A/N: This is set during the "Lilly" A.K.A. SQ Road Trip episode. There is some OQ at the end of chapter one and will be some during chapter two. BUT THIS WILL END AS A SWANQUEEN STORY. The SQ in this will outweigh the other greatly. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter one

My mind swam with anger, confusion, betrayal, and plenty else. It couldn't be. Maleficent's daughter couldn't be the Lilly I grew up with. My only friend couldn't be someone who was fated to be my friend. "Damn…" I stopped on the news article that told about a child found in the woods.

"Ain't fate a bitch, you know this girl. How?" I was so wrapped up in finding information that I didn't hear Regina walk up behind me.

"She was my friend."

"The one you told me about." Regina leaned over my shoulder to read the article. "The one you said you pushed away." The smell of Regina's perfume relaxed me. It was nice not having every muscle in my body tense.

"How's this possible? Of all the kids in the world, I become friends with the one my parents banished."

Regina leaned on the table so she could look at me. There was empathy in her eyes. She knew what I was going through. I could always count on her understanding me. "Emma, there are powers beyond our understanding and your parents messed with them."

"So, the only friend I ever had wasn't even my friend by choice. It was just fate." A lump started for form in my throat.

"I know it hurts. I've been there too." There was a twitch at the corner of Regina's mouth. "You think it just so happened that I adopted The Savior's son? Our actions are our own, but our fate pushes us. Maybe it's time to push back."

"Okay Yoda, how?"

Regina narrowed her eyes. "Don't be a smart ass." She paused, "But then again, you can't help but be a smart ass most of the time. I have to go to New York to save the idiot from my sister…what?"

Damn. Regina noticed the knot in my stomach. How the hell did she notice that? "I thought I was the only idiot in your life."

"You're not the only idiot in my life. My life is full of them. You're just the one I like the best." I couldn't help but chuckle. "I need to rescue Robin from my insane sister and you have to find this girl to redeem your parents. And you have to show Gold that he's wrong. That he can't change you. Why don't we help each other?"

"What like a road trip? You hate my bug."

Regina rolled her eyes. "While yes, I despise that metal deathtrap, you're the one who knows her way around. If you want to call it a road trip then okay." I couldn't help but huff. Everyone wanted to hover over me when I just wanted to be left alone. But, then again, I don't want Regina to leave me alone. I actually like her around me. She's good for me. But she has Robin…. "Emma?"

"I'm okay Regina. I don't need a babysitter."

"You went somewhere again. What's going through that head of yours?" Regina's head tilted to the side slightly.

"Nothing. Stop reading me. We already have one shrink in this town. We don't need two. You're the Mayor, not the shrink." Regina tried to argue but I cut her off. "Yeah, yeah, I know. Mary Margaret cast the second curse but she always comes to you for questions about running the town. Therefore, you're still the Mayor in my book."

"And whether you like it or not, you're still the Sheriff in mine." Regina paused to choose her words. "You may not need a babysitter but maybe I need you." My brow rose. Regina needing me? "You've lived in New York; I've barely been outside Storybrooke. How about it Swan? How about we make today the day we both beat fate?"

I thought Regina's offer over. She was right. She's never really been outside of Storybrooke and New York was much different. I wanted her to be safe. "Just don't call me Swan. Emma, Miss. Swan, or even idiot works."

A soft chuckle escaped Regina's throat. "Okay."

Xxx

Saying goodbye to everyone was easier than I thought. Well, to all except Henry. But I knew he would be in good hands between Hook and my parents. "Be careful Swan. I know how tempting the dark side can be."

"I'll be fine." Hook kissed me and I felt warmth start to surround me.

"Let's go." Heels clicked towards my car.

I jumped back when I noticed a small flame surround my feet. "Hey! What the hell Regina?"

"Come on you idiot. Let's go. The sooner we find this girl the sooner I can save Robin from my sister." We said goodbye to Henry and climbed into the bug.

"What was that about?" Before I could press the matter, my phone pinged.

"Is it about your friend?"

"Yeah," I kept reading. "A contact of mine said she lived thirty miles from where I did. We kept separating as kids but lived half an hour away from each other as adults."

"Like I said, it's fate." Regina paused, "What exactly happened between you two?" I didn't answer. I just started the car and drove off. "Okay, fine. We'll be quiet during this little road trip of yours."

"It was your idea Regina." I glanced towards the brunette. "But I am glad you wanted me to come along. Without your magic, I'm not sure how well you can fight or take care of yourself. I know you have one hell of a right hook though."

