A/N: I won't bother you good readers with the details of why I've been away so long. There are plenty of reasons. Suffice it to say, life got in the way. I've been writing very short snippets on and off, but nothing long enough for a chapter update until now. Plus, I had to incorporate some new info we have about pre-curse Enchanted Forest stuff because I want to keep this as in-canon as possible. So… forgive me, pretty please?

Last time: Our heroes met with the imprisoned Rumple in his magical prison, where he explained that they would need to steal Maleficent's wand in order to open a portal for Mary Margaret and Emma to get home. And he would need to train Emma in magic to accomplish this.

Chapter 14: Visitors

Regina peered into her mirror. For once, she was grateful for her mother's obsessive nature, as she had left copious speculative notes about Leopold and Eva's "visitors". Unfortunately, the notes ended abruptly and whatever conclusion her mother reached seemed to have been torn out at a later date. Those guests bore, by description, a strong resemblance to the two women - one of whom was clearly meant to be another Snow White - to the two she currently was keeping tabs on. The blonde, whose name she still didn't know, had been spending an inordinate amount of time down with the Dark One. A place of no mirrors. She had to wonder why the "pure" Snow would associate herself with someone who seemed to be close to dark magic. Not long after she'd begun watching it seemed the imp must have warned them of the Evil Queen's penchant for spying via mirrors, as any that had been in private quarters, or even public halls like the War Room, had either been removed or covered.

Aside from the occasional nauseating sight of a pregnant Snow primping her appearance before the normal meeting hours, almost nothing was to be seen of the Charmings and friends. She idly wondered if this other Snow had taken to using cutlery to check her reflection, for there was no way the fairest in the land would possibly give up all vanity, even if she had cut her hair.

Regina huffed in disgust. She would have to visit that miserable imp again if she were to gain any other useful information. She could spy on the blonde, perhaps, if she timed her visit correctly. It was a distraction, but a necessary one so close to casting her curse, as they certainly had something up their sleeves. She would not let anyone get in her way now. Not even her one pseudo-friend, Maleficent, who still held the necessary scroll. Which meant the dragon would soon be getting a visit as well. She hoped it wouldn't come to anything unpleasant, but the Evil Queen wasn't about to take any methods off the table.

'Well,' she mused with a smirk, 'you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.'

"Omelets?" remarked Emma that morning at breakfast.

"You know them in your land?" asked Charming, pleased.

"Well, yeah. You have them here?" replied Emma.

"They are just eggs with whatever you please mixed in," observed Mary Margaret jovially.

"Still, this is a palace, seems less than fancy enough food," said Emma.

The prince shrugged. "I'm a simple man of simple tastes."

"I'm gathering that…" Emma replied as she tucked into the fluffy mix of eggs, cheese, and veggies set before her. It was a private meal this morning as they debriefed each other on preparations for their 'quest'. "Maybe I'll make you some quiche or fritata some time," she offered.

Mary Margaret looked at Emma quizzically. "Since when do you cook?" was what Emma got from the look.

She huffed silently. "What? I like food. And you don't grow up in the system, and live on your own on a tight budget for years without learning how to cook. Affording to eat out, even fast food, isn't exactly in the cards when you're living paycheck to paycheck and picking up boxes of random food from food banks once a week."

Mary and Snow's faces each wore matching frowns of guilt, though the Queen hadn't much of a clue about what those specific references meant. The implication was clear enough. Both versions of the woman had been forced to make do with whatever she could hunt, or sometimes steal, and had never wanted that for her daughter.

"I make more than just a mean grilled cheese," Emma added before avoiding their looks.

"But," Mary started hesitantly, "you never cooked at home, with me."

Emma smirked even she pushed eggs around her plate. "Yeah, well, maybe I liked your cooking. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, right? Besides," she looked up. "I kinda had a lot on my non-food plate, right?"

"Or maybe, you kind of enjoyed being taken ca… er, someone to take care of that for you?" offered Mary.

" Maybe," replied Emma before quickly filling her mouth with a fork full of omelet. "Very good, by the way," she complimented her father, changing the subject. "David never cooked that I saw."

The Crown Prince smiled at her comment. "Well, we were not our best selves, so you've both told us," he offered almost apologetically.

