Disclaimer: As always I don't own the characters or Once Upon a Time, If I did I sure as hell would be on vacation now. Enjoy! Comments and gentle criticism welcome. First OUAT fic.


The darkness began to fade as the purple and green fog thinned. The sky was a stark white illuminating the empty field where they now stood.

Her clothes felt heavy and a little too tight and as she glanced down she realized she was once again The Evil Queen. The material tugged as she took a deep breath proving that all that healthy eating hadn't made as much a difference as she'd hoped. Or maybe it was the lack of exercise.

"We're back." Hearing Snow's voice she snapped her head up to see who Snow was addressing.

Swords drawn, Prince Philip and Princess Aurora looked at them in shock. Aurora lowered hers and broke out into a smile at the sight of Snow.

"Snow! Is Emma with you? And Henry?" Aurora rushed toward Snow to embrace her.

"Emma and Henry are gone. Forever." Regina muttered emotionless.

Aurora stopped abruptly taking in the sight of The Evil Queen.

"You brought the Evil Queen with you?" Aurora asked.

"I don't believe we've had the pleasure," Regina purred. "Do I know you, dear, or does my reputation just proceed me?"

"Regina." Charming reached out his arm in a warning to back down.

"Snow, what's going on? Are Emma and Henry okay? Why are you back?" Aurora interrogated.

"Aurora, how do you know these people?" Phillip asked stepped defensively toward his wife.

"Ah. Sleeping Beauty. I didn't recognize you with your eyes open, dear." Regina spat out derisively.

"Really, Regina. Back off. I think you're going to have enough enemies here without antagonizing the few that don't know you." Neal said stepping forward.

"Let's all just calm down. Where's Mulan?" Snow asked.

"She joined the Merry Men. They headed out this morning on a scouting mission. Things aren't as you left them." Aurora explained.

"They never are. Emma and I made it back to Storybrooke safely, but much has happened since then. We've been to Neverland and back. Peter Pan followed us back and cast a curse, but Regina stopped it by reversing her curse. She saved us." Snow summarized.

"I sense a new darkness here. What's happened, Aurora?" Blue asked stepping toward the princess.

"What the hell is that?" Leroy exclaimed looking up at the large animal flying toward them.

Philip quickly reached for a bow and shot the monkey down.

"The witch's spies," Phillip explained. "We should take cover."

"I don't have any spies here." Regina frowned.

"For once I think the term "witch" wasn't in reference to you." Neal said.

"Phillip's right. We're not safe out here. Come back to our camp with us. The Merry Men should be returning soon." Aurora turned and started to walk away.

"Wait, where is everyone else?" Neal frowned looking around, only the small group who'd seen Emma and Henry off was standing there.

"I hardly think this is the time to stand around asking questions, mate." Hook muttered as he started to follow Aurora. At the sound of his voice Aurora whipped around.

"You. You brought him back too? Is Cora here as well?" She looked imploringly at Snow. Snow shook her head. "Cora's dead."

Ignoring them all, Charming turned to Regina who was just staring off in the direction Henry and Emma had gone. He grabbed her arm and shook her slightly.

"Regina. This was supposed to save everyone. Where are the rest?"

Turning to face him as she jerked her arm away she rolled her eyes.

"Unhand me, idiot. We weren't all in one place when the curse hit, so we didn't all land in the same spot. It's not rocket science. They're here somewhere." She explained.

"What's a rocket, love?" Hook questioned as he began to move forward again.

"We really don't have time for this." Tinkerbelle pointed up to the sky where several more monkeys could be seen in the distance.

"Let's go. We'll figure out how to find everyone after we get to safety." Snow said as she began to follow Phillip and Aurora through the field. The rest of the group quickly fell in step behind her.

Regina didn't move. Good. Let the idiots go. She was done rescuing them. She gazedin the direction of the monkeys. From her castle. What were they doing in her castle?

Something sharp and cold pierced her shoulder. She whipped her head around as she raised her hand as she summoned her magic.

"Whoah. Careful with that, love. Just making sure you don't fall behind. We don't need a repeat ofNeverland." Hook said.

"This is nothing like Neverland. There's nothing left to fight for. Henry's gone. There's no reason to continue to put up with those idiots."

"No, I suppose not. But if I'm not mistaken, those monkeys are coming from your castle, so if you plan to take it back, you might want to rest a minute at camp and regain some of that magic of yours before you go storming off on your own."

She glared at him, and held her ground.

"Besides, Henry's already lost one grandparent today, and while I'm not sorry he's gone, it would be a shame if you let something happen to the two grandparents he's got left. Even if he'll never see them again, you know he would want them to be safe."

"Well then move, pirate. We're villains. They're going to think we're plotting something.

"Aren't we, love?"

She brushed past him and began walking quickly toward the group.


Phillip frowned as he surveyed the castle. The men hadn't returned. Aurora put a hand protectively over her stomach. Noticing, Phillip pulled her in to his arms.

"Richard, tell cook we've returned and have guests. She'll need to cook extra tonight." Phillip ordered.

