For the purpose of this story and the reasons behind why the sleeping curse went wrong, Pan's curse simply trapped everyone in Storybrooke instead of the forest with Emma and Henry still having left without memory. Any questions, just ask away! :)

This chapter is not that long but the length will improve as more interaction takes place. Especially with our leading ladies!

Chapter 1

Regina had recently lost her family due to the untimely effects of Pan's curse. She lost her son to the big wide world or more precisely, Boston or New York as she knew he always wanted to visit them places and Emma would have made sure to give him what he needs. She had also lost Emma. The woman in question however, did not know of it as Regina only admitted to herself once she witnessed the pair cross the town line that she was in fact in love with the blonde but there was nothing she could do to change it. Not when they were gone and everyone else was left stranded in Storybrooke.

It was within the coming days that the distraught Mayor looked for some solution as she had searched every known avenue to bring them back and each time, came to a dead end. That was it.

Over.

Hurrying along to her vault that night once she had admitted defeat, Regina made her way down the steps with determination. She had come to the conclusion that a life without her family, her son, her friend, her happy ending, just wasn't worth living. Yes she could have ended her life permanently but there was still a small trace of hope left in her heart and the feeling of guilt that she would consume if the pair ever managed to find their way back to then discover her dead. She would not put something so awful like that upon them. Instead she had settled for a middle. Limbo.

A sleeping curse which only a True Love could break. Which in her eyes, her son could break or even Emma if her feelings were reciprocated. Until then she would sleep. She had heard of what a curse such as this does to a persons soul but luckily, she knew of a way to prevent herself from going to the fiery red room that burns and reveals all of your darkess fears. Instead she would simply be asleep. No dreams, no thoughts. Nothing.

Taking out the ingredients needed, the brunette prepares the potion then draws out a fine needle from one of her many draws containing magical objects. Dipping the fine, metal point into the dark, murky substance, the mayor sits down on the makeshift cot she had conjured during her time spent within the vault to bring her loved ones back and stares at the needle being held within a shaky hand. Closing her eyes briefly, she mutters the words, 'forgive me' then lays herself back against the hard wood that was padded by a simple blanket. Lifting the needle up, Regina takes one final, sharp, breath before pricking her finger, watching until her stare goes hazy with a small drop of blood trickling down her finger being the last thing she sees.

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Shooting up in bed with a fright, Regina places a hand to her chest as she breathes heavily. Taking in her surroundings with wide eyes, the brunette frowns not recognizing the room or bed she is currently sat in. 'It didn't work...it didn't work!' Feeling the anger begin to erupt within her, the Mayor rises to her feet then makes her way over to the window curiously, to figure out where she was while running a hand through her hair. Glancing down with worry, Regina watches as her fingertips brush her ends, meeting curls that laid just below her breast. Letting out a nervous, shaky breath, the brunette swallows hard as she slowly treads towards the free standing mirror in the corner. Turning towards the glass, Regina gasps at seeing her 18 year old self.'No...no...no! I wanted to escape not revert back!' Taking a deep breath, the brunette walks back to the bed and lowers herself down with a sad and lost expression across her face.

Managing to shift herself once more, the currently former Mayor gets dressed, finding everything but her usual attire. Settling for a pale blue t shirt with jeans, accompanied by a long black cardigan and boots, Regina then fixes her long hair into a side pony tail then makes her way out of the room to find herself in a small apartment. Screwing her nose slightly at the space, the brunette huffs then heads straight for the door. Stepping out into the street, Regina glances up and down to get her barings as she had no clue as to where she was. Strolling along the pavement, the brunette stops beside a newpaper cart and peers across in hope of a location or date. Hitching her breath, the woman reaches for the paper and stares at it with wide eyes as the date shown was 13 years out of date, for her anyway. Reading beside it, Regina frowns. 'Portland? Where have I heard...' Eyes widening once again, the brunette drops the paper and backs up trying to think of a plan. She knew exactly where she had heard of this place and who had told her.

Emma.

Most signicantly, the woman knew why the blonde had informed her of Portland because this is where it had all begun for her. Where she met Neal, where she got arrested and most importantly...

Henry.

She needed to find the park. The park Emma had told her about, where she used to meet Neal with lunch. She needed to find Emma because although she may not be her Emma, it would be a start to solving this whole problem and who knows, maybe bring her family back to her. Stepping up to the stall again, Regina asks for directions then heads down the street quickly while hugging her arms as some form of security as a mix of emotions take over. The closer she got towards the park, the heavier she began to breathe. Having jumped into action, she had only just realized that she was going to see Emma. Well, 18 year old Emma and it had excited her but also scared her. The young woman was going to have no idea who she was and even the thought of it hurt. Pausing by the crossing, Regina scans her eyes across the large space of greenery on the opposite side. Landing her eyes on a glimpse of blonde, the brunette watches as a young Emma appears in full view and leans back, resting against a tree with her legs crossed at the ankle. Giving a small, disbelieving smile, Regina breaks off her stare then goes to cross.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, your majesty..."

Turning towards the warning voice, the brunette raises an eyebrow at the man stood before her, glaring in her direction. Also burning a hole into his head, Regina crosses her arms at the intrusion.

"August..."

A/N: thoughts? This will be a complex story!