The enchanted forest – years ago

Time had stopped in the clearing. For a few moments, they were free, almost out of time. But reality quickly brought them back.

Zelena pulled her lips away from Jefferson's, even though she didn't want to, ever; she needed to catch her breath. "Grace" she whispered to him. He didn't need anything more to remember the little girl waiting at home for him.

"Right. Grace. She's all alone; we have to get back to her."

He got back on his feet, staggered, refused Zelena's hand to stand, and left toward the forest mansion. On his way, he hesitated and turned to the witch, who was still standing in the clearing he'd just left.

"Oh, and this…"

"What happened… I'm sorry, Zelena, but it can't happen again. You know it as I do, right? I'm married, I have a child, I…"

She didn't move, still frozen. He turned back to her and caressed her cheek. "I'm sorry. I really am. It's nothing against you. I… I… "

"I love you."

There it was. She'd said it, and she didn't even know why on earth it had to be now. But it was too late, anyway. Jefferson's eyes widened. "I… I love you too." He grew paler, avoiding her gaze.

"But… I can't. I'm sorry." And he ran back to the house.

Zelena took her time to return to the house, to gather her thoughts and snap out of it. She hated losing control, and she felt so ashamed… Priscilla was her friend. She couldn't be in love with her husband.

When she finally dared to come back, Priscilla was back in the house.

From where she was, she saw Jefferson welcoming her with a kiss and a huge smile, and for the first time ever since she left Rumple, the green stain on her neck began to grow.

She was gathering her things when Priscilla entered. The other woman stopped and looked at her, surprised. "What is it, Zelena? Don't tell me you're leaving us?"

"I am" Answered the ginger with an empty smile. "I'm sorry."

"But… But why? Did we do anything to upset you, or…"

"Oh! No, no, don't worry, it's not you, not at all! You two and Grace, you've been so nice to me; I'll never forget about that. I wish I could stay. I really do. But Jefferson was right when he said you couldn't afford to have me here, especially with the baby coming. I have to find a place of my own to raise it properly; I can't keep sponging off of you … "

"You're not! We can figure out a way, if money's the problem, and you're helping, you're looking after Grace when we're out!"

Zelena tried to smile. She loved this family so much, but she had to leave. If she stayed even a day more, her envy would be too much, and she would ruin everything as she always did.

"Even if that were true, I couldn't stay. I won't go back to my dad, but I miss my world, and I want to raise my child in it. I'm sorry. Perhaps I'll see you again."

Priscilla, near tears, embraced her friend. "I'll miss you. "

"And I'll miss you." They moved away from each other, and Priscilla wiped a tear.

"Will you at least come with me for a walk before you go?"

Zelena smiled at her. "Gladly."

Her things all packed, Zelena was feeling better. She was doing the right thing, for once; protecting this family from her. And this little walk in the forest, chatting with her friend, was feeling quite nice. She felt her heart sink as she realized how much she was gonna miss this. But she couldn't let her thoughts deepen; Priscilla and her had only walked for a few minutes in the woods when a purple smoke appeared in front of them.

"Rumplestiltskin."

Of course it was him. Who else?

He grinned. "Well dearie, now that you don't have your little lover to protect, you'll be much easier to convince, won't you?"

Almost not realizing the threat the wizard presented, Priscilla turned to her friend.

"A lover? You didn't tell me about that. Do I know him? Who is he?"

Zelena blushed, and Rumple sneered.

"Oh, but that little hatter of hers, of course. You know, the one you're living with!"

"He's not my lover!" interjected the witch, her cheeks as red as her neck was green.

"How dare you! We're only friends, and we're…"

Priscilla stopped her with a move of her hand. She turned to face her. The nice friendly smile was gone; all Zelena could see in her eyes was pain and betrayal.

"You… And Jeff- "

"No!"

"How could I not see it, the way you two were looking at one another… And I was telling myself I was making things up, that I was too jealous."

"Priscilla, I swear, I didn't… Nothing happened between us. Really."

