Author's Note: I'm alive! And this story is still getting written. The chapter title feels strangely appropriate here – it certainly took a while to get this out there to you. Frankly, I still see a lot of work in the future of the story. If you're still around for this, kudos on your patience and thanks for coming back. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4

Chasing Lost Time

She keeps her eyes closed long after she wakes. If only for a short moment, she'll hold on to the peace she feels, coax it into lingering a little longer. A bird's chirping outside is the only interference with the quietude of her breathing. It's not only hers, though - there's another one. No, this was no dream. The smell of him, the feel of his arms tightly wrapped around her, and the soft sound of breathing confirm it.

Regina sighs and squirms a little, careful not to wake him. Daniel shows no sign of being awake yet. How often does one come back from three different realms after spending ages with heart and soul ripped from their body, and their entire existence ripped from them? But Daniel did come back, and that's all that matters. All is well now. All will be well.

I can be happy.

As if to prove the point, she opens her eyes to the morning light - the dream, which in fact is no dream, remains. A golden hue is scattered across the bedroom, painting spots of bronze on the delicate blue pattern of the walls.

Regina's eyes dart to the clock on the wardrobe. It's late - she should have seen Henry to school and hour ago. Her stomach sinks - this has never happened to her before. It's at the very last moment that she beats the impulse to jump out of bed and hurry off to make sure he's awake and ready. Henry's not home - he's with Emma. As usual, the realisation saddens her. On the bright side, though, she need not feel guilty about forgetting herself. Plus, she gets to stay in bed as long as she wants.

Or she can surprise Daniel with breakfast in bed. A smile plays on he lips. I've always wanted to do that. Because their relationship had had to be kept secret, there'd been certain things unattainable to them, small joys they hadn't been able to enjoy. Not anymore. We can have breakfast in bed every day if we want to - starting today.

Regina squirms in Daniel's arms again, checking for the safest way out without waking him. Carefully, she slips from his arms. The covers rustle softly, and Regina freezes and listens. Daniel makes no sound, nor does he move. Grinning like a child up to some mischief, she scrambles towards the edge of the bed, when a pair of arms snakes around her and pulls her back again. She gives a little squeal of surprise as she ends up rolled over on top of him, her back pressed against his chest.

"Leaving so soon?" Daniel chuckles into her ear. "Just where do you think you're going?"

She giggles and shifts a little in his embrace, then places her arms over his.

"Nowhere?"

"I don't believe you." He runs a finger along her forearm, making her skin tingle. "I think you were about to run away with some stable boy."

Her shoulders shake slightly with repressed laughter. "Why would I?" she plays along and tickles his palm, drawing patters across it with her nails.

"I don't know." He presses his palm against hers, and she watches with fascination as their fingers intertwine. "Especially since you have one right beside you."

"Underneath me, rather," she mumbles with her eyes closed. The warmth of his body so close against hers seeps into her every pore.

"Is that a complaint?"

"What if it were? Can you offer some kind of recompense?"

"Is there anything specific you have in mind?"

She pulls away from him slightly only to be able to look him in the face.

"Maybe…" she murmurs in a throaty voice that catches him unawares, and she actually almost feels his cheeks burn a little. "So easy…?" she whispers, turning face to face with him.

What remains of her playful smile abates when she looks into his eyes and sees passion concentrate staring back at her. She draws a heavy breath, overcome by the same sensation.

"Regina…" he whispers in a voice thick with emotion, and runs his hands along her arms.

A shiver runs down her spine and she swallows. "D-Daniel…"

Slowly, never breaking eye contact, he moves to the side a little, letting her drop next to him. Regina rests against the pillow and holds up her arms to him. He needs no more prompting. With her hands around his neck, she caresses the small hairs, her lips twitching as he shivers at the touch. Daniel leans to kiss her forehead, her temple, and her brow; her eyes, her nose, and her cheek. A small sigh escapes her with every touch of his lips, soft and warm, as he moves to placing little kisses along her jaw and right down to her neck. She trembles and buries her fingers in his hair.

"Daniel…" she gasps.

With one last kiss on her shoulder, he looks up and drinks in her face with a gentle smile playing on his lips. She returns the smile shakily, and beckons him closer. When their lips lock, the both of them whimper a little. Hungry for more, Regina tilts her head to deepen the kiss, savouring the feel of butterflies in her stomach, the gentle flutter inside growing into a searing tidal wave…

A loud, shrill ringing sound resonates through the air, making them jump apart. Daniel looks around warily, unfamiliar with the strange, annoying noise.

"It's my phone," Regina groans and struggles to sit up. It's a rude awakening.

"Your - what?" Daniel runs a hand through his hair in frustration.

"My phone." Regina looks around for it wildly. "It has to be here somewhere. It could be Henry."

She finally finds the phone kicked almost all the way under the bed.

