While still holding firmly onto Henry's hand, Regina followed her sister across the parking lot. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw her beloved Mercedes standing parked there. God, she had missed her car. Had missed driving.

"Do you want to drive, sis?" Zelena asked, turning her head, and looking at Regina.

As much as Regina wanted to drive, she still shook her head no. She was getting a headache again. That spot on her forehead that slammed into a wall again and again was starting to ache in that particular, throbbing manner. Regina didn't want to drive when she had a headache. It wasn't safe. And she didn't want to drive with an audience either. It had been so long since she was behind the wheel, and she felt like that was something she should do on her own and not monitored by her son and sister.

"Alright," Zelena nodded. "I'll do it then. You're probably tired after the long journey and all, am I right?"

Regina nodded this time. Yes, she was most definitely tired. It had been a long day. That was why she was starting to get a headache. She needed to get home, slip into a pair of sweatpants, and remove her makeup. Maybe watch a half an hour of a movie with Henry, and then straight to bed afterwards.

Zelena unlocked the doors, and Henry immediately climbed onto the backseat. Regina knew exactly what he was signalizing. That there would be no front seat view for her tonight. But that was okay. She had no desire to look out of the window today. She only wanted to look at her son.

Zelena elegantly stuffed Regina's suitcase into the boot of the car. Then she turned to Emma and gestured towards her duffel-bag. "Here, let me grab that for you."

"Thanks," Emma said gratefully. It didn't escape Regina's notice how she winced upon relived from the extra weight. Poor girl. That duffel-bag was probably very heavy.

"You don't mind the passenger's seat, do you?" Zelena asked, straightening her posture after having stuffed Emma's luggage into the boot of the car. "Normally, Henry wants to sit up front, but today is a bit of a special case."

The extra warmth in her sister's voice did not slip past Regina's attention. She smiled a little to herself. Henry had missed her. Regina followed him into the car, onto the backseat, and as soon as she had buckled her seatbelt, Henry wiggled closer to her and took her hand again. Regina gave his little hand a reassuring squeeze, barely paying attention as Emma said: "the passenger's seat is fine." it did not take long before Emma Swan somehow folded her long legs, so they fitted onto the car floor. The door to the passenger's seat was slammed shut, and Emma did a little wiggle to find the seatbelt.

Zelena got behind the wheel. She adjusted the mirror slightly and then started the car. She easily maneuvered the car away from the parking lot, and it did not take long before she had another question for Emma: "I understand that you and Regina met in the train?" as she spoke, she adjusted the mirror again, and Regina reminded herself to address that at some point. The mirror couldn't handle all that pulling and tugging. It would fall off.

"Yeah, that's right," Emma nodded. "We met right after the journey started. I was in Regina's seat."

Regina smiled a little at the memory.

"And your name is Emma," Zelena continued matter of factly.

"That's right," Emma said briskly. "Emma Swan."

Regina got the urge to smile again. That fairytale name suited her so well.

"Emma Swan," Zelena repeated. "My name is Zelena. I'm Regina's sister. Or, half-sister, but details, details. It's nice to meet you. I'm glad my sister found someone to share the train ride with."

"Yeah, it's been nice having someone to hang out with," Emma said and sounded so open and honest that Regina had to smile again. Meeting that kind of honesty was a rare treat these days.

"So next stop Steveston and Eugenia's Inn," Zelena summed up.

"It's really nice of you to give me a ride," Emma said quickly. "But I could just have taken a bus or something."

Regina's smile stiffened slightly. Once again, Emma Swan sounded like an excuse for herself. Why was she doing that all the time? Why did she have the constant urge to apologize all the time? Of course this alarmed Regina, because she knew exactly how it felt, having to apologize for every little thing you said or did. And sometimes an apology didn't cut it.

"Oh, pish-posh," Zelena said, waving Emma's apology off. "Steveston isn't so far away and can't very well say no to Regina when she's being that insistent."

Regina glared at her sister in the mirror and made a few well-chosen signs in her direction to communicate that Zelena was being ridiculous.

Zelena of course laughed at her. "I'm not being ridiculous, sis. You were being insistent."

Regina signed once more. She was definitely not being insistent, thank you very much!

Zelena didn't react to that. She just laughed at her. Typical. Regina scoffed quietly and then glanced past Henry out of the window. The sky was inky blue. It wouldn't be long before it was completely dark outside. Regina was getting sleepy. Again. She was so tired of being... well, tired. But her doctor and therapist had insisted that she wasn't tired because of depression, but because she was 'coming back' as they called it. She was stepping back into the world. And apparently, that took a toll on her.

Henry shifted a bit and ended up resting his head on her shoulder. Regina's chest immediately filled with warmth. Her little boy. It had been too long since he last did that. She was relieved that he still wanted to. That nothing had changed between them. She was still his mother. Regina turned her head and placed a quick kiss in his hair. She was vaguely aware that Emma Swan was watching them in the mirror, but she did not care.

"So, Emma," Zelena said, and her brisk voice interrupted Regina's little moment with Henry. "What brings you to Vancouver?"

"Oh, uhmm... different circumstances, I guess," Emma said. Her voice was a bit tight, Regina noted. If this continued, she would have to step in and remind Zelena that it wasn't her business. She had no business poking around in Emma's business.

