A/N: Time jump in this chapter. I already have part of a second part to this chapter (with some Regal Believer) written that I will hopefully post soon. I will probably keep bouncing around with time in the story. I'd love to know how you like the chapter. Thanks for reading.


Anna is down the street from Emma's house, wanting to peek at the sunset while her parents and the Charmings are chatting before desert. The view is lovely here in the clearing at the end of the block, an unobstructed view of a sky awash in reds and pinks on this cold fall day. And then a chill washes over Anna that has nothing to do with winter winds blowing into Storybrooke.

"Anna"

The sound makes Anna feel instantly sick. She knows who she will see when she turns around, remembers catching glimpses of this woman when she came to town when Anna was ten, remembers long red hair and a face that too much resembles her own. Anna's parents had asked if she wanted to meet the woman who gave birth to her, hadn't wanted to keep Anna from meeting Zelena if she wanted to. But Anna had not wanted that, had cried when her parents suggested it. They hadn't pushed Anna, not when she was refusing to sleep in her own bed at night, curling up in between Robin and Regina. Zelena hadn't stayed long, had disappeared after a few weeks, just as she had when Anna was a baby, but Anna had refused to leave her mom's side for weeks after Zelena's departure.

Anna is fifteen now, and she should be able to handle this. She should turn around and face this woman who hurt Anna's family so terribly. Anna should be strong, but she just wants her mom's arms around her engulfing her in a hug and murmuring to her that everything will be ok.

"You don't have to be afraid of me," Zelena says, her voice sickly sweet. Anna turns around to look at Zelena. Just as Anna remembers, this woman looks so much like her, the same tall lanky build, the same shape of her face. Anna's parents had slowly told her the truth of her conception, and since understanding that reality Anna had hated knowing that she shared anything with this woman. "I don't know what my wretched little sister told you."

"Don't you dare talk about my mom that way!" Anna feels a fire grow in the pit of her stomach, anger bubbling up in her chest.

"They've brainwashed you against me my sweet girl."

"Don't call me that."

"But I'm your mother."

"No." Anna shakes her head furiously, feels panicked as Zelena moves closer. Anna thinks of Regina, tries to will her mom to come to her. Their magic is connected, and Anna begs silently over and over for her mommy to know Anna needs her.

Zelena reaches out for Anna, a hand on Anna's cheek. "My baby. I'm sorry I ever let Regina and her forest trash take you from me, but I will make it up to you, I promise."

"You have no right!" Anna feels the anger growing even more powerful than the fear.

"It's ok my darling. I'm here now, and we will be together. I know what it's like to have parents who think of you as a poor substitute when they can never have one of their own. You should never have been raised by a woman who thought of you that way. But Mummy's here now, and I'll make everything better."

All Anna is thinking of is how much she hates this woman and how much she wants her to shut up and then Zelena is clutching at her neck. She's strangling Zelena and she doesn't know how to control it, worse, she isn't sure she wants to. Anna is terrified, needs her parents.

And then they're there in a puff of purple smoke and running to her. Her parents who love her more than anything and are here for her while she's choking someone. And then Anna looks at Zelena and hates her even more for what she did to Anna's parents. Before Anna can try to stop herself, she feels her magic burst forth, a flash of purple light that launches Zelena several feet in the air before she hits a tree and lands with a sickening thud. Anna doesn't know what to do, she's used magic since she was a baby, but she's never lost control like this, and she's never hurt someone before. Zelena is barely moving, the only sound she's making is soft moans.

Anna feels lightheaded and stumbles forward. She collapses on her knees as her parents both frantically run to, their hands searching her over for injuries.

"I'm ok," Anna tells them, "I hurt her. I didn't mean to." Her hands spark, tiny jets of magic coming from her fingertips.

Regina grabs Anna's hands and weaves their fingers together. "It's ok, sweetheart. Take a deep breath. That's it. You're safe. Dad and I are right here."

Anna looks at her parents who love her so much, her mom who she knows felt Anna's desperate plea and came to her side. The anger at Zelena bubbles up again, and Anna feels so consumed by hatred. Magic is escaping from her, little shocks from her fingertips that make her mom jump. Anna pulls her hands away in horror, stares at them like they are completely foreign to her.

"I'm sorry," Anna mutters, pulling her hands against her chest. Regina reaches for her again, but Anna jumps back. "No! I'll hurt you."

"Anna, look at me," Regina says, moving as close as she can to Anna without touching her yet. Anna reluctantly looks up, but her mom is looking at her with eyes so full of love. "Take a deep breath, sweetheart." Anna tries, lets out a shuddering breath. "Good," her mom tells her before taking another deep breath with Anna. Together they sit and breathe.

