Title: A Dish Served Cold
Disclaimers: I don't own any of these characters. Though I did sorta make up Phelan.
A/N: Okay, so, y'all asked for it (well, a couple of you asked for it, and if the rest of ya didn't want it... well, too late now.) This is the sequel to Perceptions, and the fourth story in my Lion/Mouse series.
A/N #2: Yes, and I know, one of the characters, not quite a Fairy Tale, but in my defense, neither is King Midas, he's a Greek Myth. So... there ya go... :)
"No, no, no, no and no..."
"But Mommmm..."
Regina stared down at Henry with what he still jokingly referred to as his Mom's 'evil eye'. "Did Emma say yes already?"
Henry glanced over at Emma, then shook his head. "No- but, please Mom? Having Maine would be... it would- uh- teach me responsibility and stuff, you know?"
Regina put her hands on her hips, "You've named him? After where we used to live?" Henry shrugged, "Okay, okay- you can have your dog."
Henry wrapped his Mom in a bone crushing hug, "Thank you, thank you." He went over to Emma and did the same thing, "Thank you Emma..."
Regina gave him a gentle shove, "Go, go... tell your friends."
He rushed out the door, but they did hear a mumble as he left, "Not a brother or sister but it'll-"
Regina blew out a breath, "Should I have given in?"
Emma chuckled, "On the bright side. No leash laws, so we don't have to walk it or pick up its crap."
Regina glanced out the window that looked towards the Kingdom's far off castle. A two day ride. "It was Snow's idea wasn't it."
"Ah, yeah- but, I didn't let him say yes or bring it home with him. So, we need to go get it."
"It?"
Emma shrugged, "I didn't look to see if the puppy Henry attached to first was a boy or girl, so it'll be an it 'til we see how it pees I guess."
Regina rolled her eyes and draped her arms over Emma's shoulders and Emma put hers around Regina's waist. "Such a sweet talker. So, you're going back already?"
Emma tightened her grip, pulling the former Queen closer. "Come with us. A family trip, Happily Ever After style."
"Maleficent-"
Emma shook her head, "Isn't anywhere near powerful enough to breach your protection spells around the Kingdom yet. And the Dwarves are here to deal with anything on horse or foot, not to mention the detachment of the Royal Army that you grumble about every day. Our trip will only be four or five days," Emma paused and held Regina's gaze, she could feel the dark haired woman starting to pull away just a bit. "You don't have to see her, or him. Visit Phelan and Ruby, Sidney." Regina made a face, "Okay, not Sidney."
"No."
Emma nodded, took a step back and turned towards where her bags sat, "Okay. But, I won't leave until tomorrow."
"Emma..."
Emma turned, "I know that you and Snow will never get along. I'm not being passive aggressive, honest. You don't want to go, so I will go."
"Without Henry?"
Emma nodded, "Without Henry."
"He's going to love that." Emma returned to Regina's side and kissed the back of her hand. "We promised no lies, no secrets. If I were pissed that you didn't want to go, I would tell you."
Regina paused, then asked the question, "What did you trade for my life."
Emma shook her head and took her hand away, "Except for that."
Regina caught Emma's arm before she could leave the room and spun her around, "I should be dead, I killed more people than... why aren't I? Please. I have the right to know."
Emma shook her head, "It doesn't matter. I need to go make sure the horse is ready for tomorrow. I'll try to do the trip in three days." And left the house.
Regina slapped her hand against the wall and waved it when it stung. "Damnit."
"I hereby call this War Council to order."
Maleficent sat at the end of a rectangular table. To her right sat a young looking man with brown hair and a scar across his face. To her left sat an older man with a buzz cut wearing quite the poofy and intricate outfit.
Next to the young man with the scar sat a young woman in a light blue dress with long red hair pulled back and quite the sour look on her face.
And, next to the older man sat a woman with dark hair and green skin.
"First, we'll introduce ourselves."
The young man laughed a bitter laugh, "We're children now?"
Maleficent gripped the young man's hand with her own, slowly squeezing. "You are what- I- say you will be Baelfire."
The young man stared daggers at Maleficent, then yanked his hand away from her and spoke to the others at the table. "I'm Baelfire and I fear nothing. That is all you need to know."
The older man puffed up, "I am the Sheriff of Nottingham, but I will be Sheriff in all the lands."
Everyone looked to the red head who shook her head, "Belle."
Baelfire raised an eyebrow, "That's it, no sob story? Someone broke your nail?"
"Not one that you need to know you child."
The final woman at the table spoke softer than the rest had, "I am Elphaba. I am from a place- far from here where-" She shook her head and looked down at her hands, "I was under attack. I spelled myself away so those hunting me would think I had died. I was tired... I've been tired for years, but that girl and those shoes..." She inclined her head towards Maleficent, "Maleficent has made me feel welcome and..."
The Sheriff of Nottingham interrupted Elphaba, "Why have you gathered us all here."
"So that we can rule all these lands in Happily Ever After."
Belle rolled her eyes, "Is that all. More impressive women than you have tried."
A noise came from the back of Maleficent's throat, "She will NOT be spoken about. No. I will have her throne, and all the thrones in the land, and if you all want to be at my side, and serve under me I welcome it."
Belle frowned, "Don't really care. As long as I get to kill the Queen."
Elphaba frowned, "Snow White?"
Belle's lip curled, "Regina."
"Oh.. I thought..."
The Sheriff of Nottingham inclined his head, "I am in, as long as I am appointed the Sheriff."
Maleficent nodded, "Yes. And you Baelfire."
"The head of the one who killed my father."
Maleficent put a hand on the back of her black unicorn and smiled a smile with no happiness in it. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow, we start."