Summary: 'Love is a weakness,' Regina had been taught, time after time. Never has that saying been proven more wrong, or right, or more appropriate, or less relevant. Part 1.
Dedications: Alexander S, Ranma (Matty), AtomicStryker, mxwn, and tryllejens. Thanks for your support!
Chapter Ten: Heartless, Part 1
"I came as soon as I heard."
Emma popped up, startled, almost reaching for her gun. "Mary Margaret?" She waited a beat, inspecting the pale woman, formerly known as one of the realm's greatest trackers. "How did you find…?"
"Ruby called me," she confirmed, and Emma shook her head, mentally slapping herself for her paranoia, before falling into her seat again. "How is she? What happened?"
"She's stable. For now." She didn't even know what to tell Ruby when she called her earlier, but the Doctor had prepped a statement of her best guess. "It's an acute heart condition. We're still trying to figure out what it is, could be genetic. She doesn't have a file here, you know. Neither of us like hospitals much."
She didn't reply immediately, hesitant eyes roaming over the resting Mayor, and Emma wondered if the pale woman felt a moment of déjà vu.
"She looks so peaceful," the teacher whispered with a smile, and Emma couldn't agree more; indeed she did. Regina didn't particularly want any pills that Whale had offered, but with Emma's assurance that she wasn't going anywhere, Regina took the pain medication.
Emma was true to her word, sitting patiently with her through X-rays and a pulmonary exam, making sure her lungs weren't affected. Regina almost needed a full diagnostic, having no medical history.
It was when he casually leaned against the monitor and suggested that she should strip down, when Emma casually pinned her badge to her shirt and demanded for a female doctor.
Doctor Whale was a medical professional, and a damn good surgeon. That didn't excuse the fact that he looked far too happy to do his job, and while Emma had her suspicions on why he was so fascinated with the human body, having just added a classic movie directed by a 'James Whale' to their date night list, it didn't make him any less creepy.
Resigning herself to ask Ashley about his professional conduct, and several other patients in town, they welcomed his replacement.
Doctor Gainsborough put Regina's mind at ease – and that was a very good thing, because if Whale had pestered her any further, he would need the bed more than she did – and asked personal questions, questions she didn't even know the answer to. Emma, essentially having her biography, answered medical questions with vague answers, and she went somewhere to process the information.
Emma gave her sleeping beauty a look, shaking her tired head with worry.
They both knew that her pain wasn't from medical origins, but she was unwilling to speak on the matter until they had the room to themselves. And Emma just didn't have it in her to wake her up, because, as Snow White of all people mentioned, she looked so peaceful. It was a rare sight, nowadays.
Unfortunately, as the mayor, she was quite the celebrity, and nurses and patients alike were quick to pass by the door. She saw the light shift from footsteps at the bottom of the door every few seconds, and for how small the town was, the hospital seemed particularly busy that day.
Mary Margaret handed her a cinnamon candle from Miner's Day, taped to a 'get well' card, fidgeting nervously. "Could you, um, not tell her I was here? I don't want to end up ruining her recovery, somehow."
'I'm… going to regret this.'
"Wait," Emma stopped her, standing up, finally letting go of Regina's hand. "I'm sure she'll appreciate the sentiment. Thanks."
She looked unsure, but she nodded anyway. "I don't think she likes me all that well. When I try to do something nice, it backfires – inevitably."
"It's complicated," Emma slowly admitted. "You remind her of someone who looks like you, with longer hair. Got her boyfriend killed." She felt a confusing pang of humor at the teacher's gasp. "She doesn't mean to resent you sometimes, but the similarities are so striking…."
"I see," she concluded, her voice heavy with sympathy, and Emma wondered if she had accidentally alleviated the undeserved guilt Mary Margaret had burdened herself with for almost thirty years. She sent a silent apology to Regina, along with a promise to fix that later. "Thank you for telling me."
"If you don't mind," Emma whispered, leaning in conspiratorially, "don't act any different around her. You won't be doing yourself any favors."
"I suspect that neither will you, for telling me," she said knowingly, and Emma's embarrassed grin was all she needed as an answer. "I'll see you back at the apartment."
"Actually… do you think you could watch over Henry for a day or two? I don't know how long Regina will be here, and I doubt she'll want to go home alone. Just a few days; he'll take my room and everything, and I'll replace everything he eats."
"O-okay." Her eyes flitted over to the Mayor. "Of course I will, but will she be okay with that? I mean, I know you're his birth mother, but – "
"I'm sure. And – don't tell Henry yet, please? We'd like to tell him ourselves."
The woman Emma had come to know as Snow White, her mother, eyed her curiously. Mary Margaret knew Regina, or at least she thought she did. She knew how private Regina was, and how she guarded her son above all else.
Within two short months, she wasn't so sure she knew the woman at all. And Emma, despite some slight hostility in the past few days she couldn't explain, had changed the Mayor for the better.