"You're from Toronto?" Zelena asked.

"I am," Emma confirmed. Her voice was less tight now, but still slightly guarded.

"But you felt like going somewhere else?" Zelena continued.

"Yeah." Emma's answer was as short as could be, and Regina did her best to glare at her sister in the mirror. She was taking her questions a step too far now!

But Zelena continued. "What do you do?"

Regina rolled her eyes. God, seriously? Zelena wasn't just being nosy now. She was being pushy.

"I'm a writer," Emma said, and for a moment her voice sounded all light. But then she deflated slightly again: "Well, at least I'm trying to be one. I haven't actually had anything published yet, but I'm hoping to get the chance once the book is finished."

"What do you write then?" Zelena asked, and now her eyes finally flicked to the mirror.

Regina immediately took the opportunity to sign at Zelena and tell her to stop interrogating Emma.

"I am not interrogating her," Zelena huffed, "I'm just trying to be friendly."

Regina rolled her eyes. Friendly. Right. More like ridiculously nosy.

Emma laughed a little. "It's fine. I write fairy tales. Or, twisted fairy tales. I like to play around with the characters and modernize and re-event things."

"You write fairy tales?" Henry piped up and surprised Regina. She thought that he had nodded off next to her. "That's so cool!"

"Thanks," Emma chuckled, sounding genuinely happy. "I hope other people will think that too."

And why wouldn't they? Why didn't Emma Swan have more faith in herself? It really was a terrible shame.

"Henry loves fairytales," Zelena said overbearingly. "Isn't that right, Hen?"

"Yes!" Henry said defensively. "And I don't care what you think, auntie Z, I'm not too old to read fairytales!"

Of course he's not. Regina was proud of her boy for defending what he liked. He sounded so mature. She spotted the disagreeing look on Zelena's face and immediately took the opportunity to scowl at her sister. Then she made eye contact with her son and wiggled her fingers tryingly.

Henry immediately nodded. He was ready to translate for her.

And so Regina wiggled her fingers in the air to say exactly what she wanted to say about fairytales. In hindsight, she was probably signing a bit too quickly, but Henry had absolutely no problem with keeping up. He watched her intensely as she signed and then translated for her: "fairy tales are important for both children and adults. They teach about different cultures, different ways of doing things.
They teach children about cultural differences in the world and encourages them to explore their curiosity and urges them to learn new things and experience new places. They also teaches that a person who comes from nothing can turn their life around. Fairy tales teaches right from wrong and teaches that good will always win. Maybe that's not always true, but it still teaches a very important lesson: be the hero, and not the villain. Fairy tales can help children deal with their emotions, and finally, they allow everyone, children and adults to run away from whatever reality they're facing, fairy tales gives the reader hope, and I don't see how anyone can ever be too old to have hope and feel uplifted. As you never become too old to dream. So really, Zelena, what you're saying doesn't make a wink of sense." He took a deep breath and Regina saw a flash of pride in her eyes as he asked: "did I get all that right, mom?"

He did, and he even corrected a few wrong signs on her behalf, bless him. Regina nodded proudly and ruffled his hair. She silently formed the words 'good boy', and Henry laughed and said "thanks, mom."

In the mirror, Zelena rolled her eyes. "Alright, jeez, I don't remember asking for a lecture, Regina."

Regina signed once more, and her display of sass came through in Henry's voice as he said: "but you got one anyway."

Zelena rolled her eyes again and muttered something incoherent under her breath.

Henry put his head on Regina's shoulder again. "I've missed you, mom."

Regina put an arm around his shoulder and gave him a little squeeze. She had heard the slight vulnerability in his voice.

"So have I, but I haven't missed your lectures," Zelena mumbled.

Regina looked up and lifted her hands. Her fingers danced in the air as she signed and questioned her sister's statement.

"Yes, you have," Henry snickered. "She says that you're a liar."

"Well, I've never..." Zelena said, but she smiled warmly at Regina, nevertheless. Her green eyes were overflowing with tenderness. It was obvious that she had missed Regina terribly.

Regina had missed her sister too. So, so much. She was finally back with her family, and she had no plans about ever going anywhere again. This was where she belonged. If only her headache would go away, that was. It was starting to get to her. Her head was throbbing in earnest now. Damn it. Regina did not want to spend her first night home having a headache. But it rather seemed like that was how things were going down. Unless she took an aspirin, that was. But honestly, Regina wasn't all that big on that. Mixing aspirin with the strong painkillers she was taking, didn't seem like the best idea. Oh well. Maybe the headache would disappear on its own when she got home and finally started relaxing a little. One could only hope.

Henry snuggled into her side again, and Regina took the opportunity to plant another kiss on his hair. God, she had missed her son! It felt like she'd had an ache in her chest that was only being soothed this very moment. She would never part ways with her son again. Except for when he was going to school, of course.

School. Regina chewed on the inside of her cheek. Sooner or later, she would have to face the other parents at Henry's school. What would they think of her? Had they gossiped about her while she had been away? 'Henry's mother who was involved in that strange accident where she lost her voice'. 'Henry Mills' mute mother'. Was that whom she was now?

Regina bit her lip and then she pushed the thoughts away. Worrying would only make her headache worse.

Zelena kept asking Emma questions, and Emma mentioned that Regina had encouraged her to contact Malena from Dragon Publishing.

