Chapter Seven: Gods and Monsters

Ok. So, first things first, thank you all for your wonderful responses. I am so glad that you all enjoy this story so far! Now, I know the last chapter was heartbreaking, but trust me, we are in the eye of the storm. Good luck fam. Let me know what you think!

Emma Swan was finally home. What a crazy night, and a crazy morning for that matter. She tossed her bag onto the couch and shrugged off her jacket. Man, what a crazy family.

"Woah. Did you sleep over there?" James asked. He was sitting at their little kitchen table, munching on some toast.

"Yeah, I ended up having a long conversation with the kid's older step-sister. Man, their mom, Regina, she is one twisted witch." Emma said, kind of laughing. She was still in disbelief.

"Really? What's her deal?" James asked. He got up and started putting on another pot of coffee.

"Well, apparently she was married to Mary Margaret's father when she was 19. Mary Margaret's the sister. Their marriage was not a happy one, cue the surprised gasps." Emma explained. James shook his head and leaned up against the counter.

"Is this Mary Margaret cute?" He asked with a faux-seriousness.

"Come on, man."

"I'm just asking. You never know who you will find." He said, laughing. That's James; so charming.

"Anyway, apparently Regina's been popping pills since forever and her mom's this psycho, uber-controlling bitch. It's nuts, man." Emma exclaimed. She sighed, and made her way to the couch. She dropped onto it with another long sigh.

"Hey, what's wrong?" James asked, picking up on his friend's sudden mood-dip.

"I just thought that giving Henry up was giving him his best chance, but now I'm wondering if- I don't know, man." Emma said sadly.

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. You weren't in a place to care for him and you made the right choice at the time. I mean, this Regina person sounds crazy but come on, you met the kid. He was smart and articulate. He looked healthy, he had a sense of humor. Nothing in this world is black and white, Emma. Maybe you just-"

A knock at the door cut him off. They exchanged a confused look. Hadn't they had enough surprise guests? James walked over to the door and peeped through the little hole. He turned in a flash.

"Uh, Emma? There are two huge dudes and a really angry woman outside." He said nervously. Emma flew off the couch and raced to the door. She looked through the hole. How did Regina even know where she lived!? Emma sighed.

"That's Regina." She said. James's eyes widened.

"What is she doing here?" James mouthed.

"Like I know!" Emma half-whispered. Regina knocked again, this time louder and more forcefully.

"Emma!" She shouted. The pair exchanged a worried look.

"I can tell her you're not home." James offered. Emma shook her head.

"No, I'm going to handle this." She assured her roommate. He nodded and pointed to the kitchen, where he would be if she needed him. Emma opened the door.

"Regina. What are you doing here?" Emma asked, her nerves masked by an overly cheerful voice. Regina looked as though she wanted to do nothing more than incinerate Emma on the spot.

"Miss Swan, I would like to congratulate you." Regina hissed. She took a step toward the blonde and Emma found herself retreating. Before Emma was aware of what was going on, Regina was inside of her apartment and the two security guards were shutting the door.

"Ok." Emma managed.

"You wanted my son and you have him. You even got Mary Margaret on your side, though I'm sure she was only too happy to turn on me." Regina snarled.

"Ok. What are you talking about? I just went over there to say hello. Mary Margaret and I talked, but I didn't turn her against you." Emma said slowly. Regina was having none of it. She was furious and scared and on the brink of losing her temper in a whole new capacity.

"How dare you! It was a closed adoption!"

"Hey now, he found me, lady!" Emma snapped, "So maybe the problem isn't mine. Maybe the problem here is you!"

"I am a good mother!" Regina roared.

"Your kid ran off to find a complete stranger! Clearly you are not mother of the fucking year!" Emma roared back. This snapped something inside of Regina and she launched herself at the blonde. The oxys were raging in her blood. She couldn't feel anything but the righteous rage inside of her. Her hands found their way to Emma's throat and Emma's hands crashed against her face, her neck. They grappled for a moment until Regina felt herself being lifted up from behind.

"Woah! Everyone calm the fuck down!" James shouted. Regina struggled in his arms.

"A little help here?" James called to the two guards. Claude and Rivers stood still as stone. They only took orders from one person.

"I love my son! I've changed every diaper, soothed every fever, and endured every tantrum! You may have given birth to him, but he is my son!" Regina screamed, trying desperately to break free from James' grip. Emma climbed to her feet.

"Why are you fucking here, Regina!? I don't want to take your son!" Emma spat. Regina seemed to be wearing herself out. Her struggles became less violent and tears appeared in her eyes.

"I don't know!" Regina sobbed suddenly. Emma and James exchanged a look of shock.

"Mary Margaret kicked me out." Regina continued, "The reporters are going to have a field day."

"Ok. Why not find a hotel instead of bombarding me in my home?" Emma said, exasperated.

"I don't know. I just- I love my son." Regina insisted. Her eyes were bloodshot and her face was red and puffy from crying.

