Hello there! So this is my first fanfic in about 3/4 years, so unfortunately I'm a bit rusty, but I tried my best to deliver. Let me know how you find it and whether you'd like to see where the story is heading or not. Give me your inputs and criticism and I'll do what I can to make you all happy. Enjoy. :')
Regina rapidly walks up towards the dark red, colossal doors that seemed sealed shut, however with a swing of her arms they fling apart with a thud, bringing the attention of everyone inside, especially Charming and Snow White's.
"Sorry I'm late" she says with a wicked smile, and hastily marches towards them, sending the guards in her way flying across the room.
As the crowd panics at her arrival, Snow stands tall and fearless, grabbing her newly-wed husband's sword and points it towards the Evil Queen.
"She's not a Queen anymore" she announces, "She's nothing more than an evil witch!"
"No, no, no!" Charming interrupts, "Don't stoop to her level, there's no need." He says attempting to calm the situation down in order not to provoke the Evil Queen. "You're wasting your time, you've already lost" he reminds the black-dressed brunette. "… and I will not let you ruin this wedding!"
"Oh I haven't come here to ruin anything" she responds calmly, unimpressed. "On the contrary dear, I've come to give you a gift."
"We want nothing from you" Snow states resentfully.
"But you shall have it! My gift to you … is this happy, happy day … for tomorrow my real work begins. You've made your vows… Now I make mine." She states in a spiteful manner, pacing in front of them. "Soon, everything you love, everything all of you love" she continues addressing the rest of the crowd too, "will be taken from you, forever. And out of your suffering … will rise my victory!" she proudly declares. She turns to face Snow White, fully knowing that this act of revenge is directed towards her and everyone else is just collateral damage. "I shall destroy your happiness, if it's the last thing I do!" she promises, as the turns away pleased with herself and walks away.
But Charming interrupts her departure, shouting at her, making her glance back towards them, and the second she turns he hurls his sword towards her. Regina watches as the mighty sword approaches her … and then suddenly Regina shoots up from her bed, sitting up, panting as she looks around her room, to realize it was just a dream. She puts her hands over her face, sighing in a frustrated manner and slams back down on her bed grunting at the reminder of the past. She closes her eyes, trying to calm her breathing but is interrupted by her bedroom door being set ajar.
"Regina?" she heard, making her sit up once again to find Emma standing in her room.
"Miss Swan, what the hell are you doing here?" she asks grabbing at her sheets in order to cover up herself
"Geez I'm sorry" Emma apologizes, turning away, "I was just um you were … weren't at Henry's parent's meeting conference um thingy" Emma explained muttering, finding it hard to find her words.
"Shit!"
"… And I called you several times and you wouldn't answer your phone so then I got worried and you weren't at the office or anywhere and I just…"
"Breathe Swan" the Major spoke interrupting her mumbling, as she got up and faced her now in her robe.
Emma felt flustered and Regina could tell by the way her face went red and her lips went dry. Emma had never seen Regina so exposed, her skin so uncovered, her hair so messed up. It made her heart race, her body heat up and her breathing become shallow. She tried to stray away her gazing look, but she had the brunette in front of her, with her collarbones still slightly exposed. Emma's eyes slowly moved up, up her neck as she unknowingly licked her lips, up to her dark brown eyes. She looked into her eyes, making Regina smile at the attention. The look in the brunette's eyes made the Sheriff wonder. Regina had been abused by many harsh feelings: pain, sadness, fear, resentment, loneliness, you name it, she had felt it, and the blonde could see some of that brewing inside of her once again. She could see the empty stare joined by a numbed look with a scent of panic. She had gotten used to Regina and whether she wanted to admit it or not, she had grown to care for her, although she usually merely disposed it as 'because of Henry'.
"Regina are you alright?" Emma broke the silence, realizing they had been standing there in silence for way too long.
"Of course Miss Swan" Regina promptly responded turning her back towards Emma afraid she could see right through her and indeed she had.
"You sure? It's not like you to miss something Henry-related".
"Yes I know, I can't believe I slept in! Must have … must have forgotten to set the alarm last night" she stated firmly, facing her once again.
Emma instantly knew something was up, but she knew Regina all too well and knew that pressuring her would get her nowhere.
"Alright then … I best be off … lots of um paperwork to be done at the Station" the Sheriff quickly invented
"What could possibly have you so busy? Who's terrorizing Storybrooke this time? Puss in boots?" Regina mocked mischievously fully aware of Emma's excuse.
The blonde scoffed with a smile, shaking her head, and made her way out the door.
"Wait!" Regina stopped her, making Emma face her once again. "Everything alright with Henry?"
"Seems like it, but I asked them to reschedule the meeting so that you can be present. Didn't wanna do it without you. Plus it's kind of hard to refuse when it's both for the Sheriff and the Major" Emma smiled
"Thank you" Regina smiled back, feeling so grateful that finally they were working together, especially when it comes to Henry.
Emma resumed walking down the stairs and the second she vanished from Regina's sight, Regina felt a shock go right through her entire body and then bright sparks circled her hand. She goggled her eyes at her hands, unaware of how it was happening, twisting them round to watch the sparks travel all around in 360 degrees. She attempted into calling Emma but suddenly the sparks were gone, and she restrained from calling the blonde. Her eyes darted back to her hand waiting for it to happen again, but it did not.
Regina knocked twice at the door and as it opened she saw Hook standing at the door.
"Pirate" she spoke with a disdained tone, slightly nudging him out the way so she could make her way inside.
