Idea from the last two episodes of season 3 when Emma and Hook go through the portal and she is captured by the Evil Queen. Emma must find a way of getting back to her Regina.

For the purpose of this fic, there was no going back to New York, Emma was just being Emma needing to investigate as she was late to the party for her baby brother and Hook just does not know when to let go! :)

To Return Home

Sitting in the dungeon cell, Emma sighs staring at her parents ring, she still needed to get it too her mother Snow somehow for their paths to still cross. Placing the ring back on her finger, Emma wondered what the Queen had in store and also found it quite frightening considering she has never seen this side to Regina before.

Regina...

She was bound to be worrying of her whereabouts. However knowing the woman she is, she is probably keeping herself calm for the sake of their son.

Henry...

Another person she missed and wondered if she will ever see again. She must see him again otherwise there will be a major problem in the future and he will cease to exist.

Emma stares at the cell door, she had tried several times to use her magic but it was no use. Glancing down at the wooden spoon with the added wiring, the blonde bites her lip. 'Maybe the good old fashioned way will work'

Standing and approaching the door, Emma manages to pick the lock and prise the door open. Stepping outside, she checks the surrounding area for any guards and walks quietly along the dark tunnel.

"Going somewhere?"

Emma freezes recognising the stern voice straight away, a voice she has heard on many occasions when she has pissed Regina off resulting in the woman referring to her as Miss Swan instead of Emma. The Queen walks up to Emma forcing her to look up by holding her chin up. "Do you really think that I wouldn't keep an eye on my prisoners through my mirror?"

Emma gulps looking back taking in the Queen's appearance. The long red and black velvet dress with the laced detail. Hair pulled to the side and the jewels that properly were the price of the entire kingdom. Definitely a far cry from the mayor's pantsuit.

"Please..."

Emma tries to argue but is silenced by an glare for the titled woman. Calling a guard she smiles with vengeance. "She dies tonight.." The Queen taps the side of Emma's face chuckling then moves to walk away.

Emma's eyes widen. "No! Please..Regina.."

The Queen stops in her tracks looking over. "I again tell you..calling your Queen by her first name is highly informal and rude!"

Emma looks desperate. "But I know you!..well not you now but" the blonde grows quiet. "..in the future.."

The Queen raises an eyebrow curious. "The future? Why dear time travel has not been successful yet"

Emma nods. "Exactly...yet"

The monarch looks to her guards to dismiss them intrigued at what the blonde woman has to say. "Go on.."

Emma watches the guards leave then looks to the brunette. "I cannot tell you as it could ruin the future. Unless you make a memory potion like Rumplestilskin"

The Queen drops her expression at the sound of that name. "You have seen Rumplestilskin?"

Emma nods. "To see if he could help with sending me home..he said he knows of a way to send only me as I'm the one who came here from the future. Time travel however...someone manages to do it"

The Queen circles the blonde taking in her appearance of rags and a cloak. "And may I ask...what is so important about you? To be sent back 'home' than being killed tonight?"

Emma glances at her. "You wouldn't be able to live with yourself..and Henry he.."

The Queen suddenly comes wary that the blonde knows such personal information. "What...what of my father?"

"Not your father..your son who you name after your father.."

The Queen drops her mask at this statement having always wanted a family. "I have a son?"

Emma picks up on this and tries to approach cautiously. "Yes you do..he's 12. You asked why I am important? I'm his mother too. I had him before we met and due to my circumstances I had to give him up. You took him and raised him as your own..that is how we met..how we.."

The Queen looks over having listened also softening her gaze. "How we what dear?"

Emma looks back trying not to get teary. "How we came to be together..a family"

The Queen smiles for a moment at this then glares. "You expect me to believe all this?!"

Emma jumps back at the change shaking her head. "It's the truth.."

The brunette walks up to Emma and continues to do so as Emma steps back until they reach the cell door with nowhere else for Emma to go. "I do not like being tricked and made a fool of! What was it? Make me believe I could be happy to let you go?...the only thing to make me happy right now is Snow White's head on a plate!"

Emma's eyes widen. "I can show you! The mirror... you..you showed me a couple of weeks ago..I looked between lands. I don't know if it'll work with time but I can try!"

The Queen steps back. "You have magic?"

The blonde nods. "Yes and you have been teaching me using your mother's books"

The brunette frowns knowing she has never shown her books to anyone before and that they are locked away in secret. Waving her hand she makes the pair disappear in purple smoke and reappear in her castle, at her dresser.

Emma holds her hands out to balance herself not expecting that then looks to the Queen.

