Disclaimer: I own neither the characters nor the rights to Once Upon a Time.
Chapter Ten - Reach
The flask contained nothing but a threat, and a most personal threat at that. It was strange how something as small and insignificant as a wooden flask could reign in the urge to kill. There was no doubt that she wanted to kill him. Her thumbs were itching to squeeze the pulse point on his throat. The anger in her had roared with such ferocity that a small explosion of fire emitted from her office fireplace; a side effect of her returned powers and her inability to control them in Storybrooke.
When she rushed home that day she found an unharmed and jovial Henry. Regina tried hiding her fears when drilling him for answers for she did not want to frighten the boy. She gathered that Gold had not visited Henry or spoke a word to him. He had been at school the entire time. She was reassured by Emma that he was picked up immediately after classes and taken to Granny's to do homework before arriving home.
Her fears did not dissipate, though. There was no doubting that Gold was using Henry to get to her. He must have known she was following him that night in the forest. The flask was Gold's way of sending a message: stay away or she would lose the one she loves. If he had threatened her with any other person she would have gone straight to Gold and ripped his heart out. But this wasn't any other person, it was her Henry. The chance to punish Gold couldn't be taken because the boy's life was in danger once again. A cold shiver ran up her spine at the memory of Gold's previous threat.
"Let's just say I wouldn't want my son wandering around Storybrooke anytime soon; so many dark and terrible things roaming about these nights."
If anything happened to him, Regina wouldn't be able to go one. She had lost one too many people in her life to continue living alone. No mistakes could be made this time.
In light of the fact that she and Emma still had not solved the mystery surrounding the well and how unpredictable her control over magic had become there would be no confronting the threats and certainly no lashing out. This left her with one remaining option: back off the investigation and regroup. It was smarter to plan his demise if he didn't see it coming, and she couldn't let Gold know that he was getting to her. More importantly, she couldn't tell Emma. The woman had just as much a temper and was as protective of Henry as the mayor was. If Emma knew the threats Gold has been making there would no stopping her. Regina had to make the decision for the both of them. She had to let Gold win this round.
The forest was making its usual noises at night. Stray leaves flapped against one another as they hung precariously on naked branches. The wind carried a creepy hooting from bright pinpricks in the distance. The faint, flickering lights were watching her or watching over her, one of the two. Also, that constant chirping; Emma couldn't see the crickets but the annoying sound alerted her to their presence. As calm as the wind was the sheriff was not alone. There were things out there, surrounding her, and she couldn't see them. What made her even more uneasy was the danger lurking about.
Emma was on what she liked to call "Ruby Patrol." She and Regina had a suspicion that the magically inclined of Fairytale Land could have the same abilities in Storybrooke now that magic was present. That would mean her sweet, bubbly friend Ruby was able to shape shift into something far less cute and innocent. Then again, magic was unpredictable as Regina had warned so many times before. Who knew what she was capable of? The term "Ruby Patrol" made the circumstances a little less threatening and assured the blonde that the animal prowling beyond was not just a savage predator, but also her friend. Still, the night sounds and the glowing full moon made the hair on her skin stand on end.
"A nice night for a walk would you not say?"
Emma spun, gun drawn in the direction of the voice. A man draped in some kind of animal skin (perhaps a bear) was hunched over and gazing curiously at her. His stringy, damp hair hung over an equally damp and dirty face. The shifty eyes made Emma tighten her hold around the gun grip.
"Well aren't you as jumpy as a cat? I bet you've seen quite a lot of strange things lately to be acting so spooked."
"Who the hell are you?"
The man noticed the gun pointed at his chest. "If you think a gun is going to stop a man-eating werewolf, then you were not the savior I thought you were."
"Huh?" The gun wavered, but Emma stood her ground. "How do you know about Ruby? And what do you know about me?"
"Ruby? Ah, you mean Red. Yes, I know much about what goes on in this forest and… elsewhere."