She didn't know what else to say. A kiss wasn't nothing; that much was obvious. But it wasn't much either. So what was she supposed to say? To do?

Priscilla's voice hardened. "But do you love him?"

"I-"

"Answer me!"

Zelena's cheeks were burning red. She couldn't look Priscilla in the eyes. Twisting her hands, shivering, she finally managed to whisper an almost inaudible "Yes."

But, seeing the look on Priscilla's face, Zelena knew she might as well have screamed it.

"But I swear," she added, "nothing happened between us, I'd never do that to you, you're my friend, and I'm leaving, I'd never get between the two of you, I swear!"

But she couldn't tell if her tirade had had any effect because Rumple, not liking not being the center of the attention, quickly interrupted.

"Perhaps we could get back to where we were left, hum? Last time I tried to kill someone you love, but why would I bother when I only have to kill… You!"

With a sneer, he sent a magic ray at the Wicked Witch, who wasn't paying attention, too busy looking at her friend to try to make her understand. But Priscilla did see the attack coming.

She jumped, and caught the burning ray right in the chest.

Priscilla fell down with a moan, and Zelena finally snapped out of it.

"NO!" she shouted as she jumped to catch her, facing the wizard with a gaze filled with so much hatred.

Rumple, seeing he'd missed and he couldn't take her by surprise anymore, vanished in a cloud of smoke. Without even thinking about him anymore, Zelena kneeled next to the injured woman. "No, no, don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll fix it."

She tried to cure her with her magic, but Priscilla stopped her.

"Don't bother, it won't work. But it's okay. Just… Take a good care of my daughter. Please."

"No, you won't die! You won't!"

Zelena was crying her heart out now, almost unable to see Priscilla's face through her tears. The injured woman smiled and didn't answer. She was well aware she wouldn't make it, but Zelena wasn't ready to see it. The witch grabbed her hand and sobbed.

"But why… Why did you do that? How could you sacrifice yourself for me after what I just told you?"

"You're my friend. And you were ready to give up your love for me."

"I… I… "

"Please take care of my family. And tell them I love them."

Then, she just closed her eyes, and her chest stopped moving.

"No…" Zelena breathed out in a whisper. She tried again the magic thing, many, many times, but it never worked. She was about to give up when Jefferson came out. When he saw his wife laying on the ground, he ran as fast as he could.

"She… She's not breathing…" He turned to Zelena, and his eyes widened.

"What have you done to her!"

Zelena was so shocked he could even imagine she'd hurt Priscilla that she remained frozen for a few seconds.

"I didn't do anything! I was leaving, and Priscilla told me to get out for a walk and Rumple showed up, and he wanted my slippers, and he…"

She wasn't making any sense, trying so hard to explain what happened when she wasn't even sure herself. But his gaze hardened.

"I saw that green thing on your neck growing, I knew it was envy, but I didn't think you'd do this!"

His eyes filled with tears.

"I thought what Rumple told me when I met him were lies, that you wouldn't hurt anyone. Not your sister. Not my wife! So he was right. You are wicked! You're… You're a monster! "

"But I didn't. I…"

"Go. I never want to see you again."

His voice was broken, and so sharp it was cutting like a knife every slice of Zelena's heart with each word he said.

"Jefferson, you have to listen to me. I.. ."

"Go! Or I'll kill you myself. As you killed her."

She could have defeated him in a blink. She could have forced him to listen. But it was too late. He had given up on her as well. She clicked her heels three times and disappeared in a cloud of green smoke.

She reappeared in the Oz castle, and walked through the golden doors almost without noticing the two guards she threw away on her way. When she finally arrived next to the center of the room, the flames lit up once more and the wizard's shadow appeared on the curtain. Zelena climbed up the stairs.

"I learned some tricks while I was gone. You showed me my past, now take me there. At the moment my mother abandoned me; that's when it all went wrong. I need to go back. And change it"

AN: So that's it... For now! Please tell me what what you liked/disliked, reviews would make my days! And thanks again for your support, you are awesome ^^