Chapter 1
StoryBrooke
As all the towns people stood near the town's line awaiting Pan's curse in the hope that Regina could in some way prevent it, there were a small group looking at one another having just witnessed Gold's sacrifice, knowing that there was more to it than being able to prevent it. Given Regina's earlier speech of having to give up the thing she loved most, they were unaware that she was in fact talking about two people. Not just Henry but Emma too.
Recently the two women had come to an understanding of what would be considered as friends. That was until Emma had shown up on Regina's doorstep two days ago declaring her love for the former queen and asking her on a date. A date which they never got although Regina had agreed to despite keeping her feelings secret.
Walking up to Emma and Henry as the blonde squeezed their son tightly, Regina knew what she had to do. She could not allow them to be separated due to her unhappiness but having also witnessed how Emma had clung to her mother moments ago, she did not want to pull the woman she loved away from her own family yet again.
Emma looks to Regina giving a teary smile taking hold of her hand despite everyone else there. "Well I guess..were not gona get that date"
Regina swallows hard and grips her hand. "No..were not"
Emma bites her lip letting go of Henry so he could see his grandparents. "What happens now?"
Regina takes a shaky breath now forming tears of her own pulling at Emma's hand. "Now..you go and start again..with Henry. A new life like you wanted"
Emma's lip trembles as her voice begins to break. "Without..you?"
Regina can only nod at this point as a tear rolls down her cheek. Emma steps closer sniffling and raises her free hand wiping the tear away. "I wish...I wish it..didn't have to be this way" as she got towards the end of her sentence, Emma's voice completely broke and she started to sob causing Regina to pull her into a tight hug. Now more than ever she hated seeing the blonde cry knowing there is no way she can fix it or make it better.
"I know..but it's just how it is I'm sorry Emma" giving her a final squeeze, Regina pulls away taking Emma's face in her hands while clearing her throat. "Look after our son okay?" Seeing Emma nod, Regina leans forward placing a kiss to Emma's forehead before stepping away completely.
Henry having witnessed the scene runs back over quickly and hugs his brunette mother with all that he's got , then goes back to Emma who puts an arm round him resting her head on top of his.
Regina watches them a moment then steps up to the town line lifting her arms up in the air as the green smoke engulfs them turning purple as it does.
Immediately Emma closes her eyes not wanting to watch. Standing still she can hear the silence that takes over around her followed by the sound of birds chirping. Frowning she slowly opens her eyes in shock, taking in her surroundings. Looking behind her still with a grip on her son she sees all the towns people including her parents looking among each other dressed as their fairytale characters.
"Mom?"
Emma blinks and looks to Henry who is looking as confused as she is. "Are we in the Enchanted Forest?"
Emma cannot seem to get her head wrapped around it frowning more."Erm..yeah kid we are"
Henry continues watching his mother wondering what to do.
New York
The sound of an alarm ringing echoes through a one bedroom apartment causing the current resident to give a moan under the covers. Swatting it with her hand, the brunette sits up yawning. "Another day...just like any other day.."
Huffing she stands up and gets herself ready for work. Hearing the buzzer on her door go, she struggles to hobble over half way through putting her heels on. She pushes the button down to answer. "Yes?"
"Come on Regina I neeed coffee!"
Regina shakes her head at her friend fixing her last heel and standing straight. "I'm coming!" Looking around the apartment she frowns. "What am I forgetting?"
Sighing she grabs her suit jacket putting it on before taking her Mac and bag. Heading to the door she picks up her keys ready for a long day ahead.
