Apologies for not updating this for ages...writing inspiration has blown out the window since the upset of S4 dramas. But, here we go. Chapter 10. Hopefully it isn't too bad ;)

-OUATAddict Xx

Maria woke up in a large echoing room, the light dim, and the stench of rats' urine and faeces in the air. Snow White's dungeons had been cleaner. She looked around, hoping to figure out why Zelena had decided this was where she wanted Maria to take control. Chistery wasn't even around, and Maria wasn't surprised. Even though he was a monkey, he didn't appreciate filth either.

She walked towards the crack of light, apparently shining through a hole in the wall. She noticed then that the book Chistery had given her was sitting discarded haphazardly on the dirty floor. Maria automatically went to pick it up, wiping the cover clean with her sleeve. It was the first time she noticed its title, written in its extravagant calligraphy. It was the book of all power. It was The Grimmerie.

Robin lay awake thinking about Regina's words to him at the stables. She wasn't supposed to have this. That's what she'd said. She'd even said that she had never even told Maria what she'd done, and Robin was now thinking perhaps that had to have been the only secret Regina had kept from the woman. Of course, he'd barely known Maria in Storybrooke before she'd disappeared…died, whatever they were calling it.

He sighed heavily and rolled over, placing an arm around Regina's belly, listening to her snoring softly beside him. She'd never admit to it, and Robin thought it was somewhat adorable the way her nose crinkled in her sleep, breathing rhythmically in and out. He thought about what Emma and Granny had said. For the sake of his family, he'd accept Emma's offer, but he'd need to find a way to take Roland and Henry with them. Regina wouldn't leave without them, Robin knew it would prove futile to ask her to leave them behind for more than just the planned two weeks he had already arranged.

Emma had told him it would be safest to get Regina out of Storybrooke before she gave birth. That would mean they'd be gone for another sixteen weeks on top of their vacation. So many thoughts swam around Robin's head he couldn't think of where to begin organising what needed to be done to protect his family…and prepare for the baby's arrival.

Next to him, Regina sighed deeply in her sleep, pulling Robin closer to her. At least she was sleeping peacefully tonight, no nightmares, no screaming out and flailing limbs trying to get away from whatever horror pursued her in her dreams. Robin's thoughts drifted back to how she had looked riding Fantasma that afternoon. Like she was free, happy. And then suddenly he knew how to present the surprise he'd been planning with the boys. It would be perfect, and Regina could relax, in blissful joy, celebrating what was to come, instead of fearing it.

Maria realised rather quickly that The Grimmerie was not a book to mess with. As she read through it she had found the spells and incantations Zelena had used on Chistery and the other monkeys, as well as spells that raised the dead, created time portals….caused death….it was all there, so much power. Maria couldn't read what many of the words said, they were written in a language only Zelena…or someone familiar with real magic could interpret.

She was able to decipher some, and there was one particular enchantment that caught her eye. The spell of Banishment. As Maria read it, she realised that it was a spell that sent unwanted souls away. She smiled to herself. Perhaps she had a way to defeat Zelena's hold on her after all.

Regina stood looking at herself in the mirror trying to determine whether she liked the maternity blouse Emma had picked for her as they shopped together before she was due to leave on her vacation with Robin. She was 28 weeks now, and Robin had arranged a getaway for the two of them before the baby arrived. She still didn't know where he was taking her, but the prospect of the two week holiday had had her excited ever since he had told her.

Emma watched Regina with a hint of sadness. The woman didn't know what was really coming at her, she was already pregnant and hormonal. Robin would really need to pull his plan off to make sure Regina didn't get overwhelmed into hysterics. At least, Emma thought to herself, she and Robin had met with Granny, David and Mary Margaret to work out how to bring Roland and Henry to New York. Robin had reasoned with Emma that Regina wouldn't leave Storybrooke for more than the two weeks she knew about if the boys were left in potential danger. So Emma was now in charge of bringing both Henry and Roland to New York.

"It's spring! I'm six months pregnant! Do you honestly think I want to wear this? Where would Robin take me where I'd need so many clothes, but not my bikini? Do you think he doesn't want to see me looking so fat? Emma? Emma?! Are you listening to me?" Regina's ranting brought Emma from her thoughts.

Regina was standing in front of her in the change rooms with a cross look on her face, hands on her hips wearing the blouse Emma had given her. Emma pulled a face.

"What?" Regina asked, a hand resting on her belly.

Emma smiled, reaching for her friend's arm gently.

"Regina, you're not fat, you're pregnant. Robin loves you, and he loves that baby inside you. I don't think he'd mind one bit if you packed your swimwear for some relaxation by the lake, or a pool or anywhere else. And, for that matter, because it is spring, you should get this gorgeous shirt because you look amazing in it and if Robin takes you some place special don't you want to feel beautiful?" she said, looking at their reflections in the mirror with Regina beside her.

A smile cracked on Regina's face. She was glad she'd asked Emma to take her shopping instead of Mary Margaret. It was true, the blouse she had ranted about did look good on her, and she had room in it for the last few months of her pregnancy. If she wanted to look nice, she wouldn't really mind wearing it. She wondered though if Emma knew where Robin had planned to take her.

"If I'm going to be barefoot and pregnant, I suppose it would be nice if it's on a beach or by the pool. Emma, do you know where he's taking me?" Regina said, as she went back into the change room to take off the blouse. As she shrugged of the garment, she heard Emma hesitate before replying.

"Uhh…yeah, kind of. I mean, I know what Henry told me, but that could be different to what Robin really has planned. I don't think I'm supposed to tell you though." Emma said, cautiously.

Pulling her sweater back on, Regina frowned hearing Emma's reply.

"What do you mean 'you can't tell me'? What has Henry told you?" Regina scowled through the door.

Emma sat on a chair waiting for Regina to come out. She sighed heavily.

"All I know is, you're going to some secluded place within Storybrooke. After that maybe he'll take you out of town." She said.

Regina finally emerged from the change room, staring at Emma.

"Where in Storybrooke is 'secluded'? Where would he take me out of town? I don't want to be too far away in case something happens with JB, he knows that." Regina stated.

Emma shrugged. "He wants to make it special for you Regina. Just…enjoy the time you have before the baby arrives. Wherever he takes you, I'm sure he knows your concerns about Jellybean."

Regina smiled, picking up the clothes she intended to buy.

"I hope so Emma. I've been looking forward to this trip since Robin told me. The boys were really happy to help organise it too. I just…I'm worried about what you saw in the cemetery. What happens if something…bad…occurs while we're gone? You were the one to give us your key for the New York apartment because you thought we'd be in danger. What if…what if whatever…or whoever, you saw comes after the boys?" Regina said softly as they walked to the checkout.

Emma tilted her head, sympathetically.

"Regina, I will never let anything happen to Henry or Roland. Promise. If Robin takes you all the way to New York, rest easy knowing the boys will be safe here. I gave you that key because none of us…my Mom, Dad, Granny or me….want you in danger while your pregnant. We care about you Regina."

They walked out of the shop together, Regina contemplating Emma's words. The blonde was right. It was only two weeks, her boys would be safest with Emma and her family. She rubbed her belly, feeling a kick from JB after they got into Emma's bug. Whatever Robin had planned for them, she was excited for the getaway.

If only she knew what lay ahead.