Emma dropped Regina and Henry off at the mansion at the end of the day. They had stayed at the beach as long as it had been warm, but coming to the first shivers and the sun going down, Henry had not so subtly hinted that he was ready to go home to the warmth of the mansion.

They had gathered all their things up again, coolers definitely more lighter only with few drinks left as all of the food had been devoured by Emma and Henry as they wanted to save it from 'going to waste'. Regina had remarked that ever since she started to have Emma over for dinner, food hadn't gone to waste. Emma shot her with her best evil eye and Henry laughed loudly. It had been the perfect day.

Emma helped Regina carry the beach toys and the umbrella into the garage as Henry pushed the front door open to take in the food things and his mother's bag. The blonde reached up to close the garage door with a loud bang and then there was just quiet.

They were looking at each other, both comfortable in their shared silence. In a while though, Emma felt like she had to break it.

"I had a really great day."

Regina's lips pulled into a wide smile as she answered truthfully. "It was one of the best days of my life."

That in turn made Emma smile really big as she opened her arms to welcome Regina into a hug. Regina didn't waste any time as she eagerly stepped closer and wrapped her arms tightly around Emma's waist and laid her head on her shoulder. She could feel how her heart was going to beat out of her chest, but as Emma laid her own head against hers, she was sure she was gonna pass out.

Oh how she loved Emma and how she wished this was what they could have everyday.

But they were friends, best friends and Emma had promised herself to someone else. No matter how affectionate they would get, the blonde couldn't feel that way towards her, no matter how much she wanted her to. Emma was on her way home, to him. The thought alone nearly made Regina gag.

She was going to pull away but Emma made it before her. She seemed happy though, not at all aware of the inner turmoil Regina was once again sucked in. "I have to get going. I promised mom I would stop in to see Neal for a bit before heading home."

"Of course." Regina took a small step back and smiled slightly.

"See you tomorrow?" Emma asked hopefully, bouncing a little on the heel of her feet.

"Tomorrow." Regina smiled again. She could see Emma hesitate a bit before she leaned closer to kiss Regina's cheek. Without saying another word, she spun around and made her way towards the bug that was parked behind the hedges.

Regina lifted her fingers to slightly touch her cheek in amazement, but quickly dropped them when a voice said loudly behind the hedges. "Oh! Tell Henry I said goodnight and that I love him!"

Regina laughed at the silliness of her blonde savior as she raised her own voice to respond. "Will do! Drive safe!"

The only answer she got was the car door closing and the engine roaring to life. She stood in her spot until she could no longer hear the old yellow tin can, and slowly she made her way into the house. Locking the door behind her she slipped out of her shoes and made her way into the kitchen.

Henry was sitting on one of the stools by the island, drinking one of the leftover waters. Regina delightedly noted that Henry had put away all the leftovers and stored the coolers into their designated places. She came closer to kiss Henry's forehead which Henry accepted with a smile. He was holding his phone in his hand, no doubt going over the things he had missed while outing with his mothers.

Regina sat next to her son and let out a breath. Only then did she notice a piece of paper that was left on her pristine counter. In green cursive it said:

Hello my pretties!

Me and Robyn have gone out and won't be back until late.

Don't wait up!

- Zelena

"I wonder where has your auntie gone." Regina wondered out loud, slightly concerned as Zelena often always told her where she was going. Granted they hadn't been talking to each other since this morning as Regina had snapped at her about Emma. She had regrets concerning that but her sister had been poking a little bit too close to the truth.

"Probably causing chaos somewhere, I think Ma will call you about it soon enough if it's something pressing." Henry said without taking his eyes off of his phone.

"Why would Emma be calling me?" Regina was puzzled at her sons reply.

"Well she is the sheriff and you are her go-to partner in crime. Well in crime solving, but that's beside the point." Henry said without missing a beat. Regina accepted that since it was true, they made an effective team.

"Did you have fun today?" Regina asked, smoothing down Henry's still slightly damp hair.

Henry put down the phone and turned fully towards Regina. "I had the best day in a long time. I like when we are all together like this, like we used to be."

Regina could feel the sadness creeping into her smile. "I miss it too, but things are different now. There are more people in this... family." even thinking that Hook was a part of their family made Regina sick to her stomach.

