First I would like to apologise for the wait, unfortunately I'm in one of those 'what's the point of anything' moods. Please feel free to give me a virtual kick in the arse to get me moving should it happen again. Thank you for your continued support. Reviews can be motivational and are always appreciated.
I hope it was worth the wait.
Emma fell gracelessly through the door, landing on all fours, into Granny's. Effectively garnering attention from all its patrons. The Sheriff was panting harshly, her throat was dry and burned with each heaving breath. Ruby recovered quickly from the shock of her friends entrance and rushed to help get her to her feet.
Supporting the blonde she helped her into one of the booths, quickly grabbing a pitcher and a glass. Filling the glass with the cool water, two thirds full of ice, Ruby placed the glass within Emma's reach and the pitcher in the centre of the table. Emma didn't say anything. A weak smile the only thanks provided for her actions, the waitress waited for an explanation.
Ruby could see the tear tracks on Emma's cheeks, her eyes red and still gleaming with unshed tears and a worrying red patch seeping through her shirt. Finally Emma took the glass lifting it to parched lips taking unadvisable gulps, the ice rattling in the glass and clinking against Emma's teeth.
"You're bleeding Emz." Ruby hoped that it was simply a result of Emma's fall but somehow she couldn't believe that would be the case.
Glass still raised to her lips Emma looked at the waitress incredulously. Lowering the glass Emma reached over the table to grasp one of Ruby's hands. "That isn't important right now. I need…"
Ruby interrupted raising from the table to tower over the blonde. Surprisingly adept at being intimidating, it must have been a wolf thing. "I beg to differ. Your bleeding, the most important thing right now is getting your wounds seen to. Again."
Ignoring her friends statement completely Emma continued. "I need you to get Gold."
"And why would you require my presence Sheriff?" Gold asked from the booth behind her.
Turning in her seat she offered Belle a smile, then faced Gold all business. "You are the only one I could think of that could help me."
"Help you. An interesting notion, why would I do that?" Gold turned in his seat too, he couldn't deny that Emma's words piqued his interest. If he was the only one the woman could think of for help in a matter, well it could be quite fortuitous for him in the long run to do as requested.
"Because you won't want to deal with Regina in all her Evil Queen glory alongside her Cora." The twin startled gasps from the brunettes that were witnessing their conversation did not go unnoticed by either Gold or Emma. "She's been struggling to control herself since her run in with Cora but today she snapped. There was no reasoning with her I need you to help me save her from herself."
"There is nothing I can do Sheriff. As much as I may not desire to see our dear Regina reconciling with her mother there is no way for me to do what you ask." Gold turned back to his lunch taking a bite out of the cheese burger, chewing thoughtfully. "You'd be able to do more for her than I could."
Raising from her booth Emma stumbled round and into the seat next to Belle. "What can I do?"
Gold did not answer straight away, instead he continued to eat his burger. Amused at the varying expressions around him, from Emma's impatient foot tapping and glare, Ruby's barely concealed distrust and Belle's disappointed stare. His brow furrowed at the thought of his beautiful companion being upset by his behaviour, again. Finishing his burger quickly he dabbed at his mouth with the napkin removing the traces of grease and flour that remained. "When it comes to magic dearie, I doubt you'd have any aptitude in the more destructive arts, however your ability to heal I imagine to be impressive. I dare say you could even attempt to heal me."
"How the hell does healing achieve anything?" Emma huffed of all the things she had imagined that Gold could of suggested, healing hadn't once occurred to her. "And why couldn't I be destructive?"
Shaking his head mockingly Gold answered, "I'm not talking about just physical ailments your highness, I'm talking of a more spiritual nature. As to your destructive capacity, I doubt that you'd manage because you are the product of true love-"
"I wish everyone would stop bringing that up." Emma grumbled.
"As I was saying, true love is not a destructive force. It is all about the good, happiness, support caring etcetera." He had almost forgotten what it was like to deal with heroes when they were on a mission, almost. It seemed that even after a long absence from such interactions they didn't get any more bearable.
"Again how does this help me?"
In the condescending tone that could make even the most intelligent individual feel belittled and idiotic, Gold made sure to slowly say each word. "You could heal her soul."
