Regina balled her hand into a fist, frustration bubbling to the surface. They had been talking for hours about the next steps that should be taken now that they had come back to the Enchanted Forest. The Charmings were in deep discussion with that girl who was always getting under Maleficent's skin and the mooney-eyed boy that followed her. They arrived in the open field shortly after everyone had re-appeared. Aurora was very welcoming to Snow, greeting her warmly along with everyone else. When her eyes landed on Regina, recognition dawned on Aurora's face and she had her prince pull a sword on her and threats were made. "I guess my reputation is still in tact", Regina had drawled out. Of course dear, sweet, Snow had talked them down, telling the two all about her sacrifices. Regina rolled her eyes at the memory.

Everyone had gathered in a small clearing, Aurora and Philip quickly went on to fill everyone in on the happenings of the Enchanted Forest. Rumours were afloat about something wicked coming from the west side of the forest. There had been many incidents of tornadoes of fire destroying small villages and flying beasts that resembled monkeys. The Charmings had right away wanted to rebuild their kingdom, get rid of this wicked threat, if true, and restore order and hope. Regina just wanted to return to her castle. She had nothing without Henry. She wanted to be rid of all these...reminders. Just live out her days alone, it's what she deserved. She longed to poof herself out of the forest and back to her old home and she would have if counteracting Pan's curse hadn't taken it's toll on her magic. It was weak but it would come back in time. Once it did she was out of here. Not everyone would be as accepting to listen to Snow about how she had changed as the sleeping Princess had. Even Regina herself wasn't sure if she had indeed changed...without Henry, she knew nothing. She was certain once word got around that she had returned, her castle would be stormed, her life taken. A huge part of her longed for this outcome.

She turned her attention back to Snow's passionate plea to her people, hearing only the tale end, "...and all our happy endings will be restored!"

Something in Regina snapped, her head filled with rage and she growled out in absolute fury, "There are NO HAPPILY EVER AFTERS!" She stormed after Snow, Charming took a step towards his wife and Philip put his hand on his sword. "You of all people Snow White...how do you still believe in happily ever afters? Your daughter is gone, Hen…" Regina's voice choked on the word. She closed her eyes, willing herself to breath, to calm down. "...Henry is gone. Why must you rally these people...give them hope...there is NO hope."

Snow's sympathetic eyes met Regina's, "Regina, there is always hope."

Regina tore her eyes away from Snow, ignoring the pity in the eyes of a few of the former residents of Storybrooke and the look of resentment in the eyes of others who still longed to see her head delivered to them on a platter. Something she would gladly give them in that moment.

Snow took a step towards her step-mother, "Regina, Henry would have wanted…"

"DON'T YOU DARE USE HIM, HIS NAME, TO MANIPULATE ME!" Regina cried out. She turned away from Snow, the fight suddenly draining from her as quickly as it had come. A heaviness threatened to overwhelm her, she couldn't breath. She needed to get away from these people. "I need some air," she heard herself mumble as she walked away.

Regina couldn't say how much time had passed since her outburst and retreat. She had tried several times to use her magic to transport her back to her castle but it still wasn't quite strong enough. She leaned her head back against the tree she was sitting next to, closing her eyes, taking a steadying breath. She longed to be back in Storybrooke, tucking Henry into bed but she knew that was now impossible. She had done what needed to be done for Henry's best chance. It ripped her apart knowing that his best chance did not include her nor would it ever include her.

She heard a snap of a twig signaling the presence of another. She sighed wearily, "I thought I made it quite clear that I wanted to be left alone."

"I'm sorry Regina, for all that was said back there," Snow's soft voice answered, "I was wrong to bring up Henry."

Regina opened her eyes looking up at the princess. Snow glanced at the spot next to Regina silently seeking permission to sit down. Regina shrugged her shoulders non-committally which Snow accepted as consent.

"I'm surprised your prince allowed you to be alone with me," Regina tried to put venom into her words but found herself failing.

"My prince doesn't allow me to do anything. I make my own choices, which he is aware of and accepts. He did offer me his sword though…" Snow trailed off, smiling slightly. Regina rolled her eyes. "Regina, I know you want nothing more than to be rid of us all, to go back to your castle and live out your days...alone."

"Isn't that what everyone wants." It was more a statement than a question, Regina understood completely where she stood with everyone.

Snow snapped her head quickly to look at Regina, answering with a fast, loud, "No."

Regina sadly shook her head, "Why do you give me chance...after chance. You should be leading the parade of people who want me out of their lives. I have killed people, I have hurt you in so many different ways, why don't you just write me off...permanently? It would make things so much easier."

Snow looked at Regina knowingly, "Easier for who? You?"

Regina closed her eyes once more not wanting Snow to see the truth of that statement reflected there. Regina felt Snow's hand cover her own, her eyes flying open and staring wordlessly at the contact. No one tries to comfort the Evil Queen. She felt tears sting her eyes and willed herself to hate Snow. Why couldn't she hate her...her entire life revolved around hating Snow White. She needed that hate, hate is how she survived.

She looked up as Snow started to softly speak, "There have been times that I wanted you out of my life, so many that I lost count. In those moments...I hated you with every fibre of my being. Then I'd remember a scared girl on a runaway horse and a kind woman risking her own life to save that girl. I'd remember the passion a woman had for a sweet stable boy. I'd remember a mother who loved her son so much she put her own interests aside to make sure he was safe and happy. How can anyone hate a woman like that?"

Regina felt a lone tear escape, sliding blindly down the side of her cheek.

"You once asked me if there was hope for the Evil Queen, if there would ever be a time that I could forgive you. I answered negatively then out of anger and fear. But Regina, the answer is yes, there is hope for the Evil Queen and I have forgiven you. You gave Emma something that David and I could have never given her...a happy life with her son. Good memories. You didn't have to do that...but you did. Thank you...thank you for saving my daughter."

Snow was openly crying. Regina felt more tears threatening to escape and relented. They sat there quietly for a moment, Snow's hand still on top of Regina's.

Snow finally broke the silence, "The choice is entirely up to you. If you wish to return to your castle, alone, I won't stand in your way. But if you wish to stay with us, work with David and I to rebuild the Kingdom, please know that you are more than welcome. You are wanted." She squeezed Regina's hand, letting it go. It shocked Regina at the loss she felt. Snow continued, "I don't know if this threat is real, this witch in the west...but if it is, your knowledge of magic would be of help as well. As I said, the choice is yours."

Regina coughed, clearing her throat, composing herself, "I shall think it over," she answered quietly, "thank you." Snow now standing offered Regina her hand to help her stand. Regina glanced at the hand, still off balance by this...friendliness. She reached out to grasp Snow's hand and stood to her feet. "Shall we head back to join the others?" Snow questioned. Regina could only nod her acceptance.