"Hook is not family." Regina's eyes grew wide and Henry looked down sheepishly for a bit before looking up at his mom again. "I do not like him and how he treats Ma. It was already bad before the whole Dark One thing, but especially during it and after..." Henry had grown up a lot but right now he looked like that confused and concerned little 11 year old that had run out of town to look for his birth mother.

Regina had her opinions about Hook and she had never really tried to hide them. It was no secret she was not a fan of the pirate but she didn't want to cause any troubles with Emma though, so she settled on something mild and in between just to put her sons mind at ease.

"Emma is a big girl, Henry. If she wanted out, she would be doing that. But I do agree with you... He doesn't deserve her."

Henry looked at her closely and Regina could recognize that it was the same look that she herself often sported. It made her heart happy because they didn't need blood relation to be a mother and son. Henry was just as much hers as he was Emma's.

"You really do care about her, don't you?" Henry asked, knowing there was more to it but he didn't want to freak his mother out. He wasn't stupid or blind and it was obvious to see that there was something more going on here. He wanted to ask but his mom would build up a wall in seconds if he did.

"Of course I do Henry, she gave me you." Regina rushed to say, feeling uneasy with the suspicious look Henry was giving her.

"Hmmm, sure." was Henry's vague response as he got up and headed for the doorway. "I'm going to go wash away the sand! I will be down to say good nights after!"

Regina answered with an 'okay' before settling back into her thoughts. She had no idea what she was going to do. Everything was such a mess. Her mind, her feelings, her relationships. Right now she just wanted to... Actually she didn't know what she wanted. Maybe to feel a little less?

She was once again interrupted with opening and shutting of the door. She could hear the familiar cooing of good nights and pushing of trolley breaks, before tall redhead walked into the room. Their eyes met for a bit before Regina noted. "I thought you said you were gonna be home late?"

"We were faster than I thought." Zelena shrugged, turning the baby monitors volume up, putting the kettle on and fishing her favorite tea mug off the shelf. Henry had gotten it for her after they had gone to see Wicked on Broadway. Zelena had absolutely loved it and it had been a bonding moment between them.

"Whose we?" Regina didn't wanna pry but she was concerned. It was unlike Zelena to be out late.

"I don't think that's any of your business." Zelena said with a hint of coldness and Regina understood. She was just as much on the edge about their fight this morning as she was. Regina wanted to apologize but she didn't know how to go about it. She felt like she had every right to be upset but she didn't want to be upset with her sister. Not when they were finally reunited and had worked so hard for getting to the place they were in now.

"Zelena?"

Zelena just let out a grunt, looking intently at the kettle which was just about to be ready. Mal had offered her tea but it hadn't been the way she liked it. She knew she had to teach the dragon how to make tea if they were to be partners in their wicked plans.

"Zelena, I'm sorry." Regina breathed out quietly but that made the redhead turn completely towards her. Zelena never took those words lightly and she knew how hard it must have been for Regina to say them as the brunette wasn't one to apologise.

"Why are you sorry?" Zelena knew she had something to apologize as well but she wasn't as good at it as her sister was so to delay it, she asked a question.

"Because I snapped at you. I still think you crossed a line but I should have handled that differently instead of storming out and not talking to you at all." Regina looked remorseful. "I feel like I have gotten myself into such a mess and I have no idea how the get out of it." she could feel the tears burn behind her eyes.

Zelena walked closer and wrapped her arms around Regina. The brunette woman hugged her back trying her hardest to swallow down the tears that were trying to escape. "I'm sorry too, sis. I didn't mean to be so angry but I'm so worried about you. You just keep going back and forth and it will destroy you."

"I know but I don't know how to stop." Regina whispered. "I just love her so much that it's impossible to stay away. I want to be around her constantly, I want the small touches and hugs and kisses and hand holding, but every time I get even a smile I can feel my heart shatter because she is not mine. She wants to be with him. Why else would she be with him?"

Zelena was unsure how to respond. It was clear as day to her how much Emma loved Regina as well, but her sister had convinced herself that none of the obvious shows of affection meant nothing more than friendship. She was too wrapped in the fact that Emma had said yes to Hook's proposal.

When she had met up with Mal, the dragon lady had told her about what she had seen on the beach. How Mal's entire presence had made Emma jealous. It was so clear to the outsiders so why was is so completely lost on the two people who it actually concerned. Zelena knew her sister was scared of breaking her heart again and it was a valid fear. That poor organ had gone through more than it never should have and if something were to go wrong with Emma...

