Author's Note: I'm so happy to see that people are still reading and favoriting this story! I did tell you that I had the second chapter almost done! I'm not sure how many more chapters this story will have, but we're nearing the climax of the story. Kudos and thank you all for your continuous support.
"So this is Storybrooke." Emma says while walking around the street, people and stores passing by without a care or regard.
"Does it seem familiar to you?" Henry asks her.
"Not really. And, based on what Killian told me, it shouldn't because he said that I have no family in Storybrooke."
"But that doesn't mean that you're not from here." Myka tells her softly. "Maybe we could ask around, see if anyone remembers you?"
"There's no need." Emma murmurs. "If they did, then they didn't care about me much because I was at that hospital bed for a long amount of time and yet they just found me."
"Doesn't hurt to try." Henry says simply while smiling at the store in front of him. "Can I go in?"
"Yes." Myka smiles warmly. "Just don't go all crazy with the comics."
"I'll try not to." he promises. "You wanna come?" he asks Emma who shakes her head.
"I think I'll just stay outside and take a look around." she says calmly. "But if you see a comic of WonderWoman get it! That woman is such a badass."
"No one beats Batman." Henry smirks and quickly goes inside before Emma can answer him.
"Cheeky." Emma chuckles softly and notices Helena staring at her. "Do I have something on my face?" she jokes in order to dissipate the tension.
"I was just thinking about what you just said about no one recognizing you." the brunette woman says calmly. "And it surprises me that you're not interested in trying to find more information about you."
"Helena..." Myka warns her sternly.
"You're worried because I don't want to find the people that never truly wanted me around?" Emma asks loudly.
"That's what I meant." Helena says apologetically. "But as a person that has experienced, let's call it a reawakening, I was desperate to learn of what I had missed while being away. I guess what I mean is that I'm surprised you're not."
"I should be." Emma murmurs brokenly. "But why should I care about a life that apparently was unimportant? I mean, just look at my situation: I don't remember where I live, or my family or the friends that I should have had. Which leads me to believe that maybe I didn't have those things to begin with."
"And you suspect that's why no one tried to look for you." Myka says understandingly.
"That must make you feel quite upset." Helena tells her softly. "Perhaps even a little angry?"
"Angry at who?" Emma asks her, knowing already what Helena was trying to find out. "She told you. Regina told you about our past."
"She told us that you were together." Helena answer her carefully and Emma can't sense a lie in that statement. "And based on all I have heard, I can't help from wondering if you're angry or upset at her for not finding you earlier."
"I could never be angry with Regina if that's what you're trying to ask me." the blonde is direct in her answer. "Because I don't know, I still don't remember, my relationship with her. And, it was Killian the one I was engaged to. Not Regina." she chuckles bitterly. "For all I know, I could have been a..." she looks at Henry who's talking with the salesperson. "...a bitch and hurt her and yet here she is taking care of me."
"I don't think that you should believe that." Myka smiles warmly. "Because one thing I have learned about Regina while being here is that she only strives for the best and what she believes she deserves. So, if she's helping you and willing to give your relationship another try then don't question it."
"She's really wonderful, isn't she?" Emma asks happily while staring at the two women in front of her.
"She's been a great friend." Helena agrees. "Which is why I felt compelled to ask you these things. I know how Regina feels about you, anyone can see it in the way she looks at you. And perhaps it's me being overprotective of her, but the last thing I would wish for her is to get hurt."
"And I don't want to hurt her." the blonde promises them. "Believe me. In fact, I feel so many things for her, things that I cannot explain. And Regina, being her wonderful self, is not pushing me away or demanding things of me. She's just there, telling me to take my time, to get to know her and for her to get to know me."
"That sounds a lot like something she would say." Myka tells her warmly. "Maybe you should do as she told you and take this as an opportunity to reacquaint yourself with her?"
"I want to." Emma says surely. "I mean, I can't really explain it but all I want is to be near her." she whispers embarrassedly.
"Then let go." the curly brunette whispers to her. "Don't think about, don't try to find a reason in it and just let your heart decide for you. Give yourself the chance to be happy."
"It almost sounds as if you believe that Regina will make me happy." the blonde chuckles softly.
"I know you do." Myka smiles warmly at her while giving her hand a soft squeeze. "Be brave." she finishes when Henry comes out.
"I didn't find any WonderWoman comics." he says apologetically. "But I did find one of the Detective Comics and one of the characters is Batwoman."
"Oh thank you Henry!" Emma smiles at him while giving him a hug and getting the bag from him.
"How about you two walk towards the park while Myka and I have some words?" Helena says suddenly and Emma quickly notices the way the curly brunette looks worriedly towards her partner.
