a/n: You all asked, and now you shall receive! The story continues! Please, if you can take the time, reviews are very welcome!


"I'm sorry, I can't answer my phone right now, but if you'll leave your—"

Emma quickly ended the call before Regina's voicemail gave her the option to say anything. What the hell had Regina been thinking? Emma understood that things had been difficult for Regina before they went off to Neverland. And she and her parents were mostly to blame for it, but after saving Storybrooke and sailing off to find their son, Emma had thought she had made some progress. She thought they had all made some progress. The two women had agreed in equally sharing their time with Henry after returning from Neverland.

And yet, that morning, a week ago, when she had dropped Henry off at Regina's, they'd found the mansion empty. Henry's belongings, and most of the furnishing in the house was still there, but Regina's things, along with the woman herself, were gone. She had left behind a note for Henry, which the boy and refused to hand over. Fighting Emma back with, "This is your fault!"

It had been a week since then, and Henry had barely said a word to anyone. So Emma was here at Granny's Diner, attempting once again to get her son to open up and tell her what Regina had said and her reasoning as to why the hell she had thought it was a good idea to disappear on their son.

She was in the middle of taking a sip of her beer, when Henry suddenly murmured, "Do you think she'll ever come back?"

Emma nearly choked on the liquid, and quickly swallowed before it ended up all over the diner countertop. She looked over at her son who had barely touched his food and was placidly tracing shapes in the salt that had spilled over onto the counter. "Well, I...Henry, I still don't even know why Regina left, or where she is now. You haven't—"

"I know I haven't let you read it," Henry interrupted, snapping out of his daze. "But she left it for me to read, and me alone."

"Okay, fine. But why not explain things to me? Why did she leave Henry?"

Henry's eyes clouded with tears and his lower lip trembled as he kept his eyes glued on the basket of untouched food. "What did you do to her?" he asked, throat constricted.

"We didn't do anything, Henry. Why would you—"

"Because my mom's never given up in her life," Henry snapped, tears spilling over, and finally turning on Emma. "She helps fight to get me back and now she suddenly decides she can't do it anymore and leaves for Boston?"

"Regina's in Boston?" Emma questioned, overwhelmed with her son's sudden explosion.

"She said goodbye, Emma!" Henry continued, and she couldn't help but cringe at the name he'd used. It was as if she and Henry were back to square one, like strangers again. "My mom never gave up on me. Even when I called her The Evil Queen. Even when I hated her. She never abandoned me, not like you!"

In his desperate fury, Henry had knocked his food to the ground, his glass toppling in the wake as he stood up. All eyes in the diner, turned to the pair. And Emma was so stunned, so emotionally numbed by the eruption, that all she could do was stare at her son's tear-stained face as he demanded, "So what did you do?"

Emma quickly reached for her son's arm, which was shaking as much as the rest of his body, trying to placate him. "Henry, I didn't do anything, I swear."

The boy ripped his arm from her reach, and spat, "Stop lying to me."

Suddenly aware of all the curious eyes, Emma grabbed Henry's hand, despite his protests and lead him outside where they could talk in private. "Henry, I need you to calm down," Emma implored.

"Why because you're going to tell me how you and the rest of them chased her out of town, even after she helped save me? Because I'll run away. I'll find her. I'm just as much her son as I am yours, so—"

"Henry!" Emma interrupted him, and took his hand in hers again. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before saying, "Henry, I know that. If our trip to Neverland changed anything, it changed how I see Regina, alright? I would never try to chase her out of town. She and I had actually been working on a schedule for sharing you, so I'm going to need you to calmly explain to me what she said in that letter. Alright?"

Henry wiped his eyes quickly with the back of his hand, and shrugged, "Well if it wasn't you guys, then I don't know."

"She really gave no reason?" Emma asked in confusion.

"All she said was that she needed to get away, to get a new start for herself."

"That's it?" Emma was concerned that maybe this wasn't Regina at all, maybe this was Hook's idea of revenge, and that he'd kidnapped the woman. After all he had been nothing but obnoxious and interfering every single time Emma and Regina had gotten along on the boat. Maybe he thought kidnapping Regina would split apart their family and cause turmoil. "You said she mentioned Boston? That's where she went?"

Henry nodded.

"Did she leave an address for you?"

"No, she wrote it before she left. She wouldn't know where she was going to settle down."

"God, if she would only answer her damn phone," Emma muttered before realizing that could point to a kidnapping...or Regina was simply avoiding her calls for some reason. "Fuck, what did I do, Regina?"

"She's really gone for good isn't she?" Henry said suddenly, sounding defeated again, snapping Emma out of her musings.

Her voice softened as she gently squeezed his shoulder, "No, Henry, she isn't." Her son looked up at her with pleading eyes. "I'm gonna make sure of that."


"So any luck with him?" David asked Emma after Henry had disappeared upstairs into his room.

Emma collapsed onto the couch and let out a loud sigh as she replied, "Yes."

"So he told you where Regina is?" Snow followed up eagerly as she sat down beside her daughter.

"Yes," Emma breathed again.

"And?" David prompted.

