New chapter guys!! I hope you enjoy!

XXX

Chapter 7Revelations and deals

Robin's mind was reeling. His heart was going a hundred, miles a minute. The broken skin beneath his fingertips kept him achingly aware that this was not a dream. He was hurt that Regina felt she couldn't trust him. He was so worried for her. She had been rejected by the person that was her everything, only to realize the only other person in the world that knew what she was going through couldn't be there for her. What hurt the most was that everything she said had been true. There was always someone in-between and every time he'd been the one to put them there. It made him sick to his stomach to realize he only added to her pain when all she needed was a shoulder to cry on. He could have been that person if they had not been so rudely interrupted. Which brought him to his current predicament. His father was waiting for him on the other side of that door. Robin knew he need to calm down before he entered the room.

He gripped the doorknob and focused calling himself. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

Then another.

And one more for good measure. When entered the room, he found his father bracing himself against the back of a small arm chair. He hoped the large door that announced his presence would have prompted his father to begin talking, but after being in the tense room for what felt like seemed be an eternity it seemed he would have to the first to speak.

"What is it that you needed me so urgently that you had to interrupt-"

"I don't want you to even entertain the idea of having a relationship with that woman." Edward spoke over his son. "I tried to deny it. I told myself not to doubt my faith in you, but seeing you with her just now confirmed my every suspicion... We don't want a repeat of Spain."

"What happened in Spain was not my fault." Robin ignores his father's scoff. "That engagement wasn't going to last. It never was. Father, she was in love with someone else."

"She was very interested in you Robin," His father denied. "and she would have married you if he hadn't been entertaining other women."

It was Robin's turn to scoff. That's not how he remembered it. "She knew I wanted to marry for love and I wanted the same for her."

"Get that nonsense idea of marrying for love out of your head! You now have another chance and you're throwing it all down the gully! You told me yourself you thought Emma was a nice girl. Your mother and I even allowed you a month before you we're both officially engaged! This is how it's been for centuries! I'm happy! Your brother's happy! Why can't you?" His father rubbed his temples. It was little things like this that reminded him that his parents were getting older and in turn, more persistent about him getting married. "If you had not listened to all of those love stories Susanna told, surely you'd be married already."

His father couldn't be serious. He had the nerve to blame Robin for the failed engagement. His fiancée was in love with another man long before Robin came into the picture. How was that his fault?

"You can't possibly blame me for that."

"I don't I blame that witch." Robin's father spat.

That was it. He had never seen his father this way. He was normally such a sweet man. He loved Regina, why all of a sudden what she below him?

"You've gone far enough." Robin and his father were toe to toe. "I will not let you talk about Regina in that way. She is my friend."

"Not for long."

"What bloody hell is that supposed to mean!?"

"She's with child Robin!" His father yelled into his face. They both took a few steps away from each other, one was out of shock and the second was to give the other man space.

"What.." Regina's pregnant? She didn't look pregnant to him, not that he'd seen many pregnant women before. Why wouldn't she tell him? Of course she wouldn't tell you anything, you git. She doesn't trust you.

"Son, you know I love you." Edward guided his son into a nearby chair. "I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I just don't want you throwing your life away over a summer fling."

"Father.."

"I understand. You're young and you want to live a little, but you are the prince of England. You can't afford to be involved in such scandal. The Catholic Church will not approve of this. I do not approve of this! You're engaged to another woman for crying out loud!"

"You think it's mine?!" Quickly popped out his chair. "We've never been intimate! If she carries a child it's not mine!"

"Well," Edward paused to gather his thoughts before continuing. "there's no need to worry. I had the rumor shut down before it could do any real damage. I saved your good name."

"Rumor!" Robin gasped out as he slid back into the chair, but immediately stood back up, unable to stay seated for long. "You got this from a rumor?! And what about Regina? Did you save her from the vicious hands of gossip as well? Or did you just leave her for the wolves?"