"Will you just answer my questions? I am the sheriff and I can arrest you right here and now if you don't start talking."
The stranger's tongue clicked, "I would bet you have more dangerous people to put to justice than a mere hoodlum like me, but let me reassure you by making a formal introduction." He skipped forward and bowed elaborately. "My name is Robin of Loxley. The woods are my home and the animals my friends. I steal from the greedy and give back to those needy. My hobbies include hiking, running with wolves, and strawberry picking. I am most humbled to meet your acquaintance, Savior."
Emma lowered her gun as he spoke. The weapon would not need to be used on this Robin, but a call to Dr. Hopper might be. She looked over his attire: the green tunic, dirty riding boots, and the bow slung behind his back. "You think you're Robin Hood."
"And you think I am not."
"I just said that."
The man waved a hand and shrugged. "Merely checking to see if you knew what you were saying."
Emma paused to turn that over in her mind.
"Why is it so difficult for you to believe my identity when you have believed far crazier approximations these past two months?" he asked.
"You seem to know things about me. That I'm the so-called Savior, that magic exists… "
"Is there a question in there somewhere?" Robin frowned, shaking his head. "I just can't make it out."
"Where are you getting you're information from?" she pressed. "Is it Gold? Are you working for him?"
"Oh, my Savior. You have the courage, but sadly lack the knowledge. I am not in line with…" His palms faced the blonde, fingers dancing, "Mr. Dearie. No, contrary to what people may think I am afraid our association is less than savory."
Emma looked upon the haphazardly shaved face, searching for a lie. There was none to be found. "Just what is your purpose here?"
The crazed man slapped his hands together and shut his eyes as if in prayer. "Now that is the question I have been waiting for!" Emma flinched at each of the stressed words that were shouted at her. When his eyes finally flew open she jumped back in surprise. "I am here to warn you, Savior. There is an evil that existed in our old world; a selfish, ruthlessly efficient evil that has committed murderous crimes against me and my people." He licked his lips hurriedly, eyes round and wide. "This wicked creature is among us. It was transported to this new world when the curse was cast."
Emma's eyes widened with Robin's. "I think I know what you're talking about; the well and the fear... it was Gold's plan all along!"
Robin sputtered, "No! No, no, no, no! How can you not see it? No! You know it!"
The blonde frowned at the man stamping his foot like a rabbit. The man better start talking sense, Emma thought, or he's going to know something hard and fist shaped.
When he saw the blank look he continued. "This evil, it has systematically driven out everything good in this world and the old one. It has ripped away happiness, separated true loves, and taken lives. Even you have suffered and…" he cocked his head, "still you do not know?"
Emma ground her boot into the dirt in frustration. "If these crimes are true then someone needs to be brought to justice. As sheriff I can promise to carry it out myself, but who or what is this evil?"
His teeth shined between smiling lips before he intoned musically, "Queen Regina."
There must have been some switch inside her that prevented her from seeing it before, but once the name of the responsible party was uttered (the true name), that switch was activated. She wasn't entirely sure how to respond to the change. Her body seemed to know how to react, though, because she felt her jaw clench and her muscles tighten under flushed skin.
"She has taken everything from you: your world, your parents, the royal life you were meant to lead. She ran you out of your own crib! The son you gave up… she took him as her own. She killed your friend and partner. Do you not see the pattern? She drove out. She stole. She killed. She, she, she - !"
"Stop!" bellowed Emma. Shaking hands clung to her head to prevent them from lashing out at the babbling man. "Just stop it! I know what Regina has done. Enough!"
Robin narrowed his eyes and clasping his hands once again. "Then you know what you must do."
All Emma could do in that moment was focus on her breathing which was becoming heavy and rigid. Closing misty eyes the blonde blocked out the sound of more babbling and surrendered herself to the sounds of the night and a memory…
"Everyone needs you!"
"I don't want them to need me."
"Well that's too bad because we all do."
