Things will come out right now.
We can make it so.
Someone is on your side
No one is alone.

("No One is Alone," Into the Woods)

Chapter 25: The Magic Tree

I sat with Snow as Robin and Charming had their heads bowed low over something. "Are you okay?" I asked her.

"I don't know. I haven't even told Charming that it was a girl." Snow's hazel eyes flickered toward her husband.

"So, it wasn't just mother's intuition? You really knew?" I leaned forward, intrigued.

Snow nodded, taking my hand. "Back before you came, Charming and I went to visit his mother, Ruth. She gave me a necklace that would predict if we would have a child and the sex. At the time, I didn't think I could have children but the necklace told me I was going to have a little girl."

We both glanced down at her baby bump. I asked with a look if I might touch and she gave a slight nod. I pressed my hand against her stomach, knowing the baby wouldn't kick yet. However, I could feel her…or rather her power. "She's strong," I said.

"She is?" Snow smiled. "You can feel her?"

I nodded. "So, Emma? Why?"

"I heard it once—I think I have a great-great-great-grandmother or the like with the name. Ever since I was a little girl, I vowed to name my daughter Emma." Snow smiled at me. "You have to have some names picked out."

"I know that if I have a son, I'm naming him Henry after my father. That's really all I ever thought about when it came to children." Then I said to myself: "If I ever have children."

Snow grabbed my hand, pulling me into the bedroom. "What's going on?" I asked.

"Wait right there. I still have Ruth's necklace," Snow explained. "You can use it."

I was taken aback. "What? Why?"

She tilted her head. "So you know if you're going to have children. Don't you want to know?"

I stared at the necklace, amazed it could tell me something as important to my future as if I was going to have a child one day. Tears pricked my eyes as I looked at Snow. "Do you think it'll work for me? That it's not tied to Charming's family or anything?"

"No, of course not. Hold out your hand."

After hesitating for a few seconds, I did as she instructed. She held the necklace over my hand and it began spinning over my palm. "Is that good?" I asked.

Snow nodded. "It means you're going to have a child. You'll be able to see the sex soon."

I kept watching the necklace as it spun, choking back a sob as I found out more about the child I would have. A new name rose to my mind and I tucked it away, my own secret like Emma had been for Snow.

A name for my own little girl.

Robin once again brought Roland into our bed that night. The boy slept between us, though neither his father nor I got much sleep. We both lay on our side, watching him dream.

"What are you thinking of?" I asked Robin in a whisper.

His eyes shot down to Roland. "I can't help but imagine what kind of life Roland will have under the curse. Never growing up and never experiencing all the joys of live."

"Never say never," I said. "After all, even the Dark One said there's a way for the curse to be broken."

"After twenty-eight years. Twenty-eight years of just existing. How can I accept that for my son?" I could hear the anguish in his voice and could imagine it in his eyes.

I sought out Robin's hand, taking it in my own. "You shouldn't."

He nodded, rubbing his thumb over my hand. Even though I couldn't make much of him out in the dark, I could tell he was staring at me and formulating a plan. "Regina, about the Midsummer…"

"What about it?" My stomach twisted at the mention of that fateful day.

"I think you should take Roland with you."

Confusion washed over me. "What?"

"Take Roland with you when you go back on the Midsummer. Let him have a chance at a happy life with you in Boston. Then we can be reunited."

"Robin, it wouldn't be for twenty-eight years. Roland would be a man. He could have a family of his own—all without you."

"But he'd be happy."

"Or angry that you abandoned him," I argued back. "That you sent him to a strange world to be raised by a strange man."

Robin's hand fell away from mine. "How is this any different from the plan you agreed to should I die?"

"Because that's a last resort," I hissed, trying to keep my voice low so as not to wake Roland. "This sounds like your only option."

"It is my only option."

"Well, why don't you come with me and Roland?"

"I can't leave everyone here. I have to stay and fight for them."

We were both breathing heavily as if we had been shouting at each other. The bed dipped then rose again and I knew Robin had gotten out. I heard him pull on his robe and I lifted my head. "Where are you going?"

"Not far. I'm too wound up to sleep." He padded over to my side of the bed, kissing my forehead. "You try and get some sleep."

He walked away and I wanted to follow him, not ready to stop arguing. But Roland rolled closer to me, grabbing my shift in his small fist. I rubbed his back as I curled around him. My son needed me and that too precedence over my need to ream out his father.