"Always nice to see you to your majesty!" he retaliated, mocking her with a bow, earning him a second irritated look from the Queen.
Once inside Regina was met with Emma's graceful soft smile, as well as Snow and Charming's greets. This was something truly magical. For once in her life Regina was not seeking revenge or having mischievous outbursts, or plotting how to get Snow's head on a plate, or Emma's for that matter. She might not have her happy ending yet but she had her son, who came rushing from upstairs to acknowledge her presence with a warm hug, she had people, who to her disbelief at first, showed that they believed in her, and gave her hope, purpose, trust. She somewhat had a family and a place to feel safe and wanted and home, something she had not felt in decades. She found herself playing board games with her step-daughter, whom she tried to destroy for almost half a century, a prince who equally felt her wrath, her son's biological mother whom she tried to place under a sleeping curse. This was unreal for all of them, they found peace, together.
"Let's take a break" Emma requested and got up to make hot chocolate for everyone
"Mum…"
"I know kid … cinnamon" Emma smiled
Regina turned to address Hook "You know for a pirate you are certainly horrible at this" she smirked
"Oh blasted these board games and techno… what do you call it? Haven't got a single damn clue" he frowned
"Here … let me try and explain again" Henry interrupted, making his way over to the leather blacked-dressed guy.
"Regina?" Snow called, touching her hand which at first made the older brunette jump "Sorry didn't mean to startle you … I'm just glad you're here Regina. I've always wanted this you know? I'm just so sorry it didn't come earlier" she pouted, her eyes glowing with regret but with relief and gratitude.
Regina felt a sudden warmth rushing to her chest, feeling touched, making a smile cross the corner of her mouth. She squeezed her hand back but something unexpected happened next. Snow was sent flying across the room by a flash of light that emerged from Regina's hand. Regina jumped back as she watched Snow collide with the opposite wall. Horror washed across her face as she gazed at her hand, unsure of what just happened, as David and Henry rushed to Mary Margaret's aid, shouting her name searching for a response, which made Emma run to see what's going on. She stared down Hook, asking questions with her eyes, but he was silent and just glared back at Regina. Emma faced Regina to find her aching eyes staring at her, begging for help.
Dashing to sustain Regina, Emma spoke to her mother but never breaking eye-contact with Regina, "Mom? Mom you okay?"
"Yeah she's fine" David spoke, picking his wife off the floor
"Snow?" Regina's voice shook
"Yes Regina I'm okay, it's alright"
"Regina?" Emma attempted to bring her attention back to her. Simultaneously she grabbed her hand but Regina instantaneously pulled it back.
"No please", her voice hitched, "I don't wanna hurt you".
"You won't" Emma promised showing no fear in her eyes, whilst she found herself grabbing Regina's hand even tighter.
"Mom?" Henry spoke, making both Regina and Emma break their eye-contact to face him but his adoptive mother just shook her head, having no response to what just transpired.
Everyone stood silent for a while, uncertain of what to think or what to say. Nevertheless Emma remained kneeled in front of Regina, holding her hand. It felt so warm, consequent to the magic that just emerged from it, yet it was turning cold with uncertainty and fear, as did her whole body. She watched her shake and breathe heavily, her eyes fixated on the floor, unable to look at anyone, especially not at Snow. Snow attempted to move closer to her but Regina post-haste shook her head, widening her eyes in protest.
"Don't … Snow please. I don't know what's happening. I don't want to hurt you" Regina laughed slightly at the irony of it all.
"I know …" Snow smiled "It was just an accident" she kept trying
However, Regina would not accept anyone to move close to her or be near her, beside Emma. Seemed like she was the only person she trusted herself with. Emma understood her in the matter of magic. She knew what it was like to be in possession of it, how to use it as a gift or as dark evil, how to wield it, and also how easy it is to lose control of it. She lifted her eyes upwards but kept her face slightly lowered, just to catch a glance of the blonde, to see if she was right. And she was. Emma showed no trepidation, just compassion. Consequently, the brunette began to regain her composure, as her breathing slowed down, and her eyes softened. Except for a sudden movement by David which made Regina's free hand come up to object his approach, but it had a little more effect than originally intended, because the light panels came ramming down over David, as sparks of light produced by the sudden disruptive electrical discharge flashed through the air. Quick to react Emma operated her magic and pushed her father out of the way, which meant she unintentional let go of Regina's hand. David was safe, as he merely just stumbled across the floor, but Regina was not. The second Emma withdrew her hand, Regina lost control. Her body started to vibrate, whilst small fiery particles ran through her hand. One and all froze at the sight before them, excluding Henry, who dashed towards his mother, but Regina quickly protested and signalled for Emma to stop him, and she did, grabbing him. Henry was no match for his biological mother's strength, however that did not discourage him for he yelped and struggled but Emma pulled him away and set him down at a distance.
"Henry!" Emma pleaded
"Mom! Mom!" He kept crying
"Henry listen to me!" Emma raised her voice, grabbing more than just his attention, as she held his face to look at her, "Let me help her! Listen to me. Stay here, and let me help her … please" she begged
Henry stood quiet, tears streaming down his face, as Charming and Snow grabbed him by the shoulder to keep him safe. Emma jogged her way over back to Regina who was shaking violently now, in addition to the sparks that had spread across her whole body. Emma could tell she was in pain. Her eyes were tightly shut trying to conceal her suffering but to no avail. Her fists were clenched attempting vigorously to take hold of the magic that was spiralling beyond her control.
"Emma …" she begged humbly in a low aching voice