"He does make great pancakes," said Mary, giving David a squeeze of the arm, letting Emma have her way with the conversation. She didn't want to make her daughter feel guilty, nor push her for too much affection before she was comfortable. "You were usually at breakfast with Henry, you know."

"And you were doing a terrible job at hiding his visits," teased Emma. "Doesn't mean I wasn't gonna respect your privacy.

"What are pancakes?" asked David.

"Delicious," shot back Emma.

Mary shrugged. "Oh, yeah, I guess that must have been curse knowledge." She tucked a stray lock of short hair behind her right ear. "It's difficult to sort which is which at times."

After Emma had explained the delicious wonders that were pancakes - and real maple syrup, which the Enchanted Forest did have, the four were ready to go about their tasks for the morning. Snow would be organizing and ordering staff about in preparation for her family's journey, as it was about all she could manage with her overly pregnant belly, while Mary brushed up her combat skills with Charming and Emma went down to train with Rumplestiltskin.

A fifth arrow landed with a solid thunk into the training target before Charming began pulling them from the wooden circle. "Are you certain you haven't shot an arrow in 28 years?" he remarked as he walked back to the future version of his wife.

Mary Margaret smirked. "Well, not since a few days ago."

"Well, that's a relief," said Snow and she joined the pair in the courtyard. She gave her husband a peck on the cheek. "And I'm certain you're just as adept a swordsman as ever as well," she added.

Mary took the proffered arrows from David. "That remains to be seen," she teased and nocked another arrow.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked David, feigning insult.

"Let's just say, all I've seen you wield before we… left, is a broom."

"What, am I cursed to live as a houseboy?"

"No, nothing like that. It was on fire if that helps. Fighting a wraith," replied Mary as she let loose the projectile. "Your job was working as something like a stable hand before the curse broke. But with household animals. Finding them homes."

"That doesn't sound so bad," said the former shepard.

"Don't get me wrong, the curse was very much a curse, but all in all, it could have been much worse. I don't know how much of that was Regina's doing, or what she expected. I'm not certain she was even happy, before she adopted Henry, anyway. I'd even feel a bit sorry for her, being tricked into it by Rumplestiltskin, if it weren't for Emma."

"And what of Emma?" asked Snow after a pause.

"What about her?" replied Mary as she let fly another arrow.

Snow wrung her hands a bit. "What we did…" she said in a hushed voice.

"Snow and I have been talking a bit and," David hesitated for a moment. "I know what we've seen has seemed wonderful, but she did say she was in prison… and gave her child up… and well, there's a certain look behind her eyes at times…"

"And surely you remember what we saw with the unicorn horn," added Snow.

Mary lowered her bow. "You're wondering if what we did was worth it."

"Yes. I mean, especially now. What with going after another thing of Maleficent's, sending Emma there-" began Snow.

"-And that Imp teaching her magic - it must be dark magic-" added David.

"There is nothing dark in my daughter," replied Mary, slightly defensively. "Our daughter," she amended. "She had a tough road. And that too is our fault. What we did to Maleficent… I have to believe it was worth it. And that Emma won't be corrupted."

"Even though we did the wrong thing for the right reason?" asked Snow. "And then abandon her?!"

"Look. Regina tested Emma at every turn, and she faltered a few times, but always stepped back before falling even close to what we did. She even saved Regina's life even as she was making Emma's life a living hell." That seemed to bring some hope to the eyes of the other two.

Still, David couldn't help but voice his lingering thoughts quietly. "But Rumplestiltskin, and what if Maleficient figures out who Emma is…"

"Emma won't falter. I have faith. Rumplestiltskin can't be trusted, but she knows that, and she's no fool. And there's not a whisper of the girl we say in that vision in the real Emma."

David nodded and took Snow's hand. "I trust our judgement. Still, I will do all I can to ensure it doesn't come to her even being tested."

Mary smiled softly. "I may have only been her parents for a week, but I know there's only so much we can do. She's got as hard a head as she does a good heart, so just, expect the unexpected, okay?" She could tell from the looks on David and her counterpart's faces that their worries weren't entirely sated, but truth be told, she was still harboring her own worries. She believed everything she'd said, but but they'd messed with the fates and as Rumple always said, all magic comes with a price. She just hoped it wouldn't be one Emma would pay for what they'd done.

