Blue Eyed Bandit

A/n: I sit here 11 hours after having all four of my wisdom teeth removed attempting to write a chapter for you all. I'm not in pain but I'm bored out of my mind and sick of soup and oatmeal. Also, no one told me my breath would smell like death. That's TMI but hey. Hope your day was better than mine. Enjoy =)

Trigger Warnings for references to Domestic Violence and sexual abuse

Chapter 25

"You're completely sure about this Ms. Blanchard?"

A pale hand moved vigorously across the dotted line. She never lifted her hand from paper. Mary Margaret signed her name and initials on page after page. She pressed firmly and quickly. Making sure to read over every paragraph before continuing with the next sheet. She didn't even register what the woman across from her was asking. As she handed over the last piece of paper and her pen she took a deep breath. She had done a lot of good and a lot of bad in her life. She had made harder decisions than this in the past. Sitting in this office in front of a social worker made all this real. She was deciding on the future of an innocent little girl.

"I've never been so sure in my life." Mary Margaret nodded. "Emma deserves what is best for her."

Mary Margaret hoped that she was doing the right thing. In her heart, she knew that after signing these papers things would change forever. She could only hope that she wouldn't regret this. When she stepped into the office of child services she didn't know what to expect. She came here with a purpose but had changed her mind halfway through once she was sat in the waiting room. She remembered her first meeting with Emma just two weeks ago. She remembered the last few days where she was invited to spend Thanksgiving dinner with an incredible family.

It was amazing and it had opened her eyes. She convinced herself that she was doing this for Emma.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Mommy, can we have cookies now?" Emma begged. She held onto the edge of the counter so she could stand on the tip of her toes. She watched as Regina scraped each cookie off the cookie sheet and onto a more presentable plate. They were chocolate chip; Emma's favorite. Each cookie was rounded to perfection and they looked so soft and delectable. Blue eyes peeked up at Regina pleadingly.

"Emma, no, not until after dinner." Regina slipped off her oven mitts. She turned away from her child to avoid the puppy dog eyes and pout. She couldn't resist it. Emma sighed but never looked away from the cookies. Thanksgiving was a mere two days ago and she was becoming sick of apple pies and leftovers.

"Let the girl have a cookie." Zelena waved her hand. It was still the holiday weekend which meant a few extra days off work. She and John were enjoying their time in Storybrooke with Regina and Emma. Rory and Alexis had hit it off with Emma and they never wanted to leave. It was proving to be a great weekend. "If she gets a cavity it's not like you can't afford to pay the bill."

Without asking Regina, Zelena took a cookie and gave half to Emma. She took the other half and bit into it. She quickly spits it out at how hot they were. Emma giggled but never took a bite of her cookie. Regina tried to hide her amused look but failed.

"Momma says no." Emma laughed. "Maybe you should listen to her Big Red."

"Maybe you should listen to Momma, Big Red." Regina teased handing Zelena a napkin.

"Big Red huh?" Zelena questioned.

"Yeah, because you're big and you have red hair," Emma said as though it was obvious.

"You know your mom has a nickname too?" Zelena pointed out. "Back in middle school she got caught with Daniel Colter under the-"

"Okay, Emma, why don't you take a few cookies to Rory and Alexis I'm sure they would love to have some." Regina scraped a few cookies onto a napkin and shoved them into Emma's hand.

Emma simply shrugged and skipped out of the kitchen. She wasn't going to question her newfound cookie privileges.

"Aw, I hadn't even gotten to the best part." Zelena fake pouted.

"I refuse to allow you to fill my daughter's head up with horror stories from my teen years." Regina rolled her eyes. "Didn't you have enough of embarrassing me on Thanksgiving?"

"Speaking of Thanksgiving, are we going to address the giant elephant that was literally sitting across from me or are you going to keep avoiding the conversation?" Zelena came to stand next to her cousin. Regina stopped her cleaning and looked at Zelena.

"I think I'm doing quite well with avoiding the conversation." Regina simply said. She began to wipe down her counters each time stepping a little further away from her. Zelena was having none of it. She set a hand on top of Regina's forcing her to look.

"Why was she here? How is she here?" Zelena questioned. "Why in the world did she come back? Never mind that when were you going to tell me?"