"Show me"

Emma looks uncertain and worried walking up to the mirror. Gripping her hands, she closes her eyes putting all her focus on the mirror until the glass smokes over and a picture starts to form. Opening her eyes she gives a small smile that it had worked through memory like the time portal had. Looking at what is happening she sees her Regina standing by the closed portal in the barn with an arm round Henry stroking his arm for comfort.

The Queen at this point stands staring at the mirror in shock. Approaching the glass, she reaches out to the boy. "That..that is Henry?.."

Emma nods with a smile. The Queen smiles genuinely at the glass then scoffs. "What the hell has happened to my hair?!..its short"

The blonde bites her lip to stifle a laugh then looks sad. "Now you see why I must go home..for your..our happy ending..that is what you want more than anything right?"

The Queen looks to her hopeful then senses someone else's presence. Looking towards the corridor, she sees Snow standing there with one hand gripped in the air.

"Hello Regina.."

The Queen raises an eyebrow thinking how foolish of the girl to dare enter the castle. Emma looks over also realizing what Snow is carrying.

"Snow don't!"

The Queen sighs remembering then turns to Emma coldly. "That is right you were helping Snow to escape Midas' palace.."

Emma also sighs thinking she has blown her chances of returning home yet again. "Yes I had to..for another reason why what I just showed would not happen if I didn't"

The Queen places her hands on her hips, a habit even Regina does now when she wants to know more. Emma rubs her head knowing she has to say then sees Snow at the corner of her eye going to throw the dust. Holding her hand out quick on instinct of saving Regina, Emma's hand glows white dispersing of the dust as it falls to the ground to nothing.

The Queen looks surprised at what she did using light magic and also that she just saved the 'evil' queen.

Snow looks just as confused and worried now for her own safety as she does not know what to do. Emma glances over mouthing 'run' to which Snow does. The Queen looks over glaring and moves forward. "Don't you dare run from the Queen!"

Emma grabs her arm to stop her causing an evil glare in her direction. "She's my mother!"

The Queen pulls her arm back. "What?!"

Emma looks down. "She is my mother..if you kill her now..I won't be born and we won't be together..Henry won't be born!"

The brunette starts pacing not sure of what to believe deep down wishing it was true having seen the boy. Emma takes a risk and slips her hand into the Queen's causing the woman to stiffen and look over.

Emma looks right at her linking their fingers. "Please..Regina..."

Regina looks down to their hands feeling a tear fall. She pulls back sharply walking away not wanting her emotions to get the best of her. "Let's get you home.."

Emma smiles slightly. "And you will take the memory potion as I said?"

The Queen nods then looks to her worried showing her more venerable side. "What if when I take the potion I succeed and kill Snow White?.."

Emma shakes her head. "You won't..trust me..it is not what is written"

Regina slowly nods then continues the task at hand of returning the blonde back to her world.

After sending Henry back to Granny's to work on the current situation, Regina raises an eyebrow at the markings her sister had made in the ground. Looking across at Charming to see if he has spotted anything, the brunette's eyes widen in fear as the ground starts to shake. Stepping well away from the pattern, the pair watch as a bright light emerges and a portal appears. For the first time ever, Regina grips Charming's arm looking hopeful as he looks surprised at the mayor's reaction.

When the light reaches its peak, a spark flies and two bodies fly through the air hitting the ground as darkness once again overtakes the barn.

Regina looks down spotting leather and blonde hair. Smiling to herself she lets go of Charming and heads over quickly grabbing Emma's arm pulling her up. As the blonde scrambles to her feet she looks over at Regina with a teary smile of her own pulling the woman into a tight hug.

Charming smiles seeing his daughter who glances over at him across from Regina's shoulder, still hugging.

"Emma..it's so good to see you back"

Emma smiles and watches Charming head off with Hook to inform the others.

Regina pulls back taking hold of the blonde's face to inspect her, making sure she is okay. Emma simply smiles gaining a kiss from the brunette. Emma kisses back then takes the mayor's hand. "Let's go see Henry..he is bound to want to know what happened"

Regina nods with a smile, linking their fingers while they walk. "Exactly what did happen dear?"

Emma glances over to see her reaction. "Well I met the Queen..."

Regina's face drains of its colour. "No..I never wanted you to see..." The brunette sighs in defeat.

Emma chuckles kissing her cheek to let her know it is okay. "You were going to kill me but then I used my Emma Swan charm and explained what she would lose if she did.."

Regina bites her lip worried. "And?"

"She was slightly concerned about the short hair...and I for one must say those outfits..."

Emma gives her a cheeky grin as Regina looks shocked and punches the blonde's arm playfully causing both woman to chuckle.