"Same for you." Regina tried to get comfortable in the seat. Wearing a dress may not have been her brightest idea.

"There's a lever between your legs that will push the seat back to give you more leg room. I'd help but Robin may get jealous." Regina smacked my shoulder, hard. "Ow! What the hell was that for?"

"Your mouth. And why would he get jealous?" Regina tried finding the lever. It was quite funny seeing someone so refined in this kind of car. Finally she found it. A small gasp escaped Regina's throat when she was thrown back so quickly. "Stop laughing."

"I'm sorry. I can't help it." I placed my hand on the back of the seat. "Okay, pull the lever again." She did, and I pushed forward to click the seat into place. "Better?"

"Yes. Thank you. Now answer my question. Why would Robin be jealous?"

I could feel Regina's eyes burning into me. It was that "you-better-answer-me-or-else" look. "J-just because you're…"

"If you say his, I will rip your heart out and squeeze." It was the Evil Queen voice.

"I was going to say with him. I know you don't belong to him." The tension between us eased away.

"Good."

Xxx

We arrived at the address my contact gave me. It was ratty and run down. "Why did I go through the trouble of creating Storybrooke when I could have cursed everyone to live here?"

"Watch out for the rats and roaches. The last thing you want on those Louis Vuittons of yours is roach guts." I saw the look of disgust on Regina's face as I knocked on Lilly's door.

"Yeah?" An older man stepped out of the next apartment down. He was grungy and looked as if he hadn't bathed in days.

"Oh hey, sorry to disturb you. We're looking for Lilith Page, is she around?"

"No, she's not been here in years." The man leaned against the doorframe.

"Do you know where she moved to?" There was a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"She didn't move anywhere. She's dead." He took a step towards us. "She died in a car accident. I think she was drunk. Not like anyone would miss her. She had that kind of personality that made you stay away. She was a real loser."

Something inside me snapped. I grabbed the man by the throat and slammed him against the wall. "She was my friend." Cocking my arm back, Regina grabbed my wrist.

"Emma! Stop! It's not worth it." She paused when she felt my muscles loosen. "Let him go, Emma."

"Listen to your girlfriend lady." Both Regina and I glared at the man. Upon Regina's request, I let him go. He coughed and stumbled back towards his apartment. "Crazy bitch."

Regina placed a hand on my shoulder turning me towards her. "Hey, you okay?"

Shrugging her hand away, I spoke. "I'm absolutely fine."

Silence followed us until the car. "You wanna talk about it?" Regina's voice was light.

"No." It came out harsher than I meant it to. "Thank you though.'

"You nearly put him through a wall, Emma." Regina was concerned and I don't think it was just because of Gold. There would always be some kind of caring between us now; mainly because of Henry. Sadly, that's the only reason.

"It's not me turning dark. It's me morning a friend. I can't help but feel like I caused all of this. That darkness was meant for me."

"You didn't. Your parents did." Regina sighed.

"But, you heard what he said." I looked at Regina, "she had that dark personality."

"Emma!" Regina's reaction caused me to look. Standing in the middle of the road was a gray wolf. I swerved the car and we stopped on the side of the road. "You okay?"

"Yeah, you?" I looked towards Regina. She was shaken a bit but she was okay.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Stepping out of the car, I watched the wolf run off while Regina checked the tires.

"This has happened before. The wolf causing me to wreck. It happened the first time I tried to leave Storybrooke."

"Stop over thinking things. It's not fate it's a flat." Regina was right. I'm over thinking things. Thankfully, we blew a tire in front of a gas station that sold tires. "I'll get a tire, you get some coffee."

Xxx

Sighing, I walked into the small gas station. A brunette woman greeted me quickly. "Yeah, can I have two coffees and a box of Advil…actually; make that two boxes." I took a seat and rubbed my temples.

"Bad day?" The brunette set two cups on the table and poured coffee into each.

"Yeah." My attention focused when I saw the star birthmark on the brunette's wrist.

"I'll leave the pot here then. Be right back with the Advil." As she walked off, Regina came through the door.

"The car's being towed in." Regina took a seat across from me. "You okay? Did you see another wolf?"

I snickered at Regina's sarcasm. "It's her. Lilly's here."

"Are you sure?" Regina sipped her coffee.

"Yeah, I'll be right back. Stay here." Walking towards the back, I followed Lilly outside. "Hey."

"Hey. Did I bring you decaf? I always get the pots mixed up." Lilly kept an eye on me. She knew who I was; even if she wouldn't admit it.

"Starlah isn't your real name is it? It's Lilly." I kept my voice even. I didn't want to scare her off.

