Once upon a time, I wished that I owned Once Upon a Time...I was out of wishes. I own nothing.


Lightning flashed across the sky and as the thunder rolled through the house, deep brown eyes struggled to regain their focus. She had been sleeping—if one could call it that—and although nightmares plagued her, she would have rather been asleep still. If she had been more alert, she would have noticed the shadow standing just inside the doorway, waiting for the perfect moment to make a move.

Knowing she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep, she sighed and stood up. She ran her fingers through her short dark hair once before taking a step forward. Her eyes suddenly locked on the silhouette in the darkness and she gasped, one word escaping her.

"You."

Watching her sleep was fascinating. She was dreaming, and even though he knew it didn't really matter, he wondered what was flickering through her mind. He watched her chest rise and fall, and he was overcome with the urge to wrap his fingers around that slender white throat, to see her eyes flash with fear before fading completely. He knew he could never give in to this desire, though. It would destroy him as well, so he settled for watching her, his eyes never leaving her.

She jerked awake and he slipped farther back into the shadows. Perhaps she could sense his presence, maybe she couldn't sleep or maybe she just didn't care. Whatever the reason, she stood and took a slow step toward his hiding place. This was the moment he had been waiting for. A small smile came across his face as he saw alarm and then recognition pass over her. Her voice, thick with suspicion and disdain, gave him one word and with it, satisfaction.


"What do you want?" she snapped.

"To talk. Nothing more."

"Talk then."

He took the few steps necessary to stand directly in front of her, staring down into her eyes with an unreadable expression. He reached down and ran a slender finger across her jawline. She flinched at the contact but didn't pull away. Taking his chances, he moved his fingers through her hair, the dark silk that framed her face. She kept her eyes locked on his, her expression hard, never changing.

"I thought you wanted to talk."

"Regina," he breathed, his lips so close she could feel his breath on her neck, "Patience, my dear, is a virtue."

She laughed humourlessly.

"Well, I have so few of them that I think it's hardly important to worry about that one."

"This is true," he agreed, "Nevertheless; I have something that may interest you."

"Go on."

"The people of this town are going to come after you, Regina. There's no getting around that."

She fought the urge to roll her eyes, but kept quiet.

"You need a way to escape. Fortunately for you, I just happen to have one."

He pulled a small bottle, a vial really, out of his jacket pocket. He turned it over in his hands, watching as the clear liquid inside moved slowly. Regina reached for it, but he pulled away, keeping it just out of her reach.

"Not so fast, dear. All things come with a price. As you well know."

"Name it."

"Are you sure? You need to think carefully."

"Name. Your. Price," she hissed.

"Your power. Oh, you'll still have your wonderful personality, and people might fear you, but I wouldn't hold my breath. You'll be everything you've ever feared. Powerless, weak, vulnerable."

"I will never be weak."

He smiled sadly.

"Being vulnerable is sometimes just as dangerous."

She reached for the vial again, and he grabbed her wrist.

"I wasn't finished, dear."

"What else?"

He took a step closer, his grip on her wrist keeping her from pulling back. He leaned down to her, close enough that his lips brushed her ear as he spoke.

"A kiss. Just once, I want to feel what your power can do. Before it's too late."

Her eyes were cold as she stared up into his. Still, when he moved closer, she made no move to stop him. It had been so long since she had been kissed, so long since she had experienced any kind of contact. She didn't expect to feel the rush of power flooding through her. Was it her power or his? His fingers wove into her hair before moving down to her throat. She felt his fingertips on her flesh and her head titled back as if controlled by some unseen force. All too soon, he pulled away, and she mourned the loss of his lips on hers, of his fingers on her neck.

"Now dear, are you sure this is what you want? You must be absolutely certain. It cannot be undone."

She nodded. She made no move to reach for the vial, but instead held out her hand. He placed it gently in her hand and she held it to her eyes, studying the silvery contents. She held it to her lips and prepared herself for what was about to happen.

"Regina."

She paused.

"Yes?"

'Remember: it cannot be undone."

"I remember."

He almost turned away, unsure if he wanted to witness this, but forced himself to watch. Regina's eyes met his for a moment before she smiled. There was no warmth in her smile, it was cold yet satisfied.

"What do I have to lose?" she said softly.

She tipped the vial back and grimaced as the cold liquid burned a path down her throat. The room seemed to spin, and Regina put out her hand to keep her balance. He grabbed her arm, her thin hand locking around his wrist, and lowered her to the floor. His eyes danced in front of her, but when he spoke, his voice was startlingly clear.

"Everything."


I haven't decided if I'm going to continue yet. It may just stand as a oneshot. Thoughts on a second installment?