Zelena shot Regina a surprised look in the mirror, and Regina could not blame her for that. This was the most charge Regina had taken in months.

Then Henry claimed her attention again. Her little prince talked and talked about all the things he had done while she was on the train. He'd had far too many popcorns. And chips. And too much hot chocolate too. Zelena had let him stay up late, and they had watched a lot of Disney movies.

Regina knew that she probably should scold her sister for her lax 'parenting', but she could not bear to do so. Henry deserved all the hot chocolate and popcorn and chips and Disney movies he could possibly get. This had been such a tough time for all of them. And after her brief consideration of ending her life and thereby robbing Henry of his mother, there wasn't the thing she would deny him. If he wanted something, be that an extra hour of Disney movie or a bag of chips, he could have it...

By the time they arrived in Steveston, Regina's arm was asleep and tingling, but she didn't have the heart to make Henry move away. She wanted him there. She craved his presence more than she craved air.

Being back in Steveston was strange to say the least. It had been ages since she last was there. She and Killian visited a few times, but he quickly gaslighted Regina into believing that exotic destinations was so much better. Regina had been stupid enough to believe that it was her Prince Charming speaking. Her prince Charming who was going to whisk her away to new places. But in reality, it had been more about Killian disliking the small town where everyone knew everyone.

Regina felt guilty about that. She felt guilty for having ever believed any of the crap he had said about Steveston. She loved the town. She had missed it. Had missed this tranquil little fisher village. It had once been her second home, and now that she was here again, she could really feel that.

Behind the wheel, Zelena was chit-chatting about Steveston. "It's a very small town," she said. "But very sweet and peaceful. I'm sure you can find some inspiration for your stories here."

Regina smiled to herself. Yes, she was sure about that too. Steveston almost screamed fairytale. Especially the crooked woods and picturesque harbor. Regina had almost lifted her hands to sign so Henry could translate it, but at the very last minute she decided not to. Emma Swan probably did not need any writing tips.

"I'm absolutely sure I can," Emma replied. "This place is perfect."

"There's also a few places for sale," Zelena continued. "So if you're thinking about settling down permanently here, it won't be a problem at all."

Regina briefly entertained that thought. Settling down in Steveston. In a house by the harbor. Or the woods. God, how idyllic that could be. Henry could play outside every day. Regina shook her head as she pushed the thought away. She was not moving out of her sister's house anytime soon. She was not yet nearly strong enough for that. She needed her sister's support. And she still couldn't be alone. Not really. Well, she had been sort of alone on the train, but not really. She had been able to hear other people all the time.

Emma chuckled. "Well, right now I'm definitely tempted."

"And there's an animal shelter too," Zelena told her. "So if you should feel the urge to get a furry companion, that won't be a problem either."

"Okay, now I'm really tempted," Emma said and sounded very genuine. Definitely an animal-lover.

Regina glanced at Henry. He was an animal lover too. Oh, the times he had begged to get a dog. Some of the times Regina had been close to saying yes. But now she couldn't even handle the idea of getting a dog. She was too weak. Mentally and physically.

"There is a medical clinic just off Main Street," Zelena said. "But it's very small, so if there should be an emergency, you'd have to phone for an ambulance to get taken to the nearest hospital."

"I'll remember that."

Regina tried not to cringe. Just hearing the word 'hospital' or 'ambulance' made her insides twist. Zelena met her gaze in the mirror. Her lips moved as she formed a silent 'sorry'. She knew how Regina felt about those two words.

"And there's a garage too," Zelena continued, gaze still flickering anxiously to Regina. "You won't have any problems finding a car."

"Great."

"And what else is there..." Zelena continued and frowned slightly. "It's been over five years since I was last here, so things are a little hazy..." she considered it for a second and then continued: "right, of course. There's a sheriff's department and a park and a beautiful forest area. Ideal for picnics."

Regina tried not to scoff. Was Zelena changing career to the tourist business or something? It sure sounded like it with the way she was yapping off stores and places in Steveston.

Then they rounded a corner, and Zelena announced: "And last but not least... there's Eugenia's Inn."

Regina felt a smile spread on her lips as she looked at the familiar, beautiful old grey building. Eugenia's Inn was exactly as she remembered it. Old fashioned and charming like the rest of the town.

"Great," Emma said again, but this time she didn't sound half as enthusiastic. Perhaps she was a bit nervous about starting over in a new city. Regina wouldn't blame her if she was. So was she. Not that she was starting over in a new city, but she certainly was starting over as a new person. A person who could not speak. Regina tried not to think about it. It made her throat tighten and hurt. Stupid, psychosomatic pain! Stupid brain tricking her into believing that she was hurting when she actually was not. At least not there.

Regina watched as Emma Swan got out of the car and went round back to grab her duffel-bag. There was something oddly childish and innocent in the way she slung the duffel-bag over her shoulder. And definitely something anxious too. She came round the car again, clearly getting ready to say goodbye, and Regina saw that her mouth had been drawn into a thin line. She had not seen that expression on Emma's face before, and she decided right then and there that she did not like it. Emma Swan looked so vulnerable with her mouth like that and that wrinkle between her eyes.