She only wished she could have found a love like that, out of nowhere.
She said her goodbyes, and with one more look at the resting Mayor, she left.
Emma made her way back to her seat, pocketing the card and placing the candle on her nightstand next to a rather exotic-looking flower, clasping Regina's hand once again.
"She'll never keep that promise, Emma."
Emma's head shot up, before she grinned. "Hey, 'Gina."
Tired as she appeared to be, she seemed to de-age under Emma's admiring gaze. "My sheriff," she whispered, her voice dry, smiling gratefully when she spied an ice-cold glass of water next to her. "I see you've been busy revealing my secrets. Just like a Charming."
"You're already holding my heritage against me? At least wait until we get into a fight to start pulling out grenades."
She sat up to take a sip. "Please, Emma. If I were to compare you to them seriously, then I must absolutely loathe you." She smiled weakly. "Not that I could find anything to compare."
"Just wait until I do something stupid. I've been told I have a thick skull."
"My hand certainly remembers." She frowned. "What has become of our mannequin acquaintance?"
She shrugged. "I dunno. Probably dead." She raised her recently damaged and healed hand. "I think I stole his magic for a few minutes, there. Might've been in the splinters. It's how I got you here, so… no regrets."
"Do you honestly think that, or do you know that?"
"I know it. He's made of magic. I punched his face in. Then I had magic. Isn't that how that works?"
"You might not like the answer." At Emma's curious frown, she hesitated slightly, before continuing. "You need magic to take magic. Punching him in the face might let magic escape, but it can't be harnessed by mortals. You, my dear Emma, are no mere mortal. You're the result of true love, and sometimes, that results in natural power. Your magic broke his enchanted face to begin with. It's how you were able to heal my hand, before. You could have been using magic all your life, Emma." Through her speech, Emma's frown morphed from something less curious, and more… gross. Disgusted. "Darling?"
"So, my guns…" she lifted her arms, still bare, and flexed. "They're not guns at all? They're… wands? I've been living on a crutch?"
"Miss Swan, my tree was almost half-way down on the first swing. My fist shattered on your jaw. You're not living on a crutch, Emma. When I had magic, I couldn't slice down trees. Yours has been lying dormant all your life, manifesting itself as other strengths. In your case… your strength. It's what you wanted as a child, correct?"
"…Yeah." She collapsed into herself. "Yeah. To defend myself, and people who need me."
"Like a Savior would." She smiled knowingly. "You are plenty strong on your own, Emma. The magic doesn't enhance the definition of your precious 'guns', or you'd be looking quite large and grotesque, considering the magic you already demonstrated. Your magic is an extension of you, not like a crutch, but a limb. Just like you protect other people, it protects you. It does not define you. It never has. You define it."
"My magic doesn't define me," she paraphrased slowly, testing it on her tongue. "But… seriously, how could it not? I had this thing inside me all my life, protecting me. Just… if I had it all this time, does that mean I still have it? Could I use it? To heal you?" She looked down, and Regina was suddenly reminded that she was lying in a hospital bed. "To protect you?"
Her mouth grew dry again at the statement, the implications behind her words, and took another sip of water. "Careful, Emma. I might start to expect that response from you. 'How can my loyal sheriff best protect her mayor?'"
"Or how can this knight best protect her queen." She reached over, stroking her cheek. It was her first time recognizing that title, and she it sounded more than natural. It sounded… right. "Regina. Tell me what I can do. Can I give you some of my magic, like what we were gonna do with Pinocchio? Can I heal you?"
"If only it were that simple. But I'm afraid the situation has been… complicated."
"How?"
"I'm not sure, yet. I need you to do something for me, Emma. I need my purse, in the study. There's a very important potion in there."
She pouted cutely. "Is there anything I can do where I don't leave you alone here?"
"I'll miss your presence too, sheriff. This place makes me anxious, I admit, and the pills didn't help much. But I think I'll survive, and behave, as long as you scare away the pests that float around my door."
"Hm… I have been waiting to do that…"
"I'll patiently await your return," she quasi-agreed, her cinnamon eyes twinkling.
"Jeez, lady, I didn't even say I was going yet. You're very presumptuous." She stood, leaning over to kiss her forehead. "You, Henry and I are going to have a long talk about assuming things. Sleep on it. I'm gonna go get a cup of coffee. See you in… maybe thirty minutes."
Regina gave an unladylike snort. "The key is in the purse. Don't forget to lock up," she reminded her, and Emma waved over her shoulder, opening the door and quickly closing it behind her.
She stalked through the hallway, deliberately and slowly, giving anyone that looked even remotely curious a poisonous glare. Some scampered, some retreated into the rooms of their loved ones, and some ducked into the restroom, hiding their face.
Emma did this three more times, before rounding the corner of the hallway, and leaned back against the wall. She sucked in a deep breath, slumping into herself.
"Snow White's my mom," she muttered. "Snow White is my mom. My fucking… Jesus."
