Realm of Shadows

Summary: As Emma repays the favour owed to Mr. Gold it becomes the key to unlocking many things in Storybrooke.

Pairings:Emma/Regina

Disclaimers: I do not own OUaT or any of its characters. I do, however, like to take them out of their boxes and play with them.

A/N: It's been awhile since I've written fan fiction, so any comments that help me become a better writer are always welcomed.

Thanks, as always, to Pesterfield, my grammar guru who catches my errors.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The warm morning sun filtered through Emma's window blinds, waking the blonde from a night of deep slumber. She gently stretched, careful of her wounded shoulder's limitations. The smell of coffee was too much of a temptation to resist, so she rose and began her typical morning routine. She managed to pee, wash her hands, brush her teeth and get almost completely dressed just using her good arm; but brushing her hair, zipping her tight jeans, and pulling on her boots proved to be too much for the blonde. She had lain on the bed, trying in vain to pull the zipper closed; frustrated she let out a growl and knocked her boots to the hardwood floor.

"Emma?" Regina had quickly raced to the Sheriff's bedroom when she heard the thud echo through the house. She looked at the blonde as she lay on the bed with her pants undone. "Sheriff, what do you think you're doing?"

Emma tried again at the zipper. "What…" She panted. "…does it look like I'm doing? I need to get dressed and get going."

Regina's brow furrowed in confusion; though she had to admit that she rather enjoyed her current view of the blonde. "Your physical therapy isn't until tomorrow morning and you have to get more rest today; there's no sense in getting dressed now."

Emma gave up on her zipper and sat up, swinging her legs down over the side of the bed. "Actually, I plan to go to work today; would you mind helping me with my hair and boots?"

Regina smirked. "So, you really think it'd be best to run around with your pants undone?" Her tone turned serious. "Emma, Doctor Whale hasn't cleared you to return to your duties; the best thing you can do is rest and get better."

"I'll go stir crazy, Regina; you've got to let me go to the station today." Emma pleaded to the brunette.

Regina thought of a compromise she hoped Emma would agree to. "School's out early today at one o'clock for some sort of teacher enrichment training they have to do. How about I take Henry to school, then I'll drop by the Sheriff's Office and pick up some open case files? I can bring them back to you before heading off to work. I'll pick Henry up after school and we'll both come home for the rest of the day. Sound fair?" She waited for the blonde to consider the idea.

"Fine." Emma capitulated. "But can you please help me brush my hair? I don't want to feel like a total scrounge."

Regina found the abandoned hairbrush on the bathroom sink and returned to the bedroom. "Ok, sit on the chair by the desk and I'll see what I can do." Emma sat as she was directed and faced the mirror on the desk. Within moments she felt the brush gently sweeping through her unruly locks; an occasional knot was tended to quickly by Regina's fingers. Once the brunette was satisfied with the job she tugged at Emma's scalp and expertly braided her blonde locks into a long woven ponytail. "Wow, I haven't had anyone french-braid my hair since I was a seven." She admired the woven tresses, softly touching the top of her head. "That looks amazing, thank you."

Regina gently put her chin on the blonde's head and looked at her in the mirror. "You're welcome, my dear. I once considered growing Henry's hair long, just so I could braid it in all the ways I could think of." She laughed. "Speaking of which…" She pulled away from the sitting woman. "…I need to make sure Henry's ready for school. I'll be back soon with your paperwork; there's coffee and croissants in the kitchen if you want some."

Emma studied the brunette as Regina left her room and stood at the bottom of the marble staircase. "Henry, it's time for breakfast."

The Sheriff's stomach rumbled. "Ok, I get it, time for breakfast." She abandoned her tight jeans and opted for a pair of relaxed fit ones that she zipped up with one hand. Her sock covered feet padded to the kitchen and joined her son and Regina at the breakfast nook. The brunette handed her a cup of coffee and an empty plate before bringing over the basket of warmed croissants. "They're best when warm, so help yourself." She offered them to Emma, who took two and passed the basket on to Henry.

Emma nibbled on the warm, buttery roll and moaned. "Wow, where did you get these? They are amazing."

