Mal stood at Regina's door her heart nervously pounding against her chest as she waited for the door to open. It had been over a year since Mal had seen The Queen each day of which spent longing to reunite with her former lover. But the dragon had no idea how Regina would react to seeing her. The last time they saw one another Maleficent had given her soul as a trade to bring Henry back from the dead. Though it had been unintentional, Mal had been the one to strike Henry down. The foolish boy had pushed his mother aside saving her from the unexpected fireball Mal had flung at Regina. She had traded her life for Regina's son but she wondered if The Queen could ever forgive her for putting him in harm's way to begin with.

The door handle turned as Regina opened the door stopping dead in her tracks upon seeing who stood before her,

"Mal…" Regina stood speechless she thought she would never see her former friend again.

"Hello, Regina." Silence filled the air neither one knowing quite what to say.

"Come in, dear," Regina broke the silence gesturing her inside. As Mal crossed over her threshold Regina took in the sight of the dragon. Something was very different about her. Regina must have been seeing things because to her Mal almost seemed as though she was glowing. Her long blonde hair, which was usually tied up, now flowed down her back making her seem softer somehow. Her look was also different instead of her normal all black attire she now wore a white dress laced with gold string that trailed behind her as she walked.

The pair faced one another at arm's length each longing to reach out and touch the other.

"How are you…" Regina trailed off.

"Still alive?" Mal finished letting out a sigh. All that had happened to Mal flashed across her mind from the moment Hades took her soul to when she became the new Goddess of the Underworld. "I think we should sit." Regina nodded leading Mal into the parlor and taking a seat across from her.

Looking across at Regina, Mal gave a small smile,

"I have missed you, my pet." The use of the word pet brought a slight grin across The Queen's face.

"Where have you been? We all thought you were dead."

"So much has happened since I...," Mal avoided eye contact, "since I killed Henry." A tear fell from her eye, "Regina, you must know I never meant to hurt the boy." Surprisingly Regina reached out to grab her hand squeezing it gently,

"I know. I also know you gave up your soul to bring him back." Putting a gentle hand under her chin she whispered, "Look at me." Obediently Mal's gaze met hers. "I forgive you."

Looking in the Queen's eyes Mal saw what she said was true,

"I don't deserve forgiveness, Regina." She pulled away from Regina. Mal's mental walls sprung up as she leaded back on the couch. "I just came here to let you know I am okay."

"And how is that exactly?" Regina asked hoping to get her to open up a little.

"I never died. Hades took my soul, yes, but he never killed me," Mal stated bluntly.

"Why would he do that? I don't understand."

"Hades needed someone who would not go against his wishes, someone to help carry out his plan," she paused and Regina shifted in her seat wanting to know more. "He was trying to take over Olympus by releasing The Titans. But fortunately he was stopped." Regina leaded forward,

"How was he stopped? By the other Gods?" Nodding Mal responded,

"Yes, Hercules informed Olympus of Hades plans before he could enact them." Regina knew Mal was leaving something out,

"How did Hercules know about his plans?" Images of Wonder Boy ran through her mind,

"I told him. I managed to find a loop hole in Hades orders giving me enough time to find Hercules." Gazing off she recalled the results of sending Hercules off to Olympus, the memory made her wince internally. She could still feel the claws of The Hydra tearing through her skin and it sent a shiver down her spine.

"You are leaving something out, Mal." The Dragon looked across the dimly lit room considering her response,

"Yes, I am." Mal's gaze returned to meet Regina's.

"What happened after your soul was set free?" Regina waited for her answer.

"Well, my dear, they made me a God."

Regina sat completely still letting what Mal had just told her sink in. After several moments she finally spoke,

"That's why you seem so-so different," Regina now knew her eyes had not deceived her Mal was glowing, it was subtle but unmistakable. "You took Hades place didn't you?"

"Yes," Mal was watching Regina's every movement hoping not to scare her. "You are looking at the new Goddess of the Underworld." Mal waited for Regina's response.

Regina rose making her way across the room to sit next to Mal. She reached out and took both hands in her own,

"I think they made the right choice."

Mal let out a sigh of relief and brought the back of her hand up to lightly graze Regina's cheek,

"I have missed you."

"Not as much as I have missed you," Regina whispered closing her eyes leaning into Mal's touch.

"So many things have changed," Mal stated.

"Yes they have." Regina eased herself away from Mal's touch, "You can't stay can you?"

"Not for long. I have completely reorganized the Underworld, it's under reconstruction you can say," they both laughed. "But I won't be gone for long. I can be back soon if," she paused, "if that's what you want."

"Of course it is," Regina squeezed her hands in reassurance. Mal smiled,

"We should be able to come back within a few days."

"We?"

"Yes, well you see I needed advisors for my new council…"

"So she asked us if we wanted to join her new Underworld gang, darling," Cruella finished for her and strutted through the room leading Zelena by the hand.

"And who are we to pass up being immortal leaders of the dead," Zelena grinned grazing Cruella's arm with her hand.

Regina looked between the pair,

"You want to put these two in charge down there?" She gave Mal a questioning look.

"Don't worry I'll make sure they don't step out of line. But, yes, I trust them to do a fine job. They did try to save my life or don't you remember?"

"Oh, I remember," Regina gave the couple a sideways look. "They didn't exactly succeed, did they?"

"Oh, pish posh, darling. Always with the details." Cruella dramatically raised her hands.

"Lighten up, sis. I think it'll be loads of fun." Regina shifted to face them,

"Help running the Underworld isn't a game, little sister," Regina's voiced was laced with warning.

"Don't worry, my pet, they know it is no game," Mal's voice was serious and the pair immediately dropped the sarcasm.

"We understand the responsibility Maleficent is giving us, darling. We are no fools." She glanced at her partner who nodded in agreeance.

"You better or you'll have Olympus to deal with," Mal raised an eyebrow but gave a small smile. She turned back to Regina, "We have to go. They have a lot of catching up to do and I am needed back in the Underworld." Sadness filled Mal's heart and she looked away.

"Don't stay away too long," Regina tried to smile. Sensing the private moment Cruella and Zelena quietly left the room.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise," Mal leaned closer stopping mere inches from Regina's lip. The Queen quickly closed the distance capturing Mal's lips with her own. At first the kiss was timid each lightly brushing their lips against the others but their passion grew. Soon tongues were dancing across one another's until Regina finally had to pull away to take a breath.

"I'll see you soon," Mal placed a hand on Regina's cheek and before The Queen could say anything else she vanished into grey mist.