It was the first of many problems she had confronted herself with that day. Her frustration, she had let out on Pinocchio, of all people. If she hadn't done that, then Mary Margaret might not have been so lucky. Fortunately, she was feeling somewhat regretful, and very thankful that Regina was still breathing, lying in front of her, that she would have given Leroy a hug if he came to visit the Mayor. While the news of the black Mercedes speeding through town, currently parked in Storybrooke General Hospital's parking lot, became the hot topic, she wasn't getting visitors, besides a representative from the Daily Mirror, which Emma was quick to turn away.
She didn't have an issue with 'Mary Margaret'. The unassuming teacher was a good friend, and despite Regina's warnings, and her own early suspicions, before Emma knew the truth of everything, she was a reliable roommate, who didn't complain when looking after Henry (because who wouldn't be happy to be visited by their grandson, she reminded herself) and always left the apartment happily when she and Regina had a steady date night – and she suspected the teacher of having a regular date of her own, in the meantime.
She let out a rough breath. Mary Margaret knew she was dating Regina, and while Emma had informed her about the 'pause' in their actual dating, she didn't hide her affection for the woman in the hospital bed, holding her hand and stroking her short brown hair.
If Mary Margaret knew now, would Snow White know when she woke up? What would she say, and more importantly, what would she do?
Emma knew the side she was on. That in itself, wasn't much of a quandary for her. But even though her mother abandoned her, she didn't want her to be an enemy. She rather liked the friend she made in the schoolteacher. They weren't the best of friends, but she was a nice woman, and if it weren't for Emma's blatant bias, they would have gotten along even better, she'd bet. Everyone loved Mary Margaret, it seemed.
She didn't dwell on that thought for long.
She had an idea where her father was, or rather, his state of existence. Dead, probably. She'd have been lying if she admitted to wanting to meet him.
Curse or not, she didn't deserve to be abandoned all those years ago. No one did. She held no sympathy or compassion for Snow White, or Prince David. Mary Margaret was innocent, until she woke up. Losing her husband, and her daughter, again, was punishment enough for her. Until it wasn't; that entirely depended on Snow's first course of action with Regina. For some reason, Emma didn't believe the apparently fearless, headstrong woman would go quietly, or leave them alone.
She looked down at her hands. Like mother, like daughter, apparently.
The orphaned survivor was always strong, unnaturally so. She'd won every fight she could remember, and had protected herself, and others, from many hands-y individuals, 'family' or otherwise.
And sure, she'd been punched. Kicked. Cut. And she always came out the victor, some way or another. Sure, she'd feel it the next morning, but not as much as she'd thought. It certainly wasn't as bad as a hangover.
She had healed Regina earlier that day, with magic, apparently, and a kiss. And Regina had healed her hands, with no magic, and a kiss.
So what the hell was all of this supposed to mean?
The Sheriff shook her head, unsure, and tired. She didn't even know how to get back to the morgue and back without a car, and she wasn't sure if she could perform another key-less miracle run with the Mercedes again.
Resigning herself to a lecture of epic proportions, she dug her phone out, and made a call.
She returned to the room within ten minutes, and Regina blinked, confusedly, not even close to falling asleep again. "Did you really just go get coffee?"
"Ah, no. I, uh, sent someone instead."
She thought the mayor was pale before, but whatever color she retained through rest, drained from her face. "Emma! This isn't something I'd like Henry to know about!"
"I know, I know. I didn't send Henry. I sent Ruby. I want her to know."
She looked truly bewildered. "You want us to put our trust in Snow White's most loyal pet?"
"No. I'm entrusting an order to my deputy, and your hired enforcer. She's good friends with Mary Margaret, sure, but she's not going to start freaking out about someone she doesn't truly know. She's seen your steps towards good along with me. We can trust her, 'Gina. And if she doesn't, well, that's on me. I'll handle it."
Regina looked unsure, but she saw that Emma looked absolutely positive. "And how will you handle it, Sheriff Swan?"
"I arrest her. Until we settle all of this, and until the curse breaks, I have to detain her, like I will with… mom, if they pose a threat to either of us, or Henry. There is no way I'll put you or him in danger, Regina. Please trust me, on that."
She bit her upper lip, sliding her tongue along her scar – a habit she had picked up whenever she was nervous. "I trust you, sheriff. As always, my life is in your hands."
Disaster successfully averted (something she partially attributed to the medicine), She made it to her side and plopped down in the chair, taking Regina's offered hand in her own. "Speaking of promises… I don't think either of us said what we wanted to say, you know, when we got here."
Regina rolled her eyes at the blatant diversion, but was a small bit grateful that she seemed willing to discuss their earlier revelations. "If you're expecting an actual pinky swear, Emma, I don't think our love runs that deep quite yet. We've only known each other two months."
