Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time or the characters therein.
A/N: This story is sequel to my one-shot, Jill of All Trades. This story can be read alone, but JoAT provides more context. It is based on these plot points: Emma remains the Dark One (she could hear the Dagger while Rumple didn't, despite it being close). It was a trick by the Darkness, trying to control her; Rumple's name was a glamor. He lied to buy time like Emma did for Hook. Belle learned about his lies and left, unable to take the constant deceit. Hook did not return from the underworld. Zelena did make it back, however, and has visitation with her daughter.
Outside of Fate
Promo
You mean you really haven't figured it out yet, Dearie?
The clenched jaw tipped her off first. Eyes dropping to Emma's hands and seeing the white knuckles, she knew she had to intervene.
"Robin," Regina called, drawing his attention. "Can you help me for a moment?"
Naturally, the man immediately set down the support beam he was holding and trotted up to her. Regina stepped aside to let him into the house before shutting the door. "Leave her alone, Robin," she said before he could ask why she called him. She set one hand gently over his hand and looked into his eyes. "Emma needs to work, and your help will only make her angry. Please, just let her do this."
Robin gave her a pained look. "I don't understand. I'm not getting in the way or making it more difficult."
It's all about balance.
Regina sighed. "I know, but I can't explain. Just… it's not you, Robin. Emma needs to tell her story. Please, just accept that Emma needs to do these things." He still looked skeptical; he didn't understand. She forced a laugh, but it sounded more like a breath. "Robin, she nearly had a panic attack because I said I could change the light bulbs with magic. Let her do this on her own. She will ask for help if she wants it."
She wouldn't, of course. Emma would absently rebuff any offers of assistance. Her focus would be on building the deck she'd been working on the last few days. She'd already purchased the supplies in a rare trip into Storybrooke proper and was now cutting various boards to the required lengths.
"Regina?" Robin asked, voice laced with concern. "What is it? Were you able to talk to Rumplestiltskin?"
You've always come to me for lessons in the past, so I suppose it is only natural you would come to again for further learning. Do sit down, Your Majesty. I will educate you.
She nodded tiredly, watching Emma. The blonde's shoulders had relaxed to a degree, but Regina could still see the stiffness of her movements. The Dark Ones were probably having a field day with Robin's offer and attempt to help. What were they saying, she wondered. That he was spying on her? That he didn't trust her? That no one did?
"Regina?"
She turned to him and sighed. "I… yes, I spoke with Gold." She rubbed her face. The damn imp was all too happy to give her answers. Smug bastard. He knew Regina would not like what he would have to say. He was not outright vicious anymore, but she suspected he still held a grudge against her for holding Belle captive for so long.
"And did you get the answers you were looking for?" He asked gently.
Regina winced. "Something like that." She looked outside. "I'll go talk to her."
"Regina," he began slowly. "I want you to know that this is not your responsibility. Emma is responsible for her own choices. You are not her keeper."
As you know, Snow White and her Charming husband wanted their child to be a hero, so they took the Darkness from her before she was even born.
"I know that," she replied grimly. "But I also know how dangerous it is to left alone with dark thoughts. I know what it means to need someone to talk to me, or to listen. She needs that."
Robin sighed, but nodded his understanding.
Regina tipped her head in acknowledgment then slipped outside. Emma was diligently using a handsaw. Regina had suggested one of those electric monstrosities, but Emma insisted on using the handsaw. She said it was to keep the noise down around the baby, but Regina thought it might be because it would take more time and effort this way.
She strolled up to the blonde woman, but Emma was rather absorbed in her work and didn't notice. Regina watched her for a moment before clearing her throat. "What are they talking about now?" She asked once she had Emma's attention.
"Well, Nimue is pretty pissed that you're here, but she's not really talking. More scowling than anything. Gorgon was telling me that I'm incompetent because I should be destroying things, not building them. But he's stuck in the body of a fire-breathing pig, so he just kinda grunts and I understand him. Rumplestilskin is just giggling, so I guess there is some kind of irony here that I don't know about. Aldrich is talking about how Robin smells like an ape and is spying on me."
Regina nodded. "And what are you thinking?"