"Hello…? Emma, what's going on?" She can't help the panic creeping into her voice. "Is everything alright? Wh-? No, no, I'm fine. Is this about Henry?" Her eyes dart to Daniel while she listens.

He appears utterly befuddled by the phone at her ear. Somehow his suspicious squint reminds her of Cora's reaction to the phone tap. Luckily, there's no time to dwell on that.

"Wh- wait, Emma, let me get this straight. You're calling because Neal wants my lasagna recipe?" Daniel chuckles. Regina closes her eyes for second, the frustration of being interrupted at such an intense moment returning now she knows Henry is in no danger. "Well, of course I do not just go around giving it out, but that's…actually the first time someone's asked," she finishes on a surprised note. Daniel's watching her with a slight frown, the phone at her ear clearly a marvel to him, and smiles when he catches her eye. Damn Emma's stupid timing. "Look, Emma," she sighs, "I'm not saying no, I am merely saying - this is not the best time. Can we get back to this later? Fine. Yes, of course I'll call about Henry. When he's back from school. Yes. Bye, Emma."

"I'm sorry," she turns to Daniel. He shrugs and grins at her, standing beside the bed with his clothes all creased and his hair dishevelled. The credit is hers on the second one, it pleases her to remember.

"Perhaps we could continue where we left off?" Regina sashays closer.

"Oh, definitely," he moves to her across the room and kisses the back of her hand. "In its due time."

She sighs and nods - the moment is gone. But it will not have been the last.

"What is this thing again?" He eyes the phone in her hand.

"A phone. They're used to communicate with people across distance."

"Are they enchanted?"

"No, not enchanted. It's called science. Technology." Regina places a kiss on his furrowed brow. "You'll get the hang of it soon enough."

"I do have a good teacher after all," he winks.

"And your teacher is now going to teach you about the importance of breakfast. But not before we find you something to change into."

Regina is almost done with the dough when Daniel emerges in a brand new ensemble of clothes: plain black pants and a bluish shirt. His hair is neatly combed, she doesn't fail to notice. The twirling stick in her hand ceases to stir when he enters.

"You look very handsome." It's just that - an honest sentiment she doesn't even think about before speaking; no snark, no flirtation, just a genuine remark.

"And look at you. I don't remember any of the cooks looking so magnificent at work."

"Oh, stop."

He moves around the counter and kisses her on the cheek before peering into the bowl. "What are we making?"

"Apple pancakes. You could peel those apples over there."

Daniel picks a shiny red apple from the indicated bowl and turns it over in his hands. Regina can almost see into him, see the memory of an apple tree from long ago come back to him, just as it does to her.

"Are these yours?"

Regina nods and somehow feels taller at that moment, and the heels have nothing to do with it for once. He takes a bite with gusto, and murmurs in approval.

"Delicious."

She positively beams. "Now what about those apples for the pancakes?"

"I will peel them under the condition that I be allowed to turn the pancakes."

"Oh, haggling now, are we?"

He hugs her from behind, making her jump a little.

"Careful," she blurts out. "It's hot." The tickling sensation on her ear makes her giggle. "Daniel! Is this your idea of helping in the kitchen?"

"It's my idea of persuading you to let me turn those pancakes. Has it worked yet? Otherwise I'll just have to continue," and he nibbles on her ear again.

When the last crumble of pancake is washed down by juice, it's well past midday. Daniel's eyes narrow as Regina sets down her knife and fork and neatly fold her napkin.

"What's on your mind?"

He gestures towards the kitchen counter. "If I'm not mistaken, this mysterious device here will take care of the dishes again, right?"

"Well, that's sort of what dishwashers do."

"Which leaves us with a whole afternoon's worth of time."

She inclines her head, prompting him to go on. "What do you want to do?"

He ponders the question for a while, then reaches for her hand across the table. "How about we try to make up for some of the lost time?"

There's so much they missed out on, so much to make up for. Best start as soon as possible.

"I'd like that."

They need not go far. Daniel wishes to see Regina's garden first, to have a closer look at that apple tree.

"I am the son of a gardener as well as a groom, after all," he picks a ripe fruit from the tree and hands it to her. "Besides, it brings back memories, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Regina looks at the apple in her hand, and then back at Daniel, "it does." Perhaps a shadow has crossed her eyes for the briefest moment, but it could just be recollection.

The freshness of the well-tended greenery is overwhelming to the point of making one forget all about the town on the other side of the fence. It's just boy and girl and the great outdoors at that moment. Daniel leans against the tree and just watches her. After a while, a blush rises in Regina's cheeks.

"Am I making you feel uncomfortable?" Daniel reaches for her hand, still not taking his eyes off of her. He doesn't mean to be rude but - "It's been way too long… I can't look at you enough."

Without a word, she snuggles up to him underneath the tree. That's answer enough. No, this is enough.