"Are you high? Ok. Stupid question. Just how high are you right now?" Emma asked. This woman, this huge mess, was very tiring.

"Fuck you." Regina snapped suddenly. Then, she turned on her heel and stomped to the door. What was she doing there? She might've been embarrassed, but what did this stupid woman even matter? Regina turned back for a moment.

"Stay away from my family." She said. Then she walked out, slamming the door. Her loyal bodyguards followed. Emma and James just stood there for a minute. What had just happened?

"So, that's Regina." Emma said. James shook his head.

"Wow. What the fuck." He said.

"Yeah. Hold on. I'm going to call Mary Margaret." Emma said. James walked into the kitchen and grabbed his cell phone.

"Wait, who are you calling?" Emma asked.

"Uh. The police."

"Don't."

"She just assaulted us!"

"Yeah, but if her money can make social services disappear then I bet the cops are going to be no help. Just let me deal with this." Emma insisted. James rolled his eyes.

"Fine. I'm going to go shower." He called as he walked towards the bathroom. Emma called Snow.

"Hello?" Snow said. Her voice seemed tight, like she had been crying.

"Hey, Um. So, Regina just paid me a visit."

"What? Oh, Emma, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. How did she find you?"

"I don't know, but she was a mess. Did something happen?"

"Yeah, I mean, I told her she had to go get help for the drugs. I told her she couldn't come home until she did." Mary Margaret explained quietly.

"Ok. Well, does she have any friends who can make sure she goes?" Emma asked. She cursed herself internally. Why the hell did she care? Snow let out a cold laugh.

"You mean friends who aren't addicts or her mother? Oh, yeah. Loads." Mary Margaret sarcastically sniped.

"Woah. Ok. Chill. I was just asking." Emma said. There was a silence.

"Why do you care what happens to her?" Snow asked suddenly. It was a fair question. Emma sighed.

"Look. I used to…I had a drinking problem when I was younger. It was after the whole giving up my kid thing and I just…I know how hard it is. Narcotics are no joke and I don't know. Nevermind. If she comes back then I'm calling the cops." Then Emma hung up. She retreated back to the couch and let her phone drop. These people were insane and she wanted no part of it. She had been worried about Henry, but he was with his step-sister. Regina was gone…for now, and that was the truth. Regina was gone in more ways than one. She climbed back into her car. Rivers and Claude followed in a car of their own. Where was she supposed to go now? A hotel was out of the question. She hated hotels. A recovery program? Her mind played footage of what would happen if the press got word of that. A recovery program was out of the question. Her only real option was one of her houses. The closest one was in Long Island. So be it. The drive there seemed longer than it had ever been and she nodded out a couple of times during the trip. When they arrived, Regina stepped out of the car. Ok. She just had to stop taking pills and then she could go home. Yes. All she had to do was not take any more pills. Even the thought of it made her want a whole handful.

A sprawling estate stood before her. Ten bedrooms. Twelve bathrooms. There was a chef's kitchen and a formal dining room. She loved this old house. It was never a house that Leopold ever came to. It was supposed to be her mother's house, but the old witch never wanted to live here. Banishing Cora to Long Island didn't work, but it was a nice house all the same. It would do nicely for her…change.

"Claude. Rivers. I want you two to go home and watch over Henry. Just see that he has everything he needs." Regina said.

"Ma'am, I don't-"

"Rivers, please. Snow White wants me to clean up? Then I'll clean up. For now, anyway. I will be fine." Regina said. Her voice betrayed the terror in her heart, but both men were smart enough to take the woman at her word.

"As you say. If you need us, please call." Claude said. Then, they climbed into their car and departed. She sent away her driver as well. Now she was alone. She entered the house and looked around. It was empty, but the furniture and fixings were all beautiful. She had picked them out herself, after all. Regina lingered in the doorway for a few moments, then bolted upstairs to the room she had set aside for herself in the event that she were to visit. She raced to the medicine cabinet. The entire cabinet was full of every pill she could possibly want. She fished out a Xanax from one of the bottles to calm herself down and instantly felt its sweet relief. As calm spread through her, a tiny thought poked itself through her haze.

"Wow. You're not even trying, are you?" It said. Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her face. She had to try. She had to. Regina grabbed the bottles and began dumping them down into the toilet. Ambiens, little orange Suzie Q's, Codeine, Adderall, all down into the water. She flushed. She wondered if this was a good idea. She looked at the two bottles she hadn't flushed. One bottle of Xanax. One bottle of oxys. These were the good ones. These were the life preservers. Ok. She could keep the Xanax. She let the oxys go. Tears were flowing freely, but she couldn't give in. No. She had to try. She had to try for Henry. She took the Xanax and walked out of the bathroom. Regina laid out on the bed and popped another bar into her mouth. It was just for right now. She just had to calm down. Then she could do this. After a few minutes, she nodded out.

The next chapter will be the beginning of Regina's detox experience. It's going to get ugly. Don't worry. The savoir is on her way. xoxo