Anna tries to calm herself, focuses on her mom right in front of her, her dad sitting next to her. She looks at him and feels suddenly guilty. She exists because Zelena raped him and he's here next to her. "It's alright Anna," her soothes. "You're ok."

"I was so angry," Anna says through gritted teeth. "I didn't mean to use magic."

"I know," Regina says, reaching out slowly and taking Anna's hand. "It's ok. This isn't your fault sweetie. I lost control of my magic when I was a young woman too."

"I hate her and I wanted to hurt her, and then the magic just shot out of me."

Robin wraps an arm around Anna. "I love you," he tells her, pressing a kiss to her temple.

For a moment everything is all right. Regina breathes a sign of relief as she watches her daughter lean her head against Robin's shoulder. She catches Robin's eyes, sees a pained expression that matches her own, and reaches out to touch his cheek with her hand that isn't cradling Anna's.

Regina curses herself for getting lost in the moment, for not noticing that Zelena is standing up until Anna is pulling away and using her magic to immobilize Zelena. Regina's sweet girl is choking Zelena, a look on Anna's face of pure hate, her eyes a deep purple.

"Anna, look at me. It's ok sweetie. I will take care of Zelena."

"She's going to hurt you and Dad. She's going to try to take me away."

Regina conjures up the bracelet to block Zelena's magic, striding forward and placing it on her sister's wrist, before walking back to Anna. Regina wraps her hand around Anna's hand that is using magic to strangle Zelena. "It's ok, she can't use magic now. You can let go."

Anna looks at Regina, the purple fading from her eyes slowly, and Regina smiles encouragingly, leans forward to press her forehead to her daughter's. "That's it, Anna. It's ok. I've got you. We're all safe."

Anna nods, releasing Zelena, who lets out a wheezing gasp. Regina turns to look at Zelena, and Robin is already there, grabbing her arm, a look of absolute horror in his eyes when they meet Regina's.

"You two go home," he says, the words shaky. "I'll take Zelena to the sheriff's station." Regina sees the tension in Robin's jaw. She wishes she could go to him and wrap him up in her arms and comfort him, but Anna is burying her face in Regina's shoulder, her body trembling.

Regina meets Robin's eyes, and he gives her a small nod, one intended to mean that he's ok, something that Regina doesn't believe at all.

"I'm sorry Daddy," Anna whispers, peering up from Regina's shoulder.

"You have nothing to be sorry for peanut." His smile looks more like a grimace. "Go with Mom. I'll meet you at home very soon."

Robin is calling David then so they can bring Zelena to the station together. "He's on his way. You two go home, I promise I'll be there just as soon as I see that Zelena is locked away."

"Oh how kinky," Zelena taunts.

Robin yanks hard on her arm. "Shut up."

"I'll be more than happy to shut you up, sis, if you can't manage on your own."

"What's the matter Regina? Afraid to leave Robin and me alone?"

"That's more than enough." Regina silences Zelena with a wave of her hand.

And then David is running down the block towards then. Robin looks at Regina again, tells her, "Take our baby home. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Regina waits until David arrives, then wraps her arm around Anna to steady her shaky daughter as they walk back to Regina's car.


Anna has been so quiet since they left Emma's house, sitting down with Regina as soon as they arrived home, her body curled against Regina's side. Regina rubs Anna's back, arms tight around her little girl who presses her head to Regina's chest. "You've done this since you were a baby, you know?"

"Hm?"

"Lying with your head right over my heart."

Anna looks up at her mom, a little embarrassed.

"I love it," Regina says, smoothing her hand over Anna's long brown waves. "The first time I held you, you pressed your little head to my chest, and I could feel your magic, this incredible white magic that wrapped itself around my heart, just like you did, my kind, strong, incredible daughter."

Anna breaks then, a sob escaping her mouth. Regina nudges Anna's chin up so that their eyes meet. "You are my daughter. You have been a part of my heart since the first moment I held you, and that will never change." Regina wipes tears from her daughter's face, aching at how Anna is hurting. "You should never be afraid of what's inside you Anna. I know your heart, and it is so beautiful and good."

Anna wraps her arms around her mom's waist, lying back against Regina's chest, and lets Regina go back to simply hugging her tightly. "It's all right peanut." Anna laughs at the childhood nickname.

"What if I hurt someone else?" Anna asks, her face still pressed against her mom's chest.

