Chapter Two (cont.)

"The Thing You Love Most" SQ Rewrite

~And On Five O'Clock That Thursday~

You're not done with me. I know you will come back to me.

Fuck that. I'm not coming back to you.

I refuse.

Emma unlocked the door to her room and pushed it open, a little more forcefully than she meant to. She took a few steps into the room, but was stopped by Granny's voice.

"Miss Swan."

What now?

She turned around and waited for her to continue.

"Oh my, this is terribly awkward. Uh, I need to ask you to leave. I'm afraid we have a 'No Felons' rule. It… It turns out it's a city ordinance."

The damn mayor was at it again.

"Let me guess. The mayor's office just called to remind you."

Granny didn't answer directly, but the nervousness in her expression gave it away. Was this Regina's move to her taking a stab at her apple tree? She bet there was more to come. "You can gather your things, but I need to have your room key back."

Emma reluctantly held out the key to her and went to gather her things. A few minutes later, she was outside of the B&B with her one bag and heading towards her Bug when she saw it.

She was right. There was more to come.

"Seriously, Regina?"

She'd had her car booted.

Her phone began to ring, and she reached into her pocket to retrieve it. The name Regina Mills was displayed on the screen, and she shook her head as she answered it. "Yeah?"

"Look, I think we should talk."

Emma marched over to the car and unlocked it. "So you're begging me to come back?" She tossed her red leather jacket and bag in the front seat before closing the door and locking it. "I think you're confused about the message you told me. I think you're the one who will come back to me."

"Emma…."

"Back to the first names again?" She kicked the front tire wheel with the side of her boot. "Did you by any chance have anything to do with my car getting booted?"

"We're just being cautious."

"I'm sure. Can't really be in the business of stealing anything when I don't have my getaway vehicle handy."

Regina laughed. "Seriously, Emma. Can we talk? I need to explain myself."

"Yes, I agree that you do."

"Meet me at my office?"

Emma felt herself relaxing at Regina's sincere tone. She wanted to stay angry with her, and she knew she should, but it was getting more difficult with her insistence to apologize to her. Maybe Archie did tell Regina a different story than what happened? Had she really appeared that intimidating to him? Even if the newspaper had worried him, the guy was Henry's shrink. Shouldn't he have a better conscience than that?

Fairytales again. Those pages were really distorting her reality.

Archie is not Jiminy Cricket, Emma.

Interesting comparison, though. He was guiding Henry through his life, helping him make the right choices and not fall into the trap of lying. Just like Regina had exhibited characteristics similar to the Evil Queen, Archie had some qualities about him that were reflective of Jiminy Cricket.

Now that she thought about it, the kid really did have a brilliant imagination.

Emma complied with Regina's request.

"Sure. Might take a while longer since I have to walk."

"That's alright, dear. Good exercise, right?"

Emma grinned, but refrained from laughing. She was willing to hear Regina out this time, but she didn't want to give that away just yet. She strolled away from the Bug, heading in the direction of Town Hall. "Are you trying to tell me that I don't exercise enough?"

Regina laughed. "Of course not. You are very fit. And very sexy."

She smiled at the compliment. "That's what I thought."

"So I'll see you soon?"

"Yep."

"Good."


Emma sat on the edge of the couch in the office, her knees pulled up to her chest. Regina had just taken a seat in a chair across from her, legs crossed. It was like déjà vu. Elegant atmosphere, lit fireplace, Regina sitting across from her, displaying proper manners, her wearing a gray dress… That awkward silence was even making its presence. It reminded her so much of that first night she'd spent with her.

Regina finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry for everything that's happened these last couple of days. You have every right to be mad at me."

"I do. So you did set me up?"

"I influenced the newspaper incident. But the file? That was all on Dr. Hopper. I had to act based on what I was told because I am the mayor. I have to protect this town, keep everyone safe. I knew he was lying, Emma. But given that the town knows of your past now, I guess some people got shaken. Again, that's my fault."

"Yes. It is."

"I was seriously going to bail you out. Help you find a new place to settle down. Because I want you to stay, Emma."

She wanted to stay, too. "I guess I can safely assume you called up the B&B and gave a 'gentle' reminder of the city ordinance?"

"Yes. And the car was my doing as well."

She thought about the conversation she had with Graham at the station when she had asked him what exactly Regina had her hands in. "Damn, woman. You do have your hands in everything."

Regina shook her head, seemingly confused by the comment. "Pardon?"

"The sheriff… Um, never mind. You were saying?"

"Can we just start over again?"

"Again, Regina? How many more times? I feel like something's going to happen again. You're going to slip up because you're afraid of… Well, of something." She gave her a serious look. "What are you afraid of, Regina? It is this relationship? Because you seem very hesitant about anyone in town knowing that we are a thing."

