Regina woke up tied up on her back on the chair and her legs tied below the chair wondering how she got here. She remembered last time is when she was working in her office at her work then everything went white. She doesn't know why her powers isn't working anymore as she looked around but it was in a dark room. She struggles against the rope but it was too strong then tries to remember what would Emma would done in this situation so many times. She studied the chair smiles that it was wood so it would mean its breakable as she thought. She moved her body back and forth then she fell backward as the chair broke. She fought against her legs that was attached to the chair until released. Her hands went under as she stretches her arm that hurts her muscle a little but she doesn't care. She got up with her hands still tied up now on front as she looked around the room to turn on the lights by touching the walls but nothing. She slams the wall with her fit exasperated then started to look for the door handle inch by inch wanting to scream but there was no point. She hit table leg as she winces then lean closer to see but it was barely then touched the table only found a twitch that lights the entire table. The rest of the room is still dark but she felt really light air blowing. Regina smiles to herself trying to find where the air is coming from, the hidden door of course. She leaned close to the wall to feel the air and it was at the corner then she tried to push but it didn't open. She only needs small spark of magic so waves her hand but nothing is coming out. She kept banging on the hidden door then decided to follow the edge of the air as she went around then somehow it clicked when she touched the bottom of the floor.
Regina squeeze tightly with her fingers below to open it as it took forever to open it. When the door opened a little, she got up and pulled the door with all of her might as she closes her eyes how extremely heavy that door is. She inhaled sharply as she hardly opened but couldn't pull anymore. She breathes heavily but refocused her task as she squash between the door. She heard someone talking so she hurried to get out then saw something is blowing inside on the top as smoked filled the room. Regina started to feel faint as she got out then closed the door with doorknob. She crouched down to walk while looking around to make sure no one noticed her as she studied the layout of the house but it's same as any other houses. She hopes Berta is not trapped in one of those rooms as she thought about her briefly.
A man voiced loudly, "She's gone!"
Regina eyes lit up walking fast to hurry to the next room down the hall before anyone notices. She entered the room then turned off the lights noticed that there are no windows. The room looked like an office that has desk in the middle and bookshelves on both walls. She walked over to the bookshelves to see what they are as she took some books out to see what it is. She curses as she put the books back, she carefully looked through then walked over to the other side of the wall as she noticed a strange symbol on one of the books in the middle end of the shelves. It is new language that she hasn't read before with drawings as she flipped through the pages, so she decided to keep it just in case. The door was about to open as her face quickly turned as she kneeled down behind the desk before she was noticed. She peaked behind the desk to see who the man's voice is as she quickly looked up as the man walked in looking around, tall blonde hair with brown eyes but her face was shaped different so he must be from Wonderland because it has all kinds of weird looking people, but Regina doesn't recognized the man.
Another man's voice yelled angrily, "Why didn't you drug her an hour before?"
This man in the room where Regina is hiding behind the desk didn't answer, "Let's find her before Ebony calls us." The man walked out of the room closed the door. Regina heavily sighs, of course Ebony; she has objects to use to protect the house from magical users, so no wonder her magic isn't working.
She watched the light under the door to watch the footstep while listening until it fades then she carefully opened the door still crouching down. She looked both ways of the hallway noticing she is on second floor trying to decide which best way out. There is another room on the right pass where Regina was locked in, so she started walking towards it slowly and quietly. The man was standing facing front while Regina held her breath hoping the man would not turn as she opened the door a little going inside. Before she closed it, she was in another dark room like hers wondering if it's the same one, so she didn't completely close it because she wanted to investigate first. She walked to the middle of the room, but it was a woman lay on the ground as she hit the woman's face couldn't see who it was yet. She pulled her closer to the door as light glows onto the body then Regina's eyes wide quietly trying to wake Berta up, "Berta, wake up!"
Regina questioned filled why she is not on chair tied up, who are two men and why they are trapped in this house by order from Ebony and list goes on. Regina doesn't have time to wait until she wakes up as she opened the door but this door is lighter than previous room. She peaked to see if the man is there, but he's gone as she looked forward but it's going downstairs. She curses then before her down the hall pass the office and there's an corner to the next hall. Regina lightly closed the door then decided to try give CPR on Berta. Regina quietly spoke, "Berta, wake up," while pumping on her chest and blowing through her mouth few times.
Berta shook up eyes wide open, "Regina …"
Regina shushes, "No time, comeon. We got to keep moving."
Berta fought herself to get up nodding then Regina turned, "Follow me." Regina doubled checked but the same man with blonde hair is back. Berta looked down seeing Regina is tied up, so she crawled over to untie it as Regina thanked her.
