Hey guys! This one is a little longer than the last several. I'm also going in an even more different direction than the show with this chapter and forward because I don't like what they did with Snow in the last episode. Let me know what you think! Also, this chapter is a lot more fluff, too.
When they got back to the group, they all began heading back to find Henry. Regina and Emma led the front, as that was becoming the group's usual order. The two were talking about Henry as a child, Regina sharing memories of Henry's childhood, making Emma laugh and lightening both of their moods. As good things went on the island, it wasn't long before they were interrupted.
"Emma, darling, might I interrupt this cozy union?" Hook asked, inserting himself between the two women.
"What is it, Hook?" Emma asked. Regina looked away, annoyed, raising her hand with a flick and putting it to her ear, playing with it pretending distraction. Hook opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. A confused look crossed his face as he attempted to clear his throat. When nothing happened he glared at Regina and his mouth formed the word "you".
"Regina, what did you do?" Emma asked, exasperated.
"Merely a jinx, it'll cause him no real damage."
"Why did you jinx him?"
"I'm over his mouth."
"He hasn't even been speaking that much! Regina, undo it."
Regina raised an eyebrow, waved her hand and Hook cleared his throat.
"You're a foul queen, Regina," Hook spat
"You're an intruding pirate."
"Why are we name calling, children?" Emma asked.
"You're jealous, aren't you?" Hook theorized.
"I have nothing to be jealous of," Regina retorted.
Realization crossed Emma's face and she spoke, "because he kissed me?"
Regina scoffed. "Please," she snarled.
Emma felt the need to reassure Regina.
"There's nothing between Hook and me, you know that, right?" Emma asked.
"As I said, it matters not, to me."
"Ok, Regina, you just wallow in your denial."
Regina rolled her eyes and fell back behind them, allowing Hook and Emma to lead the group. Emma looked back at Regina, longingly a few times before growing annoyed and keeping her face forward no matter how much she wanted to look back. Over the next hour of walking, Hook became clumsy. He tipped over nothing, Emma usually catching his arm to keep him from falling and overgrowth kept smacking him in the face. Each incident elicited a short chuckle from Regina. The final incident involved a vine wrapping around his ankle and tipping him so he landed face in the dirt. Emma spun on her heels and grabbed the outside of Regina's shoulders.
"Stop it, Regina!" Emma screamed.
"Fine, Savior," Regina snarled. "I was just having some fun."
"Yeah, well you have a twisted definition of it."
Before Regina could respond, Pan showed up.
"Pan, what are you doing here?" Regina asked fiercely, preparing herself to attack.
"I have another, obstacle if you will, for you to overcome," the boy taunted.
"What?" Emma asked threateningly.
"Neal is alive, Emma. Oh, and Henry knows, so he won't go with you willingly unless all his parents are there to save him. I'll even tell you where to find him."
"This sounds like another trick," Snow said.
"No trick. This is my game we're playing and you'll play by my rules," Pan sneered.
After Pan placed Neal's location on the map they had, he left and the group argued over how to handle it.
"We can't go after Neal, Emma," Regina began, desperately. "We need to find Henry, we're so close."
"But what if Pan is right? What if Henry thinks we've let his father die out of selfishness?"
"Pan is a child! He's lying, playing games."
"No," Hook interrupted, staring at the map. "This place, it requires us to tell our secrets to cross. It is a game, but it isn't a lie."
"What do you mean, tell our secrets?" Emma asked.
"We expose ourselves to save Neal, then Pan will use the secrets against us."
"Just any secret?" Snow asked. Hook responded by nodding.
"Let's go, then. Hook, you lead," Emma directed. Emma fell to the back of the group behind Snow and Charming, leaving Regina to choose between the pirate and the savior, neither of whom she wanted to be particularly near. Of course, she chose Emma. Emma curled her pinky through Regina's and at first Regina tried to pull away, but the blonde gripped tighter and eventually the brunette relaxed. She allowed the lightness of Emma's magic to pulse through her veins, calming her with Emma's simple touch.
"See," Emma whispered. "You already feel much better."
Regina responded by shrugging.
"What got into you earlier?"
"I just never got him back for kissing you." A deep blush colored the blonde's face at the words Regina told her. "When your cheeks flush like that, I see where Henry looks like you. It's quite beautiful."
