Regina's Story

by InMyAsylum

This is a fanfiction about 'Once Upon A Time', written by myself and one of best friends, Maaike. This story contains characters of the popular television show but we walk another path than the writers A&E. We would like to share our story with you to see what you all think about. We'd love to read your reviews and comments! TRIGGER WARNINGS for various sensitive subjects!

21. Back To The Enchanted Forest

Regina looks down as well. "I'm so sorry to hear that." she whispers. "I don't even wish something like this on my worst enemy." A tear rolls down Regina's face.

"You will never get over it, but it will get better, I promise." She smiles, "her name was Deirdre and she will always be in my heart." She is lost in her thoughts for a moment. Then she looks at Regina again.

Regina nodds. "Rose. Her name would have been Rose." she whispers.

Robin smiles and gives Regina a kiss.
"That's beautiful," dr. Anderson says with tears in her eyes.

"For Rocinante." Regina whispers.

"Who is Rocinante," dr. Anderson kindly. She looks at Regina.

"She was my horse. Back in The Enchanted Forest." Regina smiles now. "I loved riding when I was younger."

Dr. Anderson smiles, "lovely," she whispers and she squeezes Regina's hand a little.

Regina just nodds. "I want to go home now. Please?"

"Yes let's go," dr. Anderson says. She pushes the wheelchair forwards towards Regina, "you want a ride, I don't know if you can walk."

Regina shrugs and gets into the wheelchair. "Thank you."

"No problem," dr. Anderson says and she rides Regina home.

During the ride Regina remains silent. She looks out of the window and thinks of Rocinante. "Would she still be in The Enchanted Forest?" Regina wonders our loud. "Rocinante?"

"I don't know," Robin says, "it has been many years since you saw her."

Regina nodds. "Can we go to The Enchanted Forest? Right now?"

"Shouldn't we wait for the results?" Robin asks.

"Those results will still be there when we get back. Please?"

"I'll take care of the results," dr. Anderson says, "but if something is wrong, is there a way to contact you?"

Regina looks up. "Don't... Don't you want to come with us? I mean, if it's alright with Emma and Robin of course." She looks down, afraid to be disappointed.

"Well yes," dr. Anderson says, "but I thought you wanted to go with the three of you. And I have to ask a week off from work..."

Regina nodds. "I understand." She softly smiles now. "I will ask Emma. Robin, is it alright with you if Emma says it's okay?" Regina now looks up at Robin.

"Of course," Robin says. "No problem."
He looks back and smiles. "Shall we leave this evening? After dinner or so?"

Regina nodds. "Lets pick up Emma from Snow." Regina gets out of the wheelchair and starts walking in the direction of Snow's apartment.

Robin and dr. Anderson let her go.

Regina knocks on Snow's door.

Snow opens the door, "Hey," she says with a smile and she Lets Regina come in. Emma sits on the couch.

Regina smiles and sits down next to Emma. She softly asks what Emma thinks about Dr. Anderson tagging along.

"Just the four of us then? You, I, Robin and dr. Anderson," Emma asks. Robin and dr. Anderson are in a conversation with Snow.

"Yes. Only if that's alright with you. I won't be angry if you don't want to, I promise."

"The four of us is fine," Emma smiles. "How will we get there."

Regina winks. She waves with her hand and 2 magic beans appear in it. "I happened to have 2 in my vault. I don't know how they got there or who put them there but they were still there, so..." Regina smiles.

"You had those beans in your vault!" Emma exclaims. "I made so many deals to get them..." She sighs.

"I didn't had them. I don't know how they got there but I don't care. We can go to The Enchanted Forest."

Emma shrugs, "all right then," she stands up so she can go home to pack her things.

Regina smiles. "Lets go pack our things and go." Regina starts to get really excited.

Emma smiles when she sees her mother happy and she runs to the door. While Emma, Robin and dr. Anderson walk out of the door, Snow grabs Regina's arm.

Regina looks up. "Snow?"

"I... I just wanted to ask if... Well you're going to the enchanted forest together and... I was wondering if I could come with you." Snow says and she looks up at her mother.

Regina looks over her shoulder to Emma. "I... I would love to take you with us, but... Emma... She..."

"You do?" Snow says more confident now and she smiles, "what's it with Emma?"

"Emma wants to go with just Robin and me. She doesn't mind Dr. Anderson tagging along but when I asked her if you could come as well, she hesitated." Regina looks down.

"Oh," Snow says, now looking at the ground. "Oh all right, she doesn't want me to come?"

"She doesn't." Regina whispers.

"Okay," Snow says, trying to keep her tears inside. "Then... You should go," she whispers and she walks away, "have fun," she whispers with a forced smile "and take good care of Emma. She runs upstairs and bursts into tears on her bed.

Regina nodds. "Next time you're coming with us. I promise." she whispers before leaving Snow's apartment. Regina, Robin, Emma and Dr. Anderson leave for Regina's home. They pack some bags and Regina puts one of the beans on the ground and a portal to The Enchanted Forest opens. They all jump in and end up on the other side, inside of Regina's old castle.

Emma looks around. "Is this the dark castle?"she asks excitingly. "It's much more beautiful than in the book."

Regina nodds. "It is." She smiles when she looks around her old living room.

Dr. Anderson is surprised too. "It's a really... Interesting choice," she says with a small laugh.

Regina shrugs. "I married into this castle, so it's not exactly my own choice but I made it as much a home as I could."

"I see," dr. Anderson smiles. Emma looks around and finds some of her mother's dresses in the closet in the corner of the room.

Regina flinches when she sees Emma looking at her old, very tiny, dresses. "I never liked to wear them." she whispers softly.

"Why not?" Emma says, "they look stunning." She takes one of the dresses in her hands.

Regina watches Emma's eyes grow wide when she notices how tiny the dresses are.

"Did you fit in those dresses," Emma says. She looks at the dress again, "did your waist fit in this?"

"With a corset, I did." Regina whispers, looking away now. She hates those dresses.

"Do you still have those corsets?" Emma asks, holding the dress in front of her and looking in the mirror.

"They must be here somewhere. Why?" Regina whispers.

"I want to try this one on," Emma says.

"You... You want what? No, sweetheart, they're really not nice to wear."

"Don't you think it will look good on me?" Emma says, "it makes me look less fat."

"It will look amazing on you, but I'm warning you. They are very heavy to wear."

"I want to try it," Emma says.

Regina nodds. "We will give you some privacy." she smiles, leading Robin and Dr. Anderson outside of the room. They walk into The Great Hall.

"Mom," Emma says from the room after a while, "can you help me?"

"Yes, dear?" Regina asks when she steps into the room again.

"Can you pull it tighter?" Emma says pointing at her corset, "it won't fit yet..."

Regina flinches. "Emma... I... I can't." she whispers, thinking back to her time with Leopold when someone always found a reason to pull the corset tighter.

"Why not?"

"Because I can't. I'm so sorry." Regina whispers. She then runs away, out of the room, past Robin and Dr. Anderson. She eventually ends up at the stables of her Castle.

"I see you're back," Daniel says when he has watched Regina for a while from behind the stables. There are no horses in there.
"You look different," he says with a small smile.

Regina flinches again. "Daniel? What... What are you doing here?"

"I'm just wandering around the place I experienced the best days of my life," Daniel says, "I come here a lot so the real question is, what are you doing here?"

"This is my Castle. I come whenever I want to." Regina snaps.

"I've never seen you around here, or in your castle," Daniel says, untouched by Regina's angry voice.

"Well, now I'm here." Regina snaps again. "And I don't want you here."

"Too bad, because I am here," Daniel says.

"Go." Regina just says. She turns around and wants to walk back to the Castle.

"I don't think you want me to go," Daniel says.

"Go!"

"So you don't want to know where your lovely horse is?" Daniel says, "fine." He smiles and walks away.

"Rocinante?" Regina whispers, while turning around. "Where is she?"

Daniel just walks away.

"Daniel! Please! What do you want for Rocinante?" Regina shouts, desperation in her voice.

"You only talk to people when you get something out of it, don't you?" Daniel says, "I thought you wanted me to go."

"I only talk to people like you when I need something. Now, what do you want? Tell me!"

"Why are you so angry?" Daniel just asks.

A fireball appears in Regina's hand. "Tell me!"

"I don't care if you hurt me," Daniel says, "I'm not telling you anything when you act like this."

Regina sighs and calms down. "Did you take care of Rocinante?" she wants to know.

"Yes I did," Daniel says. "And you see, we can have a normal conversation."

"Why would you do that? Taking care of her?" Regina whispers.

"I took care of her in the past, when you weren't at the stables, I was, remember?" Daniel says, "she didn't deserve to be left alone."

Regina nodds. "That's true. Thank you. Can I... Can I have her back?"

"Have her back?" Daniel says, "you think this is just that simple?"
He starts to walk away again.

"What do you want?" Regina asks, soft but Daniel can still hear it.

"Regina, I don't want anything," Daniel says, "I just can't give you that horse back. It's Glinda's favorite."

"It's my horse!"

"Which you abandoned. Besides that, I thought you were mine all those years ago," Daniel says, "but I lost you, so... sometimes we just don't get what we want."

"Can I at least see her?"

"Of course you can," Daniel says.

Regina softly smiles. "Thank you. Can you bring her here? Please?"

"I can," Daniel says, "I'll be back in an hour."

"Thank you." Regina softly smiles and nodds in acceptment. She walks back to the Castle and startles when she sees Emma walking around in one of her old corsets and dresses.

Emma looks at herself in the mirror, when she sees her mother coming from behind. She pretends not to see her mother.

"Emma. You.. You look beautiful." Regina whispers.

"I do?" Emma says, "was that why you ran away?"

"I ran because bad memories were flashing before my eyes. I'm sorry, Emma." Regina whispers.

Emma shrugs, "it's okay," she says, still not looking her mother in her eyes. She felt really stupid when her mother ran away from her.

Regina nodds. "Do you want to see Rocinante?"

"Is she alive?" Emma says softly, still looking at herself

"She is. Daniel... Daniel is here as well. He's getting her right now." Regina smiles softly.

"So you ran away and found him?" Emma asks

"He was at the stables." Regina whispers. "He'll be back in an hour with Rocinante."

Emma nods, "okay, I would love to see her," she says and she forces a smile.

Regina softly smiles back. She feels the tension hanging in the air but Emma asking her earlier to tighten the corset really set off some memories Regina didn't want to remember exactly.

Emma softly lets her feet slide in some high black heels and looks in the mirror again. She straightens her shoulders.

"What do you see when you look into the mirror, Emma?"

"A person," Emma only says.

Regina nodds. She looks down.

Emma looks away from the mirror and then starts to walk away from it too. She tries to get the zipper down herself.

"Shall I help you, dear?" Regina softly smiles now, glad Emma wants to take off the dress.

"If you won't run away," Emma says.

Regina shakes her head. "I won't." She helps getting the zipper down and the dress and corset off of Emma's body

Emma gets her own dress on again and places Regina's dress, corset and shoes back in the closet. She doesn't say a thing.

"That dress looks so much better on you." Regina smiles. "Doesn't it feel much more comfortable?"

"I liked your dress better," Emma says. Regina's dress had made her feel more confident.

