A/N: This is a rewrite of a story I started working on last year as a birthday gift for regalhoodie17 on Twitter. She asked me to write an AU where Regina and Robin's daughter breaks the curse and is reunited with her parents. That is still the premise of this story, I just changed a few things—namely, who cast the curse—when I got an idea that really grabbed me last month. The original version is still up on my tumblr and this version is still dedicated to her.

A big thank you to Eva (glindalovesshoes), who got a thousand DMs on Twitter as I explained the new direction I was planning for the story to her to make sure it wasn't something that just excited me. And thank you to her for giving me a few ideas and for beta'ing this. You are absolutely the best!

I hope everyone enjoys this new take. –Mac

Chapter 1: The Knock at the Door

Dark gray clouds rolled across the water surrounding the palace, looking like a fast-moving storm. Light flashed inside the clouds every so often and a rumble that sounded like thunder echoed in the distance, growing louder as they approached. The young girl standing in a large window, though, knew it was not a storm that approached the palace but a powerful force that threatened everyone and everything she loved.

Princess Diana stepped away from her window, hugging herself as she did so. She looked down at the beautiful white gown she had been so excited to receive that morning. It was an exact replica of her mother's dress and it made her feel so grown up to wear it, to celebrate her special day. Now her birthday was in ruins and she no longer cared what she wore as their doom approached.

The doors to her bedroom were thrown open and she turned, relieved to see her mother striding into the room. Her pale blue skirts billowed around her as she walked quickly, her dark curls falling loose from the bun she had worn earlier. While she held her head high, there was a haunted look in her brown eyes, though, and it made Diana's stomach do flip flops.

"Mama?" she asked, stepping forward. "Is it really coming?"

Queen Regina nodded as she knelt before her daughter, running her hands over Diana's arms. "I'm afraid there's no stopping it."

"Where's Papa?" Diana asked, wanting both of her parents there. Even if they couldn't stop it, she knew being in their arms would make her feel a little less scared.

"I'm right here, sweetheart," her father said, closing the door behind him. He hurried over to where Diana and Regina were huddled together, falling to his knees as he wrapped his arms around them. Prince Robin kissed his daughter's forehead before pressing another one to his wife's head.

Diana clung to her parents as she glanced out the window again, noticing the clouds now engulfing the palace. Her heart beat faster and her stomach churned as she asked in a shaky voice: "What's going to happen?"

Regina pulled away, gently cupping her face as she looked her daughter in the eyes. "The curse is going to take us to another land that is far, far away from here."

Diana glanced around the bedroom that had been hers since she was a baby. It had given her more than enough room to grow and she couldn't imagine not seeing it again. How would she sleep in any other bed but her big four poster one with curtains she could close to create a little world of her own? Or watch the butterflies painted on her wall flit around as her mother had enchanted them to do? What about all her toys-from her beloved stuff horse she named Rocinante after her mother's stallion to all the dolls she had in the large dollhouse Geppetto had made for her? Did she have to leave behind the bookcase filled with her favorite books? And all her beautiful outfits too?

"What will this other place be like?" she asked her mother.

"I don't know," Regina replied, her voice shaking a bit.

Those were three words Diana had never heard her mother say-she always knew everything. She felt like she was going to throw up as she once again clung to her parents. "But we'll be together, right?"

Her parents shared a look and Diana knew in her heart that the answer was no. Wherever the curse was taking them, they wouldn't be together and that scared her even more. She started to cry as she curled against her mother's chest. "I don't want to be away from you, Mama. Or from Papa."

"I know, sweetheart," Prince Robin said, running his fingers through the dark curls she had inherited from her mother. "We don't want to be away from you either."

Regina caressed Diana's cheek and spoke adamantly. "No matter what happens, I want you to remember that the love we share as a family is stronger than any Dark Curse. It will lead us to each other wherever we end up and we will be together again."

