Running Out Of Time

Chapter 11

Storybrooke - Henry POV

"Peter Pan must have wondered what the hell hit him. I think he was convinced if there was anyone his tree would contain it would be Regina. Yet there she was announcing she wouldn't change a thing because her choices, as terrible as some of them have been, had led her to you."

Henry had remained curled up on the armchair listening to Mary Margaret's stories about the woman he had apparently lived with for over ten years. Some of the stories had been hard to listen too as they didn't portray the Mayor very kindly but many of the stories about their time in Storybrooke and in Neverland were a lot more positive. Mary Margaret was certainly giving him the impression that Regina loved him very much even if she hadn't always shown it very well.

It was still hard to take in all the fairy tale stuff but it did explain why everyone had been so strange since he had arrived. They had all known him even though they had tried to act otherwise and his mom, Mary Margaret and David's close relationship made far more sense now. It also explained the Mayor's strange reaction to him on the first day he saw her in Granny's as was her comment at the duck pond about him one day having more family then he would know what to do with. He was practically related to half the town and even there were some he wasn't related to by blood but was strongly connected to like the Dwarves and Little Red Riding Hood.

"Then just like that Regina broke free from the bonds and ripped out your heart from..."

Just as Mary Margaret had arrived at a really interesting point in her latest story she stopped. Henry, who had closed his eyes whilst listening to her tale, opened his eyes to see what was wrong. The Mayor, Regina, was visibly shaking and her body twitched several times before settling again.

"Gold!" Mary Margaret called out, her voice laced with panic.

Mr Gold was with Belle in the kitchen area helping to prepare an evening meal for everyone but when he heard the panicked shout he came hobbling into the bedroom area. David, who had been setting the table, followed him in and came to stand by his wife's side. Mr Gold ran his hand over Regina, a red magical hue emanating from his hand. The older man looked concerned as he gazed down at the Mayor.

"Her condition is worsening" Mr Gold said with a frown. "Perhaps we should ring the hospital and have them bring around an IV so we can get some fluids into her. During a normal sleeping curse one's body is kept in stasis so eating and drinking is unnecessary. However other forces are at play here and her fever is causing her to sweat."

It was weird to think of science being used to try and slow down magic. In the children's books Henry had read then magic was always made out to sound all powerful yet here was a powerful magician suggesting they call for medical help.

"I'll ring them" David was the first to reply. The man Henry now knew as one of his granddad's disappeared back into the living space to make the call.

Mary Margaret rose awkwardly to her feet and picked up the mixing bowl of water they had been using to try and lower the Mayor's temperature.

"I'm going to refill this with cold water" the woman stated before following her husband from the bedroom.

The disappearance of David and Mary Margaret left Henry and Mr Gold alone with the Mayor. For the first time since his mother had revealed to him the extent of his previous relationship with the brunette Henry dared to approach her unconscious form. It was gradually feeling more real to him now that he had skim read a lot of the book, listened to Mary Margaret's stories, heard David explain about how he had helped return Robin Hood's heart today and watched Rumpelstiltskin perform magic.

Henry approached the bed and stood at the opposite side to Mr Gold who was lost deep in concentration as he studied the Mayor's still form. This man was one of Henry's grandparents and father to the dad Henry may never be able remember. Henry found that fact upsetting but he knew Mr Gold must be hurting more knowing his son had died for him.

"I'm sorry you lost your son" Henry said sincerely.

The grey haired man looked up at him in surprise before his expression turned to a soft but sad smile.

"Thank you Henry...I'm sorry you don't remember him" Mr Gold replied. "Although once we have solved this particular problem I think I can help bring your memories back if you would like that?"

"You can help me remember?" Henry instantly felt excitement bubbling up inside of him although he tried to remain calm. "I'd be able to remember her?"

As he spoke he looked down at the shaking woman lying on the bed and wrapped in blankets. The tales in the book should terrify him but after hearing Mary Margaret's stories and having spent time with Regina since being in Storybrooke Henry really wanted the chance to remember his past with her. In his memories it had always just been him and Emma but he wanted a family. He also felt a pull towards the brunette and wanted her to have her happiness back. It was nice to be told that he was so important to someone.

"Yes Henry, I can" Gold finally replied.

Just as Mr Gold answered Mary Margaret re-appeared with the mixing bowl of water and some fresh flannels.

"Here we go" she said as she stepped between Henry and the bed, placing the bowl down on the bedside table. She went to pull the armchair she had previously vacated back to the bed so she could start dabbing Regina's forehead again but Henry reached out to stop her.

"I want to do it" he stated. As he spoke he pressed through the small gap between Snow and the bedside table and began to soak one of the flannels in the bowl.