"And I'm even more confused than ever," she said, forcing herself to sit up and deal with the issue.

David crossed his arms and asked in confusion, "Why? Where did he say she was?"

"Boston."

"What's she doing in Boston?" Snow asked before adding rather sarcastically, "She's not planning a takeover is she?"

Emma rolled her eyes at the joke before rubbing her hands over them exhaustively and replying, "I have no idea what she's doing there. Henry said that in the letter, Regina just says she needs to get away and start over, but..."

Silence filled the room and Emma suddenly realized the look her parents were giving her after she'd trailed off and she quickly demanded, "What?"

Snow hesitated after glancing over at her husband before saying, "I don't think there's a 'but' here Emma."

"Of course there is," she countered.

"Emma, I know you and Regina have become closer, but it makes sense that she would want a new start," Snow said, then paused, thinking carefully. "And maybe, you know...maybe it's for the best?"

"Whoa, okay, I'm gonna have to stop you right there," Emma retorted seriously. "I know that neither of you were there when Henry broke down into tears just a little while ago, but you have to know that Regina leaving is nowhere near 'for the best.'"

Snow shook her head, "I know Henry's upset, but he'll get over it, Emma. It isn't like he doesn't have anyone. He has a family here who loves and cares for him."

"And he has a mother out there who he loves, and thinks abandoned him. Now I don't know what the hell Regina was thinking when she thought this was for the best, but I am not going to sit idly by and tell my son to get over this."

"What are you planning on doing then?" David asked.

"I'm planning to find Regina and bring her back here if it fucking kills me," Emma answered getting to her feet.

"Emma, this is ridiculous. Why can't you just respect Regina's wishes?" Snow complained already on her daughter's heels.

"Because I don't think this is Regina's wish at all," Emma retorted, making her way to the door, that her father was already crossing in front of. She gritted her teeth in frustration as both of her parents now placed themselves in her way. "Look, I know you guys might not understand, but I know Regina, and the woman I know would never willingly leave her son behind. None of this makes sense."

"Emma, please just let this go. Forget about everyone else and think about yourself for a minute alright?" Snow said, and reached for her daughter's hands. "Maybe this is exactly what you need. Neal is back, and you have a chance to start over with him, maybe this is Regina's gift to you in getting a chance to start a family of your own, and not have to worry about her and fighting over Henry all the time. Did you ever think about that? Maybe Regina did this not only for herself, but for you. This is what you both need."

Emma nodded, "Yeah, maybe, but until I hear it from Regina herself, I'm not letting this slide."

It was David's turn as he placed a comforting hand on Emma's shoulder, "Just let it go for tonight then."

Snow and Emma looked at him in surprise. "David, are you—"

"Just give it a night, Emma, and if you still feel this way tomorrow, then we'll let you go without a fight," David continued, raising his eyebrows in awaiting his daughter's reply. "Alright?"

Emma's shoulders slumped in defeat as she nodded. David smiled and pulled his daughter hesitantly into a hug before saying goodnight.

Once upstairs, Emma had to fight the urge from collapsing onto her bed, exhaustion taking over her. Instead she moved to her dresser where the glint of something caught her eye. She cocked her head, and walked closer to examine the small thing. With gentle hands she picked up the ring that had mysteriously appeared in her hand one night. Tracing over the shiny silver band, she remembered it had almost been like she'd suddenly awoke and missed a whole ten minutes of her life. Finally, her fingertips graced the colorful small stone that practically glowed with life.

The urge to put the ring on overwhelmed her, and just as she was about to slide it on, there was a soft knock on her door. She fumbled with the object and it fell from her fingers, clattering to the floor. "Shit," she hissed, but abandoned it to answer the door. She opened it to find Henry standing there.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Of course you can," Emma said stepping aside and allowing Henry into the room. As Emma closed the door behind them, Henry paused, the fallen ring catching his eye as he moved towards Emma's bed.

"Emma..." he began slowly as he reached for the small object. "What is this?"

She shrugged casually as she pulled it from his hand and said, "It's a ring, Henry. What does it look like?"

"I've never seen you wear that before. Is it yours?" he asked as she placed it back on the dresser and lead him to the bed to sit down.

"I'm not...sure," she replied slowly, as she realized in confusion how honest the words were.

Henry looked just as perplexed as Emma as he deadpanned, "How can you not be sure?"

"Forget about it," Emma barrelled on in exasperation. "It's a stupid ring that I found in my room. It doesn't matter. Now what did you want to talk about?"

He let the silence settle in before saying, "I heard you guys talking downstairs." Emma waited patiently for him to continue, determined to have a better conversation this time around. "Emma, I want to come with you to Boston to find my mom."

She smiled softly in response and lied, "I haven't decided if I'm going yet, kid." Henry shot her a look and Emma chuckled, "Yeah okay, you got me."

"So can I come?"

"No," Emma quickly replied, wrapping an arm around Henry's shoulders and hugging him playfully. "It's not that I don't think you should, or even that I don't want you there."

"Then what is it?" Henry asked.

She paused, formulating her response carefully. "I just know nothing about what I'm stepping into, Henry. Regina's reasoning wasn't very explicit."

