A/N: and the drama begins again...

It had been a month since Regina and Maleficent started their 'affair' and now the young Queen was getting agitated at the fact she couldn't see the woman she loves all the time, even if they were yet to confess their love for one another. Instead it was a constant grab at the chance arrangement, which she was starting to realize was very much like her time with Daniel, sometimes only managing five minutes of her time with the blonde before needing to return to the castle. Unfortunately for her, Maleficent had noticed the change in her mood as the woman's magic had also escalated from her lessons causing a small fireball or start of a flame to appear in her palm when she was over thinking.

"I can't do this anymore!, no I won't do this anymore!" Regina paced up and down by the fireplace in the dragon woman's castle.

The blonde looks over worried from her position on the arm of her chair. "You don't want to do this anymore? Regina are you leaving me?"

Stopping mid pace, the young Queen looks to the older woman, noticing the sad look in her eyes and walks over, slowly wedging herself in between the woman's legs. "No, that is not it at all. I just mean..I want to be with you and I don't want us to be a secret anymore..it's so hard every time I have to leave you and return to the King" stroking the blonde's cheek, Regina looks confident. "I'm going to tell him. I will just say that I cannot be with someone that I do not love. That my future involves me not being second best.."

Placing her hand on top of the brunette's, on her cheek, Maleficent brings their hands down to her lap and links their fingers before smiling at her. "Let me come with you"

Shaking her head, the young Queen squeezes her hand. "No, I need to do this on my own otherwise he could hurt you"

"Hurt me?" The blonde scoffs at the thought. "This is Leopold we're talking about. He wouldn't stand a chance"

Letting out a small chuckle, Regina leans forward and gives her a quick, soft kiss. "I will inform him now, get this over with"

Maleficent nods then feels the loss of the brunette when the woman releases herself from her grasp. "Be careful dear..remember what I taught you if you need to use it, use it"

"I will..see you soon"

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Having transported herself back to her chambers, something which she has grow accustomed to but still slightly wobbly on her legs at the landing, Regina heads towards her double doors and walks into the large corridor. Stepping towards the King's chamber, the brunette goes to knock but sees the door open and another young woman walk out, looking extremely embarrassed as she spots the Queen. Biting her lip to hold back her anger that clearly Leopold has gone ahead with his plans for an heir and is now practically flaunting it, Regina knocks once then steps inside seeing the King in his robe sitting on the edge of his bed.

"Your highness?"

Turning his attention towards the door as he tightens his robe, Leopold smirks. "..ah Regina, I thought you had retired to your chamber?"

Walking forward, the brunette nods. "I did, however I need to talk to you about an urgent matter"

"Yes, me too. I have a feeling that, that woman who just left, will bore me a child and I hope she does as we have worked hard at it"

Internally cringing, the young Queen looks awkward, not knowing how to respond. "Oh..well I need to tell you something. I know you are not going to like it but, I cannot help the way I feel" taking a deep breath, Regina looks at him. "Leopold, I love another and..and I'm leaving you"

Bursting into a patronizing laugh, the King looks back. "Oh of course you are! Like that would ever happen, you are Queen and shall be until you die" turning serious towards the end of his sentence, he glares at her.

Gulping slightly, the brunette holds her head up. "It's true and I'm leaving tonight"

Rising from the bed, Leopold steps forward until he is well into her personal space in a threatening manner. "You are not leaving this castle. Do you understand me? If you disobey me, I will find you and I will place your head on the gate at the front of the castle!"

Hitching her breath looking a little frightened, Regina closes her eyes briefly thinking of Maleficent and shakes her head, stepping back. "No I will not be bullied by you and I most certainly am not sta-" feeling a sharp sting to her face, the young Queen raises her hand to her cheek then looks at the angry King who is flexing his hand. Turning to the door quickly, the brunette locks it behind her with her magic and runs to her chambers to collect her belongings. Moving onto the balcony quickly to check if any guard has been informed of the trapped King, she jumps on sight of Maleficent standing there.

"Did you really think I wouldn't follow you dear?" Smiling, the blonde then looks worried at the young Queen's shocked face. "Regina?"

Merely shaking her head, the brunette grabs onto the dragon woman's arm, causing them to disappear in smoke.

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Dropping her bag to the floor, the brunette shakily throws herself into Maleficent's arms as soon as they appear in her castle. Becoming extremely concerned, the blonde hugs her tightly then forces her back by taking hold of her arms to look at her. "Regina? What is it? What-" noticing the red swelling beginning to form on the young Queen's cheek, the dragon woman's eyes turn cold and murderous. "He...hit..you?"

"Maleficent no! Stop what you are thinking! Please..I'm okay. He was angry and I know he will look for me but I do not want you to go after him! Please!" Looking desperate, Regina drops her head down to the woman's chest with a sniffle. "It's done..I'm here and I am not going anywhere"

Stroking her dark locks, Maleficent presses a kiss to the woman's head, calming down for her sake. "I'm sorry dear..I just.." Taking a breath, the blonde tilts the brunette's head up by her chin to look at her. " I love you"

Slowly smiling, Regina grips tightly onto the blonde. "I love you too" leaning up, the young Queen's lips meets the blonde's in a soft, loving kiss.

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Hearing the large double doors open and close, the King stops by the dining table and glares up towards the visitor. "You took your time"

"Yes, yes and what exactly is the King after from the great Rumplestilskin?!" Grinning towards the angry man, the imp begins to look around.

"I need your help, or rather information regarding my Queen who has just left me after informing me that she loves someone else..now I am aware of your visits I am not an imbecile, I also not long ago, had a visit from a certain dragon..she was in search of Regina, seemed rather close. Now if I am correct in guessing that this dragon is the one my Queen loves, I am going to need your expertise in making her pay" glaring at the wizard, Leopold raises an eyebrow while waiting for an answer.

"And what if I were to tell you dearie that I could get this dragon as you say, to do anything I please because she owes me? What do I get? You know with me everything comes at a price!"

Chuckling to himself as he has the perfect plan, the King walks up to him. "I will use my higher power and knowledge to find your missing son. If we have a deal, I want to make it so they both pay..I dare say if the dragon were to be a dragon on a more permanent basis, well that would mess up their happy ending would it not?" smirking again, Leopold holds out his hand to Rumple to make the deal.

Laughing giddily, the imp accepts his hand and shakes. "Deal!"

A/N2: uh oh :(