Summary: Killian and Emma finally talk it out, their marriage resting on the outcome. Marian and Regina do to, with a slightly different result!
The Swan-Jones House – Saturday morning
"So you're saying this mucky water, from some old magic river, will just make me feel better somehow? You're having me on, surely? It's water!"
On her way over to her house, Regina had collected David Nolan, knowing he had experience of this, and explaining what had happened the night before.
"Emma," David spoke softly. "Your grandmother was mortally wounded by one of the king's soldier's arrows. As she lay dying, Lancelot recovered a few drops of this water to save her, but she refused, giving them to Snow instead, as she'd been poisoned, making her infertile. My mum made her drink this, in front of her. Lancelot married us there and then, and she died within minutes. If it hadn't been for her, and this, you wouldn't even be here, Emma Ruth!"
She smiled sadly, taking his hand, bringing it to her lips to kiss, remembering the reason for her second name. After the woman who sacrificed her life for her son's bride.
"You know Kathryn's husband, Jim?" added Regina. "In the old world, they were Princess Abigail and Prince Frederick. He'd been turned into solid gold accidentally, when he saved King Midas's life. But your father here retrieved Lake Nostos water, at great risk, to save him…"
Emma looked at him in silent awe, as he merely nodded, remembering the story from Henry. People in the town often told her about her parents' bravery, always willing to put their lives on the line, without any magical ability to protect them. Real heroes. What a shame they had a mess for a daughter!
"You said Killian gave you a bottle too?"
"Yes. I rang Merlin this morning, checking it was safe to drink. It's been in a larger bottle over two hundred years, after all! He said it's magic was it's own purifier."
"What if he's wrong? How can you tell? I can feel magic coming off it. Strong magic! But I can't tell whether it's even light or dark."
"Me neither. It's ancient magic, from the dark ages. Merlin says it should still be safe. Hopefully, it'll help cure your depression, along with the medication."
"So we're both going to take this? We're doing it together?"
"Let me take mine first. I'm sure it is, but, we can never be totally certain. Just in case. For Henry."
Emma was about to protest but Regina had already removed the stopper, lifting the bottle to her lips. "Well...bottom's up!" she poured the entire contents down her throat, banging the little amber bottle on the table.
For a moment Regina stood, waiting to feel something. She didn't have to wait long. As she felt a warmth start to emanate from her stomach, a sudden ferocious stabbing sensation, like a knife, slammed into her abdomen. "HAAH!" she shrieked, dropping to her knees then falling to her side onto the floor in a tight foetal position, her knees coming up to her chest. "GOD!" she groaned, through gritted teeth as the pain seemed to move to her sides, to her kidneys.
"GINA?" Emma yelled, dropping to the floor beside her, unsure how to help. "What's happening? Dad, do something!" As she placed a hand on her now tightly hunched-up best friend, she felt a larger, warm hand on her own shoulder.
"Emma, hold on." Her father tried to calm her. "Just give her a minute? I've seen this before…"
After clutching herself tightly, the pain vanished, just as quickly as it came! Regina's eyes cautiously opening again as she found herself now lying on her back, seeing a worried blonde above. "Emma?"
"Gina!" As their eyes met, David watched them, remembering their confessions to each other only two days before. If Hook did leave her, he had no doubts who she'd wind up with!
As she helped her slowly to her feet, Regina stood upright, David taking her other arm. "How do you feel?"
"Lighter, so much…lighter." She rested her hands onto her stomach. "I wonder if…"
"You're wondering if the poison you took is gone?" David guessed. She nodded.
Emma smiled. "I guess you'll find out shortly if, and when, you get a monthly bleed like the rest of us. Welcome back to my world, your Majesty!"
"I would have welcomed it a few years ago. I'd love to have given Henry a sibling. Still, I do feel surprisingly light though. Like something's been lifted from me." As she smiled back, Emma thought her face seemed…brighter.