"I don't understand what you expected me to do? If she really is with child, how would it have looked if I been the one to deny it? The father of the princess' fiancée vouching for the sister of the man who wants her throne. People would have thought I was covering up the true biology of the child. In the end it would only make things worse for you." Edward slumped into the small arm chair positioned in front of the window. He took a small gulp of his gin before looking up at his son. "Look, I like Regina, I do… but every time I get close to marring you off, this woman seems to pop up out of nowhere and then the engagement falls through. All I'm saying that-"

"What father? What is it that you are trying so hard to say? Regina is my friend. First off, what happened in Spain was not Regina's fault. Secondly, you're judgment is all solely based off of a rumor. And you're already halfway wrong. I never expected the king of England could be swindled by the gossip of Misthaven. The home of all things gossip. If you still need proof, I'll just ask her after dinner."

The older Brit sighed and drained what was left in his tumbler. "There's no need Robin. I trust your judgment. But if this engagement falls through and you're not a married man by the end of this month, you'll be on your own. Completely."

His father was never a man of empty promises. Robin didn't like the Idea of an ultimatum, but he knew his father was only doing what he thought was best. He swallowed his pride and nodded. "Understood."

His father's words just didn't sit well with Robin. There more he thought on it, the heavier the stone at the bottom of his stomach became. "Had.. had Regina fallen heavy with my child, you… you would have encouraged me to abandon them?"

Edward's silence was all the answer he needed.

XXX

The moment the door clicked behind her, separating herself from the Brit on the other side, Regina found herself being pulled further into the room and sat at a vanity.

"Where the bloody hell have you been all day!?" Zelena practically screamed in her ear. "You've been invited to tea with the princess. I accepted on your behalf."

"When is it?"

"Right now. Get dressed."

"Why are you so eager to get me to this tea?"

"Mother is here. Where were you? I had to cover for you."

Regina blood ran cold. "Mother!? She was supposed to be in the next city over on business for Parliament."

"Well it looks like she got done early. And decided to pay her children a visit." Zelena scoffed as she pulled all of her sister's hair into a messy bun. "Now up! We don't have much time." She dragged her younger sister out of the chair and behind a changing screen. "Take off your clothes."

Regina quickly began stripping. "Zelena, is mother attending the tea as well?"

"No. It will just be you and her majesty." Zelena's voice sounded far off and muffled. Regina peaked her head around the screen and when she didn't immediately see her sister she stepped out a little further.

"Zelena?"

"In the closet." The redhead announced as she emerge from the closet holding a simple dress in her arms. "Put this on."

Regina took the dress from her sister and frowned. "Zelena this is far too casual for tea."

"The princess say she wanted it to be casual attire."

Regina rolled her eyes, yet quickly slid in to the dress. "If we're going by the princess' meaning of casual I could have just kept on the outfit I had on."

Regina smiled when she heard her sister's cackle from the other side of the screen. She loved making her sister laugh. Moments like this were rare between them, so she had treasure them.

"True." Zelena agreed and zipped her sister up when she walked from behind the divider. "But Mother is here remember? She would kill you if she knew you even owned denim. How on earth did you even acquire such a thing?"

"I honestly don't remember." The shorter brunette mused as she sat in front of the vanity. "Maybe I got it in Spain? I wore a lot of thing mother wouldn't approve of there." She picked up her makeup brush and handed it to her sister. Without missing a beat the red head happily took the brush and swiveled the chair around, so that both sisters were facing each other. Zelena only gave her sister's cheek one swipe before she suddenly stopped. Regina opened her mouth to speak but can short when she noticed the other woman's piercing gaze. She realized how much of a mess she must look right now. And her sister could see every detail. She spent over a decade learning to mask her emotions, but she was too drained mask the hurt she felt.

She could do her makeup herself and avoid questioning eyes, but Zelena could do it a lot faster than she could and her hands are still shaky from the conversation she had with Robin earlier.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" Zelena knelt in front of her younger sister. She held their hands together encouraging her sister to open up.

Regina turned her away from the worrying blue eyes. She couldn't speak. She knew if she did she would be overrun with emotions wasn't ready to deal with. She could only take so much raw emotion in a day. She took a deep breath willing her emotions to say in check, but the task proved harder to execute than perceived. She waited for the wave of sadness to pass, but it never did. It clung to her like a parasite draining all the joy and happiness from her very essence.

"Munchkin look at me."

