Trigger warning: an attempt at suicide.

The usual disclaimers

She thought about it for a long time. She thought about doing it long before she came up with that insane idea that she could actually go back and...

What's the use, she thought. She could not change what had happened before.

And now? Now she knew it was all her fault. Everything that happened. It was almost hilarious how her plan dismantled at almost every turn.

This was not the way you get love. Not this way. And maybe there was no way. Maybe she did not deserve love.

Maybe? Hell, it was a definate.

Even when the target of her hate offered that second chance, she refused. She knew there were strings attached. That she would have to become something that she was not.

And she knew she would always be wicked.

The water of the Atlantic looked peaceful. Death would be easy anyway. Let the water fill her lungs. It would be painless. Just stop breathing and it would be over in minutes. No longer a burden to anyone. The Wicked Witch of Oz would finally end. at her own hand.

It was almost funny. Death by water. Maybe she would melt, after all.

The pendant would go with her. She broke into the crypt and stole it. No need for anyone with magic to be tempted. Not Regina. And that Emma woman. The woman in green thought about how they could have been friends. And even that waitress. Ruby, she thought her name was. She was so beautiful. Maybe. Maybe.

No, not a chance.

Zelena, Wicked Witch of the West, took one last look around. She did not look at the town she tried to terrorize only a few days before. She just looked out. Not a cloud in the sky as she took those steps on the pier. She stood at the edge of the wood. She kissed the pendant...funny, it really was the only true friend she had. She closed her eyes. She leapt forward.

She never touched the water.

A force more powerful than she could imagine seemed to grab her body and sent her flying backwards, away from the water. She landed on the boardwalk, but not hard. It was a soft landing on the wood. Somehow, the Wicked Witch realized there maybe be only one or two people who could have done that.

And as she looked up, Zelena's suspicions were confirmed. The two women were standing over her, both with looks of what appeared to be concern. "Are you alright?" That was a dumb question for Regina Mills to ask. Still the Evil Queen reached out to one of Zelena's hands, the other hand that reached out was that of the Savior, Emma Swan. And as the witch in green looked up she saw others: Snow White, whose newborn son she tried to use to facilitate her failed scheme, the waitress Ruby, whom she only caught a glimpse of but was attracted to in that glimpse, and the most loyal of Zelena's army of flying simians, Walsh.

Zelena figured that this was the lynch mob who had come to finish her off. And she had too much pride left to give the fine citizens of Storybrooke that opportunity. As soon as her feet hit the ground she started to run, but that force grabbed her again, this time stopping her forward movement and lifting the witch above the boardwalk. Not too high, just enough to keep her from running.

Zelena's sister and her blonde companion walked closer to her as she was trapped aloft. If nothing else, the witch probably thought this was payback for that watch tower stunt. She was defeated, and she knew it.

"At least have the decency to kill me quickly, dear sister..."

"I have no intention of killing you..." Regina seemed desperate to try to convince her that she did not want to harm the half-sister who, only a few days before, tried to destroy her.

Zelena just stood there, if one could stand while being aloft six feet off the ground. The redhead seemed resigned to a fate she believed could be moments away.

"Zelena...we don't want you to die..." It was Emma turn to talk the witch. "Look, I've never been one to mince words. I know that you're scared. You had to be to try to pull off what you did. I know a lot of people hate you, and I should because of Neal. But crazy as it sounds, I do like your style. And a bit of courage. In fact there's only one person I know who just as crazy and brave..." And then she looked at Regina. Lovingly, maybe. Then the Sheriff added, "Besides, the bastard owed my 84 grand in back child support." Regina snickered. Emma smirked.

And Zelena stayed silent. Her eyes started at the ground.

Regina and Emma raised their hands, and propelled the magic that gently let Zelena drop to the boardwalk. Then it was Walsh's turn. he tried to look into his mistress' eyes but she refused. He spoke anyway...

"Zelena...remember the night I delivered that...that package.?" Everyone knew it was that vial of blood from Emma, the night Emma broke up with Walsh. Zelena remained silent. After I gave that to you, I went, sat on the couch and just cried. It wasn't that I was sorry about what I did...it was what I couldn't do. You see I really was in love with Emma. I told you that. I thought you'd snark me out but you didn't. You just said you understood. That Emma was a good person, and she was lucky to have me for those six months..." At that point Walsh started sobbing. Zelena moved closer to the man, and with hesitation, put her arms around him. Emma just stood there in silence not knowing which was more unbelievable...that Zelena had that much compassion, or that the man she thought had played tricks on her actually did love her all that time.

And while all this was going on, two more people joined the group: Snow and Belle.

Both gave silent looks of concern towards the redhead. Then, Belle was the first to speak. All of seven words...

"Your brought my Rumple back. Thank you."

And with that, as she was still embracing Walsh, Zelena herself was embraced by the librarian. Warm tears streaked down Belle's face, and fell on the neck of the witch. And as two other people approached, it was Snow's turn to speak...