It had been four days since Regina had first glimpsed the mysterious visitors to her enemy's castle and she had decided it best to do a little reconnaissance before confronting Maleficent. And so, she now found herself skittering along the muck of Rumplestiltskin's cell, disgusted by the rodent form she had to take to spy upon the imp. It was mid-afternoon, but still cold and damp this pit that was now doubling as a classroom for a blonde who seemed to know nothing of this world, let alone magic.

"Good!" Rumplestilskin exclaimed as the blonde, she now knew to be named Emma managed to transport a torch from the wall into her hand.

Emma smirked proudly before reversing the trick and sending the object back to its sconce.

"You'll make a decent witch soon enough!" he added. Regina's whiskers twitched in lieu of a scowl at this praise - it was a simple trick! And any praise he lavished was always a manipulation, couldn't this dolt see this? She purposely ignored the fact that it had taken longer than she'd like to admit before she had realized as much.

The blonde then frowned, as if disturbed by her own handiwork. "Look, this is cool and all, but aren't witches evil?"

"Feh! Magic is what you make of it!"

"And you're the Dark One," retorted the blonde.

'Maybe she's not as stupid as the Charmings she's aligned with,' thought Regina.

"And you're the…" he paused, as if reconsidering his phrasing. "Not."

Emma sighed. "Whatever. Look, I think I've got this teleport thing down. I've got energy balls. I can conjure a hot chocolate. How about we move on to what I really need?"

'Taunting the Dark One? With no leverage? Perhaps she is a dolt after all,' the Evil Queen amended to herself.

"So impatient!" tutted the imp before leering. "I like it. And unlike some of my students," he said, and Regina couldn't be sure in the low light, but it seemed like he's glance her way, "actually, not getting too far ahead of yourself too early. You have the power. The question is, do you have the controlled imagination for it yet?"

"Meaning?"

"Disguising oneself requires picturing in your mind's eye what you want to disguise. Concentrating. Making it real," he replied.

Emma shrugged. "Look, I know I'm still getting used to all this magic gobbledygook, but I used to paint. How much different could it be - I don't even need a brush, right?"

Rumplestiltskin rolled his eyes. "We shall see. But magic is emotion. You must feel it, what you wish to be, as well as see it, and then will it. So - go ahead."

"And this isn't gonna like, turn me evil? Or, I can't accidentally turn myself into Bizarro Emma with a goatee?"

"None of what I've taught you fall on either side of your of so important morality scale of good or evil!"

"Well, then, why not teach me light magic then?! Shouldn't I have some to counteract her magic? If I'm going to be fighting an evil wi-"

His eyes widened for a split second as he quickly cut off Emma's rant. "Must all you hero types be so neurotic?!"

Regina's ears perked up at this exchange. Something was fishy with the imp.

As was his nature, Rumplestiltskin's mood quickly swung and he giggled. "You can give yourself a fine goatee if you like, though, I can't say I'd think it very flattering on you. How about you simply try a change of clothes to start?"

"Fine, jeez, why do you villains always have to be such condescending asses?" grumbled Emma before squeezing her eyes shut. Regina scoffed to herself at the rather childish look the woman got on her face whenever she tried to summon her magic.

The Evil Queen's eyes widened shortly thereafter though as she saw the blonde woman's garb transform from the riding outfit she had been wearing to something quite strange. 'This can't be her first try! It took me weeks to summon clothes the first time!'

Rumplestiltskin clapped his reptilian hands together. "Wonderful! On your first try!"

Regina grumbled internally at that, while also finding a seed of worry form in her gut. This woman may be a novice, but wherever she had come from, Snow and Charming had a found a powerful ally. It also suggested that whomever the short-haired Snow was, she wasn't magically disguised. For one, it would be rather asinine to take that form, especially when everyone knew the "Queen" was pregnant. Two, if the second Snow was a disguise, it would suggest that either she or Emma already knew that magic, so why would the blonde be learning it now?

The imp examined the blonde's new clothes - some form fitting blue breeches of an unknown fabric, a simple light fabric top that looked like an undergarment to his eyes, and something like a simpler version of a doublet crafted from dark red leather. "Clothes from your realm, I presume?" he asked.

'So, she is from another realm,' thought Regina.

Emma rolled her shoulders before stuffing her hands into her pockets, seemingly more relaxed in the familiar clothes. "Yeah. You could call it kinda like armor in my land."

