Author's note: I started this story before the finale. Basically Henry was in a coma for only a day or so before he made a miraculous recovery. In my mind, I had Regina somehow undoing the spell without anyone's knowledge. So this is different from the FINALE...warning! However, until a week ago, I didn't know about the Swan Queen Shippers! So I took to youtube and checked out some show clips! And yes, I do have to say that Emma and Regina have some of the BEST chemistry on the show. (Next Mr Gold and anyone he's sharing a scene with...love that man! Regina is my next fav...I have thing for "gray" characters). I have no idea how I practically made it through the ENTIRE season and missed the eye sex! This new revelation prompted this story. In my mind, I have it been three parts...but who knows. I hope you like, and yes all reviews are welcomed. I apologize in advance for any grammar mistakes, I don't have a BETA reader.
Granny's Diner
"Why the hell does it rain so much in this damn town. Its depressing." I muttered as I stared out the window of Granny's diner. The water streamed down the glass and sparkled like diamonds with the flash of lightening. I'd forgotten my umbrella, and had sprinted into the building just as the bottom had fell out. My hair and jeans were damp. It was a shitty ending to a equally shitty day. It had been three days since Henry had woken up from his brief coma, and the evil ass Regina was in rare form. She'd had me banded from his room. I'm pretty sure she'd pulled this maneuver even if I hadn't threatened to kill her in front of everyone, when we didn't know if Henry was going to make it. Needless to say, that lead to another huge argument and Mary Margret barely managing to grab my arm before I smacked those perfect white teeth of Regina's out on to the floor. Moments later, I was escorted out of the building. However, my parting prize was the doctors and administrators asking...no...rather telling Regina to leave as well.
Mary Margret, whom Regina had band as well from the room, but not totally from the building and David, whom had not been band in any way, said they would stay at the hospital while we mothers took a break to cool off.
"Tell me about it." Ruby said. She brought me another coke and rum. "Granny says this is the last one Emma."
"What?"
"Unless you're going to stay here tonight. Granny says the bar is closed."
"Fine." I downed my drink and rubbed my forehead.
"How's Henry?"
"The same. Getting better, by doctors want to keep a close on eye on him a little while longer." A memory of my son collapsing in front of me played before my eyes. I had to close them to get a grip. "And that bitch won't let me see him."
"Regina? She's just distraught." I looked up at her. "She is Henry's mother Emma. She's in total territorial mode, maybe?" She offered apologetically. "Not thinking straight. She's..."
"Evil." I finished for her and suddenly angry that my alcohol supply had been cut off. "Regina Mills is the devil. Cold as ice, and meaner than shit." I was not at my most eloquent, but I'm pretty sure I got my point across. But then I remember watching Regina paced back and forth in Henry's room in between sitting by his bed and holding his hand. I think I even recall seeing her give him a kiss on his forehead. If it was a show, it seemed very real. And as everyone knows Regina is more than an Oscar worthy actress. But maybe she wasn't completely evil...just 99 percent so.
"Ok..." Ruby chuckled a little. "On that note, I'll be back in a few with a cup of coffee."
I watched her leave, and then turned my attention back to the rainy exterior. He was like David. That's what Doctor Wales had offered as an explanation for Henry's condition. And preliminary tests had found no cause. And like David, a miracle with his sudden awakening. I'm sure I sounded like a lunatic rambling on about poison apple turnovers as I lunged at Regina. The Queen of Darkness had admitted to making an apple turner, but denied trying to poison me. Since I was the ONLY enforcement employee in town, there was no one to check my claims. I was on my own in my quest to punish Regina for her evil doings.
Queen of Darkness...I was starting to sound like Henry now. It broke my heart, that I had disappointed him in his last conscious moments that night. He had wanted so badly for me to believe in his fairy tale dreams. A part of me had wanted to let go of reality and say I believed. But I couldn't. The idea was just too far fetched and sci-fi.
The delusions were spreading across town. First Henry. Then that crazy ass maniac with an obsession for hats. Then even August. Dude claimed to be Pinocchio, and tried to convince me that his leg was wooden.
I was the savior. I was the hero. They'd all told me...I was to save them from HER. But in the end, I was as I'd always been...no one. Just someone who didn't believe. Just someone who couldn't save her own son when he'd needed her most. I felt a tear trickled down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand. She had beaten me once again, and this time the loss was almost losing Henry.
I pulled out my phone and smiled at a photo of Henry. I'm not sure when he'd gone off with my phone and taken the picture, but I was really really glad he had. For right now its all I had of him. I hadn't been there when he'd woken up. Regina had made sure of that. And for the umpteenth time that day, I cursed the day I had ever laid eyes on that woman.
Not Emma's Home
My intention had been to go home and drown my sorrows in a bottle of tequila I kept under the sink. I had convinced myself that I needed just a few hours of alone time to pull myself together. To regroup, and then be there for Henry tomorrow. No thinking. No crying. No fighting. But time had proven once again that my intentions didn't mean shit. I knocked, no banged on the door in front of me. The drinks from Granny's were finally catching up to me and lead me here.