They created their Hero, their Savior. But all magic comes with a price. In making her a hero, they made her more. Doubtless they did not know how they condemned her even as they tried to save her.
Emma stopped to smirk up at her. "Well, right now I'm wondering how Aldrich knows what an ape smells like."
She laughed. "Perhaps he saw it in your memories?"
Emma's smirk faded. "Nah. I've never, you know, been to a zoo. Unless you think he's guessing?"
"Possibly," she answered, clasping her hands behind her back and stepping closer. "So, who is Aldrich?"
Emma blinked slowly. "One of the middle-ish Dark Ones. He didn't keep his power very long. He was bullied by his village, kinda like Rumplestiltskin, but not as smart. He got the power but couldn't hang on to it. He was pretty paranoid, so he attacked people at random. They were pretty desperate to get rid of him. He is how they discovered that Squid Ink binds Dark Ones. He was killed by Zalathustra, who became the next Dark One."
"So Aldrich spends his time making you paranoid?"
"He tries. I mostly ignore him. He whines about everything." She rolled her eyes.
"Mostly. You mostly ignore him." Regina gave her a knowing look. "Part of you believed him."
There is a legend. There are always legends from our world. Stories and myths about the Heroes of old. Epic Heroes, they're called.
Emma shifted, mouth twisted in a grimace. "He has been extra…hover-y."
Regina reached out and touched her arm. "Emma. They're lying. You know this."
"Not usually," Emma said. She dropped the saw and walked a few paces away. Regina followed, then both sat in the chairs set off to the side. "They tell the truth. Why lie to me, when the truth is so much worse? When it will break me? Robin isn't spying, I get that, but he doesn't trust me. He really doesn't like how much time you spend with me. He's always trying to help me, and it's probably because he thinks I'm gonna curse a dresser drawer into a death trap or something."
Having seen the way Robin watched Emma, Regina could not deny the possibility. Worse, Emma was right. The truth would destroy her so much faster than lies. Secrets, too.
And therein lay the problem.
"You need to talk to them," she said instead.
Emma groaned and closed her eyes. "This again? I thought you were going to give me time."
"I have given you time."
"Five days is not time. And you've asked me everyday. That is not time."
"Did it help? Talking to me?"
The first true Hero was the same. Ours has always been a cruel world, Your Majesty, but before a time in memoriam, it was far, far worse. Our world needed a Hero. So, a Hero was made. One who would not fall to the vice and greed that our land was rife with.
Emma turned to her slowly. "Yes," she admitted. "No." She looked toward the apple tree. "They talk a lot more. They are kinda desperate. Keep saying I can be the best of them if I just give in. They still talk about you too, but it's different. More aggressive. They really want you to die. But, at the same time, it's easier to ignore them."
"Why?"
She shrugged. "I trust you," she replied easily.
And wasn't that just the worst possible thing Emma could have said. Because really, Emma's trust in her made this so much more difficult.
"Then maybe talking to them will help, too. Talk to them. Work through everything. If you do, it might make it easier to ignore them," Regina suggested.
Emma pursed her lips and looked up at the sky. A bird flew overhead. "I still blame them," she whispered.
Now, to make this Hero, the Darkness was removed before he was born. Pure of intent and heroic in spirit, yes?
"You need to try," Regina returned, voice soft.
"I know. I know." She pulled her hair up off her neck before dropping it back down. "When do you wanna do it?"
"Me?"
She shrugged. "You keep me from doing stupid stuff. I figure, if something needs to be done, you'll help me do it right. I learned my lesson there. So?"
Regina considered this. "The sooner the better, so you can't back out. Tonight? We can invite everyone for dinner."
Emma took a moment to consider. "Yeah, I guess. I, uh, I'll make dinner. Let me just wash up and I'll go make something. Is that okay?"
"It should be fine, Dear. What will you talk to them about?"
And in time, this Hero went on to do great things, and did indeed save the people of the Enchanted Forest from many great evils.
"Neal," Emma answered immediately. "I want to see my brother. I mean, the age difference between us is creepy, especially since I'm older than our mother in a way, but I still want to see him. He's too young to be angry with me yet, and it's nice not to be judged."
