Title: Part 8

Series: The Unknown

Author: Affinity/Mel

Archive: None but willing to share if you ask ^.^

Pairing: Getting there (SwanQueen and others)

Rating: PG-13 (mostly for language)

Disclaimers: Don't own Once or anything like that, just borrowing their characters.

Comments: I'm a feedback whore so if you want more of this, you'll have to let me know that ^.^ Also, I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine and will be fixed as I find them.

Part 8

"Sorry, that took longer than I expected. What did you find?" Sherriff Swan asked as she closed the door behind her. One could never be too careful in this town. Shifting her weight impatiently, she hoped this would be quick as she was already late for work.

Belle's smile was bright as sunshine when she heard Emma enter the shop and she transported her findings. Spreading a very old parchment along the countertop, she pointed out a couple of lines that held the most significance, "the entire family tree. I'm not sure why but there are several of these with detailed bloodlines of different families."

Studying what was presented, a brow rose. That was odd, something on there didn't quite match up to what she'd been told. Pointing to the name, she replied, "how do you know it's her?"

"There are quite a lot of retellings of this story but I discovered the images were all variations of the person you're looking for. Like this one," Belle began, setting an open book on top of the parchment. As Emma looked at the picture, she continued, "it's one of the earliest. Once I discovered her name it wasn't a challenge to unearth more but I don't know what is true or what is fiction."

Emma's jaw nearly hit the floor when eyes met with the image. The resemblance was shockingly uncanny and her mind reeled as information sunk in. No wonder they were so scared. Slowly regaining her ability to speak, she cleared her throat. "Wow. Uh, yeah, sounds like a lot to go through but that's all I needed. Thank you. Do you think I could borrow that scroll?"

"Glad I could help Sherriff. I uh, I'm afraid not but I did make a copy of it for you," the beauty beamed, offering the rolled up paper. To be honest knowing who this new woman in town was made her very nervous but she trusted Emma. With her staying over at that house she could easily keep an eye on them.

Emma flashed the other woman a smile that spoke a thousand thank-yous, then tucked the paper in her back pocket. "Maybe they should be calling you the Savior," she joked, turning to walk away. "Oh, about the ward. I went back to see if I could find anything on the other patients but things got weird. There's a wall where there use to be a door. Haven't figured out how that happened but I am working on it."

Belle's features fell ever slightly at the disheartening news but she gave a nod. Since taking over the shop she'd been unable to volunteer but maybe it was time she touched base with the hospital staff again. What Emma described definitely sounded odd and if Regina wasn't responsible, then who? Was it magic or was something else at work here? "Thank you. I'll speak with my acquaintances at the hospital to see what they know. We'll figure it out."

"We will. Thanks again Belle. Call if you need anything," the Sherriff replied as she exited the shop.

Meanwhile. . .

"Your Majesty."

The two women standing alongside the former Queen looked about in confusion, unable to discern the mysterious voice's point of origin. Amusement passed over Regina's features as she led her friends to a mirror in the next room where they were met with the smoky face of a man. "What's your progress?"

"It's as you suspected but they've run into a bit of a problem."

Regina rolled her eyes. Of course they had but by the tone in Sydney's voice she could tell there was more. "What do they need?"

"An opening."

After considering the possible ways to achieve this, Regina begrudgingly admitted, "I can't-"

"I can but it comes at a great cost. Are they willing to pay that toll?" Ana interrupted abruptly.

"Yes, and your debt will be cleared."

Why did she suddenly feel out of the loop? Was this another plan? Another vision? Oh what the hell did she care. Crossing her arms over her chest, Regina gave the mirror a pointed stare. "We'll be in touch." Turning to the younger brunette as the face disappeared, her words were a mix of curiosity and anger, "what is the cost?"

Afternoon at the Charming residence. . .

