A/N: Thank you for the follows, favourites and reviews so far. Here is chapter 1, I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything OUAT related.
…Turning towards the whirling green portal which had opened up before her; taking a deep breath, Regina closed her eyes and stepped forward into the unknown that awaited her.
Following a brief moment of weightlessness, Regina felt solid ground beneath her feet. Her heart sank as she opened her eyes to find herself trapped inside some form of a metal cage. Regina could feel her anger bubbling to the surface as she willed her magic to emerge. But she could no longer sense it; this was definitely a land without magic. Or a cage to be more accurate. She paced around her small enclosure, as her mind reeled.
"I should never have listened to Snow White. How could I have a fallen for that wretched girl's trickery? How could I be so foolish?" Her emotions fluctuated between anger, hurt and disappointment. Resigning herself to her fate, Regina banged a fist against a mirrored wall letting out an exasperated sigh. Suddenly, she felt the cage jerk and begin its slow descent. Eyes wide and slightly panicked, she edged backwards. Heartbeat racing, she steadied herself against the back wall with sweaty palms. After a few seconds had passed, the metal box came to a steady halt. At a loss as to what was occurring, her eyes focussed on the front wall which appeared to be splitting in two. As the crack began to steadily open, she prepared herself for whatever her fate maybe.
She had not anticipated the sight before her; a woman and young boy, who proceeded to step inside with her. The brunette let out the breath that she hadn't realised she was still holding. Regina eyed the pair warily, as she regained a more regal posture.
"Which floor do you need?" The young boy asked. He had a friendly smile on his face as he stared expectantly at Regina. She looked down at him with no idea how to respond. As the brunette opened her mouth about to speak, she was cut off by a loud sound filling the air. Regina turned to the other woman who was now holding a small black box which appeared to be causing the noise.
"Hello… yeah speaking…no problem, I can be there in twenty minutes…okay, see you then" the woman said into the box, before putting it back into the red jacket she wore. The blonde woman then turned around speaking to the boy, "Hey, Kid. I need to go into work. I'll have to drop you off at your soccer practice early."
"It's fine. Alex will be there anyway." The boy grinned back at his mother "Although, I would feel a lot better if ice cream were involved." She laughed before agreeing to take him later. Lost in her thoughts, Regina was unaware that the movement of the metal box had ceased. Once again it opened, and the strangers were now leaving.
The sound of a throat being cleared jarred her back to reality, "This is the ground floor by the way" the boy said, "I just thought I'd let you know in case you wanted to get out." Get out? Yes, she definitely wanted to get out.
"Yes, I would very much. Thank you." Regina smiled appreciatively at the mousy haired boy. "I just arrived here, so things are a little new." She walked after the pair, unaware of where she was heading.
"I'm Henry by the way." The name caught Regina's attention. A pang of sadness hit her as she realised she hadn't had the chance to speak with her father before leaving. She didn't say goodbye to the only person she cared about, or who cared for her. Unaware the boy continued, "Do you live in these apartments too? We just moved in." People lived in places called apartments in this realm apparently; which reminded Regina she would need to find a place to stay. Hopefully, these so called apartments were as spacious as the castle she was accustomed to.
"Hello, Henry. My name is Regina." She replied, bending down to the boys level, "I have not yet had the chance to find a place to live. Perhaps there would be suitable living quarters nearby?"
Henry looking somewhat confused answered, "Well, this is a really nice building. We've lived in few different ones and this is the best." The boy then spoke to his mother who walked a few paces ahead of them "Ma, do you know if there are any apartments to rent in the building? Regina is looking for a place to stay." Regina was amused with the friendly boy who showed no hesitation in speaking with her. It was a novel experience and a surprisingly pleasant one. Children would never have spoken to the Evil Queen with such an open manner in the enchanted forest. Resentment, hatred, cowering, fear, silence - this was how people generally responded to her presence. But she wasn't the Evil Queen here, she could be whoever she wanted.
The blonde woman stopped and turned to face them. She stood with her hands on her hips, legs clad in a tight light blue material and brown boots. Long hair hung in loose curls over her slouched shoulders. "Yeah, maybe. There was one on the eighth fifth floor, but it's only a one bedroom."
"It would only be for myself, so that would be acceptable." She currently had nowhere to rest for the night, so it would have to do.
"The apartments in this area go pretty quick, so it may have been rented out already. Mable Peters owns the place, she lives just down the hall in number 4. You should speak to her if you're interested." Regina nodded and expressed her thanks as they went their separate ways.
"See you around, Regina," Henry said before leaving through a door after his mother.
Maybe this new land wouldn't be as awful as she had feared.
xxxxxxx
Regina walked down the hall as she was directed. She passed several green doors with a large number on the front before arriving at the one marked with a white 4. Not quite sure of the correct protocol in this land, she gave it a gentle knock. The scraping of a chair followed by the shuffle of feet indicated that someone was home. Moments later the door swung open revealing its occupant.
