Chapter 12

Your Life Line

"Future?" Snow White asked, confused.

"Yep." Serena said, taking a sip of some hot cocoa. "She came back in time to train with me."

"Train for what?" Regina asked.

"To be a sailor scout."

Regina rubbed her temples.

"Oh." Snow simply stated.

"Yes, so that is why I'm worried most about finding her."

"I can see why, Serena. We'll help you the best we can." said Snow.

Regina sighed. She knew that she was having similar feelings as Serena. Serena wanted to find her future daughter, and Regina just wanted Henry back in her arms.

"I know!" Snow suddenly exclaimed, making both Regina and Serena jump. "Let's go searching for her!"

Regina shot Snow an angry look. "What?"

"You know, get Serena used to the Enchanted Forest - show her around." she nudged Regina.

"Yeah," Regina said, getting up from the table, "You two have fun. Take the dwarves; be my guest."

"No, Regina, you said you'd help."

She rolled her eyes. "I said I'd help, not go on some exhibition."

Snow stared at the Evil Queen, arms crossed and waiting.

Regina threw her hands up in exasperation. "Fine." she said, as she used her magic to poof them outside the castle.

Serena lost her balance as she was transported outside. Snow helped her back up.

"That's more like it." Snow said, gleaming.

Regina pushed past Snow White, to get to Serena. "Now," she said looking into Serena's eyes. "You need some defense. Especially if someone sent you here on purpose. They may have sent something with you to harm you."

Serena took a step back, frightened by Regina's words.

Regina shook her head. "No need to be alarmed."

"But you just said someone is trying to hurt me."

"Yes, but I will protect you."

Serena looked at Regina with skeptical eyes. She trusted her, but she didn't know to what extent. "Okay?"

"Hold out your hand, Serena." Regina instructed.

Serena did so, and Regina held her hand above Serena's. Out of thin air, a necklace appeared.

"Whoa, Regina." Snow said in amazement.

Regina turned towards Snow, a little annoyed. "Does thisreally surprise you?"

"I suppose not." Snow said, quietly.

"Now," Regina started, turning back to Serena, "this necklace will be a link between you and me."

The necklace was heart shaped, brown beads accompanied the heart on the threads that held it together. Serena examined it. "What do you mean?"

"I am not going to venture out with you. Nor, should you expect others to. This may seem blunt, but we all have our own problems to sort."

Serena furrowed her brow.

Snow White made some inaudible comments from behind Regina. She knew she was right, but she didn't have the heart to say so.

Before Serena could ask anymore questions, she clarified, "What I mean is, I will always be able to find you if you are wearing this necklace. Once you put it on, do not take it off. It is your life line."

Serena nodded. "But how will you know if I am in danger?"

"I will be able to sense it. Just call my name, and if I can - I will come to you."

Serena was in tears. She was happy that Regina was there, offering help, but also terrified of venturing on her own. "Thank you."

Regina nodded.

Snow gave Serena an encouraging pat on the back. The two were about to leave Serena, when Snow turned back around. "Your clothes, Serena."

Regina and Serena both looked confused, then Regina realized.

"What about them?" Serena asked.

"They're a bit different." Snow and Regina said at the same time.

"The bright pink flora jacket from the other realm, kind of doesn't fit in." said Regina.

"If someone is after you, ditch these clothes." Snow explained.

"But I don't have anything!"

"I could just use a transformation spell, or 'poof' some new clothes on." Regina pointed out.

"That could work!" Snow exclaimed.

Transformation. The word resonated in Serena's mind. "No," she said.

Regina and Snow were confused.

Serena pulled something from her pocket. She examined it, memories trying to flood back. It was a pen, a pink pen. "I have a disguise."