Regina stared at her for a moment. "If you're sure."
"I am."
Regina decided that discretion was the better part of valor, and she would not ask Emma what other reasons she had for wanting to talk about Neal might be.
But the Fates are unkind to those who meddle in their designs. There is a very strict punishment for those who force a change in their tapestry. That punishment always falls upon the Hero.
-OoF-
Dinner is even more awkward than Regina anticipated. Considering some of the other family dinners they had, she had prepared for an incredibly awkward dinner. She'd asked Robin to take his daughter for their regular visit with Zelena. It wasn't much, but it made Emma feel more comfortable.
Heroes, you see, always have people to save, great deeds to do, but there is more to it than just that. To do those things, they must be placed in those situations.
Emma, meanwhile, had cooked a veritable feast. Pot roast nestled in a bed of potatoes, carrots and celery, homemade dinner rolls, and an apple crumble. She was impressed. The roast was tender, not needing to be cut with a knife. It was delicious.
"This is wonderful, Regina," Snow commented, smiling warmly.
"Yeah Mom, it's good," Henry grinned.
"Thank you, but Emma made dinner tonight," Regina deferred, unable to keep the touch of smugness from her tone. She was unabashedly proud of Emma, even if she was the only one to recognize what it meant for Emma to make this meal.
To save a starving man, the Hero must give up some of his own food and go hungry in his stead. To save people from being killed, they must fight their battles, must have blood on their hands.
The silence that followed was incredibly uncomfortable. No one save Regina dared touch their food for several long moments. It was Henry who broke the standoff. He sat up a little straighter in his seat, looked at Emma and smiled stiffly. "It's good, Mom. Thanks." As if to prove it was safe, he took a large bite. Seeing that neither Henry nor Regina were harmed, the Charmings resumed their meal slowly.
"It's delicious," David spoke, voice somewhat strained.
"I didn't know you could cook," Snow commented, brow pinched.
"You never asked," Emma muttered.
"Well, I suppose I didn't need to. I only ever saw you destroying toasters." She raised her eyebrows.
"I have a thing against toasters." Emma shrugged, trying act as though she did not care.
"She always has," Henry said, forcing a light laugh. "She used to break them all the time in New York."
Regina didn't tell them what Emma had told her. Yes, Regina knew exactly why Emma hated toasters, why she would destroy them every chance she got. No one else seemed to recognize the signs on her hands. The marks on her fingers were so faded by time that even Regina had to strain to see them when Emma offered her hand as proof. Anyone shaking her hand might think the scars were calluses, but Regina knew better. Now, at least.
But then, Regina knew about all of Emma's scars. It had been a very long night, one that involved a great deal of wine on her part, while Emma showed her each scar and told the story of how she got them. Some were harmless, like the time she stepped on a nail ("it got me at a weird angle—bled for three blocks while I just kinda hopped my way back to the house") or caught her leg on the fence she tried to jump on a foolish dare. Others were markedly less so.
Awkwardly, David began to discuss his day at the Station and complained about the paperwork that came with being Sheriff. Emma nodded along, not commenting that she was the actual Sheriff, that the title was taken from her against her wishes long before she became the Dark One. It was a point of contention that Emma didn't want to talk about very much at that point.
"Emma, perhaps it's time to actually talk with your family," Regina began gently when David trailed off.
It's all about Balance, Dearie.
Emma, who had been staring hard at the empty chair at the table, twitched. She looked around the room, eyes lingering on each person in turn, until they came to rest on Regina. She nodded slightly before her eyes turned to Snow and David. "Where's Neal?"
Snow and David shared a worried look before Snow sat up. "We left him with Granny for the night. We figured you would want to talk with just us."
The problem is that this is not what the Fates wanted, it was not their design.
Regina wondered if she was the only one who saw the light in Emma's eyes fade to an empty stare. Emma hummed and looked away, swaying slightly in her seat, blank eyes locked on her glass of wine.
"Emma," Regina said, leaning forward. "They're trying to trick you. That's what they do."
"They?" Henry asked.
They had a very different plan for the Hero, of course, one that could have been anything from the life of a pig farmer to that of a king. And that plan can never be realized, not for the Hero.
