A/N: Oh God, guys. I almost uploaded the worst chapter in history. I had it all written out, and it was so WRONG. Last night's episode stole my muse for awhile. But I deleted the entire chapter and tried again, so hopefully this is an acceptable replacement. It's at least better than what I had before. Let me know what you think!
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Regina hadn't slept well, once again. Her troubled thoughts had brought troubled dreams, causing her to wake up multiple times in the night. She woke up the final time with the first rays of sun and stretched, deciding to give up on rest. Sitting up, she grabbed her robe and began to stand, ready to take a shower and push through what was sure to be another grueling day.
As her feet hit the ground, a loud snore caused her to start and fall directly to the floor. What the hell?
Standing with a groan and looking around for the source of the noise, she saw Emma Swan asleep on her chaise lounge once more. How she'd gotten in her room without waking her, especially with as fitfully as she'd slept, Regina didn't know. But a small smile pulled at her lips as she took in the sight of the sleeping blonde. She hadn't grabbed a blanket or pillow this time, and was sprawled out with one foot on the floor, the other slung over the back of the lounge, and her arm was thrown over her face. Her braid was still in tact, though barely. Regina found her eyes traveling down the blonde's body appreciatively, stopping at her chest and hips before she pulled them away. Reaching for a pillow, she hurled it at Emma, nailing her in the stomach and startling her awake. "What are you doing in here, Miss Swan?" Regina said loudly, pretending to be annoyed.
"That's the second time in twelve hours you've attacked me with a pillow!" Emma groaned, arching her back in a stretch. "And here I thought your magic was formidable. You should teach softball."
Regina crossed her arms over her chest and put on a haughty front. "Answer me," she demanded. "And then tell me how you got in to begin with, because I know I locked that door."
Emma sat up guiltily, rubbing her eyes before explaining, "I…I don't know."
"Oh, come on!"
"No, Regina, I really don't know. I woke up in the middle of the night and I was in here. And I was too tired to go back, so I just went back to sleep."
Regina glanced at the door and saw that it was still locked from when she'd gone to bed. Emma was telling the truth, or she'd locked it back behind her…but if the confused and guilty look on Emma's face gave away anything, it was that she was telling the truth.
So Emma had transported herself into Regina's bedroom unconsciously. As much as Regina didn't want to, she found herself feeling a sense of victory over the dirty pirate.
"Did something happen last night?" Regina asked. Emma shook her head and answered, "No, I don't think so. I turned Killian down for sex again, but he seemed to be expecting it. We went to bed, and all I remember is feeling suffocated. I'm not used to sleeping in the same bed as someone. Maybe I poofed in my sleep because I felt crowded. I don't know." With that, she yawned and laid back down for another stretch.
Regina tried to ignore the flutter in her heart when Emma confirmed that she hadn't slept with Hook. It was another victory. Small, but victory nonetheless.
"Well…I need a shower," Regina mumbled, letting the conversation drop.
"Ugh, can I join you?"
The words were out of Emma's groggy mouth before either of them knew what happened. Regina had turned around to walk to the bathroom but she froze in complete shock. Silence hung in the air between them before Emma stuttered, "Um. I'm…I didn't mean…"
Regina's heart was in her throat, pounding so hard it was threatening to choke her. Oh, the visuals that question brought up…
Maybe…?
"Well, you did shower last night if you remember, but if you would like to join me, I do have two spouts."
She turned around to shoot Emma a mischievous grin. Emma was beet red in the morning sunlight. It was most endearing.
"I-uh-I just meant…I guess I sweated in my sleep, I didn't think before…Regina…shit…"
Regina threw back her head and laughed. "If you can't handle it, don't ask for it, Sheriff Swan."
And, oh, Emma's eyes drifted down Regina's body and her sleepy gaze caused a sizzle of electricity to flow through Regina. For a moment, she felt powerful. She also felt the distinct feeling of hope, and no matter how she tried to shut it down, it just swelled more.
