"Mom? Mom, are you . . . ok?"

Regina sucked in a sudden breath, eyes blinking slowly a few times as she realized she had been staring at her hands for the better part of the past few minutes. The crisp air hit her so abruptly, so potently, scrapping at her skin that it almost burned, causing her to nearly lose her footing. She was on one knee and in her ever paling hands were two pieces of plastic, signifying the ensemble of the everyday zipper of Henry's jacket.

"Yes. Yes Henry …I-I…am alright."

Unsteadily trying to keep her balance, which should not have been trying at all even with the added resistance of the mischievous autumn wind sweeping past her now and then, she shifted slightly in her half sitting position. You added one to the other and zipped it up, nothing daunting or difficult she told herself over and over again before trying once more. Again her fingers laced around the thin coloured plastic, trying to hook them into each other, trying to seduce them into the same compact compartment, but once again she could not. Once again she failed at something that was supposed to be a peasantry task. Her hands were trembling again and it was becoming more obvious by the minute. Perhaps she should just stop and simply…

No.

She was not giving up.

She told herself now over and over again.

She was not going to let this stupid insignificant little thing control her life as well.

And so yet again she tried to still them, her twitching fingers, as she tried to get the plastic tip into the extended part of the zipper with more force than ever needed but again she did not, could not prevail.

She swallowed harshly, words slipping out of her tightening lips to assure the child standing in front of her everything was just alright. Her tone was very firm, of that she was sure but she knew that at the end of the sentence weakness crept in and the pitch automatically slipped. "…just…. having trouble with this new jacket of yours. I think the. Zipper. Is. Broken."

And as her voice missed its target and purpose, so did the tip of the zipper. This was becoming embarrassingly sad and at this she stopped. And oh how perfect it was that all the while Henry was baring witness to all of this.

"Mom it's ok. I'll do it."

"No."

She did not mean to let it sound so harsh.

Her eyes closed slowly for a second only to find that when they opened, that their focus was moving in and out of sync. It was no surprise, she thought. There was only so much she could do, even with her dwindling magic, before exhaustion slowly started taking hold of her. It was chipping and ripping away at her reserved energy like little scavenging dogs not realizing that by tearing her apart because of their own uncontrollable gluttonous hunger, that when she died they would die as well.

"Henry …I..." she looked up at him, seeing him frowning so she continued. "Henry I'm so sorry…I'm just . . ."

"Tired. Yes I can see that."

Her eyes widened. This was not supposed to be happening. She was not supposed to show him that she…that she was not quite herself but before she could respond her continued speaking.

"…and it's ok mom," he gave her a small smile. "I don't need to zip it up. It's not that cold anyway."

His words almost broke her, knowing all too well what he was doing but she found herself smiling back at him before replying.

"Alright then…good. Shall we go get ice cream and walk to the pier?"

His eyes brightened at this a bit and nodded a few times.

"Yes please."

"That's my boy." And with that she slowly started to stand up, using all of her remaining self-control not to grab onto the once more worried looking little boy in front of her for support. She could not do that to him. Not to her child.

Her boy.

Her son.

She swallowed again as she felt the ever crippling dismay of making him worry but she did not dwell on the thought too long as she felt his hand grab her own. It startled her at first, his little fingers gripping and holding onto her so strongly. When did he grow up so quickly? Was she doing this to him, forcing him to grow up without her even when she was standing right in front of him? No. It could not be helped so she sighed as he helped her stand within seconds. She thought he would immediately pull away yet he kept his hand in place, probably knowing that letting her go now, she would lose her balance and fall.

Another helping gesture covered in fake affection, she thought. No. She knew this, but she for once wanted to pretend that he actually cared about simply walking with her like a mother and son would do.

She did not get ice-cream and he did not question this as he ate his own in silence but every now and then he would tell her about how things were going. He was learning how to sword fight with Charming and sounded so happy and content that the brunette could not even dare tell him to be careful let alone interrupt him.

