Chapter 29

Hook scratched his head and yawned. He winced in pain as he felt the throbbing head ache from the hangover he knew he would have. He wanted to laugh at himself, but his head hurt too much. He slowly sat up, hoping the throb would ease, but to no avail.

He felt the bed shift beside him. He quickly looked over his shoulder to the form that was lying next to him. His eyes widened causing another sharp pain to rush through his skull. He couldn't make out who it was. The sheet they were under, covered the person's head. Sheet? He looked around the room and realized he was in one of the chambers and not in the barracks.

Hook tried to recall everything that had happened last night. He remembered talking with Mulan and then drinking by the fire alone. As he recalls, he drank a lot. He knows he went through at least three bottles of the warrior's baijiu. He couldn't think of anyone who could be next to him.

His eyes widened again. He hoped there was not some hairy soldier lying there. He'd been pretty adventurous in all his travels, but that one wasn't for him. The bed moved again, but this time he refused to look down. It was one of those moments where he was swearing an oath to whatever higher power was listening. If they would just let it be some beautiful woman beside him, he would stop his wild ways.

"Oh for the love of God man, nothing happened, so you can stop freaking out." Hook whipped his head around to see a very sleepy Tinker Bell.

He tried to hide his surprise and relief all at once, "If we didn't do anything, then where are my clothes, Love?"

The short haired blonde rubbed her eyes as she climbed from the bed, "As you can see, I am fully clothed." She gestured with her hand. "As for your clothes, that's a good question."

Hook pulled the sheet from the bed and wrapped it around his waist before he stood. His eyes danced around the room in hopes he could find at least his pants. A small smile crossed his lips when he saw them hanging from the door knob.

He made his way over and snatched them up, "So what did happen last night?"

"Well lets see, I awoke to a noise outside in the hallway. Went out to see what it was and found you, drunk singing some song, out of tune I might add." The small framed woman crossed her arms over her chest. "Then when I asked you politely to keep it down, you insisted that you and I make love. You pushed passed me and entered my room. I tried to get you to leave instead you decided to shed your clothing to prove to me that you were irresistible. I would have called for the guards, but no more did you sling your pants across the room, you passed out."

Killian had a slight smirk on his face. That sounded like him alright he thought as he laced up the fly on his pants, "That's a pity."

The blonde raised an eye brow, "What's a pity?"

Killian smiled, "That you didn't get a chance to see how irresistible I am."

"I saw enough, thank you." The blonde said letting her eyes glance quickly towards his crotch. Before Hook could come up with something wittier, his linen shirt hit him in the face, "Your boots are by the door."

He pulled the shirt away from his face to gauge the ex- fairy's expression. When he could tell there were no real signs of danger, he swallowed, "So, um, would you like to have a drink sometime?"

The blonde tilted her head, "Are you serious right now?"

Hook kept his smile, but ran a hand nervously up the back of his neck, "Well, yeah, I mean if you want to."

"How do you keep the women at bay with charms like that?" Tinker Bell asked sarcastically.

The pirate's mouth fell at that. He wondered if he had always been a walking joke with the ladies. It was a hell of a time in his life to just realize it. He sighed as he slipped his shirt over his head and walked over to the door and picked up his boots. He stuck his feet in, first one and then the other. He turned towards the woman, "I want to apologize for my behavior last night. I am thankful for your hospitality." His eyes didn't meet hers. He looked at the floor and then turned towards the door and grabbed the knob.

"I'd love to have that drink with you, except" She paused and the pirate turned to look at her. "I'm not going back to Story Brooke. I'm going to stay here."

The pirate looked at the woman for a moment and then smiled, "I know this little tavern by the port that is quiet lovely."

The blonde looked confused for a second, "Well if you ever get back this way, maybe we could go sometime."

Killian scratched his chin with his hook, "I was thinking that maybe we could go tomorrow evening."

The blonde tilted her head again, "Are you not going back to Story Brooke?"

The pirate took a deep breath, "There was really only one reason I stayed in Story Brooke. Now that reason is gone, so no, I'm not going back."

An uncontrolled smiled crossed the blonde's face, "Tomorrow evening then?"

Killian grinned, "Aye." He turned and walked out of the room. Maybe the fates weren't such bitches after all.

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The castle was coming to life very quickly as Regina walked down the hallway. Servants, guards, and guest were moving about. Everyone with their own agenda and each pausing a moment to bow their head as she passed.

Emma and Henry were still asleep. She hated having to leave the nice warm bed with the two people she cared the most about in it. She wanted to help the Sheriff keep her promise to their son and she knew they were exhausted.

