused, she starts to ask him why until she notices the seriousness on his face. Something was wrong, she opens her mouth to form the words and-

Without warning, she is startled out of the dream realm at the familiar sound of ringing from her cell phone.

For two weeks straight Regina fights the urge to return. Her nights are restless as she tosses and turns in fear of breaking her promise. Nightmares plague her nights as she faces them alone in her empty home. Until finally she can't stand it any longer.

With one last effort to see Robin, she musters up all the magic within her being and tries to enter the dream realm one more time. She walks towards her reflection and places her hand on the glass. She watches as dark purple ringlets of magic curve its intricate lines effortlessly to surround the framed mirror. She succeeds almost instantly as the familiar beautiful swirls of light start to soar around her. Noticing that the colors had a tint of gray as she floats through the unknown. She enters the realm with a loud bang that sounds almost as if a bullet had shot out of a gun.

When she emerged into the other world. Robin was standing there waiting expectantly for her to arrive.

"Regina, as much as I want to see you, please don't come back. When you entered my dream world you broke down invisible walls that are keeping our two worlds separated. Regina, have you ever woken up from a dream and everything that happened replays over in your head, but as soon as you try to describe the dream the details start to blur until you cannot remember hardly anything? The dreams-they must go somewhere. That is what this place is, and you don't belong here," Robin exclaims quickly, as he watches the once sunny weather start to look as if a tornado is about to approach.

"Why can't I stay here with you? You are my life. Our love was strong enough to bring me here," Regina screams as the wind starts to blow with storm force winds.

"My Queen, Robin croaks, the desperation in his eyes growing by the second, "imagine a straight line that goes on forever, without a beginning and never ending. A line that is infinite, this is the line that divides our two realms. When you crossed the line, you caused a break. This break will heal itself in time, but if you return you risk the chance of making the tear bigger and irreparable."

"You must come with me then. I don't care what happens," she cries defiantly, over the howling wind. "Especially if that means I can release you!"

"No, I am happy here. Promise me you will move on with your life. I love you more than words can describe, but you have to live. You have to live for me," Robin says compassionately as the wind around them becomes even stronger.

"We will see each other again, but you need to leave now. You must live your life to the fullest and learn to love again. Go my love, and know I will always be with you in your heart," Robin whispers emotionally. He kisses her one last time before he gently pushes her back through the slit that she made when she entered the realm.

Crumbling to the floor once again Regina looks around the room in shock. How was that even possible? True love's Kiss is the strongest magic of all, that is the only explanation she thinks to herself. She struggles to gain her composure and tears stream down her face.

Looking at the watch on her wrist she notices that it is almost noon. Time once again was meaningless in the dream world. When she was there it felt like seconds, not anywhere near the hours that had past.

Standing weakly, the mayor starts to stumble to her desk not hearing the heavy sound of boots following behind her. Just as she is about to sit down she feels strong fingers engulf her throat and throw her to the floor.

"Thank you for the ride back your highness," a hoarse voice croaks.

TBC…

Sorry for the Chapter 1 rewrite, but I wanted to give a little more background before starting in on the story. I also have found an amazing Beta who is helping me clean up the story. We are currently editing the chapters, but don't worry new chapters are coming shortly. Please leave some love in the comments.