Regina realized that she couldn't possibly let Emma go into Eugenia's Inn on her own. Emma already looked plenty overwhelmed at the prospect of setting foot in a new town, and Regina feared that this would be the last straw or something.

As gently as she could, she freed her arm from Henry and then got out of the car. She spent a moment on typing a message on her phone. 'would you mind if I went in there with you? It's been a while since I last saw Eugenia, and I'd like to say hello to her before we leave again.' partially true, it had been ages since she last saw Eugenia. When she was done typing, she turned the screen towards Emma so she could read.

Emma spent a moment on reading the message. Then she looked up. Her face was illuminated by the light from the screen, and Regina could see how she smiled.

"Yeah, sure," she said. "Of course you can go in with me."

"Can I come with you?" Henry piped up as he leaned out of the open door. "Please?"

Regina knew exactly what this was about. He was anxious to let her go again. Her poor boy. She frowned slightly as she signed and told him that she wouldn't be gone for that long.

Henry was not satisfied. "But mom..." he pleaded with her.

"Hen, your mom will be right back," Zelena jumped in. "She's just going in there to say hello to Eugenia. It won't take very long."

Henry looked up at Regina with big brown eyes that nearly broke her heart. "You promise?"

Regina nodded solemnly and wiggled her fingers in a 'promise'.

"Ooookay," Henry said, leaning back in his seat, clearly accepting that.

Regina turned her attention back to Emma and tried her best to do a 'shall we?'-gesture with her head.

And luckily, Emma got it. She nodded and as Regina started walking, the blonde followed her towards the inn.

Coming inside, Regina almost felt soothed by seeing that the place had not changed at all. It still looked equally as cozy as it always had. The grey forest wallpaper almost made Regina feel at home. Ready to order a cup of coffee and her usual bagel. Except she couldn't. At least not the usual way she would order. No words would come out of her mouth again.

Behind the desk was Eugenia Wolf. She was arguing with someone in the backroom. Judging by the voice half-shouting back to her, it could only be Ruby Wolf. Her granddaughter. They were arguing about Ruby's skirt. Or more specifically, the length of it. So nothing had changed there either. Eugenia wanted Ruby to wear something that 'didn't make it look like you're on the menu!', and Ruby was yelling back something about at least she 'wasn't dressing like Norman Bates when he was dressed as his mother!'.

If she could, Regina would have chuckled. The little exchange was amusing. Next to her, Emma clearly thought so too. It was easy to forget why they were there, but then Regina snapped out of it and pressed the little bell standing on the desk. If she couldn't clear her throat, this was one way to get Eugenia's attention.

Eugenia immediately stopped arguing and turned around. Her mouth dropped slightly, and she slammed a heavy hand against the counter. She was clearly stunned at what she was seeing.

Regina flashed her a little smile. Surprise. I'm back. At least sort of.

"As I live and breathe..." Eugenia said as she quickly came round the corner. "Regina Mills!"

Before Regina could as much as blink, Eugenia had engulfed her in a hug. The feeling of arms immediately sent pangs of anxiety through her body. Her first instinctive reaction was to shake Eugenia's arms off and bolt from the diner. But then she remembered that this was Eugenia. Eugenia Wolf. She had known Eugenia Wolf for ages and ages. And her embraces was not something to fear. She returned the hug as best as she could and patted Eugenia on the back.

"Gran? Granny, what happened? What was that sound?" Ruby called from the backroom.

"Come see for yourself," Eugenia called back.

Regina smiled a little at that.

After a bit of shuffling, Ruby emerged from the backroom. Looking exactly like Regina remembered her in a white top and red skirt with a little apron over it. She squealed loudly when she spotted Regina, exclaimed 'no way!' and before Regina could as much as blink, she was being hugged again. By Ruby this time. She withstood that too. Ruby's hugs was 'safe' too. They shouldn't give her a reason to panic. But admittedly, she was relieved when Ruby released her again.

"I just can't believe it!" Ruby exclaimed. "After all this time! How are you doing? Are you okay?"

Loaded question. And one there was only one acceptable answer to. Regina smiled and nodded in affirmative, and Ruby hugged her once more for good measurement.

That was when Eugenia finally spotted Emma. She went 'oh', took off her glasses, wiped them and then put it back on her nose. "You must be Emma...?"

"Swan," Emma added. "Yeah, that's me."

"You're the one who called about the room," Ruby said as she released Regina once more.

"Yeah," Emma confirmed and nodded slightly. She still looked a bit nervous.

Ruby shook her head a little. "Incredible. You're the first one to rent a room in months."

"Ruby!" Eugenia barked. "Kindly stop making our inn sound unattractive to our new guest."

Ruby glared.

Eugenia ignored that and turned to Emma Swan once more. Flashed her a warm smile. "Welcome, miss Swan. My name is Eugenia Wolf, and that rude creature is my sweet granddaughter Ruby."

Ruby glared again, but then she sobered up and flashed Emma a smile. "Hi, and welcome. We Wolf's tends to make a horrible first impression, but I promise you, Granny isn't as bad as she sound."

"Ruby!" Eugenia hissed. "One more word out of your mouth and I'll fire you, young lady!"

"And what, run the place all alone?" Ruby nonchalantly shot back.

Eugenia muttered something about finding better waitresses another place, but when Ruby flashed her a smile, she softened considerably and flashed her granddaughter a smile in return.

