Chapter 8: Magic Lessons

March 14th 2014

"Thank you for preparing dinner." David threw his napkin on the table, a content sigh on his lips. This was his first decent meal since his last date with Regina.

"Thank you for letting me stay here." Belle rose from her chair and collected the dirty dishes. "This is the only place I know Rumple can't get into." She concentrated on her task, avoiding the look of pity in the Prince's eyes.

"Belle, I know you love him…"

"I know I shouldn't… Not after everything he's said and done." Belle took a shaky breath. The last draw had been his snarky remark to David about him being stupid enough to love a soul as dark as Regina's. Was Belle also being foolish to love the Dark One? She knew that a lot of people in Storybrooke agreed with that statement and she had tried to ignore them. But it was harder when the words were coming from the man who supposedly loved her.

David gently placed his hand on her wrist. When he finally got her attention, he smiled at her softly. "A lot of people thought I was mad to leave Snow for Regina. To even consider a relationship with her."

"Regina was… is", Belle corrected herself, "different. She wanted to change. For Henry and for you. Rumple… Rumple thinks that the end always justifies the means. He doesn't care about other people but himself."

Belle was right, of course, except on one important point. Regina did not change for Henry or for him. She changed for herself, to be able to establish meaningful relationships. David knew she was sometimes still struggling with making the right decisions but she understood that the change had to come from within and not because of him or even Henry. But he could not share his thoughts with the distressed woman in front of him. Rumple was not Regina. And he probably never would be.

As he was about to respond with platitudes, the doorbell rang. The Prince frowned. "Stay here" he ordered Belle. Although Rumple was unable to take down the protection spell Regina had placed over the mansion, David would not be surprised if he hired someone to do his dirty work.

David gasped in shock when he opened the door to find Emma, Neal, and Blue on the porch. "Is something wrong? Is Regina alright?" His eyes widened in fear.

Emma placed a reassuring hand on his forearm. "She is fine, David. Henry is spending the night at the hospital with her." She gave him an encouraging smile. After much debate with all of his parental units, they had agreed to let the boy spend the night at the hospital with his mother. Sarah and Jonas had promised they would keep an eye on the pair. David had been reluctant at first but Emma had convinced him that Henry needed to spend some time with his mother alone. Besides, Emma wanted her father to spend a night in his own bed. "Can we come in?"

"It's good news, David." Blue added.

David nodded and stepped inside the foyer, inviting his visitors in. Upon hearing Emma's voice, Belle came to greet them as well. "We've just finished dinner. I was about to serve some dessert and tea. Would you all like some?"

Neal smiled. "This sounds perfect, Belle. Thank you." The man walked toward her. "I'll come help you."

"Thank you." The two headed toward the kitchen as David turned back to face Emma and Blue.

"What's the good news?" He asked expectantly.

"I think I've found a way to help Regina." Blue explained.

David's jaw dropped in shock. "How…?" His heart was beating faster in his chest; he had started to believe that he would never hear these words and to consider Whale's alternative to use the medicine of this world.

"How about we sit down?" Emma suggested. "This is gonna take some time."

"Of course." The Prince led his guests toward the first-floor study. As the two women sat side-by-side on the couch, David walked to the bar. "Anything to drink?"

"No. Thank you." Blue answered for the both of them. "Why don't you sit down?" The fairy suggested kindly.

David took a seat opposing Blue and Emma. "So what's your plan? Did you find anything?"

Blue and Emma exchanged one last look before the fairy continued. "It's not in any books. And I must warn you that what I'm about to suggest has probably never been attempted before." She swallowed, organizing her thoughts. "To the best of our knowledge, Regina's darkness was protecting her from the guilt… from the horrors the Queen committed."

"... and the ones that were committed against her." David commented.

The fairy nodded. She had not known what Regina's life had been like; only that she would become a powerful force of darkness and as such, Blue was not allowed to help her. Besides, no one with dark tendencies managed to stay off the path. But not only had Regina walked away from her path, she had also worked very hard at her redemption. And this feat was incredible. "Darkness has protected her mind. But there is something stronger… love."

"I've already tried True Love's Kiss… It didn't work." David answered dejectedly.