The door to the bedroom blew open, hitting the wall with such force it sprayed splinters about the room. Regina tightened her hold on Diana as the gray smoke filled the room. Glass shattered around them and the room began to shake, the sound like nothing Diana had ever heard. Tears filled her eyes as an overwhelming sadness filled her. She didn't want to go to a new place nor did she want to forget her family. Who would love her in the new world, take care of her cuts and bruises, make her feel better when she was sick, teach her new things, play with her and just listen to her as well as them?

Diana looked up at her parents as strong winds whipped her hair around her face and made it difficult to see. Her father mouthed something to her mother, who nodded in response. She then kissed him before he pressed his forehead to hers, his hand coming to cup Diana's head.

She laid her head on her mother's shoulder before closing her eyes. Everything stopped-no more wind, no more noise-and the nothingness swallowed her.

The front door closed and voices were heard from downstairs though she couldn't make out what exactly they were saying. She could figure it out though-Lacey told her mother that she did her homework, ate her vegetables, brushed her teeth and went to bed without a fuss. Her mother thanked Lacey, paid her and confirmed that she would need her at the time on the same day the following week. It was always the same conversation week in and week out.

When the front door closed again, she turned off her flashlight and stuffed the book she was reading under her pillow. She pulled the blankets to her chin, hiding the flashlight and rolled onto her side. Her bedroom door creaked open and she stayed completely still as the thin strip of light on her carpet grew to resemble a giant slice of pizza. A shadow appeared in it-her mother checking on her. The shadow disappeared a few seconds later and the light returned to a thin strip as her door creaked shut. She listened as the footsteps retreated down the hall until they stopped, meaning her mother was in her room and the coast was clear.

She pulled the book back out and turned on her flashlight again. Opening the book, she went to the last page she had read and shined the light on the illustration next to it. It showed the queen and her prince hugging their daughter before the curse hit. She focused on the young princess, who looked just like her-long dark hair with curls not straightened by an exasperated mother each morning, naturally tan skin and big blue eyes. She knew in her heart that it was no coincidence.

Getting out of bed, she crossed the room to the window. She sat in the little bench underneath it, pulling back the pink curtains to look out the window. Around her, the tiny town of Storybrooke, Maine, shut down for the night. Most of the houses were dark and only a few businesses on Main Street still had their lights on. Tall, iron lamps illuminated the streets and all the cars parked neatly along the curb. Anyone would think it was the ideal place to live, the perfect town in New England filled with happy people with perfect lives.

It was all a lie.

She knew everything in the book was true. The woman down the hall she called "Mom" was not her real mother. Her real mother was the dark-haired queen in the picture she stared at now. She was living in Storybrooke now, unaware of her real identity or that she had a daughter. That was going to change though.

Diana was going to find her, no matter what.

Regina Mills sat on an uncomfortable plastic chair in Town Hall, waiting for the licensing board to make decision that could change her future forever. She held a briefcase on her lap. It was somewhat tattered and a corner was worn, but her budget forced her to shop at the goodwill store. It was also where she had found the suit she wore, though that was in better condition. The black skirt paired well with her red button-down blouse and though the matching jacket didn't exactly fit her properly, it still made her appear professional enough to make a good impression on the board. She knew it was just as important as the information she presented.

This was going to be the culmination of several years' work. She had spent her weekends perfecting recipes for different pastries, cakes, pies and breads. Every Monday she brought whatever she made to the breakroom at the cannery and it was always gone by lunch, so she figured they were good. Bolstered by that, she started to research what she would need to open her own bakery and finally become her own boss. It had been difficult at first as the bookstore hadn't had much of selection of business books. Regina had to break into the closed library at night when no one was looking and she borrowed books she believed would help her. Slowly but surely, she managed to put together a business plan and proposal to get a business license. She even picked out the perfect little storefront for her bakery. All she needed was her license and then the bank would give her a loan to help her lease the space, buy the equipment she needed, decorate the bakery and advertise her new business.

Her new life was about to begin.

She stared down the door that led to the room where the licensing committee was meeting, willing it to open. The hallway was eerily silent and no one walked passed her. It only reminded her that she was facing this alone, that there was no one to share in her possible success with her.