Henry chimed in as he nodded in agreement. "My mom makes the best croissants; better than any of the town bakeries."

"Thank you both." Regina downplayed their praise. "It really is no big deal; Henry, finish up so we can leave." She stood and drained her coffee into the sink before rinsing the cup out and setting it on the counter. "Emma, do you need anything else while I'm out?"

Emma waved the roll. "Between all of this..." She gestured around. "…what more could I need?"

The Sheriff's morning went quickly between working on the cases that Regina had brought her, and cat-napping when she was tired. She realized that the Mayor was right; she wasn't ready to return to her official duties. So I'll do what I can from home. She realized what she had just called the Mayor's house. Well, home…for now. She glanced at the clock. 12:30, I have time for a quick nap before they get back home.

She smelled the aroma from the barbeque and went to explore outside. She was taken aback at the scene before her; brightly colored table settings in shades of turquoise, fuchsia and orange graced the cloth covered picnic table. Henry was wearing a bathing suit and running through the sprinkler; his laughter filled the air as he ran back into the stream of water. She found the brunette in the backyard, drinking a glass of wine as she barbequed the steaks. "Hope you're hungry, Emma; we bought enough food to feed an army. Henry convinced me that it was such a nice day, so we are having our "last day of summer party."

"Um, isn't a bit late for that?" Emma slowly indicated the autumn leaves that were already dropping off of the trees in the backyard. She watched Henry again. "God, that's gotta be cold."

"It's a tradition we started over five years ago; we pick a nice fall day and call it the last day of summer." Regina turned the steaks, causing the barbeque to hiss and smoke. "And I ran the hose from the garage tap, so it's pretty warm water. I think that's why he's staying in; the air is colder than the sprinkler. Would you like some lemonade?"

Emma accepted the sweet drink from Regina and sipped out of the fuchsia plastic tumbler. She relaxed as she watched Henry showing off for her; he did cartwheels, somersaults, and just acted silly when he saw he could get her to laugh at his antics. Out of instinct she checked for signs of physical abuse on his seldom seen torso and legs, but found none. You're a lucky boy. She though of her own body that still bore scars from a childhood spent in the foster care system. Add a new scar to that, Emma. She gently rubbed her bum shoulder.

Regina sat down next to the blonde, her arm pressed gently against Emma's. "Henry." She called. "It's time to dry off and eat." The boy ran to the brunette and took the towel from her hand.

"Did you see me do a cartwheel?" He beamed at the two women.

Emma just laughed. "Yeah, it was better than I could do."

Regina smiled at her son. "Even I was impressed with your gymnastic prowess, Henry." He grinned again and, wrapped in a fluffy towel, ran to the warm house. Soon, the steady stream of water shooting from the sprinkler turned to a dribble and then finally stopped. Regina slid her arm around Emma's back, letting it rest on the table behind them. "How are you feeling this afternoon?" She noticed the dark circles under the pale woman's eyes.

"Tired." Emma admitted as she leaned comfortably into the Mayor's embrace. "I don't think I'll be ready to go to work this week."

Regina tightened her hold on the woman. "Nobody expects you to; I have a meeting tomorrow so Rose will come by and take you to physical therapy. Listen to your body, Emma, you'll know when you're ready." She jumped up, remembering the steaks on the grill.

Henry had returned, now dried off and dressed for the cool evening. The three of them sat at the picnic table and ate their steaks, potato salad and chips in companionable silence. Regina had watched Emma struggle to cut her steak, so she cut her own up and swapped plates with the blonde. Emma gave her a grateful smile and thanked her.

The next morning brought cooler temperatures and a steady drumming of rain on the rooftop. Once again, the smell of coffee roused the sleeping blonde into consciousness. She opted for another loose pair of jeans, coupled with a tank top and a sweatshirt for warmth. Regina and Henry had already left for the day, but the Mayor had written a note and placed it next to the coffee maker.

Emma,

Sorry we had to leave earlier than usual today. There are muffins for you in the small wicker basket and I brewed a new pot of coffee right before I left. Good luck at p.t. today. I'll see you tonight, but feel free to call me if you need anything. The key is under the back porch mat.

Regina.