"You won't. We'll work on how you can control your powers together."

She shakes her head. "I don't want to have magic."

Anna's words guts Regina because she has always tried to ensure that her daughter never thought of her magic as anything she should be ashamed of. Regina lifts Anna's chin so their eyes meet. "Your magic is a gift, and you know I've used my magic for evil in the past, but I've learned that it's our choice how to use the gifts we're given. No one's magic is born dark. You're born with this power, and you choose how to use it."

"I couldn't control it today. I was just so angry."

"What happened with Zelena before Dad and I got to you?"

"She kept calling me her daughter." Anna feels the familiar hatred burning in her chest again. "She tried to convince me that you don't really love me because you didn't give birth to me." Anna rolls her eyes at the absurdity of it.

"Anna," Regina begins, her body going rigid.

"Mom! Do you really think I believed a word she said to me? There isn't anyone in all the realms whose mom loves them more than you love me. I have never doubted that for a second of my life. I only have one mom, and you're the only mom I would ever want."

Regina laughs, feels some of the tension leave her. "Nothing makes me happier than being your mom." She tucks a stray strand of hair behind Anna's ear before cupping her cheek softly. "I never regretted how my children came to me."

"I know that." Anna thinks of when she had once asked Regina if she was ever sad she couldn't have biological children. The fierceness in her mother's eyes when she had told Anna that she wouldn't change a moment of her life because it had brought her to the three children that had always been a piece of her heart, the three children meant to be hers, has always stayed with Anna. "I don't give a shit whose genes I have, and I know that you don't either. Like you always taught me, we share a heart."

"Language."

Anna rolls her eyes, and Regina swears she sees so much of herself in her daughter sometimes it's scary.

"You're my mother, and I got so angry when she tried to tell me that you weren't."

"It's ok. There's nothing wrong with feeling angry with Zelena. We will just work on making sure you don't lose control of your magic."

"Can you bind my magic like you did to Zelena?"

"I'm not taking away a part of you Anna."

"It comes from her. What if my magic is dark just like Zelena's? What if I'm like her?" The words pour out before Anna can stop them.

"Evil isn't born, and you are the furthest thing from evil."

"But what if I hurt more people?"

"You won't, because you don't want to. I will help you learn to control your magic when you're angry. You have powerful magic and a good heart, and that is a wonderful combination."

Anna frowns, finally finding the courage to ask something that she has never been able to give voice to until now. "How can Dad look at me? I only exist because he was raped."

"Dad loves you more than anything, just like I do. What Zelena did isn't your fault, and that isn't something you should ever feel guilty about. Dad and I have been so happy to be your parents since before you were even born. You fill our lives with so much happiness, and we both couldn't be any prouder of you."

"What if it was you? What if you were forced to have Leopold's baby?"

Regina looks at her daughter with surprise.

"I read the book. Your mother forced you to marry Leopold after she murdered Daniel. How could I not know that you didn't want what happened to you? I can't even imagine how awful it was for you for years."

"It's the past. It was painful, but all that matters now is that I'm here with my family. Whatever happened, I got here and I couldn't be any happier."

"You're so brave," Anna tells her mom because she can't imagine having to go through everything her mother has in her life.

"Just like my daughter. Now listen to me, my sweet girl." Regina cups Anna's cheek in her palm. "Dad and I weren't forced to be your parents. We choose to be your parents, and there hasn't been a second when we were anything but so grateful and so incredibly happy to have you. What Zelena did isn't your fault, and how you came to the world doesn't make you any less of an incredible gift. Daddy and I love you more than anything. You're our daughter, and that is the only thing that has ever mattered."

Anna looks up at Regina with such vulnerability in her eyes, wanting so badly to believe her mother's words. "I'm sorry you have to deal with this Anna. I wish I could protect you from how much I know this hurts."

Anna shakes her head. "It's ok."

Regina pushes Anna's hair back from her face and smiles at this beautiful young woman she has been blessed to call her own. "Every day I have been you mother has been an absolute joy, and Dad feels exactly the same way. You are the best daughter anyone could ask for."

"And you're the best Mom." Her voice trembles, tears in her eyes, and it breaks Regina.

Regina pulls Anna against her again then, pressing her lips to her daughter's forehead. "I'm the luckiest mother in the whole world. You're my baby, and nothing will ever change that."

"I know."

"Good. I hate seeing you hurt, and I just wish I could make it better for you."

"You are." Anna's voice is breaking, and she nuzzles her face in Regina's shoulder.

"I've got you, sweetheart. I promise you that everything is going to be all right."


