Regina plopped down onto the chaise in her parlor. She briefly spared a thought of what her mother would've said about such unladylike bahavior but scoffed it away. She was exhausted, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Between the memory loss (again) and Emma and her insane sister and trying to fill in as Savior it was a miracle she hadn't lost what was left of her sanity.

The most frustrating part was she didn't know how to go about any of it. Her conversation with Emma at the docks with Henry a few days ago played out in her mind.

Get away from my son.

The new Dark One had raised a pale brow, as if to say, 'so we're back to that, are we?' Other than that her expression had remained controlled, blank, apathetic. The person dressed in black leather wasn't Emma. So yes, Henry was Regina's son until his other mother resurfaced.

The former Queen had been racking her brain for any kind of solution, to figure out what had gone so horribly wrong in Camelot. Who had hurt Emma so badly that the only comfort she could find was within the embrace of the Darkness?

"Penny for your thoughts, you Majesty?"

Regina tensed, all her thoughts crashing to a halt before looking over to the love-seat opposite her. There sat the Dark One, a glass of brown amber liquid in her hand, most likely some of Regina's famous apple cider, one black clad leg crossed over the other as she reclined casually against the back of the small couch. Their positions almost reminded Regina of their first conversation, when Emma had first come to town.

After a moment, and the Mayor still having not replied, the dark entity tapped the rim of her glass with a talon in displeasure.

Finally, Regina relented with a sigh. "What do you want, Swan?" she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her posture revealed just how tired she really was, body slumped forward and sitting on the edge of her seat, chocolate eyes not even bothering to meet Emma's gaze.

"I was curious to see if the new 'Savior' was any closer to breaking my curse." The word Savior was said with a disgusted curl of pale pink lips, as if the very word was something vile. The royal could only guess why.

"You know I'm not. So tell me why you're really here."

There was a slight twitch of those thin lips as the platinum blonde finished off the cider before waving her hand and having the glass refilled. "This cider really is the best in all the lands," the taller of the two stated, ignoring Regina's demand.

The brunette wasn't in the mood for games, and there was only so much she could take of the new Dark One in one day. She wasn't going to be toyed with by yet another Dark One. So with purpose, she stood from her seat and started toward the door that led out into the hall. The other woman wasn't finished, however, and appeared in front of her host, leaning against the door frame, seeming to tower over Regina even though she was only taller by a few inches.

"Swan."

"Mills," came the completely dry reply.

The mayor's fists clenched. "Step aside."

The entity parading around as Emma tilted her head to one side, dark green eyes studying the other woman, raking over and searching. "Is the pressure to much, Madame Mayor?" She took a step forward, forcing Regina to back up out of necessity. "Did suppressing an entire population not prepare you for leading a ragtag team of misfits? Can you not handle leading them now that you actually care about letting them down?" Her eyes bore into the shorter woman's.

"Miss Swan-"

"It's laughable, your attempts at rallying them behind you," the Dark One pressed on. "You've worked so hard to redeem yourself, that's true enough. Snow White and her Prince may have even placed their obnoxious hope in you. But we both know you won't succeed."

Regina's back hit the bookshelf and she made a small noise of discomfort, but her eyes never backed down from Emma's gaze.

"You've gone soft, your Majesty." A alabaster hand reached up and the back brushed against a tan cheek like it had Snow's a few days ago, when everyone had first came back to Storybrooke. Taloned fingers then gripped Regina's chin tightly.

Regina's obsidian eyes glared back, and she had to restrain her magic to keep from lashing out. Angering the most powerful dark monster was not a good idea. "If you're going to kill me, you best get it over with, dear."

Green eyes blinked, and for a second it seemed almost Emma-like. "Now, why would I do that?" she wondered aloud, her voice a rasping whisper. "After all, you're my only friend."

The Queen's body froze just as the taller of the two stepped back and released her. "I suggest, Regina, that if you want people to start seeing you as a Savior you need to step up and do what needs to be done." Again, the former villain thought she saw the other witch's expression soften a fraction. "Tell the kid I said hi."

And then Emma was gone in a blue-grey puff of smoke.

I have got to stop lying when it comes to my one-shot stuff. I really only mean to do one and then I just love it so much and keep coming up with ideas. Again, this is platonic (with subtext) like in the show. But you can read deeper into it if your shipper hearts can't help it. I've decided that I might do one of these as a prediction/reaction to the promo for the upcoming episode. At least for the Dark Swan part of the season.

Did anyone else get chills from Emma as the Dark Swan? And what was with the creepy face touching she did to Snow? I couldn't leave that bit out.

I can't wait for Sunday.

I'm out! Peace!