AN: Hey there. Finally, another chapter. Please understand that I wish I could publish every week, but I am dealing with a sick mother, renovations to our house and a full time job. I love writing. I just have other stuff going on too. I hope y'all enjoy this chapter. Next time we will be back in OZ with Emma, Elphaba and Glinda.

We all know I don't own Once or Wicked. Enjoy.

Chpt 10

The bell on the diner entrance rang, startling the group of Emma's loved ones. "What the hell happened here?" said Neil as he took in the sight before him. The diner looked like a war zone, there was glass everywhere, and a body lying on the counter top, not moving. "Emma?" Neil's heart began to race. He could never forget those golden blonde curls. "What's going on? What happened to Emma?" asked Neil.

"Ma's asleep," said Henry, who was standing next to the sheriff, holding her hand, while Snow, David, and Regina stood nearby looking as if the world had just ended. "She's been cursed."

"What?" said Neil. "Cursed? I thought you two were getting along." He said, directing his attention toward Regina.

"I had nothing to do with this," Regina was quick to defend herself, "not directly anyway."

"What does that mean?" Neil asked the former queen.

"My mother thought it would be a good idea to put Ms. Swan under a sleeping curse so that I would realize she's my true love and we could live happily ever after."

"Are you kidding me? You used magic on Emma?" Neil yelled at Cora, his face twisted in anger. He hated magic more than anyone. It was because of his father's lust for power that he ended up an orphan. "I can't believe this. Is she going to be okay?"

"I don't know." Regina rubbed at her temples, attempting to soothe the pain pulsing through her head. "Magic is unpredictable here."

"Well, what are we waiting for," said Neil. "Regina, wake her up."

Regina was taken aback by Neil's demand to wake Emma. "Why do you think I can wake her?" she asked.

He shook his head and smiled at the brunette. "Because true love's kiss breaks any curse." said Neil. "My dad taught me that, you know, before he let me fall into a portal."

"You think I am Emma's true love."

"Yea, I see the way you look at her, and everyone knows she has feelings for you," Neil answered. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Emma with all my heart but she isn't in love with me. Not anymore. I ruined my chances of ever having a life with her when I left her all those years ago."

"See, honey, we all have faith in you," Cora said to Regina. "Why don't you kiss her already so we can get on with our lives."

Regina looked away in shame. All her dreams could come true with a simple kiss and she wanted so badly for it to be true, yet the fear in her heart was paralyzing. There was no way any of them would understand. Least of all Henry.

"Mom?" Henry said, instantly picking up her discomfort. "What's wrong?"

"I'm afraid," she said to her son, shocked that she even let the words leave her lips.

"Of what?" asked Snow White. "Regina, in all the years I have known you, I don't think you have ever been afraid of anything."

"Are you afraid it won't work?" David asked the mayor, rubbing his neck awkwardly., "you know, the kiss."

"I'm afraid it will." answered the brunette.

"I don't understand," said Snow, "if it works, you will have everything you ever wanted. You get your happy ending."

"Maybe," Regina replied. "Until it all gets ripped away again leaving a giant fucking hole in my heart."

"Regina," Cora began but was quickly cut off by her daughter.

"What," she snapped at her mother. "You know it's true. Villains do not get happy endings. I believe I am living proof of that."

"Regina Henrietta Mills, you listen to me," Cora raised her voice, commanding her daughter's attention, as well as everyone else who remained in the diner. Snow, David, and Neil were smirking like children watching a playmate get in trouble. "You of all people deserve a happy ending. Your life has been miserable. I blame myself for that."

"We all do." Snow said to the old witch.

"You're no better Snow White," Cora retorted. "You helped in creating the misery my daughter has suffered as well." she turned to Neil, "as did Rumplestiltskin." Neil had no idea what his father's part in this was, but he was certain that it wasn't good. "Regina has been manipulated and used and suffered great loss, yet here she is, still standing, a proud mother and mayor of a town she created from thin air. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it's you my darling."

"Thank you mother," Regina wiped the tears from her eyes, "but did you have to use my middle name?" she said, making the crowd giggle. The only reason the former queen liked her middle name, was because it was the only thing left she had that was her father's. Otherwise, Regina thought the name was hideous.

"Look, Regina," Neil started, "I will prove to you that I'm not the one Emma wants or needs. It may hurt you to see it at first but I promise you, it's not going to be me that saves her."

"Mom?" Henry looked up at Regina for assurance, before moving away from Emma.

"It's okay, Henry," Regina took her son's hand and moved him away from the sheriff. She nodded at Neil, giving him permission to try and wake Emma. He was right about one thing, watching Neil kiss the love of her life was going to be torture and even more excruciating if she actually woke up.

As Neil made his way toward the blonde, Snow White was secretly praying to the universe or God or whoever, that Emma would wake up. She liked Neil and preferred her daughter chose the man who gave everyone Henry, over the Evil Queen. Snow knew she was being selfish, but she wanted Emma, Neil, and Henry, to come together as a traditional family. She held on tight to David, waiting in anticipation to see if her precious daughter would be saved by this wonderful man. It seemed the whole world had come to a standstill. No one moved, no one breathed, as Neil took Emma's limp hand into his own. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "Emma Swan, I am so sorry for all the heartache I caused you. I never stopped loving you. My heart will always be yours." He pressed his lips to Emma's and waited. Nothing. Neil moved away, tears burned his eyes. "See, nothing. I'm not the one." Neil moved away from Emma and allowed Henry and Regina to resume their position next to her.

"I'm sorry Neil," Snow said to Henry's father. "I know how much you love her."

"It's okay, I knew her feelings toward me," said Neil. "All I ask is for time with Henry. I want to get to know my son better. I've already missed out on so much."

"Of course," said Regina, "if that's all right with Henry." The boy dislocated himself from his mother and wrapped his arms around Neil's waist. "I love you dad." he said.

"I love you too, kid."