Regina heard Robin sneak in the back door a half hour ago, but he hasn't come into the living room yet and she's beginning to worry. So she kisses Anna's head and tells her she'll be back in a moment. She finds Robin in their bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, his fist in his mouth and his face red and tear stained.

"Robin!" Regina runs to her husband, wraps him up in her arms without a thought.

"Don't." She jumps back immediately at the sound of Robin's voice. It's been so long since he's had any trouble with being touched, but she should have thought that seeing Zelena again would trigger those painful memories. "No it's not that," Robin gasps between sobs. "I don't deserve your comfort."

"What are you talking about?" Regina asks, hovering close to Robin, but not touching.

"I looked at Anna and I saw Zelena." Robin can't bear to look at Regina, feels so terribly ashamed. "What kind of father does that make me?"

"You are an incredible father! Robin, is it ok to touch you?" Regina hasn't had to ask in so long, and it causes her chest to ache.

Robin nods but doesn't look up. Regina's fingers slowly wind themselves into his hair, caressing softly as she leans her forehead against his. "You are a wonderful father, and our kids are so lucky to have you. I am so lucky to have you. What Zelena did to you doesn't make you a bad father."

"When I saw Anna choking Zelena all I could think of was Zelena doing that to me. She looked so much like her." Robin is sobbing again, his arms wrapping around Regina's waist.

"Oh Robin."

"Anna deserves better. How can I think these things?"

Regina nuzzles her nose against Robin's. "You love our daughter with your whole heart. I know that and so does she. It's natural to be reminded of what Zelena did to you." Robin shakes his head against Regina. "You are an amazing father." He shakes his head again, tears falling from his eyes, and Regina presses kisses to his wet cheeks before looking him in the eyes. "You are," she tells him firmly. "Being reminded of Zelena doesn't mean that you love Anna any less."

"It's not fair to her Regina. She deserves so much better."

"I have watched you be her father for 15 years. There wasn't a moment when you treated her any differently than Roland."

"Stop trying to make me feel better."

"I would never lie to you about this." Robin can hear immediately that he's said the wrong thing from the way Regina's voice hardens. "I am not my father, and I would never let you hurt our daughter."

"I know. I'm so sorry." He's ruining everything, hurting everyone. "I didn't mean that. I'm so sorry, my love." Regina is smiling at Robin, forgiveness and understanding clear in her eyes. Robin rakes his fingers through his hair and looks at Regina desperately. "How do I keep from hurting Anna? How do I keep myself from seeing Zelena?"

"You have never hurt Anna, and you aren't going to," Regina tells Robin, leaving no room for question. "She may look like Zelena, but Anna has such a beautiful, good heart. Just like her father." Regina's hands run up and down Robin's back, trying to soothe the tension he carries. "Do you remember when she was six and she had just realized that she could use her magic to heal? Remember that day that she came home and she could tell that I had been crying?"

Robin smiles, guilt burning at his chest as he thinks about how kind and loving Anna has always been. "She offered to heal your heart. And you told her that she already had by being your daughter. I think about that often. You are both far more than I deserve."

Regina holds Robin's face in her hands. "Don't ever say that again. You are the best man I have ever known Robin. You healed my heart just as our children did." Regina kisses Robin softly and he melts into her kiss returning it and pulling her flush against his chest. "I know that Anna looks like Zelena," Regina says when they take a breath, leaving mere inches between their mouths, "but she has your heart."

"That's your heart my love. She takes after her mother." Regina would protest, would remind Robin that her heart is anything but pure. But she knows how it helps Robin to focus on Regina being Anna's mother.

"You have been an incredible father to our Anna every day of her life, and I won't let you believe otherwise. You have never let what Zelena put you through affect your love for our daughter."

"I'm so afraid that I will now."

"You won't. You're safe here Robin. You can say all the ugly things that you need to say out loud. Then you are going put those fears to rest, and we take care of our daughter together"

"I can't!" Robin pulls away from Regina's arms, fists clenched so tight to keep from putting a hole in their bedroom wall. "Anna's my child, and I left her today because I looked at her and could only see Zelena."

"You protected her from what you were feeling. I was with Anna. It was ok for you to take that moment."

"Take a moment to what? To think about how our daughter was like the woman who…" He trails off can't say it, must stop focusing on Zelena. "I don't deserve Anna."

Their conversation end abruptly when they hear Anna walking down the hall and closing the door to her room.

Regina takes Robin's hand in hers, her fingers caressing his skin softly. "You deserve Anna, and she deserves you. She needs you."