"Thank you." Emma paused a beat. "I thought I had proven to you that Hook's kiss didn't do anything for me."
"You did. I still felt the need to toy with him. I'm sorry, I … I'll try to be better."
"You're already so different than when we first met."
"Yes."
"Does that bother you?"
"No. I never intended to be evil. I never wanted to be my mother, magic though, when combined with despair and desperation, it does things to you, or it did to me, anyway. And Rumplestiltskin was my teacher, he goaded me, shaped me into what he wanted, so there wasn't much chance of my being good."
"But you're changing."
"Slowly, yes."
"I wish I could kiss you."
"Maybe when we get to Neal," Regina smirked. She though a moment, then tenderly asked, "How are you doing with the news?"
"I guess we'll see."
They were silent the rest of the journey until Hook stopped. "Here we are."
"So what do we do?" Emma asked.
"I guess we'll see inside."
The five proceeded, finding the gap and the cage that held Neal. Snow, Charming and Hook told a secret first, then everyone looked at Regina.
"Oh, fine. I can't bear losing more of Henry's love to a third parent," she tried. Nothing happened.
"Everyone knows that, you have to tell a real secret," Charming said.
"I don't, I can't share my secret." Regina looked at Emma, panicked and Emma nodded.
"You can, it'll help Henry, Regina. No one is going to judge you."
"I … I think I've found my second chance at happiness, at … at love, while on this island." Regina's face was wet with tears and the bridge finished building. Emma looked down and headed across the bridge.
"Who? Who could possibly be your love, Regina?" Snow asked, incredulous. She looked at Hook. "Him?"
Regina had just stopped her tears and opened her mouth to dispute Snow's accusation but before she could, Hook spoke.
"Surely you can believe it. We've always had a strong attraction to each other." Regina gave him a confused look as he walked toward her, then putting his arm around her shoulder, he finished, "Thanks for being brave enough to bring it into the open."
"Then why did you kiss Emma?" Snow asked.
"Because I was trying to throw you all off the trail. That's why Regina keeps walking with Emma, because we didn't want you all to catch on." He turned his face to Regina and began to pull her away from the Charmings.
"Why are you doing this?" Regina whispered furiously once they were at a safe distance to not be overheard.
"Because I'm not completely a bad guy. I've never seen you cry, call me soft, it melted my heart."
"Right, well, thanks."
Emma made her way across with Neal and the group was reunited.
"Emma, darling, at last Regina's and my love for each other is out, isn't it grand?" Hook said, pretending delight but easily warning the blonde not to say anything.
"Yeah, that's great, let's move." Emma was determined to get to Henry but the cover of darkness was falling upon the group and they settled on making camp and planned to leave early the next morning. Neal fell asleep the quickest, finally out of a cage and surrounded by people who saved him. Snow and Charming were fighting and it caused them exhaustion, so they, too, fell asleep easily. Hook sat up, watching Regina and Emma sit on opposite sides of the fire.
"Go on, ladies, I'll keep watch that no one searches for you," Hook prompted.
"Why are you helping us?" Regina asked suspiciously.
"I care about Emma, as she seems to be taken I figure I might as well help her be happy." He shrugged, defeated.
The two women grasped hands and walked away from the camp and as soon as they were out of sight, Emma let go of Regina's hand and put her own hands on the brunette's hips. She pulled the other woman close, kissing her gently, and unlike all of their other kisses, it stayed gentle and tender. Regina's hands rose to hold Emma's face, keeping their lips together. Their tongues explored each other's lips and mouths while Emma caressed the small of Regina's back. The two finally broke apart and smiled at each other.
"What was that for?" Regina asked.
"I've wanted to do that all day, especially after you told your secret. You mean it, don't you?"
"It wouldn't have worked if I didn't."
"This is crazy, right?"
"Yes, it most certainly is."
"I do love you. You don't need to be afraid that I'll hurt you. I don't think I ever could."
"I know." They kissed again, then decided to head back to the camp to try and rest.
"Now, I guess Henry is back to three parents," Emma said simply as they walked.
"Indeed." Regina's agreement seemed even more final that saving Neal was.
"I want Henry to have this father, but only if Neal stays in town."
"Do you still love him, Emma?"
Emma stopped walking, putting her hand on Regina's arm to stop her, too. "I'll always love him. He's my first love, he gave me Henry, and he gave you Henry. But his being alive changes nothing. That was the secret I told to release him from the cage."
