Chapter 9! I'm really pleased with the way this one turned out, especially as everything just clicked into place as I wrote, I never even had a plan for this one, it's amazing where my mind takes me somewhere. Also, this time round I'd like to mention some of the songs I've been listening to while writing this particular story:

Lara Fabian-''Je t'aime'' : that helped me get over some hurdles whilst writing about the complex relationship of our two leading ladies.

Pilar Montenegro-''Prisionera''-when I first started writing, this helped me write the scene of Regina's incarceration.

Lana Del Rey-''Summertime Sadness'' – I think that whoever knows this one knows why it was perfect for this fanfic.

Malu-''No Voy a Cambiar'' – for me, this particular song went beyond the love story theme, I chose to focus on the mother-daughter and Regina, the never ending battle. ''No voy a cambiar'' means ''I'm not going to change'', and I think that's exactly what Regina meant when she finally ran away from Cora.

Okay, enough from me, I hope you listen to some of these songs from my playlist, if nothing than out of curiosity about how it would fit with your own view of things

Enjoy,

Xoxo

Tasha V.

P.S. -I changed the rating to T, just in case, there slight bad language. Better safe than sorry :)


Black coat tails of a floorlength cape over an equally black evening dress marked the woman's path, slithering ellegantly behind her. Her pale skin contrasted marvelously with her outfit, but that was the last thing on her mind at that moment. Her lips tighteend into a rose-colored line, her cheeks blushing with fury. Her personal guard followed her closely. The woman's right hand clenched at her side, as the palm of her other one traced the outline of the wall they were passing by, as if the coolness of it would calm her raging senses.

''James!''

The King started and jumped out of bed, his hand immediately going for the hilt of his sword which was deposited next to his suit of armor. When he realized it was only his wife he let out a breath of relief and reprimand.

''Snow dear, you know I don't like it when you do that!''

''This is no time for niceties, James! She's gone! How could I have been this stupid! I should have dealt with her the minute she was hauled up to the cells. Aaaaargh!''

The high-pitched scream which the woman produced was nothing new to King James. Ever since the Ogre Wars, he'd come to realize she needed different ways of venting and didn't want to do anything that would upset her even more. She was the mother of his daughter, the love of his life, he could reproach her nothing. As he observed her with eyes full of affection, he never noticed her turning away in annoyance.

''I'll send out a search party. We'll find her.''

''James...Emma's not in her room. And neither is Henry. She's taken them.''

This alerted the King, and he got dressed in a haste.

''Though I have never met her, I have no doubt as to what a woman with her powers could do to them, if nothing then out of sheer spite. We'll find them, my love. I assure you. He pressed a fervent kiss on the Queen's lips and hurried out, barking orders at the soldiers stationed all over the castle grounds.

She approached the window and took a deep claming breath. This was no time to lose her wits. It was a time to hunt. And hunt she would.


Regina landed on her feet, gracefully ,as she was an experienced spatial traveller. She had a firm grip on Henry, whose tiny hands were tangled in her long raven locks. After making sure he was okay, she put him down, and he remained by her side as she observed the surroundings for Emma. She smiled as she found her in a heap on the rug in front of the fireplace. She stifled a laugh.

''I saw that, Gina! Don't think for a second that just because you have powers I won't kick your ass! Fuck, this hurts!''

That had Regina in a fit of giggles, clutching at her sides, Henry joining in with his chimy boyish voice.

''Mommy, she said a bad word.''

He turned to Regina, still laughing, not realizing she had stopped the minute the word ''Mommy'' left his lips, directed at her. She looked at him, not believing she was actually touching him, able to hold him in her arms. She made a promise to herself that she was never going to allow anything happen to him. She may have failed once as a mother, but she was damned if she was going to have it happen again!

''Yes, darling, I believe she did.''

She smiled through the tears and looekd at Emma, a teasing tone in her voice.

''Your Highness, manners, please, a chid is present.''

''Just you wait. And while we're on the subject, I believe you still owe me some answers. I just left my parents believeing their arch-nemesis had kidnapped their daughter and grandson, and somewhow that doesn't sit well with me.''

''Yes, and you will get all the answers your heart desires, but, I do believe we have to get something to eat. Are you hungry, Henry?''

He nodded vigorously. She led them to the sitting area of what looked like another castle.

''Henry, it's the middle of the night, how could you possibly be hungry?''

''Actually, there's a bit of a delay in vortex travel, darling. It's the afternoon of the next day. We now have almost half a day advantage. ''

''Advantage? Over who?''

''Well, the King and Queen, of course. You didn't think they were going to sit idly by while you were out here with the worst villain they have ever encountered?''

She said the last bit with a flourish to her actions, the back of her hand poised on her forehead, leaning back in her chair. Emma ignored her, her eyes darting out across the room.

''May I at least know where we are?''

''We are back in your mother's birth kingdom. Where my ex husband ruled for years. Where he died. And where you mother strated a rebellion against me.''

The words were grim, but for some reason they didn't make Emma start asking more questions. She knew, in her heart of hearts, that everything Regina was telling her, without actually saying it, was true. She wasn't responsible for the death of her grandfather, this she knew for a fact. She had no idea why this feeling of certitude, but she couldn't and wouldn't fight it.

''Just so you don't say I'm making things up-and I know you'll be tempted-I have an impartial witness to everything I have to say. She should be joining us soon.

''How do you know?''

Amused, Regina decided this was the right moment to test some of Emma's newly kindled magic.

''It's quite easy, darling. Close your eyes.''

At Emma's arched eyebrow, Regina simply glared back and Emma conceded. She relaxed in her seat and closed her eyes as ordered.

''Now, block everything out but the sound of my voice obviosuly, Block out the feeling of the chair you're sitting on, the feel of fabric on your skin, the clock ticking in the background, even Henry's incessant foot tapping – dear, would you mind, Mommy's busy teaching your mother a few things about magic? Be a good boy and wait for me in the room I prepared for you remember where it is?''

Emma was about to protest, how could he know, he'd never seen her before? However, as she heard eager footsteps echoing and running off, she assumed, amazed, that somehow, Henry already knew the inside of the place.

''Later, Princess, I promise.''

Regina stopped the puzzle in Emma's mind spiralling out of control. She was back in the here and now.

''Okay. Now, back to the task. If you want to guess who our surprise guest is, just do everything I just said.''

And Emma did. Soon, she felt almost weightless and, quite embarrassingly so, nude. She focused on the deep, husky quality of Regina's voice.

''Now, Emma...other than your own heartbeat and my words...what do you feel? What does each sense tell you?''

''I...I can't...Oh wait! I hear...rain? I can taste...warm chocolate with cinnamon... And...''

She audibly sniffed the air.

''...wet dog?''

She gasped in realization and her eyes flew open to witness Regina's smiling face.

''It hit you on the head like a gavel, didn't it? Don't worry when you work on it some more it'll be perfect.''

Emma's mind whirred with anxiety, but there was no time for any kind of mental preparation as she saw Regina stand up and go to the door, letting in the visitor.

''Well, you three sure took your sweet time!''

At the sound of the familiar voice, Emma's eyes widened even more. Regina stepped aside, allowing Emma to stand face-to-face with Snow White's once upon a time best friend – Red.