She was used to being alone.

The door opened and Regina sat up straighter as Mayor Mary Margaret Nolan exited the room. She was the youngest mayor in town history but had been born for it as several of her ancestors had been mayor. People loved her family and they loved Mary Margaret especially. Storybrooke was the perfect place to live with hardly any crime and a good economy. The streets were paved, snow was cleared promptly, trash was picked up regularly, students got a world-class education, and there were plenty of events through the year to foster community. Tourism could be better but overall no one was complaining. Residents had a fairy tale life.

Mayor Nolan's black and white kitten heels echoed through the empty hall as she made the short trip between the door and where Regina sat. She tucked the skirt of her white dress under as she sat down as well, straightening out her skirt. Paired with a hot pink cardigan, it gave her the perfect end of summer look. Regina wished she could afford a wardrobe like the mayor's and then reminded herself that soon she could.

Her hope and confidence wavered when she saw pity in the mayor's green eyes. Mayor Nolan's voice was soft, almost like a mother soothing a child. "Regina, we've reviewed your proposal and while we were impressed with the work you did…"

"You're not giving me a business license," Regina said, voice flat as her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"We're not," Mayor Nolan confirmed, taking Regina's hand. "I'm so sorry."

Regina pulled her hand back and she started to plan her next move. "What do I need to do? More analysis? More details? A longer term plan? How can I get my license?"

Mayor Nolan shook her head. "There really isn't anything you can do, Regina. I'll be very honest. While you clearly have the passion and drive, we worried about your ability to deliver on your business plan. You only have a high school diploma, no comparable experience and no official training in baking. You only have had one job, the one at the cannery. And though you've been working there since you were eighteen, you are still only a low-level employee."

"I also worked at Granny's as a waitress," Regina reminded her.

"Not a very good one," Mayor Nolan countered. It was the truth. Granny had only kept her on out of pity until it was clear Regina would be unable to afford college and the Mother Superior got her a job at the cannery.

Fighting back tears, Regina argued: "No one gets promoted at the cannery. No one in management leaves so they never have a position open."

"I know," Mayor Nolan said, "but do you think you would honestly be chosen to even interview if a management position were to open up?"

Regina's heart sank into her stomach. She knew she wouldn't even be considered. There was no way to really stand out, especially when the cannery was just a job to help her get by and not really a career for her. The career she wanted-a baker-had essentially been killed and so she would stay at the cannery's production line until she retired or died.

Mayor Nolan patted her hand. "There are some people in this life who are meant to shining bright like the stars. There is no shame being one of the people who aren't. You have your lot in life. It may not be glamorous but someone has to do it, right?"

"I guess so," Regina said, losing her battle against her tears as one rolled down her cheek and her nose began to stuff up. She stood up, tucking a stray piece of her dark hair behind her ear before picking up her briefcase. "Thank you, Madame Mayor. I won't take up any more of your time."

Mayor Nolan stood, still looking at her with pity in her eyes and speaking in that soothing tone. "I know this is tough but I'm sure you'll get past it soon, Regina, and will learn to be happy with the life you have rather than the life you want."

Regina nodded and turned, hurrying away from the mayor. She pushed open the door to town hall, entering the warm early September afternoon. The leaves hadn't yet turned and the sun shone brightly, making it seem like a lovely summer day. Regina, though, couldn't enjoy it. Not with her heart broken and her dreams shattered. She was certain the day couldn't get any worse.

She approached her beat up, used Buick and learned the universe had proven her wrong. An orange ticket was tucked under her windshield and when she pulled it out, she found she was cited for an expired meter. She frowned, knowing she had put in enough money to cover a few hours. How had the meter expired? Regina went to check it and saw that it did say expired. She sighed, getting into her car and placing the ticket in her visor. It seemed the hard knocks were going to keep coming.

Her drive home was not that long as she lived in a little cottage located just off Main Street. It was one story and painted a soft yellow color with a white door and accents. Regina knew it wasn't much but it was her little sanctuary so she was looking to get inside as soon as possible. She parked her car and checked her mail, sighing as she picked up nothing but bills. Maybe she would get a magazine subscription just to have something else to take out of her mailbox.