"Would you be ok with that Emma?" Myka asks her timidly.
"I won't let him out of my sight." she promises the two women and both nod in confirmation before moving away from them. "That was strange." she says carefully.
"Something must have happened." Henry simply says and this makes Emma stare carefully at him.
"You don't seem so worried about it."
"I trust Myka and Helena will keep me safe."
"I'm sure it's nothing." she tries to dissipate the tension created between them. "If I ask you something, will you tell me the truth?"
Henry stares knowingly at her.
"You know I can't lie to you." Henry says. "I can try, but we both know you'll immediately realize that I'm doing so."
"You're very direct." Emma chuckles bitterly. "And also seem very aware of what I can and can't do."
Henry remains quiet.
"What's your relationship to Regina?" she asks straight up. "Because I have seen the way you look at each other, and that look is not one of mere friends or friendliness."
"We're close." he simply admits. "I know you're curious Emma, but please don't ask me any more questions."
"Why?" she asks bitterly.
"Because I will tell you the truth and I promised to not influence you into doing or believing anything."
"But you would be telling me the truth! I would know if you were lying."
"What I consider to be the truth doesn't necessarily have to be the truth." Henry says sadly.
"Shit kid." Emma whimpers brokenly because she can see how much it hurt the boy to say that. "I'm sorry this is happening." she says softly and honestly.
"It's not your fault Emma." he whispers brokenly. "I'm just happy you're here, with us. All the rest doesn't matter." he confesses and this makes Emma just lower herself and give him one tight hug.
The moment she hugged Henry, Emma felt her heart beating faster, as if a part of herself somehow recognized the kid in her arms. With Myka's words still on her mind, instead of shying away from the feeling she embraced it, burying her face in his shoulder while squeezing him tightly. Surprisingly, she could feel the boy returning her affection, as if he could recognize what she was feeling and was reciprocating her emotions.
Once they separated, Emma gave one look at Henry, and in his eyes she noticed the same love and longing that she could see in Regina. And it wouldn't really surprise her to realize that she was also looking at him like that. So, although nothing made sense, with the fact that Henry was not related to Regina, a deep part of her soul was telling her that there was more to their bond than deep care. Which in return meant that she had a relationship with Henry as well.
"You and I know each other, don't we?" Emma whispers to him.
"We knew each other." Henry admits shyly.
"I can feel it." she tells him honestly. "And I'm so confused. What is happening Henry? Why am I feeling like this?"
"I don't want to lie to you." the young boy confesses. "So all I can ask of you is to trust me, trust us. We don't want to hurt you, Emma. That I can promise you."
"I believe you." Emma tells him surely. "But I wish I understood. I can't stay like this for longer, not knowing what's going on but realizing that all the people that are surrounding me DO know exactly what's happening."
"Hopefully it won't be like that for longer." Henry promises her. "We're trying to fix things Emma."
"And what if I want to help?"
"You're helping. Even if you don't realize it, by choosing to stay with us, by doing your best to get to know us, you're helping us."
"So what, I just sit down and do nothing?" Emma scoffs because of course that's what the kid would say.
"Be with Regina. Be happy Emma. You deserve it." Henry smiles warmly. "You told me earlier that you wanted to know her. Am I to assume that you changed your mind?"
"No! Of course I haven't." the blonde says quickly.
"Then go meet with her at Granny's. She's already waiting for you."
"But it's not even 12." Emma starts to say but then shrieks when she looks at her watch and realizes it's 12:22. "Holy sh... molly." she corrects herself while Henry snorts in amusement. "This is the time already?!"
"Seems so." he chuckles. "So, shall we go before Regina thinks you left her standing."
"Yes please!" she pushes him forward, towards the exit of the park where Helena and Myka have been waiting for them.
"So you finally noticed the time?" Helena jokes warmly.
"You could have told me." Emma murmurs. "I don't want to be late."
"You won't be. I have learned all the shortcuts and streets Storybrooke has." Myka winks at her. "Besides, we can't let you be late to your first date."
"That just won't do." Henry adds while getting a high-five from Helena.
"You're such a little rascal!" Emma shrieks while earning the laughs of the three other people in the car.
Strangely, it seemed to fit the situation and it warmed Emma's heart.
SQSQSQSQ
"Did you bring me my coffee?" was the first thing Regina heard when she entered the Mayor's chambers.
"Yes I did." Regina tells her calmly while handing the woman her drink.
"These tastes different." Snow says the moment she tastes it.
Petulant child, Regina thinks bitterly.
"Well it shouldn't." the brunette replies tersely. "I ordered it just the same way I have ever since you hired me."