Sceptically Emma asked, "How?" She was only willing to except souls existed in the first place because she had seen Regina's as it was being sucked out of her by the Wraith. Still that didn't mean that Emma had to believe that a soul was capable of being healed like a broken bone.
"The heart and the soul are intrinsically linked, not one in the same but closely tied. If you heal the void between them, I think our Queen could be saved." Gold had been somewhat surprised at the relationship that had sparked between his former apprentice and the Saviour. An impressive feat in and of itself. Emma had unknowingly made a start on what he was suggesting.
"You said I needed to heal her soul." Clearly she was only going to get anywhere or at least a straight answer from the wretched miser if she really pushed him.
"Indeed I did dearie." Resorting to mannerisms he hadn't used in over twenty eight years, Gold clapped his hands excitedly together in an altogether creepily giddy fashion. "I'm glad you're paying attention, not everyone does. You've already healed her heart, your love for one another did that, but her soul remains tainted. Should that taint remain, your love will be lost to you indefinitely."
Regina paced restlessly back and forth as she had done for the last hour. Adding to the chaos, that had taken hold of her lounge, had soothed her tender nerves. Turning every room on its head, she worked to make her living environment reflect her inner turmoil.
Until she reached their, no her room. The entire room was filled with reminders of the woman who had finally succeeded in breaking Regina's hold on the Evil Queen. The White Knights foolish actions having helped the Evil Queen in defeating her jailor, free to reign as she was meant to.
Disintegrating item after item of the blondes possessions, Regina could finally feel a semblance of calm descend on her. Emma's taint lessening with each destroyed belonging. Somewhat satisfied with her work, Regina glared at the one article of clothing she loathed and had sorely wanted to eradicate since first meeting Emma. She was incredibly frustrated to find that she couldn't find it in herself to destroy her lovers prized red leather jacket. Clutching the collar tightly in her fist, the pliable leather soft and yielding under pressure.
Regina didn't spare a final glance to her room, with the freedom afforded to her by magic she left for her sanctuary in a puff of smoke.
Emma had allowed Gold to finish his lunch in peace, instead choosing to use that time to process what had been said. She sat at the counter her back to the world, her eyes staring unfocused into the warming glass of water between her hands, still wet from the condensation that had coated the glass at one point.
Her desire to help Regina growing with each passing second. Fidgeting constantly in her seat she hoped that Gold would hurry up, and she knew that he knew it. Ruby had tried to get her to check her wounds, to see what damage had been done. To no avail. Emma stubbornly ignored every attempt her friend had made to try and look after her. Eventually the waitress had given up, going about her duties in the diner instead. Though Emma knew that the waitress was keeping tabs on her.
Hearing the familiar click of Gold's cane hitting the ground as he stood Emma swivelled round in her seat, her eyes instantly landing on the man. Slipping of the high chair, Emma walked over to the door holding it open for Gold, following quickly behind him. Both unaware of the conversation taking place behind them.
"I can't let her make a deal with Gold." Ruby flung her apron onto the worktop behind the serving counter. "Snow would kill me if she found out I just let Emma waltz out of her with Rumplestiltskin."
Grabbing hold of the taller brunettes upper arm, Belle held Ruby back. "Going after them won't achieve anything Ruby. I'll go with them and look out for the Sheriffs best interest. You contact her family and let them know what's going on."
Staring down at the petite woman, Ruby felt her affection for the bookworm grow. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."
Releasing her hold on Ruby, Belle went to the door. Holding the door open a thought struck Belle. "Ruby, make sure the send someone to check on Cora. If Emma was right it would be best if she's accounted for sooner rather than later." Not waiting for a reply, Belle left to catch up with Emma and Gold.
The smoke dissipated leaving Regina with a clear view of her surroundings. It had been a lifetime since she had last laid her eyes on the wardrobe, full of outfits that had set her apart from other royals and peasants alike in her home world. Designed to lure fools and geniuses into her grasp, then keep them there. Hanging the red monstrosity over the back of the chair that sat before the vanity she appraised the room. Walking over to mannequins that sported her most favoured attire.