Regina hesitated, glancing down at the ground. "I… I, um…"

Wait. I know what she's worried about.

Emma scooched over on the couch to be closer to her, which caused Regina to look up at her. She could read that apprehension in her brown eyes, the same kind she had seen in some of the foster kids she had grown up with. The fear of how others would react when she made a confession about her sexuality.

Had people ridiculed her for it before?

Her friends? Her parents?

Emma had seen kids bullied for it. She hated that. It was why she had never come out herself. She always stood up for those kids, though. She had gotten in a few fights over it.

"Are you afraid of coming out? What dating another woman might mean for your position as mayor? What Henry might think? It's a big step for me, too. But I am by your side every step of the way. Honestly."

"It… It has nothing to do with that, Emma."

"Then what is it?" She reached over to take Regina's hands in hers. "Please, don't be afraid to tell me. I won't judge you."

Regina's eyes glistened. "I can't. Just… Not now, okay? I need more time. Please. Give me more time."

She refrained from letting out a sigh. She really wanted to know what was bothering Regina. It just didn't make sense. She didn't like that she was hiding something from her, especially since it seemed to cause her such pain every time it was brought up. Whatever the secret was, she knew it was the same thing that had troubled Regina after their first night together.

"Okay."

"When the time is right, I will tell you. I know I have made many broken promises as of late, but you have to trust me with this one. This is a promise I intend to keep." She gave her hands a gentle squeeze. "Start over?"

Emma thought over the occurrence of events that had happened during her week in Storybrooke.

That first night outweighed all of the things Regina had thrown her way in the last few days.

But she still had to be cautious of her heart. She needed to protect herself from the hurt if Regina pulled anything else on her.

"One more chance, Regina."

This was certainly not the response she had expected to hear. "Huh?"

"I'm giving you one more chance." She let go of her hands and settled back down on the couch. "Remember what you told me that first day? That we'd rather be alone than have our hearts broken again? I feel something for you, Regina. And it hurts that you don't seem to trust me when I keep putting all of this trust in you. So one more chance. You screw it up, I'm leaving."

Regina's expression turned to one of worry. "What about Henry?"

"I will be a part of his life. I will spend time with him. But it won't be me staying in Storybrooke forever. It will be occasional visits that we will arrange. Just as two parents with joint custody of their child would have."

"Okay."

"If things don't work out… This time will be different. I will stay longer than normal."

Five o'clock.

Neither of the women glanced at the clock to check the time.

Henry was on time. He stayed hidden, listening in to the conversation they were having.

Emma continued after a brief moment of silence. "I know that I'm not a mother. I think that's pretty self-evident. But I did have him. And I can't help that he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. Especially after seeing how troubled he is."

"You think he's troubled?"

She shrugged. "Well, he's in therapy. And I only got through a couple of pages of his shrink's notes before you had me arrested. But putting all that aside. He thinks everyone in this town is a fairytale character."

She detected some hesitancy in her voice. "And you don't?"

"How can I? The poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality and it's only getting worse. It's crazy."

"You think I'm crazy?"

Emma saw Regina's eyes widen in fear at the sound of the familiar voice. She turned to look at the doorway, and sure enough, she saw Henry standing there, a frown on his face and tears forming in his eyes. She stood up immediately. "Henry…"

He shook his head and ran out of the office.

Emma's eyes connected with the clock face.

Damn it.

It was fucking 5:03.

She turned around abruptly and saw the guilt strewn across Regina's face.

She did it again! Why the hell had she ever trusted this woman?

"How long was he there?"

Regina glanced at the clock. "Long enough…"

"You knew he would be here."

"I'm so sorry, Emma. I lost track of time. It's after 5, so of course he'd be here. He comes to my office every Thursday at precisely 5pm so I can take him for dinner before his therapy session. And I told him that you'd be here today to take him…" Regina stood up from her chair. "Let me go talk to him."

"No. I will go talk to him." She shook her head. "This was the last straw, wasn't it? You set me up. Again." She clenched her fists. "I am so fucking stupid. I can't believe I fell for it again."

"Emma! It was a mistake, I swear."

"Yeah, sure it was." She began to turn away, but Regina grabbed her wrist.

"Emma, please. This was not supposed to happen."

"Just like the newspaper wasn't supposed to happen. And like how you insist you had nothing to do with my arrest. You set Dr. Hopper up, you fucking liar. You wanted me to look like a criminal. You want me gone because you honestly think I'm here to steal Henry away." She bit down hard on her lip to keep the tears from coming, but her voice still wavered as she spoke. "Like I've done with everything else in my past. You never trusted me…"

"Emma…"

She quickly composed herself and gave the mayor's hand a violent shake, pulling away once Regina let go. "You have no soul. How in the hell did you get like this?"

"I'm sorry…"

"No. This was your second chance. We're done."