I awoke the next morning to a little body halfway on top of me. Roland lay on his stomach, one arm flung across my chest, close to my neck. One leg rested on my stomach, his foot digging into my gut. His face was close to my own and I felt his hot breath on my face.

The glamorous life of a mother, I supposed.

Robin was not on his side of the bed. While he might have returned during the night and risen early, I doubted it. With Roland peaceful again, it was time to turn my attention to his father. Our conversation was not finished.

I pushed Roland off as gently as I could and he rolled over to cuddle his father's pillow. When I confirmed he slept on, I slipped from the bed and wrapped my dressing gown around me. I left the room, closing the door behind me.

Robin sat on the couch, elbows resting on his knees and his head in his hands. His eyes were closed but I knew he wasn't asleep. I put my hand on his back, feeling his muscles tense under my palm. "Robin? Did you get any sleep?"

"No," he admitted, his voice hoarse. "I couldn't stop thinking long enough to do so."

I sat down next to him. "Okay, then talk to me. Unclutter your mind."

He lifted his head, giving me a wry smile. "Is it that easy?"

"No," I said. "But it makes it less burdensome when you share. You taught me that."

"Yes, I did," he laughed.

He then lapsed into silence, staring into the fire. I waited bit before nudging him. "Well?"

"I don't want to argue again. That was another reason I was so wound up."

"I don't want to fight either. I think we can talk like calm, reasonable adults. Don't you?"

He raised an eyebrow. "We are two passionate people, Regina. Stubborn too."

"True," I conceded. "So we'll try."

"Agreed," he said. Then softly: "A part of me still thinks it's best to send Roland with you to the Land Without Magic."

I nodded. "It is tempting. But you can see why I think that's a bad idea? You're Roland's world and you have been his whole life. It would shatter him if you sent him away."

"But I'd be sending him with you. He's expanded his world to include you and I know you would find a way to explain it to him."

"I can explain it to him until the cows come home but it won't change the fact that to him, it'll look like his Papa just left him."

Robin rubbed his temples with his thumbs. "I know, I know. But the alternative is twenty-eight years of existing."

"At least you'll be together." I glanced down at my hands, which itched to grab his. "We don't even know if I can go back at the Midsummer."

"True." Robin leaned back. "Anything else to add to the reasons why my plan is awful?"

Thinking about it, I leaned against him and rested my head on his shoulder. "It sounds like you've given up hope. And that frightens me more than anything. Because…Because if you've given up hope, what is there left to do?"

Robin wrapped his arm around me. "I'm not giving up on hope…or you."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to. I realized if I lost hope that we could defeat the witch, then that meant I lost hope in you. And I haven't." He kissed the side of my head.

I smiled before it faltered again. "You may have a point though. We may need to come up with a Plan B if I can't defeat the Queen in time."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Not the Midsummer as it's too soon." My stomach flipped at the thought. "But we need to come up with something just in case."

Robin kissed the side of my head. "I think that would be wise, milady. And this time, I promise to come up with it with you."

"Good. Now, are you ready to get some sleep? You'll be no good to anybody if you're dead on your feet."

Chuckling he stood up, holding out his hand to me. "Shall we, milady?"

"Uh, I daresay our son has taken over our entire bed by now. We might be better off staying here." I patted the couch.

Robin took off his bathrobe before lying next to me. He covered us with it. "This will have to do for now."

"This is perfect." I snuggled next to him, enveloped by his woodsy smell and lulled back to sleep by his warmth.

Later that day, I decided to go for a walk to clear my head. It also felt good to get some fresh air and sunshine. I walked through the garden with a renewed bounce in my step. The warm April sun shone down on me, allowing me to leave my cloak back in my room. Spring was in full swing and the flowers were starting to bloom again. I stopped, leaning close to smell one of the first red roses of spring.

The smell triggered a memory, where red roses covered a beautiful chestnut coffin lined with red velvet. Lying inside was Dad, dressed in his best blue suit. His gray hair was combed neatly and his hands clasped on top his chest. An American flag was folded up beside him in honor of his service during the Second World War.

It looked like Dad but didn't feel like him. Gone was his warm smile and loving gaze. His strength and powerful hugs. And his infectious laugh, sage advice and ability to just be there when I needed the comfort the most. It was all gone, stolen by cancer.