"How do you know that?" Lilly's brow creased.

"The mark on your arm." I motioned towards her wrist. "You showed it to me a long time ago."

Lilly looked me over quickly. "How….Emma?"

"What happened? I thought you were dead." Relief started to wash over me but I couldn't shake this odd feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Lilly sighed. "I got into trouble a few years ago with some bad people. I needed a fresh start. How did you find me? I've been really careful."

"It's complicated." I took a deep breath. This wasn't going to make much sense. "What if I told you that the whole downward spiral wasn't your fault, but mine? I need you to come with me so I can explain everything."

Lilly snickered and shook her head. "Emma, I've not thought about you in years. I have a husband and a daughter," Lilly turned to see a small school bus pull up. "I have to go." Before she walked away, Lilly glanced behind me. "It seems your keeper has come for you."

"Tire's being fixed." Regina came to stand beside me. "So it was her." We watched as Lilly walked away with a small girl. "Looks like you didn't ruin her life after all." All I did was turn to walk back into the gas station. "Emma, where are you going?"

"Wait here." A moment later I rejoined Regina. "I got Lilly's time card. It has her real address on it."

"Emma…" Regina's voice was sympathetic.

"Regina, please trust me. There's something wrong and I have to help her. I let Lilly down once, I can't do it again. I'm going to get her back to her mom."

Regina watched me a moment. She knew I was right. "I trust you."

Xxx

Regina pinched the bridge of her nose as I picked the lock to Lilly's home. "Remind me to change my locks when we get back. I'm sure you have a key because of Henry…."

"You know a new lock wouldn't stop me." I glanced back with a grin. "But I'll respect your boundaries…now." Before Regina could respond, the door unlocked. Looking around, there was no sign of a kid or a husband.

"Well, you were right." Regina and I looked through more of the rooms. So far, there was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I can't say I blame her for running. I was about to tell her she was Maleficent's daughter."

"It would have been hard to swallow." Regina paused. "Emma…it might have been simpler than you thought. Look."

"Son of a…she knew." In the farthest room, the walls were covered with maps and pictures. Lilly knew everything. She had figured out where Storybrooke was and who everyone was. "She wants revenge." We heard a car start and ran quickly. As we exited the house, Lilly drove off in my bug. "Really?"

"Emma, the scroll. It's in my bag in the car."

I wasn't sure if I was irritated or surprised at Regina's innocence. You don't leave a designer bag in a car in a shady part of town. "She wanted a way into Storybrooke and now she has it." Looking around, I saw a toolbox. I picked up a wrench and started towards Lilly's car.

"Emma, what are you doing?"

"She ruined my life with one family. I won't let her do it again. And once this is over, we're having a serious conversation about leaving designer hand bags in the car when in a shady part of town." Regina glared as I smashed in the driver's side window. I sped on when we hit the main road. I had to catch up to her. I couldn't let Lilly into Storybrooke. "She's doing it again Regina. Every time I let her in, she ruins my life. And now Lilly is going after my parents. I have to stop her."

"And you will. But you can't go in with a head full of steam." Regina held onto the roof of the car to brace herself. "If you do, you may do something you'll regret."

"Oh really? Well tell me Your Majesty, what are your plans for Zelena? A nice chat over tea?" The second I said that, guilt clenched my heart. It was a low blow and Regina was just trying to help. Before I could apologize, Regina glared and snapped at me.

"That's different."

"How? Zelena lays a hand on Robin and you'll end her, right? Right. So I'll do the same thing to Lilly." My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel. Regina was right. I needed to get my anger under control.

"Be careful Emma, you're starting to sound like me." Regina's voice was light. "There she is."

"Hang on." I pushed the gas and sped up more. I tried to pass Lilly but she moved. Finally, I was able to pass and turn in front of her. Regina cussed under her breath as she was thrown towards me. I braced her with my shoulder until we stopped. "You okay?"

"Yeah." We got out of the car and I made my way towards Lilly.

"Hey." I walked up behind Lilly, grabbing her arm. "Hey!" Turning her towards me, I looked her in the eyes. "You know. Did you know when we were kids?"

"Of course not."

"Do you know now?" I noticed Regina keeping her distance. She knew this was something I had to do.

"Yeah, your parents screwed me. And once I get to Storybrooke…."

"You lay a hand on them I'll end you!" I shoved Lilly to the ground.

"Oh yeah? How are you going to do that without your magic, Savior?" Lilly swung and punched me hard in the jaw. Instinct kicked in and I did the same to her. Thunder cracked in the background and my headlight burst.

