A/N I just want to thank everyone for all the reviews, favorites and follows. Now where were we?
Chapter 2
"She what?" Emma said as she leaned further into her chair.
"Her memory has been damaged. We think the voltage that she suffered during the torture did this."
"So what does she remember?"
The Doctor leaned across the desk as to get Emma's full attention. "She remembers nothing Ms. Swan." He leaned back in his chair as he watched what he had just said sink in.
"How long?"
"There is no way to tell."
xxxxxxx
Emma sat at Granny's while David and Mary Margaret sat across from her with much the same the look she had worn earlier.
"Nothing?" Mary Margaret questioned.
"Nothing." Emma said taking a drink of her liquor.
Mary Margaret watched as her daughter took another drink. "Emma, it's 11 in the morning. Is that really necessary?"
"My son's mother woke up out of a coma after 3 months today and remembers no one, not even him. Everyone in this town hates her and she needs a support system at home, which leaves previously mentioned son. And to top it off I am now the savior, guardian, Sherriff AND Mayor. Be glad that Leroy and I aren't sharing a cell in a drunken rage."
"What are you doing to do?" David finally spoke.
"I wish I knew. For starters I have to pick Henry up from school and tell him what happened. After that we're going to have to make some arrangements for Regina. She will be fine at home, but she is gonna need someone looking out for her occasionally. Henry is 11. He isn't up for all this." Emma took another drink.
"I'll go to the station and handle everything from there and I'll let you know if I need anything. You just focus on the Mayor duties and Henry. The Savior thing can wait. Plus with Regina idle we shouldn't have any problems."
"You shoulda seen her." Emma stared off as she took another drink. "She looked so lost." Emma then turned her attention to her glass and traced the rim. "It was like a child sitting there, not the evil queen Regina."
"Maybe you should go home and rest before you go to get Henry."
"Nah. I gotta run by the hospital and sign some paperwork. As Mayor slash Sherriff slash Henry is her next of kin, we are her guardian of sorts. The doctor is going to go over some things with us before they release her next week. Just some dos and don'ts."
"I have to get back to school. Lunch is almost over. Try and relax. Everything will be fine, Emma." Mary Margaret leaned over and kissed the top of Emma's head."
"I'll try."
xxxxxxxx
Emma knocked at the door and waited for an answer. When she heard a 'come in' from the other side, she did so.
There she sat. Regina Mills. The queen of evil. Looking so small in that bed, dressed in a hospital gown and flipping through the television channels to find anything to occupy her time. She smiled at Emma genuinely when she entered the room. "Emma? Right?"
Emma returned the smile. "Yeah. How are you?"
"I'm good. How are you? You seemed to really take off this morning. I'm sorry if this is uncomfortable for you."
"No. No, you're fine. It's just. So shocking I guess. Sorry. I don't guess I handled myself very well."
"It's ok. I am sure that you have your reason."
Emma walked further into the room and took a seat next to the bed, as Regina's eyes followed her every move. "Did they tell you anything about your life."
"No. No one has really talked about it. Matter of fact, very few people have even been in this room. It's like they are avoiding me like the plague."
Emma walked over and sat by the woman's bed. "My name is Emma Swan. I am the Sherriff in town as you know. You are the Mayor."
"What?" Regina laughed out loud.
"Yes Madam Mayor." Emma smiled. "You and I share a son." Regina raised a eyebrow at the comment. "I- I mean that you adopted my son when he was a newborn. I was young and found myself in trouble and unable to keep him."
"I have a son." Regina almost seemed more concerned than happy. "How old is he? How is he taking all this?"
"First off, Henry is 11. He is in school today and doesn't know that you're awake. I thought it would be best if we waited until he was home to tell him what happened."
"Good idea."
"I'll get him from school today and explain all this and then bring him by. He would love to see you, and I think that maybe it would do you some good to have some company."
"So how is it that you and were friends?"