She had missed hearing his voice. She had missed him just telling her little things, caring enough to share his likes and dislikes with her. When he then told her that Snow even showed him how to bake, she almost snorted, laughter escaping her for the first time in weeks. Henry in turn laughed as well, saying what a disaster it was. Regina shook her head. She knew many things about Snow, trusted things which she had never enclosed to anyone, even if she did not always want to admit it, but one of them was that she could not bake. But again she said nothing and let Henry talk.

They continued slowly, the pier coming into view with each belated step but as they walked, Regina still could not understand why he was still holding her hand. The conversation however did stop when he mentioned Emma and at this the former mayor stiffened. He must have felt this for he stopped his trail of discussion immediately and rather told her about the trouble the giant was causing once more.

When they finally reached the railing, silence had fallen between them. It was however not an awkward silence, not like the ones they had shared so many times at dinner time. No they simply looked at each other and then out over the open skies. It was nice just having him with her like this. She leaned against the railing, her eyes falling shut every few seconds but she was smiling. Today she had three hours with Henry and for three hours she would be content. Her hands held onto the railing now, steading herself. The scent of the sea air, sharp and fresh, filled her nostrils. She knew that it would stay with her long after, giving her a sense of normality when she returned home. But as she thought of home her lips thinned into a line of both disgust and dread for try as she might she could not get this morning's trial out of her head:

This Morning:

"Ah . . .mama please. . . please."

With each thrust Regina felt her lungs ache and core clench. They had been at it for hours now. Her mother slipping into her with ease which was established well in the early morning when she had awoken her daughter with her tongue. But Regina was not allowed to cum. That was their arrangement today. She would see Henry in exchange for giving her mother what she wanted and however she wished it. And today she wished Regina to beg and not receive any release regardless how many times she pleaded.

"I don't even think you want it that much pet. You're not even trying anymore to plead for your selfish needs to be met."

Cora smiled but it was not what one would call a mothering smile. It was cold and it was malicious, something you would see an executioner mimic before he let the blade drop. Icy hands slapped olive skin as she sped up the pace, the plastic strapped to her thighs moving harder in and out of Regina who was on her hands and knees. She knew her daughter's body all too well now and when she sensed Regina nearing her climax, she would stop and either retract or grab her hair and biting her shoulder. Regina would scream, thinking she had reached her first orgasm but it was a ploy for the enchantment used on her would not let her cum until Cora seemed fit. And once again she did not.

"No mama…I-I. . . I really want it please, I beg you I need it."

"Now you sound pathetic my love. Or are you simply telling me what I want to hear."

"No. . . yesss ….but you said. . . "

"I said you will have to prove to me that I am the most important person in your life if you want to see the saviour's brat today. It is to get back at her, to take from the blonde what she loves most. But it seems I was mistaken. You don't want to hurt the saviour's heart but rather see the child for your own sake," Cora suddenly entered Regina again, harshly thrusting into her oversensitive folds. "You love him more than me. Don't you?"

"Ahhh No mama, it. . .it's. . .not like that I-I…ahhhhhh."

She revelled in her daughter's every whimper, every spasm and would laugh softly every few minutes when she saw the look on Regina's arousal induced face when she was once more denied what she wanted for the past three hours. The mirror in front of them glistened and mocked her daughter as it bent forward to get a better look at her humiliation.

Tears run down her daughter's cheeks now as she slumped forward, not responding to the taunts or the thrusts and that was when Cora stopped and whispered the needed counter spell to let her cum. Regina suddenly arched her back shocked and utterly caught off guard as the orgasm retched through her flesh and resided in her core, pulsing and throbbing as Cora thrust into her and fingers crushed her clit into pain fusing with pleasure. The ecstasy continued in little beats as it took over her body's senses making her only know her release in those short few minutes. When her spasms stopped and she collapsed onto the floor then only did Cora pull out of her.

She found their coupling far more exhilarating when her Regina felt loved after, and oh did she love her, so Cora released the plastic straps from her naked form and almost gently pulled her daughter into her arms, willing her heaving chest and head upon her breasts.