"Remember," he muses after a while, "when you showed me those crazy charts and graphs of plant growth?"

The memory of a boy and a girl slouched over her schoolbooks and notes, sitting on bales of hay, is sweet and vivid in his mind. Regina chuckles into his shoulder.

"I tried so hard not to be judgemental," Daniel admits. "It was what wise men taught those who could afford to pay. I was lucky even to have had the chance to study anything like that - and I was grateful. Who was I to dismiss their learning?"

She looks up at him with wide eyes, and touches his chin to make him return the look. "But you did speak up against it after all, because you knew better. Because you weren't intimidated by wise men or- or the empty babble of the highborn. I always liked that about you." Regina places her hands on his chest, fixing him with her gaze. "You were real, so much more real than the fake world they were trying to confine me to. I was supposed to be the one teaching you my lessons, but in the end you taught me more than my teachers ever could. And if not more, then certainly more important things."

"I only showed you what those graphs couldn't - the real thing."

"That's the only thing that matters though. And I wasn't only talking about the graphs. I meant everything." Her eyes glisten as she grabs the collar of his shirt. "You were my friend when I had none. It meant the world to me." Her voice dies at the words, and she swallows hard before she's able to continue. "It still does."

Daniel runs his fingers through her hair. She was a lonely child and and isolated girl, reined in by the strict hand of her despotic mother, he knows that only too well. But surely that has changed, surely there have been people in her life since who cherished her. He wipes a lone tear off of her cheek with his finger.

"It means the world to me, too, Regina."

"No, you don't understand," Regina grabs the lapels of his shirt with a wild urgency. "I need you to understand. I needed you. And you were always there. I could never trust anyone the way I could trust you, ever again."

"Regina…" Is it possible that her life has indeed gone form bad to worse, that she's been stuck in a vicious circle of sorts?

She averts her eyes, perhaps to hide the tearfall that follows, or to stay in control of her emotions - both of which is doomed to failure.

Daniel cups her face and coaxes her to look up at him again. "Now, listen to me," he insists because it's essential that she understands. "I stood by you - and you by me. When your mother threatened to send me away - both times. During my Dad's illness. And after he died. For heaven's sake, you even stole once because there was a chance the thing you took could save him! I would never have asked you to, never have expected that of you, but you did it. And you didn't fool me, either, you know - you tried to make it seem easy, but I knew it hadn't been. I know how terrified you must have been, and that it would have had dire consequences if you'd been found out." Daniel pauses: perhaps this isn't something she needs to hear but the words find their way out before he can help it. "I hated myself for it for a while."

"But, Daniel, no, that's-" Regina squeezes his hand. "No, why would you do that? I did what had to be done - I was glad I could at least do that much - and you would have done the same. Even if it had turned out bad for me, you were not to blame."

"The point is, we were both there for each other." A stray lock of hair falls across her face, and he tucks it away behind her ear before he continues, speaking each word with particular emphasis: "I want to be there for you." There's so little he knows yet, but this he is sure of.

Sniffing, she places her hands over his, and her face bears such a starved look he pulls her close immediately. "Yes. Please… If you- if I can be there for you, too."

"It worked so well before," he whispers with his forehead against hers. "I say we do the same thing again."

"I don't know about this, Regina. Those before were alright, but this… Is this really something men wear around here?"

Regina almost chokes on the water she has just been sipping. The shopkeeper claps his hand together and applauds the look he has compiled in Regina's short absence.

"Scottish men. Mr McGregor, I'll take it from here, thank you."

The man shrugs and chuckles as he shuffles off to the registry machine. Regina gives Daniel one more look, and this time it's more than she can take - she grins, chuckles, and begins to shake with laughter. Not only is he wearing a red kilt - that's not even the funny part - but also an utterly disoriented, mistrustful look on his face, and the combination of the two is too much to bear.

"That's not nice, you know. It's easy for you to laugh. How am I supposed to know, in a world where inanimate objects seem to have a life of their own? A simple thing like clothing need not be that simple either."

She walks straight up to him and kisses him full on the mouth; still she cannot seem to wipe the grin off of her face, but at least Daniel is grinning, too, now.

"Just stick to pants and shirts and vests, and you should be safe. It really isn't that different for men from what it was like in our land. Just pick whatever you like."

She leaves him to browsing the racks, comments when asked - and to prevent an occasional faux pas - and only comes up with a suggestion of her own once in a while. She's resolved - and this surprises her, because she's unaware of ever having made the decision in the first place - to let him create his new Storybrooke image for himself rather than simply shaping him into her mold. To her astonishment, there's hardly anything he chooses that is not to her liking as well. The memory of the kilt, however, might easily enough stay to haunt her forever more.

Daniel seems to understand the inevitability of this shopping spree - although of course the term is absent from his vocabulary just yet -and makes no objection.

"You know, they are actually more comfortable than the old ones of ours," he remarks as they go through shirts together.