"See, not as bad as she appears," Ruby sniggered.

Emma snickered, and Regina found it hard not to be amused. Eugenia and Ruby's arguments were always entertaining.

Eugenia once again ignored her granddaughter as she said to Emma: "I'm afraid our rooms aren't that big..."

"That's totally fine," Emma assured. "I don't require lot of space."

It was said all jokingly, but the comment still gave Regina some pause. It very much sounded like Emma once again was trying to excuse her presence.

Eugenia did not pick up on it though. She merely smiled as she reached underneath the desk and found a familiar, antique key. She handed it to Emma with the words: "I've chosen room number seven for you. It has a lovely view over the square. I hope you don't mind that. But if you prefer forest view-"

"Square view is fine," Emma interrupted in that unnerving please-don't-make-a-fuss-tone. Regina really did not like that at all.

But once again, Eugenia did not pick up on it. "Good," she said, smiling again. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay here."

"I'm absolutely sure I will," Emma said. "Regina was adamant that this is the best place."

Eugenia clicked her tongue as she looked at Regina. "You shouldn't go around and spread lies, young lady!"

Young lady. Regina smiled as she shrugged lightly. She couldn't even remember the last time she had been referred to as 'young lady'. Most likely when Mother was alive. She always had the habit of calling Regina 'young lady'. And often when she was cross with Regina. But Eugenia always said it so affectionately. She clearly did not care that Regina was thirty five and so far from a 'young lady'.

"Is that all your luggage?" Ruby asked, nodding towards Emma's duffel-bag.

"Yep," Emma said with a slight shrug.

Yes, Emma Swan indeed travelled light. Regina had noticed that too. Imagine travelling so far away with so few belongings. Emma Swan was a very brave woman.

"Hmm. You travel lightly," Ruby commented and flicked a lock of brown-red hair behind her ear. "But that's fine by me. Less stuff for me to carry when I help you to your room. Want me to take you there now?"

Regina expected Emma to say yes and bid her her farewell, but that did not happen. Instead Emma shifted slightly on her feet without saying anything, and Regina was confused. Had Emma perhaps changed her mind about wanting to stay here?

"Do you want me to show you the room?" Ruby asked again.

"Didn't you have some things to attend to in the backroom?" Eugenia rather suddenly asked.

"But I always show our guests their room," Ruby pointed out and sounded as confused as Regina felt.

Eugenia shrugged. "I'll do that. I'm pretty sure I can hear some boxes screaming your name in the backroom. If I were you, I'd go back in there and check what all the screaming is about."

Ruby rolled her eyes, muttered a "fine!" and then disappeared into the backroom once more.

Once she was gone, Eugenia emerged from behind the counter once more. She nodded towards Emma's duffel-bag. "Why don't I bring that into your room? It looks heavy."

"Oh, uhmm, thanks," Emma said and did a little wiggle as Eugenia without much further ado grabbed the duffel-bag and relieved her of the extra weight.

Eugenia disappeared up the wooden staircase, and as Regina listened to her heavy footsteps, she wondered exactly what she was missing right now. It rather felt like she was missing out on some massive point. Or perhaps she was just being silly.

"They seem like really nice people," Emma said as she turned to Regina.

Regina nodded and smiled in affirmative. Finding her phone, she quickly tapped a message: 'Eugenia can be a tad eccentric from time to time, but she's the sweetest, most helpful person you'll come across. And Ruby is the same. They fight like cat and dog, but don't let that fool you.'

Emma chuckled a bit and then continued: "thanks for the ride. It was really nice of you."

Regina shrugged lightly before quickly writing another message on her phone: It was the least I could do after what you've done.'

"I didn't really do anything," Emma pointed out.

Not true. Emma Swan had done plenty. Regina tapped on her phone again. 'You gave me someone to communicate with during the trip. That meant a lot.' It truly did. Emma could just as well have chosen to ignore the weird, mute lady she happened to share a cabin with. But she hadn't. Instead she had gone out of her way to talk to Regina. Treat her like a normal person. That truly meant the world. Regina turned the screen so Emma could read the message.

And once she had, Emma shrugged lightly. "I was more than happy to do that. You made this trip a lot less boring. I don't think anyone has ever managed to keep me so entertained."

Regina felt slightly amused as she wrote another message on her phone. 'That's very impressive given how little I've said during the trip.' She turned the screen towards Emma but almost regretted her attempt at being witty when she saw Emma's eyes snap up to scan her face. Had she really become so bad at joking? Perhaps. Or perhaps joking was only something that could be done verbally. Point taken.

But then Emma smiled ever so slightly. Oh. Perhaps Regina wasn't so horrible at joking after all. Good to know. Regina was relieved that Emma understood her little attempt at joking.

"Well..." Emma said slightly half-heartedly.

Regina settled for a nod and wondered why she didn't just smile and walk away. That was what she was supposed to do now. It wasn't that hard.

"Well then," Emma said. Nothing else.

Regina wondered if there would be a follow up comment, but nothing seemed to be happening. Emma was merely fidgeting. Shifting slightly. Her forehead was wrinkled as though she was lost in thoughts.