Regina just nodds. Emma won't ever understand how those dresses made her feel.

"But I don't care if you think otherwise," Emma says and without saying anything else she runs out of the room.

Regina sighs and walks back to Robin and Dr. Anderson. "Liking my Palace?" she giggles.

"Yeah," dr. Anderson says, "I really have never seen a place like this." She smiles.

"You do. In storybooks back home." Regina winks.

Dr. Anderson laughs, "That's not the same, really," she says, "it's so much bigger than I imagined, and so much... well... darker."

Regina nodds. "It is. I wish it wasn't."

"It doesn't matter," dr. Anderson says, "it's just different than I imagined. Was this your living room?"

"Yes. Yes, it was." Regina nodds. "I didn't spend much time here tough."

"Okay," dr. Anderson says, "where did you spend the most of your time then?" She looks around one more time, and she understands why no one wants to be here for a long time. It looks like a dark and lonely place.

"In my room." Regina answers. "And with Rocinante."

"Can I see your room?" dr. Anderson says, "or do you want to keep it private." Robin sits on a giant black couch, the only thing he has done is look around. It has been a long time since he has been here.

"Yes, you can. Daniel will be here with Rocinante in half an hour now, so we have time." Regina nodds and leads Dr. Anderson to her room in The Black Castle.

Dr. Anderson walks inside and looks around it. It's a very dark room, just like the living room, but she sees some attempts to make the place look a bit more cheerful. They don't help a lot...

"I never liked it here." Regina whispers.

Dr. Anderson smiles a little, "I can understand," she says, "was this your own bedroom? Or did you sleep here with the king?"

"This is my own bedroom. The King's chamber is right over here. Do... Do you want to see it?"

"Yeah," dr. Anderson says, "I would love to."

When they walk up there someone is waiting for them in the corner.

Regina looks up.

"Welcome back in my castle," Leopold says and he steps into the light. "Welcome back in my room." A grin appears on his face and he looks into Regina's eyes.

Regina flinches. "This is not your Castle. It's mine." she whispers.

"Is it?" Leopold says, "I don't agree." He walks closer.

Regina stands in front of Dr. Anderson. "Go away, Leopold. We don't want you here."

"I don't want you here either," Leopold reacts, "so maybe you should go away." He walks to the door and locks it. "Ow no, sorry, maybe you can better stay here." He laughs.

"Let us go!"

"Or what?"

Regina forms a fireball in her hand.

Leopold grins.

"Go. Away!"

"Calm down," dr. Anderson whispers from behind Regina. "this is exactly what he wants."

Regina makes the fireball disappear and looks at Leopold. "What do you want?"

"Nothing actually," Leopold says, "I'm just enjoying this moment with you. I missed you." He laughs, "who did you bring with you?"

"No one. Leave her alone." Regina snaps.

"I didn't say I would do something to her," Leopold says and he walks closer to Regina.

Regina keeps standing in front of dr. Anderson.

Leopold places his hand on Regina's waist. "I won't touch her," he grins.

"Good." Regina whispers.

Leopold brings his lips to Regina's, "I know," he whispers, "but I will touch you." He now kisses Regina.

"Please." Regina whispers softly.

"Please what," Leopold whispers.

"Stop it. I don't like this."

"Of course you don't, but I do," Leopold says, bringing his hands under Regina's shirt.

Regina flinches. "Please."

Leopold now pushes Regina's shirt out and kisses her again. Dr. Anderson is silently walking away from them in the direction of a hard, metal stick standing against the wall.

Regina keeps whispering she doesn't want this, she doesn't like this.

Leopold has now undressed Regina completely, but before he can touch her again, there is a loud noise and Leopold falls on the ground. Dr. Anderson takes a deep breath and drops the stick she just hit Leopold with.

Regina crawls away from Leopold, grabbing a blanket to put around her. She disappears into a corner.

Dr. Anderson sits down next to Regina, "You need to learn how to protect yourself," she whispers. She has brought Regina's clothes and hands them over to her.

"I can't. I just... can't. I want to see Rocinante now." Regina whispers.

"Yeah, I understand that you think that, but you are stronger than you think." dr. Anderson says, "we can go to Rocinante now," she adds, will you dress yourself?"

Regina slowly nodds and puts on the clothes that were given to her. She calls Robin and Emma and the four of them walk over to the stables.

Emma is still disappointed and a bit angry, but she goes with them. Daniel is already there, brushing Rocinante and feeding her an apple.

Regina almost runs towards Rocinante. She embraces her horse around her neck. "Rocinante." Regina cries softly now.

The horse softly moves his head up and down and makes some sounds as if she like being hugged. Everyone leaves Regina for a while, so she can have her moment.

"I've missed you so much, little girl." Regina whispers. She keeps stroking Rocinante softly, keeps hugging her. "Why don't we go for a little ride?" she smiles at the horse.

Rocinante lets Regina climb on her back. She just stands still, waiting for orders.

Regina lets Rocinante walk around for a little while before she gallops away through the woods. Tears of joy and happiness stream down Regina's face. She has never felt more free than on Rocinante's back. After a short period of time Regina returns back to the stables, crying now because she doesn't want to say goodbye to Rocinante again.

"You can keep her for a week," Daniel says, when he sees Regina. He can't see her so sad, maybe... after all... he still cares for her a little bit more than he should. "Zelena and Glinda are visiting King George this week, so that's not a problem." He smiles.

Regina nodds. "Thank you, Daniel. Thank you." She looks up at him, feeling the spark of love she felt so many years ago. She smiles softly before turning around to Emma. "Do you want to take a ride with me?"

"Yes," Emma says and she can't help but smile. She hoped her mother would ask that.

Regina smiles back and helps Emma to sit behind her on Rocinante's back. Together they take off to the woods, mother and daughter.

Emma holds her arms tightly around het mother's waist while they go faster and faster. It's the best thing Emma ever felt: freedom. She closes her eyes and lets the wind blow through her hair,

After a while Regina stops at a small river so Rocinante can drink. Regina looks at Emma. "Do you like this?" she smiles.

Emma can only nod, not able to find her words. She is shining.

Regina giggles. "I had that same look on my face the first time I rode Rocinante."

"It's a wonderful horse," Emma says, "with whom did you ride Rocinante your first time?"

"With my father." Regina smiles.

Emma smiles and sits down by the lake, letting her toes touch the water. She looks down at her dress. "You know mom," she says, "I think I like my own dress better than yours too."

"You do?" Regina asks softly, sitting down next to Emma.

"Yeah," Emma says, "you can't ride horses in your dresses."

"No, you can't." Regina giggles. "They are highly uncomfortable."

"I wouldn't say that," Emma says with a grin, "but highly uncomfortable if you want to move, yes."

Regina giggles again. She looks down over the water and sighs with content.

Emma lies down with her head in her mother's lap. "Were there any nice people in the castle when you lived there?" she asks

"Yes. Some of them were nice." Regina whispers. "My dance teacher. And John. They were nice."

"You got dancing lessons!" Emma exclaims, "the person who was your partner was very lucky then! and who is John?"

"John was one of my servants. He was too nice to me so The King locked him up." Regina whispers. "But I managed to free him and go get him back to his family."

"That's kind of you," Emma whispers, "do you have more stories?"

"I made a lot of effort to gain the trust of the people here in The Enchanted Forest."

Emma smiles, "alone?"

"Snow and Robin helped me."

Emma closes her eyes, wanting her mother to talk on.

"They got the people to give me a chance." Regina smiles. "It wasn't easy. They were so angry with me at first."

"I understand they were angry," Emma says, "they didn't know you, they only knew what you did."

Regina nodds. "I know. I understand that now."

Emma stays silent.

"I really did my best. I really tried." Regina whispers now. "And in the end they trusted me again. I was a good Queen. I took care of my people."

"I'm so upset the real you is not in my book," Emma says, letting her hand go through the grass.

Regina softly smiles now. "A part of me is in your book, Emma. I was The Evil Queen and I really did those terrible things."

"But that's a part of you, not you."

Regina smiles again. "Some think I am. But that's alright. The people who mean the most to me know the real me."

Emma smiles, "yes," she whispers.

Regina puts her arm around her youngest daughter and keeps her close. "Are you ready to go back?"

"No," Emma whispers.

"Then we'll stay here for a little while longer. We don't need to be anywhere." Regina smiles.

Emma nods and closes her eyes. Soon she has fallen asleep.

Regina softly strokes Emma's back.

Emma has the best bit of sleep she had in a long time.

After a couple of hours Regina slowly wakes up Emma. "Emma? It's time to go home now." she softly whispers.

Emma moans a little, "you can go," she whispers.

"You're coming with me, sweetheart. It's too dangerous to be out here alone."

Emma sighs and rubs her eyes. "Fine," she whispers and she gets up.

Regina smiles. "Do you want to ride Rocinante back home?"

"Just like we did it when we came here," Emma says, "that was great."

"That was me riding. If you want you can ride her back and I'll sit behind you. Only if you want to."

"I don't dare to ride," Emma says, "I've never rode a horse before."

"Do you want me to teach you this week?"

"Yes, I would love that," Emma says, looking at her mother with joy in her eyes. She smiles very brightly.

Regina smiles back. "Let's do that. Come on, I'll ride back to the Castle because Robin and Dr. Anderson will be waiting." Regina does exactly that. After putting Rocinante in the stables the both of them walk back to The Castle.

Dr. Anderson and Robin are sitting on the balcony, drinking a glass of wine. "You have been away for a long time," Robin says with a smile.

"Someone fell asleep at the little river." Regina winks at Emma. "But we had time, hadn't we?" She looks up at Robin with uncertainty in her eyes.

"Of course, don't worry," Robin says. He grins at Emma and she smiles back.

Regina sits down between Robin and Dr. Anderson. "Enjoying my wine?" she giggles.

"To be honest," dr. Anderson says, "yes, its a very good one. Where did you get it?" She laughs.

"It's probably one of Leopold's. For all the mistakes he made, he was good at one thing. Collecting wine." Regina laughs now.

"He had a good taste," dr. Anderson says and she takes a bit of her wine, "yeah," she adds after tasting it again, "a very good taste."

Regina smiles. "The only thing he was good at." Regina laughs again.

"You're probably right," dr. Anderson winks as she takes another sip. "How was your ride?"

"I loved it. Emma loved it too, didn't you, sweetheart?" Regina looks at Emma.

Emma's eyes had been fixed on the bottle of wine at Robin's feet, so she startles when her mother says her name. She looks up immediately, "I really loved it," Emma says with a smile and she really means it. "It was amazing."

Regina smiles back. "One glass of wine. Deal?" She had noticed Emma staring at the bottle.

"R- Really?" Emma says, looking at her mother in shock. She then looks away and gets a glass for herself in the kitchen. She fills it and takes a sip. "You want some too?" dr. Anderson asks Regina.

"No, thank you." Regina smiles. She needs to keep her head clear if she wants to set the right example for Emma. One glass of wine can't hurt but one doesn't need to get drunk.

Emma empties her glass very fast, because she doesn't want her mother to change her mind about it. She really wants another glass after this... Just to get the free feeling...

Regina just looks at Emma.

Emma places her empty glass back on the table and looks away.