Regina sighed. She really didn't want to be having this conversation right now.

"I honestly cannot tell you a specific reason." Regina folded her arms. She leaned against the counter to look down at her feet. "She was here for a while and she was an absolute bitch. Cora stormed into my office and acted like she owned the place. She was messy but cold. Her outfits were to die for might I add. I didn't like her but I saw myself."

Regina snorted. Which was a very un-Regina like thing. "Since I was five years old I wondered where I came from. The memories of her were few and fleeting. I grew without a mother. You were there. There was something inside of me that wished for a second she had stayed. "

"I was there for you," Zelena confirmed. "When you locked yourself in the bathroom when you got your first period and my mom had to come halfway across town to help. I was there when you got your first bra. First boyfriend. All the major milestones in your life Cora Mills had missed or skipped out on. Whatever. You were struggling with not having a mother."

Regina frowned. She remembered the longing every time she was around Zelena and her mother. She was envious of such a great relationship but her Aunt Sylvia stood in whenever she could.

"I don't want to see you hurt again if she decides to skip town." Zelena sympathized with Regina. She didn't know how it was to grow up without one of her parents. She didn't fully understand Regina's struggle with this.

"She came back and I'm thirty-two years old. I am established. Happy even." Regina explained. "I have a little girl of my own. I don't even know why she is here but I just want to find out? This is not like me at all but I owe it to younger Regina to settle things."

Zelena nodded. "I hope she knows I will run her over with my car if she ever crosses you."

"I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that." Regina chuckled. "You're the best you know that."

"It's what big cousins are for." Zelena pulled her cousin into a hug.

Regina gladly took the hug. She had many different emotions when it came to Cora. She just needed to figure them out.

"Mommy, there's someone knocking at the door," Emma yelled from the foyer. She stood with Rory and Alexis on the top step watching the door. Emma contently munched on a cookie while waiting for Regina to come.

"Emma, what did I say about yelling in the house?" Regina asked as she stepped into the foyer. She ruffled Rory's hair on the way to the door. "Who is it?"

Emma shrugged offering no help. She stuffed the last cookie into her mouth and waited.

"Who's there?" Regina called through the door.

Regina wondered for a second why this person hadn't used the doorbell but she thought nothing of it. There was no response and Regina arched a brow. This neighborhood didn't have many people that would approach Mayor Mills' door. She sincerely didn't know who was at the door.

Regina unlocked the latch and pulled the door open. She saw a backpack and long red hair peeking out of a brown hoodie and immediately knew who it was. At that time so did Emma.

"Addison?" Emma squealed. She was going to run and hug her sister but stopped when she noticed her demeanor. Said girl stopped in her tracks and turned to the people.

Regina noticed her face first and gasped. "Oh my god."

"Emma, why don't you let your mom talk to… Addison and we can go find the first aid kit." Zelena suggested.

Emma frowned but nodded. She could tell this was serious. Addison wasn't even happy to see her.

"Mommy, make her better," Emma whispered to Regina.

Regina nodded and ushered Emma towards Zelena. Zelena took Emma's hand and lead her into the house. She could busy them with a television show while she found a first aid kit.

"Addison?" Regina stepped forward. The young girl avoided eye contact with Regina. She shifted foot to foot. Once Regina was close enough she saw just how bad her injuries were. Addison was sporting a freshly busted lip and her eyes were red and fatigued from crying. There was a gash on her eyebrow and Regina could only assume that someone had nicked it with something. "Honey, can you tell me what happened?" Regina lifted her chin gently so that they could make eye contact.

"I-I didn't expect you to answer the door." She mumbled. A grimace crossed her face that she quickly tried to hide. "I didn't know where else to go. I couldn't call August. He would make me leave. I just needed time to-."

"Let's go inside." Regina could see how emotional she was getting. "I have cocoa and an ice pack."

Addison nodded. She followed Regina into the house. The tv blared from the living room. She felt guilty about not sharing the same enthusiasm with Emma. Maybe she could make it up to her later. Once they were in the bathroom Regina sat her down on the toilet.

"Are you ready to tell me what happened?" Regina asked. "How did you get here?"