The blonde chuckled; at least her sense of humor hadn't slept. "Oh, I agree. We're new, and fresh, and we should dip our toes into this, because now is definitely a good time to start. Pinky swears are sacred oaths, practically magical, and… I'm a realist, baby." That got a good laugh out of the brunette, and Emma allowed herself a sort of prideful feeling, at getting the woman to relax in a hospital, of all places.
"Regardless…" cinnamon eyes locked onto sky green orbs. "I don't want any regrets between us, Emma. Are you sure about this? I… now you know the truth about your family. I directly caused your childhood. I could never apologize enough for what I've done to you. Please think about what you truly want before you make a decision."
Emma had suspected that the question was on her mind since August Booth said what he said, and after… everything, she had done. It was hardly a choice, anymore. And perhaps, a part of Regina already knew that. She just wanted to hear it. Not that Emma minded; she wanted to say it.
"You know, it's funny," she whispered, more to herself than the brunette, but she hung onto every word, nonetheless. "For how much I've been searching for a family, I'm really freaking good at pushing them away. I guess I got that from my parents, huh? But I made my choice, just like they made theirs. Just like I hope you made yours?"
Regina's breath caught. Perhaps she didn't know.
"I was an orphan," Emma continued, smoothing back the Mayor's hair once more. "And now I have too much family. Of course, I'd like to hear her side of the story, and read Henry's book, but it doesn't really change my choice. It's gonna take a long time for her to earn my respect, let alone my adoration. You got both from me a day after knowing you, before I even found your book. I'm not saying you won by default, Regina. But I was rooting for you since the beginning. You won by a freaking landslide." She rolled her eyes. "Boy, did that sound better in my head."
"It was perfect," she whispered, rolling to her side to face the blonde. "Perfect, dear Emma Swan."
"I trust her with Henry," she confided, and Regina raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "I know. Weird, right? She's a great caretaker. It's strange – to trust Mary Margaret, and not trust her alter ego. They're the same person, but I can't really see it that way."
"As loath as I am to admit it, Mary Margaret is someone you can easily trust, because Snow White is a good person. If anything, I would accuse her of being too trusting of the wrong people. Her father … never showed her his darker side. She could never see the evil in people; until me, of course."
She shivered. "I'm sorry. For a whole different host of reasons."
"Don't apologize for your ancestors. He didn't raise you, he never knew you. You have his genes, but you are not him. I don't even see a passing resemblance."
Her eyes were disbelieving, filled with doubt. Regina couldn't blame her. "Do you think about him? When we're together?"
She considered the question, blinking slowly. "You help me forget." She took a deep breath. "If I'm reminded of Leopold every time I see you, Emma, then naturally, I would see those same features in Henry. I refuse to see him in Henry."
"You know that's different, 'Gina. What he did to you, and what we do together – "
"Are opposite sides of completely different spectrums. I'd rather not talk about it here," she grimaced, eying the hospital room around her, "but there is nothing you can do to me that will remind me of that… man."
"Scum. You meant 'scum'." Regina grinned at that. "I'm glad. I don't want to cause a trigger one day, or make you have regrets."
"I haven't with Henry," she repeated. "I won't with you."
"Good." She pursed her lips. "So Henry knew? That his grandma was Snow White?"
"I suppose he did. It would explain not wanting to tell me about it. Would you have beat my son into a bloody pulp if he had broken the news himself?"
"You think that's why I cut the puppet's strings? 'Gina, I did it because he made you cry. And… he did imply that he deserted me, and then stalked me, my entire life."
"That's what he said? I was preoccupied."
"Yup," she said simply, wondering if Regina was going to open up about that moment; the moment the usually strong, unbreakable woman cried, broken down like she probably should have done in therapy, in a more controlled environment when Emma was more concerned and caring about her, and less worried about literally striking down her enemies.
"You already know what I'm going to say, Emma. I cried because life is cruel, and poetic, and terribly ironic. I cried because I can never escape the fate that ties me to Snow White. I knew you had to make a choice. The moment I healed your hand, I knew you were still on my side. I apologize for doubting you."
"If we're throwing around apologies, I have a list. Forefront is for my family. They're all the fucking worst. Except Henry, but he can be a tool sometimes…"
"That's my son you're referring to."
"Except when he's being a tool. Then he's my son."
She laid back on her adjustable bed, considering the supposed arrangement. "Deal."
"Glad we can agree on that." She looked towards the door. "Think anyone's coming back?"
"Perhaps you scared the doctor away? You forget how intimidating you can be, especially with a weapon. Not to mention your 'guns'."
"Look, lady, when you've got good luck charms hanging off your shoulders for life, you tend to give them nicknames."
"… So you have nicknames for them?"
"I'm gonna go check on her," she abruptly stood up, averting her eyes, still feeling the Mayor's amused gaze on her. "Try to get some rest, okay? And please tell the doctor what's wrong with you, this time. Before it spikes, or whatever it did back there."