"There, there, that's my good little girl."

The sob which escaped Regina was so tantalizingly arousing that Cora almost decided to go against their agreement and start their endeavour all over again, or perhaps just shove her daughter's face between her now own humming thighs, but no. She wanted Regina in a constant state of submission and devotion with that hint of hope. And giving her time with that Henry today would be her way of showing her own child she loved her even more. She let Regina cry softly a bit longer, hands holding her very closely against her naked form. Her own arousal could be felt slick against soft parts of her daughter's skin. But Cora did not indulge in the advantage point. She had self-control and unlike Regina, she could keep her needs under control. She smirked as she planted small tentative kisses on Regina's forehead. This would benefit her more for the older woman knew once Regina returned after the long three hours, Cora would make sure her daughter would thank her properly by showing her how much she loved her. And that she loved her most of all.

"No more…no more," came the soft whimpers which did not sound like a Queen or a grown woman at all but more like a child. "Please mama, no more."

The older woman kissed the nape of Regina's neck very softly, smirking once more as she heard the shuddered breath being torn from her child's form.

"Of course not my love. You have been so good. Showing me that you love me most. Mommy sees this and she loves you for it."

Again Regina swallowed a sob and at this Cora's lips pursed in disgust. This was getting tedious, the intoxicating vulnerability of her daughter losing some of its appeal, so she started to stand, pulling her daughter with her.

"Now go wash yourself my darling," she peered at the strange time keeping clock on the wall. "The boy will be here in less than an hour."

Now:

When Regina's eyes opened, her breathing was ragged. She jumped when she felt a timid hand on her own again. She blinked a few times before seeing the small figure standing next to her. Regina sighed in relief. She was not home. She was free, here with her son, for now.

"Yes Henry?"

"I was asking you something and you did not reply."

Her eyebrows rose at this and then guilt set in. There was less than 35 minutes left of their little outing and she was spending it by not even paying attention to him.

"You're doing it again."

Not realizing she was looking off to the side she quickly looked back to find two worried green eyes staring back at her. At moments like these he so reminded her of his other mother. And this made her heart ache even more.

"Henry I'm sorry. It has been a very taxing day and I nodded off for a second. But…"

She took his hands in her own, smiling with all the strength and love she could muster at that moment."…but know that I really am so glad we could have this day together. I have missed you so much."

He tilted his head as he listened to her, biting his lip absently, a habit which surfaced whenever he was thinking about the subject at hand. It was both endearing and unnerving for he usually did not tell her what he was actually thinking even though she always wanted to know. But today seemed different and she did not know if it was because she felt like her legs were going to collapse into itself or felt like the air had suddenly become harder to breathe in, but he spoke, and this time he told her what was on his mind.

"Is everything alright, with you and …grandm-…Cora I mean?"

At this she blinked a few times and tried to smile but she could feel her lip twitch.

"It's just…" he sighed "…you always look so tired when I see you, you know and that is not a lot and when I do you …"

"Yes Henry…"

"It always looks like you're going to break into tears every time you look at me. And when you say good bye to me, it's like you don't believe that you'll ever see me again."

Then and there she almost did burst into tears but she could not risk any form of weakness not anymore. Cora was the cause of her changed demeanour that was the truth and she was watching them in her mirror, of that Regina was very sure, so she could speak of it.

Three months ago:

At first it was actually pleasant but then Cora started shifting moods whenever Regina wanted to see Henry. They were actually rebuilding their relationship, Regina and her son, but somehow Cora had become obsessed with finding new ways of keeping them apart. Then it started. She told Regina that she had to prove her love toward her mother. It was little gestures at first. Breakfast in bed, small kisses on the cheek and even reading to her as they sat at the fireplace. They were everyday normal mother daughter things of affection until Cora started saying that this was not enough. Soon after the light cheek kisses turned into goodnight kisses on the lips, lingering more each night. Back rubs which became far more intimate especially when Cora said she wanted to return the loving favour. Cora would want to help Regina dress, saying it was what she wanted to make up for and that Regina owed her that.
Her mother's fingers would the feather across her skin and touch her inappropriately until Regina said she was getting cold and needed to get ready for work. The reaction which Cora had to that was docile at first but then it became aggravated and she refused that Regina leave the house. And then one day Emma was at the mansion's door.