That did it. Regina couldn't fight back her sobs any long. Her sister hadn't called her that in years. They'd been so close when they were younger, but now they fought so much she was convinced Zelena hated her. The revelations of organic emotions and lack thereof was too much to bare in the short hours. A fresh froth of those emotions came crashing over her like tidal wave. She couldn't mask the pain she held in her heart any longer. She barely had time to process what she was feeling. The only thing she could decipher was pain. She felt it radiating from her surrounding, that could only be described as a constant ache or a dull throbbing that became increasingly prominent and hard to ignore. Her pain was a weight. It felt heavy against her shoulders and head. She felt as if she was a foot shorter. Her whole life was falling into pieces. She wanted to keep her little prince. She wanted to hold him in her arms and love him for the rest of her life. But she couldn't. She couldn't care for him the way mothers could. She had no money. Her mother had found the hidden stash she'd been saving since she first found Henry and took every last dime off her personal and locked it up with the rest of her assets. She was forced to live off of her mother and by her rules until the passing of her uncle or she married. All she wanted was her baby boy. She could picture him now. Standing in front of his window waiting for her arrival or sadly waving her goodbye with his one free hand, the thumb of his other safely tucked away in the comfort of his mouth. Her poor baby only sucked his thumb when he wanted comforting or he felt alone or he was scared. She wanted to be the person who made sure he never had to put his thumb in his mouth. She wanted to go to that window, pick him up and never turn back. But couldn't. She'd hurt him and he wanted nothing to do with her. And then there was Robin. The man she fell in love with in Spain. She loved him then and spending time with him today only reminded her that she was still in love with him. But, alas, he was engaged. He was not hers to love. Neither was Henry.

It took her a moment for her to register her sister had engulfed her in a hug and she couldn't more grateful. The last the wanted right now was to be alone. Even though Zelena had no idea why she was crying, it felt good to have some to hold onto. The pain was still there, but now she felt like she could breathe again. It felt good just to get it out. Her life was such a mess, but when wasn't it? Whose life wasn't a bit messed up? They were all a bit messed up, some more than others. Regina let out a sad almost manic laugh into her sister's shoulder before removing herself from her grasp.

"Are… you ok?"

"No. I'm slowly dying on the inside and there's absolutely nothing anyone can do about it.

Zelena starred at her sister. She was visibly uncomfortable and I think be crystal clear to anyone that she had no idea of what to do in a situation such as this. Regina felt bad for her. She really did. As much as she was grateful to have someone to lean on in her momentary lapse in composure, she knew her sister couldn't understand what she was going through. No one could. No one knew.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're losing precious time that we don't have." Zelena smiled down at her sister and began lightly applying make-up. She acted as if nothing had happened. Regina didn't know whether to be hurt or relived.

"Lena.." Regina began after moment. What was she doing? Was she apologizing for breaking down? Was she going come clean about Robin and Henry? She didn't know. She paused to let her sister put on the finishing touches. "I.." Regina was never able to finish the end of a sentence because their mother chose that moment to burst into the next room unannounced. Luckily, by the time she found her way in to their room, both women were on separate sides of the room committing seemingly innocent tasks, void of any emotion. Zelena took to her needlepoint off to the side of the room while Regina brushed through the tangles out of her long hair. Their mother was clearly on a mission and was far detracted to notice the stiffness in her daughters' movements.

"Regina, there's a deadly rumor going around about you and the English prince." Regina looked up that the mention of Robin. She kept her mother's gaze in the mirror and continued to brush through her hair. She knew her mother was analyzing her every move. She was looking to catcher in some kind of lie. There was no way her mother had found out about her little adventure to the orphanage. "I also heard you were gone from the palace for a grateful deal of the day."

"I assume you came to find out if there is truth to whatever rumors they managed to come up with. I assure you hold no truth."

"Of course they don't. No daughter of mine would risk her good name and high standing over an infatuation."

"Of course not. And neither would Robin. No matter his emotions, he will remain loyal. He will honor his commitment to the princess. He will not leave her to be with me. Not when his fiancée is in dire need of a husband to claim her Birthright. In fact," Regina paused to gauge her mother's reaction, before she continued to brush through her hair." I've decided I can no longer seduce Robin. I cannot use him in that way. He is a great man and will make a fine husband and King to the princess. It isn't fair to either of us to continue on this way. I know you told me you wanted me to-"

"Damn it Regina! No one told you to fall in love!"

Regina whipped around in her chair to face her mother completely. "It's not as I did this on purpose mother! It just happened. I didn't mean for it to happen." There was no point in denying it, her mother already knew.