"It's a self-inflicted problem, Emma, cast fifty years ago. I don't remember the details, so I don't know how to diagnose it. There is nothing here that can remedy it properly. I can explain it when I get my purse." She was sincere, but to Emma, she never sounded more stubborn.
She sighed restlessly. "I'll give Ruby a call, and see if she's close by. Do you need anything?"
"I need to get the hell out of here. But I would like a cup of ice."
"Right away, my queen," she gave a tiny bow, her grinning head up, and Regina's heart fluttered.
Even though it was left unsaid, and completely unmentioned for selfless purposes, she really wanted to kiss Emma again.
Licking her dry lips, Emma turned away and left the room. 'Jesus, even in a hospital bed, she can still look like that…'
If she hadn't known about Regina's fear of hospitals, she would have absolutely requested her to wear a mandated gown with an open back, for a good photo op. Currently, she was dressed in her usual pantsuit and purple blouse, not a hair out of place, not a wrinkle to be seen on the reclining bed.
The painful image of her fully dressed, sleeping peacefully, impeccably perfect, almost reminiscent of a funeral, was thoroughly destroyed by her light snore, and she was grateful for it.
She pulled out her cellphone again, and made another call.
"Mom?"
"Henry. How are you?"
"Uh, good. You went somewhere with mom?"
"Yeah. We had a little heart-to-heart. Henry, please be honest with me. Please tell me that being Snow White's daughter is the biggest bomb I have to drop today."
"You… you heard about that? Sorry. Yeah, that's about it. How did she handle it?"
"As expected."
"Ouch. Sorry, Ma."
"Don't be. It's all good, now. Look… thanks, kid, for warning me. I meant to ask you while I was there, but your mother wanted to show me something. We might be late, so Mary Margaret is coming to pick you up."
"… And Mom agreed to that?"
"I think she figured out the problem with the curse, and we're working on it. You better believe you're gonna be here with us when it's all figured out, and not a moment after."
"So you'll come with us?"
She blinked. "Come with you where? Where are we going?"
"Oh. Um. Never mind."
"Henry…"
"Ask mom about it," he said quickly, "it's something you have to ask her about."
It sounded entirely too cryptic to her, but she didn't pester him further. "How much does Mary Margaret know?"
"Uh… she knows that she's Snow White. She knows that Prince Charming is her true love, but that makes her sad for some reason, so I stopped bringing it up. She knows that mom is the Evil Queen. I told her that you're her daughter, and I think that's when she started ignoring me. I don't even think she remembers that, now."
'Wouldn't that be convenient?' "Okay," she said aloud, but mostly to herself. "That's good, I think. Try not to tell her anything else. We figure this out, and make a plan, together. Cool?"
"Super cool. Can I speak to mom?"
"She's asleep. I'll tell her to call you when she wakes up."
"But it's the middle of the day. Why is she…? Oh. Gross, Ma!"
"We were doing research, Henry."
"I don't care what you call it, it's still gross."
"That's not what I … yeah, sure. See you later, kid. And try to behave. And if you see Grandma try to reach for her bow and arrow, kick her in the shin and run."
"Got it. Bye. Love you."
She grinned against her phone, a prideful feeling beginning to soar in the pit of her belly. "Love you too, kid."
"Emma," Ruby began slowly, taking the offered seat next to her against the wall of the spacious hospital room, "I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt, because you had a weird day. But – as best as you're able to explain – why did I go down into a dark ritual chamber, dump a dressed up mannequin into a pot of boiling purple soup, and lock him inside our Mayor's family crypt?"
"Because Henry was right," Emma groaned, falling against her friend. "All of it."
Ruby allowed Emma's heavy head to rest on her shoulder, understandably dressed for the winter weather, marveling at Emma's tee shirt ensemble. "Aren't you cold?"
"Really, Ruby? That's the first thing you ask?"
"It's fucking cold outside. I have your jacket in the car. I thought you'd have something on."
"I'm fine." The blonde sat up in her chair. "So, is that literally all the questions you had for me?"
"You didn't even answer my first question."
"Miss Lucas," Regina finally spoke, sitting up in her bed, her legs crossed over the side. "Emma believes that it's time you were told the full story. The other story."
"With all due respect, Mayor, I think Henry's told me enough over the past… four months? I'm not keen on a recap."
She folded her hands demurely over her lap. "You still seem rather unimpressed with what you were told. Not to parrot Miss Swan, but are there any questions?"
From beneath the Mayor's small black purse on her lap, the deputy raised a thick, heavy book, easily grasping it by her slim fingers. The shiny red letters, Once Upon a Time, glimmered across the cover. "I think all of my answers are in here, if I have any."
Regina's eye twitched. She wasn't very comfortable with having her history recorded and archived, and she certainly didn't want it widely available to read. "We need to dispose of that book."
Emma sat up, and scoffed. "Yeah, right. I'll handle it."
The Mayor gave her Sheriff a half-glare. "Are you lying to me?"