"I walked." Addison shrugged defeated. "I just had to get away for a couple of hours."

"You walked." Regina crouched down. "That's over a half hour away on foot and the sunset two hours ago." She didn't like the idea of a thirteen-year-old walking alone at night.

"I know." Addison frowned. "My foster dad was really angry. He was yelling because I was late coming from the library. He thought I was lying. He accused me of being out with boys. I think he was drunk or something I don't know." She wrapped her arms around herself to feel more secure. "I argued back and he said that I shouldn't lie. Then he hit me twice. He smacked me and his ring cut my eyebrow. It didn't really hurt and then he punched me."

Regina balled her fist in anger unclenching them only to take Addison's hands in hers. She closed her eyes to calm down. She had half a mind to go over there and kick this man's ass herself. Right now, she had other things to tend to.

"You were the first place I could come." Addison kept her gaze on their joined hands.

"You can always come here." Regina reminded her. "I am so sorry that this happened to you."

"I am used to it," Addison revealed. "At least he doesn't touch me like the other guy. I mean other than this." She gestured weakly to her face.

Regina knew what Addison was referring to. Her mind flashed back to a few months in this very bathroom when Emma had been concerned about someone hurting her.

"This is not something you should be used to," Regina said. "This is not something anyone should be used to. I am going to call August in the morning but you are not going back to that house."

"They're the best foster home I've had in a while." Addison protested. "He's never been mean other than this. They don't pay much attention to me and there's food. You don't understand. Kids like me don't get adopted. This is as good as I'm going to get."

"Addison, can I tell you a story?" Regina sat against the tub. She had to figure out a way to get through to her. She wouldn't be able to reach August until morning with the holidays and places being closed. Addison seemed interested enough so she continued. "My second semester of college I met a man. My Economics professor, Leopold."

Addison sat a little taller.

"He was at least thirty years older than me but he was charming." Regina began. Many people didn't know this story as it was more than she was ever willing to share. "He would flirt, invite me to his office after class, he would even buy me extravagant gifts. Leopold was everything I had hoped for and more. I was young and in love."

Regina shook her head and looked over to Addison. "Love is a funny thing and sometimes people disguise their actions as love. His grand gestures and kisses turned to ridicule and bruising. I was going out with my best friend, Maleficent when he got angry the first time. He accused me of cheating. Which was absurd. Naturally, I argued back and he slapped me."

Addison's eyes widened. She hadn't expected this story.

"He became combative and compulsive." Regina frowned. "Everything I did wasn't good enough for him. I began to lie to my friends and myself. My father too. Until one-day Maleficent came to me and she showed me that I was so much more than the man who hurt me. I deserved to be loved and not left with bruises to hide. I am here to say the same to you. You are a brave and kind soul. I want you to know that you deserve so much more. I will help you with whatever you need. I need you to know that you are loved. I also need to make sure that you will not run away in the middle of the night."

Addison remained silent as she let the words sink in. It was hard to believe when her life was nothing but tragedy. When she looked at Regina she saw strength. She saw this big house, her huge career. She wanted to be like Regina. She gave a subtle shake of her head to indicate that she would not run away. She wanted to believe Regina's words.

There was a knock at the bathroom door and Zelena entered once Regina gave her the green light.

"Sorry it took me so long, John was able to get the kids settled with a movie." She set the first aid kit on the counter. She turned to the pair. "I'm Zelena, Regina's cousin. Do you mind letting down your hood so that I can fix you up really quickly?"

Addison nodded and pushed her hood down. Her curls were matted and tangled. Zelena did not comment on the state of her face and neither did Regina. Instead, she quickly got to work. With permission, she took Addison's chin in her hand and lifted her face so she could see better. Addison's blue eyes met Zelena's for a millisecond. She was uncomfortable with the intense eye contact so she focused her gaze instead on a tiny fixture on the wall.

"Lucky for you, you won't need stitches." Zelena cleaned the cut on her lip. "It should heal nicely on its own. I can say the same for your eyebrow. It may scar over."

"Are you a nurse? "Addison asked. She was mesmerized by Zelena. It was like looking at an older version of herself.

