Take me to Rumplestiltskin.
She should have known, should've poofed herself to Gold the second the words were out of the pirate's mouth. Instead, she had found herself fighting with Robin in the middle of the road, in front of Snow White and bloody Prince Charming. The obstinate thief still seemed to think he had some say over her actions and, desperate as she was to get to Emma and stop Hook from hurting the woman, she would not let the daft man go by another second without disabusing him of that ridiculous notion. When Robin had finally seemed to grasp the concept that, soulmate or not, he would never control her, the brunette turned on her heel and marched to Gold's shop, fuming at the entire world. How her life had become something out of a soap opera, she'd never know.
Still, it really shouldn't have surprised her as much as it did to enter Gold's shop a good half hour later, a tearful Snow White, irate Robin Hood and wary Prince Charming trailing in behind her, and be hit by the stench of death.
Should have known, because Emma was the Dark One now, and this was what the Dark One did. And really it was no surprise that Hook would have chosen his first act as the controller of the Dark One to be to enact vengeance on his old enemy. The irony that he had killed Gold for what the man had done as the Dark One by using the Dark One wasn't lost on Regina, but she was in no mood to appreciate it fully.
Hook had abused the power of the dagger, and what was worse, had propelled Emma down a dark path. She snorted in disgust. And he proclaimed to love the ex-Saviour.
She stood over Gold's and Belle's disfigured bodies, staring sightlessly at the carnage. She was vaguely aware that Robin had made a hasty exit out of the pawnshop, and Snow and Charming were huddled in a corner, faces white as sheets, looking everywhere but at the bodies.
A dark part of Regina had looked over the bodies and appreciated the art of the kills. She hadn't been merciful, judging by the blood splatters and the position of the bodies, and she knew, deep down, that even though Hook had ordered the kill, the Dark One had enjoyed herself with the task.
She had looked everywhere, had even ventured to the docks, to eye the Jolly Roger warily, but hadn't found Emma anywhere.
At least her search hadn't proved entirely useless. Hook had been asleep in his ship, snoring like a bullhorn, a bottle of rum still clutched tightly in his hand. The stupid man had placed the dagger under his pillow. Regina snorted in disgust. As if that would stop Emma from taking it and slaughtering him like cattle. She was half tempted to let her, but instead she took the dagger from the inebriated pirate, and left.
On the dock, she paused, surveying the ship thoughtfully. She might not want Hook dead, but having him out of the way would be best for everyone involved. The last thing any of them needed was Hook causing another scene - or worse, managing to gain control of the dagger again, and using it on another defenceless person. So, with a satisfied smirk, Regina waved her hand, watching as the Jolly Roger's anchor was retrieved, and the ropes keeping the boat docked loosened. Another wave, and she watched as the ship sailed peacefully out of harbour.
"I can't believe you'd actually do this."
Regina didn't look up from where she stood by her desk, hands outstretched over a metal box, a purple hue surrounding it. "We've been over this, Robin."
He nodded. "I guess I just didn't want to believe you'd row away your chance at happiness for a woman who doesn't even want your help."
Her eyes rose to glare at him. "I don't recall asking for your input in this."
"Why are you so determined to save her, Regina?"
"Because," she whispered, eyes flitting back to the box with Emma's dagger inside. "she would have done the same for me."
"You wouldn't have needed-"
"Oh, but I would have. I did need it once, and had no one. But Emma... She believed in me when no one else would, not even Henry. The least I can do is return the favour."
Robin was silent for some time, before finally sighing. "I don't think that's it, and I think you know it's not."Regina opened her mouth, brow furrowed, but he shook his head. "Don't bother denying it, Regina, I see how you two look at each other."
"What?"
He didn't hear her surprised whisper. "I'm taking Roland, we'll be out of your hair."
She stared at the door he shut on his way out, confusion evident in her face, as she heard him call for Roland to pack his belongings.
How we look at each other?
She eyed the metal box on her desk warily. She didn't want to use the dagger to summon Emma, like a dog, but if the woman didn't show up by the morning, she'd have to. She didn't want Emma to wallow in her kills alone; she had to assess how much damaged Hook's careless revenges had wrought on the other woman, had to know if she would have to...
She shook her head. It wouldn't come to that. It couldn't.