It occurred to Regina that maybe Emma Swan wasn't good at saying goodbye. If that was the case, Regina should definitely make it easier for her. It really was the least she could do. She offered Emma a smile and then reached out and touched the top of her shoulder. She honestly hadn't been planning on doing so. It just seemed like an appropriate way to say goodbye to the new friend she had gained during the three day long train ride.

Regina turned around and headed towards the door. Now she really had to get going. Zelena was waiting for her. Henry was waiting for her. He was probably wondering what was taking her so long. Regina didn't want to keep him waiting for her. He was probably tired, the poor thing. He had been up late last night. He had told her that he hadn't been able to sleep because he was so excited about her homecoming.

"CanIhaveyourphonenumber?!"

What on earth was that? Regina automatically froze with a hand on the doorknob. Was that a sneeze? A cough? No. Emma just said something. Didn't she?

Regina turned back around and looked at Emma. To her surprise, Emma's pale cheeks were flaming red, and her mouth was twisted as though she was wincing. Why was she wincing, though? Regina walked back towards her. This strange exclamation craved and explanation. She found her phone in her pocket once more and began typing a new message. 'I'm sorry, could you repeat that for me?' Regina had never liked making people repeating themselves. Just as she didn't like repeating herself either. Now she couldn't repeat anything at all. Let alone ask anyone else to repeat themselves. Oh, the irony.

She turned the screen and question towards Emma and hoped that she didn't took this as a sign that she was going deaf too. Not that there was anything wrong with being deaf, of course there wasn't, but Regina wasn't sure she could handle being both mute and deaf. Being silent was bad enough.

Emma Swan's reaction was curious to say the least. Her pale cheeks flamed once more, and Regina was starting to grow concerned. Perhaps she wasn't feeling well? Perhaps she needed a doctor or something?

"Uhm..." Emma said and seemed to shift slightly on her feet. She was clearly uncomfortable, and Regina did not understand why. And not at all when Emma concluded her sentence with a: "I was just wondering if whether I could have your phone number?"

Oh. Regina felt her lips part slightly as they formed the silent, soft exclamation. Well, if that wasn't peculiar. Great minds clearly thought alike. She had considered asking Emma for her number. But she had been concerned about seeming too pushy. Yes, she and Emma had had a nice time on the train, but that didn't just automatically make them the best of friends already. During the drive to Steveston, Regina had continuously reminded herself that she could not force someone to be her friend. It was not Emma Swan's fault that it had been a long time since Regina made a new friend.

But now it seemed like Emma Swan wanted to stay in touch, and Regina was very pleased about that. She grabbed her phone and quickly wrote a new message on the screen. 'Funny you should say that. I was just about to ask for yours. I know we don't know each other that well, but I would like to be updated on how you settle in here and how everything goes with your book and your meeting with Mal, if that's okay?' she turned the screen towards Emma, and it wasn't long before she was rewarded with a huge grin from her. "Yes, that would be more than okay! I'd like that."

That made Regina smile, and she turned the screen back to herself. Made the message disappear with a few taps and then tapped the 'contact' symbol. Wrote in 'Emma Swan' as name. Then she turned the screen back towards Emma to indicate that she was ready to get her number.

Emma was quick to give her her number. Almost a little too quick. Regina's fingers nearly stumbled on the screen, but she managed to write in the number correctly.

"So... Can I have yours?" Emma asked.

Instead of wasting time with writing down her number, Regina simply wrote 'hello' in a message and sent it to Emma. It didn't take long before she heard Emma's phone vibrate.

"Thanks," Emma chuckled.

Regina offered a slight nod in response and glanced towards the door. And window. She could see Henry through it. He was leaning out of the door once more. Clearly waiting for her. Wondering what was taking her so long.

"Well, I should probably go upstairs and check out that room," Emma said, claiming Regina's attention once more.

Regina looked back at her and nodded once more.

"Thanks for keeping me company during the train ride," Emma said earnestly. "I was afraid of ending up next to someone... not nice."

Yes, Regina had been afraid of the same thing. She had feared ending up sharing a cabin with someone who viewed her as an odd curiosity. The weird lady who could not speak. But Emma had not made her feel like that. Not at all. She smiled and bowed her head. Shrugged lightly in what she hoped was an 'it was my pleasure'-gesture, and not a dismissive one.

"Well... Goodbye then. I guess I'll... See you around? For coffee like we talked about?"

Coffee with a friend. So wonderfully normal. Regina wouldn't mind that at all. She lightly pointed to Emma's phone and then back to her own.

"Yeah. I'll text you," Emma said.

Regina smiled again, offered Emma another nod and then turned around and walked towards the door. No strange shoulder touches this time. She wasn't quite sure why she had done that in the first place.

This time, Emma did not call her back, and Regina left the inn full of hope that her new friend was going to have a good first night at Eugenia's Inn. She was looking forward to hearing more about how Emma was fairing. About how her conversation with Malena went. Regina knew that she probably should text Mal and let her know that a young woman looking for a job would contact her one of these days, but she just could not do it. Didn't know how to reach out to her oldest friend. It had been too long. Too much time had passed. If she contacted Mal now, she would ask for explanations, and Regina could not give her any. She was still too raw.

Regina sighed a little as she crossed the parking lot. Wondered if there would ever be a time where she did not feel raw.

