Ruby stepped into her best friend's hospital room. A quick glance over the room had her smiling. Tinks distraction had worked; Robin was out of the room.
"I brought what you wanted!" Ruby walked further into the room and took a bottle of vodka out of her purse. "Do you know how hard it is to put a bottle this big in my purse and keep it hidden? I swear Whale smelt it somehow, he followed me almost all the way here!"
The two girls burst into giggles.
Regina wiggled her eyebrows and ushered Ruby in, shutting the door.
It was 2 days after Regina had woken up in the hospital. She was doing better, or at least that's what she told everyone. Nobody believed her though.
Per Whales orders, she was to be released in 3 days on one condition. She was required to have therapy sessions with Archie every Monday.
"Bless you and Tink. I can't stand this damn hospital any longer. Seriously every time Whale walks in I have a strong desire to throw knives at him."
Ruby erupted in laughter as she poured each girl a shot. After the shots were poured they settled back down into Reginas bed.
Today Ruby was wearing black jeans and a black shirt. Red pumps graced her feet and a red statement necklace matched her shoes. Even though it was late July the citizens of Storybrooke tried to dress warm. Any day it could start snowing because of Elsa and Ingrid's presence.
"You're kidding me" an accent called out from the doorway "you're drinking without me! You guys said you would wait! I got Will to take Robin for lunch at Grannys. Thanks to me we get to have a party you brats." Tink stepped in and took the shot Ruby was about to take.
Ruby growled jokingly "do you want me to trap you in a cup or something, fairy?"
Mid-shot, Regina almost had vodka come out of her nose.
All three girls laughed loudly, and each took a second shot.
"Regina darling have you seen….." Robin walked in on the funniest thing he had ever seen. Ruby, Tink, and Regina were all huddled together on Regina's small hospital bed. Ruby had a large bottle of vodka in her hand and each girl had a shot glass. "You know usually I would be against this sort of thing, but bloody hell everyone needs a break right now."
Will laughed victoriously from behind Robin. All three girls looked at each other in shock, and then broke out in another fit of giggles.
Each person in the room took one shot, their final unknown to them. Whale walked in with Reginas chart in his hand.
Immediately everyone silenced, 5 sets of wide eyes looked at Whale. It took everything in the doctor not to laugh. The group looked like friends that were caught drinking by their parents in high school.
"Oh hell no, everyone out. Are you guys drinking vodka in my hospital?" Whale narrowed his eyes on Regina "Regina Mills are you serious. You know better. I could lengthen your stay in this hospital you understand that right?"
Regina straightened her spine and poofed away the vodka and shot glasses. As fast as she could she got out of bed and started dragging everyone out. "I love all of you but I can't take 5 more days in this damn hospital I already have to be here 3 more, get the hell out."
When everyone was gone Whale let out a triumphant sigh and walked out of her room.
Seconds later everyone was poofed back and so was the vodka. "What Whale doesn't know won't hurt him" Regina explained with a wink.
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Elsa hadn't told anyone about the necklace. How could she?
Regina was a traitor, but she couldn't bring it up. Not yet anyway. Somehow somewhere Regina is hiding Elsa, and she is going to find her sister.
With a flick of her wrist the vault doors opened. Oh yes she knew all about Regina's magic vault. Roland was very helpful when he didn't know what he was getting into.
Elsa walked into the small crypt. A frown graced her features, where in the hell were the stairs?
Roland neglected to tell her how to get down.
Examining the room closely didn't help her; there were no stairs in here!
A half hour later she had given up. Elsa examined the coffin in the middle of the room. It was Reginas fathers, how sad.
A wave of empathy washed over the girl. Maybe she had jumped to conclusions too fast.
Elsa turned to leave when she got tripped over her feet. In a last ditched attempt to not fall on her ass, she grabbed the coffin and fell.
A cry of pain left her lips. Grumbling she stood up, only to realize the coffin had moved.
"That smart little Queen" Elsa remarked and pushed it further, revealing the stairs.
Elsa smirked to herself as she walked down them pain forgotten. What she didn't expect was the labyrinth of tunnels that spiraled out in front of her.
When she would walk down one way, multiple different paths would become clear at the end of that hallway.
All in all her vault was boring. A room for potions and ingredients, a crypt, other rooms that she couldn't get into that Anna could be in.
A large mirror hung on one of the walls. It struck Elsa peculiar and she walked closer to it.
Elsa could tell a glamour spell when she saw one. With a wave of her hand the wall opened up revealing another room.
The room was decorated like her office. In the corner was a large wardrobe, containing her Evil Queen outfits.
Finding nothing of use Elsa left the vault.
"I guess I'll just have to ask her myself" Elsa mused as she walked back to the mansion labeled 108.