She stopped two of the servants passing, "Excuse me?"

"Your Majesty?" One of the men asked as the other knelt.

"Oh don't do that," Regina said pulling the man up by his arm. "I would like you two to send word to all the guests that I request an audience in the dining hall."

With a nod and a bow, the two men went in a separate direction to do as they were asked. Regina shook her head slightly. She felt ridiculous having them treat her with such respect. She wasn't used to having people's respect. In the past, most had bowed down to her out of fear.

Regina made her way to the dining hall. She wasn't particularly hungry, but most everyone else would be, so it only made sense to meet there. She and Emma had eaten in the wee hours of the morning after their countless rounds of love making. That was well before their son had come to their chambers. She couldn't help the smile that crept up on her face at the thoughts of the previous night. She and the Sheriff's activities were a piece of the reason, but it was more of how she felt cuddled with her family. Family? That word never had much meaning to her. Of course, Henry, has always been her family, but she had never said the words when referring to her and her son. Now there were three of them and she could so see them as a family. Then there were the Charmings. She rolled her eyes. Who would have guessed in a million years it would be Snow White and Prince Charming as her in-laws.

"Someone looks awfully chipper this morning." Hook's voice pulled the Queen from her thoughts.

She sat down at the head of the long table. She noticed how the pirate grinned as he sliced into an apple with a small knife. His eyes were lit up, which was unusual considering every time the man looked at her all she could see was sadness. "Isn't it a bit early for someone who enjoys your leisure activities," she asked?

Hook swallowed the food, "What can I say? I slept well last night."

Regina tilted her head. He seemed much happier than he had been, "What did you do last night?"

She could have sworn she saw a blush creep up the pirate's cheeks, "Oh. Forget I asked." She said assuming he had gotten lucky with some wench.

He laughed, almost nervously, but then cleared his throat, "No, it wasn't like that."

As much as the Queen didn't wish to know about the man's sex life, she was intrigued about his new demeanor. "So you met someone, I take it?"

Hook smiled, "Something like that."

Before she could make further inquiries, people began filling the room. Most were gypsies, but a few of her Story Brooke residents passed. Suddenly, it was as if someone had opened the gates. Every person, she was pretty sure, had piled into the room and all looked expectantly at Regina. Hook took a double take at all the people and then glanced back at the queen.

Regina took a deep breath as she scanned the room to ensure that everyone was present. Emma and Henry followed in behind the Charming's and made their way over to her. She watched as the last person entered. It was Tinker Bell who gave a shy and apologetic smile to the Queen. Regina didn't miss the look that passed between the pirate and the ex-fairy.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Eladon pushed through the crowd. He pulled a chair out for Florica to sit. The Queen had planned some elaborate speech in her head. Now, with everyone's full attention and a silent room, she forgot what she wanted to say.

Emma placed a reassuring hand on her lower back. Regina smiled softly before looking over the crowd.

"I just had a few things I wanted to say to everyone before we prepared to depart today." Regina was stunned by the number of gasps that swept through the room. She knew it came from the guards and gypsies, but she honestly thought they would cheer to know she was leaving.

"But your Majesty, you've just returned." A voice called out from the crowd.

Regina licked her lips nervously, "Yes, I'm aware. However, I have called Story Brooke home for the last thirty years, as have many others in this room."

"But what about us, your Majesty?" A guard asked.

"What about the kingdom? Things can't go back to the way they were." A woman shrieked.

Voices from the crowd began to grow louder as they talked over one another.

"People please," Regina said. "The kingdom will not go back to how things were, I assure you." She said holding her hands up.

"If there is no one to rule the throne in your absence, this kingdom will fall again," another voice called out.

"I do not intend to leave the throne vacant." She said.

Gasps filled the room and a gypsy man yelled out, "Who could possibly be worthy enough to rule in your stead?"

The crowd grew silent again as they waited in anticipation for her response.

She glanced down the long table at the old woman, "Florica."

More gasps waved through the large crowd. A guard shouted out, "No offense, but she is very old. How long could she possibly last as our Queen?"

This caused laughter to erupt from the gypsies. Even Regina was a little puzzled at this. She did have her own concerns about the old woman's age, but she was the most suited for the job.

Florica kept her eyes glued to Regina's, "I am almost two hundred years old. I do not plan to die anytime soon, but I have always believed in preparing for the inevitable."

Regina tilted her head, "So, does that mean you'll accept the position?"

The old woman glanced around the room. Her people were more than happy to have her as the Queen. The current Queen worried about the guards and other non-gypsies. Regina looked at the guards' faces and could see their doubts.

