(A/N) Based on the song "Learn to Love again" By Lawson, next update will be tomorrow (I promise! I also promise that the next chapter will be a hell of a lot longer!)
Regina lay the rose down on top of her mother's coffin, choking back a sob as she did so. Her mother loved her, which should have been all that mattered, had Regina known that throughout her life, things would have turned out oh so differently, Daniel would still be with her, she'd be home. But she wouldn't have Henry.
It was conflicting.
Regina's anguish faded to anger, Snow had done this, manipulated Regina into killing her own mother.
She would have her revenge if it was the last thing she did.
The sound of footsteps behind her pulled her from her internal monologue, they were too loud to be Henry's, one of the Charming's come to gloat no doubt. As the intruder stepped within the tomb Regina spun around sending a ball of fire towards them.
The attack fell short, hitting the wall beside a terrified Emma Swan, managing to singe few golden hairs in the process.
"Jesus! Regina!" Emma yelled, eyes wide. "You could have killed me!"
"That was the idea dear." Regina turned back to Cora's coffin, willing the tears to stop falling. She expected Emma to leave, or at the least explain what she was doing there. Neither option happened, the silence filled the room.
After what felt like hours, minutes even Emma finally spoke up, moving closer to stand beside Regina.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Despite how genuine she sounded a fresh wave of anger consumed Regina.
"Don't you dare act like you care." She spat turning to face Emma, just like always any consideration for personal space has gone. "You didn't know her, you didn't love her. So why don't you run off home and play happy family with the two idiots and my son" Regina's voice was thick with grief, barely able to choke out the rest of her sentence, yet her eyes never left Emma's face. She saw a flash of hurt briefly cross the blondes features. Regina clenched her fists, ready for a full scale blow out.
"No." Emma shook her head slowly before looking back into Regina's eyes. "I didn't know her, I didn't love her. But she was your mother. You loved her, your grieving, I just- I just thought you could do with a friendly face…" Emma was cut off by Regina grabbing her by the shoulders and shoving her towards the door of the tomb, using some of her magic to add some much needed force.
"A friendly face? Your mother used me. Used me to kill my own mother." Regina growled, magic crackling at her fingertips. She saw Emma swallow and glance at her hands before meeting her eyes again. "You took my son. You challenged my world! You challenged me! And you call yourself a friendly face?" Regina laughed harshly, fire enveloping her fists.
Emma's eyes were wide, her hands supporting her body against the cool tiles. She had no words.
She used the wall to push herself, crossing the short distance between her and Regina quickly. Regina raised her hands ready to attack only to be tackled in a bone crushing hug. As Emma's arms wrapped around Regina's body, the brunette became aware of Emma's magic entering her own, causing the flames surrounding her hands to brighten, illuminating the room in a deep orange glow. They stayed like this for a moment before Regina regained her senses.
"What are you doing Miss Swan?" Regina frowned, it hadn't sounded as threatening as she hoped.
"Actions speak louder than words" came the reply.
Another pause
"I may not be a friendly face, I may be the daughter of the woman who killed your mother, but I'm not Snow. Don't hate me like you hate her." Emma sighed into Regina's shoulder.
"You can let go now Miss Swan."
"Not yet Regina. Do you feel that?" Emma asked. Regina paused, all she was aware of was Emma's magic flowing through her.
"Yes dear, I feel the magic caused by being the product of true love, how sickly sweet." Regina smirked. She felt the arms around her waist tense before they were gone altogether.
"You don't get it…" Emma sighed as she turned to leave the tomb.
"I don't understand" Regina replied. Emma stopped and turned to give Regina a small smile.
"Yeah, me either" She relied with a shrug before crossing the threshold, leaving Regina alone, she flames in her hands had died out leaving the room unnaturally dark.
A chill passed through the air.
She was alone again.