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Ingrid was on the sidewalk when she spotted him. Rumpelstiltskin was walking the same way she was; towards the hospital.
He didn't seem to notice her, so she followed him silently.
It didn't look out of the ordinary. She made sure to stay far enough back.
Ingrid wore black jeans and a navy blue sweater. Snow was falling faster the longer she trailed him.
As soon as Rumple hit the hospital parking lot his feet were frozen on the spot. He looked around wildly, but couldn't find anyone.
"How kind of you to wait for me Rumple." Ingrid came up from behind him. "I have to admit, it's hard seeing after all these years. I suppose I never really thanked you for putting Elsa into good hands, my sisters apparently. Oh and I suppose I should have sent you a card or something for trapping Elsa, Caroline, and I in that vase!" Ingrid's voice was filled with poison.
Rumple let out a chuckle "I guess I've kind of screwed you over in the past. I know that you don't trust me but I have to tell you something before all hell breaks loose dearie."
A harsh chuckle escaped from her lips "I don't want to hear anything from you."
Ingrid started walking away.
"Funny, I thought you wanted to know who killed your sisters."
Ingrid stopped walking, her head whirled around. She advanced upon Rumple and got into his face.
"You told me it was Snow White and Prince Charming." Ingrid shook out of anger. Now he was trying to backtrack? Hell no.
Rumple wiggled his eyebrows "Maybe it was them maybe it wasn't, do something for me and I'll tell you for certain."
"I will do nothing for you imp." Ingrid walked away quickly, curiosity bubbled through her body as she tried to squish it down.
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Belle and Jefferson were watching Regina and Robins children. It was the least that they could do.
Isabella, Lilly, Caroline, Jefferson, Grace, and Belle were all watching Anastasia. The night had gone unbelievably well, but Belle couldn't get Regina off of her mind.
The beauty rose to get a glass of wine and Jefferson followed. He recognized the troubled look on her face.
Grace looked at her father and understood. Years of studying her father and Belle had given the young girl an advantage. Believe it or not, Grace was studying to become a psychologist.
Unfortunately Grace couldn't leave Storybrooke, which means she had to take classes online to get her degree. Sure she could go to the sorry excuse of a college in Storybrooke, but she was just as happy to take online classes from Stanford.
"B, what's wrong love?" Jefferson found her hunched over on the counter. Her hands were covering her face, tears leaked in between her fingers.
A sigh left her lips "I just can't stop thinking about what happened to Regina. She doesn't deserve it, after all the good things she's done. It isn't fair. I want to visit her in the hospital but I just feel like I'll cry and we both know if I cry then Regina will. If she doesn't cry then she'll make a joke to hide her pain and then what?"
Jefferson slowly navigated his wife off of the counter and then into his chest. He rested his chin on top of her head. Even in heels she was the perfect height for him. "Trust me she's on my mind as well. We don't know what did or didn't happen though. Let's go visit her tomorrow yeah?"
Sniffles filled the quiet kitchen. Giggles could be heard from the other room as the young girls enjoyed the movie. Lilly sat quietly though, her thoughts on her mother.
It was moments like these that Belle really treasured. Just simple things that she would likely remember forever.
"Okay, yeah okay" Belle mumbled into her husband's chest. He smelt like cologne and the outdoors. "I love you."
"I love you too" Jefferson parroted with a smile. "Now, let's go see how this movie ends. After that we can put the kids to bed and take some time to ourselves."
He stole a quick kiss and her smile was back, oh how we loved that smile.
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The loft was quiet as Mary Margaret stared into her mug, and David stared into space. Both had something to tell the other, both were hesitant to open their mouths. Neal sat in his mother's lap confused.
"Mom, Dad I'm home" Emma sing-songy voice filled the silence as she and Killian walked in hand in hand. Almost immediately the couple was alert to the tense atmosphere.
"Well it's quiet in here." Hook looked at David, his facial expression portraying knowledge. Emma picked it up, and looked between them frowning.
When the tension rose Emma couldn't take it anymore. "Will you two spit it out already, I could cut the tension in this room with a damn knife."
Mary Margaret looked up from her mug and sighed. "A couple nights ago I had a dream. It was the strangest one I have ever had, it felt so real. I walked down the stairs and Ingrid was here. She was going on and on about how our family pictures make her sick. After she knocked me unconscious I could have sworn she said I'm coming for you bitch. The next day I woke up where she had knocked me out."
"Are you sure it was a dream?" Emma had a look of concern on her face, as well as David.
Mary Margaret shook her head "I don't know it felt so real. Rumple warned us about her and I didn't put much stock in it, but now….." She trailed off and resumed staring at her mug.