The memory hit me so hard, I almost fell down. A bench broke my fall, though my ass was going to be sore for a bit. It paled in comparison to the pain tearing through my heart and soul. My mind raced through the dates and I realized a year had passed. One year since that awful day when my supervisor had walked into my lab and told me to hand off my testing to Jonathan. "The hospital called. You need to get down there," he said.

My hands shook as I packed up my bag. He offered to drive me but I told him I'd be fine. I gripped the steering wheel the entire time and my heart pounded in my chest, but it was for the best. It gave me time to gather my thoughts.

Daniel met me at the hospital, accompanying me up to my father's room. My father's oncologist met me and prepared me for the end. I held Dad's hand as he passed from this world, right after our last goodbyes.

Tears streamed down my face and I felt my body quiver as I sobbed. "Regina?" Robin's voice washed over me. "Is something wrong? Are you hurt?"

Even though tears blurred my vision, I still made out Robin's form as he knelt in front of me. I reached for his hands, longing for his touch. "My father…died a year ago. And I almost forgot. What kind of daughter am I?"

"Oh, Regina." Robin pulled me onto his lap though he still remained sitting on the ground. He pressed me close to his chest, cradling me. "You are a good daughter."

He stood, carrying me bridal style. I pressed my face against the crook of his neck, still crying. My face grew hot as well as damp and my throat began to burn. Yet the tears kept coming. I doubted they would ever stop.

Robin put me down and I realized we were back in our room. He handed me a handkerchief before placing a cool, damp cloth on the back of my neck. "Can you talk, Regina?"

I couldn't but I tried anyway, choking out my words. "I had plans for today. I was going to get a beautiful bouquet of flowers and leave it at his grave. Then I'd tell him about my year. I had hoped I could tell him I was going to be a mother by now."

I thought of the baby girl the necklace predicted I would have. Dad would never get to know her and a fresh wave of sobs washed over me. Robin pulled me back toward him, letting my head rest on his shoulder. He kissed the top of my head, holding me until my sobs subsided and my tears dried up.

I splashed cool water on my face, taking deep breaths to soothe my aching lungs. Robin stayed on the bed, watching me. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked.

Taking another deep breath, I turned to face him. "Make love to me, Robin. Please."

"Regina…" He stood, approaching me. Doubt was in his eyes.

I gripped his arms. "Please, Robin. I need to feel…" What did I need to feel? Hope? Love? Companionship? Alive?

He seemed to understand, giving me a sweet kiss. It deepened as his tongue swept my mouth and his hand came up to cradle the back of my head. My hair was released from its bun and fell around my shoulders. The laces on my dress loosened next, the garment pooling at my feet.

I began working on his vest and shirt. My fingers scrapped against his bare skin, coarse blond chest hair curling around them. Breaking our kiss, I pressed a kiss over his heart as he pulled off my stays. I backed him up until he hit our bed and a little push had him sitting down.

He gazed up at me. "Regina? What are you doing?"

"Taking off your boots. Mine too while I'm down here." I pulled off his boots and threw them off to the side, doing the same to my own. Robin's breeches landed on top of them.

I glanced up to find Robin extending his hand to me. I slid my hand into his, untying my shift so that it fell off me as he pulled me up. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I kissed him and we fell back onto the bed with me on top. I wanted to be underneath him this time, though, to feel his body cover mine. "Flip us," I whispered.

He did so, planting his palms on either side of my head. I stared up into his blue eyes as they grew closer and closer to mine. Robin's nose brushed mine. "Is this how you want it?"

I nodded, licking my lips. He kissed them before moving to my neck. Moaning, I brought one hand up to grip his hair while the other reached behind me to grip my pillow. My hand followed him as he trailed kisses down my body. Panting now, I followed his journey. "Can't you go…faster?"

"You wanted to feel. I'm making sure you feel everything." Robin raised an eyebrow before licking me. My back arched at the feel of his tongue and I knew this was going to be sweet agony.

He licked and sucked, making me feel every burst of pleasure his mouth had to give. I moaned his name in between panting, pleading with him to not stop. As Robin added fingers, I climbed higher. Higher and louder, until stars burst behind my eyes and I was babbling.

My head lolled on the pillow, heart racing. As I sucked in air, I felt Robin's feathery kisses against my stomach. His whiskers scratched my skin as he nuzzled my neck. "How was that? Did you feel?"

"Oh, yes," I breathed. "Everything."

"Good." He kissed the underside of my jaw. "Because that was just the warm up."

"Oh God, what do you plan to do now?"