Regina's shoulders relaxed and she smiled a small smile. "I thought maybe you would want the three of you to be a family."
"I love you, Regina, I can't see that ending."
"But you loved him first."
"Maybe, but I want you, Henry and me to be a family. But you have to go easy on me, commitment isn't my strong suit."
"I'll just have to make it hard for you to leave," Regina teased.
"How are you going to do that?" Emma asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm, let me think," Regina pulled the collar of Emma's jacket, making the blonde step closer. "I'll kiss you anytime you want, for starters." She placed her full lips on the blonde's, running the tip of her tongue over Emma's bottom lip, asking for entry. The other lips parted and the two kissed, playfully warring with each other. Emma bit at Regina's bottom lip, tugging at it.
"Ah, sorry to interrupt, but Snow is stirring and I thought it better if Regina returned with me," Hook interrupted. Regina sighed, pulling away from Emma.
"I'll see you guys in a few, then," Emma said, walking away from the two.
"As devastated as I am that Emma is not with me, I'd rather it be you than the boy's father," Hook told Regina, putting a curved elbow out for her to hold.
"Why's that?" she asked, taking his elbow with her hand.
"The guy is an ass."
"I'm the evil queen."
"I've seen worse evil."
They were back to the camp before Regina could respond and Emma was sitting with the Charmings and Neal, as they all appeared to have waked up. Regina's heart panged at the sight of Emma so close to the father of their son.
"So, uh, you two are really in love?" Charming asked.
"Our love is so strong that sometimes it seems a lie," Hook answered, causing Regina to roll her eyes at his joke.
"Aren't you worried how it'll make Henry feel?" Snow asked.
"Henry, no. When Henry finds out who I love I'm certain he'll be delighted," Regina responded, chuckling.
"I hope he is, Regina, but you know he was kind of hoping Hook and I would be together," Emma said, smiling.
"You're supporting this?" Snow asked her daughter.
"I support Regina's happiness, because it has an effect on my son's happiness. And it's still too dark to go, so I'm going to try to sleep some, I suggest everyone else does the same."
The group slept a couple of hours more and in the morning headed back towards Pan's camp, this time closer to the shoreline. Neal fell in line beside Emma, Regina felt obligated to walk near Hook and a still angry Snow trailed behind Charming. Nerves were high, the happy couple not happy, Neal told Emma he wasn't going to stop fighting for her and that was a weight she felt on her shoulders. Regina wanted to feel Emma's heart race next to hers. No one was happy and it led to many arguments on their travels.
They thought they were making progress, but stumbled upon Rumplestiltskin with Belle.
"I didn't know she was on the island," Snow said.
Regina put her hand up, mimicking squeezing a throat and Belle started choking, asking for mercy. Emma was frightened and Snow was furious, Hook had to hold back Charming to keep him from attacking Regina. Emma trusted the brunette, though, even after just a few days, and almost unreasonably, but she knew Regina was trying, so she just trusted. Moments passed, the air chilled from tension. Finally, Belle's figure changed to the shadow and there was a collective gasp from the group.
"How did you know, Regina?" Emma asked.
"I know the darkness, and I'm not blinded by love for Belle to believe it was her. The rest of you can apologize to me later for the doubt."
"I didn't doubt you for a minute, love," Hook stated.
"Right, well if you'll excuse us, I think Rumplestiltskin and I have some speaking to do."
Emma gave Regina an understanding look and directed the rest of the group to search for food or rest. Emma, meanwhile, practiced her magic. Regina had been teaching her and she was trying to control it herself. She pushed her power into her fingertips trying to set a fire. She concentrated hard but couldn't make it happen. She sat down, frustrated on a fallen tree. Neal sat next to her.
"Regina's still a piece of work, yeah?" Neal asked.
The fire crackled to life.
"You know, Neal, I don't really care."
"You don't?" He almost said it like a statement instead of a question, shock and confusion lining his face.
"Regina may have done a lot of bad, but Neal, she was a mother when I couldn't be, when I was alone and I didn't want Henry to end up in foster care. Look at how Henry grew up. He's perfect. He's so loving and funny, a little lonely maybe, but he's such a great kid."
"Genetics?"
"Yeah, let's talk about genetics, son of Rumplestiltskin," Emma retorted dryly.
