Emma swiped up a dollop of whipped cream with her finger and placed it in her mouth, tongue licking off the sweet creamy topping. She grinned with happiness and looked across the table at Henry who was busy staring at the menu.
Granny's was packed today. Not surprising considering it seemed to be the only diner in Storybrooke.
"What are you craving, kid?" She asked.
The twelve year old looked up and put down his menu. "I'm thinking a hamburger and a strawberry milkshake"
Emma nodded. "Good choice. Get the good stuff before I drop you off at your moms tonight"
Henry rolled his eyes.
"What are you saying about getting the good stuff, Ms. Swan?" Came a teasing voice from behind them.
Emma whipped her head around so fast her neck cracked. Her eyes widened to see Regina standing inches away from her, her eyebrow raised in question.
"Oh! Um..." Emma wracked her brains for a good answer. "I was just talking about how lucky Henry is going to be tonight to have your amazing lasagna"
Regina chuckled triumphantly. "We aren't even having lasagna tonight, dear. If you want to know, we are having salmon"
"Ew" Emma couldn't help but display her dislike for the fish meal. At the hard stare she got, she quickly corrected herself. "I mean, yum!"
Henry meanwhile was face-palming himself.
At that moment, Ruby came bouncing forward. "Want anything, Madam Mayor?"
Regina smiled. "Yes Ms. Lucas. Get me a black coffee please"
"Right away" With that she walked away to make the order.
Regina walked over to Henry and affectionately rubbed his shoulder. "How are you doing Henry?"
Henry grinned up at her. "Good. Today Emma and I went horseback riding. We raced each other and I won!"
"Only because I let you get a head start" Emma grumbled.
Henry laughed. "No you didn't! It's because your horse decided to go off the trail and eat some grass"
"Honestly Ms. Swan. If you are going to race our son, you'd better learn the basics first" Regina playfully added.
Emma's pride was being flattened but she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. Ever since the defeat of Zelena, Regina had been a lot more cordial towards her and often said yes to her taking Henry for the day or weekend. For the first time since she got to Storybrooke two years ago, things were peaceful in the town.
"Here you go" Ruby came up to them again to hand Regina her mug.
"Thank you, dear" Regina said, pulling up a chair and sitting down at the table.
The bell jingled above them, signaling someone was entering the diner. The person walked unsteady and the putrid, strong smell of alcohol washed off his body. He looked up at the three and announced, "Well if it isn't the savior and the Evil Queen"
The three of them turned towards him, Emma giving him a hard, cold stare and Regina and Henry looking confused.
"Leroy, I suggest you go before I book you for drunk behavior in public"
Leroy ignored her and gave a mocking bow to Regina. "Your majesty"
A flash of pain and discomfort went across Regina's eyes.
Leroy looked up from his bow and noticed Henry. "Oh, hi Henry! Having a good lunch with your mom?"
"Moms" Henry corrected.
Leroy laughed. "No need to lie to protect yourself kid! We all know that Swan here is your mom. Besides, who would want the Evil Queen as your mother anyway"
"Leroy! Shut up!" Emma snapped.
Regina felt anger boil inside her. Felt the magic struggling to get out. She needed to leave right now.
She made a straight path towards the exit but found herself blocked by Leroy.
"Get out of my way" She growled.
"Oh, can't take the truth now? Face it queenie. Nobody loves you. Not Henry and especially not Robin"
Regina stepped back in shock. How did he know about that?
Leroy grinned. "Surprised? It's a small town and stories get around quickly. Honestly, did you expect Robin to love you forever? As soon as his real love came back, he went right to her. I mean, he even left Storybrooke with her!"
"He loved me" Regina felt her body shaking. Stabs of pain manifested themselves all over her body from the magic she was trying so desperately to suppress.
"Regina, don't listen to him" Emma warned but it reached deaf ears.
"I don't think so. Sure, you have a rocking body. Better than Marian's in my opinion but that's about it. Other than that, you have no other appeals that anyone would want. You're nothing more than the Evil-"
"Shut up!" Regina screamed. Her magic burst from her body and slammed into it's target. Leroy went flying out the front door and crashed on the sidewalk. He rolled onto his back and moaned in pain.
"Regina!" "Mom!" Emma and Henry shouted simultaneously.
Regina's hands were glowing with magic, her body still shaking.
Emma ran past Regina and out the diner to get Leroy. With no words to ask him if he was okay, she rolled him onto his stomach and cuffed him.
"What did I do?!" He cried out. "She attacked me! Arrest her!"
"Shut the hell up" Emma snarled.
"Mom?" Henry asked hesitantly. Hands raised, he slowly stepped towards her. Regina backed away in fear.
"Henry, don't come any closer" She ordered but her voice wavered and the authority was lost to the boy.
"I can help you" He promised. "Just take my hand" But as soon as his hand touched hers, he was shoved backwards until he slammed into a nearby table.
"Henry!" Regina cried out. She ran towards him but stopped short, terrified of what she could do next to her son.
Henry groaned and slowly got up, rubbing his head. A trickle of blood flowed down the side of his forehead where he had bashed his head, a detail that didn't go unnoticed by Regina.
"Are you bleeding?" She gasped. "Oh god. I hurt you"
"It's fine" He assured her. "It's just a small cut" He stepped back but stopped when she brought her hands to her chest, cowering.
"Don't come closer" She begged, tears shining in her eyes. "I don't want to hurt you again"
"No, mom. It's okay. I-" But he didn't get to say anymore. Regina enveloped herself in purple smoke and when it cleared, she was gone.
Emma left Leroy sitting in her car and dashed back inside when she heard a crash. She gasped at the sight of Henry.
"What happened?" She demanded.
"My mom's magic accidentally went off when I tried to calm her down" Henry explained tearfully. "But it wasn't her fault and now she's gone!"
Emma hugged a sobbing Henry and said softly, "Don't worry, kid. I'll find her. I promise"