AN: This Chapter combines "Dreamy", "Red Handed", "Heart of Darkness" and "Hat Trick." I forgot how little Regina is in Season 1.

Heart of Darkness

The day after Kathryn left town, Emily stopped at Granny's to get some coffee for Regina and herself. She was at the counter waiting for her order when Mary Margaret came in, "Excuse me. Can I have everyone's attention, please?" she said.

Emily turned and the rest of the diner went quiet. She saw the woman standing in the doorway, "I'm sorry to interrupt your morning, but I just wanted to remind everyone that a very special occasion is upon us – Miner's Day. As always, the nuns of Storybrooke are hoping that everyone will get involved, and will help sell their exquisite candles. All we need are a few energetic volunteers. So, who wants to join me?"

Everyone in the diner ignored her and they went back to what they were doing. Emily turned her back to Mary Margaret and smiled. Then, she heard Mary Margaret say, "Leroy, you want to volunteer?"

Emily turned back around and saw Leroy, the janitor at the Hospital, "I want to leave, sister. You're blocking the door," he said.

"Of course," Mary Margaret stepped aside and then said, "Uh, you know, if you wanted to help, it could really be a-"

"Oh, yeah. Right. Quite a team we'd make – town harlot, town drunk. The only person in this town that people like less than me, is you. If you're coming to me, you're screwed." Then, Leroy left and a moment later Mary Margaret left. Emily turned back around and smiled again.

Later that day, Regina and Emily got word from Sidney that Kathryn's car was found crashed and abandoned at the town line. Also, Emma needed Kathryn's phone records to see who she talked to last. Regina got the phone records and saw that David was the last person that Kathryn called. She smiled and called Sidney, "Hello, Sidney? Those phone records you wanted – I have them. And I think you'll find them quite helpful."

Later that night, Regina and Emily walked in Emma's office at the Sheriff's Station and saw her looking over the phone records, "If this is about the blackout, I've got the guys from the power company down there working on it."

"That's not why we're here," said Regina, "It's been twenty-four hours since our friend, Kathryn, went missing. Have you found anything?"

"I found something. I just don't know what it means."

"Well, what is it?" asked Emily.

"At this point in the investigation, it's best I don't divulge that information," said Emma.

"If you're covering for someone, if you're not doing your job, Sheriff Swan, I'll find someone who will," said Regina, then she and Emily left.

The next day, Regina and Emily got word that David was found a bleeding and unconscious in the woods. They headed to the hospital and found David talking to Emma and Dr. Whale. "I wouldn't know," they heard him say.

"Stop talking, David," said Emily.

"What are you doing here?" asked Regina to Emma, "Why doesn't this man have a lawyer present? Have you even read him his rights?"

"No, because he's not under arrest. We're just talking," said Emma.

"Right. Just talking," said Emily.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Mayor Mills is still Mr. Nolan's emergency contact," said Dr. Whale.

"You have to be kidding me," said Emma.

"I thought that changed to Kathryn?" asked David.

"Well, Kathryn's currently unavailable," said Regina, "Some people haven't found her yet. Stop trying to place blame and just find her.

"There's a whole lot of Maine to search, Regina."

"Well, you covered this room," said Emily, "I suggest you branch out." Then, Emma reluctantly left.

The next day, Emma called Regina and Emily and told them that Ruby had found a box near the Toll Bridge. Inside was a heart. There were fingerprints inside the lid of the box. She ran tests and there was a match… they belonged to Mary Margaret. Regina asked if she could be there when she questioned Mary Margaret to make sure she was impartial. Emma agreed.

Regina was sitting in the interrogation room at the Sheriff's Station when Emma brought in Mary Margaret. "Hello, Miss Blanchard," said Regina.

"What isshe doing here?" asked Mary Margaret.

"She asked to be here as a third party to make sure that I stay impartial," said Emma, as she closed the door, "It can only help you."

"I have nothing to hide," she said as she sat down, "Ask me anything."

Emma turned on a tape recorder, "The heart was found buried near the old Toll Bridge. It had been cut out by what appears to be a hunting knife. Have you ever been to that bridge before?"

"Yes, many times. It's where David and I liked to meet."