"Bring me another one then." Snow says annoyed while throwing the cup in the trash. "And this time don't make the same mistake or I'll have your job."
Not intimidated at all by the actions of the woman, Regina merely stands still, trying her best to not attack the woman in front of her. She had been excited about having lunch with Emma, of finally figuring things out and ending this curse once and for all. But of course, it only took Snow and her bitchiness to ruin it all.
Why did it even have to be today of all days that the woman was in a mood?
"Of course ma'am." Regina remains calm. "But who shall answer the phone while I'm away? Or would you like for me to directly connect them to your office?" she can't help herself from saying sassily and immediately regrets it when she notices Snow focusing on her deeply, as if analyzing her.
Refusing to back down from the challenge and continue to allow Snow to bully her, she was surprised when she noticed that the other woman was scared. Whatever she had seen in her eyes, it had been enough to intimidate her.
"Is there something you wish to tell me?" Snow asks her but there is an amount of hesitation and fear behind her concealed threat.
I need to back down, Regina thinks bitterly, or she'll suspect that something's wrong with me.
"Of course not." she tries to stutter out and hopes Snow believes it.
"Then why are you still standing here and not on your way to get my coffee?" the other woman finally backs away from her and moves back to her chair.
"I'm sorry." Regina apologizes and almost gags at having to do so. "I'll go get it right now." she finishes saying while quickly running out of the office.
SQSQSQSQ
She remembers, is the first thing Snow thinks the moment she sees Regina leave her office. Somehow, Regina was starting to remember her true self, and while it didn't seem that she had figured out who she was, the traits of the Evil Queen's personality were starting to show, which meant that her curse was weakening.
It didn't take a fool to realize that it all correlated with the arrival of the agents and kid in town, but then again, there was no instance that the three of them knew each other or hung out. These were the times where she blamed herself for not asking more information about the Curse. And, the only man who had any knowledge about it was a victim of said Curse as well.
But there's another one, Snow thought bitterly, another that knows about the Curse and the person that created it.
Hastily taking her things and turning her phone off, Snow gave one look at her office, and noticing that her assistant was not back, she decided to take advantage of it and quickly move out. The last thing she wanted was for Regina to realize that she suspected of her, or give her enough reasons to suspect of her behavior and bring more doubts to her identity and role in Storybrooke.
Emma, while being another point of concern, was not right now her key focus. The woman had no recollection of who she was, Killian was already ordered to approach her the moment she saw her and with the way her daughter was, it would only take a short amount of time to get her to agree to the engagement. That, along with Gold's help in getting the necessary paperwork to persuade her would be enough.
But Regina was a whole different matter. She needed to understand what was going on and now.
Walking the short distance towards the hospital, Snow tried her best to remain calm and composed, not wanting to give the people any reason to suspect of her of even mention her presence in the establishment. She had been very vocal when it came to Emma and it didn't surprise her to find out because of Anthony that the people of the town were only talking about the blonde woman and her identity being important enough for the Mayor to get involved. Snow was becoming sloppy and she couldn't allow that to continue.
Moving towards one of the doors, she quickly typed the password into the lock and subtly went inside once it opened. Unsurprisingly, there was a woman waiting for her by the door; one of the few women in her castle that had remained loyal to her cause. Snow had rewarded that loyalty with a comfortable job and life in Storybrooke.
"How has she been?" Snow asks her.
"Same as always. Not saying a word but eating all her meals." the nurse tells her immediately.
"Good. Go ahead and take a small break while I talk to her." she orders the woman who nods in agreement and leaves her.
Opening the door, it doesn't take long for Snow to see her. Although it had been years since she last visited, the woman in front of her still looked the same way. Brown eyes still cold and dark, piercing and openly gazing at her figure. The action, which years before had turned her own, now only made her become disgusted and angry. She had been very tented to kill the woman the moment she first found her. But a little, tiny voice told her not to; to keep her just in case she would need her.
It seems that day was today.
"But if it isn't the Mayor." the woman laughs deeply. "It's been quite some time since you last visited me."
"I've been quite busy." Snow tries to remain calm. "Since I'm the Mayor and all..."
"Of course dear." the woman mocks her. "Which it makes me wonder why you're here today. And I don't believe it has anything to do with mayoral or administrative duties."
"Shut up bitch." the brunette tells her angrily. "We both know why I'm here."
This makes the woman's face change to one of amusement.
"Is there something troubling her Majesty then?" she concedes.
"So you're aware of who you are." Snow says relieved. "Why? The curse was supposed to give all the victims new identities."
