She finished the last of her paperwork and looked at her phone again. Emma hadn't responded to her all day. She let out a sigh and started to gather her things.

"You told her about Baelfire and Neverland." Regina looked up at Hook. "You had no right."

"A person's past always catches up to them eventually. You should have told her yourself."

"She told me she wanted to forget the past."

"It's easy to say that, but the truth always comes out. You could have spun it whatever way you wished, but you were too afraid." She put the most important files into her satchel to review later. "She can spot a liar a mile away so perhaps you were right to keep your mouth shut. Handing over a boy to a demon is hard to spin, isn't it? He never forgave you for it," she said, spite lacing her voice. "Rejection never sat well with you, did it?"

"You've been poisoning her against me," Hook snarled, pushing into the room. She placed her bag on top of the paperwork and moved around her desk.

"I think you are doing that just fine on your own," she said, standing her ground. "At worst, I reminded her of who you are."

"What, a villain?"

"No, a weak-willed selfish man prone to obsession."

"You're one to talk."

"I forgave Snow White. Have you forgiven Rumplestiltskin?" she asked, leaning into his personal space. "Or would you still happily stab him in the back if Emma were never to find out?" His lips pursed together and he didn't deny it. She leaned back. "I thought so. You haven't changed pirate. You just traded obsessions." She sneered as she said the word "pirate". She hated how the man brought out the Evil Queen in her. She felt powerful using that persona yet oddly out of sync and weak.

She turned away as her jab found its target and Hook grimaced. "I won her heart. She loves me."

Regina whipped around. "Her heart isn't a prize to be won or stolen. It's a priceless treasure to be found and cherished. If she loves you, why are you so afraid? No more ships to give away to prove your worth?" She made a pouty face. "Grow up, Killian. You aren't in Neverland anymore and you need to face your actions before you can be worthy of someone like Emma. Emma deserves better than your childish schoolyard antics."

He stared at her for a long moment and she met his gaze firmly. His eyes narrowed and then he blinked. The tension fell off his face and he actually laughed. She glared. "You're in love with her," he said still laughing. Her eyes widened. "I've been looking at this all wrong. You're competition."

"You're insane. She's just my friend."

"Did you drive Bae away too, you conniving witch?" His eyes narrowed again. "Gods, are you together in your world?"

"Bealfire is my friend. How dare you insult his memory? I would never stop him from finding his happiness."

"Stop avoiding the real question, your majesty."

"You've clearly lost your mind."

"I don't even need your answer. It's pretty clear how you feel."

"I'd like to hear the answer," Emma said from the doorway. They turned to their surprise guest. Both were surprised at her appearance, but the vulnerability in her face shocked them both. Hook had never seen her so open and exposed and he knew his power play against Regina was backfiring in the worst possible way. He saw hope in her eyes and it felt devastating.

"Swan," he tried as he approached her.

She ignored him completely and his heart fell into his stomach. He'd lost. "Answer the question, Regina," Emma demanded from the doorway. Regina looked down. "Regina."

When Regina's eyes met hers they were full of pure panic. Regina looked away. Emma watched as Regina straightened her posture and pulled her shoulders back. Regina let out a deep breath. Her eyes met Emma's again in defeat. "Yes."

Emma slumped against the door. Her eyes immediately began tearing. "The baby?" Emma asked.

Tears streamed down Regina's face as Hook's eyes widened and his eyebrow crocked. "Yours," Regina mumbled.

"What?" Hook snapped.

"Really?" Emma gasped, eyes only on Regina.

"Yes." Regina said.

"It was True Love Magic, wasn't it?"

"I don't know." Emma pushed off the doorframe and moved toward Regina. Hook grabbed her arm.

"Swan. This doesn't have to change things here. Regina hates you."

"You would kill Rumplestitlskin?" His face paled and he opened his mouth slightly. "Go ahead, Killian. Lie to me."

"You would do the same."

