Author's Note: Hey guys! So, this is my first story for the OUAT fandom! Which is kinda crazy because I've been watching Once from the moment it aired. But, yes, finally! A story. I'm completely in love with Regal Cricket right now, and if all goes well with this fic, I'm thinking about making a set of one shots for them! I need prompt ideas and things, so please message me, or leave a review here. You'll be fully credited for your prompt idea! This story is set after Archie is rescued by Belle from Cora/Hook's ship. Regina does NOT know that he is still alive! Slight spoilers from past episodes and promo's. I hope you enjoy!
FORGIVENESS EARNED ENTIRELY...
"You're going to go out there, Mother, and you're going to tell them all of my innocence." Regina proclaimed, tears threatening to gloss over in her eyes. She couldn't trust Cora; not any more. After everything she'd done, her trust would have to be earned. "My son believes that I'm a murderer! The only good thing in my life! Because of this stupid dark magic, that you insisted I inherit... I don't want to lose him for good." She added, looking around the large hide-away. Her manor had felt ridiculously empty without the small boy, running around, leaving his shoes on the stairs.
It was hard for Regina. She had grown up with little love in her life. Daniel and her father had been the only important others. There was once a time, when she would have given up everything for them. But, things changed when Daniel died. The Evil Queen became selfish and hard hitting. Her own happiness needed to come first, from then on out.
Every day, she awoke and cursed Snow White. Regina would be happily married to the love of her life by now, if that little twerp hadn't opened her little mouth. The Evil Queen's hatred for the girl, only grew with time. She blamed everything on Snow: her loneliness, her bitterness, the fact that everything seemed to go wrong in her life, without Daniel there to make the world better.
"For you, sweetheart, anything." Cora swore, promise and longing in her gaze. Deep down, she wanted her daughter to understand. All she had ever wanted was her child's happiness. She wanted Regina to have the best things in life. The riches, the power, the control. Cora had given up so much to make sure that her future child would become Queen. Marrying a stable boy had been out of the question! But, now, they were in a land where status didn't matter as much. Regina was Mayor - the highest on the podium, and Cora was proud of that. But, still her daughter remained restless and horrified by what she'd become. Cora had accepted the dark magic. She'd given into all its power, while Regina fought to reject it. Magic was consuming, and difficult to ward off, once you'd gained overall control.
"There's a town meeting at Granny's. I had to leave this hideout to get some groceries and saw the poster in my passings. You'll announce it there. In front of everyone." Regina informed the other woman, grabbing her coat to leave. It was only yesterday, that she'd used magic to buzz around town; purposely staying invisible to avoid being caught and hung.
Archie had been a much loved character in Storybrooke - not only by the other citizens, but by herself too. The thought of him, lying under soil in a wooden box, was heartbreaking. He was the only person to truly believe that she wanted to change. He asked her questions, offered her tea, showed her that he could be understanding and compassionate. The betrayal of trust was one thing, but the unspoken apology was another. She never got the chance to say goodbye, and everyone blamed her for his death. Little did Regina know, Archie now walked amongst the other members of the town. He was searching, not knowing where she had disappeared to, in her haste to get away from Emma's accusations. No-one had seen the Queen for days.
Together, Regina and her mother, exited the underground safe haven. Cora tagged behind, staying close to her daughter, who had the ability to hear any human heartbeat upon request. After holding a living breathing glowing organ in your hands so willingly, it became difficult to ignore the throbbing of another. Regina would know if Cora tried to escape her punishment.
"Get in the car." The Evil Queen commanded, no mercy in her voice. It was going to be a fairly short journey; and having to explain everything about their newly updated 'carriages', would most likely take a while.
Cora didn't understand the seatbelts, and jumped as the engine started. She glanced at the car keys - and accused them of being possessed with some form of dark magic - which lead into a deep conversation, where Regina had to explain how there was no magic in this land... until recently.
"These carriages are strange!" Cora confessed with a small disbelieving laugh. Regina rolled her eyes, frustrated by her mothers presence. She was trying to make everything better, but Regina had grown. She was smarter now, and refused to give in to her mothers manipulation.
As Cora pulled the plaque, made by Henry from her pocket, Regina's blood bubbled on the inside. She wanted to reach over and grab it; one of her prize possessions was in such horrible hands.
The plan that the Evil Queen had in store, prevented her from yelling at the familiar face. She hated Cora, for everything she'd done. Regina vowed to never be trapped again. Letting her mother in, would mean imprisonment. She'd been trapped under her mother's power before; never again. "Let me into your heart... together we can get him back again." Regina sniffed at her tears, falling into her mother's arms willingly. If Cora was going to believe her forgiveness, she needed to let go. She couldn't hold back.
"I still want you to apologize to everyone. I didn't kill the cricket. You owe me that much, mother." Regina piped up, sitting up straight, pulling out of her guardian's arms. She could feel the resentment tugging at her heart strings, but her mother was none-the-wiser. She saw her daughters forgiveness as genuine, due to her desperate nature.
Cora nodded in agreement, before fiddling with the seat belt, trying to undo it. Regina sighed, and pressed the button to allow her mother freedom - something she didn't truly deserve after everything that had happened. "Everyone should be inside by now." The Evil Queen mumbled, walking over to the dimly lit diner; Granny's.
Naturally, she feared what was behind closed doors. Regina hadn't eaten in days. She was worried sick. Henry probably hated her. For a brief moment, when her mother was pretending to be her son, the hole in her heart had been filled... until, it all turned out to be fake. Archie was gone. She was never getting her friend back. Emma refused to let her see Henry, and her mother was plotting something more than redemption - she could sense it.
Regina would come up with something herself. Something that ensured her own happiness would be achieved. She would double cross Cora, and prove to everyone: including, Emma, Henry and the two idiots: that she was worth forgiveness and joy, and a life without pain. She would make a new life for herself. Maybe her mother returning wasn't such a bad thing after all.
The former Evil Queen smiled a little, before opening the door. Only to find everyone's eyes digging into her body, but only one pair that truly mattered.
Author's Note: Ta-da! Chapter One! I really hope that you enjoyed reading the opening to this story. Please let me know what you all thought. It would mean the world! I'm open to any requests or ideas that any of you might have. Thank you all for reading. Lots of love, Evilsaurus...