Zelena didn't even want to think about that. But she couldn't stand to see her sister slowly but surely killing her heart like this either when it was clear her feelings weren't one sided. Maybe she would stick to the plan and have a talk with Emma before talking to Regina. She and Mal had agreed to meet up for breakfast tomorrow at Granny's as that was the place for meeting Emma. She came in every morning, like a clockwork.

Trying to make Regina feel better, she silently held her tighter as her sister couldn't keep her sobs in any longer.

The next morning was a complete opposite of the previous morning. Zelena woke up into her alarm and rolled out of the bed quickly to greet her already awake daughter. It was unbelievable how much she loved her little girl. It helped her understand how Regina must have felt all those years ago when she adopted Henry and how that helped to redeem herself and to learn to love. It had taken Zelena a while to get the hang of the baby routine since she had never really been around any babies before she became a mother.

Regina had taught her everything she needed to know when it came to babies, all from changing a diaper and feeding to getting them dressed. Now like a pro, she changed her daughter out of her dirty diaper before dressing her into a green onsie. Wrapping herself into bathrobe, she picked her little girl up and made her way downstairs, unsure what she would find.

The actual scene she walked into was actually really sad. Regina was sitting on one of the stools, nursing a cup of coffee, looking into the nothingness. She normally got even somewhat dressed before coming down but today she was wearing wrinkly pair of grey pants that Zelena was quite sure were Emma's and one of her old band t-shirts from the time when she had entered the land without magic. She had clearly slept in her current get up and her hair was pulled up into a messy little bun, half of the hair escaping and curling in the base of her neck.

She didn't turn when Zelena entered the kitchen, but when Robyn made a sound in greeting, she turned only to smile brightly at her niece. She reached for the baby and Zelena released the now squirming ball of excitement into the safety of her sisters arms. Zelena didn't know what it was with Regina and babies. Any baby she came in contact with loved her so much and they were always happy to see her and the feeling was very mutual. For a former Evil Queen, Regina was amazing with children.

"How did you sleep?" Zelena asked, preparing her morning cup of tea.

"I slept." was a simple reply but they both knew that it meant it had been another bad night.

"Do you want me to cook you breakfast?" Zelena asked, knowing she already had breakfast plans but she had to come up with something for her sister and nephew.

"No, but thank you." Regina said without looking at her sister. She felt embarrassed that she kept grumbling down in front of her sister on nearly daily basis now. Regina Mills had always presented a hard and strong cover for the outside world but for some reason she couldn't anymore. Maybe the years of armors had taken their toll and she was now unable to hide. The thought terrified her.

At the same time Henry made his way into the kitchen. He looked around and his mouth turned downwards as he too realised that it was gonna be a different kind of morning compared to yesterday. He slumped next to his mother on the island and took a sip out of her coffee cup before putting it back down in front of her.

He didn't notice everything went still but when he lifted his gaze he could see the wide eyes of his mother and the amused ones of his aunt. The only explanation he offered was "Ma lets me take sips of her coffee." and that seemed to somehow completely calm Regina down as she once more concentrated on the baby in her arms.

"Henry do you want some breakfast?" Zelena asked, knowing she had to find a way to get to have her own breakfast soon.

"Actually I was thinking... Mom, could we go to Granny's for breakfast? I mean, that way neither of you have to cook." Henry looked at Regina, breaking out his puppy eyes. Zelena knew she had to come up with something the minute that happened, because everyone knew that Regina could not deal with Henry's puppy dog eyes.

And she was correct. "Very well, but you have to go and get ready." and without having to tell him twice he shot into the stairs to get ready for their morning outing.

"Well, that means we have to get ready as well, munchkin." Zelena took Robyn from her sister, cursing silently in her mind. She had to text Mal about this, because no talking would happen if Regina and Henry were gonna be there.

In 40 minutes all four Mills' were out of the door and walking in the morning sunshine towards Granny's. Henry was holding his moms hand because like he had said few days ago, it made Regina smile and he felt like his mother really needed a smile this morning.

He was telling her about a new movie he wanted to go and see, and Regina was intently listening and wondering out loud if it was possible to go to see it. They had a cinema in Storybrooke but they only got the same movies back from the 80's and so far Regina had been unable to fix that. Henry got excited about the prospect of possibly going out of town for a movie.

