Chapter 2
"NO! How could Emma be the Dark One? She's GOOD!" Snow drops the floor crying, inconsolable. Charming wraps his arms around his pregnant wife trying to calm her down. The confusion is evident on his face. He's at a loss as to what happened and why.
Regina takes the dagger, her hands shaking while staring at it. Cora puts a hand on her shoulder for comfort and looks genuinely worried for her youngest daughter. Just then, Hook comes running into the pawn shop having heard the commotion while walking the streets drunk with a rum bottle in his hand. He looks around at the distraught people assessing the scene. Seeing Snow's face, his heart sinks.
"What happened? Where's Emma?
Regina doesn't even acknowledge his presence. She's just staring at the dagger and shaking her head. 'What have I done?'
Robin goes to comfort Regina and wraps his arms around her. "Let's go home and sleep. You'll feel better in the morning."
Regina immediately glares at him and yells for him to leave.
"Baby, please! Let's just go home and we can worry about this tomorrow. Give the dagger to the Charmings and let's go home." He has a look like she's losing her mind. Regina yanks her arms away from Robin, walks away from him and then spins around.
"You're serving no purpose here. If you want to help me then leave. I will call you tomorrow."
Robin is stubborn and doesn't understand Regina's connection with Emma. "This is ridiculous! This has nothing to do with you! Roland and I need you at home."
"She's my best friend, Robin. She's Henry's other mother. I need to do something. You would do the same if it was one of your Merry Men".
Robin pressed his lips together, annoyed, and then in a patronizing tone says "That would be different. My Merry Men would never be selfish and abandon their family".
The slap to Robin's face was immediate. Regina was staring at him, almost rabid looking.
Cora had enough and rolls her eyes while waving her hand. Robin is engulfed in red smoke and after the smoke clears, a pine cone is left in his place.
"Mother! Turn him back!"
Cora walks over to the pine cone and kicks it across the room. "Don't be silly, Regina. It'll wear off in 24 hours and he'll have no memory of it. Now we can focus on Emma."
Cora had always liked Emma. Ever since Emma returned her heart and prevented Snow from killing her, she's had a soft spot for the savior. She had noticed her daughter's feelings for the savior and hoped that they would eventually recognize their powerful bond.
"Mother, I've done something terrible. This is all my fault".
Hearing Regina's words, Snow's ears perk up and she looks at Regina. Betrayal etched on her features. "Your fault? What have you done?"
Henry is watching the scene unfold. He's worried for both of his mothers now. "Mom? Please. Tell me what's going on. Don't lie to me because I'll know".
Regina looks to Henry, apologetic. Her tears won't stop running down her face and she can barely speak. She's crying so hard that she can barely choke out the words. "I said something to Emma a few weeks ago and hurt her feelings. The minute I said it, I tried to take it back and apologize, but she disappeared and I've not seen her since". Regina looks down at the dagger and sobs, falling to her knees repeating that she's sorry.
Henry walks over to his mother and give her a hug, holding her while she rocks back and forth. Snow is glaring at Regina and Charming is at a loss of what to do. Cora pats Regina and looks to the Charmings, "I think we've had enough excitement for one evening. Let's try to get some rest and reconvene in the morning to try to come up with a solution. We can't do anything this late at night".
"I have to agree. I'll take Snow home and we can meet up here tomorrow. How does 10am sound"? Charming asks while staring at Regina.
Cora puts on a saccharine sweet smile, "That'll be fine. Henry, why don't you go with the Charmings so that I can take care of your mother". Henry, looking worried at Regina, finally relents. He knows that there's nothing he can do, so he hugs his mother.
"I love you, Mom. It'll be ok. Ma is tough and I know she can beat this".
Regina smiles and chuckles while tears continue to run down her face. "You're right, My Prince. Please try to get some sleep and I'll see you in the morning. I love you so much". She holds him tight, kissing his forehead. 'When did he get so tall?'
After the Henry leaves with the Charmings, Hook looks at the Cora. "What can I do to help?"
Cora waves her hand, "Leave", and in a puff of red smoke, Hook is sent to his ship.
Cora walks to the back room with her daughters and they stare at an unconscious Rumple. Merlin stands from his chair and walks over to Regina. "If there's anything that I may do, please contact me through this". He hands her a purple crystal and then disappears is a cloud of light purple smoke.
After sitting down at the nearby table, Cora hands Regina a glass of red wine and she hands Zelena a bottled water. "Now, what happened between you and Emma"?
Regina proceeds to tell Cora and Zelena about their night at the bar and the fact that they slept together.
"It's about time! The sexual tension between you too was off the scales!
Regina rolls her eyes while Cora snaps at her. "Zelena! That's enough. You're not helping".
"Oh come on, Mother. You've said it yourself that they were meant for each other".
Regina turns to her Mother in shock! "You said that? Why would you say that? Why didn't you say anything? I thought you hated the Charmings"!
Cora pretends to brush some lent off of her dress and looks down. "I don't hate Emma. She's different". Cora looks at Regina who raises an eyebrow which causes to roll her eyes. "Ok fine. I think Emma is in love with you. Everyone could see it! In fact, some have placed bets on when you would finally become a couple, but then the pine cone showed up and things became awkward. We all felt sorry for Emma. She's been coming to me for additional magic lessons. I asked her why when you were teaching her and she said that she needed to protect ALL of her loved ones"
Regina looked down and the tears began again. "Well you're not going to like this next part then".
Cora raised an eyebrow and Regina shared what happened the morning after and what she had said.
"You idiot! You always take things for granted. This is why I tried to kill you." Zelena threw up her hands and walked out of the room and up the stairs to her bedroom.
Cora took a deep breath and let it out, turning to Regina who looks thoroughly scolded. "We will figure this out. Henry is right. Emma is tough and she can get past this. We will find her and help her any way we can. Once Rumple is conscious, he will have a vast amount of knowledge to contribute".
Regina got a quick idea and turned to her Mother. "What about Belle? She's smart and has many old books from our realm. Perhaps she could help? I know she and Zelena have been getting close. Do you think she'd be willing to help"?
Cora patted her daughter's hand and smiled. "I know she'll help. She loves Emma and would do anything she could to help her. Don't worry about Zelena. She'll be calm by morning. Her hormones are just making her more emotional that usual".
Regina felt like she at least had a support system. She decided to stay with her mother in a spare room and get some sleep. She picked up Pine Cone Robin and carried him upstairs, sitting him on a nearby dresser. Then after climbing in bed, she stared at the ceiling. "We will find you, Emma. You're not alone. I will fix this. I will fix…..us". Shortly after, she lost her battle with consciousness.
Little did she know, it would be six years until she saw Emma again.
