Dark vs Light

Decisions need to be made. Has Regina really changed? Will she be able to make the right decision? Will the white knight, savior still stand?

A/N: Post curse, Archie has been discovered to be alive.

First time SwanQueen fanfic writer. Thought I'd put this out there and see whether they was any interest.

Have been reading so many wonderful stories. Haven't read them all though - hoping no-one has already done this one

Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to moi.

Chapter 1

Regina was a mess. Her mother had just told her she would do anything to help get her son back. After all, that's all she ever wanted, right? But this woman whose shoulder she was crying on in the car had done some horrible things to people, most of all, herself. Should she be trusted? Was this some manipulation on Cora's part to bond with her long lost daughter?

Regina was no push over. Her past spoke for itself. She was a woman not to mess with, she would get what she wanted in the end, no matter what the consequences. But wasn't that what got her into this current predicament?

She had been trying so hard to change, succeeding for the most part and trying to win back the love and trust of her son. She had done so well until the cricket had 'died', at the hands of her mother.

Regina slowly raised her head from her mother's shoulder. As much as she wanted to stay there and pretend that she was safe and loved, she couldn't.

"Mother, as much as I want to believe you want to help me, I just can't at the moment. You just show up, out of nowhere, pull a stunt that has driven my son even further away from me, and after all this time decide that you want to help me and be in my life?"

"I need some time to think. It's been a long couple of days. If you're who you're saying you are now, give me some time. That's all I ask. There's plenty of room at Granny's if you need a place to stay. Just make sure you keep a low profile – the two idiots will not be pleased at seeing you here."

Cora looked dejected, but deep down understood where her daughter was coming from. They were both different people now, so much had changed since the last time they saw each other. "Alright Regina, if that is what you want, so be it. I've waited this long to see you, I can wait a few more days." Cora turned to her daughter and cupped her cheeks.

"Sweetheart, you said you were changing for your son, that you wanted to prove to him that you were capable of good. I just ask that you believe me when I say I want to change for YOU Regina".

Cora placed a soft kiss to her daughter's temple and exited the car.

Regina was in shock, her eyes following the woman around the corner.

'Well fuck' she though as she started the car and headed to the mansion.

"That was a close call. I've never been so grateful for someone texting while driving."

"Don't say that, it's against the law!" Henry piped in yawning. It was way past his bedtime.

"Sorry kid, you know what I mean though. He didn't see anything which was a blessing."

"And what about Ruby saving the day with Dr. Whale. Wonder what she said to bring him around. I wonder if …"

"Snow, I know what you're thinking, and stay out of it." James interjected. "Whatever is or isn't happening between the two of them, is exactly that, between the two of them. I'm going in to have a shower." James didn't like Dr. Whale, mainly because he had slept with his wife when they were still under the curse. Snow tried to reason that James was MARRIED during the curse, but of course, that was not the same.

Emma turned around and noticed Henry sitting on the couch, not looking at anything in particular.

"Henry, what's up buddy? I thought you'd be over the moon now that Archie's still alive."

"I am, it's just …."

"Henry", Snow approached and sat on the other side of the boy. "You know you can tell us anything, right? We're family, and family always sticks together".

"That's just the thing, I'm so happy to have my family here all together. You and gramps, and Emma. But I just can't help but miss …."

"Regina" Emma stated. She had noticed the boy struggling lately. He had gone through so much already, almost dying, losing Emma and Snow to the Enchanted Forest, the dreams, Archie's death and Regina's part in the whole debacle.

There was no consistency in his life any more. The apartment they were in was cramped for 2 people let alone 4. Emma knew she had to step up and take care of him, provide for him like Regina had done for the first decade of his life. She just wasn't sure she could do it. She was struggling herself. She had missed out on so much and was trying to come to terms with the fact that her parents were Snow White and Prince Charming, fairytales and magic really did exist, and she now had a son who she new she couldn't live without.

"I'm sorry, I know that she's the evil Queen, but I still miss her, you know? After everything that has happened, she's still my mum and I … I ….love her. I'm so confused."

Emma and Snow looked at each other, hoping the other would say something.

"Actually, I take back what I just said. About the evil Queen part. She can't still be evil, I mean she saved the both of you, sucking in all that magic, plus, she hasn't been using any magic lately and when she hugs me, and looks at me, I just know that she's changed, I truly do!"