"Alright, you've convinced me!" she said, pulling the stopper from her own bottle, downing the contents in one, praying she didn't experience the sort of pain Regina had. She stood nervously, as she slowly felt a warmth emanate from her stomach, radiating out. She felt it work through her entire body, but as it finally reached her neck, cheeks and head, she felt momentarily giddy. Seeing her start to slide to her side, David stepped forward to hold her. "I've got you!" Like Regina, it seemed that after about a minute, her discomfort left her. "You okay?"
"Erm…yeah. I feel…pretty good! Don't know what it's done for me, but…I'm feeling...better"
David looked down at his daughter, softly lifting her chin with his hand. "Your complexions looks brighter. And your hair seems to have its old shine, Emma. Sounds ridiculous but, you both somehow look a little younger. I remember when we gave it to Frederick. He looks my age, but he's at least ten years older than me. You look great too, Regina."
"Well, I'll take that as a compliment, David. Still, I must go. Things to do."
"You meeting Marian, when she comes off the Jolly?"
"Perhaps. But I need to do some shopping first. I'm feeling more in the mood."
"Me too. Need a shopping buddy?"
"Why not? Where do you want to go?"
"Kathryn's. Seeing Marian yesterday, in that spanky new outfit, made me realise something. I'm fed up of wearing jeans! I need something special, something, I don't know, feminine? I'm a girl for god's sake! I figure if Killian's going to go and dump me today, he needs to get an idea of just what he's gonna be missing!"
"If he does 'dump' you..." David pulled her in, kissing her brow, "I'll be the one dumping him - in the Atlantic! Nobody does that to my girl!"
Watching them, Regina couldn't help but feel envious of Emma having such a protective father. If only her own dad had been strong enough to fight against such her malicious mother.
The Jolly Roger
"I assure you, Captain Jones, this hand has no magic contained within it, whatever happened to you last time. Can you feel any sensation in your fingers?"
Killian looked down at the new left hand the Sorcerer had just given him. Using a weird spell he hadn't understood, Merlin had directly copied his right hand, magically attaching it, before using a small pipette to take a few drops from the heart-shaped bottle, which seemed to bring feelings to the new limb. "Aye mate, I definitely feel something. Will it last, or should I prepare to lose it when we leave for the world without magic?"
"It'll last, captain. That's what the drops from the bottle have secured. Barring any unforeseen accidents, consider yourself two-handed for the rest of your days."
Marian had been watching, mesmerised, as the Sorcerer created an entirely new limb by copying the existing one, albeit in reverse. "That was just incredible! Killian, are you feeling okay?"
"Aye, love, though I still can't take it in! But I know the first thing I want to do with it. Stroke the cheeks of my little girl over there. Would you excuse me?"
Abigail's
"Emma, you look gorgeous. I wish I had your hips! That A-line made you look so elegant, nearly as good as the red mini here. I've never even seen you in a short dress before; you really should do it more often. With those heels, and your legs, you look three inches taller! Pity it's a bit too cold to wear out."
"I'll take both, Kat," said Emma, staring at her figure in the mirror. It was a party dress, above the knee. Not as short as some of the stuff Ruby wore but, short enough! Despite her years, she'd never done a shopping trip with a friend, like this. Never had a real, major shopping spree, even when she had been able to afford it. But now, this was so much fun! She felt so alive!
"I'll ring them up and wrap them. My, it's been my best week, what with Marian coming in here the other day! You want me to deliver?"
"The rest, yes, but I'd like to keep this one on for now. Just take the tags off?"
Kathryn smirked at Regina, who was sitting down with her coffee, watching the little fashion parade. "Far be it for me to argue with a customer, but…it's bloody cold out there Emma! You'll freeze! Shouldn't you at least try on some cotton tights to go under it?"
"Nope, I'd rather chill. There's a certain pirate who needs to see this."
"Ah, I see!" she sniggered. "Planning a night in?"
Seeing it could get a little awkward, Regina stepped in. "Kathryn, can I ask you a question, regarding Jim? It's just something I was wondering."
"Jim? Why? What's he said? What's he done?"
