A/N: These next few chapters, to me, seem a little boring. But life is never non-stop action, so bear with me as we get this out of the way!
~Backroom Spells~
Regina knew she was out of place here. This was no longer her story. She was a supporting actress, so to speak. But she had to be here. She couldn't fix the past, but she could make up for it. Henry showed her that. Both her father, and her son.
"Regina?" She turned away from the window to face the voice calling her name.
"Hook. I see you found a shirt. Feeling better?"
"Aye, thank you highness."
"You had it right the first time." She cocked an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
He moved to stand next to her, staring out the same window.
She waited patiently. She suspected… though she'd just have to wait. If she were right, and she really wished she wasn't, she'd have to have a response prepared.
It took him several moments.
"Twenty years ago, I was here. You were conspiring against Snow White. And all I cared about was getting my revenge. Ten years ago, I was in Neverland looking for an escape from that dreadful land so that I could retire. Vengeance… was all but gone from my motivations."
She eyed him sideways. "Is there a point to this story? Things change as we get older, Hook. You should know that better than I."
"I have feelings for Emma."
"No! Really?"
He rolled his eyes and raised his brow at her, his eyes meeting hers. "Don't be smart, Regina. Three centuries I do nothing but plot in between pirating, and suddenly the desire falls away in the span of a single decade?"
"I heard you were still looking for ways against him only a year ago."
"Aye, I've been plotting up until I was pulled here, but my heart hasn't been in it. It was an excuse for the crew, a show. I was really looking for my next adventure of retirement. I never really thought about it before, but I suspect my change of heart may have had something to do with the sisters of fate."
"What brought this on?"
"It's been festering since your conversation last night. But the king, bloody Prince Charming, asked me about my intentions and I wasn't sure of the truth. I need to know if you can use your feminine wiles to help me discover what that truth is."
Her gaze went back to the window. She'd guessed right.
"If you were changed, the original magick has long since faded."
"That sounds like a no."
"I may know a spell." She said absentmindedly.
"Do not toy with me."
"I wouldn't dream of it." His stare was penetrating. "I may not be able to break fate's spell, no matter what I do." She cautioned. "But what I can attempt may be enough for you to find out the truth."
"How soon?"
She met his gaze again, allowing just a spec of evil out. "Either you'll know it when I cast it, or you won't."