Chapter One

Regina feels heavy pressure on her wrists as she lies back, her head rolling from side to side as she is pushed down a corridor on a stretcher. Doctors are mumbling some medical mumbo jumbo, her eyes fix on a young nurse who is looking down at her face with the same look she was so familiar with.

Pity.

"Has anyone got in contact with Dr Hopper" she hears a doctor ask no one in particular as he continues to press down on Regina's wrist. Regina begins to shake, kicking her legs out before trying to pull her arms out of the doctors vice grip. Not Dr Hopper, anyone but Dr Hopper. "Someone sedate the girl" he calls throwing an arm across her waist to try to keep her in place.

"No, no please" she cries her gaze still fixed on the young nurse who now has tears in her eyes "You have to help me" she pleads searching the girl's eyes. She mouths an apology before pushing an injection into Regina's skin. "No" she whimpers closing her eyes, tears run down her cheeks as she begins to feel herself fall into unconsciousness. She thinks of her father, her ex-lover and most importantly the little boy her sister had taken into her custody.

And then there is nothing but darkness.


Regina stares out the window of Dr Hopper's office, her hair pulled back and face bare of any traces of makeup. "My mother, Did she set this up? Did she ask you to come see me?" she asks her attention drawn to a fly helplessly trying escape through the small opening of the window. She suddenly felt sorry for the small creature, almost emphasized with it, the feeling of being trapped and unable to do anything about it.

"Why would you think that Regina?" he asks tapping his pen against his note pad. She sighs bringing her bottom lip between her teeth.

Why wouldn't she think that? She had been here for almost four months with no sign of her mother paying a visit, no doubt to ashamed of her daughter's faults. Her father however had made it a ritual to visit her at least once a week, she had found it charming for the first couple of weeks, but as time went on she could see the pain behind her father's eyes, she could see what this was doing to him and she was starting to resent herself for it.

"- She cares for you Regina, you know that" Regina scoffs tugging at the sleeves of her pyjamas. Her fingers dip beneath the material tracing lines across the scars that litter her wrist. She takes a deep breath and turns to face the doctor who is watching her intensely.

"She locked me away instead of having to face talking to me, what mother does that to her child?" she snaps before taking a deep breath.

"Is that what you think?" he asked raising an eyebrow "That she locked you away".

"Well you're not letting me out any time soon are you?" she throws her hands up in defeat "You keep saying that you're doing what is best for me but so far all you've done is throw drugs at me. This place-"she pauses looking around the room "-this place is driving me crazy" her voice fails her as she tries to supress any emotion that's threatening to escape her.

"This is what you need Regina" he smiles reassuringly as he places his pen down and rests his hands in his lap. "It may not seem like it right now, but you need this".

Regina looked back at the fly still helplessly struggling against the glass barrier preventing it from being free. She smiled widely before reaching over and releasing the latch on the window. The fly remained still for a moment, she continued to stare waiting patiently for it's next move, and with hesitant movements she nudged the back of the fly with the tips of her fingers sending the small creature into a frenzy before heading into the fresh air.

"Better?" she turned and looked at the older man before smiling and nodding. "Now Regina a female nurse is going to come in and weigh you and –"

"No" Regina snapped pulling her knees up to her chest "I don't want too. Not today, please" she whispered staring the man directly in the eyes.

"I truly am sorry Regina but in order to monitor your progress we have to do this." He sighed leaning forward "We've discussed this. It'll be over before you know it" he smiled standing up.

Regina's thoughts were interrupted by a small blonde woman walking into the room "Regina this is Ashley" Dr Hopper smiled shaking hands with the blonde "She'll take you from here"

Regina pushed her legs out from beneath her before reluctantly standing up and following the blonde into a smaller room.

"Ok Regina, now if you'd just change into this" she smiled handing the brunette a hospital gown "And then we'll get started" Regina rolled her eyes at the blondes overly enthusiastic smile as she took hold of the gown and began to remove her pyjamas. Her hands skimmed over her hips, and her breath hitched.