"Jesus Crist come save my soul." Cora mumbled to herself, yet loud enough for her daughters to hear. "Tell me. Is there a child?"

"Mother how-" Regina starred at her mother with her mouth hung open in an unladylike manner. Who told Cora about Henry? Was that the rumor? "What?"

"Answer the question Regina! Are you pregnant with that man's child?!"

"WHAT!? NO! Mother how could you think that?" Regina now stood face to face with her mother. She could see the flush of the other woman's skin and the involuntary shaking of her body. Two of the tell signs that Cora was in one of episodes. Her mother occasionally had these sudden impulses of anger. It had been awhile since one of these episodes had occurred and had been directed towards Regina. They happen more frequently when they were children and often directed her frustrations towards them. Of course no one said anything about it then, Cora was far too powerful. No one would dare cross her and risk the chance of her fury directed at them. Regina liked to think that Cora got herself help because she realized she was a danger to her children and didn't want to hurt them. She knew that wasn't the case. Cora wanted to be a part of The Royal Parliament and her episodes would not be tolerated should they continue. She was prescribed medication that kept her emotions in check. Her temper would literally be the death of her.

"You've taken care of it then? Is that your explanation for leaving the castle with the English prince?"

"Taken care of it?" Regina staggered away from Cora as if she'd been burned. This was the most disgusting thing to leave her mother's mouth. "Mother have you been drinking? Do you hear yourself? This is nonsense! I'm not pregnant and never have been! If I were, I would never even consider what you are suggesting. Yes, I... I love Robin, but I could never be close to him in that way knowing it would only lead us both in for a bigger heartache."

Cora seemed to be coming out of her episode. She was clearly still very angry, but now it was a controlled anger. "How many times do I have to tell you stupid girl! Love is weakness. And weakness will bring about nothing but shame upon our family."

Regina hung her head defeat. For years she thought her mother was wrong. Her father taught her that love was the most precious gift they as humans could receive. He explained how it should treasured and shared amongst people. He failed to tell her that with great beauty came great pain and loss and suffering. Love, a lot like fear, is a drug. It could kill in the most unsuspecting ways possible. "Yes. I know mother."

Love is weakness…

Oh how she hated how right her mother was.

XXX

Emma was frantically pacing outside her chamber doors for the past 25 minutes and yet it did nothing to settle her nerves. The tea was supposed to start 30 minutes ago. If there was one thing she knew about the Jones' was how much they prided themselves with their punctuality. She paced across the hall so many times, she thought she just might have worn a hole into the carpet. Maybe Regina wasn't coming. She really couldn't blame her, the last tea had been a disaster. She spit on her for goodness sakes. Part of her really did want to make amends with the other woman and not just to get information out of her or because Elsa made her realize that no matter who ascends the throne they would see a lot of each other. She wanted to do the right thing, but she didn't know what that was. She knew she couldn't do this in between thing. Either she was going to play Regina and get the information she needed or she was going to actually become her friend. She couldn't do both. Emma looked up the portrait of her father and sighed. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

"Well, I don't know about that." A strong accented voice spoke from behind her, belonging to none other than Killian Jones. "Let's have a look-see. What did you do?"

"I invited your sister to tea as a... I don't know a courtesy? Since she… she extended the olive branch first. And then I ruined the tea. I don't even know what I'm doing. Belle told me it was customary to invite… I don't even know." Emma had no idea why she was being so honest with him. Maybe it's because she felt bad for snooping in his family's quarter or maybe it's because she hadn't found any evidence of them having any Ill will towards her. Was she guilty? Was she doing this as more of an apology of some sort?

"When is the tea?"

"Right now. Your sister is running late."

"Well, hmm. That doesn't sound like her. Though to her defense, my sister has been missing for the better part of the day." Killian explained.

"Wait, what?" Emma stopped her pacing and turned to the tall man. "As in someone took her? Or.."

"I'm not sure. She's never left the castle since we've been here. She probably went exploring or something. I wouldn't worry about her. She's probably fine."

"You don't seem too worried about your missing sister."

"I honestly think she's hiding deep in the library with her nose stuck in a book."

"Why would she be hiding?"

