Author's Note: I know I have another story I'm working on but this came to me a while ago and I wanted to get it out here.
~I don't own Once Upon A Time, if I did Rumple would get a far better person than Belle. If you like Belle then don't read, she isn't my main concern in this story.
After Grace and her father reunited at the age of 10 she slowly watched him sink into madness, it hurt her to see it so she unconsciously started taking the madness from him magically. Bit by bit it hardened her heart and froze her emotions, she locked up her feelings and became someone cold yet still kind.
At the age of 16 she finally had enough and with the proper paperwork she went to Regina who signed the papers after some reluctance which granted Grace emancipation, the poor girl was terrified that if she took too much more of Jefferson's madness that she'd go evil. So after Regina signed the papers, Grace erased her memory of doing it so no one could try to reverse it.
Now she wants so badly to feel something, to have someone for a small moment show her that she is wanted and loved. Yet she's afraid if she gives in to this she will hurt anyone who tries...
As Grace heads back home her mind fills with memories of leaving her father, she hated it so much but knew that if she didn't leave that her magic would continue to soak up the darkness that drove Jefferson crazy and the fear of harming those she cares for made her decision easier.
~Flashback~
Walking into the Mayor's Office, Grace shivers with the amount of magic swirling around. She waits until the secretary tells her to go on in then she sits and waits for Regina to notice her there.
Regina shuffles papers and pulls open a drawer where she places them inside then proceeds to close it. She brings her hands together resting them on the top of her desk looking at the girl, "What can I help you with Miss Jefferson?" Regina asks studying the girl, sensing something... Off.
Pulls out the emancipation paperwork she photocopied from the library a few days prior. "Ms. Mills, I need you to sign these papers so I can legally be an adult without any issues. "Regina quirks a brow at the girl. Regina takes the papers from Grace and begins to peruse them. Regina sits in silence as she reads them, "Why, Miss Jefferson, are you seeking emancipation?" She asks glancing to Grace then back to the papers.
Realizing she could lie but knowing Regina it was best to be honest. "Regina, as you know my father has gotten worse in his madness. I've recently found out I have magic and it's taking some of the madness from him, it's turned me cold and meaningless."
Gets up and turns away, "I'm scared that if I stay around him anymore that I will either go mad myself or evil and harm those I care for. Would you not do the same?" She looks over to Regina in hopes the woman would understand.
Regina regards Grace for a moment before speaking. "What of your father?" Regina asks in retort, "You would leave him to his own devices? If he is going mad as you say, wouldn't leaving him end up hurting him? Then who would you be protecting?" Regina turns in her chair lightly as she neatly stacks the pages and straightens them.
"Seclusion and cutting oneself off can still lead you down a path you wish you were not on." Regina adds, she looks distantly a moment recollecting some memory.
Throws her hands up, "What about me? I'm watching my father slowly die from this, I can't do it! I planned to go by once a week to check up on him but I just can't keep doing this. I don't want to end up insane or evil. I have too many people I care for."
Sits back down with her head in her hands, "Regina, have you ever come across something that you knew you had to do even if it meant losing someone you loved? I don't want to leave him but if I don't then this town could have an evil 16 year old."
"I ripped out my own fathers heart, Miss Jefferson so I could enact the first curse that brought us here." Regina replies flatly. It seemed that had been the memory she had thought about. "I know all to well what it means to come across something that mean losing someone I loved." She looks across her desk at the girl.
"And it is something like that you can never take back."
"I have thought long and hard about this decision, it's not made lightly." She looks up at Regina with a determined look in her eyes. "I need to get away until I can control myself and my magic, one day I plan to hopefully cure him but I can't do it if I become as mad as he is, I can't do it if I become evil and hurt everyone."
"I will not try to pretend my hand didn't have anything to do with your father's current state Miss Jeff- Grace," Regina begins shifting to sit forward in her seat, "But if it is your help with your magic you need. I can offer you aid. I helped Emma Swan get a grasp of her magic, and I can help you." Regina is sincere in her offer.
Thinks it over, "I would like the help, but I still need this signed. Please, just so I can get myself situated and find a way to help him."
Regina looks at the papers, "This is not something you need to face alone Grace," Regina says perhaps guilt from everything she's done to the girls father coming through, "Magic can be fun, it can be scary. But I can help you. If it will give you the ease of mind then I shall sign these papers for you." Regina opens a drawer looking for her pen.
Flicks her hand and a blue pen appears, "I love my magic, I just hate to think I could harm others with it."
She watches as Regina signs the papers then realizes she could tell others about all they talked of, regretting the fact she won't remember offering Grace help the poor girl flicks her hand while Regina signs the papers and takes out all but the memory of being asked to become an emancipated minor.
She walks out with tears pouring down knowing if Regina ever breaks the memory block that Grace could be seen as evil.
I do hope you enjoyed this, not much Rumple I know but you needed the back story before the start of the first chapter. Please make sure you review? It helps me feel that this story is worth it.