"We were acquaintances, Regina." That caused Regina to frown somewhat. "You were very guarded and didn't have time to be social a lot. You know being the Mayor and a single mother and all."
She sadly looked down. "Well that would explain the no visitors thing. Apparently I wasn't a very likable person."
"Don't say that. You just had your...ways."
"My ways?" Regina chuckled. "Says the one person who is here because she has to be." Sadness suddenly crept into Regina's voice.
"I am here because it is almost 2 in the afternoon and I think that you need to see your son. I know that he would love to see you. That's why I'm here. There are no armed guards outside that has made me come by."
"It must be hard for you. I mean being around Henry and I alot."
"Sometimes. I know that at that point in my life I did what was best for him. That was you apparently. He grew up loved and was taught boundaries. I think you did really well with him."
"Thank you, I guess."
There was suddenly another knock at the door and both women turned to see Dr. Whale. "Afternoon, ladies. I just came by to check on you, Regina. I would also like to give you and Ms. Swan some ground rules." Both women nodded and the Doctor continued. "Emma, she needs to stay as stress free as possible. She won't have any physical limitations, but it would be better for her to remain as calm as possible."
There were only 2 people in that room who realized what a daunting task that was going to be. "Ok." Emma agreed.
"As for your memory. This isn't something that we can force, nor want to. It is always healthiest to let your body run its own course, in its own time. Don't try to remember every immediately. Take it slow and let your brain shake off the cobwebs."
Regina tried to smile. "Yes, Doctor."
It was weird for Dr. Whale and Emma to see Regina so humbled. Dr. Whale, having known the Queen much longer, had a better picture of just how huge this was.
"I will send you home with medication and a few prescriptions that can be filled later. Take the medication for pain every 4 hours over the first few days at home. After that, as needed. If the headache starts, take it immediately. There are fast acting, so any sign of pain and you take one. The headaches that will be associated with the brains recovery and isn't something that you can endure, so take the meds." He ordered.
"I understand." Regina answered.
"Do you have any questions for me?"
"My son." Regina found it weird to even think about the fact she had to handle this with a kid. "What does this mean for him? I mean, will I be able to take care of him?"
"Like I said, there are no physical issues with you. It will take some getting used to. You don't remember what he likes for breakfast or his favorite color of shirts to dress in. The two of you will have to work on that part. Henry is a smart boy." Regina smiled. "A good boy. He will help you through this the best he can. Give him a little responsibility with all this. He can handle it."
"I agree." Emma smiled at Regina to reassure her.
"Ok then. Ms. Swan if I can get you to come outside with me, we will sign the needed paperwork saying that the Mayor was given instructions and you were a witness."
"I'll be there in just a second." Emma said and Dr. Whale walked from the room. She then turned back to Regina. "Ok, I am going to sign this stuff and then go get Henry. We'll stop by Granny's and get something to eat and bring it back here."
"Oh that's nice that you have a Grandmother that cooks for him." Emma smiled fighting back a laugh. "What?"
"It's Granny's Diner. Not my actual grandmother."
"Ooohhh." Regina looked embarrassed.
"It's ok. You'll learn. I thought that it would be easier for dinner tonight. You and Henry go there occasionally. I'll just have Ruby fix whatever you normally have."
"Thank you."
"No problem." Emma stood. "Alright, I will be back in half an hour, 45 minutes tops."
"Ok." Regina smiled that smile again. That smile Emma had seen a million times. That half-hearted smile that hid a world of emotion.
Emma took Regina's hand that was laying to her side, and gave it a small squeeze. "It's all gonna be fine. I promise."
"How are we not friends, Ms. Swan. How are you this nice to me, and we aren't friends?"
Emma tried to smile. "We'll just chalk it up to two very strong willed people." Emma released the hand she didn't realize she was still holding. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Regina watched Emma walk out the door and wondered what the woman wasn't telling her.
xxxxxxxxx
Henry ran over to where his mom stood. "Hey, I thought David was picking me up today."
"David is busy, so I thought I would come by."