"Did you like the wine, Emma?" Regina asks softly.

"You know I did," Emma says back, not looking at her mother.

Regina smiles. "Tomorrow another one? I think it's time to go to sleep now."

"Yeah," Emma says and she stands up. She knows where to find the wine cellar if her mother has gone.

"Where do you want to sleep?" Regina smiles.

"It doesn't matter," Emma says with a smile. "Is there a guest room or something?"

"Take your pick. I have over 20 guest rooms here." Regina giggles.

"I want room 7," Emma says, grinning.

Regina laughs. "Excellent choice."

Emma follows her mother to room 7.

Regina shows Emma the room and the bathroom. "Will you be alright, sweetheart?"

"Yes Yes, of course," Emma says, she remembers te way to the wine cellar. To the right, around the corner, down the stairs twice and then to the right again.

Regina smiles. "You know where to find my room, right? I love you, sweetheart. Tomorrow we'll start with riding Rocinante." Regina gives Emma a kiss on her forehead and then leaves the room.

"Yeah I think so," Emma smiles and she lies down "I'm looking forward to it," she adds when her mother leaves the room. After about half an hour she walks out of her room, being sure her mother must have been gone by now.

After leaving Emma's room, Regina walked back to Robin and dr. Anderson. "Where do you want to sleep tonight?" she asks the both of them.

"I really don't mind," Dr. Anderson says. Robin nods, "as long as it's with you I don't mind either," he grins and he winks at Regina.

Regina giggles. "Let me show you your rooms then." She smiles when she leads dr. Anderson to one of the most beautiful guest rooms in her Castle.

"No way," dr. Anderson says as she sees the chamber Regina is showing her. "This is huge and... beautiful."

"I know it is. It's actually one of my favorite rooms." Regina smiles, feeling happy and content that dr. Anderson sees the side of young Regina for once.

"Did you decorate it?" dr. Anderson ask, feeling that this room is far less dark then for example the living room.

"I did, actually." Regina smiles.

"It's looks lovely," dr. Anderson says, wiping some dust from some of the bookshelves. Then she sits down on the big bed.

"Thank you." Regina smiles. She feels much more confident here, in a room she loves and feels like herself.

"You don't want to sleep here with Robin?" dr. Anderson says, "it looks like you like this room as much as I do." She smiles.

"I will sleep with Robin in our own room." Regina winks. "We do have a room of our own in this Castle."

Dr. Anderson smiles. "All right," she says, "good night then. And you know where to find me."

Regina nodds. "Thank you. I do hope Leopold has left my Castle because he won't be living long enough to say he's sorry." Regina turns around and heads over to her room, her's and Robin's.

Robin is already there and smiles when Regina comes in. He lies the bedsheets right and rubs in his eyes. "Did you have a good trip with Emma?" he asks, "I mean, tell me the details."

Regina smiles brightly and tells all about her riding trip with Emma and Rocinante. "She loved it, Robin. She really loved it. And I loved the fact that she loved it." Regina giggles and lies close to Robin now.

"That's great," he says, feeling very happy for her. He smiles and strokes her hair. "And she will take riding lessons from now on."

"With me." Regina nodds. Her smile couldn't be brighter.

Robin smiles with her. "That's one of the best things I've ever heard," he smiles. "I'm happy for the both of you."

Regina lies closer to Robin now and nestles her head on his chest. "I like this. I wish we'd never have to get back to Storybrooke. I would love to bring Snow and David over and just live here, with my family."

"That would be wonderful indeed," Robin says. He really loves this too. Regina seems relaxed and Emma looks happy, so he can't wish for more. "But then... just with Snow." Robin says and he looks Regina in her eyes, "you know... I'm sorry you have to hear this from me...They are no longer together."

"What?" Regina mumbles. "How did I miss that?"

"You just came back and... Well you had other things on you mind," Robin says.

"I'm such a bad mother." Regina whispers.

"You're not a bad mother," Robin whispers back.

Regina doesn't answer and just closes her eyes. "I want to sleep now. Just for a bit." she whispers, hoping that Leopold has let himself out of her Castle.

"All right," Robin whispers and he takes her in his arms. "Good night."

"Hmm." Regina mumbles, right before she falls asleep.

Robin falls asleep to, feeling happy and sad at the same time.

Regina makes herself small throughout the night, without really realising it.

Robin wakes up in the morning. Regina is still sleeping in his arms, now curled up against his chest.

Regina doesn't let go of Robin. She keeps lieing closely against him.

Robin softly strokes her arm and gives her a small kiss in her neck.

Regina smiles. "Good morning." she whispers.

"Good morning," Robin smiles, "had a good night of sleep?'

"Yes, I did. You?"

"Yes, me too," he says, sitting up and yawning.

Regina smiles when the sun shines on their faces.

Robin opens the window and fresh air blows into the room. He looks at Regina, who as always, looks perfect in the golden light.

"Lets get dressed and find out how Emma and Dr. Anderson slept. Alright?" Regina suggests.

"Excellent plan," Robin says, looking at Regina one more time. He dresses himself.

Regina puts on one of her favourite light dresses. "I've always loved to wear this one." she smiles at Robin.

"I understand why, you look stunning in that dress," Robin says with a smile. "That one reminds me of the happy you, you know. When we were together, without the king and stuff."

Regina nodds. "I know. That's why I like it so much."

Robin smiles and takes her hand. He softly kisses her.

Regina softly kisses him back. "I really like this."

"I love you," Robin whispers back and he kisses her again. Not soft, but careful.

Regina looks him deep into his eyes. "I love you too." she whispers.

Robin smiles and kisses her one more time. "Time to check on Emma," he whispers and he lets Regina go.

Regina nodds and walks with Robin towards Emma's room. "Emma? Honey, time to get up."

There is no answer or any other sound, because Emma is not in the room.

"Emma?" Regina asks one more time, before entering the room. "Emma?!" Regina's voice panicks now.

Still no answer.

Regina looks at Robin, panic and worries now clearly visible on her face. "Where is she? Where is Emma? EMMA?!"

"I don't know," Robin says, "did she say something to you yesterday?"

"No, she didn't! She didn't!"

"Calm down, Regina," Robin says, "panic won't help you now."

Regina tries to stay calm and starts to search through every room.

Dr. Anderson joins them. "What's going on?" she asks

"Emma is gone." Regina whispers, while entering the wine cellar.

There is Emma, sitting in a corner. Her eyes are focused on the empty space in front of her.

"Emma?" Regina whispers.

"Mom, hi," Emma says, "you're just missing a very nice conversation." She giggles. "Mr. Tremble is just telling me an awesome story," she says dreamily and she points at an empty spot in front of her to a figure only she sees.

Regina just looks at Emma, not being able to respond or do something.

"Come and join us," Emma giggles.

Regina takes a step back, wanting to flee this situation. She slowly shakes her head.

"Why not?" Emma says, looking at her mother with empty eyes, "you're ruining the fun."

"You're drunk." Regina whispers. Disappointed.

"So what?"

"Why?" Regina just wants to know

Emma doesn't answer. "If you're not joining, then leave us."

"Fine." Regina whispers. She walks up the stairs and doesn't stop walking until she's with Rocinante in the stables. Tears run down her face.

Robin follows Regina, while dr. Anderson stays with Emma. "Regina!" he shouts and he catches up with her at the stables.

"I want to be alone." Regina whispers.

Robin sighs, "all right," he says, "be safe, okay?"

Regina just jumps on Rocinante's back, without a saddle, and takes off. She rides for a very long time before stopping in a small village.

Only a few of the villagers see Regina coming. "the queen," they whisper to each other, "she is back."

Regina descends from Rocinante and leads her into the village. Regina keeps her head down and just walks no nowhere in particular.

No one speaks to her.

Regina sees a small, old building she recognizes. She walks into the little school where she once walked with Snow White.

The bell just rings and all the kids storm out of the classrooms. The teachers after them. "Hi," says a woman from behind Regina.

Regina turns around. She recognizes the older woman as the kind teacher who accepted not only Snow but also Regina into her little school. Regina nodds and looks down again.

"It's really you isn't it. Regina." the old lady says with a surprised smile.

"Yes." Regina whispers, looking up now. "Yes, it's me. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be here, should I?"

"Why shouldn't you?" the woman asks, "you're always welcome here". She waves to some children that leave the school.

"I am? Why?"

"You don't look like you'll do my students harm or something," the woman says, "every one I trust is allowed to enter the school. Tea?"

"No, thank you." Regina whispers. She looks around and noticed some of the artwork Snow made, once upon a time.

"Alright," she says, "how are you and Snow?"

Regina shakes her head. She doesn't really know and doesn't want to answer that question.

"I'm sorry," the woman says, "I didn't mean anything with that question." She sees Regina looking at Snows painting.

"No, please, it's alright." Regina softly smiles and starts to feel a bit more comfortable. She relaxes a bit.

The woman smiles back, "okay," she says with a small laugh, "her painting is still here, I never removed it... It has something special don't you think?"

"Snow was always good at this." Regina smiles now. "Emma is more of a reader."

"Emma? You have another daughter then?" the woman says with a smile and she looks at Regina.

Regina nodds. "I do. I'm not doing a great job, but I've never been a good mother, right?" She looks down.

"You- you a bad mother?" The woman says. She cant believe what Regina just said. "The woman I know is far from a bad mother. You gave Snow everything she wished, you gave her the live she wanted. You should have heard her talk about you, she was so proud," she laughs, "I'll never forget that."

"Then why don't neither of them trust me? Why don't they talk to me?"

"Why do you think they don't trust you?" the woman asks, "how do you know they don't?"

"Emma doesn't trust me. She rather drinks and gets high than talk to me."

"I don't think that's true," she says, "how old is she if I may ask."

"She's twelve." Regina whispers.

"Teenagers love risk, they just try things out. It's what they do," the woman says, "and the more their mother or parents disagree, the more fun it is. Big chance she only wants attention. Attention from the one who cares about her, you. So she doesn't rather drink or get high than talk to you, she probably drinks and gets high, so she gets your attention and so you talk to her." She smiles. "I've seen a lot of teenagers, kind of know how their minds work now."

"But she gets all of my attention. I don't understand."

"She knows that, but there are different kinds of attention," the woman says.

"I don't understand."

"Attention like, you are alone with her and talk to her, or you are in her company with others," she says, "and with that when you go to her if she does something stupid, she knows you still care about her."

"But I ran away."

"But you won't stay away forever, will you?" she says.

"No. I will go back to The Castle, just not right away. She really hurts me when she drinks instead of talking to me." Regina looks down again. "Bad mother, Regina." she whispers, echoing the voice inside her head.

"You're not a bad mother Regina, I know that," the woman smiles. "And you don't have to go right away. She knows you will come back."

"Bad mother. Bad mother, Regina." Regina echoes the voice inside her head. A voice she knows all too well by now.

"No no," the woman says, "sit down for a bit, I'll get you some water." He leads Regina to her office.

Regina follows the woman obediently.

The woman gives Regina a glass of water and takes one for herself too. "I want you to know you're NOT a bad mother," she says, "What makes you think you are...? Because she rather drinks than to talk to me is not a reason that you are a bad mother."

Regina seems to listen to voices inside her head.