Fat.

"Is there any way I can go to the toilet before you um-" she waved her hand in the direction of the scales before turning to face the nurse.

"Yes of course dear." She stood up and opened the door gesturing for Regina to follow her. With light footsteps Regina followed her until the blonde stopped in the middle of the corridor "Here they are dear. I'm afraid I'll have to wait outside the door" she frowned slightly rocking back and forth on her heals.

"Right" Regina winced closing her eyes briefly. "I'll be right out". Regina pushed open the door and stepped into the cubicle making sure to lock the door behind her. She quickly turned on the taps, before dropping to her knees, almost like an automatic response her fingers were down her throat and gags were leaving her lips.

Loud bangs on the door startled the brunette as she continued to cough and wretch. "Regina dear I need you to open the door" Ashley called as the knocks grew louder. "Can someone page Dr Hopper please" she heard the nurse call from the other side of the door.

Regina closed her eyes trying desperately to drown out the sound of Ashley's voice as she leant further over the toilet emptying the contents of her stomach. It doesn't burn anymore, not like it used too. She sits back on her heals wiping her mouth with the back of her hand before emotionlessly pushing the plunger with unsteady fingers.

It wasn't long before the door flew open and Dr Hopper stood there with a heavy frown "Regina" he breathed staring down at the brunette who was now staring at him with wide watery eyes. "You had been making so much progress" he sighed shaking his head. He turned to Ashley "Get her cleaned up and take her back to her room. Miss Mills will not be getting weighed today" Regina felt a small smile tug at her lips as small arms wrapped around her wrist helping her stand up.

"I'm so stupid" Ashley muttered wrapping an arm around Regina's back as she guided her back to the main halls.

Regina pulled her eyebrows together as she listened to the nurse mutter to herself "Stupid?" she whispered turning to face Ashley.

"Yes stupid. I let a patient with and eating disorder go to the toilet before a weigh in" she shook her head letting out another sigh.

"It's not your fault. It's just me" she let out a shaky breath before staring down at the floor beneath her bare feet "I don't deserve this kind of help, I'm not worth all this time and effort. I just want to go home"

The blonde stopped walking, grabbing hold of the brunette's shoulders and turning her to face her. "You my dear are worth it. You just need the right person to show you just how much worth you have". Regina felt her eyes grow wet as she stared at the blonde. "Now come on, let's get you back to your room before the new resident arrives."

New resident?

The news lingered in Regina's head as she opened the door to her room. New residents meant new sob stories. She thought back to when Mary Margaret had arrived, the girl had been suffering with OCD for a while, screaming whenever it took more than 7 steps to get back to her room, saying that her mom would be killed if she didn't make it in 7 steps.

7.

7.

7.

The girl had been muttering it constantly, switching the lights on and off 7 times before falling asleep. At first it had drove Regina crazy, but now she had become accustom to it. The flickering of lights before she fell asleep reminded her that she wasn't alone nor was she the only one suffering in this place.

"So the rumours are true. There is a new resident arriving this afternoon" Regina turned to look at the young woman stood in her door way.

"Yes, I suppose they are" she mumbled sitting on her bed "Who told you?" she asked taking a pillow before hugging it close to her chest.

"Jefferson" she shrugged taking a few steps into the brunette's room taking her finger and dragging it across the top of Regina's bedside table inspecting for any dust. "Brought it up over breakfast, which you would know, if you were there" she turned and faced Regina before chuckling slightly.

"Yes well Dr Hopper insisted I went and seen him this morning so breakfast was off the cards for me" she shrugged a smile present on her face.

"Yes, we've all heard about your trip to Dr Hopper's office this morning" she laughed fake gagging pushing her fingers into her mouth "Silly girl" she smiled walking over to the girl before stroking the Regina's hair.