"Hold on, back up a minute kid. What was that about sucking in magic?"

"Emma, I need to talk to you for a moment please." Snow eyed Emma, letting her know this was urgent as they walked to the kitchen.

Snow spoke in a hushed tone so Henry couldn't hear their discussion. "We really should have asked more questions when we got back from the Enchanted Forest. James casually mentions in the hospital that Daniel had come back to life and Regina killed him, and now apparently we're told she sucked in some magic to save us? What the hell happened when we were away?"

"I guess you guys were a little busy catching up on other things" Emma replied, trying to hide her emotions. She was still absorbing all the information. She was stunned. She was so thankful to be back in Storybrook that she didn't even bother asking how Regina had managed to save them or what had happened while they were away.

"Regardless," Snow was bright red, "we need to find Regina. Who knows what kind of state she's in at the moment? Where could she be hiding? It's so unlike her not to see Henry."

Emma looked over at Henry and asked her mother to watch out for him. Snow knew exactly where her daughter was headed and begrudgingly agreed. She knew Emma got her stubborn streak from her side of the family and there was no way she would be able to stop her.

It was a long shot, but Emma decided to head back to the mansion and see whether Regina had re-surfaced. She had been MIA since the confrontation at the house. She still had a bruised butt as proof of that incident.

She approached the mansion and noticed a small light coming through one of the windows. She hesitantly walked the path to the front door and knocked lightly. A minute passed before she started knocking again, this time with more force.

The door opened hesitantly. Regina was stunned to see the blonde standing on her doorstep.

"Sherrif Swan, to what do I owe this pleasure? Come to take me away for my beheading?"

"Regina, no one has seen or heard from you in days, where the hell have you been?"

"Where the hell have I been? What makes you think you can come here at 3 in the morning and ask where I've been! I am not accountable to you Miss Swan. Last time I checked, you wanted my head for Archie's death and didn't want me anywhere near my son!"

"About that, it wasn't you Regina."

"No shit Sherlock" Regina responded, clearly frustrated and more than a little tired.

"Archie isn't dead. He's alive! Believe me, I was stunned when he casually knocked on my door, alive. He said it was Cora who did this, Regina, your mother is here in Storybrook with Hook! She tried to frame you!"

Emma stood waiting for a reply.

Do I tell her that I know my mother is in town? That she's shacking up at Granny's, waiting to hear from me? That she says she wants to change for the better? Regina didn't know what to do, a part of her wanted to tell the blonde what she knew. In all honesty, she desperately wanted to talk to someone about her mother, bounce around some ideas around which was unusual for her. But the other part wanted to keep this a secret until she figured out what was going on. She knew once the Charmings found out about Cora's whereabouts, they would storm in with their self-righteous bullshit and take over.

"Miss Swan, thank you for bringing this to my attention. As you're well aware, I ALREADY knew I wasn't the one who killed Archie. We may have had a heated discussion in public, but that does not mean that I would kill him".

Emma was ready to pipe in when Regina held up her hand.

"I told you I wanted to change, and I have. You started to believe me, but obviously that is not the case anymore. The only person I need to believe me is my son. You all think that this has broken me? Quite the contrary my dear, it's only made me stronger and more determined. I know who I am and what I'm capable of."

"Listen, I just wanted to say sorry and thank you…"

"I don't need your pity Miss Swan or your thanks. It's late, I'm tired, I'm going to bed. I suggest you leave and get back to your family."

"But, but, what about Cora? And Hook? What are we going to do about them? She obviously wanted to get your attention Regina!"

Regina didn't answer, she slammed the door on Emma's face. She was tired. She was hurt. She was confused. She shouldn't have come back here. She should have gone back to the crypt.

Emma was pissed. She came by with a purpose, with so much to say. For Henry and truth be told, for herself too. She had gotten nowhere, once again.

Regina looked outside her window, making sure the Sheriff did in fact get in her hideous vehicle and leave. She didn't notice the figure to the left of the shrubs, looking directly at her, watching the exchange between the two women.

The dark figure remained still, watching the mansion, waiting for the final light to be switched off.

A/N: There is a plot (in my mind anyway)! Just setting the scene here. Let me know if it's piqued your interest.