Such an exhausting day for the Savior. Her body ached, craving the sweet escape of sleep. Leaning heavily against the frame, she finally got the door to cooperate then stumbled on in. Instantly Emma realized something was wrong. Why were both her parents home? And what was Ruby doing here? Had Belle gone back on her word? Groaning softly, she plopped down into the nearest chair. "This better not be an intervention. It was a long night and I spent all morning filling out paperwork that should have been done a week ago."

"Emma, we're worried about you," David began.

"I'm fine, Henry's happy and Regina is behaving. What's the big deal?" the blonde grumbled through a yawn.

"The big deal is we don't know who these women are or what they're up to. If you hadn't noticed, Hook and Mr. Gold are missing. Something is going on and I'm almost positive it has Evil Queen written all over it," Ruby sneered. Didn't anyone fear for Henry's safety? From what she heard one of the women nearly gutted the boy so why was he sleeping under the same roof? All of this smelled wrong and her instincts were screaming. There was a storm coming and they needed to figure out the details before it was upon them.

Emma's eyes narrowed. Sure Regina didn't have the best track record but why would she be plotting against the town after saving it? She seemed pretty damn determined to keep Henry safe and happy but still, a small part of Emma wondered if Red could be right. Then again, Greg and Tamara came out of nowhere and blindsided them so who knew what forces could be at work. This was Storybrooke after all, where simple doesn't exist. And there was the disappearance of Hook and Gold which wasn't a surprise to her. She'd seen David's files on the matter but it wasn't her case and honestly she didn't want to owe Gold any more favors. The building annoyance must have been evident on her face because she was cut off before words managed to escape.

"What she means is we think it would be best if both you and Henry came back home until we have some answers. I know you think she's changed but she's dangerous Emma and these hyper aggressive 'friends' of hers are only going to put Henry in danger," Snow insisted, arms crossed as she gave her daughter a stern look.

Emma moved past annoyed and right to pissed off. "You have no idea what you're talking about. Yeah, something is going on but it has NOTHING to do with Regina. Why do you think I've been over there so much? I wasn't just looking out for Henry. She HAS changed and I'm not going to punish her AND HENRY because YOU refuse to see it. You might be my mother but I'm NOT your little girl and you all need to back the HELL OFF."

"Do you know something? Is that why you're acting like this? She'll only hurt both of you so why are you defending her after all she's done?" Snow barked back heatedly, her motion halted by her husband's hand on her shoulder.

The filter between her brain and mouth melted. "BECAUSE I LOVE HER!" Emma shouted before storming out of the apartment with a huff.

Thankful he was already behind Snow, David caught her when she fainted then stared at the door in shock. How had this happened?

Evening at the Mills residence. . .

Regina wasn't entirely comfortable with this. For the first time in ages she felt nervous and it wasn't just the ritual she'd been discussing with the others in great detail. Brushing stray blonde locks from the younger woman's face, she frowned. The Savior looked so sweet and innocent during her slumber it was a shame she had to wake her, especially considering the day she'd had. Or so the brunette assumed. When Emma had returned to the house she was in a state Regina could only describe as disheveled and that was very unusual for the Sherriff. Shifting awkwardly when a soft noise came from the restless form, she placed a hand on Emma's shoulder and shook gently.

Snapping awake, the Savior's heart nearly jumped out of her chest when she found the stunning brunette staring down at her. Swallowing all signs of the sudden vulnerability, she cleared her throat and groaned softly, "what?" She couldn't be any more civil on little rest and piling stress. Honestly she wanted to sleep through the rest of the week or find a quiet place to think about her earlier confession before dealing with anyone but she didn't have that luxury. Rubbing her eyes, she noticed how serious Regina looked and worry took permanent residence in her brain.

Regina's hand relocated to rest at her side, perfect lips parting to speak. "Miss Swan we have a matter to discuss. I'm sorry to wake you but it's best if we come to an agreement before Fey returns with Henry." There, short and to the point. Better yet without mention of how adorable Emma looked while sleeping. Lately Regina found herself second guessing every thought surrounding her possible love interest and it was damn annoying. Being lost wasn't something she had recent experience with as she'd allowed revenge to lay out her path in the past. So what was different now? A lack of vengeance for starters. She also cared how Emma felt about all of it but couldn't find the right time to approach the subject.