"You'll stop me from hurting her?"

"I will never have to."

"Please." He looks so pained and so desperately afraid that he will hurt Anna.

Regina cannot bear to see Robin like this. "I will always protect you and our children no matter what."

"Thank you."

"Are you ready to go talk to her?"

Robin nods and steals himself for this conversation. He focuses on the feel of Regina's hands cradling his safely. "As long as you're with me."

"Always."


"Anna?" Robin knocks on her door.

"Come in." Her voice is raspy, and Regina squeezes Robin's hand and pushes open the door.

Anna's laying in bed with her back to the door and hugging a giant teddy bear that Robin won for her at a carnival years ago. Robin's heart clenches, and he wonders how he thought it would be difficult to comfort his daughter in this moment. He loves her so much, and she needs him to tell her. Robin sits down in front of Anna as Regina climbs onto the other side of the bed, lying down behind Anna and wrapping her arms around their daughter's waist and weaving her fingers between Anna's.

"Anna," Robin breathes, running a hand through his daughter's hair. "I love you so much."

Anna shakes her head, a sob bubbling out. Robin lies down, wrapping his arms around both of his girls. "Oh Anna, please don't ever doubt how much I love you. You've been a blessing to your mom and me every day of your life. What Zelena did isn't your fault, and it could never change how much I love you."

"I know, but I only exist because she forced you…"

"It doesn't change how much I love you. You know how Mom has always told you that you are her daughter because her heart is connected to yours, and no matter whose womb you grew inside you grew in her heart?"

Anna nods, squeezing Regina's hand and pulling her closer. Regina presses a kiss to Anna's wet cheek.

Robin wipes the tears away, looks his daughter in the eyes and tells her, "You're a part of my heart Anna. Mom and I have loved you every moment of your life, and it has never mattered how you came to us. You're our daughter and we are grateful every day that you are ours. I don't give a damn how you were conceived. You are a child of true love. You have two parents who love you and love each other more than anything. Mom and I chose to be your parents together, and that is what matters. You're ours, and we wouldn't change a thing about our beautiful perfect daughter."

"We love you so much," Regina whispers, her own voice choked with tears.

"I know you both love me. I do. I just feel so guilty."

"You have nothing to feel guilty for," Robin tells her, feels his chest burning with the need to make her understand. "What Zelena did does not touch you." He watches his daughter look up at him so desperately, and he feels so filled with love for her. "I wouldn't change a thing about the past. A life without you as my daughter is a life I never want to even imagine."

"But," Anna begins, can't get the words out, can't say it again.

"But nothing. I love you Anna, and I wouldn't change what Zelena did if it meant you didn't exist. Mom and I love you, and there is not a single thing that we would ever change about you."

Anna feels her mom squeeze her tightly and press another kiss to her wet cheek, as her dad kisses her forehead.

"You're ours Anna," Regina whispers. "Our precious gift. That is all matters to us."


"Are you ok?" Regina asks when she and Robin close the door to their bedroom. She had fallen asleep in their arms tonight, just as she had as a baby.

"How did I ever think I would look at her and feel anything but love?" Robin asks, as he wraps his arms around Regina and pulls her gently to their bed. "I don't know how to thank you. You're holding this family together right now. You're holding me together."

Regina shakes her head. "I love you. You have been my rock for 17 years. I can be yours when you need."

Robin's fingers run over Regina's cheeks, a soft, awed smile on his lips. "You always are. I am so lucky to have you."

Regina smiles back at Robin, still amazed by the love in his eyes when he looks at her. "We'll be ok, and so will our baby. She's going to need us to help her remember that she is so good and kind and special."

"We will. She will have you as a roll model and a teacher. She'll know that she can handle the power and be good." Seeing Anna use magic today may have frightened Robin, but now looking at Regina, he knows it's a part of both of them, a beautiful part, no matter where it comes from.

Regina sighs. "It just kills me to see her in so much pain. She shouldn't have to deal with this."

"She shouldn't, but she won't be alone."

"She won't, and neither will you. You aren't any less of an amazing father for thinking about what Zelena did."

"I don't want to think any more tonight. I just want to hold you and fall asleep with you in my arms."

"Come here." Regina scoots up the bed, pulling Robin along with her. She opens her arms, and he nuzzles himself against her chest. Regina wraps her arms tightly around Robin and presses a kiss to his hair. "I love you so much." He's crying again; she can feel the tears wetting her shirt. "I've got you," she promises, rocking him and rubbing his back. He nods against her and holds on tighter.