David reached his hand over and took his wife's.
"I guess it's my turn" the attention turned to David "on the night that Regina was attacked we had a fight. I followed her from Golds shop and ran after her. I didn't understand why she was running; I guess she thought I was going to hurt her. When I caught up to her I held her against the wall because she was flailing and I didn't want her to hurt herself. Regina freaked out. I mean she lost her mind. She started yelling at me and shaking, I had never seen her so angry or afraid. She slapped me and told me to leave, I tried to comfort her but she just yelled at me again. So I left. I can't help but wonder if it's my fault she got attacked afterward."
Silence filled the loft, his words hung in the air.
"What if she didn't get attacked at all" Emma muttered quietly. Everyone's head shot to where she was standing. Hook had his arm slung over her shoulders. "What if after you left she cracked just layed down in the alley and lost her mind."
Everyone seemed to ingest her words. It would make sense, except for the tears in her skirt and blouse. Not to mention the broken hand and scratches.
After what seemed like an eternity, Hook finally spoke. "If that's the case then we have to make her remember. Not only would it put her mind at ease, but it would put everyone's mind at ease."
"What if she really did get raped again, I can't make her go through that." Mary Margaret shook her head while tears pooled in her mint green eyes.
"It might be worth it" is all Emma said.
All at once everyone rose to their feet and made their way to the hospital. Neal took his usual spot on his mother's hip.
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"You want to do what now?" Robin sat next to Regina's bed and covered his hand over hers protectively.
Emma, David, Hook, and Mary Margaret stood on the other side of her bed.
"We want to make Regina remember" Emma said tersely "maybe what we think happened to her didn't even happen. In that case you and your family can have its peace of mind, as well as everyone else."
Robin should his head angrily "and if it did happen? You're willing to put my wife through her attack again? You've got to be out of your mind."
The tension was palpable in the room. Thick enough to be cut with a knife.
Not a word left Regina's lips. She just stared at the door.
"The pros outweigh the cons Robin." Charming was almost pleading with the archer.
A scoff left Robins lips "maybe for you, because you don't have to live through it again. Maybe for all of you because you aren't protecting the one you love. Maybe for all of you because you aren't going to have to try and calm down your soulmate in the middle of the night when she wakes up screaming. So to me no, the pros do not fucking outweigh the cons." Robin was fuming, and Regina was shaking.
Before David could open his mouth again, Regina spoke.
"Get out." It was weak, a whisper. If you weren't listening you wouldn't have caught it.
"Regina…." Mary Margaret was added to the mix before she too was shut down.
"No. All of you get the hell out of this room. You all come waltzing in here like you've got the greatest idea since sliced bread and then you drop this load of shit on me. Oh sure it'll be a weight lifted off your shoulders when you find out, but for me and my family? All of you pretend to care about me, but if you did you wouldn't ask me to remember. I'm willing to bet that you just want to clear your guilty conscious, is that right David? Well I'm not having any of it. I really don't want to remember getting raped, I've had enough of it from your father Snow to last me a lifetime. Get the hell out of here."
Mary Margaret's jaw instantly dropped to the ground when Regina spoke of her father like that. The first time she had ever accused him of rape was outside her house the first night it snowed. Now every time she said it a knife like pain sliced across the princess abdomen. It was only the second time she had ever brought it up. Regina was used to hiding all her pain.
"Your majesty…" Hook tried again.
"OUT" Robin half yelled from where he was next to his wife.
At that moment Ruby and Tink walked in with Lilly, Caroline, and Roland. Lilly was on Ruby's hip, Caroline on Tinks.
When the crowd heard the yell they all shrunk down, except for Lilly.
The fearless toddler climbed out of Ruby's arms and onto her mother's hospital bed. She wormed her way into her mother's lap and sat facing her. "Mommy don't cry" she said as she touched her mother's face. In a wiggle of her nose a bouquet of flowers was in her hand.
Caroline followed shortly after, and sat on the other side of Regina closest to Robin. She nestled herself in the corner, Robin now stroking her hair.
Lilly turned to face the unwanted visitors "I think you should go now" the toddler hissed coldly.
Shock registered on all of their faces. Neal, who had been still until now started to squirm in his mother's grip. Charming reached out and took his son.
Without waiting for a response, Tink and Ruby lead the uncharmings out. Now a days they had become Regina's bodyguards as well as best friends.
Roland now stood at the other side of her bed. He took his hand in hers and kissed her on the cheek.
"Gina when can you come home?" Caroline looked at her with hope in her eyes.
"Soon my darling, soon" and Regina hoped she meant it.
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Once again thank you guys for reading every week, I really appreciate it. Review if you want. I'm trying to make the chapters longer by the way. Love you guys.