She let herself in, placing her mail down on the little cabinet she kept by the door. There was also a bowl there and she dropped her keys into it for safekeeping. After sliding off her heels and adding them to the line of shoes by the door, she then picked up the mail to go through it. One envelope caught her attention and her stomach sank when she realized it was from her landlord, Mr. Gold.

Regina quickly read the letter and her sinking feeling got worse. Mr. Gold was raising her rent yet again. She sighed, tossing the paper on the table again before heading off to her bedroom to change. Her new rent amount could wait for now.

She turned left and headed down the short hallway, walking past the doors to her linen closet and bathroom on her right and her spare bedroom on her left. Her bedroom was at the back of the house and was next to the small room that held her washing machine and dryer, whose vent let out into her bedroom so when she used it, her room got unbearably hot. She never could do laundry at night or else she would never get any sleep.

Her room was decorated white and black. The walls were painted white while her carpets were black. She had black bedding with white throw pillows. Her dresser and chest were black as well. The only splash of color in the room was the red robin's feather that hung from her vanity mirror. She couldn't remember when she got it or from where but she considered it her lucky charm.

Not that she had had much luck...ever.

Regina took off the suit she wore and hung it up, placing it in the closet with the few nice dresses she owned. She doubted she would ever wear it again but she knew she would never give it away just in case she did need it. Closing the door, she pulled open a drawer on her dresser and took out a pair of black yoga pants. She also grabbed a red t-shirt and put them on, wanting to be comfortable at that moment. Undoing her bun, she left it in the ponytail before she headed to the bathroom to wash off her makeup.

She turned off the taps and patted her clean face dry. Regina paused, sighing as she studied herself in the mirror. There was nothing special about her-dark hair that curled too much, plain brown eyes and a scar on her lip. She wasn't some great beauty. Maybe Mayor Nolan was right-she just wasn't meant to shine bright in this life.

Padding down the hall again, she turned into her kitchen. She opened the freezer and pulled out a TV dinner, having no energy to cook. Regina placed it in the microwave and watched as it spun around, trying hard not to think about how awful her life was. All it did was highlight how alone she truly was in the world.

Regina had been alone since birth, rejected by her mother when she was only a few hours old. Cora Mills signed paperwork relinquishing her parental rights to Regina before checking herself out of the hospital. She packed a bag and left town, ready to start a new life without the burden of single parenthood. Since she never named the father, there was no family to take custody of Regina and she was given to the sisters, who ran the orphanage in Storybrooke. They named her and though Cora Mills had disavowed her, Regina carried her last name. She believed the sisters did it out of spite-since they couldn't punish the mother, they punished her daughter for her sins.

The sisters weren't alone, either. Only one family came close to adopting Regina but they changed their minds when the wife miraculously got pregnant. Everyone else saw her as Cora Mills' mistake and gave her a wide berth. She had no friends in school because all the parents forbade her classmates from playing with her or inviting her to parties. Her only friends were the characters in the books she read but they couldn't talk back to or play with her.

It changed in high school when the Colters moved to Storybrooke. They didn't know her mother or care about Cora's wild child past-or at least, didn't feel that Regina had to be punished for it. Daniel sat down with Regina in the cafeteria and became her first friend. A couple years later, he became her first-and sadly, only-boyfriend. They dated for a year, though Regina had to sneak out for most of their dates as the sisters didn't approve of her having a boyfriend, afraid she would fall into the same life her mother had. Regina vowed to wait until marriage because of that and Daniel respected her wishes...or so she thought. She had then discovered him in the backseat of his car with Ella de Vil, interrupting the two in the middle of sex. He said he couldn't wait forever for her nor did he want to have a girlfriend who lived in a convent. Daniel broke up with her as he stood half-dressed, Ella watching as her heart broke into many pieces.