"Peculiar. Not many heroic sword fights to be had, I take it? Well, in any case, change back!" he ordered. Emma looked ready to argue, but seemed to think better of it. She closed her eyes again, but her concentration quickly slipped as a yawn escaped her. "Try again!"

She frowned at Rumple's tone, but squeezed her eyes shut again. After about 30 seconds, and only a muddy shimmer passing over her body for a few seconds after that Emma's eyes popped back open. All she'd managed was to change her blue jeans to the same color brown as the breeches she'd been wearing before. "Damn it!" She didn't have much patience for herself and failure.

Rumplestiltskin didn't seem as perturbed as he waved his hand in dismissal. "Never mind. You're exhausted! No use wasting both our time. We'll pick this up tomorrow. Do get some sleep, though. We're nearing the end of our little tutoring sessions, and I expect you'll need it if we're to make any real progress in that time."

Emma didn't really feel like arguing. She was wiped out, and found that magic made her hungry. Which being able to conjure food now, wasn't a big deal. After a nap she might even be able to summon up the cheeseburger she'd been craving since she'd arrived in Fairytale Land. "Alright, well… see you same bat time, same bat channel, I guess." Unlike Snow and David, Rumplestiltskin didn't let on that he was confused, and knowing Mr. Gold in her world, she was sure it was a matter of pride. It didn't mean she didn't like needling him with remarks he didn't get, since he got such delight out of confusing everyone else around him with his riddles.

"Yes! See you tomorrow, dearie!"

Regina, for her part, had seen what she needed. Or, at least, as much as she would be able to gather, as she was fairly certain that her former teacher wouldn't share anything more useful with her. This was like Jefferson and Frankenstein all over again. Whatever business he had with this Emma was nothing that would be for her gain. For some reason he was training a practitioner of light magic, who had some kind of close tie to her bitterest enemies, and he certainly wouldn't be telling her. She had no evidence, but knew it was somehow tied to her curse.

She began to skitter back off, as she needed to be gone before the guard returned and tried to take a boot to her rodent form, and mulled what she'd learned over. Emma. From Another realm. One that either hadn't trained her in magic… or perhaps didn't have any? Could it be…?

"Why don't you enjoy a good cheese plate for me when you get home, won't you Regina? Don't want to get too tired of swan too soon, do you?" Rumpelstiltskin's taunting laughter broke her train of thought as he made it quite clear he'd known of her presence. And he just had to throw in some stupid riddle of a remark, too.

Perhaps it was the lethargy brought on by magical training, or even just the strange surroundings, but Emma was sensing something was up. Her lie detector wasn't in overdrive but something was niggling at the back of her brain. Like when she'd return from Rumple's lessons a little earlier than planned and all three of her parents would hush up. She'd get to the bottom of it, but knew by now that all four of her parents were stubborn as her. The question was who was the biggest pushover... she guessed David. Whether or not she would have been a daddy's girl, she got the feeling he'd have had a hard time saying no to her. It was a strange thing to think about.

Whether it was just worrying about her, or planning to keep her out of the action, or whatever, she'd be damned if she'd be left in the dark much longer. In any case, she wasn't ready to pursue it quite yet. A certain part of Emma was relishing the peace before the storm, and she had a few more days to bring it up before they left. Or so she'd thought.

The Charming trio had taken to eating in private at the end of the day, as their daughter still seemed to find the large court meals off putting, even if they were casual by royal standards. And, truth be told, Snow and David wanted as much time with their future daughter to themselves, knowing they would have mere minutes with her as a baby.

Emma could hear the still strange sound of two sets of identical female laughter, accompanied by David's, as she approached. She was trying to think of Mary and Snow like identical sisters, but even twins weren't this similar. Especially when it came to the looks on their faces when regarding David and herself. She shook her head. It's not like it could get any weirder.

"And that was the last time I took up Emma's offer to help with the laundry!" chuckled Mary Margaret. Her past parents continued to laugh.

"More embarrassing stories from the life and times of Emma Swan, huh?" remarked Emma as she entered the room. She pretended to be a little put out by it, but truth be told, she liked that she'd built this relationship with Mary. It was the closest she'd let herself get to a person since Neal, and although she wouldn't say it out loud, she liked that she had what she'd envied other kids having when she was growing up - family teasing. The teenagers she went to school with had moaned and groaned about it, and maybe it was because she was an adult, but she was actually enjoying it. Of course, it helped that they didn't involve potty training or something. "And what exaggerated tales are you spinning this time?"

