Thanks to everyone for your kind reviews -you definitively know how to motivate a girl! Hope you enjoy this chapter too ;))

Henry plonked himself down at the table in front of his breakfast. He didn't acknowledge Regina's presence, he didn't even give her a flick of an eye. He simply started wolfing down his scrambled eggs, all the while turning the pages of the book that never seemed to leave his side: Once Upon a Time.

That damn book thought Regina, her eyes fixed on her son's bent head, her hand hitching to rearrange his still damp hair. He hadn't said a word last night either, and it was starting to really get on her nerves.

"Honey, aren't you going to say good morning to me anymore?"

Nothing.

"I have to say, this silence treatment is really childish. I have no idea what you think you are going to gain from not speaking to me."

The boy kept chewing, his free hand smoothing down a page. Regina saw the illustration: it portrayed the Evil Queen facing Snow White, a fireball in her hand and an angry scowl plastered on her face.

"Henry" she snapped, "Look at me when I'm talking to you."

No response.

"I said look at me."

Regina reached over to slam the book shut, hoping to force her son to finally give her a little bit of attention. However her elbow knocked over her still half full coffee mug, drenching the pages. Henry gave a small yelp when warm liquid splashed onto his forearm.

"You… you did that on purpose!"

"I… Henry, of course I didn't! I was only reaching over to grab your arm!"

The eleven year old shot her a hate filled glare before storming off into the kitchen, clutching his precious book to his chest. Regina sighed heavily and got up to join him when she heard water pouring in the sink.

"You can't soak it in water, honey, it will only make matters worse. Here, give it to me, I'll take care of it."

"No!" came the angry retort. "You'll destroy it when I'm not looking."

Regina felt her heart clench. Did he really believe she would willingly take away something that he clearly adored? That wretched book may be the cause of all her troubles, but she was aware that destroying it would be the worse move she could make right now.

"Henry, I only want to help. I promise, I won't damage it further, and please believe me when I say that me knocking over my coffee was an accident. I'm sorry."

"Tell me what to do" was the only reply she got. She watched him, silently pleading for his closed off face to relent. In the end she gave up.

"Use a damp cloth to absorb as much liquid as possible, then try and keep the pages separated in order for them not to stick together as they dry out."

Henry nodded before telling her she could go now. Regina slowly walked out of the kitchen and sat in the living room, listening to the quiet noises her son was making. Her mind started to drift off, replaying the scene over and over in her mind. What had she done wrong? Yes, damaging his precious book was no help to their struggling relationship, but surely he could see that it had not been intentional? Surely he could see that she had only wanted for him to talk to her? Surely he could see she only wanted him to love her?

She was abruptly pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of the front door slamming –this was a sound she was getting to know quite well. Jumping to her feet she rushed into the entrance hall and turned the door handle.

"Henry! HENRY!"

The boy had already run off, no doubt to spend some more time with that Swan woman. They would surely discuss her and her evil scheme to destroy his fairy tales. Well, that should feed their Operation Cobra talks for the day –oh yes, she was perfectly aware of the name. It was quite ironic considering how fond she been of snake poisons back in the Enchanted forest.

This had to stop. It was unbearable.

Bam, bam, bam!

Regina was loudly banging on the door, and she was determined not to stop until it opened, which it finally did, revealing the bug's puzzled and slightly frightened face.

"Madam Mayor?" stuttered Archie when he saw who had interrupted his mid-morning break. "What are you doing here? Is anything the matter with Henry?"

"Everything is the matter with Henry." Regina snarled, pushing her way through into the therapist's office and starting to pace.

"I can't take it anymore, you have to make him stop."

"I'm sorry, stop what?"

"His stupid obsession with fairy tales! For Christ's sake, he believes I'm the Evil Queen! He won't talk to me, he won't even look at me! It's as if I'm invisible, as if the eleven years I spent raising him are worthless. He goes off to his birth without a second thought…"

She felt her throat tighten under a turmoil of emotions that threatened to take over. She pushed them down as she know so well how.

"Madam Mayor, we have talked about this. Henry is a little boy with a very sensitive imagination. He needs to work through this fantasy gently, at his pace. I know it must be terribly difficult for you but…"

"Don't you dare presume to know how I feel! You do not know me! And as to your so called treatment, it has to change. Now."

Seeing the man was about to protest, she added:

"I don't care what you think. I'm that one who made sure you had this job, and I can just as easily take it away. Now do as I say, and get my son to stop imagining things, or there will be consequences."

With a last piercing gaze, Regina left the office. Air, she needed air.

Back on the street, she began to walk briskly towards Granny's. She hadn't been able to finish her coffee this morning with everything that had happened and she needed something to settle her nerves before she headed into the office. She was already late, but who cared: it wasn't as if she had anyone above her who would take offense.

A small boy rushed past her, having just run out from the alley that joined Main Street on her right. His peals of laughter followed him as he continued forward as fast as his little legs would allow him. Regina couldn't help but smile at the image he offered as he moved away from her: he looked just like Henry had at around four or five. Henry too had looked back with a big smile, mouth open to say...

"Papa, papa! Come and catch me!"

The little boy kept running, and Regina felt her body go cold. He wasn't looking at where he was going, and where he was going was strait into incoming traffic. Regina reacted instinctively, legs moving before she could think. She dimly heard a voice scream Roland! as she ran as fast as she could, dragging back the child as he stepped onto the road, narrowly avoiding a white van whose driver gave them a withering look. Regina was about to memorise the number plate to retaliate – no one looked at Regina Mills with such disdain- when she heard a small whimper come up from the small body she was pressing against her hammering heart. Tugging his chin up, she smiled gently into soft brown eyes that were overflowing with tears.

"It's alright darling, you're safe now. There's nothing to be afraid off, I've got you"

The child pushed his head into her neck, sobs still shaking his small frame. Regina tightened her hold on him when she heard a deep masculine voice behind her.

"Roland, are you okay? Roland? Roland!?"

Regina tensed: she knew that voice. She looked up, finding what she knew would be there. A set of deep blue eyes.