A Monster like Me

Chapter 1

Regina woke from a faint knocking on her front door, which just increased by the minute. Who is stupid enough to knock on the Evil Queen's door at…? She took a glance at her alarm clock, to find out that it had just passed 2 AM. 2AM! The IQ average in Storybrooke must have dropped over the years, she thought as she glided out of the bed and down the hall with as much grace she could manage in the middle of the night. Even though she was known as a brave, cold-hearted bitch, under all those walls, hid a vulnerable little girl. Regina has caused so much pain and grief; she is scared that someone finally found the courage to kill her.

"Regina, are you awake?" a small voice asked from the other side of the mansion door. She got on her toes and looked through the window, to see a broken David Nolan. His eyes were red and puffy; his shirt was the same one he wore three days ago. How in the marvellous hell would I know what clothes he was wearing three days ago? Regina, stop being such a creep, she thought to herself. Her thoughts were interrupted by the same, but somehow softer voice.

"I hate to admit this, and you'll probably gloat, but I really need your help." He said and looked her straight in the eyes through the window. Oh fuck, he saw me. Regina, say something!

"Come back when the birds are awake from their slumber, Charming." She told him firmly, and she could see the pain in his eyes. A pang of regret was felt in her chest, but she already said no.

"Regina, I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't important." She swore she heard a "believe me" muttered under his breath, but she chose to ignore it. Then she caught something she thought she would never hear from Charming's lips.

"Please, Regina" he said in the most careful and vulnerable voice she had ever heard. She cursed herself for taking pity on the man, and opened the door to find a very surprised David. Regina stepped aside so David could walk past her. She caught a sniff of his cologne, and her heart sped up. What the fresh fuckery? She finally recovered, and turned to find David leaning on her staircase.

"What was so urgent that it brought you here of all places?" she asked in her cold Evil Queen-voice.

"I think Snow is dead." He said, tears threatening to fall down his cheeks. She could not stop the gasp that escaped her lips. Wait, why do I care for the wellbeing of that brat? Snow had fallen down that portal in a very unfortunate angle, and Miss Swan probably fell on top of her. I always told her that those Granny's burgers were and continue to be lethal.

"How can you be certain of that, Charming? Your daffodils have stopped to bloom I presume?" She snarled at him, but he looked at her with disbelief. He looked almost… hurt?

"We have always been of one heart; I can feel her heartbeat all of the time, but now it just stopped." He told her his explanation, and he watched her reaction. She went from Evil Queen to Regina Mills in a millisecond. This is one complex woman, he thought to himself. However, he could not help to notice that Regina Mills was freaking gorgeous. Her face free of make-up, her hair in a beautiful Dutch -braid. She looked so young, and innocent. She was so short without her six-inch heels. Chocolate orbs saw into his ocean blue ones.

"I don't see where I fit in here. Care to enlighten me?" she asked, sarcasm dripping in her voice. Just like that, Regina Mills was gone, but the Evil Queen was so present.

"I hoped you would care to help me find them." David said firmly, as he stared into her eyes. Regina shifted her weight from her left foot to her right, clearing her voice before she spoke.

"How dare you? You waltz into my home, take my son away from me, without even consulting him or me about it. And now you come into my home unannounced, once again, and assume that I will help?" her voice rising further at every word, her nostrils were flaring, and the tears that were waiting in the corner of her eyes, ran now freely down her cheeks.

"I- I didn't know. I'm so, so terribly sorry." His heart almost breaking for the woman in front of him, so he took a step forward, but stopped when she flinched and held her hands up as if to cover herself. David's faced paled when it occurred to him that Regina thought he was going to hurt her.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Regina."

Her breathing became more rapid than usual and she was clutching her chest. Her arms flung around her own waist, as if she were trying to calm herself down. Tears were falling uncontrollably down her cheeks, but the prince stood as glued to the floor as anyone could.

"Regina, what's going on?" Panic appeared in his eyes as he watched the broken woman fall to her knees. He ran towards her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Pa- panic attack. C-can't breathe." She said, clutching her robe to steady herself. David remembered he saw a show about panic attacks and how to stop them. However, it included physical contact. If you knew Regina Mills, you would know that she did not care for it. Nonetheless, this was an emergency. He stepped behind her, and crouched down to her level. He hesitated for a moment, but shortly came to his senses. His arms wrapped around her small frame, and he put his chin on her shoulder, whispering reassuring words in her ear. Regina stiffened first at the contact, but seemed to relax into the embrace.

"Breathe with me, Regina. Slow breaths, okay?" he said calmly into her ear. Her head nodded, and shortly her breathing evened out. They stayed in that position a while before Regina spoke up.

"You can let go now." She said in a small, raspy voice. He felt the blush rise up his neck, and he was sure her cheeks were quite reddened too at the moment.

"Yeah, right. Sorry." He said as he rose to his feet, and awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"It's quite alright. I guess I should thank you for your assistance." She said and gave him a genuine smile. Regina could tell something was bothering David, but she was too afraid to ask him, thinking it was something she had done.

"Was it my fault?" he asked, gesturing towards Regina.

"No."

"Why are you lying?" he asked her. She looked very taken-a-back; she did not know how to answer.

"I'm not." Mayor Mills carefully taking over her body. She flashed him one of her mayor smiles, many years of training as a politician.

"I can assure you I'm fine. I'm used to take care of myself." She said, but her eyes telling a while different story.

"Yeah, that's what scares me." Her head whipped around so quickly at his words, that she almost lost her breath again. She was so going to regret this later.

"I'll help you."