"I may not understand how these washing machines work, but I do know that white linens should never be washed with crimson," said David.

"Yeah, well, we've got this potion called bleach to fix that," replied Emma. "Besides, Mary Margaret likes pink."

Mary raised an eyebrow. "Yes, well, when we get back, don't expect to see it in such frequent rotation."

"Right," replied Emma thoughtfully. "I suppose not." The woman she'd gotten to know since breaking the curse certainly didn't seem as frilly as the roommate she gotten to know before. And kind of missed.

"Speaking of clothing, what in the realms are you wearing?" asked Snow. David had an equally inquisitive look.

Emma glanced down at herself. "Oh, right. Part of today's lesson. It's from our world. Guess I forgot I was wearing it, being used to it and all." She pulled off her jacket, laying over the back of a chair before sitting.

"It's a little…" David eyed the now revealed tank top and her exposed arms and scooped neckline that stopped just short of revealing cleavage. "... light, don't you think. Is it exceptionally warm in this new land?"

Mary rolled her eyes. "It's perfectly normal clothing for Storybrooke, David," she said before Emma could make a sarcastic remark.

"If you say so," he replied.

"As opposed to the gowns I see the ladies rocking around here?" said Emma as she gestured at her own chest.

Snow smiled but shook her head at the two blondes."Alright, I think your father gets the point." She eyed her husband, making sure he wasn't about to continue this line of discussion.

"I'm just saying, tavern wenches, much?" teased Emma.

"You're a princess, not a wench!" began Charming.

But it was Mary's turn to interrupt. "And the princesses in the Land Without Magic don't wear anything much different than Emma. I promise, David, it's fine." She turned to Emma, giving her a look and the blonde held up her hands in surrender, even though a small smile played on her lips. She was somewhere between touched and annoyed at this man, who while he was her father hadn't raised her, being protective of her 'honor'. Of course, without Mary there to act as referee, she could see herself getting into an actual argument.

They settled into a more neutral discussion of her magic lessons for the day as they waited for their food to arrive, and although Emma still sensed a weirdness in them about it, she couldn't entirely blame them. No matter what Rumplestiltskin said, she had her concerns. Still, it was worth the risk, in her opinion. She just liked knowing just how much risk she was getting herself into.

The sunset over the lake bathed the nursery in a beautiful orange-pink light as the topics turned to Snow's progress. "Blue sent word that she expects to have news perhaps as soon as the morrow."

"Well, that's not vague at all," snarked Emma.

Snow was about to respond when the lighting changed. The three looked outside, where all appeared normal, before realizing it was coming from inside the room. "What the hell?" muttered Emma as David and Mary got to their feet. Snow clutched one hand to her belly, and the other to Emma's forearm as wind picked up in the room and a green glow began to emanate from the center of the room, not far from the bassinet. Mary felt a sense of intense deja vu wash over her. "It can't be - it's too soon!"

"What's too soon?" asked David nervously.

The glow suddenly exploded in a silent but bright flash, not unlike the one Emma and Mary Margaret had arrived with to Snow and David's eyes. And suddenly, but far more gracefully than the first two women, a figure was in its place.

"Regina!" exclaimed Mary and Emma simultaneously.

Charming instantly reached for his sword, though he wasn't currently equipped with it. Despite that, Mary pushed his hand down. His initial reflex over, he realized there was something very wrong with this Regina.

"Regina?" asked Mary again, taking a step forward. This was Storybrooke Regina, but not. She carried herself differently. Her hair was longer, her makeup wasn't as severe.

The mayor smirked. "Snow. Snow," she said, nodding at each woman.

"How the hell are you here? If you are you," Emma asked, taking in the differences in the brunette as well.

"Eloquent as ever," quipped Regina, though it didn't carry the same insulting bite Emma had gotten used to in their verbal sparring.

"Answer her, witch!" exclaimed David.

Regina, for her part, didn't seem much put off by the slur, but not in the arrogant manner she'd displayed at their wedding. "You know, I wasn't expecting a warm welcome, but really, can you reign your husband in, Snow? Or I suppose I should go back to Mary Margaret for the time being? So I can explain?"

"How do you know that name?" asked the pregnant Snow.