"Absolutely nothing," she grinned back. "Your husband's lovely. I accidentally flashed him the other day, when I was in my robe before I had a bath. It fell open, but he behaved like an absolute gentleman. He looked away quickly, and didn't say a word! But...I was just remembering that story, from when Charming managed to get that water to transform him back from gold. You remember, after he saved your father?"
"How could I forget? But that's going back a bit. What about it?"
"He was saved by water from Lake Nostos, wasn't he? Did he have any unusual reactions?"
Kathryn looked at her, confused. "Nothing comes to mind specifically. Mind you, he was always fit as a flea, but even more so after that. Although…" she lowered her voice to a stage whisper. "I can't really remember, because we spent the next month screwing like sex-starved bunnies! We couldn't stop. My knees hardly touched for weeks! Since then he's always been very…enthusiastic!"
Emma burst out laughing, as Regina cringed. "I really wish I'd never asked."
"Well, why did you?"
"Because we both drank some of that water a few hours ago," said Emma, unhelpfully.
"Really? Well if your reaction's are anything like Jim's, I'd invest in a couple of new mattresses!"
"I don't have to shop here, you know?" said the embarrassed queen.
"Hard astern, Mr. Smee, and do try not to remove too much paint this time?" yelled Killian, as the sails were furled. The Jolly had just arrived back in Storybrooke Harbour, and was being reversed and manoeuvred gently against the dockside.
"That was wonderful, Killian," said Marian, sitting on a rug on the top deck. "Though I think you'll need to keep the speed down for paying passengers? Particularly if we want them paying good money for lunch. One becomes sick, and it'll put the others right off…"
"A fair point, love. I'm sure we can work something. So where are you heading next?"
"Regina's. I just texted her, to let her know we've arrived. We're due that talk."
"Well good luck. Hope's going to miss you. At least she will, when I finally drag her away from the men…"
They both looked down at four of his crew, all sitting on the lower deck with his daughter in the centre. All gnarled old cut-throats and brigands in their time, but now all now simpering over his little blonde. Smee was holding her hands as she stood, trying to walk again, to cheers from her audience.
"Your Hope seems to make everybody fall in love with her, doesn't she?' chuckled Marian, when the tot fell back on her chubby bottom. "You're going to have problems in the future, Killian!"
"Don't I know it love! Don't I know it."
"Good luck with your own talk, too. I'll be thinking of you…"
Mifflin Street – two hours later
Regina opened the door, looking down the steps to the other woman. "Good afternoon dear," she smiled broadly at Marian, trying desperately to hide her nerves, and stepping aside to let the taller woman enter. "Did you have a good sailing trip?"
She smiled back warmly, moving in to peck her on the lips. "Excellent, thanks. Though Killian was right, it was very cold and breezy. You okay?"
"Very well." She turned to lead her into the hallway, taking her coat while Marian took her boots off to stand in her stockinged feet, standing to properly look at her.
"Goodness - you look wonderful, Gina! Fresh as a daisy. And that dress? I've always loved royal blue. Such a contrast to your eyes!" And it was true. Regina wore a dark blue knee-length with a slit at the side, revealing just a little of her slender thighs, and a conservative amount of cleavage. "And you seem to even look a little younger. Someone been to a health farm for the day?"
"Not quite. Just taken a little pick-me-up. Come on through…"
"Ah, the Nostos water? Yes, Killian told me about that! He and Merlin were discussing it on the ship. Well if that's what it does for you in a day, I'll have to try some myself!"
"You don't need it; you're beautiful enough!" she took her hand, leading her to the cream sofa. They both settled a couple of feet apart. As Regina looked into her eyes, Marian could see the obvious nervousness as she twitched, wringing her hands.
"Perhaps we should get this over with first? That way, if you walk out, it'll be over quickly."
"I can see you're nervous. I am too! Okay, let's start. Tell me about you and Emma?"
She'd prepared for this. "Well, let's see. I already told you about how we met. Henry brought her back from New York when he was ten, to break the curse. We were enemies for a while, then…"
"Yes, yes, I know all that! Tell me when you first started having real feelings for her?"