Her victory dress stood in pride of place, next to the final outfit she had worn when the dark curse finally ravaged the land. Idly she ran her hands over the luxurious materials that had once been part of everything she wore. She was almost disappointed that her dresses wouldn't do for what she had in mind.
Instead she gracefully stalked towards her outfit of choice. The outfit she had worn to dear Snow White's wedding. It was sure to invoke memories in the minds of all the inhabitants of Storybrooke. She had worn it when she made her oath to destroy their happiness, a promise that she had followed through with. Now it would herald the Evil Queens return to power.
Stripping out of the clothes that defined her as Mayor Regina Mills. She meticulously folded each item of clothing sitting them on the same chair as Emma's jacket. Standing naked before her chosen outfit Regina pulled on the undergarments, grateful that she at least had her magic to assist her in getting the bloody thing on. The only thing that she hadn't truly missed about her old wardrobe.
It didn't take long to get everything on and in order. Running both hands over herself, to smooth out non-existent wrinkles, Regina stood before her vanity. Tilting her head to the side, a smirk spread across her face. It felt good to be back.
Leaving the room she wandered seemingly aimlessly round her sanctuary. Paying no attention to any of the treasures that lined the walls. The rhythmic pulsing thumps of beating hearts grew louder the closer she got to her vault. Halting before the golden wall that held arguably the most precious of all her treasures, one gloved hand hovered over one drawer in particular.
"Is that one special dear?" Came the unexpected voice from the shadows.
Ironically it was thanks to the woman that had attempted to frighten her, that Regina did not startle. Not giving into Cora's desire for her attention Regina kept her back to her. "This is where your heart resides, mother."
"Do you really believe that?" Cora asked, joining her daughter. "Surely you know better Regina."
Brown eyes flickered uncertainly, it was true that by all accounts her mother shouldn't be there, not after the instructions Emma had given her on the day of her defeat and capture. "It's not your heart."
"No, it isn't. I do not keep my heart where others do, it is a precaution that has once again proved useful." Raising a hand to join her daughters, Cora took hold of the metal box carefully prising open the lid. "Do you see it now? Just as I promised dear, your heart is safe."
Regina finally pivoted round to see her mother's accomplice, surprised to see Jefferson standing in her sanctuary for the second time. "You placed Jefferson's heart in your chest?"
"She took my heart when you abandoned me in Wonderland, Regina. Chopping of me head before putting be back together again apparently wasn't a big enough failsafe. So she ripped my beating heart out of my chest and never gave it back." Jefferson growled, his eyes never leaving his glowing heart held safe within the box Regina had placed it in.
Cora snapped the lid shut, breaking the trance the Mad Hatter was in. "I thought it could prove useful to bring it with me should I encounter any problems. Like being locked up in a prison by my dear daughter." Fingers traced over the decorative box, following the patterns to their end. "It has proved itself to be an invaluable resource. Without it my time incarcerated probably wouldn't have been nearly as productive."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Regina demanded, grabbing her mother's forearm. Her grip tightened when Cora did not immediately provide an answer. "Explain yourself!"
With no instructions saying otherwise, Jefferson took it upon himself to answer Regina's inquiries. "I've been keeping tabs on you and the Saviour. I sped things up a bit as well."
"What does that mean?" Regina hissed, flinging her mother to the ground and stalking towards Jefferson.
"I broke into your house and made a mess for Emma to take the fall for." Jefferson shrugged, in the same uncaring manner that a child does when they're asked where their homework has magically disappeared to.
Livid her mind drifted to Emma's reaction to seeing the mess that had caused Regina to lose her temper. The softly pleading green gems that spoke of innocence and desperate desire for her lover to see reason. Disbelief rose up in Regina's chest, she had been fooled and done exactly what her mother had wanted. She had hurt Emma, cast her aside as so many before her had done to the blonde.
"That was you then my dear Hatter?" Regina watched the man assist her mother to her feet. "I'm impressed, you certainly did your job well."
"Now it shall be how it was always meant to be." Cora pulled her daughter into her embrace, paying no heed to Regina as she tensed in her arms. "Mother and daughter ruling side by side."