"Do you really think I wouldn't be prepared just in case someone managed to cast the Dark Curse successfully?"
"I suspected." she says bitterly. "Which is why I'm here." she takes a deep breath. "The Curse. It's weakening."
"I've felt it." she smiles darkly. "Time is moving forward, days are passing by. The Savior is in town."
"Stop mocking me." Snow gets closer to her.
"But this is too much fun dear. I mean, you betrayed me and aligned yourself with the Dark One in order to cast it. In fact, why are you even here talking to me about this and not him?" the woman teases her.
"Trust me, if I had a choice you would be the last person I would choose to see."
"Oh you naive child!" she cackles. "Don't tell me you casted the curse without truly knowing the mechanics of it?" she laughs yet again when Snow doesn't answer her. "And you're here because of that. Because you want me to explain it to you."
"Information would be appreciated. We can make a deal in order to make your stay be more comfortable."
"My information is far too precious for a mere change of room." the woman replies surely. "No Snow, what I want in exchange of my help is my freedom."
"Your freedom!" Snow says angrily. "You deceived me, you tricked me. You were only trying to use me so that you could cast the curse and become the Queen. Too bad I did it before you did and imprisoned you here."
"Which makes us equals then." the woman says softly. "And, if I remember correctly, you also tricked me. So, let bygones be bygones. Besides, you seem desperate enough to agree to my deal."
"If there's one thing I learned about you Cora is that you crave power. If I set you free, what would be stopping you from trying to take me down?"
"Our deal, of course." Cora smiles cheekily. "You're right, I do wish for power and comfort. But, I don't wish to be in front and in charge. During my time as Manohara I found out that my position was pretty convenient and I wish to acquire something similar to that in this realm."
"And in return you'll tell me everything you know about the Curse?" Snow asks hesitantly.
"Of course dear." the older woman extends her hand. "So, Snow White, do we have a deal?"
"We have a deal." Snow White says reluctantly but shakes Cora's hand accordingly. "Now tell me how to stop the Curse from being broken."
"Easy." Cora smirks. "You must kill the Savior."
SQSQSQSQ
This can't be good, Helena thought while staring at her phone.
"Regina?" the woman answers her phone carefully. "Did something happen?"
"Snow is gone." she hears Regina tell her frantically. "She told me to go get her another coffee, and the moment I came back the office was empty and her phone is still here."
"Do you think she suspects?"
"I'm not sure." the brunette responds worriedly. "She seemed very upset when she came to work and she was staring at me, as if analyzing my every move and response."
"That doesn't sound good." Helena says cautiously while staring at Myka, Emma and Henry who are talking with each other. "What do you suggest we do? Do you think she changed her meeting with Gold?"
"I don't think so. I mean, Tauriel would have told us about it since she planned on being around his shop earlier just in case that happened. No, Snow when to meet with someone else."
"We need to find out who this person is. I don't like the way she's acting right now. Carelessly. We've seen some people looking curiously at Emma, like they've heard about her."
"Agreed. When I went to Granny's to get Snow's coffee people were discussing about a blonde stranger in town who had no family." Regina tells her nervously. "We can't let Snow realize that she's with us. We must cancel that date at Granny's."
"No Regina." Helena tells her surely. "We will not give into fear. You cannot stop Emma and yourself from living just because of the possibility of it being a risk. Don't give Snow the satisfaction; and show her that True Love conquers all."
"I'm scared Helena. What if this exposure ends up coming back to Henry and it hurts him?"
"Myka and I won't let that happen." the agent promises her immediately. "We'll drop Emma off at Granny's and quickly meet with Tauriel so we can wait for Snow's meeting with Gold. Right now we're at the park and nothing seems odd or strange."
"Ok." Helena hears Regina whisper. "Let's continue our plan as if nothing has changed. We can worry about Snow later. Besides, I have been imagining my lunch with Emma during most of the day." she admits shyly.
"She's been the same way ever since you asked her." Helena jokes warmly. "Go, stay at the office until your lunch break and then leave. We don't want to feed her suspicion."
"Then I'll see you soon." Regina promises. "And please, do be careful. I wouldn't want either Myka or you to get hurt." she finishes and hangs up, making Helena chuckle.
Moving towards Myka, Emma and Henry, she can notice the way they're talking to Emma, as if giving her the necessary push to accept what's happening around her. Luckily, Emma wasn't so complicated and seemed to accept that the bond she shared with Regina went beyond explanation or logic. Maybe it had something to do with all of them being from another realm, but the point is that all of these people seemed to accept that love conquered all.
And lately, Helena had needed to believe that as well.
"How about you two walk towards the park while Myka and I have some words?" Helena says quickly and notices that Myka immediately stares worriedly at her.