"I wouldn't. Have you forgotten Zelena? Neal died in my arms just as Milah died in yours." Emma pried his hand off her arm. "Just go. I'll talk to you later." He stared at her. "Hook, get the fuck out of here right now and I swear to God if you go after Gold tonight…" He backed away slowly. She followed him to the door and shut it in his face. She fell against it and a white glow emanated from her hands encompassing the door. Regina looked up when she felt the magic.

"Sound proofing." Emma smiled. "I bet that's come in handy for us more than once." Regina's hand flew to her mouth as she tried to stifle her sob. Emma rushed over and took the mayor in her arms.

"It'll be okay, Regina," she said, running her hand through her hair just like her Emma did. She sobbed even harder.

"I want to go home, Emma."

"Would it really be so bad if you stayed?" she asked pulling back to look at her. Regina's tear stained eyes met hers. "You could raise Henry again and we could raise our baby together. We could fall in love," Emma said, wiping away a tear. She leaned forward, but her lips only found Regina's cheek again. Emma pulled back confused. Regina raised her hand to Emma's cheek. She stroked it lovingly with her thumb.

"I think I would love you in any world, Emma, but you aren't the Emma I fell in love with." She dropped the hand from Emma's face and took a step back. The hand fell to her abdomen. "This baby isn't yours. It's hers."

"But we are the same person."

"You aren't. Just as I am not the woman whose heart you broke, you aren't the woman I fell in love with."

"I could be."

"You can't decide to love someone, Emma. We spent a year falling in love. We fell in love over wine. We fell in love over shared horror at Henry's adolescence. We fell in love at Granny's over dinner, through lingering touches, through long talks and shared pain. Don't you dare diminish it by telling me that you could love me or could be the person I fell in love with. How dare you, Emma Swan. Are you that desperate for a happy ending? Henry told me you told him that happily ever afters take work. Why aren't you working toward yours?"

"What if you are my happy ending?"

"I'm not your happy ending," Regina said sharply.

"But… you love me," she said reaching for Regina's hand. Regina let her intertwine their fingers.

"Yes. But Hook does, too. What makes my love better?"

"You feel like Tallahassee."

"Oh, Emma," she sighed. She pulled Emma into her arms.

"You feel like home, Regina," she sobbed into Regina's silk blouse. "For some reason, you feel like home." One of the arms around her waist shifted. "Why can't this be home?" Emma asked, touching Regina's stomach. Regina's violent flinch had her pulling away with a pained frown.

"I have a home and this isn't it. Are you really that selfish that you'd wish for me to lose that?"

"You could have it here."

"No, Emma. I can't. I'm sorry." She reached for Emma's face, but it was Emma's turn to flinch. Regina's hand fell to her side. She hadn't wanted Emma to know for a myriad of reasons, but never thought it would turn out like this. She never imagined this.

Tears fell down Emma's face. She turned away. "I have the wand." Regina's heart dropped into her stomach. Her insides wretched apart at Emma's words.

"What?" she stuttered out in disbelief. Emma turned to her. She could see the truth on her face.

"No, Emma. How could you?" Shock took her breath away. "You wouldn't. You're good." She gasped reaching for Emma's face. "No." Tears fell down Emma's cheeks falling over Regina's fingers.

"I'm so sorry," Emma pleaded. Regina brushed the tears away.

"Why would you do this to me? Has a touch of happiness really brought you to this?"

"I never intended to let it go on so long. I just…" She squeezed her eyes shut. "You didn't hate me and seemed to understand me so well and it just seemed easier."

"And when you found out I was pregnant?" Regina asked stricken, dropping her hands from Emma's face. Her own tears welled up as she felt the betrayal ripping her apart.

"It just seemed easier," Emma said. Bitterness twisted inside Regina's heart. "And then I thought… I thought I'd be enough. I knew it was wrong to keep you here, but I thought I could be enough. I'm sorry."