Blue gave him a soft smile. "I'm talking about your bond. If you can establish that bond, it should be strong enough to protect Regina from her memories."

David gasped in shock. He tried to speak but no sound made it passed his tight throat. Mercifully, he was saved by Belle and Neal bringing them dessert and tea. The short-lived distraction of plates and cups being passed around gave him the opportunity to collect and organize his thoughts. Once everyone was settled, David started his argument. "Blue, I don't know how to establish the bond with Regina. And even if I did, it wouldn't last. Eventually, I would have to let her go… knowing what she would have to live through. This is cruel! I…" David could not bring himself to pronounce the few last words. He would rather let her go than putting her through this kind of torture.

Blue nodded. "I understand and with the help of the Dark One", she pronounced the name with as much spite as a fairy was allowed to, "we think we may have a solution to that problem as well." With one glance, she signaled Emma to continue with the explanation.

"We think there is a way for you and Regina to permanently share that bond." Emma started.

"Every time you use your magic to do so, you're sharing a little bit of your soul." Blue added.

"Like soulmates?" Belle exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, exactly like soulmates." Blue confirmed. "We just need to make this more permanent."

"Gold thinks that exchanging your heart with Regina's might do the trick. Although the soul and the heart are two different entities, the heart is the receptacle for most of the soul." Emma looked toward Neal for confirmation of his father's words.

The man nodded, taking over from Emma. "My father thinks that if Regina's soul is attached to you, your love would act as a barrier in the same way the darkness did."

"More powerful." Blue added. "In essence, we would be linking your souls through your hearts."

David had stayed quiet, trying to absorb all the information at once. He had many questions and doubts but also a sense of hope. He knew how strong their bond could be and deep down, he already knew that this plan, however crazy it sounded, was their best bet. "There is only one problem: I'm not Regina's soulmate."

"What do you mean?" Emma asked in shock.

"She told me of a fairy who came to visit her a few months after she married the King." David started.

"Tinkerbell." Blue confirmed.

David nodded. "She took Regina to her soulmate. To a man with a lion tattoo."

"And if Regina had walked into the tavern that night, we may all be living very different lives." Blue interrupted. "But she didn't. The Pixie Dust led her to someone with the potential of being her soulmate." She paused. "There is a poet in this world, Criss Jami." She reached for a book in her bag and handed it to David. "I think this is the closest definition of a soulmate ever written."

David took the book carefully, opening it at the mark Blue had inserted before coming to the mansion. David scanned the poem quickly, stopping on the highlighted words: 'To say that one waits a lifetime for his soulmate to come around is a paradox. People eventually get sick of waiting, take a chance on someone, and by the art of commitment become soulmates, which takes a lifetime to perfect.' David looked at the fairy. "So all we have to do is put my heart in Regina's chest and hers in mine?"

"After you establish your bond, yes." David was about to protest but Blue spoke faster, delivering all the bad news at once. "There are a few things you need to know about sharing your heart with Regina." She waited to have David's full attention. "You didn't have a lifetime with Regina. It's possible that the soulmate connection is not fully there. In this case, it would be the equivalent of putting the heart in the wrong body and you already know the results."

David shivered as he remembered the monster Daniel had become. "But then, it would be a simple matter of exchanging the hearts back." Emma reassured him immediately.

"And this is why maintaining the connection with Regina for as long as possible before we perform the exchange is crucial."

"To let our souls get used to each other." David finished.

"Yes." Blue took a deep breath. "David, this is going to be much different than when you've established your bond in the past out of love. You'll feel all of Regina's fears and pain."

"I know." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"You also need to be aware that if something happens to Regina while she has your heart…"

"If she dies, I die with her." Charming interrupted. Blue did not have to tell him. Even without exchanging their hearts, if anything happened to Regina, he would not survive. "I know." David stayed silent for a long time, absorbing the information.

"How are you planning to get Regina to establish their bond?" Belle broke the uncomfortable silence.

"We're not." Emma answered. "We're not planning on having Regina perform any magic."

David looked at Emma with confusion. "You're going to have to learn to establish the bond with her." She smiled at her father. "And Gold is going to show me how to take a heart."

"Absolutely not!" David jumped to his feet. "You're not taking magic lessons from Rumpelstiltskin!"