Mable Peters was a small woman with a larger than life personality. A widow in her late eighties, she lived with her two pugs- Fred and Ginger, and Macaw Stuart. "Hello dear, can I help you?" She asked holding a dog under each arm.
"Yes, I am in need of a place to live and was informed that you may have somewhere available, Mrs Peters," Regina responded. The elderly lady warmly welcomed Regina into her home. It was smaller and cosier than the dwellings Regina was familiar with, but very neat nevertheless. Although, the excessive use of floral prints and pastel tones weren't exactly to her taste.
"Please call me Mable. Mrs Peters makes me feel old," the older woman insisted. Regina raised an eyebrow but held back the sarcastic comment on the tip of her tongue. "As a matter of fact, I do have an apartment available. The couple who were due to move in today backed out at the last moment; I had only just finished speaking with them on the phone when you knocked. Please come and take a seat, Dear and I'll go put the kettle on." Regina, who had lingered just past the entrance, sat on the proffered chair at the dining table. One of the dogs nudged her foot with its head, so she leaned down to stroke it. "Ginger doesn't usually like strangers. So you must be a good 'un. I have always said that dog is a wonderful judge of character." Mable said from behind the kitchen counter as she busied herself. If only she knew, Regina thought.
"I have always loved animals. I prefer them to most people." Mable laughed at the comment, although Regina hadn't meant it in jest.
"Are you married, dear. Is there a boyfriend I should be aware of? Or a girlfriend? I know how it is these days. Or will it be just you moving in?" Mable enquired.
Regina didn't appreciate the inane questioning, but she needed a place to live. So, she tried her best to remain polite; clenching her jaw, she responded. "No, it is just me." Getting back to the point, as she didn't come there for idle chit chat. "I would be looking to move in immediately if that is possible."
"Tea, dear?" Regina bluntly declined. She was not a patient woman.
The elderly woman shuffled across the room and sat down opposite her guest; placing a plate of cakes and biscuits on the table between them. "It is a bit short notice, but it shouldn't be a problem. It is fully furnished so it would be ready to move straight into. We'll need to discuss rent of course, and get the tenancy agreement signed. Would you like to view the apartment first?"
"That won't be necessary. I am sure it will be adequate for my needs." Regina opened the bag on her lap and took out the coin purse. She removed several coins and placed them on the table. "This gold should be more enough to cover the expense."
Looking at the pile of large coins the younger woman had produced, Mable frowned a little in confusion."I'm afraid I only accept cash or direct debit, dear. Do you have a card you could use instead?"
Regina had no idea what either of these options was, or why they were necessary. This was an unforeseen setback "I do not. I arrived here today from a foreign land and this is all I have. Would gold not be sufficient payment here?"
Mable gave her sympathetic look and a warm smile "You seem like a nice girl, and Ginger has given her approval." Mable tilted her head to the small dog who had made its way into the younger woman's lap. "So you can stay here until we get something sorted."
Ordinarily, Regina would have become enraged at being referred to as a girl. This woman had no idea who she was talking to. But she was in no position to complain. So as graciously as she could muster she replied, "That is very generous, thank you."
Regina was about to stand to indicate her wish to leave before the landlady spoke up, "I just had an idea!" Mable exclaimed, "My grandson Paulie runs the family jewellery store. He could tell you how much your gold is worth, maybe even buy it from you. I can give him a call him if you'd like? You won't get very far without a few dollars here, Dear." Regina figured it couldn't take long if he was shouting distance away; so she agreed. Although, she grew confused when Mable proceeded to use a small object similar to the blonde woman earlier. This land had some strange customs. She sat silently, smoothing Ginger's shiny coat while Mable talked to her grandson. After a few minutes, Regina was addressed again. "Paulie will pop 'round soon, dear. Now, how about I take you up to see the apartment?"
Apparently the metal cage, which Regina had now learnt was called an elevator, was necessary to reach her chambers. Reluctantly, Regina stepped back into the small space and observed as Mable pressed a button with an 8 engraved into it. Once again the doors slid shut and it jerked back into life. Regina had no explanation other than magic for how this occurred, but of course, that was not a possibility in this land.
"Where are my manners, I haven't even found out your name your name yet? That is old age for you, Dear." Mable said with a laugh. Regina smiled politely, informing the other woman of her name. "I'm surprised a pretty girl like you isn't married," Regina did her best to suppress an eye roll and remained quiet with an insincere smile on her face. "You know my Paulie is a lovely boy…" The ping of the elevator reaching their destination left the rest of the sentence unsaid. "We're here, follow me dear." Regina followed wordlessly until they arrived at a green door with the number 801 emblazoned on the front. Taking out a key, Mable unlocked the door allowing Regina to enter.