Emma sighed, wishing she had the chance to see the Mayor before she left for the office. She poured herself a cup of coffee and nibbled on a muffin while she read the daily town paper. The Sheriff flipped to the crime log and shook her head fondly. Nothing to report; no surprise there, it's Storybrooke after all. She checked the clock and decided she had time to eat one more muffin and read the rest of the thin paper before Rose would arrive to pick her up for physical therapy. She had neared the last page when she saw the small black and white picture captioned 'Regina Mills, Storybrooke Town Mayor'. She studied the portrait, running her finger over the picture of the brunette. In the photo the Mayor's face, and especially her eyes, seemed hardened; her mouth curved into a mirthless smile. Wow, she doesn't even look like the same person anymore.

Emma rinsed her cup and put it in the sink as she saw Rose's car pull into the driveway. She grabbed the navy sweatshirt and slung it over her good shoulder and then closed the door on her way out. "Morning Rose, thanks for driving me to the hospital today."

The healer smiled at the blonde. "Anytime, hon. I have a few errands to run today, so I'll drop you off and you just call me when you are ready to be picked back up."

Emma walked into the hospital and down the hallway to the Physical Therapy department. "Hey Emma, I'm ready for you to come back." Peggy the therapist waved to Emma from inside the therapy room.

Emma sat on the massage table as Peggy rolled up on a stool with her clipboard. "Alright…" The perky woman checked the Doctor's orders. "How's your shoulder doing?"

Emma shrugged. "It hurts a lot, especially at night. Regina has been putting the ointment on, which helps, but it's still really sore."

Peggy looked at the wound and winced; she could tell from experience that the large gashes were healing well, but they still looked angry and painful. "Yowch, that must have been one huge bear."

Emma grimaced. "Yeah, it was a real beast." That's one way to tell the truth.

Peggy clicked her pen and started making notes on her paper. "Well let's see what you can and can't do; then I'll come up with a treatment plan for you. We'll do a bit of it today, as well as some ultrasound to help the scar tissue to break up, and an ice massage. I'll send you home with a list of exercises that you need to do twice a day on your non-appointment days. Okay, let's start with range of motion measurements."

The therapist stood and had Emma move her shoulder in different directions; each time, she took a metal instrument that had two long, straight metal arms. "This is called a Goniometer; I'll use it to measure the degree of your range of motion." She showed Emma the tool. "I only want you to move your arm as far as you can without pain; if it hurts, stop." Emma felt a deep ache in her shoulder once they finished the measurements. "Okay, let's move onto weight bearing ability." Once again, Emma was put through a series of tests, each one carefully measured and the results marked on her chart. She was surprised to find that after just twenty minutes her shoulder was pounding and she was exhausted.

'Now for the nice part of the therapy." Peggy rolled over a portable ultrasound machine and a tube of lubricant. "I want you to just sit comfortably; this will take about fifteen minutes each visit." She rubbed the lube on Emma's shoulder, carefully avoiding the healing wound. "This gel will let the ultrasound vibrations work deeply into your muscles." She explained as she turned on the machine, set the frequencies and began to make small, continuous circles with the head of the wand.

"Oh, it's warm." Emma relaxed and felt the heat gently penetrate her muscles. "I think we should just do this for the whole time."

Peggy laughed. "Yeah, yeah everybody loves this part. Unfortunately it's going to take work to get your strength and range of motion back to where it was before your injury. But I promise if you work hard, then this will be your reward."

Emma groaned when Peggy turned off the ultrasound machine and rolled it back against the wall. The therapist returned with a large flexible ice pack and laid it on Emma's shoulder, covering the entire joint. "This will help get the inflammation out of the tissue. Did the doctor prescribe you something for pain and swelling?"

"Dang that's freezing!" Emma jerked when the coldness hit her arm. "Yeah he did, but it gave me funky dreams, so I stopped taking it. Now I just take some ibuprofen."

"Well, that'll help with both the pain and the swelling. You should try to ice your shoulder for twenty minutes, twice a day, if you aren't already doing that."

"Alright." Emma agreed. "I can start that tonight." The ice finally numbed Emma's shoulder and she sat like that for fifteen minutes while the therapist puttered in the room.