"The Dark Ones, Henry," Emma explained distantly, blinking slowly, her eyes not seeing anything in the room. She tapped her temple three times. "Every single Dark One that existed before me. They're all in my head. Still. They never really left because I never stopped being the Dark One. But you already knew that. They made that quite clear when we failed to bring back Hook. But yeah, they're here. They tell me things."
"Lies," he said, nodding. "They tell you lies. And that's why you do bad things." He seemed satisfied with his conclusion, even smiling a little as if he solved some great riddle. Regina could not hide her wince, already knowing what was coming.
A Hero stands outside of Fate and cannot be controlled, and they don't like that. Despise it, really.
"Maybe. Are they though? Because right now, Zoso is showing me that David has Squid Ink with him right now. If they are lying, he won't mind turning out his pockets. Including the breast pocket of his jacket."
David, who had gone very pale, didn't move. He glanced at Snow, then looked back at his plate.
A Hero will always have someone to save, will always seek out dishonesty without even knowing it. A Hero can never rest. Vagabond Knights, all of them, wandering the land and taking up arms against injustice.
"Grandpa?" Henry asked.
"David?" Regina asked at the same time. "Snow?"
It was Snow that cracked. "We don't trust the Darkness," she admitted in a rush.
And that is why you came to me, isn't it? To find a way for our very own Lost Hero to find peace. It can't be done.
Henry's shoulders slumped at he looked at his grandparents. Regina couldn't look at any of them and covered her eyes for a moment. Really, the UnCharmings were maddening at the best of times, but to do this…
"I can't do this," Emma muttered, standing. "I tried, but it's too soon. I need to go. Enjoy your dinner." She reached out and touched Regina lightly on the shoulder. Green eyes glistened with unshed tears and something more. "Thank you," she whispered. And then she was gone in a puff of smoke.
Silence.
Even as the Darkness haunts her, Miss Swan is immune in her own way. Oh, she makes terrible choices—Hero or not, she is still human. She is bound to make mistakes.
"Well, that went well," Regina snapped. "I spend five days convincing her to let you try being her parents, and you pull this? Squid Ink? Really? You continue to astound me with your decision-making skills."
They had the grace to look embarrassed. "We didn't mean… we can't trust the Darkness, we can't trust her to control it. You heard her. She was listening to So-So or whoever instead of talking with us!" David defended.
Regina sneered. "Zoso never actually talks to her. He just shows her images of what you and Snow do. He must have shown her how you put the Squid Ink in your pocket. I'm assuming it's in the breast pocket of your jacket?"
He huffed, but pulled the vial from the identified pocket.
"She's trying, Grandpa," Henry chided. He looked down at his plate. "I'm not hungry, Mom. May I be excused?"
Feeling very tired, Regina nodded. "I'll save your dinner for when you get hungry," she offered. "Emma worked hard to make something you would like. We don't want to waste it."
But peace is impossible for her. There can be moments of respite, but they are only that. Moments. Just enough time to recover before she is off on her next quest, whether as the lead or support, it doesn't matter. There will always be someone to save, someone to help.
Harry nodded and left. Regina watched him go. She took a bite of the roast, but it tasted like ash in her mouth. Sighing she set her fork down. "I find I have also lost my appetite. Do either of you want to explain that debacle? Or better, why you won't let Emma see her own brother?"
It took all of her will not to tell them that Neal was perfectly safe with Emma, that his sister took him for long walks every night. They never even noticed, having slept soundly through the night while she dealt with his colic. Instead, she forced herself to listen.
Unsurprisingly, they were not able to give her a satisfactory answer.
Funny, isn't it?
-OoF-
Regina waited patiently for Emma to return. Henry chose to stay with her for the night. He, along with Robin, Roland and the baby, were all upstairs, sleeping. Regina, as she was wont to do, waited for Emma to pop in.
The house was quiet, but she was reading a rather pleasant novel, so it was a fine way to pass the time until Emma decided to show herself. She waited until just after one in the morning. Emma arrived in a cloud of smoke, fussing babe in her arms.
"It took forever for them to fall asleep. They were talking about me again," she explained. She bounced Neal in her arms, the motion soothing him. His fussing quieted.