Robin laughed, brushing away some damp hair from my face. "You'll see. Or feel rather."

I kissed him, tasting myself still in his mouth. One of his hands found my breast, massaging it. My own found him, stroking his length. Wrapping a leg around his waist, I drew him closer. He entered me, finding his rhythm.

Breaking the kiss, I threw my head back as I met every one of his thrusts. My fingers dug deeper in his hair and I grasped the blankets as well. "Robin, faster. Please," I begged.

"In time, my lovely." He kissed my shoulder. Then my neck. Over and over, matching each thrust.

The pleasure built up inside me, flooding through my veins. "Robin…"

"Regina," he moaned back.

It sent me over again and I came with a shout that may have been his name. I wasn't too sure.

Robin remained hard inside of me though he had stopped moving. He waited for my orgasm to finish, holding and kissing me.

When I finished, he pulled out and rolled over. I placed my palm on his chest, stilling him. Concern filled his eyes. "What's wrong, Regina?"

"It's your turn," I said. "It's only fair."

His lips twitched though he did his best to stay serious. "Milady has a good point."

"Relax and enjoy." I pressed kisses down his chest, heading lower and lower. My hair splayed out over his abdomen, curtaining me as I took him in my mouth. He pushed my hair back, our eyes meeting for a moment. I hoped I never got tired at seeing the mixture of lust and love in his eyes.

I heard him gasp and the strangled moan he let out almost sounded like my name. It spurned me on as I ran my tongue up and down him. He was close to the edge and when I hollowed out my cheeks, he came with a shout.

After swallowing the last of his seed, I crawled back up to lie flush against him. He curled his arm around me, fingers toying with my damp hair as he rested his forehead against mine. I watched him, his eyes closed and a content smile on his face.

"Thank you," I said, running my hand up and down his chest.

He smiled, eyes still closed. "Feel better?"

"Much." I kissed his nose. "How are you?"

"Oh, I definitely have no complaints."

I nuzzled his neck and closed my eyes. Sleep tugged at me, urging me into its sweet embrace. I was about to give in when Robin spoke again: "You should wear your hair down more often. It's beautiful."

"Says the person who doesn't have to deal with its knots and frizz." I opened my eyes to find him winding a curling piece of hair around his finger. "See?"

"Still beautiful." He brushed my nose with my hair and I giggled.

Sighing, Robin pulled me closer. "I don't want to move."

"Do we have to?"

"Roland."

I sighed. "Right. Our son."

Robin's smile brightened. "You did it again."

"Did what?"

"You called Roland 'our' son."

"He is our son," I said before frowning. "Right?"

Robin kissed my forehead. "Yes, he is. I just…get a little thrill when I hear you say it."

"I get a little thrill each time I think it." I stretched, trying to pull away to get out of bed. Robin held on tighter, pulling me closer. I frowned. "I thought we had to get out of bed?"

"Not yet. We have a few hours." Robin brought a hand up to rest against my back. "And I think you need a little more comforting."

"Do I?"

He nodded, serious, before kissing me. "I know I can't chase it away but I can make it more bearable."

I nodded, choked up again for a different reason. Robin understood my grief and what I needed to deal with it. So I rested my head against him again and let him rub lazy circles on my back as I told him about my father and how much I missed him. It wasn't how I planned to spend the anniversary of Dad's passing but it was what I needed.

The following day, I stood in front of my mirror and admired my handiwork. I wore a beautiful ivory gown with long sheer sleeves. The skirt fell closer to my body than the dresses I usually wore, showing off my curves a bit more. Lucy would've been proud, though she would've preferred a lower neckline rather than the square cut one I went with. I thought it showed off enough.

I smiled, proud of myself. This dress had been made using only my magic. It had taken a lot of concentration and I was tired from the energy consumed, but I had done it. My magical abilities were growing in leaps and bounds. Perhaps I would be able to defeat the Queen after all.

I just had to figure out how.

"Lady Locksley? Are you in here?" Ilsa's voice floated in from the parlor before she appeared in the doorway. "Is that a new dress?"

"Yes, it is. What do you think?" I gave a little twirl to show off the dress to her.

"It's beautiful," she said. "Where did you get it?"

"I made it with magic," I said, pride in my voice.

Ilsa looked impressed before shaking her head. "Sorry, I almost forgot why I came here. His Lordship is looking for you. He wants you to meet him out in the courtyard."