"No. I said I'd handle it. We are not, under any circumstances, getting rid of this thing. I'll protect it with my life, and when the time is right, I'll show it to Henry."
"I don't think that's for you to decide, Emma. You literally told him that it was up to me."
"Fine. Then we'll show it to Henry. But I'll be goddamned if Snow White's side of the story is the only reference point he'll have for the rest of his life."
That gave Regina pause. She hadn't considered that. She pursed her lips. "Very well. But he will not read it unsupervised."
Ruby looked back and forth between the two. "Holy shit. I actually saw that. Did that actually happen? Did Emma just tame the dragon?"
"Wrong witch," Emma noted, while Regina raised a single eyebrow.
"Careful, wolf. I'm not the one who needs taming." She turned back to Emma. "Keep it in a safe place."
"Always."
"The inside of your deathtrap-mobile is not a safe place."
"I opened a safety deposit box last week, 'Gina. It's fine."
"So what happened today?" Ruby asked, handing over the book to Emma. "I've been kept out of the loop ever since Emma broke the emergency box and stole the axe. Do you know how hard it is to turn off that alarm? It's probably still going! I don't even know who to call to replace the damn glass!"
"It was an emergency," Emma defended herself. "My happiness and sanity was at stake. I was only following your advice, Rubes."
"Oh, Really?" Mayor Mills turned her intimidating gaze onto Ruby, who wilted a little. "She suggested chopping down my tree?"
"W-what? No! I told Emma to carve her initials. Seriously, Em? You tried to cut down her tree?"
"It seemed like the best idea at the time," Emma weakly countered. "I was never gonna chop it down completely. Just… letting out some frustration. Just ask the mannequin, my stalker by the way – I have some rage issues. No one's perfect." She tilted her head towards the Queen. "It was accelerated therapy."
"So you told Miss Lucas about the sessions, as well?"
This one, she was quick to defend herself. "She figured out our relationship. Naturally, she wondered where I kept going on my shift."
"Spiritual Protection and Support," Ruby helpfully supplied. "That's what it says on the paperwork. Anyone who wants to find what takes up Emma's time in public records would just assume that she's doing security for a church or something."
"I see. What else has Sheriff Swan told you about our relationship?" Regina wasn't angry at her partner, yet, as they had been rather conspicuous to anyone that bothered to pay attention. Leave it to a wolf to sense what everyone else was obtuse to notice.
She tapped her chin. "Besides the fact that she apparently helps you perform dark rituals in your family crypt? I don't know anything. I didn't even read the book."
"And yet… you're here."
She shrugged. "So I'm here. I'm sure you two have your reasons, but I'm involved now. All I know is what Henry told me, about me. I'm apparently Little Red and the Big Bad. I mean, it explains why I get black-out drunk once a month. I thought it had something to do with my period, but that didn't match up. I guess it's the full moon?"
"Or you just have a drinking problem."
"Once a month?… I mean, I won't rule it out, but it's awfully convenient."
"Eh, I just found out I had hidden magic that makes me invincible, so…" she shrugged.
"Partially enhanced," Regina gently reminded her. "You are not immortal. I will not lose you to your own gallantry. I allow a deputy in the budget for a reason, Sheriff. Half of the job is to protect you from yourself."
"I'll lock her up if I have to," her deputy agreed, and Emma bristled, somewhat confused at the emotions that overtook her. It had been a long time since she felt surrounded by such… concern, of her well-being.
Regina noticed Emma squirming uncomfortably, and switched topics. "You may not truly believe, Deputy Lucas, but whether you think we're a family of insane cultists or not – we'd prefer to keep this situation a secret. Can we trust you?"
She wiggled her nose. "If I said anything, I'd be lumped into your inner circle of insanity. I mean, Granny's already pissed at me for quitting. If 'badass hunter granny' finds out I work for you? Trust me, I won't tell a soul."
"Good," she nodded, not quite willing to believe her, but more willing to indulge Emma. "My purse, please. Emma, could you get Doctor Whale for me?"
The Sheriff tilted her head. "Hold on; you're gonna rip out his heart?"
Regina didn't look up, clasping open her purse. "That will be option 'B', if needed. Option 'A' is to wake him, and have him properly diagnose me."
"You sure? I don't trust Whale, and Doctor Gainsborough seems competent enough."
"I don't recognize her, and I don't know who she used to be. Doctor Whale, while not from my own realm, is renown for his expertise on the human heart. Geppetto needed an enchanted tree and fairy magic to cultivate life. According to legend, Doctor Frankenstein needed only a spark. He might prove useful."
Emma gave her a concerned look. "I'm not gonna let him strike you with lightning; call me crazy."
"Perhaps it won't be so drastic, dear. Every problem has a different solution. I merely need the specifics, and I can brew the right potion myself. I'll allow you to stop him if he tries to place bolts in my neck."