Zelena was walking behind them with the stroller, subtly sending messages with Mal. Mal had said that she would still love to join them for breakfast but the first stage of the plan could wait. Zelena felt guilty of plotting behind her sisters back when that had been exactly something she had asked her not to do. But she had to do something and technically it hadn't even been her idea as it had been Mal who called her.

They had made it to the diner in no time and they stepped through the door together. The diner was surprisingly empty considering it was breakfast time, so finding a place was not that difficult. They were called over to join somebody though.

"Regina? Morning." a chipper voice said from one of the booths.

Regina raised her eyes and smiled as she saw one of her oldest friends sitting in a booth, a coffee cup in front of her. She pulled Henry with her towards the table so she could properly greet Mal. She leaned down for a hug before wishing her good morning as well.

"What brings you here so early?" Regina asked as she knew Mal never really had breakfast in the diner. Coffee, yes. Lunch, almost definitely, but breakfast she always had home as she was not a morning person.

"I wanted to try something new, kinda spice up the old life. And it seems I picked a good day as I ran into you guys." Mal said and smiled up to them. "Would you like to join me for breakfast?"

"Oh can we, mom? I haven't seen aunt Mal in ages!" Henry got excited which in turn made Regina smile. Her son had grown up so much and he had greeted everyone with open arms and welcomed them into their family. Suddenly all her close friends were aunties and all of Emma's close friends joined in soon after. He enjoyed the big messy family dynamic and Regina couldn't really blame him. It was definitely great.

"Of course we can." Regina smiled and Henry slipped into the other side of the booth so he could be in front of Mal. Zelena sat down next to Henry and Granny soon swooped by to goo at Robyn, bringing her a chair. Regina sat down next to Mal, feeling considerably better.

Granny took out her notepad and asked about their orders. Henry, Zelena and Regina had their usual's but since Mal had never had Granny's breakfast before she ended up ordering the same thing as Henry was because as the boy said it was 'pretty damn amazing'. Zelena and Granny had their normal banter about tea and she promised to warm up a bottle for little Robyn as she had all she needed in the back. Henry wished for hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon, which made Regina's eyes glass over slightly. Regina and Mal placed their coffee orders and now it was just about waiting.

While they did that, Henry and Mal went deep into conversation about dragons and dragon myths like they always did. As the new Author, Henry had taken it to heart to know as much about the previous stories and worlds to write everyone accurately. It was also purely personal curiosity. Regina and Zelena were concentrating on Robyn who was getting a bit restless waiting for her breakfast.

The bell by the door dinged as people came in. And as per usual and by human instinct they all turned to see who came through the door.

Regina wasn't sure did she want to cry or go and vomit. It was Hook and Emma. He had his arm around her waist as he was pulling her towards himself, making it hard for her to walk. The happiness and fire that had shone from Emma were nowhere to be found today. It was actually scary how today was a complete opposite. Her eyes looked dead and her skin pale in way that made her look almost sick. She made no effort to hold onto her fiance who was obsessively pulling her to his body.

Emma didn't notice the people in the booth at first, but when Hook bend over the counter to talk to Granny about their order he loosened his grip enough for Emma to break free for a bit. That was the moment she turned to see them and a genuine smile broke free on her face. She lifted her hand in a small wave which both Regina and Henry returned. The blonde was about to make her way towards them, but a hand on her wrist stopped her. Hook pulled her rudely back towards him, before looking smugly directly at Regina.

Regina had to turn away when Hook drew Emma into a deep, highly inappropriate kiss. Mal and Zelena exchanged pained looks over the table before Mal took Regina's hand. Emma tried to pull away but Hook was holding her tightly. They finally broke it off when Granny came back with their coffees. With a parting glance Hook pulled Emma with her and they exited the diner.

"What the hell did he do to Ma?" Henry was the first one to break the silence. He was angry and confused. He might not be an adult yet, but he knew enough to know that something was going on and he had seen how nearly sick his other mother looked. Looking at each woman at the table, he finally set his eyes on his brunette mother who looked almost as sick as his blonde mother.

"Mom are you okay?" he was growing more and more concerned. Both Zelena and Mal turned to look at Regina as well, but the brunette got up and ran towards the bathroom before neither could say anything. Henry and Zelena were getting up to follow her, but Mal got up before them.

"I will go and check up on her." she reassured the son and the redhead who were both ready to run after Regina. She walked swiftly into the bathroom only to see Regina leaning her head over the sink. Her eyes were tightly closed and she was breathing deeply.