"Give it to me," Regina demanded. She needed to leave and she needed to leave now. Being around Emma right now was too much. Her heart felt like it was breaking.

"Are you just going to leave if I give it to you?"

"You say you could fall in love with me with that attitude?" She shook her head. "No, Emma. I care about people beside myself." She looked back at her desk. "Perhaps I was wrong. Maybe you do deserve the pirate," she said dragging her eyes back to meet Emma's bloodshot stare.

"You don't mean that." Regina's eyes were cold and she doubted herself as she said it. The mayoral mask was firmly in place. It was so oddly comforting and disconcerting. Emma just bowed her head at the force of Regina.

"Have the wand at my house in one hour or so help me I will destroy whatever happy ending you could dream up." A small sob escaped her lips, as she disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.

Emma collapsed onto the floor of the town hall. She had fucked everything up. As she pushed herself against Regina's desk, she could feel the need to blame anyone but herself build. Her chin hit her chest and she cried. This was her fuck up. She fucked up. She felt destined to constantly ruin her relationship with Regina. Regina would be back to hate her for Marian and have a new charge to throw at her. She leaned against Regina's desk.

Staring at the forested wallpaper made more sense than talking to anyone could have. Eventually she sat up and collected herself. She headed to the B&B with a heavy heart.

SQSQSQSQ

Almost to the dot of the designated time, Regina opened her front door to reveal the Savior. She had changed into the grey dress she had been wearing the first day they had met. It was symbolic in more ways than one. Emma noticed the heavy makeup of a woman who had been crying.

She didn't welcome Emma in. She held her hand out over the threshold. Emma pulled the wand from her pocket and placed it reluctantly in the extended hand. It disappeared in a poof of purple smoke. When the smoke faded, Regina turned and walked in leaving the door open behind her. Emma followed pulling the door shut behind her.

Emma gave a lingering look at the doorway to the living room and remembered their almost kiss. Regina glanced back and noticed where she was looking. "This way Miss Swan," she hissed, moving into her study.

They sat across form each other in a twisted mimic of that first night. Emma knew it was on purpose.

"I wrote a letter to myself. It details your betrayal. Tell her first. If you don't, then you truly are a coward and she will never forgive you." Regina smoothed out her dress's wrinkles. "Don't be a coward." Emma felt like a coward. "I wrote you a letter, too." She swept the hair from her face. "Then I burned it and wrote you another one." She cleared her throat. "I'm furious at you, Emma," she said, finally meeting Emma's eyes. Emma quickly turned her head. "Don't you look away from me," Regina snapped. Emma looked at her full of shame. "You told Henry that happy endings needed to be worked for."

"Haven't I suffered enough?"

"No," Regina said simply. "Love and happiness aren't as easy as your parents make it seem, especially not for people like us."

"People like us?"

"I'm leaving after lunch tomorrow," Regina said ignoring Emma. "I'll pick up Henry in the morning. I won't tell him what you did. That's on you and the other Regina. We'll have lunch at Granny's with your parents. You can join us if you wish."

"Okay."

"Will you be joining us?"

"I don't know, Regina."

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Henry answered the door and Regina gave him a weak smile. He noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"

"I found the wand," Regina responded sadly. Henry's face went through a mixture of emotions. He didn't want to appear excited, but she could see it was mixed with sadness.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes, dear." It was clear he couldn't decide between devastated and overjoyed. She put her arm around his shoulder and led him out of the room. "Let's get breakfast at Granny's. We can talk about it more there." He nodded. She kissed his temple and led him toward the diner.

They walked in silence to the diner. Regina wondered what she could say to him to give him hope. This world needed hope. He wondered what he could say that would matter to a woman that knew him best. He didn't want her to leave, but he missed his mother. They were led to Emma's favorite booth. Regina sat across from her tiny little son and smiled. He looked at her studying her like he was trying to memorize her movements. She wondered if that was what he was doing. He was such a brilliant young man. She would never see him like this after today and as much as she missed her Henry, little Henry was still the one that held her heart in his grips like a vise.