"Yes mother."
The bell above the door chimed as the small party entered Gold's shop. The man himself going straight round the counter placing a physical barrier between himself and the Saviour. Across the floor shop they regarded one another, neither feeling particularly comfortably near the other.
Emma lost her patience first, striding up to the counter both palms slamming against the glass, not quite hard enough to cause it an damage but it did leave her hands stinging. "Tell me what I need to do."
"What makes you so sure that I know what you need to do Emma?" Gold asked. "My powers lie solely in darkness. Light magic is not something I can teach you."
"You said that I could even attempt to heal you. You know enough, so talk." Leaning further over the table Emma stared into his cold eyes, until he turned his back on her.
"You could try to heal me dearie but it would kill you. Still you'd probably be capable of going further than most." Gold riffled through the drawers behind the counter. "To heal a soul, you must be connected to it. This can be done in a number of ways, in your case I believe it should be easy enough."
"Like the eyes being the windows to the soul?" Belle asked standing by Emma.
"Indeed, though in the case of the Evil Queen and her White Knight their souls, I believe, are already connected. The term is soul mates. You were made for each other Emma, something just as special and unique as true love." Pulling a wooden case out from the bottom of the drawer and setting it on the glass between them Gold continued. "You must rid her of the darkness that grips her soul."
"We're going round in circles. I need to heal her soul, I get it. How do I do it?" Emma growled, barely containing her desire to punch Gold in his smug face.
"How do darkness and light work your highness, hmm?" Gold grinned, pleased to see that unlike some he had dealt with in the past the cogs were turning within the blondes mind. "Do they live in harmony? Can they live side by side? What happens when one is stronger than the other?"
"Rumple, please stop being so cryptic." Belle asked, one hand landing on Emma's back in an effort to help the other woman keep calm.
"People can live walking the line between light and dark, balancing them both seamlessly. Others find themselves more drawn to one end of the spectrum. This is fine, however when a soul is drawn to one end of the spectrum when they are not meant to they becoming truly unbalanced." Gold said tapping his fingers on the wooden box.
"So your saying that's what happened to Regina. She was drawn into the darkness and she's not supposed to." Emma stood, hope gleaming in her eyes. "So how do we get her to where she's supposed to be?"
"Darkness consumes light and light chases away darkness. But if there is nowhere to hide where does the darkness go?" Gold unlatched the lid, carefully lifting it open to reveal the contents of the wooden case. Seeing the look on Emma's face he was surprisingly quick to reassure her. "This is not to kill her with dearie."
"The last time you gave me a sword I had to kill a dragon." Emma stated her eyes trailing over the intricate hilt and scabbard.
Lifting the sword out of its velvet surroundings Gold held it out for Emma to take. "Cora isn't quite a dragon but she is just as fierce."
"You want me to kill Cora?" Emma asked making no effort to take the offered weapon.
"No. I am merely giving you a weapon that will be capable of riding the world of her should it come to that." Of course Gold couldn't see it ending any other way. Someone was going to die and with any luck it would be Cora.
Grabbing the sword in its scabbard she fastened the belt securely round her waist. "And Regina?"
"Love her." At the confused look that swept over Emma's face Gold expanded. "True loves kiss is a powerful thing Sheriff, you should be able to heal her with a kiss."
"Sounds easy enough." Although the way they had parted it might prove more difficult to get a little affection from her lover, probably more painful too.
"Whatever you do dearie, remember that you mustn't let her go. No matter the cost." Sharply nodding her head, Emma left the bell chiming her exit. Rubbing his forehead Gold almost hoped that the girl would be alright.
"Rumple what did you mean, no matter the cost?" Belle's eyebrows were creased together in concern.
"It will be painful, for her." Gold muttered, almost to himself. "Painful for her to absorb the darkness."
"Why didn't you tell her that?" Belle's anger putting a sharp edge on each word.
His hand fell to his side, his eyes locking with Belles. "The Saviour should be given more credit. She knows that it won't be cost free."
"All magic comes with a price." Belle whispered.
"Indeed it does Belle," Gold walked round to stand by the petite brunette. "And even I cannot put a price on what Emma is about to do."