"Good deal." Peggy made notes on the clipboard. "We're done for the day. Just see Adam before you leave and tell him you need to set up three appointments a week for five weeks. At the end of that, I'll reevaluate you." She handed some papers to Emma. "Here are some basic exercises you will be doing. Just hold onto these sheets and don't start them yet. Let your shoulder rest tonight and remember to ice it sometime this evening."

Emma took the sheets. "Thanks, Peggy. I'll see you in a couple days." She made her future appointments and called Rose for a ride back home. The healer pulled up to the curb five minutes later as Emma was leaving the therapy office.

"If you don't have other plans, Emma, I'd like to make you lunch." Rose offered.

"You don't have to do that, Rose." The blonde was still uncomfortable letting people do nice things for her.

"I know I don't, but I want to; plus I need to make you more ointment to take to Regina. She mentioned she was running low."

Emma accepted and they drove to the healer's shop. She followed Rose to the back of the building and entered Rose's living quarters. "Would you like a pastrami sandwich or a grilled cheese?" Rose asked as she went to the fridge.

"You seriously have real pastrami?" Emma could feel her taste buds dancing at the thought.

"Yep, mustard and pickle okay on it?" Rose pulled out the meat and heated it on a plate in the microwave.

"Perfect." Emma watched as the healer made the sandwiches. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Yes, just eat." She brought the sandwiches, chips and sodas to the table.

Emma nearly moaned when she took the first bite of the sandwich. She chewed and swallowed before talking. "I haven't had pastrami since I left Boston; this is truly a masterpiece, Rose."

The healer just smiled. "So how did therapy go?"

"Good, I think. I'm tired, but that's usually the case for me." They made small talk as they finished their lunches.

"Sheriff, I need to mix up that ointment, care to join me in my shop?"

Emma followed her and sat at the small wooden table in the store. She had never spent much time in the shop and was amazed at all the different herbs and tonics that Rose had for sale. "Rose?"

"Hmmm?" The healer answered, focused on measuring the ingredients for the medicine.

"How long have you known Regina?"

The question surprised the healer. "Since she was a little girl."

"Are you originally from around here then?"

"That's a tricky question, Emma."

The blonde cocked her head. It's a yes or no question actually. But inquisitiveness got the better of her and she asked. "What do you mean?"

Rose finished making the medicine and scooped the gel into a clean metal tin. She closed the lid and brought it over to the table in front of Emma. "Tell her this should last another three weeks." She sat down across from Emma and paused, considering how to best answer the Sheriff's question. "I mean that I don't really know. I've always kept a daily journal; it's silly I know, I mean who'd want to read the ramblings of an herbal healer, right? Anyways, I found four books that I have no memory of writing, but they're in my handwriting and the sketches are my artwork. I recorded my life then, or rather there, quite extensively. Regina featured prominently in quite a few of my days; the story I told you in the hospital about her falling into stinging nettle, do you remember that?"

Emma nodded, remembering the tale quite well.

"Well, that was from one of the old journals. The memories I have of her before the past twenty-eight years are from reading the stories of my life from before… I know that probably doesn't make much sense, but it really is the best explanation I can give you. You're welcome to read them if you'd like; take them home for a couple days and see what you think. If nothing else, I know it will give you a much better understanding of how Regina came to be the person she is. She wasn't always so…." She paused, looking for the right word.

"Bitchy?" Emma provided the adjective.

Rose laughed. "I was thinking more along the lines of...dark."

"Yeah, dark works too." Her curiosity was peeked. "I'd like to read your journals if you don't mind sharing. I have plenty of free time on my hands and I think it would be really interesting to find out more about Regina, and about you."

Rose walked behind the counter again and brought out the four thick volumes. "I best carry these for you, with your arm hurt and all, they're pretty heavy. Apparently I had a lot to say." She chuckled.

She drove the Sheriff home and carried the books into Emma's bedroom. "Just let me know when you're done; oh, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I don't know how much more I can tell you than what you'll read, but I'll do the best I can."

As soon as the healer left the house, Emma opened the first book and began to read.