Henry studied the menu like it was the first time. He didn't want to look at the woman in front of him. Sometimes when she looked at him, he knew she was looking for the other Henry, the grown-up one that he wasn't yet. He could feel it and he wondered if it equaled the guilt she felt when he hugged her. He was probably missing his real mom in the other world too. Whenever she looked at him like that he promised himself that when his mother came home he would hug her that much harder.

They placed their orders somberly and after the waitress moved on, Regina looked to Henry. "Is there anything you want to ask me before I go?"

"I don't know," Henry said, looking at the tabletop. "I knew you were going to leave, but it just feels so sudden. How did you find the wand?"

"Emma found it for me."

"Really? Where?"

"You should ask her about that."

"It's complicated?"

"I suppose so. I'm sorry."

"You'll tell me everything when I'm older so it could be worse." The waitress brought over Henry's milkshake and Regina's water. He took a long sip and stared into the glass. "Do you think Emma would? You know tell me things when I'm older." he asked. The scene from outside Granny's when he didn't have his memories still bothered him. Regina had been strict, but she never spoke to him that way. Finding out Emma planned to take him back to New York without even talking to him really hurt. It felt like she didn't care about his feelings and it sucked. "I just… things are weird now. I don't know if I trust her anymore."

Regina stared at her water. If they were talking about her Emma there would be no doubt, but she couldn't even tell Henry she trusted Emma right now. He watched her knead her hands together.

"I think she will," Regina eventually said. "I know Emma's heart. She's still a little lost right now even with her family, but she'll find her place once she settles down and adjusts. She loves you. She'll talk to you."

"And be honest?"

"Yes." She hesitated. "Eventually. Give her a little time to adjust." Regina smiled. "Give them both time. You've been very patient with everything. I'm sorry you've had to deal with all of this and I wish I could say it will get easier."

"Do you think the other you will forgive her when she gets back?"

Regina chuckled. "I hope so."

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Ruby burst out of the B&B doors looking around. Granny had told her Regina had just left and she had bolted for the door. She spotted them on the street and moved toward them, but then Henry flung himself at the woman and she stopped. Clearly it wasn't a moment she should interrupt. Thankfully, Tinkerbell rounded the corner and Ruby turned toward her. Tink accepted her company as they watched the pair walk down Main St., arms linked.

"She's leaving," Ruby said to Tink as they watched the happy pair.

"She is," Tink said.

"I'm going to miss her," Ruby said. "It's strange, but I'm oddly excited to see our Regina again."

"Even playing field again. She doesn't have 5 years on us."

"Yeah."

"She's in love with Emma, isn't she?" Tink asked as Henry and Regina rounded the corner.

"Yeah," Ruby said. Tink nodded her head as they both stared at the empty street. "Are you going to get involved?"

"Are you?"

"Fair enough," Ruby said with a smile. Her smile faded. "Should we get involved?" Tink frowned and looked at the road in front of her.

"Her soul mate is here."

"But Marian."

"Pixie dust never lies," Tink insisted. "Soul mates are soul mates."

"What does that even mean?"

"It means the one you are destined to be with."

"Doesn't seem to matter in the other world, with a true love baby and all." Ruby blurted out skeptically.

"Baby?" Tink asked. Ruby's face twisted as she realized her slip up. Tink put her hand on her shoulder. "I can keep a secret, Ruby." The fairy studied her until she looked up into her eyes. The werewolf sighed and rubbed her temples. It might be nice to have a confidant for when the other Regina returned, but secrets and Regina didn't go well.

"Let's just say I don't think soul mates has to mean that. Her life there kinda puts this one to shame, to be honest."

Tink sighed. "I think most of our lives there do."

"We still have five years to figure our shit out."

"I suppose." Tink stared down the road. "Regina said my life was very different. She told me I gave up the fairies. I've been wanting to rejoin my family for so long. I can't imagine giving that up willingly."