Emma motioned for Henry to follow her. "I have some really good news."
"What?" Henry said excited only hoping it was what he had waited for.
"Your mom woke up today."
Henry jumped into Emma's arms and giggled. "She did?"
"She did."
"Is she ok." The boy looked up at Emma as he still had her around the waist.
"We need to talk about that." The smile fell from Henry's young face as he released Emma and stopped walking. Emma stopped with him and took a deep breath. "We knew that when she woke up there may be some complications."
"What's wrong with her?"
"They think the shock treatment that she had caused some issues with her brain. It's going to take longer to heal."
"What does that mean?"
"Your Mom doesn't remember anything."
"About the torture?"
"No, Henry. She doesn't remember anything. Her name, this town, me..." Emma stopped.
"Even me?" Henry looked as if he would cry.
"I'm sorry, kid." Emma took another deep breath. "Not even you." Henry dropped his head. "Hey. Listen to me." Emma raised his chin until he was looking her in the eyes. "She knows about you and that's all that she knows. So that means no talk of other lands or evil queen or your book. Ok?" Henry nodded his head. "Somewhere in there is your Mom. The only questions that she has asked was regarding your well being in all this. You're the only thing that she's concerned with right now."
"Really?" Henry tried to smile through the tears.
"Honest." Emma wiped some of his tears. "You and I are gonna run by Granny's and grab some food and head over to see your Mom, ok?"
Henry nodded and place one arm around Emma's waist as they walked toward the Diner.
xxxxxxx
Emma had been right. In just under 45 minutes, she and Henry walked into Regina's room. Regina smiled as they entered. Henry wasn't sure what to say and just looked at the woman.
Regina thought she would break the ice. "You must be Henry." He smiled and nodded. "Did Ms. Swan tell you what was going on?" He nodded again. "Do you have any questions?" Henry stared at her as if holding back. "Go ahead." Regina said.
"Can I - I mean would it hurt you if-" Both women watched the boy struggle. He stopped, took a deep breath and released it. "Can I hug you?"
Regina almost chuckled and fully extended her arms. "I'd like that."
Henry ran across the room and crashed into Regina's chest. "Careful Henry!" Emma said.
Regina raised her hand and mouthed 'He's fine'.
"I'm glad you're ok." The boy said still clinging to his mother. "I tried to make them stop. I begged them to stop."
A look of complete horror came over Regina. "You- you were there?"
Henry only nodded into her chest.
She hugged him even tighter. "I am so sorry that you had to go through that."
Just like Emma had told him, Regina's biggest concern was once again her son. "It's ok. I'm just glad that you are awake now."
"Ok you two." Emma said. "Doctor Whale says that Regina doesn't need a lot of stress right now. No talk of that day for a while, alright."
Both nodded and released the hold that they shared. Emma pulled the table over the bed until it was over Regina's lap. She placed the bags from Granny's onto the table and started to dig through them. "Ok, we have a bacon cheeseburger with fries. Accompanied by a strawberry shake?"
"Oh that's mine!" Henry quickly grabbed the stuff from Emma's hand.
She dug further into the bag. "For you Madam Mayor, we have a grilled chicken salad. With French dressing on the side, and no cucumbers." Emma placed it in front of Regina. She handed her the styrofoam cup with a straw also. "And ice water with 2 lemons."
Regina smiled while looking at Henry. "Wow, do we visit this place often?"
With a mouth full of cheeseburger he answered. "You work a lot and during the week, so we go there some. It's the only restaurant in town."
Regina watched the boy take another bit of the burger. "Slow down Henry. I'm pretty sure my memory isn't coming back during this meal and I suddenly realize that I never let you eat that stuff."
Henry smiled at his Mother and slowed his eating. "Ok."
"I think you've earned that meal." Regina smiled.
The meal was spent with Henry telling Regina about his day at school. She clung to every word. She was most excited that, during her absence, Henry had worked hard at school and had made straight As on his last report card. She thanked him for being so grown up to take care of schooling while all this was going on. She made a mental note that she would have to reward him for his good behavior.
