AN: Finally got the chance to update this story. Thank you to everyone who is reading, following and adding this to favorites. I am writing this as idea's come into my head. I really don't know where I am going with it yet. We shall see. I will tell you that I do know Cora will be making an appearance in the next chapter. Hope you guys enjoy. Sorry if there are errors. I do try to double check for them but hey I am not perfect.
Purple Smoke
Chpt 3
"Emma, what are we doing here?" Henry asked as Emma parked her car in the lot at the cemetery.
"We are meeting someone. Come on. Let's go" It was pitch black outside and Emma was glad she remembered the flash light. She turned it on, searched the trees and surrounding area for any followers. Satisfied when she found only headstones, she led the way to their destination.
"Who would we be meeting in a cemetery?" Henry kept on with the questions.
"Kid, you are about to find out" As soon as they got closer to the building Henry knew what was going on.
"Are we gonna see my mom?" Henry asked with excitement in his voice.
"Sssshhhh." Emma continued to scan the area making sure no one else was around "Yeah kid we are gonna see Regina" she said trying to keep her voice down. Henry didn't say anything; instead he gave Emma big happy hug. "Thank you" he whispered.
"Ok, let's get going. This place is creepy" It didn't take long for them to get to the mausoleum. Emma unlocked the door and they went inside.
"You have to push that aside." Henry said pointing at his grandfather's coffin.
"How do you know that" Emma asked the boy. Her eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"I have been in here before" Henry shrugged.
"I am not even going to ask why or when. Just help me push" Emma took the left and Henry took the right. Slowly the stone sarcophagus moved revealing a staircase.
"Thanks kid" Emma patted her son on the back. "Stay close" they descended the stairs into the bottom chamber of the mausoleum.
"Spooky" Emma commented as they made their way to the bottom of the stairs. "I can't believe you came down here by yourself" her son was very brave.
"Mom, are you down here" Henry hollered his voice echoing through the chamber. Suddenly the sconces on the walls were lit up. Henry smiled with delight, when he saw the familiar purple smoke of magic.
"Henry" Regina cried out. The boy ran to his mother's open arms and wrapped himself around her in a warm embrace. "I've missed you so much"
"I missed you too, mom" Henry said with his head buried in his mother's neck.
"Let me look at you" Regina pulled out of the hug and lifted Henry's chin to so she could see his face.
"Henry, what happened to your eye?" Regina questioned the boy.
"Go ahead and tell her Henry" Emma encourage Henry to talk to Regina.
"I got in a fight" Henry looked down at his feet not able to meet his mother's eyes. He was sure there was scolding soon to come.
"Henry, why were you fighting?" Regina was more concerned than angry.
"Because the kids at school were saying bad things about you and Emma" he told with his mom trying to make her understand.
"I already gave him the no fighting speech" Emma said.
"Yeah, right before she punched Leroy" Henry smirked as he ratted out Emma for fighting.
"What! Emma Swan!" Now Regina was angry "You were fighting in front of our son!" the candle light began to flicker from Regina's outrage.
"Ok, babe, calm down" Emma put her hands up in surrender "He was being an ass. I am tired of the way people treat you around here. I just… lost it. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have punched him in front of Henry"
"You shouldn't have punched him at all!" Regina snapped "Of all people, you should know better, Sheriff." Regina glanced back down at Henry who had a strained look on his face. She noticed the fear in his eyes and it broke her heart. She took a few deep breaths to regain her composure.
"Come here Henry. I'm sorry. I'm not angry anymore" Regina managed to coax the boy to her. She kneeled down so that she was at eye level with her son. Regina placed the palm of her hand over the boy's black eye.
"That tickles" Henry felt a light tingle over his eye. A few seconds later he was completely healed.
"There ya go. All better" she ruffled the boy's hair. "Emma let me see your hand"
"Uh, I'm fine. Really. It's not broken. A little swollen and sore" Emma was ranting like a child who knew they were about to get in trouble.
"Sheriff Swan, come here. Now!" Regina demanded.
"OK" Emma moved to stand next to her love.
"Let me see" the former mayor inspected Emma's fingers and knuckles. "Damn Dwarf" Regina muttered as she healed Emma's hand.
"Mom" Henry scolded his mother.
"Sorry, Henry" Regina grinned at Emma who was grinning back at her.
"Mom, when are you coming home?" Henry asked Regina.
"I don't know, sweetie. It's not safe for me right now" the woman's brow was furrowed and her eyes began to burn as she held back her tears.
"But I don't understand. We are your family. We belong together" Henry's face was turning red. Tears were starting to fall down his little cheeks for the second time that day. Emma was fighting back her tears as well. "Emma can protect you" Henry continued.