Regina closed her eyes leaning into the girl's touch she had missed this kind of intimacy growing up, only ever receiving hugs of her father when he was home from work, which appeared to be a rare occasion.

"Such a beautiful girl, why do you do this to yourself?" Regina leant out of the girls touch closing her eyes.

"I need to sleep Mary Margaret" she whispered "And I need to get changed" she laughed lightly gesturing to her hospital gown.

"Yes. Right, I'll leave you too it" she smirked "Perhaps I'll see you at lunch?" she questioned heading towards the door.

Regina faked a smile before nodding. Once the younger girl had left the room Regina laid back, holding the pillow over her face before letting out a much needed scream. It wasn't long before she felt herself grow tired, her body pulling her into a deep slumber.

A loud commotion outside Regina's room startled her awake. Rubbing her eyes she sat up, the room was much darker now and glancing at the clock she had noticed she had missed lunch and potentially dinner too.

Lifting herself up she swung her legs out from beneath her covers and headed to the door. Slowly she pulled it open, taking a glance out into the corridor. At first she had seen nothing, but it wasn't long before the screaming had begun again and she noticed a young blonde laying on the floor attempting to fight off two members of staff as they held her down by her shoulders. Dr Hopper crouched down next to the blonde stroking her hair whilst talking to her in hushed tones.

The blonde eventually calmed down, her arms falling limp by her side as her head lolled to one side. Regina took a step back pulling the door closer to her as she tried to make herself invisible. But it was too late, her sudden movements drew the attention of the blonde who was now staring at the brunette. A smirk spreading across her lips as Regina's mouth fell open.

"That's her then" she heard a voice next to her "Our newbie" Regina turned to face Jefferson who was aimlessly chewing on his thumb nail as he eyed the blonde now standing up and heading in their direction.

Regina's eyes stayed locked onto the blondes as she walked past, the blonde dropping a wink in her direction. Regina blushed and looked down to the ground unsure of why she was suddenly feeling shy in the other girl's presents.

"She looks like a nut case" she heard the man next to her chuckle "But I guess she'll fit in just right here aye pukey" he smiled nudging the brunette. "You are okay though right" he whispered "You know, after this morning" he shrugged kicking the air.

"I'm fine" she sighed "Hopper thinks keeping me in here is for my own good" she breaths opening her door wider.

"It is" he grinned turning to face his friend "Besides without being admitted here how would you have met me?" he smirked poking her ribs.

"I suppose it is refreshing knowing there's someone on this planet more fucked up than I am" she stuck her tongue out at him before letting out a laugh.

"What's going on here then?" Regina and Jefferson turned to face Mary Margaret who was now heading down the corridor carrying a small doll. "New residents arrived I take it" she smirks as a loud scream echoes down the corridor. "Jesus what are they doing to her" she winces as she covers her ears.

"I heard she's another schizophrenic" Jefferson whispers turning to look in the direction of where they had previously carried the blonde.

"Maybe you won't be alone anymore Jeff" Mary Margaret snickered "Well unless you want another conversation with Gold" she shrugged

"No. No way, I mean Gold's on his own level of crazy" the three chuckled unaware of Dr Hopper approaching them.

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise." The three of them averted there attention to the man now stood beside them "However I do believe it's time you three return to your rooms" he raised an eye brow as the three of them muttered good night before heading back to their rooms.


Breakfast was dull. Regina sat sectioned off from the rest of the residents "doctors' orders the nurse had said when Regina began to protest. She leant back in her chair toying with the food in front of her whilst tapping her foot impatiently.

"We've got plenty of time Regina" the nurse muttered in between mouthfuls of porridge. Regina looked down at the plate in front of her, before pushing it further away from her. "If you don't eat that I'm sure Granny can find a liquid alternative" Granny was the name of the chief, Regina was yet to figure out why they called her that, although from the look of the woman it was rather obvious.

"You can't make me" Regina shrugged eyeing the nurse as she folded her arms across her chest.