"I think I am a pretty good judge of people. I'm almost never wrong. When I first met Regina she was so pure and honest...I loved her immediately. Along the way I thought I was wrong...she'd become the Evil Queen...the thing is, Zelena, the curse she created, when it got to me, it could have turned me into anything. Could have even killed me. But it turned me into a teacher...a teacher! I never wanted to be a queen, I just wanted to help people. And now I get to help kids, to help their minds grow..."

Zelena wanted to stop the stream of words, but Snow White held her hand. "Look, when you first came to me wanting to be my midwife, I saw a good person. And I believe that good person is still somewhere inside of you...I'd love to meet her again.." The scene kept repeating with tears and hugs. A tall bearded man in leather spoke next...

"That was quite a trick that kissing spell." Hook was, as always Hook. "But I have to say it made me realize something. All my life I have managed to...to get by on charm and wits. Your little trick made me realize that there was so something precious to me. That was Swan..."

Emma's eyes raised for the second time that day.

"That trick made me realize that there was something I loved more than myself. And for that..." The pirate bowed his head in the direction of a very stunned witch. "..for that, I shall forever be grateful."

And then Hook turned to Emma and Regina, with eyes locked on the Evil Queen. "Just so you know, I do love Swan. Love her enough not to take her away from you. My promise." Then he turned his eyes to Emma. "Just know, that if you need me, I will always be...at your service." Then he turned to Zelena and kissed her cheek.

By now, Zelena's skin was as green as her apples, and her eyes as red as her sister's. those eyes look up at the next one yet to speak. The waitress. The wolf.

Zelena did not know about Ruby's wolf when she came to Storybrooke. She found out through the dribs and drabs of things she had heard, and her foolish quest kept her from getting to know the long-legged woman...even though, from a glance, she did think she was very attractive. As attractive, maybe, as the Good Witch of the South back in Oz.

Not that it mattered, for Zelena long ago did not think that anyone would love her willingly.

But now, Zelena was sitting in the middle of the boardwalk surrounded by people who should hate her, but for some reason feel the opposite. And as the wolf-woman strode cautiously towards the witch, her skin rapidly turned a deep forest green. Not that it mattered; the woman would probably turn wolf and devour her as the now growing throng cheered.

Ruby approached, then bent down, grabbed Zelena's head...

...and kissed the witch. Full on the mouth. Deeply. Very deeply. And then pulled away slightly and spoke: "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that!"

Zelena was stunned, more than she had been in the last few minutes. She made no attempt to wipe the tears that were forming. She had never been kissed like that before. Ever. The Wicked WItch just sat there as Ruby continued: "When I first saw you, you were...THE most beautiful person I had ever seen. I wanted you then...and I want you now.'

Zelena responded...almost pleaded...for the other woman not to feel the way she did. "you do know I have done bad things...evil things...and yes, I'll say it, wicked things..."

"That was nothing compared to what mom did..." Henry Mills mentioned it matter-of-factly. "There's this movie...I mean, a story called Lilo and Stitch...you'd have to see it to understand...but anyway, there's a part in it where Lilo tells Stitch 'ohana." That means "family" in this place called Hawaii."

Zelena simply whispered the word, "ohana?"

"Yes, Ohana. Family. And Lilo told Stitch that family never gets left behind. Never...:"

Then Henry walked to Zelena and held out his hand.

"Ohana."

Zelena then collapsed in sobs. As she looked up at Henry, the 14-year-old hugged the redhead tightly. And surrounding her were a growing number of people. The woman they called Granny. The seven men they called dwarves, though they were not that little. Robin and Marian were there. The woman they called Tink and a large man she later found out was named Tiny. The nuns.

And they all one after the other said that word.

"Ohana.."

Finally, Regina knelt down to her broken sister. The Queen knows what the witch is feeling. Emma knelt down with her true love. She knows what Regina has gone through. The same things that maybe Zelena was going through. Her sister was in quiet tears as Regina told her, "You see...you didn't have to go back. Everything you need is here."

Emma added, "And you already have the courage, the brains, and the heart. You had them all the time."

Regina then closed: "And no matter what, at the end of the day, we are family. Ohana..."

Emma repeated: "Ohana..."

And Zelena wept and nodded quickly, "Ohana..." She then melted into the arms of her sister and Emma. Henry joined the embrace, then Ruby, and then it seemed the entire town.

And as the tears flowed, the green disappeared from her face, and Zelena realized that everything she needed and wanted was there.

Ohana.

The beginning

This was a stand alone, but it's part of the Redeemed Zelena universe I am creating, including "Cold," and "Righteous Flock 2" I also wanted to include Lana's statement about Regina and Emma and family. It fits.

There were times I had to stop because of tears. I just hope you like this. And if you do, please leave a review. I really would appreciate it. Thanks.