"Mr. Nolan," said Emma as she stood up and walked over to the evidence locker.

"Yes."

"And, you met there… For what purpose?"

"We were having an affair. I'm not proud of what happened, and I'm sorry. But that doesn't change the fact that I did not kill Kathryn."

Emma took the jewelry box out of the evidence locker and placed it on the table in front of Mary Margaret, "Have you ever seen this before?"

"Yes, it's my jewelry box."

"That's what we found the heart in."

"Don't you see what's happening here? Someone stole that box and put the heart in it. I didn't have anything to do with it. I'm innocent!"

"Miss Blanchard, it's okay," said Regina, as she took Mary Margaret's hand "I know what you're going through. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. To be publicly humiliated. It put me in a very dark place. Changed me. I can only imagine what losing David Nolan did to you."

Mary Margaret took her hand back, "But, I haven't changed. I'm still the same person I've always been – a good person. I did not do this."

"Can I speak to you in the hallway, please?" said Emma to Regina. Emma stopped the tape and She and Regina stepped out in the hallway, "I told you to leave the questioning to me."

"How do you know she didn't do it?" asked Regina, "If that box was stolen from her as she claims, don't you think there'd be signs of a break in? Well, you're her roommate – tell me. Has there been a break in? She is a woman who's had her heart broken, and that… That can make you do unspeakable things."

The next day, Regina and Emily were in Regina's office. Regina was peeling an apple when David knocked and stuck his head around the door, "Hey. Can I talk to you?"

"Of course," said Regina.

David stepped in and walked over to the two women who were sitting at the table, "These accusations against Mary Margaret… they've been gnawing away at me. She didn't do this."

Emily pulled out a chair and David sat down then Regina said, "I understand what you're going through. It's painful when someone we care about betrays us."

"She's a good person. I know her."

"Maybe you don't," said Emily, "Maybe, you just want to. Everyone has a dark side, David."

"Yeah, sure, but having a dark side and doing something so evil – that's a different thing," said David, "That's not what she is."

"Perhaps. I always believe that evil isn't born," said Regina, "it's made."

"All due respect, Regina, I don't think you know much about evil," said David, as he stood up.

"Well, if she didn't do it, then who did?" asked Emily.

"I don't know," said David, "That's what I've been trying to figure out. But those blackouts I've been having – they've made everything so hazy."

Emily and Regina stood up and Emily said, "Please, tell me you're not accusing yourself."

"You know, maybe if I could clear up my missing time, I could prove Mary Margaret's innocence."

"You're very sweet, David," said Regina, "But you're also wrong. Evil doesn't always look evil. Sometimes it's staring right at us, and we don't even realize it."

Over the next few days the evidence continued to pile up against Mary Margaret. Emma found a hunting knife hidden in the heating vent of Mary Margaret's apartment and the most damaging piece of evidence the DNA test came back and proved that it was Kathryn's heart that was found in the box. Even though she had hired Mr. Gold as her attorney, things were not looking good for Mary Margaret. Soon it was the day of Mary Margaret's arraignment, Regina and Emily walked into the Sheriff's Station and saw Mary Margaret sitting in her cell reading the newspaper.

"Madam Mayor," said Mary Margaret, "Madam Deputy Mayor."

"Good morning," said Regina.

"Morning," said Emily.

Just then Mr. Gold stepped in, "Excuse me, but my client is not having any visitors."

"Of course not."

"I'll see you two out," said Gold, as the two women marched out of the room.

Mr. Gold, Regina and Emily stepped out into the hall and Emily asked, "What is she doing here?"

"She came back," said Gold.

"You said this was going to work," said Regina, "That she'd take the key, that she'd go."

"And she did. But, it seems that Miss Swan is rather more resourceful than we thought. Fear not, Your Majesty. Miss Blanchard is still guilty of murder. You may yet get what you want.

"Oh, I better. The only reason I made a deal with you, Gold, is because I wanted results."

"And results you shall have. See you at the arraignment," said Gold. The two women and Gold stared at each other for several moments then the two women walked away.

AN: If you like this story, and you haven't done so yet, Review, Favorite and Follow. It gives me motivation to keep going.