Summary: Set after 'The Doctor'. Emma and Snow are lost in FTL. Charming finds himself with no choice other than asking Regina to go there and bring them back. Eventual Swan Queen. This is my first fic.
Author's Note: Since this is my first fic, I would appreciate if you reviewed it. Reviews = Love ;)
VERTIGINOUS PATH OF REPENTANCE
By Apples and Fables
Chapter 1: Prologue
The agony still remained. Even in her dark and cold room where she had been hiding from everybody else for the last couple of days. Even after all those years, it still hurt to see Daniel leave her.
Although, this time Regina Mills knew he could and would never be brought back from the dead. Hope was lost, or better yet, the last bit of hope she had had throughout 28 long years trapped into that wretched hellhole of a city which everyone called 'Storybrooke' was lost.
The curse, the only remaining symbol of her power, was broken by a meddling kid who had come to her town to steal her son away from her. Then, as if it wasn't enough, painful memories from the brunette's long and forgotten past had returned to haunt her once again.
Dr. Frankenstein, aka Dr. Whale, seemed to have accomplished something Regina had desired long ago. She wanted Daniel to be revived more than anything she had craved before, even power. It was, after all, the only shot she still had to have her so desired happy ending. And yet, her desperate wishes also went down the drain. Daniel had awoken to become a monster, a brutal monster that almost killed her, that didn't recognize her at all. The former Mayor was left no choice other than releasing the hold she had on him, the spell that kept his body and his physical existence near her.
The pain she still felt in her chest was incomparable to anything she had ever felt before. The realization that she wouldn't be happy for the rest of her life was devastating and painful. Her life didn't make any sense whatsoever. She had no reason to live anymore.
Only then did the brunette realize she was shivering and drenched in cold sweat. She looked around and felt the same as always. Lonely. Everyone she had ever cared about had abandoned her.
Regina was aware that she was partially, if not totally responsible, for her loneliness. Where there was once love, hate had taken over and had blinded her into making decisions she shouldn't have made. Pushing Snow away was a necessary call and she didn't regret it. She welcomed revenge, and craved it even. But killing her own father, well… That was something else. She had managed to curse everyone thanks to his heart, and yet that plan had also failed. The curse was broken and her father was dead. There was now neither a father to support her nor the curse to accomplish her revenge. Regina's efforts seemed to be unavailing.
A new wave of emotions trailed through the former Mayor's features. Tears were prickling behind her long dark lashes. Few were the occasions where the brunette left the persona she had created in order to defend herself from other people. She had built a façade that defined her as a cold and stone-hearted person. This was one of those moments in which she felt weak and broken, her true-self. As tears came streaming down her face, Regina told herself that it was the last time she would ever cry regarding her past misdeeds.
Light was slowly making its way into the mayoral mansion. Not that Regina had had any sleep for the last few days. She sluggishly pushed the covers of her mayoral bed away from her and got out of bed. As an established routine, curtains were flung open so that Regina could see what was happening in Storybrooke. Dawn was breaking, and it would be a lovely sight if she was in the mood to watch it.
As she got out of bed, the brunette felt the chilly air on her bare thighs, which were left exposed by her short silk nightgown. She made way towards her luxurious bathroom trying to build once more her mask, her emotionless façade. Regina reached for the basin, ran some water in it and splashed her face. She observed her reflection in the mirror. Her skin was pale and dark circles surrounded her eyes. She desperately needed to sleep. Problem was, she couldn't trust herself to do so.
A rumble sound broke the silence of the almost empty mansion. Regina's stomach was complaining against the mistreatment it had been suffering for the last few days. The former Mayor placed her hand gently on her belly and decided to get something to eat.
Having dressed one of her most mayoral power suits, Regina descended the staircase ever so calmly that one couldn't even imagine the turmoil and disarray inside her.
A cup of coffee and a French toast was in order.
Ever since the curse had been broken, Prince Charming – aka David Nolan – felt conflicted. He wasn't sure who he was anymore, or everyone else for that matter. And on top of that, he now had the destiny of Storybook's townsfolk oh his own hands.