"Our mother is on break from Parliament for a long weekend and decided to pay a surprise visit." Quickly changing topics Killian walked into the room set up for her and Regina's tea. "Would you like me to join until my sister arrives? I promise I'm great company. Shall we?" Killian held the large door open for her. "Big foot."

"Pirate."

"Sorry princess, but that nickname is already taken." Killian smirked as he took a pastry from the table flourished with an array of sweets.

"For who?"

"Me." He smiled as stuffed the entire pastry in his mouth. "But that nickname is reserved special for my baby sister." He spoke after he swallowed the flaky treat.

"Baby sister? How would Regina react if I told her you called her your baby sister?" Emma took a seat in the middle of one of the sofas, hoping Killian would follow her lead and sit on the couch across from her. Instead the man sat right beside her and rested his back on the arm of the chair so that he was facing her.

"She'll get over it."

"Like at my birthday ball?" Looking back and knowing things she hadn't before, it was kind of humorous. She remembered the angry looks the brunette sent her during the night. She had thought the other woman was upset because she was openly flirting with her man. But it turned to be her brother. Unless there was some weird incest shit going on, Regina had no right to be a man hog. …. Not that Emma wants him or anything. Because she didn't.. doesn't.

"Well she did, didn't she?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "What was that all about anyway? I thought she was your girlfriend or something."

Killian chuckled before answering. "That was Regina's first ball. At least her first one in Misthaven. Mother doesn't allow her to get out much. I promised to stay with her the entire night. But as you saw, I got a bit distracted."

"Mother's kinda... a..." Witch. Control freak. Crazy. "Never mind. So, does your pirate alter ego have a name?"

"Aye. My name is Captain Hook. Or more recently known as Captain Guyliner." Killian leaned closer to her falling into character. "Never repeat anything I've told you. If a word of word of this leaves this room, I'll have to gut you like the fish we catch."

Emma smirks, with a boost of courage and leans in to him and matches his position. "Or what?"

She never finds out 'what'. The answer falls flat, never escaping past his lips. Drowned out by the loud bang from the opening of the heavy oak door. His sister chose that moment to grace them with her presence. The two jump apart and resumed they're respective spots on the couch.

"Am I interrupting something?" Regina questions. She didn't have that condescending look on her face like she normally did when she spoke to Emma.

"No." Emma shook her head as she moved towards the decorated table. "Not at all. Your brother was simply keeping me company until you arrived."

The woman hummed in response, but it was clear her head was somewhere else.

"What's wrong?" Killian popped up from the couch and was by his sister's side in an instant.

"Nothing is wrong Killian." The brunette snapped at her older brother.

"Regina, what's going on? You look like shit." Great! Now they were speaking in French. Don't they know that's rude? If they wanted a private conversation all they had to do was step outside. Besides, Emma's been working on her French. She could understand bits and pieces. She's not fluent, but she could hold a conversation well enough.

"How terribly kind of you dear brother. Glad to know how you truly feel.""You know I didn't mean it like that. I'm just worried. Where have you been all day?"

"That's none of your concern. Now if you will excuse me, Miss Swan has been waiting long enough."

"We could reschedule if you would like." Emma offered. "I don't mind it. Honest."

"Nonsense." Regina quickly waved off the idea. "Besides, we're both already here and you've gone through all this trouble. There's no need to postpone."

"If you say so."

"I do." Regina turned her attention to her brother who was still hovering over her. "Leave us." She all but shoved her brother out of the room, before she took a deep breath and turned her attention back to Emma.

Emma smiled warily in return. This was going to be an interesting tea; that much was obvious. "So," She cleared her throat and drug her attention to the table fill with all of Emma's favorite sweets. "Should we get started then?"

"Of course." Regina began as they made their way to the table. "Ms. Swan, please forgive me for my tardiness. There were a few matters that needed taking care of before my arrival."

"It's cool."

Awkward silence filled the room. Emma didn't know what to say or do at these things. She'd been imagining how this encounter was going play out in her head multiple times, but she somehow forgot about the awkward silence. Emma was prepared for any snarky comment the brunette would make or any conversation that would lead to an unpleasant encounter, but neither of those things happened. She was the host of the tea. She felt like she needed to say something, but what?