"The Charmings or the Dark Ones?"
"Both," Emma answered. "Snow and David were talking about how they were going to deal with me and keep Neal safe from me. They don't trust why I want to see him. They think I want to hurt him. Vehan was talking to me about how in the Enchanted Forest I would have been disowned and Neal would be declared the Heir Apparent a long time ago, going on and on about how Neal is more important to Snow and David as a proper heir or whatever. He wanted me to snap his neck and secure my place in line for the throne again.
"It's the stupidest argument for pretty much anything. We're not in the Enchanted Forest, and it doesn't look like we'll be going back anytime soon. Why the hell would I want to be a queen? I hated the paperwork I had as a Sheriff. I don't want the paperwork that comes with being a ruling monarch. Let Neal have it. As a king, I mean. Not a queen. Or, you know, if he wants to be a queen, then he can be a queen. I'm the Dark One—not really in a position to judge."
Snow White and Charming wanted her to be good. They took to the Darkness to make it so. To make her a Hero. No Damsel in Distress, no, not our Miss Swan. She was always meant to be a woman of action, of deeds.
Regina smothered a bitter laugh. Of course. Only Emma would reject being a queen based on the amount of paperwork. Still, there was more to it than that. Emma would tell her in time.
"Which one is Vehan?" She asked instead. She watched as Emma walked calmly around the room, Neal still fussing but much more quietly.
"He came before Gorgon. He was an advisor at some court. He usually acted as a magistrate. He took power so he could exact justice on criminals everywhere. Never mind that he took bribes pretty regularly. Asshole." She looked down at Neal. "Don't tell your parents I said that in front of you."
Instead they damned her to eternal suffering.
Emma proceeded to ramble on about the other Dark Ones in her head. Their names, their histories, their motives. How they tormented her. Twelve Dark Ones, whispering to her all the time. Eventually, though, the words became softer and softer, trailing away until she was only humming in Neal's ear.
"I think I need to leave," Emma whispered, but Regina still heard. She was staring at the wall again, doubtless listening to whatever Dark One was trying to corrupt her at the moment. "I've been feeling like this for awhile. Restless. Working helps but it's like a Band-Aid for a bullet hole right now."
There is little that I know of her life, but I know enough of Fate that I can make an educated guess.
"To where?" She asked, frowning. She supposed Emma could go back to the quaint little home Hook had picked out, but that did not seem safe. No, that would leave Emma with far too much time to think.
"I don't know. California, maybe? Away from here, away from magic."
Regina clutched the fabric of her shirt over her heart a she realized what Emma meant by leaving. No. This could not be happening.
A woman who never stayed in one place for long, always moving and being moved, unable to stay out of trouble, forever taking the burdens destined for others upon herself.
"I'll go back to bounty hunting. Save up money, go to college. I worked hard to get my GED in jail. I mean, I didn't have much to do, and the Warden arranged for me to get the study books. It took forever because reading is boring as hell. Did you know I used to teach the other inmates so I could learn it myself? It seemed to be the only way I could pick it up."
Subtly, Regina rubbed her eye, preventing the tear from falling before Emma could see. She supposed, though, Emma would not see it anyway. She was staring at nothing again, rambling on and not even aware she was.
"I've still got some money laid by. I can get myself out there, get an apartment, get settled. I can call back every week. Check in with you. With Henry, if he wants to talk to me. It'll make your lives easier, I'm sure."
Like taking the punishment for my own son's crimes. Like owing me a favor so that Miss Boyd could have her babe and her beau. Like giving up her magic to save a life that did not deserve saving. Like taking the Darkness so the Evil Queen could have her happy ending.
"Emma, don't. You saw what happened the last time you tried to do everything by yourself. Don't do this to yourself." It took everything she had to sound normal, to keep the plea from her voice.
"That's not what this is about, Regina. It's about getting peace and quiet. It's about getting sleep. It's about letting everyone get on with their lives since I am only a painful reminder of what could have been or what will never be.
"It's about putting distance between me and the family I can't have. Snow and David will never accept me, not like this. Excalibur is gone, and the Dagger with it. No one can kill me. I am always going to be the Dark One. As long as I'm here, that's not going to change. If I leave, though, I'm human again. I can leave and I'll be able to die, and I'll take the Darkness straight to hell with me. I need to leave. It's for the best."