"You are saying that I am responsible for everyone's happiness? That is crap! I didn't ask for that, I don't want it!"
"Right now. A little while ago you didn't want Henry either, but then he came to you and now you are fighting like hell for him."
"For him! Because that is all I can handle right now and I'm not even doing a good job at that. And now you're telling me I have to save everyone? That is beyond ridiculous I don't want any of it!"
"Well that's too bad, Emma, because that doesn't change the truth. You're our only hope."
"Then you're all screwed."
Lids opened. Her voice was dangerously monotone. "You've done your job. I've been warned." She glared at Robin. "Now leave."
"You're the Savior who –"
"Now."
For a moment Robin looked like he didn't hear her, but then he pointed a finger in the blonde's direction as if to seal the urgency of his warning. He then twirled his animal cloak around his body and bowed back into the wilderness from whence he came.
The log was not comfortable. It was dry and cracking in all the wrong places as it dug into her back. Then again, it wasn't like there was a La-Z-Boy around those parts, so the rotting backrest would just have to do.
Emma was sitting against the fallen obstruction with her pounding head in her hands. She pressed herself further into the jaggedness behind her, the discomfort in her back gloriously stemming the pain she was feeling in her chest. It was an all too familiar state as she was once in this similar situation two months ago; however, things had become so much more complicated since that day she fell crying to the ground, clawing the dirt for security. Life had gotten better. People had changed. Feelings emerged. It was all going so well, so very unexpectedly well. She had no idea how they had gotten this far, but it had been certainly nothing to complain about.
Then that insane man – Robin Hood – drudged up everything Emma was trying to forget. Before Robin came along, Regina's past transgressions had almost become a distant memory; some foggy shadow of a woman she convinced herself didn't exist and maybe never had.
Her fingers threaded tightly into strands of limp blonde locks. Emma almost thought her brain would explode from the battle raging inside it. Neck muscles strained against sobs choking up her windpipe. There was a crushing weight pushing down somewhere beneath her breast. It hurt like hell, but not in the physical sense. The pain was throbbing and she didn't know where it was coming from anymore. Somewhere. Nowhere. Everywhere.
Leaves rustled and a twig snapped. The sheriff placed a hand to the gun on her belt. She stopped breathing (which was difficult in her condition). For a second Emma almost hoped it was the werewolf – or any wolf – so it would put her out of her misery. What she got instead was irony.
"Regina," she breathed out.
"So this is where you have been hiding?" the brunette spoke as she hopped over the fallen log. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
Emma quickly wiped a stray tear and sat up. "I was just keeping a low profile." She attempted a masked chortle. "From what I read in Little Red Riding Hood the wolf likes to play sly with its prey."
The light of the full moon ignited puffy red eyes that were determined to hide something. Regina looked away as if she saw something she wasn't meant to see. A few leaves (she couldn't discern their color in the dark) lay under her feet so she turned them over absentmindedly, hands deep in her pockets.
The blonde finally got a better look at the woman through drier eyes and frowned. "What are you wearing?"
Regina was clothed in a black turtle neck (one Emma had seen on her before), black pants, dark boots, and an equally black trench coat tied at the waist that stretched down to her knees. Every single inch of her was clad head to toe in darkness.
"I thought I might dress for the occasion. Seeing as this is my first werewolf watch I wanted to come prepared." She finished with a firm nod, clearly pleased with herself. She then became self-conscious of the hat on her head. "Why? Is this not what one wears on stakeout?"
Emma couldn't hold in the laugh as she took in the attire and the serious question. The laughter instantly quelled the pain in her chest. It was an amazing thing, Emma thought, that the source of her pain could also numb it in the most pleasing way.
"For you, it's one bold fashion statement," Emma replied, "but I have faith that you can pull it off."
The woman in black waited.
"You look good," the blonde finally reassured.
Regina gave a small smile in return. The owl hooted knowingly in the darkness. "Have you seen or heard from our hungry resident tonight?"