"What's one rule that you can never seem to follow?" Emma unexpectedly exclaimed into the silence, startling both of them. "I mean like… you know nobles and stuff. Not that you break rules or anything. Or that there are rules. I mean there are rules, but there's not like a rule book or anything. I mean it's not like anyone would tell me. I wish everyone would forthcoming and tell me exactly what they wanted from me. Is it that hard to be honest? It would be better as a book right? Then you'd know exactly what was expected of you. Sorry. You don't have to answer that... any of it. I just.. was wondering." She stumbled across her words in hope to rectify her fist comment. She didn't know why she'd said that. It just popped out.

"No snacking." Regina smiled, deciding to put the blonde out of her misery. "I like to keep a small bag of grapes in my clutch, if it's big enough. It comes in handy when you have to attend long events."

In response Emma gave her a tight lipped smile and continued to eat her food.

"Ms. Swan you are quite different from the ladies I dine with on the norm. Shall we move to the sofa?" Regina lifted the tea tray from the table and set it on the smaller coffee table in front of the couch. "We both know this is far from a traditional tea and I know like to comfortable. I would like to learn more about you." She smiled as they both took a seat on the sofa. "Perhaps we could even become something close to friends. If we were friends, maybe it wouldn't feel as if we were on opposing sides of a chess board."

Emma nodded then there was silence. The only sounds that could be heard in the room were the occasional clinking of their porcelain teacups moving across its saucers. Emma was at a momentary standstill. Regina had been the one to initiate the truce. Why would Regina want to be her friend? The awkward silence lasted about five minutes before the brunette spoke again. "I know my family and I may not have given the best first impressions, but I'm trying to make up for it now. Please give me a chance."

Emma sighed into the couch, ditching all formal posture. "Fine. You want to be friends?"

"I would appreciate that greatly, yes."

"Why?"

"Why do I want to be your friend?" Regina paused for a moment weighing her options. "Ok Ms. Swan. You want honesty? I'll be very honest with you. My mother hates you. Very much. And personally I'm not very fond of you myself. But I currently dislike my mother more and she does not want to see you on the throne. I don't expect us to become best friends who braid each other's hair and gossip about boys. Let's just try to be civil."

"I can do that." Emma easily agreed. "But I have a question. And I want the truth. What's the deal between you and Robin?"

"Whatever do you mean? I have no dealings with Prince Locksley."

Ping. Emma's lie detector went off. "There's one thing you should know about me. I always know when someone is lying. I call it my super power. I don't like secrets and I don't like being lied to. If you want to be friends, I need honesty. You wanna try and answer that again?"

Regina rolled her eyes before answering Emma. "We met last summer and the thief stole my book."

"Among other things?" Emma raised her eyebrows in a semi suggestive way and not so subtly moved her hand over her chest were a beating organ presided.

"Whatever you are implying, I can assure you, princess that I have zero interest in your fiancée." Ping. "Whatever rumors you've heard around the castle I assure you hold no truth." Emma's simply smirked at the other woman on the couch and took another bite of her sandwich. The little brunette beside her was not impressed. Emma would have been fine with the friendship offer, more than fine actually. She only wished it had been herself that initiated the olive branch. Although Emma felt bad that she scooped through their room, she still didn't trust the Jones'. More so, she didn't trust herself around them. There was this underlying feeling that told her she could trust them, but something didn't sit right with her when it came to them. So what she hadn't found any evidence suggesting that they had any ill intent towards her. That didn't mean that they were suddenly great people. Regina had never been nice to her before today. Granted they didn't see much of each other to hold a true conversation, she was always met with glares in passing. But Emma didn't mind, she could still use this to her advantage. She could still become friends with Regina and get her to let down her guard, maybe, just maybe she could get her to admit what her family was planning, if they were planning something. And on the off chance that Emma was wrong, she would have at least gained a new friend. She still had to tread lightly. If she wanted Regina to think they were friends she'd have to actually be friendly towards her.

"So what do you nobles do for fun around here?"

"I'm not sure what others do, but I've taken to reading and board games. My sister is truly skilled at needlepoint and my brother enjoys sailing and sports."

That's it? No going out to see a movie or a night out dancing? This kingdom doesn't do anything for fun. That didn't sound right. She'll have to ask Ruby about it later. "Well, there's a chess table over there. Would you like to play a game?" Emma offered.

"During tea? I suppose one game couldn't hurt." Regina agreed as Emma led them to the chess table. "Ms. Swan I must warn you; I am very competitive. I hardly ever loose."