Emma couldn't seem to get any more words out, so Regina just turned and walked into her bathroom, putting more sway into her hips than was necessary. She heard Emma cough and clear her throat.
Maybe…
The sour look on Hook's face at breakfast made Regina want to celebrate. She should feel bad for him, but honestly she couldn't find it in her. Emma had chosen to sleep in her room over sharing a bed with the pirate. That thought was going to keep her going today.
Zelena showed up shortly after breakfast, and after Regina brought her up to speed on the latest plan, and together the two sisters and Jekyll took a trip to Regina's vault. It was time to get started on the reverse serum.
But when Regina tried to break through her wards, she hit a block. Frowning, she tried to push past it, but it wouldn't budge. Oh, no.
She'd sealed the vault with blood magic. Naturally the queen had torn through it like a spider web and was now residing inside. Regina wanted to kick herself for not realizing it sooner. "Help me," she said to Zelena. Without hesitation, Zelena raised her hands and focused her energy into breaking the ward. After a solid five minutes, Regina finally felt the Queen's barrier give way.
"That was too easy," she panted, spent from the amount of energy she'd poured from her body. Zelena looked at her incredulously, breathing heavily herself. "You really were more powerful as the Evil Queen, weren't you?" she questioned. Regina shrugged. "I certainly believed so. Either way, we need to be careful. She could have sealed the vault with even stronger magic, and she didn't. She's teasing me."
Zelena nodded and Jekyll looked even more nervous than usual. "M-maybe we can revisit the wreckage of the dirigible, maybe we don't need your…potions," he stuttered before Zelena scoffed and grabbed him by the sleeve, pulling him inside the vault.
Descending the stairs below her parents' coffins, Regina wasn't at all surprised to open the door to see the Queen and Jekyll, sharing a bottle of cider while music played from a record player in the corner. Soft jazz, Regina's favorite. Jekyll was lounging in a chair, watching the Queen twirl in an uncharacteristic dance, cider glass in one hand, a hand-written list in the other at his side. Neither of them seemed surprised at the intrusion, either.
"Regina!" Hyde greeted her, holding his glass up in a toast. "Welcome. How you wanted to part with this half of you is beyond me. She's simply delightful. And generous." He smirked as he took a sip of the cider. The Queen laughed and continued to twirl. "Ah, Regina. It took you way too long to find me. I'm disappointed. Hey, sis," she greeted Zelena, her grin widening. "Come dance with me!"
"I think not," Zelena bit out. She still had hold of Jekyll's coat sleeve, and he'd turned white and looked like he was going to pass out.
"Boo," the Queen pouted, gracefully falling onto the luxurious couch in front of her. "Why are heroes so boring?"
"What are you doing in my vault?" Regina demanded, hands up at the ready. The Queen rolled her eyes and snapped, "You mean my vault. And really, Regina? Going to try magic on me again? You know it has no effect. Thanks for that, by the way, Jekyll. Your serum is quite powerful. I'm stronger than I ever was."
Jekyll stuttered but couldn't get any actual words out. Regina looked at him with disgust. He really was pathetic. How he and Hyde were one person at one time was beyond her.
The Queen seemed to be thinking along the same lines. She looked at Jekyll with almost an identical look of disgust before saying, "At least your other half is more interesting. In fact, that's why we're here. I've been looking through all of my old tomes, and there's nothing, not one page, about this particular magic. And we need to recreate the serum, so I've given Hyde full lists of all my magical ingredients. For…science." She cackled at herself.
"You're not welcome to my stores," Regina said firmly. "Get out."
"Make me, Regina," the Queen taunted. Regina faltered, knowing that her magic would do nothing against the Queen. "Since I'm not welcome in my own home, Hyde and I will be residing here," she continued. "I think that's the least you can allow me after what you've done. Now you get out. We have a lot of work to do, and you're hindering it."