Regina snorts. "You have no idea."

"Yet they do you no disfavour," he whispers and pulls her into a hug.

Regina lets out a gasp at this public display of affection. "Daniel," she protests, "here?" But she makes no attempt to pull back. What does it matter anyway? Daniel is back, his closeness still too precious to be restricted for other people's benefit.

"It's just a hug," he mumbles, "I promise I'll be good then and pick one more vest, and then we can go."

They do just that, and when they finally leave the shop, Daniel is smirking: there's a red Scottish kilt at the bottom of the bag, which Regina knows nothing about - yet.

"Wait, do we really have to do this again?" he asks as Regina rummages in her purse. "How about a short break in between rides?"

To see him giving her black Mercedes the most mistrustful of looks, she almost laughs, and lets the keys drop back into the purse. Daniel examined the car with interest while it stood motionless in the garage, and with more curiosity when he was faced with the many strange buttons, switches and levers inside, but as they slowly rolled out onto the road, he became strangely quiet, and when they finally pulled up at the shop, he scrambled out hastily with his face a curious shade on the scale between pale green and whey.

"Where would you have us go?"

"Perhaps a little tour of the town?"

The town, with all its people, all of whom know things about Regina that would make his blood curdle. No, she couldn't bear that. "I'd have thought you have had enough of it, and of walking, all the way from the stables to my house." Did he catch the slight quiver in her voice?

"I had no company, and no idea what half of what I saw meant."

"Alright," she gives in with a sigh. "Although honestly I have no idea what I'm going to show you."

"Start with these roads," Daniel suggests as they set off side by side. "They feel so strange underneath one's feet, don't you think? Although I think I have a fairly good idea now - good old dust or paving stones would be too messy for these…these cars of yours."

"I haven't stopped to think about that in a long time. They did need some getting used to at the beginning. But they have their perks."

"I'm sure they do." Then , with a note of puzzlement: "Do I look conspicuous?"

Regina looks him up and down. "No more than usual. You fit in very well in this outfit. Why?"

"Oh, well I thought the men who passed by a moment ago looked at me in a peculiar way, but I'm sure I've never seen them before, so I was wondering why. I was probably mistaken."

Regina stops in her tracks and turns to look for the men in question. "Which men?"

"They must have been swallowed by the crowd by now. Does it matter?"

It's a while before she answers, after she has been forced to admit that her search was in vain. "No," she says distractedly. "It doesn't matter. Let's go."

The tempo she sets is a brisk and energetic one. Despite his idle years - well, in a manner of speaking - Daniel has no difficulty keeping up with her.

"Where are we headed?"

"I don't know," she replies with a shake of her head. "Nowhere specific. You said you wanted to walk, and I just…walk." Her tone is slightly defensive, but softens a little as she looks at him with a shrug. "I might not be the best guide," she says apologetically.

"No worries, you just looked so intent, I assumed you had a destination in mind."

With a lick of her lips, she takes a proper look around, down the street the way they came from, and up the one she was leading him. A frown settles on her brow.

There was a time when she would seek sanctuary at the same spot every day; a place she would feel at ease, and in control of the town's life - and her own. The contrast of black on white would feel strangely calming on her nerves, although she had realised she was probably the only person on whom it had this effect - most visitors to her office seemed distracted by the decor at best. But impressed, too - always impressed. Her desk was her anchor on so many occasions; it gave her the backing she had never felt on the throne, as peculiar as that was. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that all her regal days were spent either suffering as a non-entity, a nice little ornament at her so-called husband's court; or, later, busy at moving all the chess pieces available to her with the single focus on the wretched Snow White. The rest of the chess board, all the ordinary folk of Fairytale Land, went largely unnoticed by the Queen. Here in Storybrooke, on the other hand, the Mayor did more than spend her days drunk on or abusing her power; she used her position to orchestrate change and growth, and watched the town prosper under her governance. Even while the curse was in place, the economy thrived, and they never lacked for resources of any kind.

Regina knows her town well, and would have found every single way leading to the Town Hall familiar. Out of old habit, her feet seem to have been carrying her just there.

"Regina?" A hand lands gently on her shoulder. "Everything alright?"

"Yes," she replies automatically. "Yes," she repeats with actual feeling when she meets Daniel's intent gaze. "I just remembered something. We can go a different way from here."

"It makes no difference to me really. What is that way anyway?"

She does not see a way to avoid the question and not look utterly unreasonable. This is no time to answer awkward questions about Mayor Mills. No time is good for that, she admits, and knows she will keep as long as possible. "It's the Storybrooke Town Hall," she answers neutrally, hoping he doesn't catch the strain in her voice.

"It sounds like a sight worth seeing, doesn't it? The heart of the town?"

His wording makes her no more comfortable - on the contrary. "I- well… I guess so. Don't expect a palace, though."

