Chapter 14

Regina sat at her dining table waiting for Derrick to arrive. She knew this wasn't going to be easy. Every fiber of her being did not want to break his heart but she had to. It was for his and Brittany's own good.

She heard the knock on the door. She went to the door and straightened herself before opening it.

"Regina," he called out in a worried voice. Her face looked flustered and he could tell she'd been crying.

"Please come in," she said softly. He walked into the apartment getting a bad feeling about whatever was supposed to happen. He took a seat at the table and waited for her to join him.

She sat down and looked at her hands going over for about the thousandth time how to break this relationship. In trying to encourage her, he grabbed one of her hands. However, she jerked it away. She didn't want to be touched by him.

She could at least try to keep her emotions in check. Physical contact would break her resolve and she couldn't afford that. She glanced at him and could see how hurt he was just by removing her hand. "I'm sorry," she thought.

"Derrick, I'm leaving town," she said. He slowly nodded his head. That wasn't bad news.

"When are you coming home?"

She closed her eyes for a split second.

"I'm not coming back. I'm going back to the East Coast."

He sat there stunned for a minute. This was too sudden. She gave no indication of leaving L.A. this morning. What could have possibly happened in mere hours.

He wracked his brain. Then he thought about David. He clenched his fist at the thought. His eyes hardened. "What did he do?" he asked.

Regina knew he must be talking about David. "He who?"

"David," he said sternly.

Regina shook her head. "He isn't responsible for my choices. It's just in your best interest that I go. You and Brittany are better off."

"Don't. Don't do that," he argued shaking his head. "Don't be vague. Don't keep me in the dark. Something happened and I want to know what it is."

"Derrick, just listen to me. I'm not the person you think I am. You and Brittany don't need me in your lives. I'll do nothing but bring pain and heartache. It's best to stop things before they get serious."

She could see the confusion and anger dancing in his eyes.

"I haven't let anyone into my life since Elizabeth. I concentrated on being a single father. I tried to shield her from anybody who could possibly bring harm. I didn't want women coming in and out of my daughter's life. You came and we became a family. I didn't go into this relationship lightly. Regina, please reconsider. Whatever it is, we can get through this."

She blinked back unshed tears. "No we can't. There are things about my past that can come back to haunt you. I'm not willing to take that chance. Just let me go."

He grabbed both her hands tightly not giving her a chance to jerk away again. "I want to marry you."

She looked away. "I know."

Derrick let go of her hands and leaned back in his chair. "He came running over here to tell you about my proposal. Now, you want to leave. Are you leaving with him?" he asked his voice deepening.

She didn't say anything. She tried to put on her mask before facing him. "My travel plans are my business."

"No, Regina. This is our life. I don't want to lose you."

He saw her eyes water and for a second he thought he got through. His heart dropped when she uttered her next words, "I'm not going to marry you now or ever. I'm not interested. I'm sorry but you've wasted your time on me."

"I love you. I know you love me. Why are you doing this to us?" he asked his voice rising. "I have no choice. Look, six months from now you won't even think about me."

"What about Brittany? What am I supposed to tell her?" he asked.

She sighed. "Tell her that I will miss her and to be the best rider she can be."

He still wasn't satisfied. "If you're leaving, I'm coming with you."

Regina's eyes widened. "No, you can't," sounding panic stricken. There was no way he could come to Storybrooke. That simply was out of the question. Her secret would come out. He would be caught up in a world of fairytale characters.

"Why not?" he asked frustrated.

"I don't want you to. Your life is in California and mine is on the East Coast. We won't work in the long run."

"I know I said you loved me. Do you really love me though? Or was this an act?" he asked.

Her voice softened. "My love for you is real but I'm sparing you. I'm protecting you."

He rubbed his hand over his face. "From what?"

"Not what...who. I'm protecting you from me." She got up from the table and walked toward the door.

With a broken voice he asked, "Do you love David? For the life of me, I don't understand what is happening. We were fine until he showed up. I didn't trust him and with a very good reason. He was after you. He has been from day one. I didn't want to create tension at work for you but there he was. Then he takes you home and you have decided to leave me behind without a second thought."

She turned back around. "I don't want to talk about him anymore."

"I do. Do you love David?" The pained expression in her eyes gave her away. "You do, don't you?"

"I don't know but-

"It's either yes or no Regina!" he yelled causing her to flinch. She didn't like being backed into a corner. She tried to come up with an indirect answer to his question.

"Regina," he called breaking her out of her thoughts.

"I knew David before I came here. We're friends."

"Why didn't you say something months ago?"

"Because I didn't know," she thought.

She didn't tell him that. Giving him a full explanation was just too much.

"I'm leaving tomorrow Derrick. I know you may hate me right now but this is the best option for everybody."

She walked to her front door and opened it. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Derrick sighed and headed out the door. Suddenly, he turned back around and kissed her. He rested his forehead on hers.