Her son's face folded suddenly into deep thinking as Emma had seen it do time and time again, when he had a theory. "Do you think something bad happened to her? Like she was kidnapped or something?"

Emma sighed, wishing she could just deal with Regina and bring Henry into the matter later. "Look, I really don't know. It's a possibility. But for now, I'm planning on heading to Boston to look, alright?"

Henry nodded silently.

"Maybe you should get to bed," Emma said brushing Henry's overgrown hair away from his eyes. It was the first time she'd really noticed her son's disheveled appearance. She could just imagine what lectures she would be getting from Regina on childcare if the she were there. It would be simple enough for Emma to just tell herself to get him a haircut. That solved everything right?

Wrong. As much as Emma would like to think otherwise, she wasn't a sufficient enough mother on her own. Henry needed Regina as much as he wanted Emma. And as Emma tucked their son into bed and kissed him goodnight, she couldn't help but think that perhaps, Regina was not only Henry's need, but perhaps hers as well.

"Dammit Regina, we were supposed to be in this together," Emma muttered to herself as she watched Henry's chest slowly rise and fall, the boy falling deep into his slumber.


Emma slammed the trunk to her yellow bug closed and turned around, only to run into the one person she didn't want to see before heading off on her little mission.

Neal.

"Leaving me already?" her ex joked, that same glint of a tease in his eyes.

Emma shook her head with a frown and replied, "Look Neal, I'm sorry. I know this all sucks, but I have to find Regina."

"I'm starting to think there's some gene in your family that doesn't allow any of you to sit still for too long," Neal said.

"You're one to talk," Emma muttered, looking down at her keys.

"Hey, I thought I was forgiven?" he retorted, raising his hands defensively.

Emma sighed still avoiding eye contact and replied, "Yeah, I'm sorry. You're right."

"I didn't really believe you were actually going until now," Neal commented, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "I guess things have really changed with Regina since I've been gone."

"I suppose things have changed a little. But, Neal, even if they hadn't, I'd still be on my way to find Regina. This is about Henry."

Neal chuckled, shaking his head and looking down at his feet.

"What's so funny?" Emma asked.

"Come on Emma, this obviously isn't just about Henry," he replied, raising his voice.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that—" Neal cut himself off, frustration boiling over.

Emma took the opportunity to cut in, "All I've ever done, all I've ever fought for is Henry. How is this any different?"

"Because it's not just about Henry this time, Emma. Henry would survive without Regina. And before you say I'm wrong, just think about it. Regina wouldn't leave unless she understood that. She knows he's going to be taken care of and that he doesn't need her."

"You don't know him, Neal. I've seen it, and he does need her," Emma retorted. "I'm not enough."

"But we are. You, me, your parents."

She shook her head in disagreement.

"Why won't you just say it?" Neal muttered, eyes flashing.

"Say what? I don't know what you're getting at, Neal."

"There's something different between you and Regina," he said. "I saw it the minute you stepped off that ship. I wish you'd just tell me what it is."

Emma sighed, "If I knew, I'd tell you."

"So that's it? That's all you have to say?"

"I don't know what you want me to say!" Emma exclaimed in exasperation. "Do you want me to say that I don't like the thought of never seeing Regina again? Do you? Because fine, I don't like it! I hate thinking of her being all self sacrificing and leaving for everyone's own good but her own because I don't believe for one second that this is actually what she wants and that kills me. It fucking kills me that she walked away. I mean how could she just suddenly not give a fuck about herself, and how could she think that's what we want? How could she just leave us behind?"

The cool morning air cut through the silence, echoing Emma's words around as Neal asked slowly, "Us?"

"I mean, him," Emma said quickly, not missing a beat, her voice soft now. "How could she leave him behind."

The pair continued to stand in cold, awkward silence until Emma finally cleared her throat and Neal started quietly, "Emma..."

But Emma cut him off and started away, "I should really be going."

"Emma, please, don't go," Neal said, causing Emma to pause, the driver's door open. "She's not worth it."

She stared at the empty street ahead of her before saying, "She is to me." And with that she slammed the driver's door behind her and drove away with Neal unmoving in her rearview mirror.


The strong aroma of coffee filled the air of the comfortable apartment. It was quiet except for the sparse sounds of someone quietly bustling around in the bathroom. In the hallway outside, there were unsure footsteps that with every stride caused a diamond in a small ring that was placed on a tidy dresser, to glow brighter—a beacon to its owner. The footsteps paused outside the apartment door, causing silence to drown the air.

Finally there was a soft knock that caused the woman in front of the mirror to straighten up, glance over and call out, "Just a minute."

She quickly ran her fingers through her dark brown hair before hurriedly making her way to the entrance of her apartment. After placing a picture-perfect smile on her face, the woman pulled the door open only to have the look wiped off her face and her breath catch in her throat.

Emma Swan stood there, clothed in her signature dark skinny jeans and red leather jacket, hands stuffed consciously into her front pockets, wearing her somewhat deer-in-the-headlights look that held for a minute before giving way to an easy smile as she breathed in relief, "Regina."