Chapter 2

David walked to the door of his apartment. He sighed as he was about to deliver the news. This was probably going to be one of the hardest things he would ever do. He entered the apartment to be greeted by Henry first.

"Did you see her?" he asked eagerly.

He gave him a small smile as he heard Snow's and Emma's footsteps.

"Well…" said Snow.

David gave her a sad smile and she knew something was wrong. David led Henry to the couch.

"Buddy, there's something I need to tell you. I went to go find your mom but she wasn't there," David said.

Henry looked at him confused. "I don't understand. Where would she go?"

David placed his hand on Henry's shoulder. "Your mom…she left. She crossed over the town line."

"What?!" Emma, Snow and Henry yelled in unison.

Henry stood up. "That's impossible. My mom wouldn't leave me. You're lying. She's just hiding. That's why you haven't found her."

David's heart broke for Henry. "I'm not lying about this. She wrote a letter saying that she loves you very much. She wanted us to make sure that we would never let you forget her."

"She's really gone," Henry whispered sadly.

"I'm afraid so. I'm sorry." He was sorry for Regina leaving. He was sorry for ripping Henry away from his mother.

Henry ran up the stairs with tears in his eyes and Emma followed after him. Snow sat by David.

"I don't understand. This is so unlike her. How could she just up and leave Henry behind?"

She looked at David who seemed too upset. He seemed to be lost in thought. "David?"

He registered her voice. "What?"

"Where's Regina letter?" she asked. "I want to see it."

"I burned it," he lied. "Regina said to whoever read it needed to burn it. I guess having it around would be too much for Henry."

Snow stayed silent for a moment. "I can't believe she crossed the town line. What happened to her while we were gone?"

"I happened." David sighed. "She figured Henry had us and he was better off."

"That's not true," Snow said, her voice rising in pitch.

"It's a little true. We basically shut her out," David said regretting his treatment of Regina.

"But-

David stood up not wanting to continue to this conversation. He had to find Regina. He wished he could cross the town line. He needed to figure out a way. He grabbed his jacket and headed towards the door.

"Where are you going?" asked Snow. His sudden change startled her.

"I need to find a way to help Henry," he said walking out the door leaving a very confused Snow. She knew he'd be upset at Regina for leaving Henry but she sensed something deeper. It seemed personal. If anybody was going to take this personal, it would be her.

She was the one with the real sordid history with Regina. She heard Emma's footsteps.

"He won't come out. How could Regina do this?"

"I don't know but I intend to find out," she said, her eyes fixated on the door her husband walked out of.

David walked into Gold's shop determined to get answers. He hated asking for a favor from this man but he had no choice. "Gold!" He walked out from the back.

"No need to shout dearie. I heard the bell. What can I do for you?"

"Where did Regina go?" David asked.

Gold smirked. "Why do you care? She's no longer a threat to your family."

"Henry wants to know," David said.

Gold knew better. "Are you sure you are here on Henry's behalf? Or maybe our queen got to you?"

David stayed silent.

Gold laughed. "Seems I hit a nerve. Regina was in love with you. I know because I could see it in her face whenever she looked at you. She fell hard. However, she had enough sense to know it wouldn't last. Prince Charming and the Evil Queen…quite a pair," Gold said.

"You're being ridiculous," David shot back.

"And you are lying to yourself. I'm surprised Snow was able to wake you up after all. Were you truly happy that it was Snow's face you saw?"

"Where did she go?" he asked again.

"I don't know. She said her goodbye and she left. It might be a while before you find her."

"Why didn't you say something to us? We could have changed her mind," David said.

"It wasn't my place. Regina asked me not to. I could at least honor that request," Gold replied.

David shook his head in disbelief. "No. There must be something. You have to have something in this shop to help us bring her back," David said growing impatient.

"Regina is better off Charming. You're really going to drag her back here. Is that noble or selfish on your part?"

David was reaching his breaking point with him. "So you're telling me, Henry will grow up without Regina."

"He has Emma, the Savior. He has Snow White and Prince Charming. He has a slew of people who will protect him. Just like you wanted. Unfortunately for you, there's no way to locate her."

He couldn't tell David he was working on a way to cross the town line. He only had one chance to get to his son.

"I'm afraid I can't help you," Gold said. David huffed and walked out. He went to the docks and sat on the bench. He pulled out the letter and ran his fingers over it. He felt pain in his chest at her words. These words held so much power over him.

He could feel the tears coming. He couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up on her. Henry needed her. He needed her.

California…

Regina found herself sitting in a hotel room. She had one suitcase filled with enough clothes to last her for a while. She had enough cash to live off of for at least a couple of months. First things first, she needed a job and a suitable apartment.

Getting here was kind of a blur. She barely registered getting on the plane. She remembered finding a note that told her to go to California. Once she set foot in California, she had an overwhelming sense of leaving something behind. She pushed that feeling aside.

As far as she knew, she had no one. Maybe she was better off being on her own. This could be her fresh start and she was going to take full advantage.

Her past was a distant memory now and it was going to stay that way.