She wanted to talk about Henry. Regina dared not let her enter the house. Emma told her she looked beautiful today and flushed as she saw Regina smile at the comment. They talked about little things which actually meant more to her than she would tell the sheriff and when the blonde left, Regina felt a small smile creep onto her lips. They were finally getting along. Working together as a team and perhaps the flutters in her chest, when she saw the other woman, was actually being reciprocated. She did not even realize that she kept that smile on her face as she walked into the living room where her mother sat reading. That was her first mistake, thinking giving affection and receiving it from another, other than her mother, was permitted.

"Who was that?"

"Hmmm? Oh Emma…I mean Miss Swan. It was about Henry."

She blurted out. Regina had not meant to answer her mother in such a manner but she was caught off guard. Cora in turn rose, her eyes narrowing as she placed the book down, eyes never leaving her daughter.

"Then why were you smiling?"

"Smiling mother?"

She did not understand but as Cora advanced towards her she did not have time to dwell on the thought.

"You like that tacky blonde. No not just like. You love her."

"What?" Regina suddenly felt her cheeks become inflamed as a blush crept across her face. "No mother…I…we are just getting along and…"

"Stop lying to me Regina."

Suddenly the younger woman was hoisted up into the air and she felt how her back hit the wall. It was a strange mixture of childhood memories and her own doing as she herself have pinned her victim's against the wall with her magic so many time. However today she was on the receiving end.

"Mother….I'm not…"

She felt her neck being crushed by an invisible force and she gasped, trying to force air into her lungs.

"I said stop lying to me. " Cora was suddenly so close, her hand replacing the invisible vice leaving clear bruises on her flesh. "I can always see when you are lying, my love. Why do you even try?" her grip then started to lessen and Regina gasped as she finally felt air flow to her lungs again. "And why do you lie to me, my darling? Can't you see how much it hurts me to punish you when you do?" her hand slowly started caressing Regina's jawline. "Don't you love me?"

"Y-yes…" Her throat felt like it was on fire but she tried her best not to cough to warrant any more faintness. "…mother I-I…I do love you."

"Then prove it."

"I-I... don't understand."

"Show me how much you love me."
Slowly Cora leaned forward and for the second time that day they shared a kiss on the lips but this time it was different. It lasted longer but somehow Regina knew that this was not a normal kiss shared between mother and daughter. She was frozen in place but Regina could feel her mother's hands slide up her neck and cup her cheeks. When the kiss broke she saw a strange glint in Cora's eyes, one of want and yearning.

"You are my everything Regina. Everything I do, I do it for you, for us. Because I love you."

"I love you too mother."

Regina tried to smile but once more she felt the soft lips upon her now shaking ones. And that was the first day Cora not only took from Regina mentally but physically as well. She said that if she did not show her how much she loved her own mother, then how could she be trusted with Henry. Later those words changed into the fact that Henry needed less time with Regina because Cora felt that Henry got all Regina's attention. Then later it became a bargaining of sorts. And that was where they were now.

Now:

The brunette closed her eyes. She knew if she looked at her son, she would not be able to lie to him. For he could not know, he may never know. He must never find out what Regina did to see him. This was for him. It is always for him. She would be strong for him. Her mind went back to this morning and as she felt disgust take over her very being she opened her eyes and her mask was firmly back in place.

"No." and she smiled with all her heart, knowing it would break when she said good bye to him later. "Everything is alright."

"Promise."

She did not waver and with that her hands moved down to him and she easily zipped up his jacket without any difficulty or hesitation.

"Promise. Your other grandmother simply loves me more than I can handle sometimes. And because of that I love you more than you will ever know."

…