"That took a while," Zelena commented when Regina came back to the car. This time she choose the front seat. Henry did not complain. Perhaps he was glad to see her do normal mom-stuff. Regina knew that she was glad to do normal mom-stuff.

"Did you give her a grand tour of the entire place?" Zelena asked amusedly as Regina shut the car door behind her.

Regina shook her head and fumbled with the seatbelt for a moment. Then she heard a click.

"Did Eugenia and Ruby ask you... stuff?" Zelena asked, voice soft and careful now like she was approaching a frightened animal or something. And she was clearly curious in knowing why Regina had taken so long.

Regina shook her head and pointed to her phone.

Zelena frowned. "I'm not sure I understand, sis."

Regina quelled a sigh. No, of course not. She would have been surprised if Zelena automatically understood what she meant. Sign Language was a learning process for everyone involved. Regina lifted her hands, signed, 'she wanted my number.' She wasn't sure she got it completely right. She had a habit of 'slurring' her signs when she was tired.

But Zelena understood. "Oh," she said.

Regina frowned. Wasn't that a bit of a weird 'oh'?

But before she could get the chance to investigate further, Zelena had another question: "and did you give it to her?"

Regina nodded in confirmation and added: 'it would be nice to stay in contact.'

"Of course," Zelena said as she started the car again. "I understand. I'm glad you met someone friendly on the train."

Oh, so was Regina. Most definitely so!

"I'm tired," Henry mumbled from the backseat. "Can we go home now?"

"Yeah. We're going," Zelena confirmed as Regina turned her upper body around so she could reach back and interlace her fingers with Henry's.

Henry squeezed her fingers slightly, and even though it was uncomfortable sitting with her upper body twisted like that, Regina would happily do it all the way back. Letting go of her son's hand was not a possibility. Not tonight, not ever.

Her headache was starting to pick up again, she noted. Getting stronger and stronger. Of all the things he had done... Why did he have to slam her head into a wall and leave her with a permanent migraine? It wasn't fair!

"Welcome home," Zelena announced about twenty minutes later.

Regina looked around in Zelena's hallway. Yes this was her home now. And it was nice to be back. She slipped off her shoes and continued into the familiar kitchen.

"Is there anything I can get for you?" Zelena asked as she followed Regina. "Do you want some coffee? Tea? Something to eat? Are you hungry?"

Regina shook her head and tried to ignore the way Zelena was walking on eggshells around her. She turned around and smiled at Henry who came skittering past her. He returned the smile and gave her a hug. "It's nice to have you home, mom."

Regina returned the hug. Relished in the fact that she was able to hug her son without being fearful. She had done pretty well tonight. Hugged both Ruby and Eugenia and Henry and Zelena. She looked back at Zelena, tugged slightly at the blazer she was wearing tonight and hoped that would be enough explanation.

And luckily, it was. Zelena immediately nodded. "You want to change into something more comfortable. I get it. Well, the room is all ready for you."

Regina smiled, kissed the top of Henry's head, gently prompting him to let go of her. He reluctantly did so but was quick to ask: "are you coming back downstairs when you've changed your clothes?"

Regina nodded in confirmation. Of course she would. Her heart broke for her little boy who had to ask his fragile mother such adult questions.

She turned around and walked towards the stairs. She was most eager to get out of these clothes as soon as possible. It was like she hadn't quite gotten used to wearing her old clothes. When she was in the hospital, she was more or less living in sweatpants and oversized hoodies with zippers. To avoid any material rubbing against her newly operated throat. And to hide herself away. Hide her body.

It hit her as soon as she sat foot on the staircase. In the blink of an eye, she was suddenly back in the house in Montreal. She was running up the stairs as fast as she could, nearly tripping as Killian yelled at her in kitchen where he first had attacked her. You come back here, you bitch! Just you wait until I get my hands on you!

Her head started to throb even worse than it had done in the car. Pain was radiating from that spot on her forehead that had been shoved into a wall repeatedly. Her throat started hurting, and she could feel how her heart started to pound in her chest. Her vision blurred. She felt faint. Or sick. Like she was going to throw up.

"Is everything okay?"

And just like that, her sister's voice made Regina snap out of it. She realized that she was NOT in Montreal. She was NOT running up the staircase. She was not about to endure hellish torture whilst fighting for her life. She was going to change her clothes. Nothing more. She could do that. Of course she could.

She quickly turned her head, gave a nod and a smile in affirmation, and then resumed her walk up the stairs. With each step she repeated the same thing in her mind. You're fine. You're fine. Everything is fine. This was NOT Montreal. This was her sister's place in Vancouver. A safe place. She could breathe easily here. She didn't want to start the first chapter of her new life with having a panic attack. She couldn't do that to Henry.

The guest room in Zelena's house did not look anything like her old bedroom in Montreal. Thank god. Perhaps it was because everything looked so different that Regina was able to shove the panic attack aside. Or perhaps it was because she refused to break down on her first night home.

In the bedroom, she did what she had told she would do. She changed out of her crisp clothes and into a pair of soft, comfortable sweatpants and a hoodie with a zipper down the front. Then she heavily sat down on the edge of the bed. Tired. So tired. If she let herself fall backwards onto the bed right now, she surely would fall asleep. But she had promised Henry to come back downstairs. And she also needed to change the bandage. Oh god, the bandage. Touching her throat right now seemed so impossible. But nevertheless, that was exactly what she had to do.