The door opened, and I swear a chill ran over my body as she came into view. I blame the freezing rain, but then again I blame the woman. Armed with a glass of red wine in one hand, and steely stare in her eyes Regina Mill stood before me. She looked more casual that usual not wearing her suit jacket to match the grey skirt. The stark white of her blouse almost shimmering in the moonlight.
"Ms. Swan." She greeted rather impassionately, almost as if bored. I half expected for her to yawn in my face. "Why am I not surprised. I've had enough of you today, please leave." On that note she attempted to close the door, which I stopped.
"We need to talk."
"We don't need to do anything." Again an attempt to close the door.
Her eyes narrow a bit. "Are you drunk?"
"Not enough." I confess.
"Go sleep it off somewhere else."
"Because of you, I can't see Henry."
"Because of you, neither of us can, at least tonight. Do NOT grace my doorstep again. Understand?"
"You're not the boss of me." I proved my point, I walked pass her into the house, hearing the door abruptly slamming behind me. I turned around, breathing in the scent of her perfume, the subtle smoky scent that followed her wherever she went. Cinnamon. I often thought there was a hint of cinnamon to the fragrance.
"What are you Ms Swan, twelve?" She smirked, then her dark eyes looked me up and down with distaste. She'd given me this look so many times. I really should come up with a name for it. "Why I am even asking such a question. You've shown your immaturity too many times to count." She eyed my wet hair and clothes. "I see you're wearing another of your technicolor leather jackets. Newsflash...invest in a raincoat."
I ignore her insult, because my jackets rock. "Put me on the list to see Henry." I demanded.
"Are you insane?" She tilted her head slightly, raven perfect bangs falling slightly over her eyes. "Of course you are. Henry was hurt while in your care. I'm not letting you anywhere near him. And let's not forget your accusation of murder. That ridiculous story of a poisonous turnover."
"It's true."
"Like we're all story book characters?" She laughed. "You really are delusional."
"You damn well know that turnover was meant for me, and you ended up hurting Henry instead." The damn pastry in question, had been tested or tested as much a one horse town like Storybrooke could. There had been no findings of poison or anything unusual about the ingredients used. A gamut of tests had been run against Henry and still nothing to explain his sudden coma. I knew that Regina was behind it somehow, but as always there was no proof. It was like nothing could touch her. Nothing. I wanted to change that so badly.
Her eyes flickered with something that resembled emotion before she looked away. "I would never hurt Henry. Never."
Despite everything, I somehow believed her. I'm not sure what depth of love Regina is truly capable of, but its what she has for the boy. It's the only thing that seems to make her human.
My mind flashes back to Henry being trapped in the old mine shaft. The normally composed and cold Regina was distraught. When she had stepped towards me that day, I hadn't known what to expect. I half expected her to hit me. But instead she came so close, that I could feel her breathe as she spoke. As if she was telling me an intimate secret. There was a pleading in her voice and eyes, when she asked me to bring him to her. The request had cost her some pride, I'm sure. How dare she ever depend on the idiot nobody sheriff! But at the time, Henry had been more important that our rivalry. Of course bitchy Regina returned as soon as Henry was out of harms way, but I never forgot that brief glimpse of the other Regina. That Regina had appear again after Henry's coma. She was protective and screaming at everyone to save him.
"But you have no problem hurting me."
"Not at all." She sneered without hesitation. Her eyes never breaking her stare as she took a drink of wine.
"So you admit it?"
"That I want you gone? That I would do anything within my power to make that happen? Of course. Tsk tsk...it is still so perplexing that this town chose you as sheriff when you have to ask questions about the obvious. I do not like you. I never have. And I never will. I want you out my life I want you out of this town. I want you away from Henry."
"What the fuck is wrong with you Regina? He's my son!"
"He was your son Ms. Swan. A privileged you willingly gave up!" She moved closer, her heels clicking against the marble floor. I should give a name to that familiar sound as well. There is so much about her that I could label and catalog. The hair, always perfect and in place. The expensive suits that never have one wrinkle. The perfect smile that never seemed to reach her dark eyes. The silken voice tinged with irritation as she says Ms. Swan or Dearie. The glare that never ceases to be cast my way at every turn. "A fact that you seem to keep forgetting." But tonight she looked a little worn for wear...not in a obvious way. But she was off her game.
"I haven't forgotten."
"I can't tell, the way you always try to swoop in and play hero for the boy. Honestly sometimes I feel a little embarrassed watching you try to be the person he thinks you are. When we both know you're nothing more than...well...you."
Damn it. Did the woman take a class called "How to make others feel like shit"? Or course not, she probably taught it. I have to admit, living up to Henry's expectations was a bit much at times. It's like has picture of him in mind, that I'm not sure I will ever be.
"I have a right to see him."