"Not one howl," the sheriff shook her head. "Haven't even seen any red cloaks or had the chance to praise her sharp teeth or yellow eyes."
"She is out there," Regina stated, gazing at the moon above.
As if on cue, a high-pitched crying sounded from nearby.
"Shit! Really?!" Emma shouted incredulously at the howl. Her head whipped to the other woman. "You had to say that?"
"Keep your voice down!" Regina whispered.
They crouched behind the log, ears open to the slightest noise and eyes wide as they searched for movement.
"Of the times I've been out here during the full moon I haven't actually seen a wolf. You know that, right?" Emma was starting to get antsy under the very full wolf moon. "I was so not planning on meeting Ruby in her… hungry form tonight."
"This was your idea. You wanted to make sure she was not out killing the townspeople." Regina pulled back her shoulders in a mayoral way. "The sheriff doesn't back out of their job, especially if it concerns the protection of the people."
"I can't help it!" Emma screeched in a rasping voice. "All those grilled cheese sandwiches she served me… maybe she's always wanted something more than a tip in return. How about tasty Emma Swan?!"
"Pull yourself together, Sheriff!" Regina declared, looking the woman sternly in the eye. "That is not your friend out there howling at the moon. It is a vicious, bloodthirsty animal that will break your bones and tear you limb from limb without as much as a thought of your precious grilled cheese."
"If you are trying to raise my morale then can it with the visuals, please," Emma mumbled with her forehead resting against the log. Her stomach churned queasily so she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She continued more so to encourage herself than the mayor, "Okay, I'm good. I can do this."
"I'm glad to hear it because I think we are going to have to run."
"What?"
A low grumbling came from the other side of the log while the sound of paws, slow and steady, thumped nearer.
"Run!" Regina hissed and blonde locks were already dancing up ahead of her as they both pounded the dirt.
They ran for what seemed like miles. Emma could hear Regina's ragged breathing in sync with her own while she led them over streams, under branches and through thick greeneries. The growling told her the werewolf was just behind, though, it had not caught up with them, strangely enough. Perhaps it kept its distance so as to enjoy hunting its helpless prey, the sheriff thought.
The gloomy night prevented Emma from seeing the rough terrain ahead and she tumbled to the ground, scraping herself amid the sharp rocks.
"Get up, come on!"
Emma felt strong arms grab her from behind and haul her to her feet. A warm sensation tingled down her fingers. The blood ran slippery in her palm, but the snarling and the insistent hands convinced her to ignore it and continue forward. It was too late, though. The enormous animal had caught up with them.
A cluster of aspens loomed not far, so the brunette drove Emma into the protection of their cage-like formation. Ruby in wolf form emitted a guttural roar and sprinted in.
The attack seemed to occur longer than the seconds it actually lasted, but the blonde's focus was slowed down by an entirely different assault. Her attention was held by the firm arm encircling her and the breath coming warm and fast on her cheek. The woman in black was like a shield forming around the contours of Emma's body. She enveloped her like a cape, protecting her from physical or otherwise magical harm. The tree behind her was unyieldingly hard against her back, yet, the pressing in front was a welcome force.
There was a sharp crack followed by a thump. Claws scraped frantically at the dirt and then a dog-like whimper echoed loudly. The hulking animal raced off in the opposite direction of their fortification leaving the two women panting against each other in fright.
Eventually, Regina released the still shaken form to get space between them (far enough to get air, but close enough so that she could defend against another attack if necessary). There before them lay a thick branch, broken and charred at one end.
"What the hell happened?" Emma asked as she stared in awe at the claw marks left in the ground. She reluctantly let the brunette remove the lingering hand from her back.
Regina slipped out between the trees and kneeled before the smoking weapon, inspecting it with a keen eye. "I think I did this." She placed a hand to its blackened bark. It was searing hot.
Emma looked from the branch to the woman gazing in wonder at her very normal looking hand. "But you didn't know you were doing it," she caught on.