Regina looked around her new dwelling in awe. It was nothing like the clashing florals that she had feared; the decor was sleek and open plan living space consisted of a lounge, leading to a kitchen and dining area. The whole room was black and white monotone, with a few splashes of colour from the plants and paintings on the walls. It was perfect.
Mable made her way over to the kitchen. Then she proceeded to point to a number of shiny objects; explaining what the room contained, most of which Regina had never seen or heard of before. "...there's also a laundrette in the basement. Oh yes, I almost forgot. The TV in the lounge was left by the last tenant, so feel free to keep it." The elderly woman pointed at the door on the far side of the room which contained the bathroom. "And the bedroom is through there- you will need to get your own bedding, but you'll have plenty of time before the mall closes. So what do you think, dear?"
Regina hadn't moved from her spot just inside to door, "It is smaller than I am accustomed to, but it will be acceptable." She said with a more genuine smile, "I must admit that I expected more pink and flower prints."
The older women chuckled, "It's not to my taste, but apparently it's what the youngsters prefer." Making her way over to the window, Regina took her first look at her new world. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. Outside were towering buildings as far as the eye could see, interspersed with patches of green and expanses of water. Below her, she could see the busy streets with crowds of bustling people walking in every direction. As well as roads filled with what appeared to be horseless carriages of various colours, which moved of their own accord. Regina was already feeling overwhelmed by it all, and she had yet to leave the building.
xxxxxxx
Emma Swan was just approaching the door to her apartment building when she bumped into a familiar face on his way out. "Hey Paul, Mable didn't mention you were coming over today," She said to the tall, slim man in his mid-twenties. He wore a well-tailored suit and red shirt, with his brown hair perfectly slicked to one side. He smiled warmly at the blonde.
"I wasn't, but I had a phone call from Gran. Her new tenant needed my services." He said with a grin as he puffed out his chest.
"And what would that involve? You aren't really the first person I'd call if I needed a shelf put up, or a pipe had burst." Emma said without malice. Paul pulled a face in mock offence, before laughing.
"Well, according to Gran, she tried to pay her rent with gold or something." He rolled his eyes dramatically, "Anyway, I stepped in and saved the day."
"Who carries gold and no cash these days?" Emma replied, her eyebrows furrowed as she shook her head in disbelief. Paul just shrugged his shoulders in response, "It must be that woman Henry was speaking to earlier. She was looking for a place to live and I mentioned your Grandmother. Thanks again by the way for helping me out with the apartment. I didn't think I would be able to find somewhere this great in my price range." Emma and her twelve-year-old son had spent the past seven months since arriving in New York living in various places, none of which lasted beyond a month. Finding somewhere suitable was difficult on her budget. Fortunately, just as she was losing hope, she had a chance encounter with Paul.
Emma had grown up in the foster system. She had been shuttled between foster homes and group homes around the country, never staying anywhere for long. She had met Paul at a foster home when she was twelve and he was eight. After six months together Paul was adopted by the Peters', a couple from New York who had no children of their own. Emma wasn't as fortunate. She didn't escape the system until she ran away aged sixteen; where a life of petty crime, thievery, prison and teenage pregnancy awaited her.
"It was nothing- I only put you in touch with Gran. You know the old girl has a thing for taking in strays." He joked for which he received a playful punch in the left bicep. "Speaking of, Gran's trying to set me up with this new lady. When is she going to take the hint?"
"Seriously?" Emma laughed, "You know she tried it with me when I met her?" mimicking Mable she continued, "So are you married, dear? Is Henry's father on the scene? I would love a great-grandchild. If only Paul settled down and found himself a wife. When are you just going to tell her you're gay?"
Paul rolled his eyes and huffed, "I have tried, but she thinks I just need to meet the right woman. I love her, but she can be hard work sometimes." Quickly changing the subject he asked, "Where's Henry by the way?"
"He plays Soccer on Saturday mornings. I had to drop him off to go into work for a while, then he text me to say he was going over a friend's house after the game. You want to come in? It'll be a while before I need to pick him up." Emma and Henry had only moved into the apartment the day before. They had very few possessions, so it hadn't taken them long to get settled in; the fire at their Boston apartment had destroyed almost everything they owned. On the bright side, it meant that moving from Boston to New York had been relatively straightforward.
"I had to leave Sheila in charge, so I better get going. We still on for drinks tonight?"
"Yeah, as long as Mable still doesn't mind looking after Henry."
"Are you kidding? She loves the kid. I'll see you later, Ems" Paul gave Emma a quick hug as they went their separate ways.
Additional A/N: update 31.1.16- I've made a small change in this chapter, it is now 7 months not 6 that Emma and Henry have lived in NY. It doesn't make a great deal of difference, but it was an oversight on my part.