He chuckles and takes her by the hand. "I'll let myself be surprised. Shall we?" Daniel catches her looking sideways down at their hands as they walk. "Is this kind of thing not done around here?"

"It is. It just - I haven't - Well, for one, I'm not used to walking around hand in hand with people. And the other thing is…this is you and me." It's new and it's old; lost, and found again.

"Get used to it," he squeezes her hand and leans to her for a quick little kiss. Regina blushes pink, and the knowledge of it makes her turn a darker crimson yet. Blushing is new, too - or so far back in the past as to be considered new again.

When her eyes travel to the far end of the street ahead of them, she tucks gently on his hand. The town hall stands there some distance away, and it's just that - a building, no more; certainly nothing to be afraid of. Whatever reason did the Regina of a few minutes ago have to fret about such a trifle anyway?

Halfway up the street, a brightly painted ice- truck rolls by playing a loud, off-key melody, and stops just ahead of them.

A fascinated Daniel stands in line to get them an ice-cream each.

Is he really here? He is. They're together at last, and Mother isn't around to ruin it this time.

But there are other things…

A sheet of yellowed paper with elaborate old-fashioned lettering drifts by on the wind and lands softly at Regina's feet. Rushing footsteps approach in a hurry, but before they can reach her, a new gust of wind lifts the paper up in the air.

"Oh no!" a breathless voice calls. The yellowed page dances wildly and slams against the side of Regina's face with another whim of the wind. Regina grabs at it instinctively, and snatches the intrusive object in the air.

"Careful - it's - invaluable!"

Regina turns around and finds herself facing a panting red-head wild with concern, with the sides of her unbuttoned blue coat flying in every direction. Her eyes widen a little at the sight of Regina.

"It's y-you," she blurts out without thinking. Then, collecting herself and forcing her voice into a calmer tone, she corrects herself: "Regina."

"Belle."

For a moment, they just keep staring at each other. Belle seems to recover from the surprise at last as her eyes find the creased page in Regina's hand.

"That- that page comes from a very old, very rare, very fragile tome. I was trying to fix it but, ehm, stupidly enough, I forgot to take the wind into account, and, well, out it flew. Thankfully someone caught it before it was completely lost. Would you mind giving it back to me now?" The last words come out in a rush, as if she were daring herself to say them quickly lest she lose the courage halfway there. And can anyone blame her? Few can say they have as much reason as Belle has to feel apprehensive in Regina's presence. Yet the question comes polite enough; is it possible that the last few weeks have in fact change an odd person's approach to the once Evil Queen? How odd that it should be Belle of all people. She for one sure has a whole bunch of reasons for hostility.

"Oh, this thing here? Well, I have no use for a random flying object that hits me in the face for no good reason anyway, dear."

Belle winces at the word. So does Regina, inwardly. She has found that every time she uses the term, it's a snark, a tease, a sign of condescension. It seems to be a inseparable part of the Evil Queen - and, later, sassy Mayor Mills. These days, however, sometimes it just annoys her by flying out of her mouth of its own accord, foiling Regina's attempts at communicating in a more open, conflict-free manner. Archie said such hardships with getting rid of mannerisms of this kind are to be expected, and asked her to have patience with herself if she at firs t does not succeed. Old habits die hard. Every failure makes her mad at herself anyway. I'm the one who controls it, she reminds herself, not the other way round.

Regina steps toward Belle and holds out the yellowed page for her to take. Belle eyes her with an air of uncertainty and suspicion. Regina feels a stab of irritation. It's not as if she were holding out someone's raw, beating heart to her after all. I cannot blame her, after the experience she's had of me.

"Sorry about that…" Belle reaches to take the page. "But at least you caught it. It's a rare book, maybe one of a kind - I have yet to find out." She fights down the rising discomfort quite effectively, and Regina cannot but feel a little impressed.

"Fine," she says simply. She could use some spell to make the awkward go away herself. But cheating is not allowed; she must learn to cope in other ways without constantly resorting to magic as a crutch. Belle apologising to her for a trifle like this is absurd really after what Regina put her through. A sense of discomfort nudges her towards Belle, towards an apology she feels she's not quite ready for yet but should be.

"Apple and vanilla," Daniel calls as her returns with two double ice-creams. "Oh, sorry, I didn't realise you were in the middle of a conversation."

Regina takes the offered cone. "Chocolate and hazelnut," she says without a single look at his.

"Right," he grins. He turns back to Belle. "I'm Daniel."

"Hi, I'm Belle." She looks at him curiously, then at Regina, and then back at him again. Only then does she seem to realise what it must look like. "Well, I'd better go now. Nice meting you, Daniel. Thanks," she nods in Regina's direction, and hurries off with the page safely in her hands. They watch her vanish in the door of Storybrooke Library.

"A friend of yours?" Daniel asks as they slowly set off again, each with their ice-cream in hand.

