A/N: I am a total shipper for SwanQueen, don't like it. Don't read. This is my first OUAT fanfic and I hope that you enjoy it. There is plenty more to come to this story. I just have to get it all down. I beta myself, so all mistakes are mine, sorry. Tell if me if it is bothering you too bad. Also, please review to keep the writing faery happy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is for entertainment and enjoyment only, and not for profit.

Rating: M...for later chapters, drugs, sex and of, course violence...this is going to be an adventure after all.

Chapter 1 - Preparations

Regina entered the Sheriff's station looking for Emma. She had an uneasy feeling and she wanted to discuss it with her. She didn't want to admit it to Emma but she had been having nightmares, but they were more prophetic than just dreams. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that surrounding her heart. She hated looking weak. She hated needing Emma, but she knew that Emma was the only one who truly understood her completely.

"Miss Swan, may I speak with you?" she asked, walking up to Emma's desk.

"Please, Regina, have a seat," Emma told her, seeing the worry on her face, "What seems to be troubling you today, Madam Mayor? Did I steal the covers again last night?"

"I doubt that your stealing of the covers would come as shock to anyone, Miss Swan. Unfortunately, that is not why I am here. I would like to discuss something with you."

Emma sat up a little straighter in her chair. She could tell that something was gnawing at Regina and she wasn't going to let it go until she talked with Emma about it. Emma smiled at her trying to reassure her that it would be okay. For a fleeting second, Emma thought it had something to do with Henry, but she realized that Regina would be hysterical if it was Henry.

"Regina, tell me what's wrong," Emma pleaded with her.

"I feel like something is going to happen."

"Like you are going to do something or something is going to happen to you?"

"That something is going to happen to us," Regina said flatly.

"Regina, it has been five years. Nothing is going to happen. We broke the curse three times. Pan is dead. Gold and Belle went back to his castle. He agreed to leave you alone on pain of death, remember? He can't hurt you. No one is going to hurt you," Emma told her.

"You or Henry could," Regina replied.

"Really, Regina, after all this time, you still worry about that?"

"Yes, I don't exactly have the greatest record with those l love."

"True, but l think that l have proven to you that l am not leaving you."

"I don't know what it is, Emma, but I know that something is coming."

"You're right there, but it isn't something. It is someone. Did you forget that Eva and Ruth are coming for the weekend?" Emma asked her.

"How could I forget?" Regina answered, trying to not let the disdain for Emma's younger siblings show.

"Now, Regina, you promised," Emma started.

"I know and I will. I am not going to say anything to them. I am sure that your mother has already told them enough about me that they hate me just on principal. I have left everything up to your mother, anyway. I don't know how else I can apologize to her. I gave her the kingdom willingly, this time, and without a fight. I am staying in Storybrooke and not living in my homeland. I agreed to only go to the Enchanted Forest for official events, too. I don't remember ever agreeing to be a babysitter to the royal brats," Regina told her.

Emma laughed. She knew that the bad blood between Snow and Regina had finally been patched, if not all forgiven, it was at least understood from the others point-of-view. Emma knew that it was an uneasy peace between them, but it worked. She also knew that she was the catalyst for their peace. In the end, Emma believed that it was her mother's love and pure nature that won over her own heart.

Snow had been the one to issue the truce when she figured out that Regina actually cared for Emma.

"It isn't funny, dear," Regina scolded.

"Oh, I think that it is. Come on Regina, they aren't that bad. Besides, Henry will be home from school, too. We will have a full house for the weekend. It'll be fun."

"Fun is not the word that comes to mind when I think about that, Miss Swan," Regina replied.

"Lighten up, Regina. Everything will be fine. You'll see."

"For our sakes, I hope that you are right, Emma. For once, I just want a peaceful week with your family. I don't think that is too much to ask. And, I promise to be on my best behavior while we are in the Enchanted Forest," Regina told her.

"Now, there is my Queen," Emma stated, getting up from behind her desk.

She walked over to where Regina was and gathered her into her arms. She pulled her into a warm hug and kissed her forehead. She tried to let her warmth seep into Regina to calm her. Regina pulled back and looked into her emerald eyes.

"Keep looking at me like that, Miss Swan, and I might actually start to believe you," she told her.

"I should hope so, Madam Mayor. Should you be a Granny's getting Henry's cake ready, anyway? Why don't you worry about his party? I'll worry about this uneasy feeling that you have, okay?"

"That, my dear, sounds like a plan. I'll see you at dinner. And, do try not to be late tonight."

"Are we having lasagna and apple tarts?"

"Of course, Henry should be here by then, and they are his favorite," Regina replied.

"Then, I'll make sure that I am not late. I'll see you at dinner. Go home, Regina. I promise you that nothing is going to happen. I am not going to let it. We are going to celebrate Henry's birthday and then we are going to the Palace to celebrate with Snow and David. I am sure that they have something spectacular planned for him. You are just being apprehensive about that, is all. Everything will be fine, you'll see."