"Henry I don't think..." Mary Margaret started to protest but he cut her off as politely as possible.

"She's my mom" he said determinedly, "It should be me."

The pregnant woman didn't protest again but he had to look away to avoid her worried eyes. He turned his focus to wringing out the flannel so it was just damp and climbed onto the bed next to the Mayor. He had never had to nurse anyone before but he had watched Mary Margaret dab Regina's forehead at various intervals all evening. So after brushing some of the brunette's hair which had strayed back onto her forehead away he reached out and began to gently dab her heated skin.

The two adults stood and watched him for a short while before backing out the room and giving him some space. He could hear their hushed chatter from the next room.

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Storybrooke - Gold POV

"I don't think we should encourage this" Charming declared the second they joined him in the living area. "There is every chance that Regina could die and Henry will be left heartbroken that he has lost yet another parent he can't remember."

Rumpel glanced back towards the direction of the bed where Henry sat nursing the former Evil Queen. He understood why the Prince wanted to protect the boy but unless he planned on wiping two days worth of Henry's memories there was no going back now.

"It's too late now he already knows" Snow argued. "And now he does know at least if all goes wrong he will feel like he has had some kind of relationship with Regina however minimal."

It appeared that he and Snow White were of a similar mindset. Henry may not remember Regina right now but if they returned his memories to him at least he would know he had done everything he could to help care for her no matter what the outcome. It would hurt Henry more if he had sat in another room and never even said goodbye.

"I'm just worried..." Charming muttered. It was clear he was going to protest further once he'd thought of an argument so Rumpel decided to weigh in to the discussion of the side of Charming's wife.

"We are all worried about Henry" he pointed out, "but he's a clever boy and he can make his own choices."

Charming and Snow looked surprised that he had spoke up. In the past he had never felt like he had the right to get truly involved in his grandson's upbringing but he felt like he had earned the right after Neverland to be his granddad. So Rumpel ignored their surprised expressions and ploughed on with his argument.

"I agree with your wife. He knows the truth now and there is no going back from that. At least he feels he is doing something to help and in all honesty I have no idea how much of her current environment Regina is able to take in. If she can hear or sense anything then having Henry close could give her the strength she needs to fight."

Snow White had nodded along to all his points as he spoke but her husband looked less than impressed at Rumpel voicing an opinion.

"I didn't ask you" the infuriating Prince dismissed him instantly.

Rumpel was determined not to back down. He had lost Bae but he wasn't losing the right to be an important part of Bae's son's life.

"I have as much right as you to discuss and make decisions involving our grandson" he declared firmly. He again caught Snow and Charming by surprise but this time Snow's look was followed by a smile. The Prince looked between the two of them before nodding his head.

"Okay you're right" Charming agreed slowly. "If you both think it's for the best then I'll support your decision."

Rumpel was surprised by Charming's concession but very pleased. When he glanced across towards Belle who was serving up their meal she smiled encouragingly at him with a glint of pride in her eyes.

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The Enchanted Forest – Emma POV

When Emma had first seen the trail of magic that wound its way into the Inn and zeroed in on Robin Hood's lion tattoo she had instantly suspected the Wicked Witch because of the green hue the magic contained. After a couple of seconds of thought she had realised there was another person she knew who's magic was green and that was Tinkerbell.

It was amazing that Emma had stumbled into the exact Inn at the exact same time Tinkerbell was using her stolen fairy dust to find Regina's true love. Of course if Tink was out there then so was Regina and that thought instantly brought Emma to her feet. The brunette was probably out there right now.

Emma's feet seemed to work faster than her brain and she tore out of the Inn and into the street only to find it empty apart from the slight sound of scurrying from around the corner. It had taken her too long to figure out and Regina had already chickened out and left.

The door to the Inn was flung open again behind her and Hook joined her in the street.

"What the hell Swan?!" he exclaimed, looking utterly un-amused by her strange behaviour. She was tempted not to answer him but then if she ignored him he would think she was going mad. If she was to save her mother and their future then she needed him on side and not doubting her sanity.

"Regina told me that Tinkerbelle led her to her true love using pixie dust" Emma explained. "It led them to an Inn where she saw a man with a lion tattoo. She must have already run away before I got out here though."

Hook looked at her like she had grown another head. She didn't expect him to understand her desire to see a younger Regina in the flesh. Emma didn't fully understand the sudden need herself so if she didn't get it then how could he.

"That's what all of that was about in there with Robin Hood? You were asking the Queen's true love twenty Questions?" Hook asked his tone exasperated. He threw his hand and hook up in the air in a clear sign of frustration with her. Not that she could see what is problem was.