"Listen to me," Regina said as she made sure to address all the non-gypsies with her eyes. "I know I was a cruel Queen. You all have every right to hate me for the things I have done to you and your families. But Florica is the complete opposite of who I was, and who Shaw was. She will rule in fairness and mercy. I am the reason her daughter is dead, yet she has shown me nothing but kindness, love and understanding. She was the first person here to treat me as Regina, instead of the Evil Queen. She is exactly what this place needs. I failed you all miserably, but she will never let you down." A tear slipped from the Queen's eye but she refused to make a spectacle of wiping it away.

The sound of metal hitting stones rang out around the room as each guard dropped to their knee. One of the ranking soldier's spoke, "Forgive us My Queen, for we failed you."

Regina raised an eyebrow, "How do you think you have failed me?"

"We abandoned our oath to you and followed Shaw blindly. He was a far worse ruler than you, my Queen. We failed to protect you and your son, and we failed to obey." The man paused to clear his throat, "You told us all we could leave to return to our families yesterday. As you can see we did not. Shaw killed all our families and blamed the gypsies. We hated them and wanted them dead. We were guided by hatred." The soldier raised his head to look at Regina. "I found a dossier in the war room that had in detail the attacks Shaw led on our families. They murdered our wives and children, well, those of us who had wives and children. The paper said that he did this to ensure our loyalties lay with him."

Regina eyes widened, not even she would do something so heinous. Gasped washed over the crowd and more tears filled the Mayor's eyes, "Oh my God." She swallowed the lump that had now formed in her throat, "I don't know what to say. II am so very sorry." The last part broke slightly as she fought to keep a sob at bay. "I would never have done that"

The soldier held up his hand, "We know that now, your Majesty. Most of the men left in this army are loyal to you, including me. We lost nearly a hundred men after the news about our families. Those men took their own lives." He cleared his throat again and then went on, " I wish for permission to speak to the men that are in the dungeons. They have a right to know that they were fooled and that the gypsy people are indeed innocent."

Regina wiped her cheek, "Of course, please do."

The guards all stood at once. The sound of the metal clanking in unison was impressive. It still brought goosebumps up the Mayor's arms, "You may leave now. Those men have suffered enough at the hands of evil rulers."

The man bowed his head and started for the door, pausing as the queen spoke. "You are no longer held to your oaths. Betrayal of the worst kind was bestowed upon you and you deserve the right to choose."

All the soldiers turned to look at the Queen. She let her eyes glide from face to face as she spoke, "I can't bring your families back to you and for that, I am most sorry. All I can offer is money to secure the future of children and families you may have. I release you all from your duties. As of this moment, you are no longer soldiers in her Majesty's army. You are all your own men."

Confusion crossed her features when all the men's faces seemed disappointed. The soldier near the door looked around the room at his fellow men, "We do not wish that your Majesty. We have literally given our lives to serve and protect the ruler of the throne. We have nothing to go home to. We will all pledge an oath to whoever sits in it if this is your wish."

All the soldier's slammed an arm crossed their chest as they stomped a foot in unison.

Florica stood from her place at the table, "Before you pledge an oath to me, let me, pledge an oath to you. I Will never be the Queen that Regina has become. She has grown much in the last thirty years that she is nearly unrecognizable. She has proven to me and my people of how much she has changed. I would be honored to sit in her place while she is away, however, I will not take on the title of Queen. That title is only for Queen Regina. I am Florica." The old woman walked through the crowd making her way to the soldier near the door. "Your loyalty should not be expected from me, but instead I would like to earn it. I pledge my loyalty to you and your men, as well as all of the Enchanted Forest which I will serve and protect. As Regina said, there is no way to give you all back what Shaw took from you. But I can promise you that will never happen again. I want our people to unite and live in harmony, as well as freedom. It will take much time to get this kingdom in order, but together we can build the place we have all dreamed of."

Regina was a little speechless. The old gypsy woman spoke like a true Queen. She watched as the guard near the door looked at the old woman for a moment, he turned and looked at his fellow soldiers. Slowly he fell to his knee, and his men followed, "We in return, give our loyalty to our kingdom and its people. We will always be soldiers in her Majesty's army. We pledge to serve and protect all citizens of the Enchanted Forest. We will pledge our loyalty to our Elder as we keep trust in her word." The soldier glanced up to Regina, "You will forever have our loyalty, my Queen."

The room broke out in applause and cheers from the gypsies and the servants. She had never seen such blind loyalty in her life. Florica was indeed the perfect choice to rule in her stead.