"Why is that door open?" Another strange spoke up.
Regina tries to think quickly then turns to Berta, "Go back and pretend you're sleeping. Go!" Regina grabbed the rope then walked to the farther darkest corner on the right prays that no one will notice.
The blonde man, "I'll check." He opened and looked around then another man stood behind him, "Get her out and take her downstairs. Ebony is on her way to try again."
Regina questioned herself about trying what again as she watches the man walking kneeling down to pick her up with both of his arms. She creepily walked behind him as she grabs his neck with rope.
The blonde man about to shout out but Berta stopped by covering his mouth. Berta hit him on his face trying to help Regina to knock him out as he fought against as he pulled down the rope. Berta then walked over helping Regina to pull the rope even harder. The man fell faced down as Berta sat breathing hard, "Why is Ebony on her way? What did she want to do with me?"
Regina replied, "I don't know. Everything is all about you and I have no idea what they have against you. Are you sure you told me everything you know? Is there anything else you would like to share?"
Berta shakes her head, "If I knew, would you think I would pull you in the first place?"
Regina picked her up, "We must press on."
"Glad you could join us, Regina," Ebony and tall man walked in then Ebony waved to make the body disappear into dust, "You saved me the trouble."
Berta quickly stood behind Regina, "what do you want, Ebony?"
Ebony was displeased, "So protective of someone who will destroy everything you hold dear."
Regina asked, "What do you mean?"
Ebony waved her over, "I'll show you," when Berta followed, Ebony redirected to Berta, "you stay."
Regina turned facing Berta, "It'll be ok and I'll be back for you," Regina grabbed Ebony's arm, "turn the lights on and remove the protection barrier if want her to stay."
Ebony waved her hand flicking as the light brightly on then Regina tested her magic by conjuring the fireball. Regina looked around the empty room and it turns out it looked like a bedroom, so with her arms on her waist wanted Berta to feel comfortable, "Ebony, the furniture?"
Ebony rolled her eyes, "I like you better when you're Evil Queen," as she waved with both of her hands as grey smoke surrounded the room appearing the bed, closets and desk.
Regina walked out starting to think all of this are too easy and realized she's walking into trap stopped in the hallway, "What is it you want to show me?"
Both of them turned then Ebony pointed at the office, "it is just inside of the office."
Regina asked because she already been inside, "What's in the office?"
Ebony walked closer, "something you will see the future."
Regina backed away close to the door as she thought of Berta staying in control.
Ebony waved down her hand, "She must die, so she is not going to get out of that room until I figure out how. She seem to be protected from all magical users and potions."
Regina nodded, "You think I'm stupid enough not to see what your true intentions are? I forgot who I am." Regina quickly threw the fireball at them, but Ebony threw off the fireball directed back to Regina. She flew but lucky haven't fell to the first floor over the stairs. Without a second thought, she mentally pushed both of them with her hands as they hit the ceiling hard. The man is knocked out, but Ebony groaned as she got up slowly Regina and Ebony are fighting for a same cause, but both of them have different idea about saving people and United Realms. Regina ran and opened the door, "Berta!"
Regina curses as she looked around the empty room, "Berta!" The room is silent as a tomb then Ebony threw the desk towards Regina. Regina flips and hit the ground as her face bleeds a little on her forehead. She slammed the ground then pushed the desk away from her, "What have you done with Berta?"
Ebony shrugged, "I recently found out that it was one of her future generation will put together three curses with help with someone else who is unknown at the moment, but I will find out."
Regina asked trying to divert, but she doesn't have choice. She needs more time, "What makes you think it's not from her daughter's line? What about her grandson's?"
Ebony shakes her head, "It is not because she will have another."
Regina thought of trying again, "What if she already had one recently, but abandon him in order to protect him from you? She had one year of forgotten memory, so what happened last year? What if she did something to force herself to forget?"
Ebony sighs sneering, "Stop playing with my mind."
Regina deriding, "You say you're from the future, but you forgot one thing, killing her doesn't solve any solutions because magic always have a way. What makes you think if you kill her, then universe will give another? Destiny in magic always call to the next person if previous is null and void. You haven't solved anything. I suggest you have an axe to grind."
Ebony listened deeply then Regina continued, "You cannot stop Destiny no matter how hard you try. You just prolong it. Now my wife."
Ebony waved her hands as grey smoke surrounded Regina before she could even react as she landed back into her house then shouted, "Berta!" She looked throughout the first floor as she shouted again, "Berta!" Regina ran upstairs looking in each room, then last the television room where Berta is asleep on the couch who looked like she's not breathing. Regina called out for the last time kneeling down slapping lightly on her head, "Berta. Wake up."