"She must be nearby still" Emma continued, ignoring Hook's question as she began to walk in the direction she had heard someone moving.

She didn't get very far before Hook grasped her shoulder and pulled her roughly to a halt. When she didn't turn to look at him he stepped around her so they were face to face. His hand remained on her shoulder, preventing her walking away again unless she wanted to wrestle with him.

"Emma what are you doing?" He asked gently. "What would you have said if she was still stood out here? She doesn't know you here and if you do meet her here then what happens if she recognises you in…however many years…when you turn up in Storybrooke?"

Emma knew he was right. She had charged out into the street with her cloak hood down and completely exposed. There was every chance that even if Emma succeeded in stopping Zelena from changing the future then she would have affected the future anyway. If Regina had recognised her in the future, when Emma turned up with Henry on the night of her twenty eighth birthday, then there could have been trouble. No doubt Regina would have gone to Gold for answers and realised that it meant she would indeed break the curse. The brunette would probably change tactics from just butting heads with Emma to outright murdering her.

"I don't know" she finally admitted to the Pirate.

When he saw that her demeanour had shifted from determined to defeated he released the grip on her shoulder whilst leaving his hand resting there.

"You need to stop and think Swan" Killian instructed kindly.

The problem was when Emma did stop and think her mind wandered to the woman she had last seen lying unconscious in her parents apartment. Despite all there fights and disagreements and despite the knowledge of Regina's past Emma still couldn't stop herself from caring about the brunette's fate. It was hurting her. It was hurting as much as the loss of Neal if not more so. She had been able to cry and mourn Henry's father but right now in the knowledge that Regina was gone Emma just felt utterly numb from the pain. So numb it had taken her all day to finally understand that's what she was feeling.

"You said she was probably dead" Emma mumbled.

Hook dropped his hand to his side and tilted his head to observe her. Now Emma was trying to talk about Regina she felt the pain keenly and she had to fight back the tears that threatened to erupt.

"Even if we succeed then Regina is probably already dead" Emma repeated before going on to try and explain herself. "I just…I didn't get to really say goodbye and I had only just started to get to know the woman underneath the mask of the Evil Queen. I just thought that if I could talk to her here and see how she was then it would be a fitting farewell. I just need the chance to say goodbye."

Emma turned away as she spoke of wanting the chance to say goodbye to give herself some space. She had got through her explanation without crying but her own words had been a revelation to herself. She, Emma Swan, had been jealous of Robin Hood when he had kissed Regina. She was jealous he could be the other woman's true love. She was jealous because the idea of Robin and his cute little son threatened Emma's idea of her perfect little family. She was jealous because somewhere deep inside she had thought if anyone would sweep Regina of her feet it would be her. She was jealous because she wanted Regina, Henry and herself to be a real family. She was devastated because that was no longer possible. Somehow that feeling had snuck up on her and hit her like a truck just when it was too late.

"Why did you turn down my marriage proposal?" Hook suddenly asked. Emma wanted to shout at him for making this conversation about him but she didn't have the energy to argue about it at this moment in time. She had already given too much of her heart away to him during this conversation and she didn't want to reveal any more when she was still struggling with its contents.

"I've told you why" she dismissed his question. The blond hoped that if she remained with her back to him then he would take the hint and leave the conversation alone at least for tonight. She had no such luck. The Pirate repeated his earlier actions and stepped around her so they were face to face again only this time with a more respectful distance between them.

"No I think you only told me a half truth" he pried. "Tell me Swan; are you in love with Regina?"

The blond felt every muscle in her body tense at his words. She was only just realising all this for herself and she really didn't need his advice or belittlement on the matter.

"Shut up Hook" Emma warned. He went to grasp her shoulder again but she pulled back and out of reach, her temper now frayed.

"Emma…" he began to pester again but she stopped him in his tracks.

"Just SHUT UP!" she ordered him. "It has nothing to do with you so leave me alone."

To his credit the Pirate saw sense and backed right of her. He nodded his head in understanding but his face held such disappointment. Emma felt bad for him and his pitiful expression but on the other hand she was glad he would finally understand his hopes were truly dashed. Although knowing Hook he would just shrug it off and decide that Regina was dead too like Neal which left him as the best suitor still living for her.

Just as the Pirate raised his hand to gesture he was leaving the topic well alone there was a loud and panicked female shout from only a street or so away. Emma recognised the voice immediately. It was Regina and she was in trouble.

"Regina!" Emma exclaimed before reaching out and drawing Hook's sword from his scabbard. She raced off in the direction of the shout, pulling the hood of her cloak up as she went.

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