"You're telling yourself you're bad, which is not necessary."

"Bad mother." Regina whispers again. "Yes, Fiona. I'll come."

The woman sees something is not right... "what's it?" she asks.

"Fiona is calling me. I.. I need to go." Regina whispers. She stands up but fear shines through her eyes. She strokes her belly unconsciously.

"Regina I don't know if it's safe," the woman says, "you look frightened."

"I'm not weak!" Regina shouts out now. She keeps stroking her belly. "Maybe she can give me my baby back." she whispers.

"What are you talking about?" the woman asks, startled by Regina's sudden outburst, "I think you should rest a bit."

"No." Regina whispers. "My baby. I lost my baby." Tears run down her face now.

"I'm so sorry to hear that," the woman says and she looks down.

"Fiona can get her back. The Black Fairy. I know she can help me."

"The Black Fairy?" she says, "that's a very dangerous woman... I think you should take some rest." She really doesn't know what to say or do anymore.

Regina sinks back down on the bench. "A little rest sounds good." She sounds exhausted. She leans her head against the wall behind her and closes her eyes.

The woman smiles, "take your time," she says and she lets Regina rest in her office.

Regina falls asleep and rests for a little while. When she wakes up, she startles when she noticed someone sitting next to her.

"Ow I'm so sorry I frightened you," the woman says, "how are you feeling?"

"I need to go back to Emma." Regina whispers. She gets up. "Thank you for being so nice to me."

"No problem at all," she says, happy to see Regina in a better state than before, "you need company on your ride home?"

Regina shakes her head in denial. "No, thank you. Rocinante will take me right home." She smiles and then walks outside to her horse, who is waiting for her.

"Be safe and good luck," the woman says, "and you're always welcome here."

Rocinante lets Regina climb on her back and then rides away, out of sight.

Regina rides back to The Castle. She puts Rocinante back in the stables and gives her some food. "I'll be back. I won't be long." she whispers. Regina then heads back to The Castle and walks inside.

"Hey," Robin says softly when he sees Regina come in, "feeling better now?"

Regina nodds. "Yes, I do. How is Emma?"

"She has slept for a while and now dr. Anderson is with her," Robin says, "so she will be fine."

Regina nodds again. She looks at the closet that's inside the room. "I want to sleep a bit as well." she whispers, slowly walking towards the closet.

"Sleep in a bed I guess," Robin says, looking at Regina. He knows exactly what she is planning to do.

"Yes. Yes, that's what I mean." Regina whispers. She looks up at him. "I want to see Emma first. She needs to know I came back and I'm not angry with her."

"Alright. She is in room 7," Robin says. He smiles a little, "are you really not angry with her? Because it's not bad if you are."

"I'm not angry. I'm hurt." Regina just shrugs. She then walks over to the appointed room. She knocks and walks inside. "Emma?"

Emma quickly looks away, while de. Anderson turns to Regina. They sit together on the bed, where they had been talking until Regina came in.

"Are you alright?" Regina wants to know.

"Sorry," Emma only says. Not because she really means it, but because dr. Anderson told her to.

"I didn't ask for an apology. I asked if you are alright."

"What does it matter," she says.

Regina sighs with frustration. "Look, Emma, I try to be a good mother, I really am trying, but you're not making it easy for me. I don't know what I did wrong for you to drink like that last night. But I've had enough. No riding Rocinante today. I'm too tired." Regina turns around and walks away. She slams the door shut and runs to one of the empty rooms. She lies down on the bed, not realizing it's the old bedroom of King Leopold.

Leopold is in the room too. "Lovely to see you here, Regina," he says and she lies down next to her, "got homesick of this room? I can imagine."

Regina freezes. "What are you doing here?" she whispers, not being able to defend herself while frozen.

"Just being home," Leopold says, "in my castle."
He sees Regina freeze and a grin appears on his face. He winks.

"I want to be alone."

"I don't want you to be alone," Leopold says and he lays his hands on Regina's waist. "You're not aware of the dangers in this castle," he whispers.

Regina just nodds.

"Good," Leopold whispers. "Are you enjoying your stay here?"

"Yes. Yes, I am." Regina whispers.

"I'm happy for you," Leopold says, the grin doesn't fade from his face. He moves his hands under her shirt. "I saw you have your horse back."

" . Rocinante."

"Lovely animal," Leopold says, "and what makes you come here in this room alone?"

"I'm tired. I didn't realize which room I entered." Regina whispers. There's no point in lying.

"Well, lucky you then," Leopold smiles. "Let's have some fun."

"Please." Regina tries to crawl away.

"Please," Leopold says, imitating Regina, "I take please as a yes, all right?" Before Regina can say a thing he has pushed out her shirt.

Regina flinches. She crawls out of bed and into a corner. "Please, go."

"Go already?" Leopold says, "I don't think so." He walks towards her and takes her in his arms, lifting her up.

Regina wants to jump out of his arms.

Leopold is holding her tightly so she can't escape and carries Regina back to the bed.

"Let go of me!"

Leopold doesn't respond. He sees Regina will keep fighting back and he sees no other option... He grabs robes from inside the closet and ties Regina up to the bed. "If you won't do it the easy way, I'll do it the hard way," he snaps, tightening the robes around Regina's wrists.

Regina moans of pain and fear. "No!"

"Yes," he states as he undresses her. When he has undressed her completely, he ties up her legs too to prevent her from kicking him.

"Please!"

"Stop talking," Leopold says and he kisses her... Very violently. His hands so tightly around her arms that his nails make her bleed.

Regina moans of pain. "Leopold." she whispers

"Regina," he whispers back and he looks into her eyes.

"I beg you."

"Why would I let you go?" Leopold whispers, pushing his nails deeper into Regina's skin.

Regina freezes again. She hears Fiona in her head again.

"So you can hear her again," Leopold says, knowing his mission has been completed.

" ." Regina whispers and begs. "I'm tired. Please, let go of me."

"Well... No," Leopold says and he starts to undress himself too. "I'm not letting you go, never."

Regina's eyes reflect the panic she feels is taking over. She pulls at the ropes. She's too frightened to use her magic right now.

Leopold now lies down beside her so that their bodies touch. he holds his hands on her hips and softly strokes them.

Regina just looks him in the eyes.

Leopold kisses her again, so often that he makes it impossible for Regina to breathe properly.

Regina's body shakes from not getting enough air into her system. " .ase." she whispers, in between his kisses.

"You want something else then?" Leopold whispers while he doesn't stop kissing her.

Regina nodds.

He doesn't even hesitate and slips inside her, pushing her arms to the bed.

Regina softly cries now. There is no way escaping from this and she hates herself for it. She wants to retreat in her mind but even that isn't a safe space any longer, now The Black Fairy is back.

"Regina," the Black Fairy whispers with a high voice, "frightened aren't you?"

" ." Regina thinks back.

"Good," she whispers, while Leopold just goes on. He makes sure he hurts her, so she keeps her mind with him, not blocking him out.

"Please! Please, you're hurting me!" Regina shouts out now.

Robin knocks on the door, but it's locked. He shouts her name.

"Say him you're fine, that you just had a nightmare and that he can go away again," Leopold whispers, not stopping to hurt Regina.

"I'm not fine!" Regina screams.

Leopold immediately grabs his knife and makes a deep cut in Regina's flesh.

Robin runs away to get something to open the door.

Regina screams again. "Leopold, please! I beg you!"

"To late for that," Leopold laughs and he makes a big wound on Regina's stomach. Then he goes on to her legs and makes deep cuts so her body is covered in circles of blood.

Regina cries out in pain.

The door bursts open and Robin and dr. Anderson walk inside. Leopold backs away from Regina, when he sees the two of then with weapons.

Regina pulls on the ropes again. "Please!" she screams.

Robin makes sure Leopold gets away from Regina by pointing the found sword at him. Dr. Anderson immediately runs to Regina and cuts through her robes, "it's okay," she whispers, looking into Regina's eyes.

Regina curls up and makes herself as small as possible. "Please, go away. Don't be in my head." she thinks to Fiona.

"You think I'll go just because you want it?" Fiona says to Regina's mind. "Not going to happen, sweetheart."

Dr. Anderson stays by Regina's side while Robin locks Leopold up.

Regina keeps being curled up and doesn't allow anyone to touch her. "Please. What do you want?" she asks Fiona.

"Nothing actually," Fiona says, "but... taking this cuff of me would be nice."

"Never."

"I thought that would be your answer," Fiona says, "but what if I say you will get your Emma in return."

" ? Emma is here, with me, in my Castle." Regina thinks back.

"I'm in her mind too, right now," Fiona says, "but not like I'm in yours, I'm torturing her."

"Please, stop! STOP! I'll let you go, but leave my daughter alone!"

"Let me go?" Fiona laughs, "Leopold let me out ages ago!"

"I will take your cuff off. I promise, I promise!"

"You can't take my cuff off," Fiona says, "only the one who placed it around my wrist can: Emma, but she won't give in!"

"Emma, please! Go take it off of her!" Regina screams to Emma now.

"Nev- Never!" Emma shouts back. The pain is almost unbearable.

"PLEASE!"

"NO!"

Regina poofs herself into some clothing. She doesn't care about the wounds Leopold inflicted on her. She then poofs to Emma and begs her to let Fiona go, to get the cuff off of her.

"N- NO" Emma says. She is hiding her face in her pillow, so Regina doesn't hear her screams.

"Emma, please, just let her go!"

"Then she will take you and I'll lose you again. I won't let that happen!" Emma screams and she throws herself in her mothers arms. She cries on her shoulder.

Regina holds Emma very close to her. "I won't go away with her again, I promise, sweetheart. But she needs to stop torturing you. Please, make the cuff go away. I know you can do this." Regina whispers.

"You told me that before," Emma whispers, "but she will take you away when she has her magic back, nothing can stop her except for that cuff."

"Then we keep the cuff with us, just to be sure. Please, Emma, you don't have to suffer like this."

"You don't know what I had to do to make that cuff work, it took months and then it will all be for nothing and she will have al the power." She screams again. Fiona is really hurting her.

"Fiona, please, STOP! What do you want besides the cuff off?" Regina cries out now.

"Only that," Fiona says, "I have everything when I have my magic back. YOU need to convince her!"

"Do you promise us to leave us alone? Please? To not take me away again?"

"No mom," Emma shouts, "she will hurt other people instead, I can't let that happen."

"Emma, please. She's hurting you so much!"

Emma can't get a word out anymore. Her body is starting to give up, but her mind will not...

Regina screams and poofs away to The Black Fairy. She rips her heart out.

"Oh Oh," Fiona grins and before Regina can say something to her heart, she lets out her last hit and Emma falls unconscious on the bed.

"STOP IT!" Regina screams.

Fiona stops the torturing.

Regina squeezes her heart. Darkness appears in her eyes.

Fiona's body collapses a little, but she doesn't show her pain.

"You never met The Evil Queen, now did you?" Regina speaks with a low and dangerous voice.

"No," Fiona says, looking amused, "you were to weak to become her again."

"Do you still think I'm weak now?" Regina asks, while squeezing the heart just a little bit more.

"Yes, you will always be weak."

"I'm not weak!" Regina screams, almost crushing the heart to dust.