Regina just continued to stare at the hand that touched the charmed branch, this time with furrowed brows. The reverie was diverted to the scuffing of Emma's boots coming closer. "You are hurt," she stated as if in a dreamlike state.
"Oh?" Emma noticed the blood seeping from her injured palm. "Oh."
"Here, let me…"
She saw the hands reaching for her; the delicately thin fingers extended, palms open; the hands that have ripped away happiness, separated true loves, and taken lives. Much suffering has occurred under those hands. "No!" the blonde warned the woman rising to meet her. "I mean – it's fine, just a scrap."
Regina lowered the arms wishing to aid the blonde's suffering. Pulling her lips into a thin line she backed off. "You should come with me back to the mansion. Without proper care that cut will get infected. I am sure the extra paperwork will not suit you if it does."
Hesitant, the sheriff gave in to the plan. She promised herself not to stay long. Considering how her day went the last place she wanted to spend the night was in the palace of Queen Regina.
"Ouch!" Emma barked out, groaning in pain. "Stop that, it hurts!"
Regina snatched the receding limb and got a firmer grip on the wrist. "Calm down. You are as bad as Henry." Another cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide was picked up and hovering over the cut on the heel of Emma's palm. She ordered, "Hold still."
The blonde flinched before the solution was even applied. Regina raised her eye in amusement, then wiped deliberately at the area.
"Fuu-hmph." A string of muffled cursing escaped from clenched teeth.
"You should not need stiches, but I would not do anything strenuous for the next few days. Wash the area and change the bandage often. Any redness or swelling around the wound, increased pain, or fever would indicate an infection and you should immediately get yourself to the hospital."
Regina was focused intently on her work as she wrapped the palm with the precision of an experienced nurse. She treated with a remarkably gentle touch (the exception being the hydrogen peroxide episode) and this care Emma received made her envious of Henry. To have a parent there when you need them most, to help pick you up when you fall and clean up your scraps, for affection and a tender kiss to overcome the pain… it was all missing from Emma's childhood.
"Where's Henry?"
Regina secured the wrap with adhesive. "He is on a sleepover at Jacob's house. I allowed him just the one night despite his insistence that two would be 'more fun.'"
Emma got her hand back, flexing it to test the bandage job. She muttered her thanks. "It's so quiet here – without Henry, I mean."
Regina was screwing on the cap of the peroxide and stopped to listen. "Yes, it is." She laughed softly as she went back to her supplies. "Though now I'm wondering if the sleepover was a diversion and he is really spying on us from the stairway."
"I wouldn't put anything past that kid," Emma joked.
They shared a smile and then the silence returned. Emma looked around from her position on the couch. It was an empty room that consisted only of herself and the other woman. Her eyes darted back to the brunette busying herself with the first aid kit. She suddenly felt nervous. The den was becoming more like a fun house, wherein the walls were slowly moving closer towards her and distorting her spatial perspective. The fingers of Regina moved tactfully as she closed the case and gathered up the cotton balls. Her motions were fluid and purposeful. This was her palace and Emma felt trapped.
"I'm gonna go," the blonde declared, but she realized that her body was still molded into the couch, not desiring to leave just yet.
"Oh," Regina's face fell. "Uh, certainly. You must be very tired."
Emma watched the woman clasp her hands awkwardly. She was looking down at the coffee table, eyes dancing across nothing in particular. Not wanting to drag out the moment the blonde willed her legs to move.
Before she got to the door leading into the foyer she paused and inquired, "Are you sure you didn't intentionally use magic on that branch?"
Regina thought about it. "I can't really say for sure. My powers work differently here."
Turning around the blonde tried a different method. "But if you could control them like in your world, would you have done anything different tonight?"
"You mean would I have meant to save us?" Regina shook her head in an effort to grasp the woman's track. "Of course."