"Thank you, Ilsa." I squeezed her arm as I passed by her, heading down to the courtyard.

Out there, Robin tilted his head as I approached. "New dress?"

"Magic." I gave him a quick peck. "You wanted to see me?"

He pulled out a bouquet of flowers—white lilies. I glanced up at him. "For me?"

"Yes and no." Robin took my hand. "Come with me."

I clutched the bouquet as Robin led me past the gardens, toward a large tree filled with green leaves. Its branches reached toward the sky. As we got closer, I realized it was an apple tree and could see the little apples starting to grow. Stopping, I looked at Robin with curiosity. "What's going on?"

He faced me, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand. "I remember you talked about picking apples with your father. Since you can't go to his grave, I thought you could come to this tree to remember him instead."

Tears pricked my eyes and I threw my arms around him. He held me close. "It'll be alright, Regina. You'll see."

"That's not…I just can't believe you remembered that story. And that you would do this for me." I pulled away, wiping the tears from my eyes. "Thank you."

He kissed my forehead. "I'll give you some time alone. I won't be far though."

I nodded, waiting for him to walk some ways away before turning to the apple tree. The reason why Robin had given me a bouquet of lilies became clear and I laid it next to the tree. "Well, Dad, this certainly isn't where I thought I'd be now. And I hope you can hear me even though I've fallen into another world.

"If you can hear me, then you can see me. I hope you approve of what I'm doing, Dad. Magic is probably still strange to you and it's still strange to me. But using it feels right. So does being with Robin. I know you loved Daniel and I still love him too, but I would like to think you would like Robin and Roland. You would've been a great grandfather to him, I know it."

Sighing, I placed my hand on the bark of the apple tree. "I love you, Daddy. Please, watch over us. I still need you."

I straightened up and looked to where Robin was standing, waiting for me to finish. He had his arms crossed, watching some of the soldiers as they sparred. Everyone remained on edge, waiting for the Queen to make her next move.

We needed to be more proactive, both in how we fought the Queen and how we prepared for her curse. I glanced at the tree and something pinged in my mind. Excited, I ran down to meet up with Robin.

He wrapped his arm around my waist. "Better?"

"Much," I said with a smile. "And now it's time to get back to work."

I locked myself in the library once more, even though the warm weather and sunshine called out to me. But the answers we needed were in these books, I knew. I just had to find them.

Several large tomes lay strewn about my table and I kept the Book of Spells open all the time. I alternated between reading it and scouring one of the other books for any answers they could provide. Anyway to stop the Queen or protect ourselves from her spell. There was one protection spell that looked promising but it called for a lot of magic. I wasn't sure I had enough talent and strength to cast it yet.

Yet I kept thinking of the apple tree and how it struck a chord in me. I just had to remember where I read it.

On my third day of intense research, I found it again in a tiny leather-bound book squished between two larger books. I nearly shouted in joy and poofed myself out of the library, landing in my room.

Robin nearly fell off his chair, clutching his chest. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that, Regina. Isn't there some way you could warn me before you do that?"

"Sorry. I was just so excited I couldn't wait the time it would take me to run here." I held out the book. "I found something. A Plan B of sorts."

He perked up at that. "For Roland?"

I hesitated. "I don't know. It may be for Snow and the baby."

"Oh," he said, disappointed. It was fleeting and he stood, taking my hand. "Then we should go tell the Prince and Princess about your find."

But I didn't move. Instead, I squeezed his hand. "I'll find a Plan B for Roland, I promise. I want him to have a happy ending as well."

"I know." He rested his forehead against mine for a second, taking a deep breath. "I just have to remember there are other people who have happy endings at stake."

"Well, let's see if we can save them all."

He laughed. "That's a tall order."

"Dream big or go home." I tugged on his hand. "Come on."

Blue was with Snow and Charming when Robin and I showed up, full-sized and sipping tea with the princess. Snow jumped up when she saw the tiny book tucked under my arm. "Did you find something?"

"Regina thinks she at least found a Plan B," Robin explained. "Something that might help you if we can't defeat the Queen in time."

Charming grabbed Snow's hand. "What is it?"

I opened the book and handed it to them. "This mentions a special tree that grows deep in the Enchanted Forest. It is said that it has magical properties and that if hollowed out, it can serve as a portal to another world. If we find it, turn it into something like a wardrobe, Snow could and end up in the Land Without Magic outside of the curse." Or end up in Narnia, for all I knew. Magic still was very unpredictable to me.