"I am," Zelena confirmed. "I am also the mother of two very rowdy little boys."

Regina watched in awe. Zelena was calm and smooth with her movements. She knew exactly what she was doing and Addison hadn't even flinched once. It was almost as if they were mother and daughter they looked so alike. A lightbulb went off in her head and she sat up a little straighter.

"You look like a little me." Zelena joked. "Little Red. Isn't that neat?" She used Emma's nickname from earlier.

"I like it." Addison gave her first smile in a while. "I haven't met a lot of people with natural red hair. It was almost like I was a unicorn."

"Unicorns are pretty awesome." Zelena smiled back. "There all done." She closed the first aid kit. She took a few steps back to allow Addison to check herself in the mirror.

"If you would like to take a shower you can," Regina informed her. "There is an extra towel over on the counter. I will leave clothes on my bed for you. You're a bit taller than me but I think they will fit quite well."

"Thank you, Regina, for everything." Addison hugged her. "Thank you, Mrs. Zelena."

"It's no problem." Zelena waved a hand. "Us gingers have to stick together."

Addison giggled and removed her jacket just as they stepped out of the bathroom. She wondered why none of her foster parents were as great as these two.

"Momma, is she okay?" Emma was impatiently waiting at the bottom of the stairs. "Did someone hurt her?"

"Yes, Addison will be just fine." Regina crouched down to be eye level with Emma. There was a look of worry etched into her face. "Addison's foster dad did a terrible thing but she will not be going back to that home. You are a wonderful little girl. Do you know that?"

"Mhhm." Emma nodded. "Did you make her better?"

"Actually, Zelena did." Regina glanced over to her cousin.

"He didn't hurt her down there did he?" Emma asked. " On her privates? Like the other bad man?"

"No, Emma, no," Regina assured her. She ran her fingers through Emma's hair. Zelena frowned and wondered what that meant. It didn't take her long to understand Emma's words. "He did not."

"Good." Emma nodded. "I'm going to go and watch tv and wait for her okay?"

"You do that," Regina revealed in Emma's innocence. "Dinner will be ready soon."

Regina was sure her knees would give out if she crouched any longer.

"This night." Regina headed for the kitchen knowing that Zelena would follow her.

"These kids have been through a lot," Zelena commented. "I see it every day in the emergency room."

"Emma has suffered from plenty of trauma." Regina agreed. "Addison too. I just wish I would have found them both sooner."

"Well, you're here now." Zelena grabbed plates so that she could set the table. "Where is Addison going to end up? I'm quite familiar with social services but I am curious."

"I have no clue," Regina said. "I can try and pull a couple of strings to help find her a home but ultimately it's not in my hands. I am hoping after taking to her social worker to figure out a few things. I would be willing to let her stay here until they find her a new placement."

"Interesting," Zelena replied. She didn't want this young girl to end up like she saw earlier again.

When Addison was done with her shower she padded downstairs into the den. The children were watching Matilda. Rory and Alexis never looked away from the tv but Emma had noticed her. She sat on the couch and immediately Emma cuddled into her side. Emma let go of Mr. Waffle in her hands and sat him on Addison's lap. No words were exchanged but their mutual comfort was enough.

"Momma, I think when you adopt me I would like to go on a vacation." Emma started the conversation. After their bedtime story, she was not ready to go to bed just yet. Addison was in one of the guest rooms already asleep, exhaustion had hit her hard.

"Hmm, and where should this vacation be?" Regina humored her.

"Paris."

"Paris!" Regina exclaimed. Since when did children get so expensive? She was expecting for Emma to say Disney World or something of that sort.

"Yes, then you and Ingrid can get married under the Eiffel tower." Emma imagined. "I could be the flower girl and wear a pretty dress."

"Wow, you have this all planned out." Regina grinned. "How about you close your eyes and dream of Paris. Then I'll see what I can do about everything else."

"That's fair." Emma settled under the covers.

"Good." Regina gave her a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too, Momma," Emma whispered before closing her eyes.

The next morning would bring them news that they had been waiting for.

A/n: So, yay or nay? How would you all like for Zelena to become a common fixture in their lives? What do you think was Mary Margaret's decision? Would love to see reviews.

-LSAM