"Would you be ok with that Emma?" Myka asks her timidly and that's when the brunette notices that Emma was also looking at her, probably trying to analyze if she was lying or not.
"I won't let him out of my sight." Emma promises and that's all the confirmation she needs before walking away from them with Myka following closely behind.
"What happened?" the curly brunette asks her rapidly after making sure that no one could hear them.
"Regina called, said that Snow left the office and she has no idea of where she went."
"Shit." Myka whispers bitterly. "But that's not all, is it?"
"She suspects that Snow may be on to her, about remembering her past. The woman even left her cellphone behind just in case she could be tracked."
"This is not good Helena. We were counting on having more time, on learning what Snow wanted from Gold and use that against her. Does Regina have any idea of why she left so hastily?"
"We suspect that Snow may have another ally, someone we don't know or haven't met yet."
"But why would she seek extra help if she still hasn't had the meeting with Gold? We believed that he was the only one capable of helping her."
"I don't know Myka." Helena murmurs. "But I bet it has to do with the fact that she's becoming suspicious of the curse being affected. Lately, people have been talking about Emma. That, and the fact that she left Killian must be worrying her."
"But that still doesn't explain why not ask Gold for help. I mean, based on what we have heard she's done so before."
"Maybe because the kind of help she needs is magical." Helena realizes. "Remember dear, only we're aware of the fact that Gold remembers his Enchanted Forest self. Snow must believe that he has no memory of their time there and hence no knowledge of magic and Curse related things."
"Ok, that makes sense. And, we can use that to our advantage. She'll get sloppy." Myka tries to reassure herself. "But that also means that the person Snow sought out is aware of their Enchanted Forest self."
"That is very worrisome." the older woman murmurs. "Because we were not counting on Snow learning about the Curse. And surely, just like Regina and Gold seem to know about the way to break it, this person must also have this knowledge. Snow wouldn't risk it like that if she didn't believe this source didn't have the answers."
"So what do we do then?" the curly brunette whispers.
"We have to continue with our plan. We leave Emma at Granny's and afterwards meet with Tauriel near Gold's shop. We hear what Snow discusses with him, and hopefully that can give us some answers about her other ally. By that time Regina and Emma should be done with their meal and we must tell Emma to return with us to the apartment. By no reason can we allow anyone to realize that Emma is staying with Regina."
"We can do that." Myka says calmly. "But what should we tell Emma and Henry? To explain this."
"We just tell her that we're being careful about Henry. Hopefully Henry will find a way to distract her and we'll use that to our advantage. The last thing we need is to have Emma lurking around trying to find answers."
"Ok." Myka murmurs and looks towards Emma and Henry noticing the seriousness of their conversation. "Should we intervene?"
"I think Henry has it all under control." Helena tells her softly while staring at mother and son. "As I said, it's impossible for a mother to forget her bond with her child, and Emma, unconsciously, is doing her best to comfort Henry."
"I wish I had something like that." Myka whispers. "A bond like the one they have."
"It may not mean much Myka, but I've always remember and care for you." the older woman tells her softly. "I love you Myka."
Myka stares at Helena and notices the way her eyes are focused on her, how they're craving to hear those words said back to her, but at the same time not expecting it. It was sad, to see how much Helena underestimated herself and her capacity to love.
"I love you too Helena." she tells the brunette surely. "And I know that right now may not be the best of times, but once we fix everything and we help Henry break this Curse we'll talk about this."
"Will we?" Helena asks sadly.
"I said I would wait for you no matter how long it took for you to recognize your feelings." Myka reminded her. "I won't change my mind Helena. And I hope you won't either."
"I won't." she promises Myka. "I've waited too long, suffered in silence for too long and prevented us from being happy. If Emma and Regina are capable of openly admitting their feelings, and one of them doesn't even remember her true self; then I can confess what I've felt from the moment we met."
"You say things in the best way." the curly brunette whispers happily. "Now let's go fix things so that you and I can have our happy ending."
"Try to stop me." Helena says determined and smiles when Henry and Emma make their way towards them. "So you finally noticed the time?" she jokes warmly.
"You could have told me." Emma murmurs. "I don't want to be late."
"You won't be. I have learned all the shortcuts and streets Storybrooke has." Myka winks at her, also ecstatic.
It seems that admitting their love for one another took them to cloud 9.
"Besides, we can't let you be late to your first date." her partner finishes saying.
"That just won't do." Henry adds and Helena gives him a high-five.
"You're such a little rascal!" Emma shrieks and all the people around her laugh at the remark.
Yes, being in love was definitely making things all better.