"Henry, I love you. Do you believe me?" the boy shook his head yes. "I am trying to protect you and Emma from danger. Until the danger is gone, I can't come home. I love you too much to risk your lives."
"But that's not fair" Henry cried.
"I know honey. I am sorry. I want to come home too" Regina held the crying child in her arms.
"Then come home Regina. We need you. Please stop hiding and come back to us" Emma begged.
"I can't. Not until she is gone" Regina wiped the tears from Emma's face.
"When I find her. I am going to kill her" Emma was smoldering hot with anger. She was mad at Cora, Regina, hell the whole damn town, including her parents. Her heart was breaking every minute Regina wasn't in her arms. She wanted to lash out like she did today, kicking anyone's ass who threatened Regina or Henry.
"You will not" Regina ordered "Emma, I am serious. You stay the hell away from her" she still had Henry wrapped around her waist. He was listening intently to his mother's argue about each others safety.
"Regina, the woman already tried to rip my heart out and I am still alive." Emma reminded her partner. She regretted saying it though because the pain in Regina's eyes was devastating.
"That doesn't mean she can't kill you with magic. Or without magic for that matter" Regina retorted.
"Wait, I have magic" Emma wondered why she didn't think of this sooner "Can't you teach me to use it so we can fight against her. Together our magic could be powerful enough to defeat Cora."
"Emma, it's too risky" the truth was Regina was scared to teach the sheriff magic. She had a feeling Emma was powerful all by herself. However, Regina was not about to let her lover turn dark for the sake of killing her mother.
"You are infuriating" Emma scoffed. She suddenly thought of a full proof way to get Regina to teach her magic. Mr. Gold "If you don't teach me, I someone who will"
"Emma don't you dare go to him" Regina's eyes went wide fear. Rumple would be glad to teach Emma magic so he can turn around and use her for his own evil purposes.
"It's either you or him. I will learn magic, Regina. I will not let you do this alone. So tell me, what's it gonna be" Emma had Regina backed into a corner. She knew there was no way Regina was going to let Rumple teach her magic.
"Fine. You win. I will teach you how to use your magic" Regina caved. Emma smirked looking please with herself.
"Mom, what's going on? Why are you teaching Emma magic? Is it because of Cora?" Henry asked.
"Yes, Henry, Cora is dangerous and Emma is a stubborn a…jerk" Regina replied.
"I don't like magic" in Henry's eyes it changed people, made them do bad things. He had never seen magic used for good. He had only ever seen it used for Evil. He surely did not like the idea of Emma, one of the best people he knew, learning magic. He was afraid she would then turn Evil.
"I know you don't like magic Henry, but we need it right now" Emma told the boy.
"But magic changes people. All magic comes with a price" Henry pleaded with Emma. "Tell her mom"
"Henry is right Emma. Are you sure you want to do this?" the former mayor wanted so badly for Emma to change her mind.
"I will do whatever it takes to keep my family safe. I don't see any other way" Emma was willing to pay whatever price she had to, as long as Regina was able to come home and her family was whole again. She also thought defeating Cora would be a way to redeem Regina with the town. A win, win in Emma's eyes.
"Ok, We will do it your way Emma" arguing with Emma Swan was like arguing with a brick wall. Regina knew it was useless.
"Thank you" Emma leaned in to kiss Regina but was interrupted by their son.
"Does this mean you are coming home mom?" Henry asked once more hoping for a different answer.
"Not yet Henry. I'm sorry" Regina ran her hands through her the boy's fine brown hair. The look of disappointment on Henry's face was too much. Regina let the tears fall freely from her eyes. Emma took her love in her arms and let the woman cry.
"We are going to be together again. All of us. I promise. I will not let that woman or this town, destroy our lives" Emma was now holding both Regina and Henry.
"It's getting late and Henry has school tomorrow" the sheriff kissed her lady on the cheek.
"Of course" Regina moved out of Emma's grasp.
"Henry, I love you. You be good. No more fights, understand. I will visit you soon. Ok" Regina kneeled down and hugged her son. She never wanted to let him go.
"You promise" Henry pouted.
"I promise" Regina kissed him on the cheek and stood back up to face Emma. "I love you" she gave Emma a kiss on her lips; it was gentle but full of emotion. "Take care of our son. I will be in touch." Emma had that same disappointed look as Henry. Regina kissed Emma one last time and then vanished in a puff of purple magical smoke.
"Come on kid. Let's go" Emma and Henry silently trekked their way back to the sheriff's car. The pair was exhausted from the day's events. Henry fell asleep on the way back to the apartment. Emma carried the boy upstairs and put him to bed. She had a small glimmer of hope that the combination of magical powers would be enough to defeat the Evil Cora Mills.