"You are," Fiona says calmly. "You'll never be strong."

"What do I need to do to prove I'm not weak?" Regina's voice keeps being dangerously low.

"You can't prove it," Fiona says, "Oh well maybe there is a way. Let me torture your Emma, while you watch and do nothing."

"NEVER!" Regina screams, almost crushing the heart again.

"You see, WEAK," Fiona laughs.

Regina uses her magic to tie Fiona up to the bed that's standing in the room. "You're never getting free, ever again!"

"We will see about that," Fiona grins.

"No, we won't. You won't ever get free from that bed again. And this..." Regina says, while looking at Fiona's heart, "is mine to keep. For ever." Regina poofs away and ends back besides Emma.

Emma is not moving, you can only see her hands tremble. She is still unconscious.

Regina slowly strokes Emma's hair and waits until she wakes up again.

After a while Emma gets back into consciousness. She tries to open her eyes. It goes very slowly and her body is still shaking. "Mom," she whispers very softly when she gets her eyes open far enough to recognize her mother's black hair and the shape of her face.

"Sweetheart." Regina whispers. "It's alright. I'm right here." She softly strokes Emma's hair and face. The darkness in her own eyes is completely gone and Fiona's heart is safely locked away. "She won't hurt anyone any longer. I promise."

Tears stream over Emma's face, but she doesn't make a sound. She breathes deeply and tries to sit up. It doesn't work so she grabs her mothers hand. "Will you stay?" Emma whispers, while she tries to focus on her mother's eyes.

Regina nodds. "I stay. I will stay for good. She won't hurt anyone any longer. I promise." Regina takes Emma closely against her.

Emma lays her hands around her mother's waist and clings to it. She lets her head rest on Regina's shoulder, while her tears make her shirt wet. "You're hurt," Emma whispers, when her eyes fall on the red places if Regina's shirt.

"It's nothing. I'm just glad you are alright. That she's gone." Regina whispers. She notices Robin and Dr. Anderson walking inside of Emma's room but she doesn't look up. She just keeps looking at Emma.

"You're bleeding," Emma whispers. She is breathing normally again and she is able to sit on her own without leaning against her mother. She looks her mom in her eyes and a small smile appears on her face.

"Why are you laughing?" Regina looks up at Emma.

Emma's smile disappears immediately, "I'm sorry, I- I didn't know you didn't like that," she whispers.

"No, no, sweetheart, I love to see you smile." Regina smiles now as well. "The Black Fairy is gone. She won't hurt us any

longer."

"Yes, you told me that. What did you do to her?" Emma says, a little smile appears again.

"I have her heart. And she's tied up. She's done playing with us." Regina smiles when Emma smiles again.

"You're cruel," Emma says, "but... Alright, maybe we have no choice."

"I don't like to be cruel, dear, but this is the only way to stop her. I don't want to kill her, so this is the best option we have." Regina tries to explain softly.

"Don't you think this, what you did to her now, is worse than death?"

"Maybe. But she doesn't deserve anything less, Emma. She will never stop hurting us if she has her heart back."

"Then kill her," Emma says and she looks her mother in her eyes. "Don't let her suffer, and don't do to her what she did to us."

Regina looks surprised. "You... You want me to kill her? Emma, I... I don't know if I can resist the darkness after that." Regina whispers those last words.

"I don't want her to suffer this much," Emma says, "let me kill her, that won't make you dark." she holds her hand up so Regina can lay the heart in it. Her heart is beating very fast in her chest, why did she just say that...

Regina shakes her head. "No. I won't let you do that." she whispers. "She can live without her heart. How does that sound?"

"You'll free her?" Emma says, "and you keep her heart?"

"Yes. How much damage can she do?"

"Not much I think," Emma says, not really sure. "Let's do that then."

"Really? Because if you want me to, I'll kill her."

"No no," Emma says immediately. "It's good like this." She looks at Regina's clothes now, which are completely red. "You should look at your wounds mom."

"I need to take care of you first." Regina whispers, not letting Emma show in how much pain she actually is.

"I'll take care of myself," Emma says, "I'm not stupid. I can see you're in pain."

"But I'm your mother." Regina whispers. She breathes faster and her heart starts to pound.

"That doesn't mean you shouldn't take care if yourself," Emma whispers, "do it for me." She sees the blood drip of her mother's clothes...

Regina nodds. "I will." She looks up at Dr. Anderson and Robin now.

"We need to fix that," Robin says when he sees Regina and Emma are done talking. He walks to the bed and helps Regina up, "you've lost a lot of blood already."

Regina flinches. She looks at Dr. Anderson.

"What's it?" Dr. Anderson says while she walks to Regina.

Regina shakes her head. She doesn't want a man looking at her wounds. But she doesn't say this, she doesn't want to hurt Robin.

"Let me do it," dr. Anderson says. She has seen this behavior before and she knows what it means.

Robin looks at dr. Anderson and back at Regina. "Yeah," he says and dr. Anderson takes over Regina's arm. Emma stands up and leaves the room with Robin.

Regina remains silent when she lets Dr. Anderson look at her wounds.

"They're deep..." Dr. Anderson says more to herself than to Regina. She gets some medical stuff from the bathroom and starts dripping some cleaning medicine into the cuts.

Regina doesn't move and doesn't make a sound.

It takes a lot of time before all the wounds are cleaned, because there already is a lot if dried blood. Dr. Anderson manages to give Regina some stitches and then starts bandaging the wounds.

Regina still doesn't speak.

"Done," dr. Anderson says after a while, "how do you feel?"

"Leopold?" Regina wants to know.

"Robin has locked him up in the dungeons," dr. Anderson says.

Regina nodds and slowly walks to the closet in the room. Her eyes scan Dr. Anderson, to see if she's going to stop her or not.

Dr. Anderson sits down on the bed, her eyes focussed on Regina. "You know you don't have to do that," she says, but she doesn't stop her.

Regina quickly hides into the closet. "Just for a little while. Just... A little while." she whispers. She leaves the door of the closet a bit open so she can see the door of the bedroom to see if someone comes in.

Dr. Anderson leans against the wall and lets Regina take her time. She just waits and says nothing.

After a short amount of time Regina very slowly comes out of the closet again. "Safe?" she asks with a tiny voice.

"Yes, Regina," dr. Anderson says, "safe."

Regina just nodds. She looks at Dr. Anderson because she doesn't really know what to do next.

"You can sit here if you want," dr. Anderson says, she lays her hand on the place beside her, "we can talk for a bit."

Cautiosly Regina sits down next to Dr. Anderson. She mumbles the word 'safe' again.

"You want to talk about it?" Dr. Anderson asks.

Regina's body stiffens. "Safe." she mumbles again.

"Yes, safe," dr. Anderson says again.

Regina keeps being frozen for a little while until she realises Dr. Anderson isn't going to touch her without her consent. She relaxes a bit.

Dr. Anderson smiles. "How do your wounds feel? Do they hurt a lot?"

Regina shrughs and doesn't really answer.

"Alright," dr. Anderson says. "And your mind? Whats going on in it right now?"

"Leopold." Regina whispers now.

"He is locked up," dr. Anderson says calmly, "what did he do to you?"

"You know what he did."

"Pretend that I don't know," dr. Anderson says, "I want to hear you say it."

Regina flinches. She walks over to the closet again, very slowly. "Safe?" she whispers again.

Dr. Anderson looks at Regina, "you know you are safe," she says, "no need to hide."

Regina nodds and stands still now. "He touched me." she whispers.

"He did that before, didn't he?" dr. Anderson says, "was it the same this time?"

Regina nodds again. She remains silent.

"He hurt you too," dr. Anderson says, "why?"

"Because he likes it!" Regina suddenly snaps.

"How do you know he likes it?" dr. Anderson says untouched.

"Why else would he do that?"

"Maybe he was forced, maybe he seeks revenge, maybe he is in love with you... maybe he doesn't know what he is doing," dr. Anderson says.

"Why are you defending him?" Regina spats out.

"I'm not defending him. I'm just show you that he is a human being too. You searched for acceptance when you were the... Evil Queen. What if he is no different."

Darkness appears in Regina's eyes before she retreats back into her closet. "Not safe." she whispers now. And she really doesn't feel safe at that moment in time. Why would anyone try to justify Leopold's actions?

Dr. Anderson doesn't move and let's Regina sit in her closet. She lets her think.

Regina doesn't move and doesn't speak for a long time.

Dr. Anderson just stays and when Robin comes to look if they are alright. She tells him that she will be alright and that he can go.

"Robin?"

"I'll see you soon," Robin says, "I'll be waiting for you in the living room with Emma."

"Why are you leaving me?"

"I'm not leaving, I'm waiting."

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for you."

"I'm right here." Regina poofs out of her closet and right in front of Robin. She takes his hands and puts them on her hips. "I'm right here." she whispers now.

Robin smiles, but doesn't move. "I'm glad you are," he says.

Regina nodds. "Go on." she whispers. "I need to feel you. Not him."

"I don't want that," Robin says, "I don't want to frighten you."

Regina looks up at him. "Slowly then? Please?"

"I'm sorry, Regina," Robin says, "but... I can't do this."

Regina takes a step away. "You think I'm dirty, don't you?"

"I don't," Robin says, "You know I don't think that."

"Then why won't you touch me?"

"Because I don't want you to slip away again," Robin says clearly.

"But I am slipping away, because you won't touch me!"

Robin lays his hands on Regina's hips again, "nonsense," he whispers.

Regina just looks at him in his eyes.

"So?" he whispers.

"Go on. Slowly."

Robin doesn't want this, but he slowly moves Regina's body closer to his. Dr. Anderson walks out of the room.

Regina keeps breathing steady and doesn't feel afraid. "She thinks Leopold has his reasons for doing this to me." Regina whispers in Robin's ear.

"You don't agree?" Robin asks.

"He's a monster." Regina just whispers.

Robin doesn't say a thing.

"Isn't he?"

"He is," Robin says, "but monsters can have reasons too."

"I don't care!" she suddenly snaps.

"I noticed, and you have all right to not care," Robin says back.

Regina just nodds now. "Safe now?"

Robin nods.

Regina softly smiles now. She looks Robin deep into his eyes. "Go on."

Robin slowly bows towards her and kisses her softly on her lips.

Regina smiles against his lips and kisses him back. "More now."

"Why?" Robin whispers.

"Because I want to."

"I'm not your servant," Robin says.

Regina flinches away immediately.

Robin just looks at her, now only holding her hand.

"I'm tired, I guess." Regina whispers softly.

Robin nods, while holding his breath.

Regina slowly walks towards the bed, holding onto Robin's hand. "Will you sleep with me? Just for a little while?"

"Yeah, that's alright," Robin says and he lies down next to Regina.

Regina curls up next to him and lays her head on his chest. It doesn't take long for her to fall into a deep sleep. Such a deep sleep where Fiona, even without her magic, can get to her.

"You finally got what you deserve," Fiona grins in Regina's head.

"What do you mean?" Regina whispers.

"I see Leopold found you again," Fiona laughs, "you look great by the way. Bit fat, but yeah... fine."

"Leopold is locked up now. He can't get to me any longer." Regina whispers.

"He did what he had to do," Fiona says, "so that's perfectly fine."