"She's from Storybrooke," answered Mary. She turned her attention back to her former nemesis. "But Emma's right. Something's wrong. You're not our Regina."

"And you win a prize!" replied the brunette. She glanced around the room. "And your mirrors are covered, so we don't have to worry about the Evil Queen at the moment. Bonus points. The sooner we get down to business, the sooner we can all get back to our family." The four members of the Charming family all exchanged glances at that.

"Our family?" asked Emma skeptically. "What happened to Henry being your son?"

Regina sighed. "Look, as much as I didn't want to admit it for a very long time, he's not just mine. And… well, never mind that now. The important point is that that's in the past. For me, at least."

"You're from the future," said Emma, putting together the pieces.

"Well, you did say she was from Storybrooke," said David.

"No, from our future," said Mary. "But why? And how?"

"And when?" added Emma. It didn't exactly seem like Regina would turn over a new leaf overnight.

Regina nodded. "Right. I can't say too much, but a few years. As to why, well, I value loyalty, and I don't abandon my friends. And, predestination. My Emma and Snow have already lived this, and told me I'd be here at this time. And wouldn't you know it, I ended up here, no thanks to Gold."

"So, what? You can just poof us right back?" asked Emma.

Regina shook her head. "It's not quite that simple. You didn't tell me a lot of specifics… which I'm guessing now is because I told you that you didn't tell me specifics. All this happened before, as I believe you remember Mary Margaret, with your mother?"

Mary nodded, still a little dumbfounded.

"So, I don't remember anything beyond reading about you two in my mother's journal. But knowing me, I'm certain I wouldn't have let the issue drop if I saw two women matching their description in your presence. And given she should be spying on you quite frequently, it's unlikely she hasn't caught wind of your presence - especially with one being a second Snow White. That would make the Evil Queen's blood boil in disgust at such a proposition. I'm sure she's planning something reckless, now that you've covered the mirrors."

It was odd, especially for the pregnant Snow, to see this woman who looked just like the Evil Queen talk about her in the third person, and even odder to see her harboring no anger or resentment towards her. It was almost like glimpsing the Regina she first met as a girl, except for the fashion of her garb, and a lack of innocence in her eyes. But now wasn't the time for those questions.

"So, you don't remember this time, and we didn't tell you what happens, how are you supposed to help?" asked Emma.

"Well, I do know some things," snarked Regina. "Such as the fact that the Evil Queen is about to steal the scroll of the Dark Curse from Maleficent, and we'll be there at the same time. Something that imp in your magical prison down there doesn't even know."

"Look. I want to believe you, Regina, I really do, but how do we know this isn't some trick to get rid of me and Mary so you can have Henry to yourself? Like, maybe you found out about this trip to the past and think stopping us from getting home is your best bet?"

Regina's features darkened a bit at this. "I suppose from your perspective, I should expect those kind of accusations, but you know even your Regina would never do anything to hurt Henry. And taking away his mother and grandmother would hurt him. It wouldn't matter if he never found out I was behind it. I learned that from the turnover, and your disappearance through Jefferson's hat." It wasn't a complete lie, though she knew there would be a few more times she'd try to wrest Henry away from the rest of his family. Mostly thanks to Cora's manipulations. But she regretted those actions now, and she couldn't explain everything in the future, even if she were interested in baring her soul right now. "And I hope future you will remember that it was this me you accused when I return to my time, Emma."

Emma crossed her arms. "Fine. Deal. Mainly because my lie detector hasn't gone off once with you yet, even though I don't think you've ever called me Emma."

"Good. now, shall we get this show on the road?" replied Regina. But, before anyone could answer, the sound of a light scurrying of several pairs of boots heading down the hall towards them could be heard.

"Crap - is that dinner?" exclaimed Emma. Snow nodded and Emma quickly stepped over to Regina, manhandling her arm in typical Saviour fashion, much to the chagrin of brunette. "Quick, we gotta hide you. We can't have the Evil Queen's twin up here!"

Regina wrenched her arm from Emma's grasp and rolled her eyes. "I forgot how much you had to learn about magic still in this time," she said before waving her hand and disappearing. "Regina?" asked the blonde to the space she had occupied a moment before.

"Right here. Unlike Harry Potter, real magic users don't need an invisibility cloak," replied her voice from thin air. Not long after an empty chair's cushions seemed to shift slightly and Emma could only assume Regina had made herself comfortable.