Straight to the point! "It's a long story, but basically we were in a mine with Henry and her family, trying to save the town from something I'd caused. I was trying to take the energy out of something called a 'fail-safe diamond'. It was hopeless and about to consume me, but Emma decided to share the energy, share the risk, putting her own life at risk too. I saw her in a new light after that. There's been a few times since, and she's saved my life several times…"
"And you hers, no doubt? When did you admit to yourself that you'd fallen in love with her."
"It was in stages. Henry's father, Neal, had returned, and it was clear she was still in love with him, so I stayed back as we still weren't in a good place. Shortly after, Killian Jones came on the scene, and anyone could see Emma was smitten. Then Robin happened for me, of course! He trumped everything and I fell head-over-heels for him!"
"I can relate to that. And then?"
"Shortly after, I lost Robin. Emma was the only person I could turn to. My feelings just grew. But I had no idea she had feelings for me too. I guess I missed my chance before Killian proposed to her. I put it down to the fact I was grieving."
"Have you ever told her how you really feel?"
She nodded, sadly. "Just three days ago, at her place. It was the day Jones came over here saying she was 'catatonic'. I was worried. I went over and she was in a terrible state. She swore at me, asking me to leave, but I stayed and told her how I felt. She told me she'd had felt the same for some time. It was rather...emotional."
"So you admitted to your best friend, a married mother with a baby, that you were in love with her? And she then said she was in love with you?"
Regina lowered her head, closing her eyes, slowly nodding. "But we both agreed we could only ever be friends. Never together, not like that! Not romantically. She's very much in love with Jones, probably more so. As it should be, because he is the father of her child."
"Poor Killian! No wonder he's wondering what to do about it."
"I would never want to split them up, Marian. Never!"
"Whether you want to, or not, is immaterial. You understand his dilemma, don't you? His wife's in love with another woman! Another powerful woman, with magic, who could easily act against him. A classic love triangle."
"Emma said she still wants to be with him. It's all down to him now."
"And if their marriage ends? What about you? Would you make your move to be together?"
"No."
"You sound sure. Why not?"
"Because I have feelings for someone else. Someone, unencumbered. And I want to pursue them."
"And would this person be expected to just…share you, with a potential future partner, who lives in the same town and shares a son?"
She stayed silent for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "No, because that would be unfair. I would want to get to know her, with the intention of committing. Once I know my feelings are true, and hers too, I would want to make it permanent."
"Permanent? As in…marriage?"
"Yes. In time. If she'd have me."
Brown eyes met, neither knowing quite how to follow that! Marian finally broke it. "So…tell me how you feel about this woman?"
"Frightened, if I'm honest! I've only known her for six days but… I think I'm falling in love with her. No, I'll correct that. I know I've fallen in love with her. But I don't know what to do." Her eyes started to redden, as Marian leaned a hand across to take one of hers.
"What's making you so frightened?" Marian's own voice was starting to waver.
"It's all so sudden. We both loved the same man, albeit in different realms and different times. We both grieved for him. And I've got a weird feeling he's somehow trying to bring us together! That was part of my worry, that somehow I wanted her, because of her connection to Robin. It took me a while to realise, I didn't want her for that, I wanted her for her! For what she is, not who she is! Plus, I'm not the easiest person to love. And finally, she's a woman. I've never had a relationship with another woman before. That terrifies me!"
"The physical side? What if she told you she hasn't had that before, either?"
"I'm not just talking about sex. It's the emotional part, too. I believe we're very alike in how we think. Like she knows me under my skin! Does that make any sense?" both women turned towards each other, Marian shifting closer. "I have so many flaws. So many neuroses."
"What if this woman told you, that she was just as frightened as you, just as nervous, and just as unsure? But that she felt in her own heart she'd found someone to love. Someone she wanted to be with for the rest of her life. Because that someone is you, Regina Mills! I'm in love with you. And although this may not work, I still want to try. I want to try with you."