"This is above my pay grade," Ruby admitted slowly, shaking her head in her hands. "Ironic, considering all of this sounds way illegal."
"Yes, but I created the laws, Deputy Lucas. Emma was just too concerned to leave me alone in here for a minute, and while I appreciate the sentiment, she unnecessarily involved you in this. I don't expect your assistance, especially considering your alternative loyalties."
"I… I'm sworn to the badge, Mayor. I like Mary Margaret. From what I saw in Henry's book, Snow White and I were inseparable. In another life, she gave this hopeless girl a chance to escape her fate. I had my shit together, once. But all I have is my life to go by, and this crazy chick over here saw something more than a leggy waitress and a – hella thirsty – predator. I don't know you all that well, Mayor, but I've seen the woman you were, and what you've become. And I've seen how happy you've made Emma – today notwithstanding. So I'm on her side. Ergo, I'm on your side." She turned to the blonde, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I can't speak for un-cursed me, but I won't let you down, Em."
"W-wow…" Emma was at a loss for words. "Thanks, Ruby." She awkwardly worked her mouth for something to say. "…Thanks. Really."
"Anytime." She turned back to Regina, and it was fairly odd, but rather pleasing, to see her with a little smile on her impeccable face. "My advice? I wouldn't trust Whale. I vote for the heart idea. I'll hold him down, and you… work your magic, so to speak."
Suddenly, all of the eyes of the room on the sheriff, and Emma was beginning to feel like a wet blanket. "Guys, this is peer pressure. I should have the both of you arrested."
"Well, it wouldn't be murder, and ripping out a heart isn't strictly against the law – "
"No, not that. The peer pressure part; bullies, the two of you." She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, sure, go for the heart. It's the best guarantee that I won't end up punching this one, too. I'll hold him down. But…" she made it to her partner's side once again, gently prying the purple nail polish from her fingers. "Let me put it on for you. You might still be woozy."
She absolutely wasn't; the medicine had worn off at least an hour ago, and Emma probably wouldn't have allowed her to sit up if she were feeling any dizziness. At this point, she was doting on her, unnecessarily, and Regina hated being babied.
But… really, she couldn't say no to those eyes, and she had been trying to, a lot, over the past several weeks. "Is this a part of our Girls' Night?"
Emma giggled as she spread her partner's soft fingers across her thigh, accidentally giving Regina's inquiry some merit. "Experimenting on horny guys isn't my idea of a girls' night. Not one I'd ever go to, anyway."
The doctor wobbled on his feet, falling over to the bed. "W-what? Where…?" He held his head, grunting in pain. "What- what the hell?"
"Oh, good, you're awake." Regina looked nonplussed, holding Whale's heart in her hands, while Emma and Ruby watched in fascination. "I seem to have a poison in my heart that's slowly killing me. It's annoying. Diagnose it, and if it's curable, cure it."
"I…" he stuttered, still patting his ribcage. "God, it hurts…"
She rolled her eyes. "Please. Take your time. I'm not the least in a hurry."
"He won't be able to help you."
Emma, Ruby, and Regina turned to the door, and noticeable by her fuchsia overcoat, Doctor Gainsborough, a clipboard in her hand and a basket on her arm, blinked innocently at the sight of Whale writhing on the bed, her patient holding a human heart.
"Emma… did you lock the door?"
"I have a key," she supplied helpfully. "This is my hospital, after all. I don't think you're supposed to be standing up either, Mayor Mills." She nodded towards the nightstand table, and the exotic plant that Emma had noticed before, began to bloom in front of everyone's eyes. "It looks like your prescription's ready."
"My… prescription?" Regina stuttered, looking as off-kilter as everyone else in the room. "What the hell are you talking about? Who the hell are you?"
"So it's not just me," Ruby sighed to herself, relieved. "I thought the day was finally catching up to me, and nothing was making sense. You can all see this too, right?"
"Yes, I'm sorry," the doctor muttered, not looking very apologetic as she stared at them, her green eyes shining. "I was gathering the base materials necessary for the operation." She held up her basket of assorted flowers and roots, hanging by the crook of her arm. "Doctor Whale deals with science. I'm afraid that if he were to try to help you, he'd have to cut you open. That's why I thought you were more comfortable with me when you called for me. I have an alternative method of healing when the need calls for it."
"And who are you?" Regina growled, her patience thinning, her grip tightening. Doctor Whale gurgled.
"I think I had a name once. I don't quite remember it anymore. You may call me Flora, if you wish."
"That's cryptic," Emma muttered, taking a step closer to the brunette. "Okay, Flora. Flower. Whatever. What does the plant do?"
"It puts you in an enchanted sleep. That way, the poison can recede. You have many protections around your heart; I can never hope to get through them. But if we put you in a deep enough comatose state, your heart will be able to calm to the point that the magic will release itself."
Recognition flooded the former witch's brown eyes. "My protection is killing me, so you're going to kill me, and weaken the safeguard around my heart?"