In doing so, she has taken the greatest burden of all. And make no mistake; she will never be rid of it. Miss Swan will be the last Dark One.
"Emma," she whispered mournfully. The problem was that Emma was right. Every single word was the truth. As she'd said, the truth was so much more damaging than lies.
"It's for the best," she repeated. She gave a shaky smile. "I'll say my goodbyes and leave tomorrow. I'll pack tonight. Not that I have much. You can't keep much in the system. I know there are good homes out there, but it seems like I always got sent to the worst ones. When I was a kid, I used to joke that I was cursed. Now I don't think it's so funny."
An immortal that just can't help but to take everyone's burden. I can't help but wonder when she will break under that weight.
Regina choked back her words. She would not beg. She wouldn't.
"So, yeah. I'll leave. Snow and David can have their darling little Prince Neal, you can have Henry. I'll call every now and again. Without magic, I figure I'll be pretty harmless. Do some bounty hunting, build up my funds again, go to college. Not sure what I want to get a degree in yet. I'm thinking something art related.
"And hey, maybe I'll be a foster parent. Think they'll let me? My juvie record is sealed to everyone but you, I'm pretty sure. I can probably take in a few kids like me. I'm not trying to replace Henry, I swear but… there are a lot of kids who are slipping through the cracks, just like I did. I wanna try and help. If I can. I don't want any other kids to have to live like I did when I was in the system. It seemed like I always got sent to the absolute worst homes and never got to stay long in the good ones."
See what I mean about meddling in the Fates' design? That is the price every true Hero pays. Heart wrenching, I know.
"Your family is here, Emma," Regina finally managed to say. The plea in her words sounded desperate, even to her own ears.
"I know you are," Emma answered. "But none of you need me. You have Robin and your kids. Two boys and a girl—that's a lot for the new of you. You don't need a fourth kid to look after, and I don't know about you, but Robin definitely feels the need to look after me. For, you know, obvious and distrustful reasons. Snow and David have Neal. Henry has you and he'll have Robin. There is nothing here for me, Regina. I have no reason to stay. I should go. It really is for the best."
It's what you get when you disrupt the balance, when you anger the Fates.
"Emma, I—"
"I need to take Neal back. It's getting late and I think he's down for the count. I do kinda wonder how much Snow and David will sleep when I'm gone and don't take care of him anymore, but that's not important. You look tired, Regina. You should get some rest."
And then she was gone.
Regina stared ahead, blinking back tears. No. She couldn't just let Emma leave, not like this. She had to stop her. But how, when she knew that Emma needed to leave Storybrooke as clearly as Emma did?
If there was one thing she knew for certain it was this: she had a very serious choice to make, and she did not have much time to decide.
Will that be all, Dearie?
A/N: I don't care for author notes, so this will likely be the only time you hear from me aside from trigger warnings, posted at the beginning of each chapter as needed. I will get the general information out of the way now. The story will be 22 "episodes" long, with this as the promo for the season, so to speak. The story features the main cast, minus Hook, with the main character shifting from episode to episode. There will also be new characters introduced in the sense that I will be pulling from legends/myths/etc.
The focus for this story is on the characters and what it means to be a hero, not romance. I offer a warning now: OQ will not last. If I choose to a pairing, it will be SQ, and not until much farther into the story. At the very least, there will be a strong focus on SQ friendship; I cannot say if it will evolve into romance at this time. I will make it clear if I change my decision, which is possible (Episode 7 took me in a different direction than I planned when I wrote it, as did 8; I hope 9 will give me a break and actually follow my outline instead of changing everything again).
That said, I hope you have enjoyed the promo. As someone who wants to improve, please leave your thoughts in a review—anything I'm doing right or wrong. Please, do not leave flames; they are very unbecoming. Constructive criticism is welcomed.
If you think this story is not your cup of tea, considering SQ is a possibility, you are free to leave at any time, but I ask that you tell me why, so I can keep that in mind for future writing. Happy reading.
Thank you for your time,
Bandy