"We're running low already, your highness." Richard noted.

"David and I can go hunting if you like." Snow offered.

"No. We need to fill you in on what's happened. We need a plan." Aurora said.

This get-up was going to be the death of her. How did she ever breathe in this? Regina wondered as she sat on a stone bench a safe distance from the group who were now talking animatedly. But softly. Thank god. At least she could tune out those idiots. But it didn't stop the swirling thoughts in her mind. Everything felt wrong. The forest felt different. It was filled with a magic she didn't recognize. And she felt empty. Empty and alone. What was the point of a plan? What was the point of fighting? There really was nothing to fight for. She'd gotten what she deserved. A life sentence of exile from the one person in all the realms who believed in her. Who made her want to be the best version of herself. Who made life worth living.

"Regina."

She blinked to find Snow invading her personal space.

"Snap out of it. We need your help. Have you heard anything Aurora's said?" Snow's words shot at her like arrows piercing into her reverie.

"What more do you want from me? I already sacrificed everything I had. Can't you just leave me in peace to grieve?" Regina shot back.

"Do you really think that's the best idea? Do you remember what happened last time you were left alone to grieve?" Snow questioned.

"If I wanted to curse you all I wouldn't have sacrificed my son." Regina spat back.

"You aren't the only one who made a sacrifice, Regina. Gold's dead. I lost my daughter again. And my grandson. Wallowing isn't going to bring them back. We have a real threat to deal with. We can't afford to be selfish now." Snow pleaded.

Regina raised her eyes to meet Snow's imploring gaze.

"What would you have me do?"

"Help us."

She looked into Snow's pleading eyes. They were the eyes of the young girl on the horse, but tinged with a lifetime experiences that left a slight taint to the innocence. A worldliness. An understanding of how difficult life could be. But still the hope was there. That damned optimism that nothing seemed to be able to beat out of the silly princess. Regina sighed.

"Whatever it is you're planning isn't going to work." She said as she stood and followed Snow toward the rest of the group.


Horses trampled the ground, moving so quickly it was as if they were off to battle. As The Evil Queen's castle became smaller in the distance, Robin Hood slowed the horses pace.

"Robin?" Mulan questioned as she pulled her horse in step with Robin's.

"We should stop and water the horses now that we're a safe distance. Quickly. There's no time for resting." He finished. She nodded and began ordering the rest of the men about. It had taken little time for her warrior instincts to put her in a position of leadership of the group of bandits. Robin frowned deeply as he thought of his son and wished they weren't still so far from Aurora's castle. Little John approached him, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Should we try to send a message back?" Little John asked his leader.

"No. We'll be there soon enough." Robin answered taking a swig of water before mounting his horse and preparing to depart again.


"So we'll distract the monkeys and other guards while you go after the witch." Charming finished explaining.

"There's a powerful evil witch, with Rumplestiltskin's crystal ball to see us coming, and you want me to go after her while you distract her minions?" Regina asked.

Charming nodded.

"Idiot. We'll be dead before we arrive." Regina snapped.

"She's right. If the witch has my father's crystal ball, she'll know we're coming and stop us." Neal said.

"Maybe she won't be able to." Snow said.

"And maybe fish can't swim." Regina shot back.

"Arguing isn't going to help. We need to work together. Regina, what do you think we should do?" Tinkerbelle asked softly.

"No one wants to hear her opinion. She'll do what she's told and Snow and Charming will let her live." Grumpy said.

"Ah. Finally. Someone's willing to speak the truth. Fine. Make your plans. Tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it. That's the way this little team works anyway, right? You come up with the idiotic plans and then use me for my magic when it suits you. I'll be waiting for my instructions." She turned on her heel and stormed back to a corner.

"That wasn't helpful, Grumpy." Snow chastised.

"And she's right. The plan isn't going to work." Neal said. "I don't know much about this crystal ball. What if she can see and hear our plans?"

"She won't be able to hear." Blue offered. "But she'll be able to see us. Unless…I don't think I'm strong enough, but maybe Regina could put a cloaking spell on the castle."

"Like the one Rumple gave me to protect the town?" Belle asked.

Blue nodded. They all turned to Regina who was sitting staring into space again.

"I'll ask her." Belle offered.


Nothing changed. Nothing ever changed. But she was too tired to fight with the idiots. The heavy feeling in her heart wouldn't go away and she just wanted to close her eyes. To escape it all. Yes, going after the witch alone was certain to end in her death, but she didn't really care. Without Henry her life was worthless anyway. She shook her head.

A gentle hand rested lightly on her shoulder and Belle's timid smile flashed at her.

"Regina. We need a cloaking spell to prevent the witch from seeing us in her crystal ball."

"You've done a cloaking spell. Do it again."

"You know I needed fairy dust for that. Blue doesn't have enough. We need you."

"Nobody needs me. You need my magic."

"Regina, I know you don't want to help us. I understand how you feel. I feel it too. I don't know what I'll do without Rumple. We're all lost."

