The next morning, the same group as the day before set out in the forest to look for some of these monsters. A few hours later the group had not encountered anything. Tess finally turned back to the group. "You said that there were monsters everywhere. We have been walking for three hours and haven't seen anything, care to explain?" Regina stood at the front of the pack along with Robin and Hook. "It's too easy," she said. "Agreed, something's up," Emma agreed. "Like what, love? Nothing's leading us anywhere," Hook countered. "Maybe because we're headed in the right direction," Tess put out. "Right direction for what?" Emma asked. "Wherever the witch wants us," Regina explained, gravely. This conclusion descended like a rain cloud over the once merry group. Everyone had thought that the lack of monsters was a good thing, but now, this presented a whole new idea. One that no one liked. Tess heard something fizzling, almost like a spark. "Get down!" Everyone obeyed without a second thought, each hitting the ground hard. A purple ball of fire flew over them landing on the tree in front of them. What it read confirmed their worst suspicions. "Mercy, Regina, come alone" Everyone got up, reading the flaming purple letters. "No way," Emma refused, "not happening." "We don't have a choice," Regina argued. Emma countered quickly, "If there's one thing I've learned from all this is that there's always a choice. You of all people should understand that." "Just because a choice is there, love, doesn't mean you should take it," Hook sided with Emma. "It's not a good idea," Robin agreed. "I have to go," Tess and Regina shared a look. Whatever this was, it meant that they might not come back. They both knew that. "We both do," Regina added firmly. Regina went over to Robin. "Come back to me," he simply requested. She grabbed his hand comfortingly, looking him dead in the eye, emotions roaring untempered. "I will," she reassured, though it was not a promise she could honestly make. "No," he squeezed her hand, returning the emotion, looking for honest reassurance that she couldn't possibly give him, at least not honestly. This witch had been antagonizing them for a long time, any forward attempts at regaining the kingdom being thwarted. She had a bitter hatred for them that readily returned. She had asked for the two biggest threats to her throne, and they were complying only because she wouldn't risk having them in her presence without a way to control them. Regina's magic was enough to challenge her, maybe even defeat her. In the witch's mind, she had to go down. Jack was good with a sword, could handle nearly anything thrown at her, especially since she's lived life twice, and seen more than anyone else her age, and could handle the monsters she used to keep herself above the small group. In the witch's mind, she had to go down. "You have to come back to me," he emphasized have because he needed her. He had already lost Marion and thought that that was it. His life was Over. But Roland was enough to make him go on. But Regina? She made him want to live again. She showed him that getting past pain was possible. And though it was something he hadn't expected to say for a while, he had to admit it now. "I love you." That was enough to break Regina. Tears began to trickle down her face, one by one. "I love you too," she whimpered. She went in and kissed him, he felt her tears on her face, but didn't stop as he unleashed all the passion on her. Tess watched on with a smile. She missed when she had that, but was happy someone got the happy ending they deserved. She hadn't realized that she was staring until Hook's voice broke her out of her haze. "Don't do anything stupid, love." Tess looked at him. Darn those eyes. "Stupidity isn't in my dictionary," she replied playfully. It didn't fool him. He saw right through it. Death was on her doorstep once more and she had tempted fate too much to get lucky again. "Of course not. But self sacrifice probably isn't foreign to you." He cast her a wary glance, returning the playful nature but making his intentions clear. For whatever reason, this man wanted her alive. She could only hope that it was because- No, she would not say it. She was not that weak. She did not care. He just did and that's all that matters. "It's not. Nor is it a road I plan on taking again," she smiled, but it grew smaller. They may have been acting like it didn't matter but the facade was slowly fading away. What had happened the day before was starting to catch up with them. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "Don't be, love. Forget about it." He took her, hand surprising both of them and gently squeezed it. "Just come back." He turned to walk away. "Hook!" He turned around slowly. Tess grabbed his shoulder, swinging him around and crashing her lips onto his. It took him by surprise but he didn't fight it. Instead he gave into it, giving their brief moment everything he had. "That's my promise," she says certainly. She broke their contact, leaving both of them wanting nothing more than to reestablish it. She wanted to run into his arms and let him whisper reassuring words to her but she needed to be strong. For both of them. Oliver was in trouble and she couldn't risk his life because she was scared. "Are you ready?" Regina asked from behind her. "Let's go," Tess replied. *+*+*+*+*+*+*+ They entered another clearing, resuming heading in the direction they had been. In the distance a house and stables were vaguely discernible. Regina's face paled like a sheet of paper. "Where are we?" Regina swallowed, otherwise unable to get any words out as they were caught in her throat. "My old home." She regains her composure, clearing her throat. "We must have gone through a portal without us noticing because we were nowhere near here a moment ago." "That can happen," Tess says, more to herself than anything else, moving toward the house. "Tess," Regina called out, "they'll be in the stables." Tess narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "How do you know?" "Because there's one place that on this property that ever meant anything to me," she tanswered gravely. Tess decided not to push. If need be, she could press for information later. Right now, Oliver's in danger and he needed her. Tess and Regina walked into the stables and looked around. Tied up to one of the stalls was... Oliver. "Mercy!" He tried to leap up but was yanked back down by the chains around his wrists. A woman appeared in front of him and pushed him down by the shoulder. She tsked. "No, dear. Let's not do that." Tess looks to Regina for any hint of recognition. Her face reflects the complete shock she felt. "Mother," she whispers. "Regina." She woman smiles broadly. "You're dead. I watched you die in my arms," Regina persisted, denial and venom creeping into her voice. "Not so much, dearie." Tess and Regina's heads whipped around to look at Rumpelstiltskin who now stood behind them. "What is going on?" Regina's voice sounded through the stables, regaining her confidence. "You're dead too. You killed yourself." "Death is not always what it appears to be." He smiled, turning his attention to Tess. "You of all people should know that." Tess narrowed her eyes at him but remained silent. Rumpelstiltskin sauntered over to Cora. "Mercy, what's going on?" Oliver asked. "What a good question. I understand if you want me for whatever it is you two are planning but what do you want her for?" "Look, I don't know what you want with me but he didn't do anything," Tess said, indicating Oliver. "He's incentive," Cora explained. "For what? What did I do to you?" Tess asked, her frustration building. "My dear," Cora came closer, "it's nothing you did to me. We work for a higher power." "What are you talking about, higher power?" Regina asked, same frustration as Tess mounting. Everything was so confusing. So overwhelming.