"Break me? Is that what he had to do?"

"Maybe," Fiona laughs, "did you like it? Ow and how is Emma?"

"Leave her alone!" Regina shouts out now.

"I won't," Fiona says.

In the meantime Robin tries to wake Regina up, because she is shouting in her sleep.

"Please! She has done nothing wrong! Take me! Torture me!"

"No no no," Fiona laughs, "this is much more fun!"

"You seem to have forgotten who I am. The Evil Queen. I can be a far greater nightmare than you can ever imagine." Darkness appears in Regina's eyes, not wanting to go away so easily.

"Do you?" Fiona says still grinning, "I'll be prepared then." Her voice sounds very sarcastically.

"You better be." Regina's voice sounds very low and dangerous.

"Is this supposed to frighten me, queenie," Fiona says, "you can't hurt me, you know."

Regina remains silent now. She feels Robin waking her up. She looks him into his eyes, darkness overclouding her own brown eyes now.

"You're awake," Robin says with a sigh of relief, "what happened?"

"She happened." Regina almost jumps out of bed and starts to go through her potions and spellbooks.

"The Black Fairy? What are you going to do?"

"Stop her." Regina mumbles.

"But... How?"

"She needs to stop torturing Emma in her mind!" Regina snaps, the darkness still growing in her eyes.

"How will you do that?" Robin says louder now and he walks closer to Regina. A scream comes from upstairs... Emma's scream.

"She needs to stop!" Regina screams now. She mixes some potions, keeping her head clear of Emma's screaming now. After a short amount of time Regina runs upstairs with a potion she made especially for Emma. "Emma? Sweetheart, here. You need to drink this. It stops her from seeping into your head, I promise. Here, sweetheart, you need to drink it."

"Don't trick me," Emma screams, "I won't take her cuff off!" She makes herself small in dr. Anderson's arms. She screams again and closes her eyes. She hides her face.

"Sweetheart, I'm not tricking you. It's me, Regina, your mother. You don't have to do anything but to drink this potion I made for you. She won't be able to get into your head ever again." Regina strokes Emma's hair. "Emma, please. I want to help you. Let me help you."

"What will it do!" Emma screams, she squeezes dr. Anderson's hand to ease the pain. "Don't make me pull it off, promise me!" She can't move, the pain almost becomes too much.

"I promise, Emma, I promise!" Regina says very clearly. "She won't ever be without her cuff and she will never get her magic back. But she needs to stop being able to get inside your head. Please, Emma, take the potion, I know what I'm doing." The darkness in Regina's eyes is gone now. She just wants to help her little girl.

"Okay," Emma whispers followed by a loud moan of pain, but when she tries to hold the bottle she almost drops it again. Her hands are shaking too much. Dr. Anderson helps her to hold it steady and slowly she lets the potion drip into Emma's mouth. When she swallowed it whole, her body relaxes. She closes her eyes and lies in dr. Anderson's arms, to weak to move. Her breathing is the right rhythm again and she stops biting her tongue. Some blood escapes from her mouth.

Regina wipes away the blood and doesn't leave Emma's side. Not until she wakes up and Regina knows she's alright and Fiona is out of her head. Regina doesn't doubt Fiona is gone out of Emma's head. She knows her potions and spells and she knows Fiona doesn't have magic any longer. She hears Fiona screaming in her own head but she doesn't care. As long as Emma is safe.

"You will pay for this," Fiona grins and she disappears from Regina's head. Emma is able to sit up again. She rubs her eyes and takes a deep breath. "Thank you, mom," she whispers.

Regina takes Emma closely against her own body. "You needed to be alright. I'm your mother and I take care of you. You don't have to thank me, Emma." Regina whispers, softly stroking Emma's hair.

"What will she do now?" Emma whispers.

"She won't be able to hurt you any longer, sweetheart. She won't be able to get inside your head again and she won't get near you again. I promise you that. I promise you I will do whatever it takes to prevent her from that."

"What about you then?" Emma says. A small smile appears on her face while she leans against her mother, laying her head on her shoulder.

"I will be alright as well. You don't have to worry about me, that's not your job." Regina winks at her little girl.

Emma sighs. "I don't want to lose you," Emma says, "so I do need to worry about you."

"You will never lose me, Emma. No matter what happens." Regina smiles.

"How do you know?"

"Because I am your mother and I will never leave you. Even if we're not together, I will always be with you. Right here." Regina points at Emma's heart.

Emma lays her hand on her mother's and nods. "And I will always be in yours," she whispers.

Regina smiles and nodds softly. "I know. But I will do everything for us to stay together, I promise you that. But even when you're just at school, I'm with you. Never forget that."

"I won't," Emma smiles. "Even if I'm drunk?" she softly adds, looking at her lap.

"Even if you're drunk." Regina whispers, still stroking Emma's hair.

Emma relaxes even more, "okay," she says, while she feels safe in her mother's arms.

Regina smiles again. She keeps her daughter close to her until she falls asleep in her arms.

Emma sleeps a sweet sleep. No nightmares come up, because she knows her mother is with her.

Regina keeps holding her daughter while she sleeps. She's exhausted herself, so she rests her head against the top of the bed and sleeps for a little while.

When Emma wakes up, she sees her mother is still asleep. She smiles and keep lying close to her, so she feels her mother's warmth.

Regina wakes up after a short time of sleep, but she feels well rested for now. She looks at Emma and smiles when she sees she's awake as well. "Did you sleep well, sweetheart?" she wants to know.

"Yes I really did," Emma smiles, "I feel much better now, and you?"

"Me too. I think we both needed that, didn't we?" Regina smiles. She slowly gets up and stretches her muscles. She tries not to show her pain to her daughter, the pain because of the wounds inflicted by Leopold.

"Yeah, but how are your wounds?" Emma asks, when she sees Regina walking a bit limp.

"They're fine, really. They hurt, but they will heal."

"Shall I heal them for you?" Emma asks carefully, not knowing why her mother didn't ask her that already.

Regina shakes her head. "No, thank you, dear. You don't need to do that. I know you can and I know you want to, but I don't want you to use magic this much." Regina looks up at Emma. "I do know you have a great power inside of you. I can feel it."

"Why don't you want that?" Emma says, "you know I can do it, you know I can ease your pain, like you did for me too with that potion."

"Because I don't like it when you use magic. Magic only causes problems." Regina whispers softly.

"N- Not if it can heal you," Emma whispers, "please..."

Regina looks up at Emma and thinks for a little while. She then nodds. "Alright."

Emma smiles and removes the bandages. She starts to heal the wounds, immediately feeling the pleasure of using magic again.

Regina sighs with relief when the wounds are completely healed. "Thank you, Emma." she softly smiles.

"No problem," Emma says. She waits a while before she speaks again. "Magic is just like alcohol you know... tempting." She looks up at her mom.

Regina nodds. "I know. Which is why I don't want you to use it for no reason. I do want to teach you magic, if that's what you want, but at a slow rate, alright?"

Emma nods. "Elsa learned me a lot too," she says, "and... this was a good reason."

Regina smiles. "It was." She hugs her daughter. "Thank you, Emma."

Emma hugs her mother back. "How much longer will we stay here in the enchanted forest?"

"How much longer do you want to stay, dear?"

"I asked you," Emma says.

"A couple more days?" Regina suggests.

"Alright," Emma reacts.

"Really?"

"Of course".

Regina smiles. "What do you want to do now?"

"Take... a ride?" Emma says carefully, "you still want to learn me how to ride Rocinante after what happened in the cellar?"

"Sure I do. But is it alright if we do that in the morning? It's already late and it will go dark soon outside."

"Yes, okay," Emma says

Regina smiles again. "I will ask the chef to make us some food. Do you want to explore the Castle a bit more until then?"

"Sounds good," Emma says, "with Robin and dr. Anderson?"

Regina nodds. "I'd like that." she smiles. The two of them call dr. Anderson and Robin inside and tell them the plan for the rest of the day.

"Sounds good," Robin says. Dr. Anderson nods too. When Robin and Emma go already, dr. Anderson looks at Regina. "We really should talk about this. I don't care when, but we can't just ignore it."

"Talk about what?"

"You know what," dr. Anderson says, "about what happened to you today. You were hiding in the closet again, slipping away again and I know it feels all alright for you now, but when you lose your distraction... I don't want you to slip away again."

Regina flinches away. "I can't talk about it."

"So you're holding everything in," dr. Anderson says, "you can't hold everything in."

"Watch me." Regina's eyes turn almost black. "You can't make me talk about it. I hate talking about it!"

"That's exactly why you should talk about it," she says, "to make the subject less difficult for yourself."

"I don't know how!" Regina snaps, frustrated now.

"We can work on that," dr. Anderson says, "like we did before."

"Now then? Please?"

"Now?" dr. Anderson says, "that's okay with me."

Regina nodds. She calls Robin and Emma back and tells them she wants to talk to dr. Anderson for a bit. "Is that alright? We'll join you shortly."

"Okay," they both say. "See you soon then," Emma adds.

Regina nodds and smiles softly, before sitting down on the bed in the room. She looks up at dr. Anderson.

"So," dr. Anderson says, while she does sit down on the bed, "what made you go hiding again?"

"I like it. I feel safe."

"Safe from what?"

"Safe from life. From pain."

"But... do you really think that closet will safe you from that?" dr. Anderson says, "or is it just in your mind?"

Regina shrugs but doesn't answer the question.

"If Emma starts to ask about Leopold... how will you react?"

Regina's eyes go dark again. "What's that for a question?"

"There will come a day that someone will say something to you that triggers you," dr. Anderson says, "and I don't think you want to hide from that person then."

"What do I need to do so I won't hide?" Regina asks, with a soft voice.

"That's for us to figure out," dr. Anderson says, "but first of all, just talk about it, get everything straight in your mind. What happened, who was there, what makes me want to hide."

"You know what happened and you know who did it." Regina whispers.

"But you need to accept what happened. It doesn't matter if I know and what I know," dr. Anderson says. "You need to get the facts straight."

Regina slowly nodds. "How?" she whispers.

"First tell me about it," dr. Anderson says, "and every time you think you will slip away, you take a deep breath."

Regina takes a deep breath before she starts to talk. "I didn't really know which room I walked into. I was so tired." she whispers. "When I laid down on the bed, he was there already."

"I see," dr. Anderson says, "and can you tell me who was there?"

"He. Leopold."

"Okay, go on."

Regina shakes her head.

"Take your time," dr. Anderson says.

"He hurt me." Regina whispers. "Like he always does."

"What does he always do?"

"Hurt me! Aren't you listening?"

"How does he hurt you?" dr. Anderson says. She just asks on, calmly.

"Knife. He uses a knife." Regina whispers now, not ready to admit the other thing.

Dr. Anderson nods, "okay," she says, "now take a deep breath and try to tell more."

Regina takes a deep breath. She just looks at Dr. Anderson.

Dr. Anderson smiles and lets Regina take her time again.

"He touched me." Regina whispers very, very softly.

Dr. Anderson keeps quiet.

Regina doesn't speak as well. She waits for questions because she can't talk about it herself.

"What did he say when he touched you? Can you remember that?" Dr. Anderson asks after a while.

"I don't really remember." Regina whispers.