Berta started slowly opening her eyes as she hums, "What … What happened?"
Regina sighs heavily as she laughs lightly touching her forehead then kissed, "Ebony and her minions."
Berta asked, "What did they want? How long we have been there?"
Regina decided to tell truth since she deserve to know, "you, but there something else I have to tell you in order to understand what they want with you."
Berta listened then noticed Regina's face is bleeding with scar on her forehead, "You're bleeding."
Regina touched then doesn't care, "That's nothing. I have endured worse."
Berta got up, "Let's go to kitchen to clean you up."
Regina sighs followed her downstairs as she sat on the kitchen chair while Berta grabs wet and fry washcloth and alcohol to clean the wound at the top cabinet right side above the sink. Regina curses as she looked on her body then Berta asked, "What's wrong?"
Regina frown sighing, "I forgot about the book."
Berta went behind her back as it was tucked in her pants as she took the book out waving it, "I got it. It fell when we were in the room with Ebony."
Regina laughs as she kissed on her mouth, "Thank you. You are amazing."
Berta nodded quietly resuming cleaning her forehead while Regina tries to get idea what it's saying with strange symbols that she have never seen before.
Berta slammed the book to make her focus on her, Regina's eyes crossed, "What?" Berta eyes' brow lit up, "Are you going to tell me what is going on that makes you worried for past month?"
"It's not safe to discuss down here." Regina resume reading.
Berta knew it is because Ebony has eyes and ears in entire community so she remain quiet nodding then beamed, "Want to take a shower together then?"
Regina laughs but guess she doesn't have any choice so she agreed right after this. Regina looked at the clock top of the stove, but it is only afternoon, "We can tonight, it seems we have been missing for two weeks, so I'm sure Ebony is somehow covering for me at work. I have to call them to make sure everything ok and catch up any work they want me to."
Berta stood up when she completed cleaning her wounds, "I'll start with dinner then."
When Regina felt like Berta is becoming distance all of the sudden, so she grabbed her hand affectionately, "I'm sorry things are happening to you. I'm sorry about lot of things, but I'm trying. You have a right to be upset with me about this and I'll accept whatever you throw at me."
Berta doesn't know if she is or not because she needs time to ruminate, but she simply listened then got up to start cooking. Regina became sad feeling bad how much she goes through when she watches her being withdrawn into her own shell like usual. Regina isn't having it since this way is the only way she responded, so she stop up and grabbed her arm twisting her around then pulled her closer hard while staring deep in her eyes intensely. Berta isn't in the mood for this but Regina remained around her holding while brushing her hair away, "I meant it, Berta. I have contrite in my heart for all that happen to you, but I promise I won't let anyone harm you for any reason."
Berta listened as she breaths still pondering how she would be protected from her then Regina interrupted her train of thoughts, "I know you are worried about me specifically and just say the word and I promise I'll yield to your wishes."
Berta eyes wide astonished at her words while didn't say anything to that. Berta doesn't want her to leave her alone, but they both have so much chemistry that she feels one day they are in ticking time bomb, so she becomes afraid of what will happen between both of them. Berta asked, "You really mean it? If I ask, you will?"
Regina with half frown as her heart starting beating faster, "Yes, I will."
Berta wonders why Regina is acting this way thinking it might be part of the reason she will find out tonight. "Ok," Berta smiles kissed her soundly on her lips to give reassure that everything is alright, "I just need a moment."
Regina respected her wishes, so she backed away then went upstairs to her office before grabbing her iPhone in their bedroom to talk to her boss. Berta didn't feel like cooking, so she went to the store to buy ingredients for burgers and only cooked the burger meat.
"Everything ok at work?" Berta knocked at her door in her office late at night.
Regina was on call with few clients on group call about making multi million deal as her eyes lit up smiling. Berta listened to the group call seeing that she is still busy so she closed the door to give her privacy. Regina was hoping she'll stay when her smile turns upside down.
Regina thought of an idea hoping it'll cheer Berta up by creating an illusion of luxury spa under glass stars, so both of them can wear swimsuits. She planning create bubble around them to protect from showers, steaming and sounds, but inside bubble would be quiet and calming.
Regina started working her magic around the bathroom as she transform the tub to luxury hot spa with medium high bubbles. Berta was in her room reading book until she smelled something different, so she started to investigate what's going on following the smell. Berta walked in the bigger bathroom with her mouth open, "What is this?"
