DISCLAIMER:: do not own

A/N:: so here's the next update, as i promised. keep in mind that in this fairytale purgatory of sorts, regina will not remember her mission. that's going to be the challenge she faces. oh, and just as in the elysian fields, the people there don't realize their dead. they have memories of growing up until the age they died, but they don't remember the circumstances that caused their death or that they are dead. that's all. enjoy and review. next update probably not until saturday, maybe thursday after school lets out if i get home fast enough.

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Regina slipped into her maroon dress, the one that made her eyes really pop, and turned her back so that her handmaid, Cait, could lace up the back.

"Are you seeing Master Sutter again today mi'lady?" Cait's tone was playful. Of course Regina would be seeing Sutter; she saw him every day.

Regina smiled, playing their usual game. "I am taking a walk down by the smithy. If I happen to stumble across him…" She shrugged, her smile only getting wider.

Her handmaid grinned as she pulled the laces tight. "He is handsome."

"That he is." Her grin died away as she felt a pressure all over her body. It wasn't painful, but it just felt as if something were pressing into her. She braced a hand against the wall to keep from collapsing.

"Mi'lady? Are you well?" Her handmaid abandoned the laces to come around before her and help her stay upright. She helped Regina over to her bed and eased her into a sitting position.

"I feel… unusual." Regina closed her eyes and put a hand to her forehead. For a moment, a brief moment, she almost felt a conciousness brushing across her own.

"Maybe I did your laces too tight, mi'lady?"

Just as quickly as the pressure had appeared, it dissipated. "No, Cait, you always do a fine job. It has passed." She shook the cloudiness out of her head and stood once more, turning so Cait could finish lacing up her dress.

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"Lady Regina. So nice to see you out on this fine day." He fell into step beside her as she walked down the road towards the village smithy.

"Master Sutter." She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the tall, handsome man by her side. His hair was black as midnight, his eyes a deep blue. He'd shaved the stubble off his chin this morning. She liked the clean shaven look on him. His pale complexion made any sort of facial hair look instantly out of place.

"May I accompany you?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You don't even know where I'm going."

He smiled. "You're going into town."

Suddenly tired of being predictable, though she didn't understand why predictability all of a sudden bothered her after twenty years, she shook her head. "Actually, I'm not."

"Where else would you be going?" He chuckled lightly at the ridiculous notion.

"The woods," Regina replied indignantly, holding her chin just a little higher.

"Is that so? And what business could you possibly have in the woods?"

"That, is none of your business." They had reached the fork in the road. To the left it curved away into the thickness of the woods, to the right it continued on towards town. "Now, if you'll kindly excuse me Master Sutter." She set off to the left.

"I shall wait patiently for your return, mi'lady." Sutter bowed deeply and flashed his most charming smile.

Regina gave a non-committed shrug. "I do not know how long I shall be."

"I'd wait forever for you, Lady Regina."

"I don't think I shall be gone quite that long." She turned her back to him and walked down the road. The second she rounded the bend in the path and was out of sight, a huge smile graced her face. Master Sutter had been after her since they were children. It had only been in the last six months that she'd had any interest in fully returning his affections. Everyday he walked with her into town. She had no idea why she'd decided to go into the woods today. Sometimes, when she was a little girl, she would sneak out to the apple tree near Lumia Caverns. Her father had even given her an apple tree, planted in their courtyard, because she loved the one in the woods so much. She hadn't been out there in over two years. But the urge to return to childhood nostalgia pulled her further into the dense trees.

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It took nearly an hour to find the clearing. Several times she had considered turning around, but it wouldn't do to return to Sutter empty handed. Just when she was about to give up, thinking she'd completely forgotten her way, she stumbled out of the trees and into the small clearing. A perfect circle in the middle of thick trees, twenty four feet in diameter. At the north end was a huge apple tree, its trunk twisting up towards the sky. She leaned down and picked an apple that had fallen to the ground.

Snap.

She froze, her spine going rigid. Someone was behind her. Her ears opened to every small noise. She could hear the footsteps coming towards her. The intruder was up in the tree on the southern side of the clearing, about ten feet up. She gripped the apple and prayed her aim was true; she'd only get one shot. She whirled around and launched the apple at the crouched figure on the branch. It found its mark, smacking into the figure on the branch and with a scream, it fell. A decidedly feminine scream. Regina rushed over to the still figure on the ground. The green hood had fallen back from the face and Regina's breath caught. She was beautiful, though older than Regina herself. Her hair was the color of sunshine and fell in waves past her shoulders. Her eyes were a light green. She was nature's child. She stared up at Regina without fear and then started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Regina put her hands on her hips.

The woman smiled. "You caught me. You! And with an apple too." She sat up.

Regina frowned. "What do you mean me?"

The young woman rolled her eyes. "You exude nobility. Nobles are known for their arrogance, not their marksmanship. What are you, a princess?"

Regina narrowed her eyes. "My name is Lady Regina."

The blonde stood, dusted the dirt off her tight leather trousers and gave a deep bow. "My apologies. Mi'lady."

"And who, may I ask, are you?"

"That is none of your business." The blonde smirked at her.

"What's your name?" Regina was not accustomed to being denied anything she requested, the product of an overdoting father.

"Why?" The blonde eyed her suspiciously.

Regina rolled her eyes. "What am I supposed to call you if I don't know your name?"

"I can't tell you."

"What are you running from?" Now Regina was the suspicious one.

The blonde stared at her intensely. "Nothing. I can't tell you because I don't have one."

Regina laughed. "Everyone has a name."

"Alas, I do not. I have been called many things by many people, but never have I had a true name." The blonde looked at her sadly. "Believe me, if I knew mine, I'd tell. I find that people take the little things, like names, for granted."

Regina studied her for several moments. "Well, then, I'll just have to name you myself."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "You're going to name me?" What was she? This noble's pet?

Regina nodded with a certainty that kept the woman from questioning her. "Hmmm, let's see…" She cycled through every name she could think of in her head and they all sounded terribly wrong. Just when she was about to give up and go with Beth by default, some voice in the back of her mind uttered one final suggestion. It was perfect. "Emma."

"Emma?" The blonde rolled the name around in her mouth for a while before nodding. "I guess it'll do."

Regina smiled, proud of herself. "Why are you out here?"

Emma shrugged and smirked. "I could ask you the same."

"I used to come here when I was a child." Regina looked towards the apple tree fondly.

"I live here."

Regina raised an eyebrow. "You live here?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Well, not right here, obviously, but nearby."

Regina smiled. Emma was not someone either Sutter or her father would ever approve of her spending time with. There was a small hint of danger that clung to the blonde. And her smile was the most beautiful thing Regina had ever seen.

Emma seemed to pick up on Regina's feelings. She held out a hand. "Come. I'll show you."

Regina stared at her hand.

Emma grinned. "Trust me."

Finally, Regina threw caution to the wind and placed her hand in Emma's.