The Enchanted Forest; The Past

Regina's POV

"Congratulations, you are one step closer to your revenge. Does she know?" My magic mirror asked.

"That I'm responsible for her father's passing? She found comfort in me, it was pathetic," I spat.

"Then why didn't you end her right there? You had the perfect opportunity to crush her heart. The final step to your revenge."

"How dare you question my authority. I have my reasons and I do not need to confirm them with a wall ornament!" I was starting to lose my temper, like I do most days now.

I could not let him know about Emma. If I kill Snow White right now she will never have Emma and I will never find her again in the future. I may seek revenge on Snow White but I could never kill her. Emma would never forgive me if I killed her mother. I heard a whirlwind gust behind me. I turned on my heel to find Rumplestiltskin smirking at me.

"Your obsessed piece of glass is right you know," the imp said with a smug look on his face. He began circling around me as if I were his prey. My upper lip quivered with anger while I stared him down. "I know your secret, dearie. I'm ready for that favor now," he giggled causing my skin to crawl.

"What is this favor you so desperately need me to fulfill?" I curiously asked.

"There's a dark curse that I created. It will take us to another realm. I need you to cast it."

"No!" I snapped, "I am not leaving this realm right now. What I have in mind for my future is far more important than some little curse from an imp!" Rumplestiltskin took a step closer closing the gap between us. He had fire in his eyes and I could see he was loosing his mind a little.

"You will. You will. You will," he repeated, "otherwise the precious Snow White will learn the future that is held for her and her family." I let this threat soak in for a moment while I contemplated if he knew about Emma or not.

"Don't test me, you pathetic excuse for a man! If you are so powerful, than cast the spell yourself!" I screamed into his face. There was no way this coward was going to intimidate me.

"You will regret breaking our deal and you WILL cast my curse. That is a promise dearie!" The room filled with black smoke, as it dissipated the pain in the ass was gone.

Snow and I sat down for supper later that evening. The tension at the table was palpable. I couldn't tell why I was feeling so much anger coming from her. Usually there's tension, yes, because I despise this young woman but I can always mask the feeling in front of her. This evening felt different, something felt off. We sat in silence as we ate. I was about half way through with my meal when I heard Snow set down her fork a little too aggressively. I shot my head up to stare at the young woman.

"Regina," she began but hesitated as she tried to find her words. Maybe she will find some manners along the way too. "Regina, a man came to visit me this evening in my room," my eyes widened knowing all too well who this man was. I quickly composed myself, showing no expression. "He told me that he can see the future. He explained how you were going to have your revenge at the expense of my life. Not only that you would cast a horrible curse, but destroy my future family," everything she stated came out in a rush. When she was finished she finally looked up, into my eyes. I glared at her through squinted eyes.

"And you believe this stranger?" I asked casually as I picked up my fork and continued eating. I couldn't let her see any emotions. I refuse to let her get the best of me. My head was slightly bowed, I watched through my eyelashes Snow chewing on her lip, taking my question into consideration.

"My father?"

"What about him dear?"

"Did...did you have something to do-" I slammed my fork down causing her to jump in her seat.

"Need I remind you, who you are speaking with? You may return to your room now." Snow held my gaze for a moment until I raised my voice, "NOW!" She stood up from her chair and I watched her walk unnervingly calm to her room.

The next morning the guards confirmed that Snow had run off in the night. I sent every man I had out to find her and bring her home. Thus forming the never ending chase between Snow White and the Evil Queen, as she so kindly named me.

Storybrooke; Present Time

Killian woke up with a jolt, searching the spot next to him in bed. He had a gut wrenching feeling that something went wrong with Emma last night. He jumped out of bed making his way down the loft into the Charming's apartment.

"Emma?" He repeated calling out as he searched the kitchen and living room. David and Henry rushed to his side asking what was wrong. Killian explained that Emma went out looking for Regina last night and never returned. Just then Snow joined them holding a sleepy Neal.

"How could you let her leave in the middle of the night alone?" Snow screeched toward Killian.

"You know how stubborn she is. Emma does things her way, when she wants. There's no changing that," he said in his defense. David and Snow were both shaking their heads in disappointment.

"I need to go home," Henry demanded causing everyone to look in his direction.

"Well you're not going alone!" David ordered as he grabbed his coat.

"We are coming with," Snow insisted as she started dressing Neal. The whole group left the apartment making their way to Regina's mansion.

Once inside, Henry ran upstairs to his room. Everyone else stood in the entry way feeling out of place since Regina was not home. After a few minutes Henry came rushing down the stairs with his story book in hand.

"You guys are not going to believe this..." Henry walked to the kitchen and slammed his book down on the marble island. The book was already opened to a page towards the end.

"What's this? I thought this story was complete when Emma defeated the Black Fairy," Snow questioned as she leaned forward to look at the picture.

"That's what I thought too..."Henry agreed. Everyone leaned forward to see a drawing of Emma walking through the Enchanted Forest with Mulan.

Snow traced her fingers over the script written below, reading out loud, "As the Savior started her journey with Mulan to discover her true destiny."