"Dad!" Emma stood in turn. "I don't need your permission and I'm the only one here capable of doing so. Unless you want Gold to take yours and Regina's heart."

David shivered at the thought. Even if they managed to establish their bond, Regina would likely be frightened and he did not want the Dark One anywhere near her. "Can you do it?" David asked Blue.

The fairy shook her head. "No. As a fairy, I'm not allowed to take hearts."

David was about to tell her to put her rules in a certain part of her anatomy but he thought better of it. He looked at Belle, remembering what she had told him about Gold. To him, the end always justified the means, no matter who got hurt in the process. Although he resented the fairy, he could not ask her to forget about her rules. He would be no better than the Dark One.

"I'll be with her." Neal assured David. "I won't let my father hurt her. Can you trust me?"

David looked in-between Neal and his daughter. "I'll be there too."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible. You'll have your own magic lessons to take." Emma retorted. "Besides, I think it's best if you sit this one out. I can handle Gold. I'm not a damsel in distress." She looked at both her father and her boyfriend pointedly.

"Emma is right. We need to teach you to reach for Regina. And that responsibility will fall on me." Blue supplied. "We don't have much time. Dr. Whale can keep her on her feeding tube for the next four weeks at the most."

David did not need a reminder of Regina's precarious condition. "When do we start?"

"Tomorrow."

ECECEC

March 15th, 2014

David was lying on his bed with Blue sitting at the foot. She had told him to choose the place where he and Regina had shared their magic the most. Embarrassed, David had led her to their bedroom. If Blue was sharing his discomfort, she did not show it. "Has Regina shown you how to access your magic?"

David quickly nodded, remembering the lessons at the cabin. "But she helped me."

"I know." Blue gave him an encouraging smile. "There are three steps we need to achieve. The first is for you to access your magic without Regina's help. It's still a part of you, David, and it's there somewhere."

He nodded. "Next?"

"Next, I'll teach you how to reach for my magic with yours. In some ways, it will be harder to pull mine than Regina's for you. I'll help you at first, so you know what it feels and looks like and then you'll be on your own." She explained. "Finally, once you're able to establish contact with me, I'll make it harder for you and try to fight you."

David frowned. "If it's easier for me to reach Regina's, why do you want to make it harder?"

"It will be harder for you to recognize my magic and try to link with it. However, once awake, Regina will most likely react on instinct and she'll try to pull back from any attempts to reach her magic." She paused. "If we're right and Regina is able to use both dark and white magic, she'll be very powerful, David. You need to be prepared. Are you ready?"

David nodded. "What do I need to do?"

"Close your eyes and try to feel the remnants of magic in the room. Remember what Regina told you." Blue only hoped that the Queen had taught the Prince enough to recognize his own magic and if they were lucky, hers.

David immediately executed himself, trying to visualize the beautiful white cloud Regina had shown him. But all he could feel was sadness and despair. After thirty minutes of unsuccessful attempts, David sat up on the bed and threw his hands in the air in frustration. "I should be able to do this!"

"David, you need to give yourself some time. It takes a while to learn to recognize one's magic."

"We don't have time. Regina doesn't have the time!" David was irritated by Blue's patronizing tone. "I could do it so easily with her!"

"Then maybe here is not the right place." Before David could ask for an explanation, Blue flicked her wand, transporting them to Regina's hospital room. She motioned toward the sleeping brunette on the bed.

David approached Regina, unsure of what Blue hoped to accomplish by bringing him here. He tucked the Queen's hair behind her ear and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Hey, sweetheart."

"Lie down next to her, David." The Prince turned his head toward the fairy, still confused about the point of this exercise. "Give it a try." She encouraged.

David removed the restraints and laid down next to Regina, holding the small brunette to his chest. He burrowed his face in her neck and deeply inhaled her scent. She smelled like home. She felt like home and David relaxed on the bed, forgetting for an instant why they were here. He only concentrated on the moment, on the sensation of Regina's body pressed against his, on the softness of her skin.

Blue observed the Prince for ten minutes, waiting for him to be receptive to the magic slowly filling the room. "Try now, David." She whispered.