Emma crossed her arms defiantly and spread her legs shoulder width apart. "I'm talking about how you scared Ruby away. You could have really hurt her the way you tore that tree branch down on top of her."
The mayor shrugged. "A simple 'thank you' would suffice."
"You never think, do you?" Emma took a threatening step forward. "You never consider the consequences of your actions. That branch could have killed Ruby!"
"I was saving your life in case you have forgotten. There was no time to think of a safe way to take down the werewolf that happened to be chasing us!"
"So you admit that you wanted to hurt her?"
"My intention was to protect you." Regina waved a hand dismissing the whole thing. "You seem to be under the impression that I wanted this to happen. That I planned the whole thing."
Emma responded bluntly, "It wouldn't surprise me."
"Where is this coming from?"
"Don't pull that crap with me, Regina. Your excuses and diversions may work on some people but not me." The blonde pointed a finger out the door. "They may have forgotten what you've done, but I never will. I will not forget Graham."
The name flipped a switch in Regina and she sneered, "We're back to him again? I should have known how helplessly you fell for that animal."
"He was innocent! Just like all the other people you cursed."
"No one is innocent, not in my world and definitely not in this one. You should know that better than anyone. You could say I gave them a second chance in a better world, but I didn't do it for them. True power endures and this..." Regina held up her arms, gesturing around her, "… this is proof of my power. I did it for myself. I did it because I could. I never cared about him or anyone else in this town." Spittle was flying from between curling lips. She narrowed her eyes to get the message across. "And I certainly do not give a damn about you!"
As if she anticipated the response, the blonde was already racing to stand before the mayor. "You see? This is why you have no one. You push those close to you away until they're dead or can't hurt you back. And you know what you are left with? An empty mansion."
Emma drew closer to the other woman. The proximity was a faint memory of their meeting in the hotel room. It would have been a fond moment, perhaps even something that could be laughed about later down the road, but present circumstances called for a different tone.
"Is this your happy ending?" Emma demanded. The genuine curiosity with which she asked was an attempt to get answers but her voice was still icy. She stared deep into brown pools softening in the midst of their closing space. "Don't you want more?"
Regina asked herself the same question. What did those green eyes staring hopefully back at her want? What could Emma possible have to offer someone like herself? More importantly, what did she want from Emma? The brunette's lips parted to answer, but she was too late; her hesitation cost her.
"I'm done with you, Regina."
She saw Emma turn her back and walk out. It was something she had witnessed often: her mother, her father, Snow, even Daniel whose untimely death left her to marry a complete stranger. They had all deserted her in one way or another. She promised she would never experience it again. The promise was flawless because she made it that way, the curse reinforced it. And then Regina was underestimated by a beautiful loophole, one that she allowed to have feelings for. Whatever led her to it, whether it was loss of faith, failure to let go, or the inability to care, Emma had finally revealed her intentions.
Yet another was leaving her.
She looked down at fiercely clenched fists. They were closed so tightly the nails were digging into her palms. Slowly, finger by finger, she relaxed them to reveal the unexpected. She stared wide eyed at her glowing red palms and the residue of magic she had unleashed.
A groan came from her target just as the invisible grip was released. Emma crumpled to the floor choking to get the oxygen she had been denied. She gaped in terror at Regina. With one hand rubbing her swollen neck and the other gripping the floor she scooted backwards until she couldn't move any further.
"Emma…"
Realizing that the door behind her was the only thing impeding her escape, Emma took one last look at the woman whom she had once considered her friend. She ran.
Regina cursed everything that she ever was, her magic included. Stumbling forward, she reached out for those wavy strands of sunshine and strong, defiant shoulders.
"Emma!" she cried out.
She miscalculated her reach. Her tear-filled eyes had deceived her and Emma was farther away then she thought. The space that had been between them just moments ago, the space filled with hope and opportunity, was stretching. Regina could sense it and with that distance her happy ending fled.
Once again, Queen Regina was left alone in her empty palace.