"Lost? I thought we were home."

Belle smiled. "Lost in this world that should be familiar but isn't. Lost without the people that mean the most to us. But that's why we have to ban together. We have to support each other. You can live without Henry. And I can live without Rumple. We have to because it's what they would have wanted. But none of us will live if you don't help us. We need you…and your magic. You can keep us safe."

Regina pushed herself off the bench and started to stand, when a young boy burst through the side door and came running into the room.

"Cook said dinner's ready, but there's only a little so you better hurry!" The curly-haired little boy squealed.

"Well then lead the way to the dining hall." Charming said.

"You go ahead. Regina and I will find you after the cloak's up." Belle said.

"We don't have cloaks here. My dad took them all with him to disguise his men so the bad witch wouldn't get them." The boy said.

"Not real cloaks. A magic cloak. To make the castle invisible so the bad witch can't find us." Snow explained. Turning to Regina, "Thank you, Regina."

Regina just nodded before standing. She closed her eyes and drew in a focusing breath. As she raised her arms, the boy slammed his body into her, knocking her sideways forcing her to grab the wall for support.

"No!" he screamed. "Stop!" he said as he began throwing his little fists at her.

Righting herself, Regina turned in confusion to face the little boy. She took hold of his hands ending the barrage of punches.

"Didn't your mother teach you any manners? It's rude to body slam your guests." Regina chastised.

"You can't make us invisible." He said stubbornly.

"Not us. Just the castle. Don't worry. You'll still be able to see everyone."

"Not the castle either. They won't be able to find us."

"That's the idea."

"No. He means the Merry Men. The merry men won't be able to find the castle." Phillip interjected.

"Shall we wait for them to return then?" Regina questioned.

"I don't think that's safe." Aurora said. "We don't know how long they'll be gone. They should have returned already."

"They're late? Are they okay? Is Daddy hurt?" Roland asked, verging on tears.

"I'm sure they're fine, sweetie." Aurora said patting him on the back. "Maybe they just had to go farther than they thought to find anything.

Roland looked at her with distrust.

Still holding the boy's hands, Regina crouched down to meet his eyes.

"What's your name?" She asked.

"Roland."

"Well, Roland, how about this, I'll put up the cloaking spell and then, if you help me, I'll do another spell that will let us know when they're in near the castle and we can go out and get them. How does that sound?" Regina reasoned.

"You promise we'll know when they're looking for us and they won't get lost?" he asked earnestly.

"I promise."

"Okay. How do I help?" Roland asked.

"Go find me something of your father's." The boy immediately ran off. "And if you're awake enough, dear, you could find me something of that Mulan person's as well." Regina turned to Aurora.

"I'm perfectly awake. No thanks to you."

"It wasn't my curse, princess. You really should be more careful around needles."

Aurora opened her mouth to argue, but Regina cut her off. "Now. I need to concentrate." She shut her eyes again, and raised her hands. A yellow glow shimmered and then disappeared. "That should do it." Regina flopped down on the bench rather ungracefully.

"Thank you, Regina." Belle said.

Roland came running back in with a hat.

"Here. This is my father's. You'll give it back right?" He asked handing it to Regina.

"I will." She said nodding seriously. She waved her hand over the hat and it glowed for a moment and then returned to normal. "All done. I'm going to keep it with me until he returns if you'll let me. I'll be able to sense their presence easier if it's near me."

"Okay. As long as you're careful with it." Roland agreed.

Phillip returned holding a small coin purse.

"This is Mulan's." He said offering it to Regina.

Regina took it inhaling deeply as she did. She was still tired from all the magic the curse took. She just wanted to tuck Henry in and go to bed. Tuck Henry in…

"Regina?" Belle questioned.

Shaking her head she again waved her hand over the object causing it to glow briefly.

"There. That's taken care of. I'll know when they're back and we can go out and retrieve them."

"Good. Then let's get dinner. Come along, Roland." Aurora said authoritatively. Roland took her hand and they began walking with Belle and Phillip following. Noticing Regina hadn't moved, Belle turned.

"Regina, are you coming?" she asked.

"I'm not really very hungry. I'll just wait her for them to return. I'm sure you'll come find me if I'm needed again."

"You should eat" Belle began.

"I'll decide when I need to eat." Regina shot back angrily. Thinking Regina might need some space, Belle just nodded and followed the others out.


Robin found the rhythmic clopping of the horses almost hypnotic. He frowned as he sat straighter on his horse and squinted into the distance. He still couldn't see the castle. But they should be nearly there. They'd been riding all day and all evening.

Little John brought his horse up to ride beside Robin.

"Still no sight of the castle? Do you think we got turned around? Maybe some spell the witch cast?"

Robin shook his head. "No. I'm certain we're riding the right way. We must have ridden farther away than I remembered." Suddenly, he jerked his head up, looking into the sky. "Did you hear that?"

John shook his head and surveyed the area around them seeing nothing.

"Lost your castle, my pretties?" The witch cackled on a broom right hovering right above them.