"I hope you're right, dear. See you at dinner then. And, do try to stay out of trouble, Miss Swan."

Regina sat at the counter at Granny's. It was a gesture not lost on the rest of the patrons. Regina was still feared, but most of them had decided not to worry about her in the years since Neverland and the third curse that sent them all home. Having Storybrooke back meant having Regina as their mayor, they could deal with that because the ones that came back from the Enchanted Forest knew nothing of running a town, a village or a kingdom. They had watched Regina soften with Henry over the years, and they knew that the version of Regina they had now was thanks to their Sheriff Swan.

"He home yet?" Granny asked her bringing Regina out of her thoughts.

"Not yet, but should be home by dinner time."

"Something eating at you, Regina?"

"I'm just worried."

"About?"

"The future, I guess."

"You could do a spell or something, I'm sure," Granny stated.

Regina stared at her, knowing that Granny was testing her. She was one of the few that Regina allowed to remind her of her past misdeeds and her loss of control. Granny understood her need for control and understood the evil that came from the loss of it. It was another reason that Regina tried to garner a friendship with the woman. It was a reluctant adventure on Granny's part, but overtime Regina had proven herself a worth ally and friend.

"We both know that Henry hates that, so that won't be happening while he is here. Plus, I don't want it getting back to him. Besides, Granny, I don't think a spell would work this time anyway."

"Why is that, Mayor?" Granny asked her.

"I don't think that I want to know what is going to happen. I mean if I did, then l would spend all my time trying to prevent the bad things from happening and trying to make good things happen instead. It would be a constant problem and worry to deal with. Frankly, it would literally kill me. I am a little partial when it comes to my life. So, I guess I'll just deal with my worry."

"That's part of your problem, Regina. You are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. You need to stop and just let go. Things are going to happen out of your control. For example, you and Emma, that whole relationship has been out of your control from the beginning and everyone knows it."

Regina about spit her coffee across the counter. Granny just smiled at her, wiped up the counter and headed into the kitchen with a chuckle. Regina sat in disbelief staring at herself in the mirrored back of the soda fountain. She knew that Granny was right, but they both knew that Regina would never admit it out loud either.

"Eat up, Regina. You're gonna need your strength for next week. Oh, don't look at me like that, Mayor. The whole town has been invited to the Palace for the celebration. Come by tomorrow after lunch and I'll have Prince Henry's cake ready for him. Now, finish your meal or call the Sheriff down here."

"Regina! Some-there...there is someone here to see you!" Emma called up the stairs to her.

Regina's head snapped up from under the spray of the shower. She put both hands against the tile and turned to the door. Her face betrayed her worry. She didn't get many visitors since...everything happened. But, she knew that Emma wouldn't let anyone that had ill will towards her without a fight.

She grabbed her towel and began to dry off. Her mind kept wandering to the woman she loved and the other individual who had graced her house downstairs. She was finding it difficult to concentrate. She wiped a section of the mirror before her, still naked, and stared at herself. She saw the fear in her eyes and tried to will it away. She continued to stare at herself until she managed to calm her fears. She felt the magic starting to well up inside her and she knew that she could greet the person downstairs. She had reminded herself that she didn't need to be afraid that everyone was out to kill her anymore. She wasn't the Queen.

Emma broke into the bathroom and stopped as soon as she saw that Regina was naked. Her mouth dropped open and she stared, lovingly but awkwardly. Regina smiled at her, but made a gesture for her to tell her what she needed. Emma coughed and then regained her composure. Regina smiled, but gave her another impatient look.

"Sorry," Emma stated.

"Darling, is there something that you wanted to say to me?" Regina asked her.

"Yeah, sorry, there is a very regal looking woman downstairs waiting for you."

"Regal looking, hmm, I don't guess she gave your her name, then did she? Did she say anything that I would find important, Miss Swan? Anything at all?"

"Umm, well, she stated that she was directed here by Ruby when she asked where she could find the Queen Regina of the Winterlands."

"She asked for me by name? How delightfully odd? Well, go get a bottle of cider and take her to study. I'll be along shortly. And, darling, try to be a little more refined. It seems our guest has traveled a long way to seek me out. I would hate to have you upset her," Regina stated.

"Me? Upset her? I think the town already did a good enough job of that. I'll get the cider, though. Is there anything else I can do for you, at this time, your Majesty?" Emma asked her suggestively.

"Not at the moment, dear, but maybe later, depending on how you act with our guest."

Emma smiled, knowing what that meant for her later. Emma turned to go, but stopped in the door way and stared at Regina. She opened her mouth to say something, but was stopped by Regina.

"Dear, go on. And, if our guest asks, which I doubt that she will because it wouldn't be proper of someone of her standing, I am assuming, but if she does, you are my consort as well as being the town sheriff. You can introduce yourself to her as the sheriff regardless. Tell her, I apologize, but I'll be down as soon as I can," Regina told her.

"Yes, your Majesty, I will," Emma answered, mocking a bow, as she closed the bathroom door.