The castle servants were quick about their job and David secured the nursery door behind them after they left, ensuring no further surprises. He turned back to the women and cleared his throat. "Right. So, I'm inclined to trust my daughter and future wife's judgement," he stated into the ether, Snow nodding in agreement, "but I would much prefer you visible."

Moments later she reappeared just left of the prince, and couldn't help the satisfied look on her face when he jumped a little in surprise. She may not hate the man anymore, but he still had his doltish moments and still enjoyed teasing him. Though unlike the David Nolan, Prince David didn't seem to take this as good-naturedly, grumbling as he took a seat next to Snow.

For her part, Snow was studying this supposed reformed version of Regina, noting that despite her little fun with David, she immediately grabbed and carried a chair over to the rest of the group without any haughty attitude she would have expected from the queen she knew. Then there was her overall appearance. Although it wasn't quite like what Emma wore, it was of the same nature: light fabrics, and far more understated than anything Regina had worn since becoming queen. Overall, the effect was still elegant, but softer.

She wanted to speak with this woman who was causing such a war of emotions in her - the pregnancy hormones weren't helping - as she hope, skepticism, fondness from the past and anger at the present and roiled inside her. "Don't take this the wrong way," began Snow, her tone rather hard, despite the apologetic words, "but if we are to welcome you, put our trust in you, we will need more proof of your claims."

"Would a demonstration light magic do?" asked Regina.

"I don't think any of us here are qualified to discern genuine light magic from trickery," replied David.

"So call Blue. She is on your family's speed dial, after all," said Regina, addressing Mary and Emma mostly, and at her strange manner of speech which didn't seem to faze the future women, it was becoming more believable to Snow and David that this Regina was indeed who she said she was.

"Beck and call," clarified Mary to the Enchanted Forest residents. She then nodded at Regina just as Emma's stomach decided to protest.

"Never an unhungry moment for you, hmm?" Regina teased the blonde.

"Funny," Emma stated back sarcastically.

David rose. "I will send word for the Blue Fairy with the birds and I'm certain she will wish to be here as soon as she learns of this turn of events. No need to get humans involved, who knows what spies the queen may have in our midst."

"None at the moment, Charming. Your subjects were… frustratingly, to me at the time, loyal to you both. And taking hearts… well, as you know, your soldiers tended to sacrifice themselves or each other before living in that… condition."

The rest of the room was rather taken at the less than proud nature in which Regina relayed those facts and David cleared his throat. "Yes, well, good to know. In the meantime, ladies, don't let me stop you from your meal," he said looking at Emma warmly at the last before exiting.

Mary offered Regina a plate when she made no move for her own, but the older woman waved her off before nodding her head in the direction of a decanter. "But, is that elderberry wine?"

Mary nodded. "Help yourself."

Regina took up a wine goblet and poured herself a glass. She swirled in under her nose, taking in the fruity aroma. "You know, a good Riesling is wonderful, but this one thing from this world I have certainly missed." She wasn't looking forward what little she knew was ahead, but if there was one thing Regina had learned over the years since the curse broke, it was to enjoy the little moments when you could. And while the other her in this time period might consider a room full of Charmings hell, it felt strangely comfortable, all things considered.

"To the future?" offered Emma in belated, awkward toast. The group raised their glasses briefly before each taking a sip and eating largely in silence as they awaited the arrival of the Blue Fairy and confirmation of their newest guest's identity.

A/N: After season 5 and how much progress all our favorite characters have made between each other since season 1 and 2 (seriously, go back and rewatch, it's easy to forget how tense it was) I couldn't resist bringing in reformed Regina. I doubt I'll go into it much directly in the fic, but my headcanon for this AU is that although the Enchanted Forest is indeed gone, the rest of the series remained basically the same. Cora and Hook just hung out for the 28 years in Neverland instead, and instead of the missing year happening in the EF, it was in OZ, and Robin Hood & Co were there at the time (hey, he went to Wonderland) and were swept up when they returned to Storybrooke. Otherwise, this Regina and her world are the same as the show, because making a whole new future for her would be confusing for you and me both.

Next time: Blue, a change of plans, and eventually, some dramatic adventures and confrontations. I swear, I have it all planned out! Hopefully I won't take so long to update. :(

Let me know if you're still reading with a little review? :)