Title: Part 2

Series: The Unknown

Author: Affinity/Mel

Archive: None but willing to share if you ask ^.^

Pairing: None this chapter.

Rating: R for mild violence and language

Disclaimers: Don't own Once or anything like that, just borrowing their characters.

Comments: I'm a feedback whore so if you want more of this, you'll have to let me know that ^.^ Also, I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine and will be fixed as I find them.

Part 2

While all eyes were on Henry, Regina gracefully knelt and scooped the bean into her palm. She knew the Two Idiots would want it back but they wouldn't get it without one very clear stipulation. NOBODY was taking her son from her, especially not to any other realms without her following. In all honesty they really needed to plant another crop but she wasn't entirely sure they trusted her to be a part of it. Not that she could blame them. She DID destroy the last one and a part of her worried she might be led to similar behavior a second time. 'I refuse to be manipulated again,' she told herself, trying hard not to focus on how delighted and relieved Henry looked with his other family. His real family. She'd made progress in redeeming herself but there were still moments where her heart ached to spend just another second embracing the only person she truly loved. Her thoughts were shattered by the familiar voice emanating from the armor alongside her, "tomorrow will suffice. Until that time, how shall we proceed Regina?"

Swallowing hard, the brunette sorted out a strategy in her head that avoided using magic in less than savory ways. Who else did the figure know in this town? It wasn't as if they'd been. . .friends in the Enchanted Forest. Hell, they'd only really met a handful of times and those memories were fuzzy at best. Taking a deep breath, she followed it with a nod of resolution and right on time as she noticed the Charmings inching closer. Before they entered earshot she replied, "it would only be polite to introduce you. Most of them are from my kingdom but there are others whose origins even I'm not aware of, so don't be careless."

The stranger wiped it's blade clean before sheathing it, eyes staying focused on the small cluster who continued their approach. The first of them to speak was Emma who tried her best not to sound hostile, "look, thanks for stopping those guys but WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" Yep, so much for keeping her cool but to be fair the stranger had held her son hostage.

Snow massaged one temple idly as a sigh escaped her lips. She had a more important question, one that might give them a lot of insight as to this persons motivations and possible schemes. Once the tension eased, she crossed her arms and gave the form a pointed stare, "and who are you?

Everyone apart from Regina noticeably flinched when the armored figure raised it's hands, gripping both sides of the helm and giving a tug. Effortlessly it was raised, flowing blonde curls spilling out from the back and contrasting with the silver along her shoulders. Deep caramel eyes returned Snow's stare as she replied dryly, "you may call me Fey." The penetrating gaze shifted to Emma and with a scoff, she retorted boldly, "have you never seen battle young one? A skilled warrior does what's necessary to accomplish their mission and THAT is what you witnessed."

Snow's brows pinched together with uncertainty. There was something familiar about the name but she couldn't quite place it. She and David shared a prolonged, confounded stare as their minds worked in simultaneous overdrive. How would they know what this possible enemy wanted if they couldn't figure out who she was? Sensing her daughter's flaring temper, she placed a gentle hand on Emma's shoulder and gave a light squeeze.

David on the other hand was equally ready to punch this person in the face, until he realized it belonged to a stunning woman. Well, she looked pretty mean right now but considering his history they usually did at first. However there was a distinction about her features that gave him a sense of deja vu yet he couldn't remember ever meeting her before today. How. . .peculiar. Keeping a close eye on the fighter, he readied himself for the possibility of breaking up a fight.

Emma was furious. How DARE this person come in to their town and threaten HER SON then act like it wasn't a big deal. The tone directed at her mother made the blonde's body tense and even the calming touch soon after didn't do a thing. What was it with these cryptic types and their damn "missions" anyway? Why the hell couldn't they just leave things ALONE! The strangers arrogance was the very last straw and Emma lost it, using all of her weight to slug the other woman across the face. "He's just a little boy!" she snarled as her father restrained her.

Fey took the hit like a professional, barely moving even though the impact left her face stinging and red. She deserved that and couldn't deny the protective woman had a point. It was a dirty tactic but one she couldn't say she was ashamed of. After all, this world was far different from her own and though she'd been an observer there were things she still didn't understand about it. "That was well deserved but take heed. When next we battle be sure you've come to terms with death, for I show no mercy to an adversary."

Regina held up a hand, "enough. We should head back. I'll. . .clean up this mess and make our guest comfortable at my house while the rest of you ensure the town has returned to normal." She paused, then tacked on, "if we're all in agreement." Sure she wanted to spend some quality time with Henry but with Fey about that wasn't going to be easy. She couldn't imagine anyone else offering shelter to a murderer and the less they knew about her, the better. Regina didn't have details but the goody-goody Charmings would certainly not approve based on reputation alone. They weren't very open minded about people like her. And there were dead bodies floating about that could mean very big problems for the entire town, especially if somehow they'd managed to survive. There was a lot of work to be done and maybe once it was all settled she'd be rewarded with Henry time.

Before Emma could open her mouth to insert her foot, David steered her the opposite direction toward their cars. "We're on it. C'mon Henry," he shouted over his shoulder. Anything to prevent his daughter from making a terrible mistake.

Henry paused, turning toward his adoptive mother with a worried and strained smile. Throwing his arms around her neck as she lowered herself to his level, he whispered in her ear, "please, be careful. I love you, mom."

"I will. I love you too." Placing a light kiss on his cheek, she smiled as he scampered off to join the others. But one still remained. "Snow, wait," she choked out before the other woman could leave. A glance was given to Fey who simply nodded and began moving in the same direction everyone else appeared to be migrating. There was an awkward pause before Regina shuffled closer and met Snow's gaze. "I. . .I know we have a very complicated past but I am trying to be a better person whether you believe it or not. In the spirit of that," she held her breath and placed the bean in the other brunette's palm.

Snow couldn't help the puzzled look on her face but the gesture would not go unnoticed. However, she also refused to fall victim to another of Regina's schemes and in turn replied, "what's the catch?" Wasn't there always with the Queen?

Regina's eyes saddened as she exhaled deeply but she couldn't blame Snow for having that reaction. This was but a small step on a very long, winding road. Staring deeply into the younger woman's eyes to convey her complete sincerity, she made her only demand, "Henry is my son too. I go where he goes."

Snow struggled with the idea initially but that fire and agony in the older woman's eyes melted her resolve like a sugar cube in hot coffee. "Ok," she finally agreed, though she knew David and Emma wouldn't be very happy about this. Still, Regina was willing to give up her only escape plan for a chance to be wherever her son was. That spoke volumes. Tucking the bean in her pocket, she turned to walk away before soft words stopped her.

"Thank you," Regina managed to vocalize. It was unfamiliar and strange but she meant it.

Swallowing her pride, Snow replied, "you're welcome."

~tbc~