"Emma, stop!" Regina was right. I needed to stop but I was so angry.

"Your parents are monsters. They banished me and put you in a wardrobe because she," Lilly pointed towards Regina, "wanted to cast a dark curse screwing us all. And here you are, about to die for them because you're so perfect. You have to save everyone. There's one way to end this." Lilly lunged towards me and tried getting me to the ground. I threw her down and pulled my gun. "Of course it ends this way."

"I'm just trying to keep you from doing something you'll regret."

Lilly snickered. "You know my life isn't worth saving. I'm hardwired for bad decisions. If you let me go, I'll destroy everything you care about. I'll kill your parents, your son, and even her." The thought of Lilly killing Regina and Henry made me clutch the trigger tighter. "So just end it already."

"Emma! No!" Regina walked towards us. "Put the gun down. If you pull that trigger, you'll be the one to ruin your life this time. Your parents wanted a hero, not a murderer. If you do this, you'll be ruining Henry's life along with everyone you care about."

"I have to protect them." I felt nothing. I was cold.

"Then put the gun down. Emma, you're not a murderer." Regina's voice was light but stern.

"I'm already a murderer…." Images of Cruella's dead body flashed before me. "I killed Cruella."

"She was an accident. You didn't know she wasn't going to kill Henry. You were protecting our son." Lilly's brow rose. "If you cross this line, the journey back isn't easy. Trust me, I know. You've seen it. You know how hard I've worked to become the mother Henry deserves. This is what Gold wants you to do, so don't. Emma, you're better than this."

"Damn it." I lowered the gun and placed it in the small of my back. "You're right."

"I know I'm right. Now, I need to check in. Do you promise not to kill her if I step away?" I sighed. "Okay." Regina walked away as I joined Lilly by a random stump.

"Who knew the Evil Queen would save the day." Lilly chuckled softly.

"Don't call her that. She's not the Evil Queen anymore." I looked towards Regina. She saved my ass and everyone else's…again.

"You care about her. I can tell. And you share a son." Another chuckle, "Who knew?"

"Shut up." I shoved Lilly lightly in the shoulder gaining a grin.

"Bad news from home. I just lost my leverage over Gold. We need to get to Robin right now."

Xxx

Regina knocked on Robin's door. Much like I did when I was furious. "Robin, open up."

The door finally opened and Robin stood in a ratty t-shirt and jeans. "Regina, what are you doing here?"

"Robin." Seeing them embrace made me sick. "I missed you."

"And I you." Yup going to vomit.

"I can explain everything but first, where's Marian?"

"She's at the store…why?" There's that normal constipated look.

"Good. Then we have time." Regina pushed forest boy into the apartment and we followed.

"Who is he?" Lilly whispered as Regina explained everything.

"That's Robin Hood. Regina's true love." Sarcasm was clear in my voice.

"How does she know that? I mean, he's apparently with the Wicked Witch."

"Tinkerbell's fairy dust led Regina to a man with a lion tattoo. And said man is her true love."

"That's insane." Lilly snickered and shook her head.

"Yeah, I know."

"I can hear the two of you." Both Lilly and I cringed at the harshness of Regina's voice.

"Robin? What is she doing here?" Marian walked in with an armful of groceries.

"I told him everything Zelena. Give it up." Regina turned back to Robin and took his arm. "Come on, let's get Roland and go."

"Regina, I can't. This is crazy. Zelena's dead. We all saw her die."

"Not quite." Marian walked behind Robin and pulled out a green necklace. A second later, Zelena appeared.

"What was that?" Lilly's eyes grew.

"That was magic." This just made everything more complicated.

"So, do you want to tell her my dear husband? Or should I?" Zelena grinned.

"Tell me what?" I could sense the worry radiating off of Regina.

"She's…pregnant."

I lunged forward but Lilly grabbed me. "Emma! No!"

I refused to stop. Breaking free, I rushed past Regina and nailed Robin in the nose. "You fucking bastard!" Blood gushed down his face and stained his white shirt.

"Emma!" Regina grabbed my wrist before I could pull Robin to his feet. "Stop!" I started to shake. All I thought about was beating the shit out of him. "Help me!"

"Er…right." Lilly came behind me and pulled me away. "Emma, come on."

"Oh, it seems Emma's still full of fire." Zelena chuckled and helped Robin to his feet. Regina was hurt.

"Regina…" I could see the pain in her eyes. All I wanted to do was pull Regina into my arms and take that pain away.

"Not now." Regina's voice was cold. "Let's go."