Ruby snorted. "I get that, but sometimes bigger things are at play," she said as she remembered her mother's pack. "Have you been happy with the fairies?"

"I think so. It's different now. I still don't have my wings and while they don't treat me bad, it feels like something is different between us all."

"Maybe Regina is right and you'd be happier without them."

"Maybe."

SQSQSQSQ

After a few hours at the stables, Regina and Henry returned to town. Charming and Snow were waiting outside the diner. Their sad faces amused Regina. She wondered how it would be for Regina when she returned and how long she would avoid everything. A grin broke out on her face. She was going home. She tried to stifle it at their looks. She would miss these cursed fools. Was there nothing that could diminish their optimism?

When Snow spotted them, she gave a little cry and launched herself at Regina. Regina put her arms around her and smiled at Henry and David's amused faces. She rubbed soothing circles on Snow's back. "It'll be okay. Dear, let's go inside. We don't have all afternoon."

Snow pulled back, holding her hands. "Well, then we must enjoy the time we have left." Regina laughed. This woman never changed. Regina released Snow's hands and moved to Charming. David gave her a soft smile and offered Neal to her. She swept him up in her arms and bounced him around before following Charming and Henry into the diner with Snow at her side. They spotted the blonde hair and red jacket at the same time and Snow's hand gripped her arm. Regina looked down at Neal and smiled at his chubby cheeks. She wondered how much Emma had told her about what happened.

When she looked up from the child, she found Emma looking at her like a kicked puppy. This meal wasn't about that though and her eyes found Ruby's. The brunette jumped the counter and rushed her. "Ruby, I have the baby!" Charming swooped in and stole the baby away with a grin. Ruby smiled wolfishly and Regina accepted her fate by opening her arms. The wolf leapt into her arms. She should have expected this.

Ruby convinced Granny to let her eat with them to Regina's relief. The wolf squeezed in beside Regina and threw her arm around her. Regina remained stiff against her, but Ruby knew better now and didn't remove the arm. She even gave her arm a squeeze. The Queen simply scowled until the baby was put in her arms again. The good sheriff hadn't joined them yet and they slipped into talks about her plans for when she returned. Ruby especially loved telling Regina exactly how to show the other Ruby her appreciation. It involved shoes and spa treatments.

Emma slipped in next to her parents as Regina was telling them her plans to take a weekend off with her family. Her breath hitched when Emma settled in across from them and her voice petered off. The conversation hit an immediate and awkward stand still as Regina and Emma's eyes met. The group took a collective breath until finally Regina blinked and murmured, "I miss them," as she looked away.

Ruby's arm wrapped around her again and as she stared at Emma she said, "Well, you'll see them in a few hours and a few hours after that you'll be missing us." Regina smiled.

"I don't doubt that. You are all much too familiar with me there."

"And we aren't here?" Emma said eyeing Ruby's arm.

Regina leaned into Ruby. "Oh, this is nothing," Regina said with a wink. Ruby laughed while everyone else stared. Emma pouted, but the tension was broken and Regina refused to let herself waste her last meal here agonizing over poor choices.

SQSQSQSQ

Standing on Main Street surrounded by the people she cared about felt surreal. The wind whipped around her. She couldn't remember the last time they had all gathered in the center of town. Everyone had their own lives and without the tragedies that plagued them so long they were actually living them.

Her goodbyes were nearly complete. There was one she had been waiting on. Snow White looked up at her and she gave her a small smile and gestured her over. The others gave them their space and they moved out of earshot.

"Emma told me that she had the wand the whole time," Snow blurted out.

Regina studied for a second. "Yes."

"She knows it was wrong," Snow insisted.

"She knew from the beginning it wasn't right, but she did it anyway. I told her to tell the other me as soon as she returns."

"Are you sure that is the best idea? She already blames Emma enough for Marian."