"Ok, you're right. You jumped on the Regina bandwagon pretty quickly."
"More like driving it with Henry as my only passenger."
"Don't forget Hook."
"What?"
"Hook? Regina's love?"
"Right, yeah, Hook."
"Emma, be honest with me, are you ok?"
"No, Neal, I'm very far from ok. My son is in Pan's clutches, and I'm having a hard time with that. On top of that, this group can't stop bickering and I haven't slept properly since we've been on this island. Something here sets me on edge, besides the obvious, I mean."
"Emma, I'm sorry. What can I do to help?"
"Help me find Henry, and help us get out of here."
"Of course I'll do that. But, Emma, when we leave, I want for us to be a family."
Emma cast her eyes down. After a moment she looked back up at Neal. "We'll always be a family, because of Henry, but not the way you want."
"Is there really no change?" he asked. He cupped Emma's cheek in his hand and leaned his face into hers, kissing her. Emma returned the kiss, only for a moment, then she jerked back, pushing Neal away.
"You can't do that, Neal! You can't leave me because Pinocchio told you to, and never come to find me because I have a destiny and just expect that I'll let you back in like nothing ever happened. It's too late for us!" Emma was in tears.
"There's someone else," he realized.
"Even if there wasn't, it would still be too late."
Emma got up and stalked off into the cover of the brush, not following any path or searching for a clearing, she just needed to be alone. No, she needed to be with Regina, but she was busy. Instead, she sunk against a tree in defeat, crying. Her heart called out to her love, and she felt herself trying to reach Regina through magic, but nothing happened. Instead, she cried herself into sleep.
She dreamed dreams that showed her and Regina at home, with Henry, the three of them a happy family. They were a beautiful image of domestic happiness. Her dreams showed Regina doting on Henry while Emma read the paper. Showed them eating dinner together and making Henry do his homework before he had any fun. It was more than she could bear.
Emma woke with a start, the day had turned dark and she knew she wasn't alone. She looked to her side.
"Regina, how did you –"
"Find you?" Emma nodded. "Emma, I heard you, or felt you, rather. I gave you pleasant dreams while I tried to find you."
"That was you?"
"Of course, dear." Emma threw herself at Regina, clutching her around the waist and burying her head into the brunette's chest, sobbing.
"Oh, Regina, I'm so sorry."
Regina held the blonde for a moment before grabbing her shoulders and pushing her away so she could look at her. Regina lowered her face to look into Emma's eyes.
"What ever are you sorry for, dear?"
"Don't be nice, I don't deserve it."
"Tell me, what happened?"
"Neal kissed me. And I let him; I even kissed him back for a minute. I'm so sorry."
"Sweet Emma, you are far too good."
Emma sat up straight, shrugging away from Regina's touch. "What? Good, no. I kissed somebody else! That's cheating!"
Regina chuckled and Emma's face scrunched in anger. "Dear, I don't intend to laugh at you. I'm not mad at you, Neal, maybe because that was cruel and trust me; I'd love to crush him if I wasn't trying so hard to be good. But Emma, dear, I don't blame you for your feelings, he was your first love."
"You're really not mad?"
"At you?" Absolutely not. Jealous, a little, that he can kiss you away from cover, but that can easily be taken care of. May I kiss you, my love?"
Emma enthusiastically threw herself back into Regina's arms, causing them to fall to the ground tangled in each other. They kissed passionately, clinging to each other desperately, unsure of when they'd be able to again. After several minutes passed, the women broke apart, Emma laying her head on Regina's chest, listening to the beating of her heart.
"How is it that in such a short amount of time, this has become the most significant sound in my life?" Emma asked.
"Because that's what love does, sweet Emma. And as much as I want to stay here in this moment for a while, we should get back to the group. We need to discuss what Rumplestiltskin and I were doing."
"Did you figure out a way?"
"I think so. Assuming I can trust Ariel, anyway."
"Ariel? As in the little mermaid?" When Regina nodded, Emma spoke, exasperated. "I don't know why this all keeps surprising me."
Regina chuckled, "I never thought I would end up with someone so cute."
"Cute?" Emma asked, paused, then continued, "End up. Wait, are you saying like, end up?"
"Let's go back." Regina stood, extending her hand to the blonde, helping her off the ground.
"I'm not letting this go."
"I know you well enough to know that, dear. But, this is neither the place nor the time."