Hardly. Gold would snark so bad at this. With valid reason. "An acquaintance," she manages at long last.

The ice-cream's gone by the time they reach the end of the street and come out facing the town hall.

"See? No palace," she forces herself to say to ease the tension that comes creeping up on her at the sight in spite of everything.

"But stately enough. Who rules this place anyway? Is there royalty?"

"An elected Mayor," she almost chokes on the word and the bitterness it brings to her tongue. "And a board of councillors."

"That sounds fair," he says. "More so than our old way of inherited reign."

"Yes…fair. Will you excuse me a moment? I'll be right back." With that, she walks swiftly inside.

Daniel uses the time to take a good look around. A couple passes by, holding hands. Fine, so it is done around here after all. The posters on the stand both sides of the path leading into the town hall have drawn a crowd, so he walks over and looks over people's shoulders. 'Adopt me! Visit us on this special day for a chance to find your spirit animal. No pet should be left behind! Adoption Day on Sundays at Storybrooke Pet Shelter (accepting volunteers throughout the year).' 'Missing walkie-talkie, last seen at Storybrooke Playground. Finder please contact Sheriff Swan.' 'Election for Mayor. All citizens eligible to enter the lists. Application forms at the Town Hall, office 4. Follow this space for further information.'

The leaflet on Adoption Day looks old and worn; it has probably been there forever. The one about the walkie-talkie, whatever it is, seems very recent, and hastily scribbled. The third announcement is easily the one drawing the most attention, and a bunch of people clustered around the stand are in the middle of a heated discussion.

"So we're finally getting a new Mayor, eh?"

"About time, too. This town is a mess."

"What are you talking about, Victor? It's only just started clearing out. The Charmings are back, and the curse is gone - so is the havoc wreaked by that other wicked realm."

"You mean Neverland? Yes, you'd know too if you attended council meetings. Anyway, who's running for the job?"

"I don't much care, as long as she stays out of it."

"You think she'd have enough gall to enter? She'd never get elected, and she knows it. The Evil Queen has ruled here longer than necessary as it is."

"What Queen? She was Mayor here. For all the atrocities as Queen, she was a decent Mayor. Elections were held as prescribed. No one ever ran against her. "

"Yeah, you moron, and what's that tell you? Screams of fuckery!"

"Perhaps this time around we'll get Gold! Who better to continue in the steps of an Evil Queen than the Dark One?"

"It should be the Charmings, I'm telling you. They were our rulers back home, they should rule us here."

"We have a democracy here. I actually like that change. I say we keep up the elections, and…"

For no apparent reason, the racket dies out at once, and everyone grows strangely looks for an explanation, but finds none. Maybe Regina, who's walking towards him now, has an idea. Her eyes search for him and linger on the small crowd of previously so eloquent speakers. Daniel catches a moment's hesitation in her walk, but it's gone so fast he doubts it was ever there to begin with. A low murmur rises in the group as she comes nearer, and when she reaches them, the crowd parts, letting her through.

Regina catches his gaze as she strolls towards him, and for a moment her raised chin quivers almost imperceptibly. Without stopping or even slowing down, she walks past him with her face unreadable but for the eyes - though just what all the racing shadows are he cannot tell.

"Long time, no see, Madame Mayor," a voice calls after them, placing extra emphasis on the last two words.

"In your dreams," someone scoffs and the crowd cheers at their ensuing bickering.

Regina marches across the street, looking neither left nor right. Breaks screech on the asphalt; a horn blows. Daniel's at her heels, throwing the furious drivers apologetic looks. There's no denying it this time - something strange is in the air, and this something centres around Regina. Something tells him this will be no pleasant story for Regina to tell - just as it will, by extension, not be pleasant for him to hear.

Neither of them speaks for a good while. The tension Daniel has sensed at the townhouse lingers on, as if it has found a way into their pockets and were weighing them down now. Regina walks half a pace before him, and it's impossible for him to catch a look at her face. Perhaps that's the very point.

"Regina," he says after the town hall disappears from sight. No response comes; she merely continues at a brisker pace. "Regina," he repeats insistently, and cuts in front of her, making her stop in her tracks, or else she'd just crash straight into him.

Her eyes flash with anger; then the impulse disappears,and she averts her eyes, looking down at her feet.

"What's the matter?" His touch on her arm finally makes her look up at him again.

"It- nothing. It doesn't matter. Not now." Daniel tilts his head, and places a gentle finger to her chin, firm at the attempt to make her keep eye contact when she attempts to avoid exactly that. "I'll show you our gulf," she blurts. "The seaside can be quite pleasant in Storybrooke, and less crowded for the most part." She takes a step sideways to bypass him, but he moves in her way again. She looks frustrated, and so miserable he has second thoughts already.

"Regina… Not now then. Later. You can still talk to me about anything. Nothing has changed about that. I just wanted to make that clear."