Looking at the book, Snow turned Blue. "Do you know about this?"

"Yes, I do. I've had my fairies scouring the woods for the tree for some time now," she admitted. "We're close to finding it."

Robin wrapped his arms around me and I leaned against his chest, feeling his voice rumble as he spoke. "Is there anything you need me to do?"

"We might need a few Merry Men to help navigate the woods once we are certain of the tree's location," Blue said. "And we'll need someone to cut down the tree."

It was decided to send Hansel and Gretel's father with the Merry Men and to talk to Gepetto about making something Snow could fit into. I leaned closer to Robin. "This plan is coming together faster and better than I thought," I whispered.

"But what about when Snow arrives in the Land Without Magic? What is she to do then?" Charming asked.

"I can give you my address in Boston as well as my telephone number," I said. "Though it would be easier if we knew where the tree will let you out."

Beside me, I could feel Robin start to withdraw at the reminder that I might not be here much longer. It wasn't a thought I relished either.

Snow still looked apprehensive. "What if you can't get back to Boston?"

"Then I have no doubt Daniel or Lucy would help you if you said you were my friend. Though you might have to deal with the authorities as they might think you have something to do with my disappearance." I grimaced at the thought of Snow being interrogated by either the FBI or Scotland Yard. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Robin covered my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. "I'm sure it won't."

Blue's search party left a few days later, intent on finding the tree as fast as possible. I returned to my books, hoping to find a Plan B for Robin and Roland. Even though I knew he'd probably object, I didn't want father and son to be separated. But after the tree, there weren't many ways to escape the Dark Curse. It seemed no one thought anyone would actually cast it.

I was torn between spending more time in the library and filling my every waking moment with Robin and Roland. Each day brought us closer to the Midsummer. One day closer to the moment I could possibly walk out of their lives. I already felt as if Robin was starting to distance himself away from me. And it hurt each time I could tell he was resisting the urge to hug me or kiss me or touch me in anyway. I had to resist the same urges out of respect for Robin. And perhaps he was right to do so.

Robin disrupted my thoughts as he entered our room. I watched him come stand behind me, his hands coming to rest on my shoulder. With his touch becoming rare, I leaned into him and relished it. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Not at all," he said. "The search party had returned with the tree. Gepetto's already at work."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Good. At least Snow has a backup plan."

Robin dropped a kiss onto my head but I could see the sadness in his eyes in his reflection. "At least you'll be safe soon," he said. "Back with Daniel and far away from the Queen."

"Right. Safe." I tried to be excited but sadness filled me.

As Robin got ready for bed, I took off my pearls. I would have to leave these behind. They belonged to him and even if he didn't marry again after I left, they should go to Roland. It was only right.

I put the pearls away and something gold caught my eye. Reaching in, I pulled out my wedding ring from Daniel. My brows knitted as I tried to remember when I had taken it off. I recalled something about a bath and taking it off so as not to lose it. But that was a week ago. Had I forgotten to put it back on and not realized it for that long? What did that mean about me?

"Regina? Is something wrong?" Robin looked over at me from the bed.

I shook my head as I slid the ring back onto my finger. Climbing into bed next to him, I kissed his cheek. "Good night, Robin."

Sleep eluded me and I tried to figure out why. The answer came when Robin's arm snaked around my waist, pulling me closer. Pressed to his chest, I felt myself relax and my eyelids grew heavy.

Going back to Boston was going to be very difficult.

A/N: Wow. That was quite a finale, wasn't it? How adorable was Bandit!Regina? And Henry was finally a hero, just as he's always wanted. I would've liked a bit more Outlaw Queen (or Bandit Outlaw, as it were) but at least we ended with them on a happy note. We don't have to spend a summer filled with angst and worry. Unlike the Captain Swan fandom. Sorry, guys.

But I have to thank Operation Mongoose for giving me images of Regina out of her evil queen gear. Now I have more pictures and gifs to use for this story!

I hope everyone has a good hiatus. I'm looking forward to all the fanfictions this go around.

As I said last week, I will be having another Q+A this week on tumblr. Since I'm posting this late (sorry!), my ask box will be open for questions from Friday to Saturday. Then in lieu of a new chapter on Sunday, I'll answer the questions. Check out my bio for a link to my tumblr.

If you're American, enjoy the holiday weekend! If not, enjoy your regular weekend!

-Mac