"Yes, Snow. It is the best idea. I've been hurt enough. This incarnation… It would be best to get this betrayal out of the way as soon as possible and with as much honesty as possible. I know myself." Regina looked away. "She deserves to know and she will find out one way or another."

Snow nodded. "She won't be alone with this."

Regina smiled. "Hopefully, she has grown as fond of Ruby as Ruby has of me," Regina said distantly. As much as she was excited to be home, she worried about the aftermath in this one. She worried about the woman who lived in the empty house on Mifflin.

"I meant me, Regina," Snow huffed.

Regina took her hand. "Of course, Snow, but you must realize you might not be the most welcome." Her eyes shot to Emma.

"The feud needs to stop."

"It will. She cares for you." She squeezed Snow's hands. "I don't know what she'll be like when she comes back. I believe being with my family will have helped her, but I don't know." Her eyes looked down the street. "Don't abandon her."

"I won't."

"Good." Regina let Snow's hands fall before moving into her space and pulling her into a hug. Tears filled Snow's eyes. The woman standing in front of her was the one that rescued her from her horse. The woman she had been searching for ever since that very day. "Help her." Her lips grazed Snow's cheek. "I love you, Snow." Snow's eyes squeezed shut.

How could her daughter not want to keep this woman? She had the same problem when she was much younger. Regina seemed to strike a cord in her family that said she was to be kept. She was proud of Emma for letting her go. She hadn't been able to let go and it cost her dearly. Regina wasn't the kind to be kept and she learned it the hard way. Her daughter had been brave enough to own up to her mistake. She hoped Emma could do the same in front of the woman that didn't love her. Regina was right. No more secrets.

SQSQSQSQ

Regina looked around her as she raised the wand. She met eyes with an ease that used to be impossible and would be impossible for the woman returning to this world as the wand lit with her magic. Her eyes landed on Emma as she brought the wand down starting the spell. Self-loathing and longing haunted the savior and she met it with love and understanding. As angry and disappointed as she was, she couldn't help but love this Emma.

The portal took root and wrapped around Regina. She offered Emma a sad look and mouthed "good luck." Emma swiped the tears from her eyes and wrapped her arm around Henry.

With a flash of light, the spell completed and their Regina stood in front of them looking shocked. To their surprise, Regina was wearing jeans and, to Emma's amusement, an old t-shirt of hers.

"What happened?" she asked looking at the crowd around her. Her 13-year-old son barreled into her and she knew. She was home.

"Mom!" he said, wrapping his arms around her. "I've missed you so much." She held him for a long moment as she came to terms with being back in her world before pushing him back to get a good look at him.

"I've missed you too, Henry," she said. Her face was a whirlwind of emotion.

"Even with super rad old Henry? You still missed me?" Henry asked. It broke her heart.

"Of course, my little prince," she said running her hand through his hair. "He may have been 'rad', but he has nothing on you. He's pretty terrible at math."

"Isn't that Emma's shirt?" Henry asked and Emma stared at the soft blush that hit Regina's cheeks.

"Regina," Emma said quietly. Regina looked up from Henry and blinked at Emma. No one said anything as the two stared at each other. It was clear that a lot had changed between them even if they had been worlds apart. They searched each other's eyes trying to figure out where they stood with each other. Emma could feel her hope building as Regina searched her eyes.

Regina could tell immediately that this wasn't the Emma of the other world. The other Emma knew where she stood. She wasn't lost. The woman in front of her was someone entirely different. She was desperate. There was a world of difference between the two. Regina straightened her back and pursed her lips as she made her decision.

"Miss Swan."

a/n: This is the end to this part of the story. I'll be posting the first chapter of the second story tomorrow. It's called "What Difference Does It Make?" so keep an eye out for it. I've appreciated all your reviews, favorites and follows. It's pushed me to work harder on the sequel. I hope you enjoy what I have for you next. I'm sorry to say you'll have to wait for updates. I'll try to put out a chapter a week, but I can't make any guarantees. Thanks again.