A/N: This is an account made between a friend and I. It's our first fanfic, so constructive criticism is welcome. Please, no flames.

-Café au Lait, the story writer.

-Skyliner, the editor. (I actually did a lot of work. Don't you guys dare consider me as a minor part of the credits ;)

Disclamer: Neither of us own Once Upon a Time.

CHAPTER ONE

Regina was at Granny's Diner staring down at her cup of coffee, thinking about what she could do now that Cora was in Storybrooke. The bell chimed and Emma, Rumple and Henry came in. Snow and Charming went and gave Emma a heartwarming hug. Henry moved away from the small crowd that was now surrounding Emma, and quietly walked to Regina. Regina didn't notice, however, being too focused on her thoughts. Henry wondered what was keeping Regina so occupied. He missed Regina, having not seen her for almost a month. Without a warning, Henry hugged Regina. She was so surprised, she nearly tipped over the chair. She noticed that something was a little bit off about Henry.

"Are you okay, Henry?" Regina asked.

"I'm fine, Mom. I just missed you. Sorry for saying you killed Archie and all."

Regina tilted Henry's chin up until they met each others gaze.

"I know that look Henry, you're lying to me. Tell me the truth. What happened?"

Henry hugged Regina tightly, now in tears.

"She lied to me! Emma lied to me! I trusted her! Why does everyone lie to me? Why can't I know the truth? Why can't people just be honest for once!"

Everyone's attention was now on Henry, surprised at his sudden outburst. The only sound that could be heard was Henry sobbing in Regina's arms. Regina started rubbing circles on his back whispering assuring words to him.

Snow and Charming turned their gaze to Emma, hurt.

"Emma, how bad was it? Did you say that you did it to protect him?"

"I did, but he still wouldn't talk to me. I wonder if this was how Regina felt when he found out about all the lies," she said quietly.

"Emma, she didn't only lie. Regina also killed and destroyed so many lives. She took you away from us!"

"I know, but what if she created this curse to have a second chance? I'm sure I would want a second chance if I had a life like that," Emma said, trying to be logical.

Snow, Charming, and Emma now inched closer to Henry, wanting to hear what Regina was going to say.

Regina lowered her head to Henry's height.

"Henry, you might be too young to understand, but people lie because they think that by doing this they're protecting themselves and the ones they love. They don't want the burden of causing their loved ones pain, so they lie, thinking everything will be alright if they didn't know. I know lying is wrong, but sometimes it's easier and seems like the right decision to make. It's similar to this curse. Sometimes I want to forget about everything that happened in the Enchanted Forest because I believe that knowledge is power. It can inflict pain, yet it can also heal broken wounds."

Henry nodded, and was silent for a moment.

"Why are you protecting Emma? I thought you didn't like her," he finally said.

"I'm not siding with anyone, I just want you to understand why people lie, alright?"

"Alright," he said quietly.

At that moment, the bell chimed and a stranger walked in, surprising everyone but Emma in the diner.

"Who is this?" Snow asked.

Emma cleared her throat.

"Everyone, this is Neal. He is Gold's son and Henry's biological father."

Everyone in the diner greeted Neal, most with a hint of surprise on their faces.

"These are my parents," Emma said, now introducing everyone to Neal. "This is Henry's adoptive mother, Regina, also known as the Evil Queen, and this is everyone else."

"Wait, is this Regina, Regina Mills?"

Regina shook Neil's hand.

"It's been a while, Bae."

Neal looked at Regina's face and a smile started to appear. He let go of her hands and then gave her a hug. As Regina returned the hug, she said, "I missed you."

Everyone was shocked. Snow was the first to recover.

"How do you know Neal? Or Bae, whichever he prefers."

Neal and Regina looked at each other and both sighed. After a small talk between each other, Neal took a deep breath. Regina was becoming slightly agitated since Neal was about to explain how he met her, and when Neal did meet her, she wasn't the Evil Queen that she was known as today.

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