She hoped things would be different once she graduated. Her goal was to move from Storybrooke and start over in a place that didn't know Cora Mills and who wanted to punish her for what her mother did. Despite her high grades and good scores on the SAT, Regina failed to get any scholarships to the colleges she applied to and she couldn't even afford the state universities. She had to turn down all her acceptances, her heart breaking with each letter she sent back.

Mother Superior found her the job in the cannery and Regina decided that she would work as much as she could for a few years. Her plan was to save up enough to move out of Storybrooke and perhaps attend college at night. All she knew was that she needed to leave if she wanted to have the life she dreamed of having but things keep popping up that kept her in Storybrooke. Gold would raise her rent, she needed to fix her car, she even broke her leg when she lost control of her car while trying to go on a day trip out of town. She got the message loud and clear at that point: She was never leaving Storybrooke.

The microwave beeped and she carefully took out the tray of food. She pulled back the film covering it and tossed it in the trash before pulling out a fork and a knife from her silverware drawer. Balancing everything in one hand, she grabbed a drink and headed to her living room.

She sat down on the couch, turning on the TV. A soap opera was on and she left it on, deciding to live vicariously through the characters on the show. It was the closest thing she had to a social life these days. Everyone in town still treated her like a pariah and her natural shyness did little to help her make friends. She found it was just best to keep to herself and go about her business, trying to ignore the glare and whispers that seemed to follow hers and whispers that always followed her.

On days like this one, though, she drowned in her loneliness. She wished there was someone she could call up or invite over just so she could talk about everything that was bothering her. About how her dreams were dead and her life was never going to be amazing. Or about her rent hike. She had saved up money to go toward her bakery and now that it was a no go, she knew she could use that to help cover her rent. It would only cover her until the end of the year and then she would have to either tighten her belt, work more hours or get another job if she wanted to stay in her house.

Regina briefly considered moving and downgrading. After all, she didn't need a second bedroom nor all this space. It was just her-Gold didn't allow pets in any of his rental properties and he owned all the rental properties in town. She could downgrade to a one room or even a studio apartment but she doubted she would save much in long run. Gold would just find new reasons to squeeze money from her. So if she was going to pay an arm and leg for a place to live, she'd rather stay in her cozy cottage not far from Main Street.

She finished her rubbery chicken, choked down the watery mashed potatoes and didn't even touch the dark glob trying to pass itself off as chocolate pudding as the soap opera ended. Regina turned off the TV and headed into the kitchen to clean out the tray before tossing it. Even though it was only the late afternoon, she considered turning in already and just ending the day. Not that tomorrow would be better but at least this day would be behind her.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Regina turned, staring at her door. No one ever knocked on the door. The few packages she got were just left by the door for her to trip over. She walked down the hall apprehensively, wondering what else the day was about to throw at her.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

She opened the door and was momentarily confused when she saw no one there. Then she looked down to realize a young girl was standing on her stoop. She had dark hair that was in two braided pigtails with navy ribbons tied in bows at the end, which matched the familiar Storybrooke Academy plaid uniform skirt. The navy squares alternated with black ones separated by white and gray lines. She wore the white polo shirt that was part of the summer uniform, the school name embroidered in navy thread on the left side of the shirt as well as black stockings paired with navy blue uniform shoes. Her blue eyes studied Regina intently, making her squirm a bit.

"Can I help you?" she asked the girl, wondering why she was there. It seemed far too early in the school year to already have a fundraiser so Regina doubted she was there to sell something.

"My name is Diana," the girl said, her smile revealing dimples on both her cheeks. "I'm your daughter."

A/N 2: There we go! I hope you all enjoyed this new take on the story and on the First Curse.

On another note, I am doing some rewrites and I hope to publish my OQ Christmas fic "The Christmas Wish" as an original novel in time for the holidays. I've set up a account to help cover the costs of self-publishing and the let fans have some exclusive access to my writings. If you wish to support me, check out my Twitter for my account. I really appreciate all the support everyone in this fandom has shown me the past few years and I hope you all continue with me as I take my journey as a writer to the next destination.

Thank you!

-Mac