She hesitantly reached up to remove the bandage from her neck, but before she could, there was a soft knock on the door and Zelena's voice asking: "sis? Can I come in?"

Out of options, Regina settled for tapping the wall in response.

The door to the bedroom opened and Zelena poked her head in. "That meant yes, didn't it?"

Regina nodded in confirmation.

Zelena came all the way into the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Regina resumed the task of unwrapping the bandage, but all the sudden her hands were shaking like crazy. The thought of baring and being confronted with the wound again gave her anxiety. Thinking about that horrible, deep red line the belt had left on her throat, made her feel all kinds of sick. The panic attack was sitting in her fingers. Making them tremble violently.

And then her hand was gently grasped. Regina looked up and saw her older sister stand in front of her. The look in her eyes was so soft and gentle as she asked: "would you like me to do that?"

Yes. More than anything. But Regina hesitated with her response. She had to learn to change her bandage, right? She couldn't keep relying on her sister to help her out all the time.

"It's not a sign of weakness, sis," Zelena said, squeezing Regina's hand slightly. "You've just had a long night. Do you want me to help you out?"

Regina bit something back as she nodded.

In a matter of seconds, Zelena had found the box containing the medical-kit. She had slipped on a pair of latex gloves and was getting ready to remove the bandage from Regina's throat.

Regina tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Didn't want to look at the wound. Didn't want to see Zelena's reaction to the ugly, marred skin.

"There's something that I want you to know," Zelena said softly as she gently removed the bandage from around Regina's throat. "And that is, that whatever happened on the staircase... It's okay. You don't have to pretend that you're fine when you're not. That's all."

Regina did not react to it. She just concentrated on her breathing. Now Zelena was pulling at the plaster covering her throat, and the movement tugged slightly at the tender skin there. Regina wrinkled her nose slightly.

"Sorry, sis. I'm almost done," Zelena promised.

Regina did not react to that either. She did not open her eyes. Not even when she felt cool air greet her now exposed throat. Everything in her cringed and clenched as she imagined the look of horror on Zelena's face when she saw how Regina looked now.

But of course Zelena didn't have a reaction. "Here comes the ointment," was all she said. The next second, Regina could indeed feel the cooling ointment on her skin.

"Everything is healing nicely," Zelena told her.

Oh, if only it was that easy. If only it was the same for broken hearts and souls. If her insides could mend as quickly as her skin did. Regina curled her hands into fists and only concentrated on her breathing when she felt a new plaster being applied. Then the bandage.

"All done," Zelena announced. "You can open your eyes now, Regina."

Regina did just that, and when she looked down, her throat was covered once more. Good.

Zelena slipped off the latex gloves and curled them into a little ball. "If you want to go to bed now, it's totally fine. Henry will understand."

But Regina firmly shook her head as she rose the bed. She will not. No more going to bed early. No more making her son worry about her. Tonight is supposed to be a happy occasion. And it won't be that if she shields herself off in the bedroom already.

She followed Zelena downstairs where Henry was waiting for her. He was sitting with his phone, clearly eager to show her something on the screen.

Regina joined him on the couch. Slipped an arm around his shoulder and smiled when he showed her the silly video on the little screen. This was definitely worth staying up for. This was the sweetener life had for her. Henry leaning into her shoulder while laughing at the silly video was worth it all. She was finally home. Where she belonged.

To claim that she was not tired when she climbed into bed two hours later, would be a big fat lie. Regina was so tired every joint in her body ached. Her head did the same. She was woozy because of the painkiller she had gobbled down a little while earlier. Now she just wanted to sleep and get some rest.

But before she could get the chance to drift off, there was a soft knock on the door, followed by a: "mom?"

Regina sleepily lifted a hand and tapped it against the wall.

The door opened and Henry stepped in. He was wearing his dinosaur pajamas and a slightly anxious expression.

Regina sat up in bed, concerned about what Henry was about to say. He looked so serious. And he was supposed to be asleep, was he not? She had tugged him in an hour ago. She had expected him to be fast asleep by now. And yet here he was, wide awake with ruffled hair and a concerned expression on his face.

"Can I..." he shifted some and scratched his cheek. "I was wondering if I could sleep in here tonight? With... with you."

Oh, god. It had been years since Henry had slept in her bed. Not since he was a toddler. Regina's heart broke. Her poor, poor boy! He almost looked embarrassed about asking. Like he was breaking some sort of rule. Or going against the 'I'm a big boy'-code. Regina wouldn't have that. She immediately nodded yes and motioned for him to come closer.

He did so, and as he climbed up in bed with her, Regina laid back down, making sure to create enough room for Henry to sleep comfortably tonight.

Henry wiggled into her arms exactly like he did when he was much younger. The only difference being that he was careful to angle his face away from her bandaged throat. "I've missed you, mom," he whispered slightly muffled against her pajamas.

Regina wrapped her arms around her boy and held him tight. Hoped that he understood that it meant she had missed him too. So, so much. And she would never tell him no if he asked if he could sleep in her bed with her. It did not matter that he was almost ten and 'too big for that'. It didn't matter at all. He needed his mom more than ever, and Regina was so grateful that she was still here. That she could still give him what he needed...

To Be Continued...