"No, the only right you have as far as Henry is concerned." She steps closer, she really has no respect for personal space, this woman. "...is to feel guilty."
"What?"
She turned and walked further into the house, retreating into her office. I followed her and found her standing next to the fireplace place. The glow of the flames barely lighting the room. For the first time I notice, that Regina barely has any lights turned on. She picks up a picture frame. She smiles down at it. "When I first laid eyes on Henry, I made a decision that I would never let him go. Tens year ago you looked at your son, and you threw him away and never looked back. And people say I'm evil."
"Don't twist things to make yourself look good." It never failed, whenever Regina needed something to knock me down with, she pulled out the fact that I gave Henry up for adoption. Granted I did enough beating up myself about it, I didn't need her hitting me over the head with every chance she got. And she truly did it EVERY chance she got.
"I don't need to do anything to make myself look good. It's simply what I am." She smiled briefly. She was beautiful, stunningly so. But her arrogance dulled it down...not by much...but still a little. "I am merely stating the facts. You chose not to be his mother. You made that decision. Now, if you don't like..."
"Jesus, you're like a broken record! Get some new material." I scream.
"Why? When the old material works just fine."
"You don't have the right to judge me."
"But you parade and practically campaign around judging me? A hypocritical hero...aren't you just an amazing character." She turned away to go pour herself another glass of wine. "I see why everyone is crazy about you." Her last words dripped so much with sarcasm, I thought I was going to drown in it.
"Has he asked to see me?" My heart sinks at the idea that Henry is waiting for me to visit him and thinks that I'm letting him down.
She turns around slowly. Taking her time with an answer. "No."
"You're lying."
"Am I?" She cooed with one brow raising slightly.
"Yes."
"Even if he did, what difference does it make? If memory serves me correctly you were leaving town before Henry fell ill."
"Plans have changed."
"Again?" She sighed. "For once Ms Swan can you keep your word about something."
"Yes." I move closer. "Hear this Madam Mayor, you will pay for everything that you've done." I think of Henry. Mary Margaret. Poor Stupid Sydney confessing to a crime, I'm sure Regina did commit. I think of Graham...his link to Regina still haunts me. I think of me...
She steps closer with an amused look in her eyes. "Is this yet another threat of some sort?"
"Yes."
"Well allow me to give you a little advise. If you want to threaten someone Ms Swan. Make sure the person you're threatening gives a damn...it works better that way. I think you know where the door is. See your way out." She dismisses me. She always dismisses me. I felt the blood boiling in my veins reach an all time high temperature. Who does she think she is? Where does she get the right to treat everyone around her like peasants while she plays queen. I may not be posh, rich, and mayor of this town, but I was just as good as Regina in every way that counts!
"No." I try not to jump at the loud crack of thunder that follows my statement. It was kinda cool. I felt like I had backup.
"No? Contrary to whatever is going on in that head of yours, I am not here to entertain you. I don't get pleasure from these countless confrontations you insist on having."
"Really? Because you're usually the one who starts them."
"Who came knocking on who's door tonight?"
"Touche". I take off my wet jacket and let it drop to the carpet. This obviously displeases her. Probably blows some OCD circuit in her head. I can almost see smoke coming out of her ears. "Pick that up!"
I walked over to her bar and start to make myself a drink. I'm a little shocked at the bottle of whiskey I find. I pour myself a shot. "Put me on the list to see Henry."
"Again, the answer is no. I've made up my mind."
"Change it." I demand.
"Absolutely not."
"Why do you have to be such a bitch all the time Regina?" I down my shot of whiskey. It burns my throat on the way down.
"I could ask you the very same question sheriff...but then again I don't really care why you behave the way you do. For the last time please leave!"
"Not until I get what I want. Besides, I'm the only law enforcement in this town..."
She walks over and jerks the bottle of whiskey out of my hand before I can pour another drink. "Why are you even here? Do you honestly think I'll give into your ridiculous demands?"
"Even if it's want Henry wants and needs?"
"You are completely ignorant when it comes to what my son wants and needs!"
"He needs a mother!" I scream. I could tell my words landed like a slap across her face, I think I literally saw her flinch. I decided to take another blow. "And you're obviously aren't qualified for the job. "Her dark eyes looked like black ice. I half expected for the wine glass in her hand to shatter with the death grip she had on it. She was on the ropes. "No wonder the kid is always trying to get away from you. He has to come home to a someone like you! And no one, I mean no one should have to suffer through that."
I was right about the wine glass. It did shatter. But only after Regina let it fall from her hand. If I had not been distracted by that and that fact that I was more than tipsy, I might have seen the attack coming. But instead I felt it. It wasn't some open handed slap that landed me on my ass. It was a hard fist connecting with my jaw. Shit that hurt!
"You ungrateful bitch!" She said evenly. Maybe the storm was her backup instead of mine, because lightening flashed and the thunder shook the floor under my back. And Regina looked more than a little intimidating standing over me. Then I braced myself for the stiletto heel that was coming straight for me.