David concentrated on the feeling of love and warmth and smiled when he saw the familiar white cloud, pulsing brightly. They were now one step closer to saving his True Love.

ECECEC

Enchanted Forest, 15-year-old Regina

Jacob was finishing cleaning the horse tack in preparation for the competition this weekend. Cora had insisted Regina participated even though the young girl only wanted to ride for her own enjoyment. Although Jacob had no doubt that Regina could win the competition easily, he felt sorry for her. As usual, her mother had taken something dear to her daughter and had transformed it into one more social event, one more way to place Regina in the high society.

After ensuring that Rocinante's saddle and bridle would pass Cora's inspection, the stableman snuffed out the light and prepared to exit the barn, ready to spend some quality time with his family. It was Daniel's birthday and he had promised his boy his special birthday dinner. It had been a tradition since Daniel was a little boy. Since they could not afford a gift for him, Jacob and his wife has always made sure Daniel would get to choose the menu. Even though his dear Beth was gone from their lives, Jacob would keep the tradition alive.

As he was about to close the door behind him, he heard sniffles coming from one of the stalls. Using his lamp, he made his way toward the main area. He found Regina curled up in Rocinante's stall. "Regina?" He called her name softly. Although Cora would disapprove of the familiarity, the young girl had insisted he used her first name.

The young girl curled more on herself, trying to hide in the shadows. Jacob opened the box's door and hooked his lantern at the entrance. He then approached the frightened teenager slowly all the while reassuring the stallion of his good intentions. He crouched down and placed a gentle hand on Regina's arm. The girl shrieked in response and moved away from the touch, scared.

Jacob gasped as soon as he saw her face. She was covered in blood and still bleeding from the rather large gash on her upper lip. He did not have to ask her who was responsible for it. "Let me have a look at you, Princess." His voice was soft and comforting. "I won't hurt you. I promise." Regina let Jacob examine her, holding back the small whimpers of pain as his expert hands were assessing the depth of the wound. "You need to see a doctor."

Regina shook her head vehemently. "I can't. Mother told me to stay in my room until they come back from the ball."

Jacob sighed at the realization that the ball was probably the reason Regina was in this state. "We need to stop the bleeding and clean the wound to prevent infection. Can you walk?" Regina nodded and Jacob helped her out of the box. Grabbing his lantern, he guided Regina toward his home at the back of the property.

"Daniel!" Jacob called as soon as they entered the small house. "Boil some water and prepare some Queen's Bloom!" He led Regina toward a nearby chair. She collapsed on it as Daniel was entering the main living area.

Upon seeing his dear Regina, the stable boy grew pale. He rushed toward her, concern etched over his features. "What happened?"

In lieu of a response, Regina wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into him. Daniel simply held her and the gesture brought her more comfort than all the healing magic in the world. Jacob lightly squeezed Daniel's shoulder. "I'll get the water and the herbs."

Half an hour later Jacob had cleaned Regina's wound and applied the herbs. The girl had quieted in Daniel's embrace, who was gently rubbing her back and murmuring comforting words. Jacob wished with all his heart that he could help the two lovers. But Cora's magic was too powerful. Even if they managed to run away, the sorceress would find them and not hesitate to kill his son. Three months ago, he had promised Daniel to help them come up with an alternative. But truth be told, their future was grim. "How are you feeling?" Jacob asked kindly.

"Better." Regina forced a smile. She nuzzled into Daniel's chest, unwilling to let him go.

"I was about to make dinner. Would you like to join us?"

Regina tensed at the invitation. If her mother found her here, she would be punished. But she felt safe in Daniel's embrace and her parents would not be due for another three hours. Besides, she had not expected being able to spend Daniel's birthday with him. "Yes. Thank you."

Jacob smiled. "What would you like?" He addressed his son.

Daniel smiled. "Some roasted chicken and an apple pie."

Jacob chuckled. He knew that the dessert was more to Regina's benefit. "Why don't you two help me with the pie? You can start by peeling the apples." They cooked, they laughed, they played, and they shared stories all night. In that instant, Regina's life could not have been more perfect.

Two weeks later, Daniel traced the small scar on her lips with the pad of his thumb before kissing Regina passionately. She interrupted the kiss when she heard a young girl screaming for help on a runaway horse.