"Hardly ever proves that it can happen." Emma countered.

"Not likely, though I do enjoy a worthy opponent. I assume you would like to play for the white kingdom." She motion to the board in between then.

The game started off slow, both cautiously moving their pieces across the board.

XXX

"AHHHH!! Zelena help me!" A six year old Regina ran through her family's parlor, dodging maids and furniture in an attempt to get awnipay from her older brother."Slow down mija!" Roberta, the children's governess called after the young girl. But Regina kept her path through the kitchens and into the Great Room."You can't escape from the great Captain Hook!" Killian snuck up behind a lifted her into air.

"AHHHH HAHA!! Zelena help me please!" The six year old burst into a fit of giggles."Give me a minute. I need to finish this flower first." Zelena held up the needlepoint she was working on."Looks like no one's coming to save you princess." Killian let his sister's feet touch the floor once again, but held on to her shoulders, should she try and make an escape.

Regina gasped and grabs at her chest in dramatic shock. "How do you know I am a princess?! Who told you?""You doubt my skill? Who do you take me for? I am Captain Hook! I know everyone!" In his excitement Killian raises his hand in triumph, forgetting his hold on his sister. Thinking fast Regina spins around and jabs him in the leg with her imaginary sword. "Ahh!" Killian collapses to the ground clutching onto his wounded leg. "Parlay! I call parlay!""You're using it wrong." Zelena commented from her spot across the room."Parlay?" The six year old asked stepping out of character. "I don't know what that is."Breaking character Killian sat up from his spot on the ground. "Parlay is what pirates say when they want to strike a deal.""Incorrect brother."

Killian quickly hopped up and marched over to his older sister. "Well if you're so smart, why don't you explain it then?!"Setting aside her needlepoint, the ten year old sat impossibly straighter in the stiff chair. "Parlay is the pirate law that states anyone who enacts the laws of parlay must be permitted passage on to the pirate's ship to negotiate with the pirate captain and cannot be harmed by anyone of the crew until their dealings are over."

"How come you know so much about pirates?" Regina squeezed in to the chair Zelena was sitting in."I read it in book last week. Did you know that it was bad luck to have women on the pirate ships?""No one likes a know-it-all Lena." Killian mumbled and crossed his arms. He and his sister were constantly fighting for the little sister's attention. She was so easy to excite. It made them feel important."Killian?"

"Killian! Are you listening?!"

"Damn it Jones! Get your head out of the clouds!"

Killian jerked for his daydream when he felt a hard smack to the back of his head. "Bloody ell mate! What was that for?"

"If you get you head out of the clouds, maybe you would have seen it coming." Killian's personal self-defense coach, Smee, pointed the tip of his sword at his chest. "What's with you? Your head's been somewhere else today."

"It's nothing." Killian lied easily. All wanted to do was protect his little sister from whatever the hell made her cry. He knew she had been. He could see it in her face. The one particular memory constantly played on repeat in that back of his mind. It was one of his favorites. It was the day he swore to protect his sister's attention all cost. He wanted to be anywhere but here. "It's been a long day and I'm still recovering for a migraine I had earlier."

"You think danger will wait for you to have a fun and relaxing day? No! Go again! You get a break when you win." And so they continued their sparring in the court yard.

XxX

"I spent a little over a year studying abroad. I traveled from Spain this past February, just before my 20th birthday." Emma and Regina thought it would be best to get to know one another a little during their game of chess.

"Wait. You're younger than me? But you're like, like… mature and stuff." Emma fumbled. Unable to find the correct words. "I mean I knew you couldn't be too much older than me, but I wouldn't have thought you were that young. Younger than me.

"Only by a couple of months. It hardly makes a difference, though it appears that I have surpassed you yet again, Ms. Swan." Regina removed another one of Emma's pieces from the board. "Mother would be pleased if anything pleased mother."

Emma wasn't sure if she should be offended or not. She decided to shake it off for now. "You know, I had a real bitch if a teacher that used to call me that all the time."

"Ms. Swan, your vocabulary continues to surprise me. You're as elegant as a drunk and speak the tongue of a pirate."

That Emma took offence to. She had gotten too comfortable. Regina is still the enemy. She couldn't fall for her ploys.