Regina clapped her hands beaming, "This is an illusion, so don't worry, but I thought instead of shower, we can do spa. The showers, steaming and loud music are on already, but we cannot hear them because I put protection bubble around the area of the spa under the stars," pointing her fingers up then Berta followed the hands seeing glass ceiling as stars blanket over the sky.
Berta thought it was sweet of her to try to find a way to give her relaxation and comfort. Regina stood up smiling from ear to ear, "Let's put bathing suit on."
Berta laughs following Regina to bedroom to change into bathing suit. Berta smiles breathing in getting in the spa tub, "this really feels so good …. I guess I really needed this."
Regina agreed as she closed her eyes leaning backward enjoying the hot spa and bubbles, "Let's enjoy this for few moments."
After awhile, their body became loosen up and completely at ease as Regina deep in thought about Berta and Ebony trying to organize her thoughts how she can say this but there is no easy way. She knows Berta will not be happy about this.
Regina opened her eyes watching her with her legs up, her bath suit is two piece yellow solid floral with sexy push up. Her skin is shaven, so smooth and tan that is wildly impossible how she takes care of herself like she comes from magazine every morning. She wonders how she does it so effortless. Regina wears simple one piece black bathing suit.
Regina mentally prepares herself as she spoke up, "Berta."
Berta's eyes lit up noticing that Regina is ready to have a discussion, so she straighten herself facing Regina to give herself heads up.
Regina sat up as well, "Before we have this conversation, I want to know that you're allow to speak your mind and be mad at me. Consider this area your safe zone, alright?"
Berta got serious since she said cannot be good.
Regina started explaining, "It seems King Arthur knew who you were before he changed the timeline. He was using you to drive a wedge between Emma and I because in the original timeline you were my True Love."
Berta with her hands up, "Wait … I don't know if that is good or bad. How is it possible … I mean in this one … are we?"
"The universe and specifically The Author, always give two possibilities, in the original timeline I had Daniel and Robin, so I can fall in love with one of them, but when a person dies then it becomes null and void. In this new timeline, it is Daniel and Emma, but when Daniel disappeared then …"
"So … in the original timeline, after you're crown Good Queen and we had a chance to fall in love, is that what you're saying? In this timeline, what am I?"
Regina nodded, "Yes and in this timeline, I honestly don't know. I feel connected to you that I cannot explain."
Berta feels the same way that what they both feel is so intense that they cannot think straight. Berta doesn't understand why she accepts everything who she is then waved her to continue.
Regina cleared her throat, "You and Emma's future generation would put together three curses together, but I don't know how or what, so don't ask. Henry, from Wish Realm, told me years ago that hundreds years later my daughters will be the one to put Storybrooke on the map. Recently I found out that your future children also play a key role in this to wipe out the United Realms. Ebony and the people from future are freaking out, who is also from the future that send here to find out before it started. Ebony currently is looking for Emma and my daughters, but they are safe and far from Storybrooke, thankfully."
Berta listened carefully since she's confused, so started asking, "Ebony is from the future? I only have one daughter, so from her?"
Regina sharply inhaled for the biggest information, "Yes, Ebony is from the future and out to get you, but I lied to give myself time to find a way to keep you safe. Also to send Ebony back to the future and never come back here if I can," after a long pause and Berta kept nodding for her to continue whispering what is it, "it is not from your daughter's line … It is from mine."
Berta eyes crossed with her head crocked, "yours? What do you mean?"
Regina honesty doesn't know how this going to work, but replied as she closed her eyes breathing in and out, "me and you … you know … you and me."
Berta still pondering what she meant by that then her eyes started to wide furiously, "you mean," fingering both of them but couldn't say it, "umm … how? I'm not magical user and not officially your True Love, so how …?"
Regina answered, "Ebony put time on your heart unless I … we have two weeks for me to do what I need to do. She told me about a month go, so I was hoping to find another way, but it's too late. I cannot make this decision because it's your body so you have to decide."
Berta became upset standing up since everything became complicated, stinky and even more risky, "Why would I have baby with you who loves somebody else? Why would I bring that baby to … the baby will blame me or you because we not together and he'll think that one of us abandoned him … How would you think I would react?!"
Regina's head bowed down and had no say to this.
Berta with her fit, "Regina!" making her to look up, "I die or I'll die by your magic because my body cannot handle magic."
Regina knows that because that is the reason Ebony is willingly to make the deal with her, but still remained quiet.
Berta hit her on her face on purpose as Regina winces touching her side of her face then got out then slammed the door. Regina listened the slamming as she cringes, "I'm sorry."