"No but if you remain this way you will be sectioned, and once sectioned we can do as we please" she shrugged "Now finish your breakfast"

Regina sat up, reaching for her spoon with shaky fingers. The nurse watched her closely observing the girls movements "You gawking at me like I'm some kind of circus freak isn't helping me right now" she snapped lifting the spoon out of the bowl. Taking a deep breath she brought the spoon to her lips before shaking her head and placing it back in the bowl.

"It's okay dear, take your time. You'll get through this" Regina felt the nurses hand upon her own. Closing her eyes she lift the spoon back up to her lips taking a small mouthful, immediately reaching for her glass of water, taking a large gulp. "There we go." The nurse smiled "It's a start"

Regina frowned looking at the empty spoon in her hand. "If you don't mind, I think I've had enough now" Regina looked up at the nurse who closed her eyes briefly before looking back at the brunette.

"Right, I'll make note of it and inform Doctor Hopper" she said taking hold of the note pad across from her "I'll see you at lunch time" Regina pushed her chair out and headed towards the main lounge.

The room was quiet. Mary Margaret was in the far corner painting birds with one other resident she believed to be called Ruby. Ruby was unlike most residents here, there wasn't anything particularly wrong with her, the girl had just been a bit slow, acted almost like a child rather than the 21 year old she actually was. Regina had heard by Jefferson that she was raised by wolves, resulting on lack of primary development. Looking over at the girl sat on the floor, Regina could almost believe it.

"So how was breakfast?" Regina looked over at Jefferson who was sat in the far corner nursing a cup of tea.

"Blue was treating me like a child" She scoffed taking a seat next to her friend "Threatened me to be sectioned again" Jefferson chuckled throwing an arm around the brunette pulling her into his side.

"Sixth time this week" he laughed "Surprised you're not tied up being force fed through a tube" Regina hit his arm lightly, although his words did frighten her.

"Any news on the new resident?" she questioned picking at the skin around her nails.

"Emma Swans the name" he replied "She's 18, from Boston; I heard she tried to rip out her own heart or something"

"Her heart?" Regina turned in the man's arms to get a better look at his face.

"Apparently some so called 'Evil Queen' was after it and she needed to protect herself" Regina lent back taking in the new information. Was this girl living in some kind of fairy tale? "David caught her roaming the halls earlier, she was looking for someone named August, said he would believe she wasn't crazy" Regina remained silent chewing the inside of her cheek.

"So how long until she's allowed to join the rest of us?" she asked taking hold of his hand, aimlessly playing with his fingers.

"Why don't you ask her yourself" Regina looked up, noticing the unfamiliar figure that was no stood in the middle of the room.

Her eyes scanned the room, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips as her gaze fell across Mary Margaret for a moment she stood there staring, tilting her head to the side, before continuing to look around the room.

Regina remained still as the blonde made eye contact with her, she hadn't even realised she was holding her breath until she felt herself become light headed.

"Funny place to find a queen, cooped up with the mad hatter" Emma grinned walking towards the pair. "Although it doesn't surprise me, do you have his heart too, your majesty" Regina squinted her eyes at the girl in front of her

"I-"

"I what?" she smirked taking a seat across from Jefferson and Regina. She eyed them slowly, dragging her eyes up and down Regina before biting her lip. "I have to say, I preferred you in your royal gowns" she smirked crossing one leg over the other.

Jefferson let out a small laugh beside Regina "I'm sorry, I have an appointment in Hoppers office" he chuckled pushing Regina out of his grip.

Regina continued to stare at the girl in front of her, unsure what to say next.

"Listen, I know who you are. These people in here-" she waved her hand motioning to the staff and other residents in the room "They all think I'm crazy, but I'm not" she laughed shaking her head before standing up and walking towards the brunette. She placed her hands on either side of Regina's face "And I'll prove it" she smirked before ducking her head and placing a quick kiss on the brunettes lips.

A/N Please leave a review and let me know if you want me to continue - thank you for reading, N xox