Emma stormed out of the office and hurried to catch up with Henry in the hallway. He sensed her presence and continued to make his way to the stairs.

"Go away."

"Kid, I didn't mean what I said."

He stopped at the top of the stairs, shoving his storybook into his backpack and turning around to face her with a harsh glare. "I don't want to go to dinner with you anymore."

"Henry…"

He shook his head and took off down the stairs.

Now she knew how Regina felt when he had run away. When he called her evil. When he was unaccepting of her love and affection. How did she push through that? How…?

Stop, Emma. Don't think about her. She is evil. She screwed you over numerous times.

She quickly followed Henry down the stairs.

The damn mayor was soon to follow, and she met the two of them in the lobby. Henry walked over to her and took her hand. She frowned at the gesture and looked up apologetically at Emma.

"I'm ready, Mom."

"Henry, dear. Emma really wants to take you to dinner."

"I don't care. I don't want to go with her."

"Henry Daniel Mills. Is that any way to talk to your birth mother?"

"No."

"Then apologize to her."

Henry looked at her. "I'm sorry, Emma. But I still don't want to go to dinner with you."

Regina opened her mouth to scold him further for his rude behavior towards her, but Emma didn't want to press the issue. "Regina, don't bother. It's clear what he wants. I don't want to upset him further." She came over to Henry and leaned down to get on his level. "I'm sorry, too. You're not crazy, okay?" She brushed his hair with her fingertips. "Some other time?"

"Maybe."

"That's better than a no." She stood up. "I'll see myself out. Let you two go. I'll see you later, kid."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Regina give her another apologetic glance and mouth the words "I'm sorry". If Henry hadn't been there, she would have mouthed the words "fuck you" to her. Hell, she may have shouted them at her. She shot an angered glare in her direction instead and then smiled kindly at Henry.

She made her way out of the building and began her long trek to her car.

Henry.

I need to look after him.

He is the only reason I will stay in this damn town.


Henry stared miserably down at his grilled cheese. He had only taken a couple bites of it, and he really didn't feel that hungry.

Emma thinks I'm crazy. So much for Operation Cobra.

"Henry, dear. Please talk to me."

"I'm fine."

"She didn't mean what she said."

"Why do you believe her?"

"Because I walked her into it."

He glanced up at his mother. "I should have known."

Of course! It made perfect sense. Why hadn't he thought of that?

Emma still seemed pretty serious when she said it, though…

"It was an accident."

He rolled his eyes at her comment. He knew it wasn't an accident. The Evil Queen wanted Emma gone. "Sure it was."

Regina gave him a stern look. "Henry."

"What?"

"I will not tolerate that attitude you're giving me."

"Sorry…"

"What else did you hear?"

He shrugged. "Why does it matter?"

"I just wanted to make sure that you didn't hear anything else that may have upset you. Something that either myself or Miss Swan may have said about your… Fairytale thing."

The fairytale thing that you're scared about everyone finding out is true!

"I came when Emma was talking about herself. Saying she wasn't fit to be a mom. Which I'm sure you walked her into as well."

He waited for her to say his full name, scolding him for his harsh attitude with his last sentence. Regina's expression relaxed instead, as if she was relieved he hadn't heard the earlier part of her conversation with Emma.

"Okay, dear. I just wanted to check. Please know that I don't think you're crazy either."

"Okay…"

Henry watched her check her phone quickly before looking back at him. "Dr. Hopper will be expecting you in fifteen minutes. Hurry up and finish your dinner."

What else had they been talking about before he showed up? Why did Regina seem nervous about him hearing anything else?

He made a mental note to add this bit of information to Operation Cobra. Something was worrying the Evil Queen. This gave him an advantage. She was being weakened by Emma, which he knew would happen with her decision to stay. Maybe he could get Emma to tell him what they had discussed? Or at least give him a hint about it…

How would he do that without saying it was for Operation Cobra? Emma thought he was crazy…

Maybe not? Why would she have bothered gathering intel for their operation and risked going to jail if she believed everything he was saying was nonsense?

Her words to Regina replayed in his mind.

And I can't help that he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. Especially after seeing how troubled he is.

Well, he's in therapy.

The poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality and it's only getting worse. It's crazy.

Regardless of Regina's influence, Emma had still said those words. And it hurt. She didn't believe him, nor did it seem like she wanted to, and he wasn't sure if he would ever be able to convince her of the truth.

Maybe he needed to take a break from Operation Cobra. It seemed to only be making things worse for him and Emma.

Henry took a few more bites of his grilled cheese and then pushed the plate aside. "I'm ready to go."


A/N: One more part to "The Thing You Love Most" rewrite. I know that most of the scenes have been similar to the show so far, but after this episode rewrite, there will be a lot more original SQ scenes incorporated into the episode rewrites. Hope you enjoyed!