"You're not going to get away with this," Jekyll said in an uncharacteristic show of courage. Hyde gave him a look from under raised eyebrows and said, "I am. I'm free to continue my work. Your little plan certainly did backfire and benefit me. When we were one, you had quite the hold on me. Not anymore."
The Queen flipped her hair over her shoulder and stated, "I'm growing bored of this. Do give my regards to our…mmm…succulent Swan." She ran her tongue over her lips and shifted her hips tauntingly.
Rage and jealousy flared up in Regina like a wildfire. She threw her hands up to give the Queen a good blasting, but her counterpart just rolled her eyes and lifted her free hand, saying, "Shoo." And before any of them knew what was happening, they found themselves back outside the vault. After getting her bearings, Regina tested the wards again. They were stronger, too strong now for Zelena and her to break. Sighing, she turned to Jekyll. "The good news is Hyde no longer seems to be particularly interested in keeping you." Jekyll was shaking like a leaf, but nodded. "Indeed. Now what?"
Regina wracked her brain, but could come up with nothing. Surprisingly, Zelena did. "Whale," she said. Regina looked at her in admiration. "Yes," she said. "Yes. Whale."
"Who is this Whale?" Jekyll asked curiously. Regina answered, "You might know him as Dr. Frankenstein." A look of recognition passed Jekyll's features. "Really? Here?" he asked excitedly. "He may have some ingredients you need. He's definitely eclectic in his interests," Regina said. "Let's go."
It turned out that Dr. Whale did indeed have a cabinet full of strange ingredients of his own in his home. He was skeptical at first, but his pride got the better of him as Jekyll fawned about how big a fan of Frankenstein's work he was, how his research had made so many medical advances, and how Jekyll would love his input and expertise. The two made fast friends, and Whale agreed to lend Jekyll access to his equipment. The two began to excitedly talk some medical jargon, and Regina and Zelena took their leave after throwing some protective wards up around Whale's house, just in case.
"That was disturbing," Zelena said as they walked away from the house, and Regina nodded in mute agreement. Dr. Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll were doing science experiments together. They lived a strange life.
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When the sisters returned to the manor, they were faced with…well, a whole lot of drama, centered around Hook and Emma.
"-telling me I woke up to an empty bed, not because you had woken up early, but because you'd left me in the middle of the night to go sleep with Her Majesty?" Hook was yelling.
"You slept with Regina?" Snow asked, eyes comically wide as she made eye contact with the subject of her question. David looked green, and Henry was backed against a wall, looking like he'd rather be anywhere but in that room. Regina froze, unsure if she was angry or mortified. Probably both.
"No!" Emma yelled at her mother. "Jesus, just listen to me! I woke up in the middle of the night, and I was on the chaise lounge in Regina's room. I don't know how I got there. I must have…poofed in my sleep. And that's hardly what's important right now!"
Hook whirled on Regina. "What twisted game are you playing, witch?" He spat at her. "Stealing women away in the night like a succubus?"
Regina crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow. "I assure you, I was just as surprised to find her snoring away on my lounge as she was to be there," she defended. "Now, is this really a conversation you need to be having in front of Emma's parents and our son?"
That brought Hook up short. He shot a glance around the room, and turned red in the face. "I need to go," he said to Emma. "I'll be on the Jolly Roger if you ever decide I'm worth your time." With that, he stormed out of the house, slamming the door rudely behind him.
One could have heard a pin drop after that. Zelena saved the day by announcing, "So the Evil Queen and Hyde have moved into the vault."
All eyes turned to the sisters, and Henry found his voice. "Where Mom keeps all of her most dangerous spells and potions?"
"That's not good," David said after clearing his throat. "What happened?"
Regina shrugged, taking a seat on the arm of a chair. "Nothing. They're practically throwing a party, and we weren't invited. We got inside long enough for them to taunt us, and then the Queen threw us out and doubled the strength of the wards. It's now impenetrable."