21 Frigus 14th year of the reign of King Leon

Today is my 18th birthday and my mother gave me this book and encouraged me to write my thoughts down everyday. I hope to honor her by doing so diligently. Father brought home three hens for my birthday meal. We ate well tonight, though little Amber just nibbled at the food. She's only seven and the youngest of us children. She seems frailer than the rest of us, but mother assures me she will be fine. ~Rose

17th Aestus 1st year of the reign of King Leopold

Our country is in mourning today as we bury our beloved King Leon. His son Leopold ascended to the throne once his father was laid to rest in the Royal crypt. The summer heat is difficult this year for me, perhaps because of my pregnancy it seems worse than usual.

Emma skimmed the first few years of Rose's diary, but then decided to skip ahead for entries that mentioned Regina. She found the first one and slowly read it.

09 Autumnus 3rd year of the reign of King Leopold

I've heard that Henry and Cora Mills have a new daughter. They named her Regina Marie, after Cora's favorite Aunt. Unfortunately, since Cora and I have fallen out of grace with each other, news about her only comes to me through women's gossip. I plan to send the baby a gift, maybe some medicines that will help her to be strong and well. I know Cora would prefer to just cast a spell and be done with it, but all magic comes with a price and her baby shouldn't have to pay for it.

17 Autumnus 3rd year of the reign of King Leopold

Gave Henry Mills some tonics and ointments for his daughter, Regina. He was grateful and promised to bring her over as soon as she was old enough to travel the short distance to my home. Of course, he would have to do it when Cora wasn't around or she would forbid him. My little Daniel is teething; he seems to like to chew on the cloth that I dip in chamomile tea. It keeps him from crying for a bit, which saves my sanity.

30 Autumnus 3rd year of the reign of King Leopold

Went to town square today for the farmer's market; picked up some nice squash for mealtime. Saw the Mills baby today, she is absolutely beautiful. Dark brown eyes, wavy dark hair and chubby little fingers. Seems like a happy baby.

Emma read each passage that recorded Regina's first years; Rose didn't get to see the young girl very often, but around the time Regina turned six, the healer's journals had many more stories about the Mayor. Emma read them all, though a few stuck out in her mind.

05 Frigus 9th year of the reign of King Leopold

Henry Mills brought his daughter, Regina to me for a treatment today; they both deny it, but my experience tells me that the girl has been whipped with a cat-tail whip. The cuts on her back are not very deep, but there are patterns that make me think she was flogged at least three or four times. I treated her and gave her father the ointment so he could continue to help her back to heal. May the Gods watch over this young girl, having a dark sorceress for a mother will make for a difficult journey.

24 Frigus 10th year of the reign of King Leopold

Henry Mills brought Regina by again, this time her wrist has been fractured. They both claim it was because she fell over a bale of hay. I set the bone and wrapped it for her best I could. He says that Cora forbids him to seek out a doctor, that she could fix it quite easily with a spell. I'm glad, for the child's sake, that he brought her to me instead. Magic, even a bit at a time, can change a person's soul…she's too sweet and innocent to deserve that.

The entries continued in Rose's distinct writing. Entry after entry, often three or four times in a month, listed the different injuries that Regina sustained as a child. A tear rolled down her face in empathy for the young Regina; a childhood spent in the foster system gave Emma a true understanding of what the brunette had endured. She heard the door open and quickly bookmarked the page and then set the journal on her dresser.

"Hey Emma!" Henry ran into her room.

"Henry, you need to knock before you barge in there." His mother's voice echoed in the marble foyer.

"It's okay, Regina." She called as she mussed Henry's hair. "I'm glad to see you both."

The Mayor appeared at her doorway; dressed in gray slacks and a black turtleneck which Emma couldn't help but find very sexy. "You look really nice, Regina. How was your day?"

The brunette graced her with a smile that made Emma's heart flutter. "Not bad, why don't you come join me in the kitchen and I'll tell you while I make supper." She turned her attention to her son. "Henry, you can join us once you finish your homework."

He hopped down off of the bed and grasped his backpack. "Alright, I'll be there soon."

Emma trailed behind the Mayor as they walked to the kitchen. She couldn't help but wonder if Regina's body still bore the scars of her earlier life.