"You're still cropping things up, Regina," dr. Anderson says, "let it go. And if you don't want me to hear it, I just won't listen, then tell it to your own reflection, but you have to accept that this happened to you."

"He... He... I don't know. He seemed content when I started to hear Fiona again."

"You think they have contact?" dr. Anderson asks.

"I guess so." Regina mumbles.

Dr. Anderson nods. "Do you see a link between them? Why do they have contact?"

"To torture me. To break me."

Dr. Anderson stays silent for a while.

"Do you know why that want that?" she then says softly.

"I don't know!" Regina snaps. "I know why Leopold hates me, but I have no idea why Fiona does."

"I was just wondering," dr. Anderson says, "are they together?" She just asks random questions to make Regina talk

Regina laughs now. "They aren't. I know they aren't."

"Alright," dr. Anderson smiles, "and do you think Fiona is controlling him somehow?"

"Maybe. I don't know and I don't care. He doesn't deserve any better."

"I understand," dr. Anderson says, "and do you know anyone who does care about him?"

"Eva. Eva, maybe. I don't know. I don't know if she still cares." Regina whispers.

"Who is she?" Dr. Anderson says, "and is she in Storybrooke?"

Regina nodds. "She is. She's Snow White's mother."

"She is Snow White's mother," dr. Anderson says surprised, "you never told me about her before. Maybe I can talk with her about him, he is a very damaged man...".

"Eva is Snow White's birth mother." Regina whispers. "Talk to her all you want. She's a nice woman. I doubt she will be able to fix Leopold. He's beyond repair."

"I won't ask her to fix him, that's too though, but maybe she can help. No one is beyond repair in my eyes," she says, "but that doesn't matter now. Is there something else you want to tell me?"

Regina remains silent. She, unconsciencely, strokes her belly.

"It hurts doesn't it?" Dr. Anderson says and she swears that she sees some hope in Regina's eyes. Could there be?

Regina doesn't answer. She retreats back into her own mind, a safe space. Or so she hopes.

"Regina," dr. Anderson says, "you think there is still hope for your child?" She looks Regina into her eyes.

"No!" Regina snaps. "It's dead!"

"Yeah," dr. Anderson says calmly. "But that's no need to return to your own world."

"I won't go back to Storybrooke. There's only pain for me. I want to bring Snow over here and be happy here. With my family."

"I understand," dr. Anderson says, "you can. That plan needs to be liked from all side, so you have to talk about this with everyone."

"I will." Regina whispers. "I'm tired. She... She can get in my head so easily when I'm tired."

"Then you should take some rest, and it's even better if you can sleep a bit," dr. Anderson says, "Robin and I will watch over you."

"No. I can't. She'll come visit me in my dreams. I can't."

"Can't you make that potion for yourself?" Dr. Anderson says, "the one you made for Emma to get Fiona out of her mind."

"I can't." Regina whispers.

"Why not?" Dr. Anderson asks, looking into Regina's eyes.

"Because then the potion won't work on Emma no more. It only works for one person at a time." Regina softly explains.

"I see," dr. Anderson says, "what do you think is best to do now?"

"I want to explore the Castle with you and Emma and Robin. Can we do that now? I promised Emma. Please?"

"Yes alright," she says, "let's do that."

Regina nodds. Together with Dr. Anderson she catches up with Emma and Robin.

"What's this room?" Emma asks, pointing at a closed door.

Regina shakes her head. "I don't remember."

"It's locked," Emma says, "are you sure you don't remember?"

"I'm sure. I didn't lock this one."

Emma opens the lock with her magic. She immediately feels the great feeling of using magic. She enters the room.

Regina slowly follows Emma into the room. She really didn't lock this one off. She doesn't know what to expect.

Around Emma are a lot of boxes. They are placed on shelves, what makes the place look like a library. On the front of the boxes are hearts that glow on the rhythm of a heartbeat.

Regina freezes when she hears the sound she remembers all too well.

Emma touches one of the boxes. It opens and in there lies a red, glowing heart. She lets out a small scream.

"Don't touch it, Emma." Regina just whispers.

Emma drops the box on the ground and breathes fast. "Why are there so many here?" she whispers.

"Cora collected them." Regina just whispers. She closes her eyes but all she hears now are the beating of the hearts. She wants to crush them. She feels the darkness almost taking over.

Emma picks up the heart she just dropped and holds it in her hand now. She carefully places it back on its shelf. She walks on, while Robin grabs Regina's arm. He spotted the darkness in her eyes, the darkness he has seen before. "You have to get out of here," Robin says.

"Yes. Yes, I do." Regina whispers. She quickly steps out of the room and waits for Emma to be done as well. She leans against the wall and takes a couple of deep breaths. She looks up at Robin, the darkness completely gone now. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...".

"Don't worry about it," Robin says, "just... Stay out of there." He smiles and squeezes her hand a little.

Regina nodds and smiles back. Her little talk with dr. Anderson did actually really good. She holds Robin's hand and waits for Emma to come out of the room as well.

"I'm sorry mom, I didn't know..." Emma says when she comes out. "I- I was just curious."

Regina softly smiles. "That's alright, sweetheart. You have the right to be curious. What do you say we explore the Castle a bit more?"

"Yeah," Emma says and she follows her mother. Dr. Anderson smiles at Regina, knowing she did something very good.

"What are you smiling at?" Regina asks dr. Anderson, with a soft smile of her own on her face.

"What you did was really good," dr. Anderson says, her smile doesn't fade, "it was good to go out with Robin and take some deep breaths."

Regina nodds. "I don't want to be The Evil Queen again." she whispers, following Robin and Emma.

Dr. Anderson nods and walks behind them. Not wanting to interrupt more time they spend with the three of them.

Regina just follows Emma throughout the Castle.

After a while Emma stops and turns around. "Are there any more rooms left? Any special places?"

"There is... There is one room. In the dungeons. A... A sacred place." Regina whispers.

Emma looks at her mom. Little twinkles float in her eyes. "Can I see it?"

Regina looks at Robin. She hesitates. She hasn't been there herself since... well, since she killed him. "I.. I guess so." she whispers.

Robin nods and takes her hand in his. "It will be good for her to see it," he whispers to Regina, "and maybe good for you too."

"I'm not going. You both can go, but I'm not." Regina whispers. She leads them to the place, deep down in the dungeons underneath the Castle.

"Why aren't you coming mom?" Emma asks, but the look in Robin's eyes tell her not to ask it and she walks inside with him.

Regina waits patiently outside of the door that leads to the place where she keeps her father's coffin.

Robin and Emma stay in there for a while. When they come out Emma looks at her mother with tears in her eyes.

Regina lowers down so she's at Emma's height. "Are you alright, sweetheart?" she asks softly.

Emma nods, her lips pressed together. "It's a beautiful place for him," Emma whispers and she looks away, out if the window.

"Really? You really think so?"

"Yes," Emma says, "I really think so. It looks like you loved him very much." She smiles a little.

"I did. I loved my father very, very much. He was the only one who believed in me back then, even when I was The Evil Queen." Regina whispers softly. She looks at the door that is still a little bit open.

Emma follows Regina's gaze to the door and pulls a little on her mother's arm, so they move an inch towards the door.

"I... I can't. I haven't been in there since... Well, since... Since then."

"Why is that a reason not to go in?" Emma says, "are you afraid?"

"No. I guess I'm not." Regina slowly walks towards the door and opens it.

"You see," Emma says, "beautiful, isn't it?"

Regina just nodds. She, very slowly, walks inside of her father's resting place. She softly strokes the coffin she chose herself so many years ago.

Emma remains silent.

A tear escapes Regina's eye and before she knows it she's crying like a little girl. "Daddy." she whispers. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."

Emma slowly walks to her mother and strokes her back, just like her mom does when she is crying. Robin comes in too.

"I'm so sorry." Regina whispers again, before her knees can't hold her any longer. She sinks down to the ground, but keeps her hand on her father's coffin.

Robin leads Emma out of the room, telling her Regina needs some time alone. He himself enters the room again and looks at Regina.

"I'm so sorry, Daddy. I'm so sorry. I didn't see another way out of this life." Regina softly cries now.

Robin now sits down besides Regina and holds her close.

After a long period of time Regina sighs deep and crawls against Robin.

Robin softly strokes her hair, not interrupting their silence

"Emma is waiting for us." Regina whispers after a couple of minutes.

"She is," Robin says and he helps Regina up. He looks into her eyes and wipes away her tears. "You're alright again?"

"I think I am." Regina whispers. She leans against Robin when they walk out of the room, back to Emma and dr. Anderson.

Emma looks a bit frightened and her eyes show tears again. "I'm sorry," she says to her mom and she hopes her mother can hear it. Robin holds his arm around her.

Regina lowers to Emma's height again and takes her into her arms. "You have nothing to apologize for, sweetheart. You asked if you could see this room and I allowed that. So no apologizing, do you hear me?" Regina softly strokes Emma's hair and lets her go after quite some time.

"Yes, but I pulled you in," Emma says.

Regina suddenly giggles. "You didn't pull me in, sweetie. I decided to go in. You just gave me a little push... The one I needed. Thank you, Emma." Regina whispers in Emma's ear.

Emma now wraps her arms around her mother's neck and smiles when her mother makes it sound like a secret between only them. She hugs her and then lets go.

Regina winks at Emma before she gets up. "Did you see all of the Castle now, sweetheart?" Regina smiles, knowing that Emma didn't see everything just yet.

"I don't think so," Emma says, "but I think I've seen the most important and the best places."

"But did you see the most beautiful spot as well?" Regina softly asks, winking at Robin.

"If I see you two, I don't think so," Emma says, looking from Regina to Robin. Robin grins.

Regina winks again and takes Emma, followed by Robin and Dr. Anderson, to the gardens of her Castle. She smiles when she looks at her apple tree.

"Well, I have seen a glimpse of this before, but... wauw... this is big and beautiful," Emma says while they walk through the gardens. "Every time I came and come here, these gardens seem bigger than I remembered them." Robin says. He looks at Regina's apple tree. "After all those years," he adds, "it's still blooming. Kind of a miracle I think."

"It's the strongest apple tree. It can overcome any storm." Regina softly smiles.

"Can I climb it?" Emma asks.

"Sure you can. Just don't break any branches." Regina laughs.

"I hope I won't," Emma says and she sets her foot on the first branch. It doesn't take long to reach the highest branches and she look down at her mom. She feels the wind through her hair and for the second time here she feel truly free. She wishes she could stay here forever, live here with her mom and Robin.

Regina smiles and leans against Robin. "I like this. Can't we stay here, get Snow here as well?"

"You want that?" Robin asks a bit stunned, but not surprised, "I would love that."

"You would?" Regina asks, equally surprised.

"Yeah," Robin says with a smile, "this has been my home from the start and it feels good to be back."

Regina smiles brightly. "Let's do that. Please? Emma can take classes in the village where Snow when as well. What do you think?"

"It sounds like a great plan to me," Robin says, "You know... I wanted that from the moment I got here, but I didn't dare to mention it." He grins.

Regina smiles back. "Emma? Can you come down, please? We need to ask you something."

"Alright," Emma shouts from the top of the tree, "unless it's something bad, then I'll stay." She starts to climb down.