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Emma paced back and forth in the court yard. She had been antsy about leaving all morning. She had a small confidence boost after witnessing the crown passing. She knew how their luck sometimes liked to go.

Many of the Story Brooke residents had went with Gold back through portal. They figured it would be faster and safer if they used magic to travel back to the portal. Gold did mumble something about not wanting to travel with the blonde again. Regina had asked what he had meant, but Emma pretended she had no idea.

Esmeralda stood talking quietly with Emma when Regina walked up. Emma could see something in her eye. But couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

The long dark haired gypsy smiled, "I will miss you, friend."

Emma smiled, "Why don't you come with us?"

Esmeralda looked at her husband and then back to the blonde, "Your world is not for us." She smiled again, "Besides, this is my mother's home and we plan to stay with her now that my father is gone."

Emma nodded. She completely understood, "I'm going to miss you too."

The gypsy leaned in and gave the blonde a tight hug and then released her. She held out her hand to shake Phoebus' hand but he was quick to pull her into an embrace.

The blonde watched as Esmeralda stood in front of Regina. The Mayor smiled, "Well, now you will be rid of me. That should bring you some comfort."

Esmeralda looked at the Mayor with amusement, "Believe it or not, it brings me no such comfort to see my Queen leave."

Regina looked a surprised but tried to recover quickly, "Yeah, well, I will miss you too dear."

The long dark haired woman grinned, "I'm sure we will see one another again. I look forward to it."

The Queen smiled and nodded as she agreed. Emma could tell she wasn't sure what to say and was glad that no one pushed. Mulan and Ruby walked up hand in hand.

Emma grinned up at the warrior. She was happy for the stoned face woman. It was crazy looking at her now. She actually wore a smile and there was a slight glow.

"We came to see you off," Mulan said.

Emma narrowed her eyes, "See us off?" She looked at Mulan and then Ruby who refused to look her in the eye.

"We're staying here. Mulan is not cut out for Story Brooke, and to be honest, I miss it here." Ruby said.

Emma and Regina exchanged looks. She wasn't sure how her mother would react to her best friend staying behind, "We'll miss you both."

Ruby gave the Queen an awkward hug and then hugged the blonde.

Mulan smiled at Emma and then stepped forward, "I told you the ancestors would work this out." She gestured between Regina and Emma.

The blonde grinned, "Yes you did. And I see that they have blessed you as well."

"Let's not judge too quickly. She has no idea what she is getting herself into." The wolf said with a devilish smirk.

The group laughed as they watched the warrior blush. Emma pulled her into a hug. The woman was stiff beneath her, but she didn't care.

"It was an honor to fight beside you, Emma Swan," Mulan said as they stepped away from each other.

Emma smiled, "It always is."

Hook was standing off to the side which caught the blonde's attention. She slowly walked away from the small group she was with to go over to him, "Hey? Everything okay?"

He had a strange glint in his eye, but he managed a smile, "Of course, Love."

Emma could tell there was more. But she knew that when it came to emotion sharing, the villains in her life were not the most open. "We're going to leave as soon as my parents get here."

She started to walk back to the group when he replied, "Not me Love."

Emma turned back to look at him, "What do you mean?"

He scratched his chin and took a deep breath, "I need a change of scenery for a while."

"Look, if it's about Regina and me, I'm sorry. I don't want you to feel like you" Killian cut her off.

"It's not that Swan. I mean, I did only stay there for you, and I did plan to go back after all this was over." Killian said.

"What changed?" She asked.

"I met.." His words were cut short when the short haired blonde bounced out from around a corner.

"You ready for this date?" She asked without looking up.

Emma's eyebrows rose. Tinker Bell and Hook? She repeated the pairs name over and over in her head. She was more than glad that the pirate had found a new love interest, she was just surprised at who it was. She was pretty sure that when they were in Neverland, Tinker Bell was clear about her dislike of the pirate.

Hook smiled lightly, "Tink's staying too."

Emma nodded with a small smile of her own, "Well, I wish you both the best of luck."

Tink looked nervous, but her mouth curled upwards.

"I'm happy for you both and I hope it works out. I do think you both deserve happiness." Emma said.

Tinker Bell gave the long haired blonde a hug. Once she was released, Emma looked up at Killian. She may not have been in love with him, but she did feel as though they were friends. She hesitantly reached up to hug him and he returned it. She whispered in his ear, "Thank you for everything." She didn't want to patronize the man. She meant every word and she hoped he knew it too.

The blonde turned to Tinker Bell, "You take care of him."

"I will." The ex-fairy said with a smile.