Certainly not an easy task, but the Prince would manage it, he always did. He had to if he wanted to rescue his family. Seeing that Snow and Emma were now lost somewhere in the middle of FairytaleLand, there was no other choice. He had to hold the fort, contrarily to what his heart wanted. Charming wanted his family back. The only comfort he had left was knowing that his grandson, Henry, was closer to him than ever.
And yet, the boy wasn't any happier than him. Emma Swan, the mother he had learned to love so quickly was gone, as well as his grandmother, Snow White - aka Mary Margaret Blanchard. Henry didn't talk much about it with anyone, not even with him. If it were possible one would say the boy was becoming even more of a lonely and introverted child, always reading that fairy-tale book of his.
Sometimes the Prince even wondered if the boy was trying to find a solution to their problem all by himself. Which David learned was true, as the boy sat once again eating breakfast with his usual depressed mood. After a few attempts at cheering Henry up, he realized he had to do something about this whole situation.
"Henry… Buddy…" Uttered Charming cautiously, waiting for a positive response that never came.
"Listen, I've had enough waiting. We have to bring Snow and Emma back." He continued, suddenly winning the boy's attention. Charming could see a little glint in his eyes, a resemblance of both his and his daughter's.
"Really? What can we do? Where do we start?" The boy asked his grandfather quite excitedly, spilling his cereals all over the counter as he gestured with his hands.
"WE are not doing anything." He empathized his point with a firm and resolute tone. "I don't want you to be in danger… And besides, you have to clean that mess." David whined, winning a glare from his grandson.
"So, what now? We can't just leave Emma and Snow there all by themselves!" The boy insisted one more time.
"We must find someone who's able to help us… Any suggestions?" David asked, seemingly deep in thought, but coming up short of ideas.
"I can only think of two people. But you're not gonna like it." The boy said hesitantly, not knowing whether he should speak or not.
Despite having known his daughter and grandson only for a short period time, Prince Charming felt like he had known them his entire existence. And so there was no need for words between him and his grandson that morning. Charming nodded and a wide smile surfaced his features.
"Fret not my child!" The playful side of David emerged for the first time in days.
"C'mon Henry, get your coat. We're going to pay a visit to your mom." He uttered, assuming an heroic stance, reaching for his jacket.
In less than one minute, they were out the door.
She had always cooked relatively well. One could say it was one of her best qualities, apart from magic, if you dare consider magic to be a quality. Regina Mills did no such thing. Magic had always been a mean to get what she wanted. But now, all had changed. She didn't use magic anymore, or so she told herself.
The French toast the former Mayor had just cooked was marvelous, considering she hadn't eaten for quite some days. Or perhaps it had turned out even better that what she had planned with the help of a little magic. She couldn't be sure. However, she was still aware of her state of starvation.
Another three delicious French toasts followed, much to the disagreement of the brunette's rational thought. A part of her felt like she was nineteen again but Regina knew rather well she would never be same. Not after what she had went through.
Fingers drumming the table's flat and smooth surface, the brunette's mind went once more through the events of the last few days. Seeing that she could go mad if she continued to think about them, Regina decided to shove those thoughts away and drink something with alcohol to numb the pain.
She stood up abruptly only to hear the doorbell ring. Who dared disturb her so early? Her eyebrows shot up as she frowned. Swiftly and steadily, Regina almost ran to the door and yanked it open only to find a very familiar figure standing there with a half smile gracing his lips.
"Hello David. How may I help you?" The brunette started with a smirk forming.
"Regina. We need to talk. I brought Henry with me." Charming warned her, making sure the former Mayor didn't pull something on him.
As if right on cue, Henry popped up behind his grandfather and gave his mother those puppy dog eyes that Regina knew very well. Despite knowing the boy was trying to persuade her, Regina couldn't say no. She couldn't refuse the rare occasions where her son wanted to be with her, even if it were to get something from her.
The former Mayor let out a tiny almost invisible smile and gestured so that they could come in. As soon as they had entered her mansion, Regina slammed the door shut and turned around to face those two beings inside her hall.
"Alright then, I'm listening. What do you want to talk about?" She inquired, feeling some sort of thrill wandering through her body for the first time in days.
And so Regina watched as her son's face lit up with hope, a grin forming in his features. "We just need help, mom." He enthused, leaving the brunette speechless and wondering why he was so worked up.
"We need you to get them back."
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: Please don't forget to review folks! :)