"Where's Jekyll?" Emma piped up, just realizing the meek man wasn't part of the return party. "Oh, he's having a grand old time with Dr. Whale, who graciously allowed him access to his home lab to create an antidote serum," Zelena answered.
"That's…good," Snow said softly. "Regina, I'm so sorry for convincing you to take the serum-"
"As you should be!" Zelena barked.
Snow's eyes filled with tears and she hung her head. Regina shook her head at Zelena, shooting her a warning glare, before saying to Snow, "You didn't force that serum down my throat. I made the choice."
"And we made the choice to support you in your decision instead of talk you out of it," Emma supplied. "We're all at fault."
"Except for me!" Zelena cried. "No one asked me! I would have told everyone they were out of their minds and destroyed the vial. But no, my opinion wasn't good enough!"
Zelena's voice had raised in pitch, and woken baby Neal up from his nap in the port-a-crib in the corner. Sighing, Snow stood and gathered her son into her arms. "It's okay, sweetheart," She crooned. "Aunt Zelena is just a little upset. Shhh."
Zelena had the decency to look contrite, but didn't apologize for waking the baby. She turned to Regina. "I'm going to go check on my own baby. Call me if you need me?"
Regina gave a nod and Zelena disappeared in a cloud of green.
Silence once more enveloped the room, before Emma said, "Regina? May I speak to you, in private?"
Regina followed Emma into the study and watched her take out a bottle of expensive scotch out of the liquor cabinet, and smirked in amusement as she poured herself a generous glass before downing it all in one go. "You're going to replace my alcohol if you keep drinking it at this rate," Regina said, amused. "What's wrong?"
"Do you want a glass?" Emma asked.
"It's barely noon, Emma. No."
Emma sighed, pouring herself another generous helping before leaning up against the edge of the fireplace. "It's Hook," she divulged.
"What's Hook? The reason you're depleting the contents of my liquor cabinet?"
Emma rolled her eyes. "Be serious for a minute, Regina."
"I'm listening."
"It seems like every time we take a step forward, it doesn't take two minutes to take ten steps back. It's like, I'm trying. He's trying. Why is it so hard? Shouldn't love be easy?"
Regina licked her lips and noticed that Emma's eyes flickered to them for a moment before meeting her eyes again. "I really want you to consider something, Emma," she began softly.
"Yeah, okay. What?"
I want you to consider that Hook isn't who you want to be with. You're not in love. You deserve so much better, and you're tearing yourself apart to be what he wants rather than find your own happiness. Just because you gave up everything for him doesn't mean you owe him. Consider someone else. Consider…
"Make an appointment with Dr. Hopper," Regina decided to say. Emma's mouth dropped open. "You want me to see a shrink? A cricket shrink? In the middle of everything that's going on right now?"
Regina chuckled. "Well, he hasn't been a cricket in about thirty years now, and he's had a lot of practice at real therapy in the meantime. He's helped quite a few people in this town, myself included. It wouldn't hurt to talk to someone outside of your personal life, to get a new perspective. Deal with some things that you haven't had the chance to deal with."
If I can't open your eyes, maybe someone else can.
Emma drained her glass again and reached for the bottle a third time. "You will replace that, and I assure you it isn't cheap," Regina warned. Please stop drinking your doubts into submission.
Emma's hand faltered and she dropped it to her side. "You're right," she admitted. "I need to talk to someone. I need a different perspective on things. I'll make an appointment."
That was a big step for Emma Swan. Regina was proud. "Good, Emma." She stepped closer to Emma and placed her hand over the blonde's around the glass, taking note of the way Emma shivered at the contact of their skin. Hope. Hope. Hope, her heart practically beat the words against her ribcage. Careful, careful, her mind whispered. "Now wash my glass and place it back in my cabinet." She leaned in to purr into Emma's ear, "And next time, if I want you to guzzle down my drink selection, I'll offer it."