They both rose to stand, facing each other nervously, before Marian stepped closer, wrapping her hands around her face. Regina brought her arms around her waist, lifting her head as their lips met, softly, nervously, each looking for any sign of reluctance as they pressed in harder. Regina eliciting a soft moan, as Marian's tongue slid slowly past her own, lips widening to accommodate one another, as they came together in a cautious embrace. To Regina, it felt like heaven, as she drove her fingers through Marian's hair, pulling their faces even tighter together until finally, lips parted, sloppily.
"Until the other day, I had no idea kissing another woman could feel like this! Either that, or you're just a very good kisser."
She sniggered. "A man we both knew very well, once used those exact same words! It's nice to have them confirmed." She pulled her down, to attack her mouth once more, this time Regina the more dominant, as she pushed Marian back onto the sofa, mounting her lap as they continued. Finally, she released her, looking down at the lust-filled chocolate brown orbs staring back. "Bedroom?"
"Oh god, yes!"
Storybrooke Harbour.
It was two hours after docking the Jolly, that Killian finally opened the front door to the home they'd shared for three years. The house Emma had chosen when the Dark One controlled her. The house she'd brought their newborn daughter back to. Would it still be their house after today?
"Emma?" he yelled from the hall.
"In the living room!" she yelled back. Hearing the truck pull up, she'd raced out of the study, before draping herself, lengthways, across the sofa, her head leaning back. Only now did she feel self-conscious for choosing such a short party dress, as the doubts crept in. Who wears a skirt this high when they're inside in December, for god's sake? She wanted to look sexy, not slutty!
He saw her the moment he walked in, carrying Hope in his left side. She looked…different. Very different! "Hell Swan," he looked her over, unknowingly making Emma feel a little exposed. "You look…wonderful. I see the waters of Nostos are already having an effect?"
She smiled, nervously. It all seemed simple before he got here. "I took it this morning. It seems to have cleared my head, among other things. You had a good day?"
"Good, but not as good as yours, I see? That dress is…rather lovely."
"Thanks. I thought I needed a change. Got a bit fed up of the old jacket and jeans. You like?"
"Definitely. It complements your figure perfectly."
As they studied each other, Hope yelled out. "Mumum!" as he lowered her onto the carpet.
Emma's brows rose as she sat up. "Did she just – talk? Did she just say 'mum'?"
"Aye lass, I heard it for the first time yesterday! She also said 'perperr', which I like to think means papa, but only time will tell…"
"And I missed it!' She dropped down to the carpet in front of her. "Hopey, say 'mama'? Say 'mama' baby?"
The baby gave her a confused look, before finally, "mumumumum" followed by "pfftt!".
"Good enough! Hopey, come here?" she gathered the little blonde, pulling her onto her shoulder to kiss her cheek and neck. "Baby, I've missed you! You missed mama?" the tot giggled when she drove her nose into the soft neck, making her giggle.
Killian watched the tender little scene. A scene that's played out billions of times across the world very day. But a scene he'd yet to see, until now, between this particular mother and daughter!
She followed it by peppering her face with lots of little kisses, something she'd seen Regina do with their daughter which, once again, earned a riot of chuckles and giggles. Hope seemed to sense that her mother was different. Brighter. Happier. Whatever she sensed, she knew something had changed. Emma whispered. "I'm so sorry, Hopey. I'm so sorry mama's been a poor mama. But I'm going to try harder! Much harder! Cos you deserve better than me! I love you my baby!" she pulled her back onto her chest, closing her eyes and rubbing her cheek against Hope's as a little tear fell. By the time she's opened her eyes again, Killian had already sat down, studying her, saying nothing until finally:
"That's a sight I've wanted to see for quite some time."
"I meant it." She closed her eyes, pressing her cheek once again into Hope's. "She deserves more."
"She deserves her mother. Looks like she may have found her."
"I know I've been a shit wife! I know I took you for granted, but, whatever you decide you want to do, about us, I'll be there for her in future regardless. Even if I have failed you…"
"I lost my mother when I was tiny, and you lost yours for nearly thirty years. I don't want that for this one."
"Raaarrr!" yelled Hope, wide-eyed, wiggling to be released as Emma popped her back on the floor.