"I hope it's nothing bad." Regina giggles nervously. She looks at Emma when her youngest daughter lands safely back on the ground. "What would you say if we wouldn't go back to Storybrooke?" she then asks with a soft voice.

"Stay here?" Emma asks, "live here?"

Regina slowly nodds. She doesn't dare to look up at Emma, afraid of being rejected.

"Yes," Emma says looking at her mom.

"Yes? Yes, what?" Regina looks at Emma now. "Yes?" she repeats.

"Yes I want to stay here," Emma says.

"You do? Why?" Regina asks. She couldn't be more surprised.

Emma shrugs. "I don't know..." she says, "I like it here."

Regina smiles brightly now. "Me too!" she laughs.

Emma laughs and she immediately sees her choice was worth it. "But can I have my stuff from home?" Emma asks, "my books and clothes. And I want to say goodbye to Elsa, can we do that?"

"Of course we can, sweetheart. We need to go back to get Snow as well. Maybe some of the other people in Storybrooke want to come back here? We need to ask them that, don't we?" Regina smiles, getting excited now. She looks at dr. Anderson. "Do you want to stay? As well?" Regina looks down again. She knows this isn't an easy question for dr. Anderson to answer.

"Me?" dr. Anderson says. She looks at the woods. "Well... I don't know if I can live here," she says, "I have to think about that."

Regina nodds. "I understand. I also understand if you want to go back to Boston, to the facility and to your work. You're very good at it."

Dr. Anderson smiles shyly. "I'll think about it, thank you."

Regina nodds and smiles softly. "What do you want to do now? I think dinner is almost ready. I asked the chef to make us something nice."

"Sounds good," Robin says and they walk back to the castle. "Is there a school out here?" Emma asks her mother while they walk home.

Regina nodds. "There is. There is a small school at one of the villages nearby. The one... The one where your mother used to go after Leopold... after Leopold was gone."

Emma smiles, "Did she like it there?" She looks at her mother to look if she is okay.

Regina nodds again. She softly smiles. "She did. She was happy there."

"I hope I'll be too," Emma says a bit insecure now, "do you think they will like a future-girl?"

"You're not a future-girl." Regina giggles. "You know as much from The Enchanted Forest as the people who still live here." Regina winks.

"Yes, but I'm sure they don't know about mobile phones, computers and movies."

"I guess they don't. I don't think things like that will work here. Is that a problem for you?" Regina wants to know.

"No," Emma says, "not at all, but what if they think I'm crazy or something, talking about such things."

Regina smiles again. "They won't think you're crazy. I promise. I think they know about the existence of those things. Remember I helped a bunch of people get back to The Enchanted Forest after The Dark Curse was broken."

"Yes you're right, you're absolutely right," Emma says, "I'm very excited to go. You really mean it, don't you? We are really staying."

Regina nodds again. "I really mean it. We go back to Storybrooke one last time. I bring all of our things, the things we want to bring with us, through a portal to the Castle and we'll have a town meeting. The last portal I'll open will require a lot of strength, especially when a lot of people want to come with us, but it's worth it, isn't it?" Regina smiles.

"Yes yes," Emma says, she gets exited now, "and I can help you open it," she adds.

Regina nodds. "You can, but you won't. I can do this on my own, Emma. I don't like it when you use magic when it's not completely necessary."

"I don't want you to use all your strength and collapse if it's not necessary," Emma says back.

Regina smiles softly. "Just like her mother." she whispers in front of her. "We'll do it together then. Alright?"

"Yes," Emma says and she grins.

Regina smiles. The four of them walk into the Great Dining Hall. Regina giggles when she realises they are underdressed for the meal that's in front of them on the large table.

"Wow," dr. Anderson and Emma say at the same time, when they enter the room. They really didn't expect this.

Regina giggles again. She looks at Robin.

Robin raises his eyebrows and grins, "you call this 'something nice'" he laughs.

"I guess the chef still sees me as The Evil Queen." Regina whispers, with a wink towards Emma.

"This is amazing," Emma giggles. They sit down and start with a delicious soup.

"Do you like it?" Regina asks softly, to both Emma and dr. Anderson.

"I love it," dr. Anderson says with a smile. "Me too," Emma says. She already feels guilty, so many food...

"It's delicious and above all... It's healthy." Regina winks at Emma.

Emma sighs and decides not to argue. She places some food on her plate.

"It really is healthy, Emma. I promise. When I... When I was The Evil Queen, I made the chef cook with healthy products only."

"I know, but they can still make me fat..." she whispers, looking down at her food.

"They won't make you fat. They will keep you healthy, Emma."

"Alright," Emma snaps and she puts some vegetables into her mouth.

Regina startles and looks down. She eats the rest of her plate in silence, not daring to disturb the conversation.

Emma eats up her whole plate of food and when she is finished, she dares to speak to her mom. "I ate all of it," she says softly.

"I like that very much, Emma." Regina whispers softly. "I won't stop worrying if you don't eat healthy."

Emma smiles, feeling happy that her mother likes it.

Regina smiles back. When diner is finished, she suggests for everyone to go to sleep, so tomorrow they can go back to Storybrooke and gather everyone.

They all agree and walk to their rooms

Regina lies closely against Robin. "Do you thinks she's happy?" she asks him softly.

"I think she is," Robin says, "I think she likes the idea of a something completely new. She is adventurous, just like you." He smiles, "and I think she is unhappy in Storybrooke, even now she has a friend."

Regina nodds. "I think so too." she softly smiles.

"Sleep well," Robin whispers, taking Regina in his arms.

"I love you." Regina mumbles softly, before she falls asleep. The next morning she wakes up with a big smile on her face.

Robin is still asleep and wakes up when Regina moves. "good morning," he says with a smile.

"Good morning." Regina smiles. She looks up at him, shy all of a sudden. "Is it really going to be like this every day? Waking up in your arms with the sound of The Enchanted Forest in the background?"

"I guess it is going to be like this," Robin says with a smile and he gives Regina a small kiss on her cheek. "I'm looking forward to it."

"Me too." Regina smiles. "Leopold is still in the dungeon, right?"

"He is," Robin says, "I asked dr. Anderson to check on him and she said he was there."

Regina nodds and gets out of bed. She puts on one of her most comfortable dresses and smiles at Robin. "Do you want to join me to find magic beans in one of the rooms in the dungeons? I know I have some lying there."

"Of course," Robin says. He takes her hand in his and walks with her to the dungeons.

Regina smiles. The both of them start to look for the beans in a room which is filled with magical things.

"All these things..." Robin says, "what can you do with all these stuff." He laughs and looks in every box for the beans.

"A lot of dangerous, dangerous things, Robin. They are all from my time as The Evil Queen. I... I miss some of these things though." Regina whispers those last words.

"You miss them?" Robin says, "like... you miss using them?"

Regina shakes her head. "I miss my power. I wasn't afraid of anyone. Everyone was afraid of me." She looks down now. "I miss not being afraid."

Robin smiles and takes Regina in his arms, "that's about to change," Robin whispers, "when we move here, we can have a peaceful life, one in which you don't have to be afraid." He kisses her on her cheek, "do you believe that?"

Regina thinks about those words for a little while but then slowly nodds. "I believe that. I want to believe that. I don't care about being Queen anymore. I don't know what the people of The Enchanted Forest want, but for all I care we have an election, like it's supposed to be. Not because I married The King in the past." Regina looks up at Robin, uncertain.

"Yes," Robin says, "an election sounds like the best plan indeed."

Regina smiles. "I think so too. Let's go wake dr. Anderson and Emma and make arrangements for the trip back." She smiles when she holds up a couple of magic beans.

"Good," Robin smiles and they walk upstairs.

Regina wakes up Emma. "Hi dear. Did you have a good night's sleep?"

"I did," Emma says, yawning

Regina smiles. "Look at what we've found." She opens her hand and shows the magic beans.

"You had those here?" Emma says, immediately awake. She sits up straight.

"Apparently. I knew I must have something in my dungeon to travel through portals and I'm happy I found them. I didn't know for sure they were still here. Aren't you happy?"

"I'm extremely happy, mom," Emma says, "I just can't believe it! I'm so happy we don't have to make deals for them."

Regina smiles brightly. "Me too. I'm really, really happy. I will protect them with my life. Now... What do you say? A last time trip to Storybrooke and then... live happily ever after in here? In The Enchanted Forest?" Regina looks up at Emma, uncertainty in her eyes.

"I'm in," Emma says. She throws her arms around her mother's neck and hugs her.

Regina holds her daughter close for a while. She smiles when she lets her go. "Go get dressed. I'll tell dr. Anderson." Regina winks at Emma and then leaves her room and walks over to dr. Anderson.

Dr. Anderson has taken a shower already. She just dressed herself when Regina comes in. "Good morning."

"Good morning. Did you have a good night's sleep?" Regina asks with a soft voice.

"Yes, I slept well, what about you?" Dr. Anderson says.

"Me too." Regina smiles. She shows the magic beans to dr. Anderson now as well. "We can go back to Storybrooke with one of these." she explains.

"Great," dr. Anderson says, "how did you get those?"

"We found them in a room in my dungeon where I kept all of my magical things. I didn't know for sure I still had them, but apparently... I do."

"Well that's a good surprise then," dr. Anderson says and she takes one in her hand. "They are heavier than I thought," she says. She feels the weight of the magic in her hand, it feels weird.

"That's because they are magical beans." Regina winks, taking back the one in dr. Anderson's hand. "It's dangerous if you don't know what you're doing." she winks again.

"Sorry," dr. Anderson grins. "It's not safe in my hands then."

Regina giggles. "It's actually not." She smiles brightly. "We want to go back to Storybrooke. To gather our things and ask Snow White if she wants to come live with us here in The Enchanted Forest. Do you want to come with us?"

"Yes please," dr. Anderson says, still not sure if she wants to move to this new realm.

Regina smiles. She and dr. Anderson walk to Emma and Robin. "When do we leave?" Regina giggles.

"We can go now," Robin says, "Emma and I already packed our things, how about you two?"

"I don't need anything. It won't be a long trip, will it?"

"I have my things ready," dr. Anderson says, "let's go."

Regina nodds. "Yes, let's go." She throws one of the magical beans on the ground and a portal appears.

They all jump in and land in Storybrooke, in Regina's house to be exact.

Regina looks around and smiles when she sees everyone landed safely.

Emma takes a deep breath, and dr. Anderson and Robin are a bit dizzy.

"It's normal if you feel a little bit dizzy." Regina softly explains.

"We're alright," Robin grins.

Regina smiles again. "What's next? What do we do now?"

"Your plan, your way," Robin says, "what do you want to do now?" He smiles and kisses her on her lips. Emma giggles from behind.

"I... I don't know. Talk to Snow?" Regina suggests.

"Yeah, let's see if she's home," Robin says. "You want us to come?"

Regina shakes her head. "Maybe it's better if I do this alone. Why don't you gather all the people of Storybrooke into the Town Hall? I will talk to them after my talk with Snow White." Regina smiles and walks over to Snow's home. She knocks on the door.

An old lady opens the door and looks at Regina. "Hello," she says leaning with her hand on her walking stick, "can I help you?"