"Yeah – that's not gonna happen."
"Emma – "
"Doctor, what's the actual problem? She's been very vague about this life-threatening disease, and I have no idea what you just said. What's wrong?"
"There's an enchantment, very dark and very dangerous, sealed within her, meant to be a protection for her heart. The magic surrounding it feeds off the darkness in her heart, But I would guess that recent events have made it difficult to replenish. It's releasing the magic back, like a safeguard, blackening her heart, and if she were still the Evil Queen, it wouldn't be a problem, but…"
"It's killing the light. The little light I've tried to regain. It's actively trying to eat my heart." She chuckled darkly, and Ruby and Flora shuddered at the sound. "So trying to be good, isn't good for me? The magic that I used so long ago, to protect my heart from pain, is killing me? And then you tell me that the only way to get rid of it is to put me into an enchanted sleep? Oh, that's just rich."
"There's no way to get rid of the protection as-is?"
"Not without magic. Rather advanced magic," Regina added quickly, seeing Emma's eyes light up.
"Then teach me. I'm a fast learner."
"Other than the curse that took us here, it is the most advanced spell I've ever accomplished, Emma. It could take months." Holding the curiously red-ish heart in her hand, she went over to Whale. "Thank you for your uselessness, Doctor." She shoved the heart back into his prone form, and not waiting for a response, pulled him up and pushed him out the door, past Flora, who looked rather unconcerned at the exchange. "How do you know these things?"
"I'm not from your realm. And your call button was on, so I heard some things in passing. You guys are chatty."
"How long have you been awake?"
"I don't think I was ever asleep, in all honesty. I moved here."
Regina stared her down for a few more seconds, before nodding. She had more pressing matters at hand than more questions, and she only seemed willing to give more cryptic answers. "And you give your oath that your plant only puts me to sleep? Nothing more?"
"God, I hope Whale didn't have access to a plant like that," Ruby whispered to Emma, grimacing.
"You have my word, Madame Mayor. You will have a dreamless slumber. When the protection is weakened, I can pull the heart and put it through a cleansing ritual, and we'll see what we can do with the safeguard in the meantime."
"I'll have to see what you're going to put my heart in, but your plan seems acceptable. But if it doesn't work…" She turned to her beloved. "If it doesn't work, Emma, there is only one person in this realm that is capable of helping me. Either I temporarily die, or I somehow convince him to disable the protection. I'd be giving him my heart, and that is already a price too high to pay." She stepped forward, taking her Savior's hands in her own, not minding, or plainly ignoring, the eyes of the others in the room. "We have to do this, Emma. But it's your choice. I'm not partial to either. My heart – my life – is in your hands, yet again."
Emma glared at her. "But no pressure, right?"
"I'd advise against that on my heart, yes. I heard it's quite painful."
"Doc, can you give us a few? We need some time to talk this over."
"This is a big decision," she assured them. "You can take all night to discuss, and I'll even give you a sample of the flower. Not enough to put you into a semi-permanent sleep; just enough for a relaxing, stress-free rest, to keep a calm mind and a dreamless sleep. Please, use the call button if you need me. I advise turning it off first, though."
Author's Note:
Thank you to barattadotjennifer and LauratheChef for your reviews! I won't get tired of saying thanks! So please don't get tired of leaving comments! (Like everyone else has!)
So, I cut this chapter in half, because it was very long. It'll be up next week.
Me: I need a strong female healer/doctor role to plug in here. Whad'ya have?
Disney: Huh. Shit. Yeah, good luck, bro. *snickers and runs away, singing the clubhouse song*
(Actual Conversation)
Disney, in its vast and rich history, doesn't have many female healers (that aren't ungodly old witch doctors) I could have introduced to this role, in this context, nor could I find one from 'other' sources of Grimm Tales and Anderson Stories (and, to be fair, I didn't look very hard). There's Trudy Proud, Anne Possible, Dottie McStuffins, other random moms, EVE from Wall•E, and, one that makes the most sense in the context of this chapter (See: Title), on a complete technicality, Doctor "Flora" Gainsborough. Because the Final Fantasy lore has wonderful, magical tales, and is slightly connected to Disney (through one of my favorite video game franchises ever in Kingdom Hearts, but you didn't hear that from me). Not gonna draw out that mystery, but it's probably Lightning. Or Cloud in drag. Which is essentially the same thing.
(You don't need to know who Aeris/Aerith is to understand her character. I just needed her for this role, and once I thought of it, I couldn't unthink it. Regina and Emma need more friends in high places (or at least more neutral parties), and she'll be a very helpful ally in the future, I predict.)
I won't add too many non-canon fairy tales to the mixture (or any at all, now that I think of it), but I'll give you a heads-up if I do. I won't just add Iron Man for the hell of it, or have Emmalina face Kylo Ren.
But… holy shit, what a side-story that would be, amirite? (No. No it won't.)