"Don't be so sensitive all of the time. It doesn't make for a great ruler. You need balance." Regina paused and took a more serious tone. "Honestly, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. You are different from the average Misthavian people. I don't mind the way you speak as much as I thought I did. It's quite refreshing."

"It's fine. Just hold back on the insults. We're not there yet." Emma sighed. She knew she was trying to be friendly, but it was too easy for mess with each other. They knew it got on the other's nerves, but they did it anyway. Frankly Emma found she rather liked getting on the brunette's nerves.

"Ms. Swan-"

"And no more Ms. Swan. If we're friends then just call me Emma."

"You can't possibly expect to address you without a title."

"Uhh yeah! I do. I don't like all the formality all of the time. I like to just be Emma.

"Very well, Emma." Regina conceded and brought her attention to their game. "Let's discuss the upcoming picnic. Viscount McBrayer and his wife: You'll want to stay away from them. They love my brother far too much and would love to see him on the throne.

Lord Phyllis and his cousin Dale are huge flirts. Flirt with them and you get whatever you want. They prefer the company of the male species so you won't have to worry about them truly holding feelings for you."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Emma stopped the other woman from continuing. Regina on her part looked genuinely confused as to why Emma would ask such a question.

"Well I would assume you would not want the poor gentlemen to fall head over heels for you when you-"

"No. No. I understand that, but why tell me? If I do well, it's just another step closer to me being on the throne."

"I won't sugarcoat this for you. Everyone expects you to fail." Emma frowned, but didn't interrupt. She made her move on the board and waited for Regina to make hers or continue speaking, whichever came first. "I could easily discourage you from the throne as most would expect me to. My siblings and I were raised to rule and not only survive, but thrive in the upper class community. By the age of nine most Misthaven children in the upper class can fluently speak three languages, set a royal dining table for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Mishaven and its neighboring countries. These are second nature to us. We never have to question when tea time was or which fork to use. You are entering this life at 21 and have to play catch up. Lucky you, you're at the top on the food chain. But that also means everyone is watching your every move. You're clumsy and you can't afford a misstep. That will get you kicked out of here so fast you won't remember your last name. Living at court can be draining and very lonely if you have no one to share the burden with. It's the little things that growing up in Misthaven would have taught you that makes living in court bearable. I want to prove to you that you can trust me. And... I… against my better judgment, I do wish to be your friend. Honestly, I could use a friend right now. Well, more than I could use an enemy. And I... um.. nevermind."

"No. Tell me what?" Emma wanted her to continue.

"You have to know that you've practically have the throne. It would have been yours anyway, if your father had stayed in his country. The only way you could lose it now is if the people of Misthaven see you as unfit to rule. That includes the nobles and those of Parliament. I don't want you to fail this upcoming weekend." Regina almost looked embraced to have confessed such a thing, but the look was quickly replace with one confidence and surety. "I want there to be an even playing field. If for some reason my brother becomes king, I want him to have done it fair and square. And I know he would want that too."

Emma smiled despite herself. She was a bit dazed, letting all the information sink in. this woman was full of surprises. Yes, she heard Regina when she practically laid out her flaws and why any upper-class Misthavian their age would be more qualified to run the than she was. Yes, she heard her. But she also heard her when she said she hadn't want her to fail and that her brother wouldn't want that either. There were so many reasons why she shouldn't be queen. Good, logical reasons. Maybe even more than not. However, there also valid reasons why she should and could become Misthaven's queen.

"They say you can learn a lot about a person form a game of chess." Regina broke through Emma's internal monologue.

"Oh yeah?" Emma asked with false confidence, she hoped didn't show. "… And have you learned about me?"

"You're indecisive. You're unsure of yourself and your moves." Regina stated plainly, making her next move without breaking eye contact. She smiled at Emma and motioned for her to make her next move. "If I may offer a bit of advice? You are smarter than you think you are. If you trust your instincts you will survive. But until then… Checkmate."

Emma starred at the board stunned. How?

"I truly enjoyed this, but I really must be going. Another time?" Regina didn't wait for her to answer before she was up and out of the room.

XXX

Fist update of the new year yay! I know it was a bit short.. and kind of all over the place, but i hope you still enjoyed. I honestly don't know the next time i'll be able to update.. I have school to focus on.. but i'll be sure to keep the magic alive. You'll just have to patient. Until next time! SD!