Regina nods curtly, swerves around him - this time he doesn't stop her - and sets off again. Catching up with her immediately, Daniel walks by her side in silence until they turn a corner. Then he reaches for her hand and entwines his finger with hers. A faint smile crosses her face. The tension in her fingers subsides.

By the time they reach the docks, the silence lingers on but it's neither awkward nor oppressive. In the distance, behind the piers jutting out into the waters of the Gulf of Maine, between the small ships anchored in the bay, he spies the sea for the first time ever. A seagull floats by on its wide white wings, and greets them with a shrill cry.

"We can go closer," she suggests quietly as his eyes search the horizon, and leads him to one of the larger piers.

The last time she was around this place, the sea had swallowed up her son and his two captors in a magic whirlpool of a portal. That's where she stopped to stare helplessly as it was happening, alongside Emma, with the Charmings close behind. Their rescue mission started on that spot right there. Fighting to avert her eyes from these troubling memories, she looks to Daniel instead. The view is quite spectacular from where they are standing. To Regina's eyes, it has all become a mass of cold, grey, treacherous waves after the many hours spent on the Jolly Roger, negotiating with the sea gods to let them reach Neverland safely and swiftly.

Daniel, however, is looking at it with different eyes, with eyes untainted by such an experience. To him, the waves crashing and foaming at the feet of the pier an the sides of the boats are travellers from faraway lands, coming to rest upon the shore. Does wanderlust wake in his blood as he scans the wide horizon? They were going to run once, into the wide world, in search for a safe haven, and the sea had come up in passing as a favourable element to put between them and any potential followers - such as her mother. It was so long ago. And yet now they are standing at the edge of the pier hand in hand, with the world at their fingertips, if only they choose to reach out and take it. Regina clutches his hand instinctively. Wherever it takes them, it cannot be too bad if they can only hold on to each other.

And they are in for one bumpy ride.

"Do you have a beach, too?"

"A little further along, that way," she points with her free hand, and Daniel grabs the chance and takes it, turning to her, and pulls both her hands up to his lips for a kiss. The sea has just gained back a little of its charm.

Until her eyes graze the oblong buildings of Storybrooke Cannery, that is. A sharp pain runs through her, and almost makes her cry out. It's a while before she's able to master the impulse to cringe and convulse from a pain she points out to herself does not, in the present moment, exist - it's only in her mind. The wretched thing left its tracks deeper than she's willing to admit; her body remembers.

"Alright?" Daniel searches her face.

She nods and braces herself; she even manages a little smile. It's all in the past. The man's gone, he cannot hurt them now - not Henry, not her, not anyone.

The wind throws itself against the shore, licking the waters, setting sails aflutter, and sending waves crashing at the pier with vicious force. A salty spray scatters in the air and sends droplets of water raining on them. Regina huddles under her coat, with Daniel's arms around her immediately, protecting her form the larger part of the spray by volunteering for the cold shower himself instead.

With his arm around her, they struggle to hold their own against the gaining wind, and reach the calmer part of the pier with relief.

"That was quite unexpected," Daniel wonders. "Such a display on a seemingly calm sea, who would have known? Are you alright?"

"Yes, but you're all soaked. We should be heading home. You need to change."

"I'm fine. But I agree - best not stay here much longer."

The air becomes calmer with each step, and the raging wind feels like an illusion once they leave the vulnerable area around the piers. Walking inwards, it soon becomes hard to believe the strong wind might be putting up such a show only a few dozen steps away. Relieved to be out of its reach, they stop at one of the fenced areas for a short break to recover.

Regina flexes her fingers. Maine's weather is bland - once the cold hits, it buries its merciless, biting fingers deep into you. She forgot all about gloves today, and Daniel has none, either. Yet something about his manner - the large mouthfuls of breath, his open arms exposing his chest to the breeze, or perhaps even just the sight of his wind-swept hair - suggests he relishes the cold. He feels all the more alive for it. Alive. Giving in to an urge that comes crashing down on her, she presses herself against him and rests her head on his shoulder. One arm encircles her back, while the other rests on the back of her head, caressing her in an unhurried, comfortable fashion.

This could be their life now: withstanding raging storms together. Regina scoffs at her own cheesiness, so untypical of her. But isn't it really what she wants? What everybody wants? To not have to fight their battles all alone? To have someone who cares?

Regina's bubble bursts not long after.

"Your Majesty," a rugged-looking fisherman bows to her mockingly as they're leaving the docks. He looks vaguely familiar. "Come to join us peasants on our daily endeavours?"

"Her Majesty has better company apparently," a youth nods in Daniel's direction.

Please, no. Regina squeezes his hand and shakes her head: do not interfere, please, let's just get out of here. Daniel frowns and throws the group of fishermen a disapproving look. Eventually, he walks on with a firm hold on her hand.