"That'll be Thompson's doing. He's training her to be a pirate!"
"He's doing what?"
"It's true. She's adopted about eight new stepfathers on that ship! The girl's got them running around after her. Fussing over her. Finch's even taken to changing her daipers in a minute flat! Finch, for goodness sake!"
She chuckled, half-heartedly, before finally looking up. Their eyes meeting. "I'm so sorry, Killian."
He sighed, deflating. "Yeah. Me too."
"What have you got to be sorry for?"
"I was unduly harsh. I've been reading up on the issue you mentioned, Post Natal Syndrome, thanks to some literature the Lady Marian found me. It was rather informative and showed many of the symptoms you've been suffering from. It seems I was less than sympathetic to your plight, for which I also apologise."
"You weren't to know, and I was being me! Perhaps you should have got me some of that Nostos water straight after the birth. Seems to have fixed me quicker than the drugs!"
"Sadly, I'd long forgotten what that old bottle even contained, till the Sorcerer told me. I'm pleased you're feeling better though. Its effects do seem to be rather miraculous, as you can see?" he waved his new left hand around. She hadn't noticed it till now.
"YOUR HAND'S BACK? The water did that? That's incredible!"
"Merlin did most of it. The water gave me back…feeling."
"Feeling?" she repeated, looking down at Hope, now shuffling towards her father. "That's what it gave me back the most! Feelings for my own daughter. Feelings…"
He waited to hear her say the last words, but she held back.
"Killian, are you going to leave me? Divorce me?"
"That very much depends on you. Are you ready to talk?"
She nodded. "Ask me what you need to know."
"Regina told me directly that she's in love with you. Are you in love with her?"
"I am. But I'm more in love with you! And I would never be unfaithful to you."
"How can I be sure of that, Swan? How can I be sure you won't run off to her, again, the next time there's a bump in our marriage? You lied to me about the Rabbit Hole."
"I didn't lie, but I did avoid telling you the truth! Which I now accept was just as bad, and I'm sorry. I know I've given you cause to doubt me. You knew Regina and I had grown closer, but we were never lovers and more importantly, we never will be lovers! I did something stupid, which I now regret. She and I talked it over a couple of days ago, even admitting we loved each other, in our own strange way. But I was selfish, and I didn't consider your feelings in all this. I'll always regret that! Perhaps it was the depression, but I guess I'll never know. The worst part was, I didn't talk to you, and I pulled away from you, and Hope. That last bit was unforgivable."
"Yesterday, Regina swore to me, on her life, and Henry's, that she would never make the first romantic move towards you. Could you do the same?"
"Yes, I could. Though I would hate to lose her as a friend."
"And could you swear to talk to me first, openly, rather than run to your friend?"
She nodded. "If you're going to stay, I could swear to that!"
"Then I think there's no reason our marriage cannot be…refreshed and renewed."
"I'd like that. Very much! Could you hold me?"
Mifflin Street
Leading Marian swiftly up the staircase and into the master bedroom, Regina pushed her back onto the bed, immediately mounting her to latch her lips, in yet another heated kiss. Within moments, the taller woman's arms came around her, rolling her over onto her back in a fit of giggles from both.
"I love your laugh! It's so bloody sexy..."
They rolled over again and again, Marian finally triumphant, as she settled between Regina's thighs. "You ready for this?"
"More than ready. But I don't want to crush this dress…" Marian rolled off her, getting to her feet, to start undoing the buttons on her blouse. Regina stood beside her, turning. "My zip – would you?" She nodded, undoing the tiny hook, before starting to slide it down. Then she stopped. 'Hang on a second!"
Turning to face her, Marian took her arms, looking up towards the ceiling. "Robin, my darling, if by chance you're here, you'll know I want to make love to Regina! I love you, but would you be able to leave us? Or at least, look the other way? Send us a feather if you understand?"
It took a good ten seconds before it appeared above them. A single feather, drifting slowly down to the centre of the bed, the pair watching as it fell.
"Thank you, my darling!" whispered Regina. "I truly wish you could be here, to join us."