They had been there almost an hour when Dr. Whale had called Emma outside.
"You're gonna what!?" Emma said with her hands on her sides.
"Ms. Swan, there is no reason to keep her here. We will monitor her today and tomorrow, but after that I think she would do better at home."
"Are you sure?"
"It's like I told you this morning. She has no physical restrictions. Her heart has a completely normal rhythm and there is no sign of trauma to her body. The only thing that is effected is her brain. We aren't even sure that the shock did that. Sometimes when people go through something like this, their mind can't take it and it shuts down to protect itself. There is nothing physically wrong with the Mayor."
"Will she be ok, alone?"
"That's the thing. I just don't think that is a good idea."
"Why?"
The Doctor looked around and leaned in to whisper to Emma. "Do you realize how many people are talking about this? This woman has done unthinkable things to the people in this town. The revenge that some would love to have on her? She is vulnerable right now. She is at an even greater disadvantage because she doesn't even know to look for it. She doesn't know this entire town loathes her. Who knows if the four that are in custody are the only ones that are out there. She could be in serious danger out there with no memory. Not to mention that puts Henry in the middle again."
"So how many people on this hospital staff are part of that list? Are you?" Emma questioned the Doctor.
"Who is on the list doesn't matter, Sherriff. The fact that there is a list does."
"If anyone hurts her they will go through me first."
"Exactly. Then it's settled."
"Damn it. What am I gonna do?"
"Well you are the interim Mayor. That is the Mayor's Mansion."
"You want me to live with Regina!" Emma tried to whisper as she spat the words out.
"She needs protection, Ms. Swan. You ARE the Sherriff, and the mayor. The job is yours."
Emma knew that he was right. The 'job' was technically her responsibility. "How am I gonna get her to agree to this?"
"The same way I just did. It's your job Ms. Swan."
xxxxxxx
The day had come for Regina to arrive home. She had agreed to the living arrangement with little hesitation. Regina understood that the Mayor and her temporary replacement needed to be in the same spot for the time being.
She had gotten settled in well and had taken some medication for pain. She was now upstairs in her own bed sleeping the effects of the narcotics off. This gave Emma some time to go over some of the town business. She went into Regina's home office and slowly walked behind her desk.
The first thing that she noticed was the picture on her desk. Henry looked to be about 5 and Regina was behind him. She had her arms wrapped around him and her cheek against his. Emma couldn't help but smile at the photo. As evil as Regina had been in this life, or the past, she was the best mother she knew how to be.
Cora had left her in shambles. During her childhood it was her father who tried to look out for her, but he was no match for Cora. Emma remembered Cora telling her that love was weakness. She was sure that she had told Regina the same thing all throughout her life. When Daniel died it was because Regina had loved him. She saw love as a struggle. A struggle between power and vulnerability. With Henry she tried to love him the best she could, the best she knew how. When her memory returns Emma worries that she will see this as another strike against love. They had taken Henry because they thought the people who loved him would have a weakness, and they had. She worried how Regina would perceive that.
She sat down at the desk looking over the files. She was thankful the town budget was already completed and the town meeting had just pasted. Emma would spend the next few hours trying to familiarize herself with the ins and outs of the town business.
She was sitting at the desk when she heard someone enter. Regina looked at her curiously. Emma immediately felt out of place. "Sorry. I was just trying to get a feel for how you have the town running."
"It's fine, Ms. Swan." Regina sat in the chair across from the desk. She smiled. "It suits you."
Emma almost blushed. "Well thank you. I thought you were sleeping."
"I tried but can't thinking about all of this."
"You know that you aren't supposed to be doing that. Doctor's orders."
"And you know that you could do this from your home?" Emma stared blankly at Regina. She leaned forward placing her elbows on her knees. "Tell me Ms. Swan. Just how much danger am I in?"
Emma couldn't even look into Regina's eyes as she said, "A lot."