A low whine escaped as she propped herself up on her elbows with a long yawn. "Sounds pretty serious. Wanna fill me in?" She could tell this had to do with their son and a warmth spread through her chest. Regina was actively including her in big decisions so maybe, just maybe this could work. The parenting part already was, why couldn't the rest? Awaiting the other woman's answer, she tried to push the remaining fragments of her dream to the farthest reaches of her mind. Last thing she needed was to blurt out three words she wasn't comfortable saying to Regina's face.

The former Queen squirmed. That's right, she squirmed which she was certain would set off the blonde's Spidey senses or something but she continued in an even tone, "I know where Rumple and Hook are. In order to bring them back to Storybrooke there's a very dangerous spell only natural dark magic is capable of achieving. We'll have to prepare everyone for its price but there is also a matter of one ingredient used in the ritual. Ana will require a couple drops of Henry's blood."

"Whoa, wait a minute. How do you know where they are? What's going on? Why is this spell so dangerous?" Emma asked rapidly then took a moment to let the information sink in. What was best for their son? If this was so dangerous, why include him? Why did they need his blood in the first place? Sighing, she added, " I don't think Henry should be involved but. . .it's up to him. We should all talk about this so he understands what this decision means."

Regina frowned. She'd only heard from Sydney earlier that day so at least it wasn't as if she was TRYING to keep information from Emma. "They have reason to believe Neal is alive and called a temporary truce in order to find him. When the curse broke, Sydney returned to his prison and I asked him to use his unique position to keep an eye on them. He reported in this morning after you left. I apologize for not telling you sooner but I didn't want to get anyone's hopes up," she explained.

Emma nearly threw up. Her head spun like a horrible carnival ride and she let her elbows slip so she could lie on her back. Focusing her breathing, she replied nauseously, "what about the rest?" She didn't know how much more she could reasonable handle but better all at once instead of in pieces, right?

"The spell. It uses blood magic to tear open the veil between worlds and is the only way to pull them through. We no longer possess the hat or beans; there are no alternatives. Like all magic it does come at a great price. The portal will remain open until the ritual has run its course which means fighting off anything that might find it's way in to our world. The reason we need Henry's blood is because it's the only link we have to that side of his heritage. For once Miss Swan, I agree with you. When he arrives home we'll discuss this. . .as a family."

Bedtime. . .

What a kid. He listened to every warning and in the end still wanted to help. Emma found herself horribly conflicted but she respected the decision. Playing with the paper between her hands, she glanced at Ana who was all tucked in and ready for some sleep. Sighing, she talked herself into dealing with this now rather than later. There was going to be a big town meeting tomorrow about the spell and she had to know the truth. Tossing the bloodline copy in the brunette's direction, she asked flatly, "is that right? Are you really Morgana Pendragon?"

She felt sucker punched hearing that long forgotten name and everything in her sank. Shakily unrolling the paper, her eyes widened in surprise at its very existence but also what it didn't say. How had Emma obtained such information? Could it be true? Placing it on the side table, she sat up and looked the Savior in the eye. "I was. . .but I am that person no longer. You have all shown me there is a better way to live, to repent for the terrible things I have done. I will not waste this second chance."

Emma could tell Morgana was being completely honest and it comforted her to hear that. No wonder she and Regina seemed to have such a strong connection, they were practically cut from the same cloth. But that still didn't explain one thing. "What about Fey? She claimed to be your sister. Who is she? What do you want in Storybrooke?"

"That is what we were told but if I am to believe this parchment then it was another of Uther's lies," the brunette growled, though her anger was directed at no one in particular. Reigning in her rage through steady breathing, she continued, "we wish to find a place where we can be happy. I do not think Fey expected to develop such deep bonds, nor did I but we will do anything in our power to repay your kindness."

~tbc~