She felt her heart flutter causing even more conflicting emotions. He silently pleaded with her to stay. To stay with him and Brittany. To be the family she'd always wanted.

"Goodbye Derrick," she said softly. He walked away heartbroken and confused. How did everything fall apart so fast?

Regina watched him go before closing the door. Yes, this was the right decision but she didn't feel any less ashamed. She felt guilty for having a relationship with him. She should have known she wouldn't be able to escape her past. She took a moment to collect herself. She went to her bedroom to pack.

Meanwhile, David called Emma. "David," she said.

"Hey, we're coming home tomorrow. I finally got her to remember."

"That's great," she replied although she wasn't too keen on the return. "I'll tell Henry when he comes home. David, thank you though. You never gave up when we did. I hope Regina appreciates this. I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Bye Emma," he said.

The next day...

David picked Regina up at her apartment. "Are you ready?" he asked excited.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm leaping for joy," she said sarcastically.

"Hey, it won't be bad," he encouraged.

She sighed. "I know better and those people aren't exactly forgiving."

He put his bags down and tilted her chin up. "We focus on Henry first and we'll worry about the rest later. We are going to make this work."

She chuckled slightly. She was still mad at him but the seriousness and the conviction in his voice could make her believe his words.

"You're right. It's going to be fine...eventually. I'm not naive about this. A lot of people are going to hate all of this."

"We'll get through this together," he said. "We have to catch our plane." They arrived at the airport not really saying anything to each other. Each lost in thought about what was waiting for them back home.

For David, an already made family who had no idea about his feelings for Regina. For Regina, a son but also the ridicule and hatred she would have to endure once she crossed the town line.

When they got on the plane, David could see Regina's nervousness. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly. She turned to him and smiled a little.

"Are we doing the right thing?" she asked.

"Yes, you belong with us. Your home is Storybrooke." She nodded.

"I mean us."

David leaned over and cupped her cheek. "I was able to break your curse with true love's kiss. We are right for each other. I want to spend my life with you."

He kissed her on the cheek. "I'm here for you."

She smiled. "At least you didn't say I'll always find you crap. I always did find that annoying," she joked.

He chuckled. "I couldn't tell." They leaned back into their seats waiting to land.

Seven hours later, Emma saw David and Regina walk through the gate. She braced herself for whatever Regina was going to say. She walked up to them.

She smiled and hugged David first. "I'm glad you're home." She turned to Regina. "Hello Regina."

"Hello Ms. Swan. I assume my son is being taken care of."

"Yes, Regina. We're taking care of him," Emma said.

"Thank you. I want to see him as soon as possible."

"I don't know if he wants to see you," she said calmly.

"You could at least try to convince him," she shot back her eyes narrowing.

Not wanting to have an argument, she said, "I'll make sure he sees you." She went to her car and they followed. Regina rode in the back seat. Tension was high to say the least. Regina decided to talk about Henry again.

"How is Henry?" Regina asked.

Emma looked at the rearview mirror. "He's fine. Listen, you need to know that Henry's father is here."

Regina huffed. "I know. Rumplestilskin's son." Emma glanced at David.

"She needed to know," he said.

Emma sighed. "Since you know...it's just they've gotten close and I didn't want you to be blindsided."

"Thank you Emma," Regina said softly.

"So, when we arrive, where do you want to go first?" Emma asked.

"Home," Regina said. Emma nodded.

Eventually, Regina saw the Welcome to Storybrooke sign and her stomach tightened. There was no turning back now. They crossed the line and Regina could feel the magic again. It was familiar and comforting.

"Regina," she heard David say.

"I'm fine David," she said. She looked around. The town hadn't changed. "Who is the mayor now?"

David looked behind him. "Nobody really."

Regina snorted. "I'm still capable of doing something right," she muttered.

She saw the townspeople staring as they passed by. She was glad she was in the car. She just wanted to get home without any encounters.

They pulled up into her driveway. It still looked the same. "Someone has been out here."

"I made sure the guys kept it up," David said. She cracked a smile that only he caught. She still had her keys thankfully. She walked in and all the moments spent in the house flooded back. This was one thing she missed.

"We'll give you some time," Emma said.

She turned to them. "I appreciate that. Please tell Henry that I love him." Emma nodded and walked out the door.

David closed the door and went to Regina. "How are you feeling?"

"Ask me tomorrow."

He kissed her forehead. "See you tomorrow." She let David out. She looked around the house and everything was in tact.

"Nobody broke anything," she muttered. She heard her phone buzz in the other room. It was a voicemail. She listened to it. The message from Brittany.

"Hi Miss Regina, I miss you. I want to see you but daddy said you went to visit family. Come back soon. Love you."

Regina closed her eyes at hearing her voice. She would miss that precious girl. She shut the phone. "I can't come back sweetheart."