Author's Note: It started out as a small drabble one-shot I decided I had to write after I saw a prompt, but now that I squint I could see this as a prologue of sorts. If you agree and would like to see this continued, say so in a review. Otherwise, enjoy it for what it is.

-3-

It was the fact that she was an irascible bully that had got her into this situation. And now she didn't know how to get out. Regina Mills is a smart woman, but as she pores over every detail of the patient file in front of her, she slowly begins to realize that she has no idea how to get out of the corner she's seemingly backed herself into.

She had deemed it a wise investment at first: take her and hide her from the rest of the world, and keep her until she needed a bargaining chip.

It was becoming evident that it wouldn't be worth it in the end.

The truth was that she had underestimated what was between the two. A truth that she hadn't learned until earlier this very evening when she'd dangled that little chipped cup like a bone in front of a dog, and he'd watched it, mesmerized and enthralled.

Guesses were all she had before today. A 'please' here, a stray mannerism there. But she'd comforted herself with the thought that they were just bleed-through; fragments of a life forgotten.

She takes a small drink from her tumbler, and stands from her desk to look out the window.

But now she knows. He remembers. The little imp had either worked another trick into his curse, or maybe his magic had been too powerful to allow him to forget.

Regina Mills is a smart woman, but as she searches every corner of her mind for a solution, she finds none. No hope, no relief, and no comfort. She knows that he was right; he truly does have all of the power.

But he doesn't know that. Not yet. Not for as long as she can keep her hidden, at least.

She smirks as she turns back to her desk, setting the tumbler down and picking up the manilla folder, careful not to let anything fall out. She will return the file to the hospital, and limit her visits from here on out.

Because Regina Mills is a fool, but she gives the devil his due; he will find her, and when he does, the devil will come for her.

She does not know her date, but she knows her sentence. And with that, she knows fear.