"Serves him well," another sailor spits.

"Don't listen to him, Your Majesty, he's just jealous of the guy," yet another leers after them.

"Good afternoon, Regina," a pointed voice interrupts the cheering seamen.

Regina winces, and this time Daniel turns directly at the newcomer with a decidedly protective air about him.

"Archie," she breathes out at the sight of him. "Hello."

The snickering behind them subsides.

"Dr Hopper…" one of the fishermen waves at him. "Good to see you."

"I wish I could say the same," Archie replies darkly, "but unfortunately I have just witnessed a rather sorry display of complete boorishness."

The youth looks from Archie's strict face to Daniel's irritated one, then with much hesitation at Regina. "Just foolin' around," he shrugs and rolls the cigarette between his flitting fingers. "Meant no harm. Goodbye then, Dr Hopper," and with a sideways glance at Regina, he shuffles off.

Regina shuffles her feet and offers Archie a small smile, which he returns in kind.

"Stay, Pongo, stay," he cries out as the energetic dalmatian launches forward, giving the leash in Archie's hand a mighty pull. Despite Archie's efforts, the dog is soon upon Regina, wagging his tail enthusiastically.

"Alright, Pongo, alright," Regina attempts to calm him with clumsy little pats while trying to avoid the generously granted wet kisses.

"So sorry, Regina."

"No worries."

"Have you been enjoying a little fresh air, too?" he asks cheerfully, looking around the docks.

"Yes, actually," Regina gives Daniel a warm look. She can't help it. In a way, he is fresh air to her. All those years without him were stuffy, suffocating but for a few exceptions. One exception, really - Henry.

Archie eyes him with open curiosity now. "If I may be so bold, who is your friend?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is Daniel." She clasps his hand in both of hers. "Daniel, this is Archie."

Clearly Archie wasn't prepared for this answer. He's at an utter loss for a while, his eyes darting from Regina to Daniel and back to Regina again.

"I assure you I'm not crazy," she says with a little grin, guessing what might be on his mind.

"Regina, but…surely that's impossible."

"I understand your confusion, but it's not. See, Daniel never died, he was alive all this time, only in pieces." Daniel chuckles involuntarily, just as the sight of Regina wrestling with Pongo had made him chuckle a moment ago.

"Ehm…well…I don't know what to say…I mean, this is most unexpected and frankly, rather hard to believe… Oh but do not misunderstand - it's great news. Just not the regular kind of news. I'm pleased to meet you."

"Me, too." Perhaps the men would shake hands, but since Regina is for the moment quite ignorant of any such willingness for the moment and continues her claim over Daniel's right hand, they both just nod.

"Well, I would hate to disturb. I'm sure you have a lot of catching up to do. Again, it was nice meeting you. See you again on Wednesday, Regina."

"Actually, I might not be able to make it this Wednesday."

Archie nods and smiles. "Maybe some other time then. We can reschedule. Just give me a call."

She nods absent-mindedly - the kind of agreement you will never honour, not because you don't want to keep your word, but because your mind simply was someplace else and the thing you agreed to doesn't even register. Any serious thought of therapy seems like a foolish idea now that everything's back on track again.

They sit at the kitchen table, each finishing their glass of wine, when Daniel decides to address a few burning questions.

"This Archie - they called him 'doctor', right? Are you two friends? He seems like a nice person."

She considers this a moment before she answers: "As close as it gets. Archie's a therapist. He's been helping me with - things."

Whatever 'things' means, Daniel leaves it be for the time being. Things he has decided to leave for later seem to be piling up at a rather unsettling pace.

"And the girl, Belle?" he asks carefully, watching her.

"Like I said, she's just someone I know." There are no signs of annoyance yet, but something in the way she twirls the wine glass between her fingers suggests a certain wariness. Daniel nods.

Silence falls. Regina sips on the wine. The clock ticks away.

"This is no good, Regina."

"What do you mean?" The look of a frightened animal has settled in her eyes.

He hates to do this, but he has to do this. "Look, I know it's unpleasant… but we can't avoid it forever."

A stubborn - oh, how well he knows it - and defensive look settles on her face. "We can for a while, just as long as neither of us brings it up."

"But what's the point? Why not get it out of the way right now?" He reaches across the table for her hand. She withdraws it quickly, and refuses to meet his eyes.

"Because I don't want to," she says with an almost childish sulkiness and a much more worrying note of desperation in her voice.

"Regina…I don't want to hurt you. You know that, don't you?"

She glances at him only to avert her eyes again. He waits. A small sniff escapes her before she looks up at him at long last.

"Then don't make me talk about it. Please. We could have such a lovely time together."

"If I give you time, wait for when you're ready, will you-?" He trails off because they both know what he's saying, and it's up to her now.

"Yes," she says at long while, and places her hand into Daniel's, who squeezes it.

But what if she's never ready? For some things, you never can be.