Mal stood next to her and laid her hand gently on her back. Her heart was breaking for her friend. She had seen how absolutely devastated Regina looked when the couple entered. But now she was genuinely concerned for Emma's well being as well. What they had just witnessed was sick, downright dangerous. Mal had seen Emma yesterday, how happy and sunny she looked, but today... They had to do something, but she was unsure how to even begin to bring it up with Regina.

"Are you okay?" she knew it was a stupid thing to ask, but she felt like Regina might be more okay with lying to her than telling her the truth. She was giving her friend the out that she might need. But the answer that left Regina's lips surprised her.

"No, I'm not."

Rubbing gentle circles on her friend's back, Mal just hummed. She waited. And she was rewarded from her patience. "Did you see how sick she looked?"

"I did. I think there is some reason to be concerned." Mal wasn't going to downplay her concern to save Regina's feelings. Everyone knew Emma was too good for Hook, but they all cared for Emma enough to let her decide for herself. If she was happy, the entire town was gonna be happy for her. Now she looked anything but happy.

"She looked so... trapped. I know that look. I lived inside that look for years with... with him..." Regina breathed out unevenly. Now it all made more sense to Mal. Of course.

"Do you think she is in danger?" Mal asked.

"I do. I didn't think she was before but something happened yesterday that might have triggered something. He called her. And I answered. I wasn't going to let him talk about her like an object so I called him out on it. And he..." Regina swallowed roughly. "He called me out on my feelings. Not directly but he knew. And I'm scared he did something to Emma because of it."

"Shit Regina. I didn't even realize." Mal didn't understand how Regina was always the one who was getting hurt in any kinda situation that was going on in life. How the woman in front of her was still breathing was something she didn't understand.

"Mal, I have to go and get her. I cannot live knowing something happened to her because of me. I have to save her from him." Regina was full on sobbing now, keeping tight hold on the sink in front of her.

"I will come with you and I'm sure Zelena will as well. We will go right now." Mal helped Regina straighten herself. Once more Mal looked on in sense of awe as Regina build herself up right in front of her eyes. She seemed taller, a lot stronger and definitely angry. She looked like she was gonna squash Hook under her heel and Mal was gonna pay for front row seats to see that.

Regina made her way towards the door and threw it open. Mal had no other choice but to follow behind her friend. The brunette walked to the table, locking eyes with her sister. It seemed they were somehow holding a silent conversation which wasn't lost on Henry who asked. "Umm, what's going on?"

Both Mal and Zelena were ready for a sugar coating but to their surprise Regina sat down into the booth so she could take Henry's hands into her own. Taking a calming breath she met her sons eyes with determination. "I'm going to save your ma."

Henry didn't seem surprised as it was kinda their thing to save each other and he knew Emma needed saving and there was no one better to do that than his mom. He was still waiting for his mom to continue though since it was clear there was more that she wanted to say.

"I love her, Henry."

At that point Mal and Zelena were looking at each other dumbfounded. Their brilliant plan was proving to be useless as somehow Regina was gathering all the strings into her hands and deciding to go forward and be brave. Henry's eyes widened a bit but in seconds it all made sense to him.

"I know you do, mom. Just go and help her, we can talk later."

Regina got up to press her lips tightly to his forehead before gently petting Robyn's hair. "Are you coming?" she looked directly at her sister.

"You bet I am." Zelena grinned like the wicked witch she once was. "Granny?!"

The older woman came from the kitchen looking at her questionably. She was seeing three determined women in front of her and she had a feeling it was gonna end badly for someone.

"Will you watch out little munchkins for a while? We have to go out to be heroes for a bit." Zelena smiled sweetly while peppering kisses on Robyn's face.

"Let the record show, that I do not condone whatever mischief you three are going off to do." Granny let out a long sigh, rounding the counter and coming to pick up Robyn who instantly tried to take her glasses.

"They are going to kick Hook's ass." Henry offered helpfully, shrugging when three sets of frowns were directed at him.

"Well, in that case, carry on." Granny said and sat into the booth, smiling happily at Robyn.

"Thank you, Granny." Regina smiled and flew one more kiss towards her son. Then she made her way to the door, leaving the two woman follow behind her once more. The air was nearly vibrating of pure magic that was coming off in waves of the three formerly villainous women, on their way to be heroes once more.

/ i think there is one more chapter after this and then i will wrap this up! i hope you guys have liked it so far and will see it to the end!