Again, this story is AU and different than my others. Shorter chapters, but I will try to update them 2 at a time.

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Chapter 2-The Bedchamber

Regina slept peacefully, though she knew she'd be getting company. She had sent her friend to sleep alone that night, and decided to get some sleep while she could. Besides, it wasn't like the Princess would get in past her guards anyway. Meanwhile, Emma paced back and forth, trying to decide what to do. She had dodged the guards once and knew they'd be making their rounds again shortly. She looked at the walls again and let out a breath, deciding this was the only way. Swiftly, she scaled them before slipping into an open window that, luckily, belonged to a hall where there were no guards. She stayed to the shadows, trying to figure out where she was and came upon oak doors that were obviously to the Queen's bedchambers. She noticed the guards were sleeping and rolled her eyes. 'Too damn easy', she thought to herself as she slipped through the doors.

Emma bit her lip as she stood in the pitch black of the room, not sure how to proceed. Unfortunately, before she could decide, her nose itched, and she sneezed a rather loud sneeze.

Regina sat straight up, using her magic to light the room. When she saw it was Emma, she rolled her eyes. "How many guards do I have to fire that let you slip by?" She stood and put her dressing robe on. "What is it you are offering, Princess?"

Emma stood in shock, not only at the greeting, but at the beauty of the woman in front of her. She didn't look any older than Emma and was more beautiful than the rumors made her out to be. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry to barge in so late but I…"

"I know what you need, Emma, the question is what you are willing to pay for it?" Regina asked, flicking her wrist to make the dim fire stronger.

"How do you know who I am?" Emma asked, looking around.

"Okay, so I guess you're not in that much of a rush. Have a seat and we can introduce ourselves."

Emma sighed and sat in the chaise lounge by the foot of the bed. "I'm sorry; I do want to know you and how you know me, but you're right, I am in a rush." She put her head in her hands. "I'm all over the place right now. My son, the one person I love with all that I am, is sick and no one can help him. The healers all say that all they can do is take his pain away as he dies." She had wanted to stay strong, but her tears fell as her voice shook.

Regina, who was now standing and staring into the fire, winced at the obvious emotional pain the young woman was in. "Your parents allowed you to come here? I am good enough to help their daughter, but not to try to work with in all these years?"

"They do not know I am here." Emma said, defiantly. "They'd rather Henry die than me come here for help."

Regina raised a brow at the name. "So, the rumors are true? His name is Henry?"

"After your father." Emma admitted. "I know I never knew him, but the stories of him talk about a brave, kind man who was fair and just to his people. The kind of man I'd like for my son to be."

Regina wiped her own tear before turning around. "If the stories I have heard are true, he won't be a ruler one day though, since his mother abdicated her crown. I must say, I was highly disappointed to hear that. Finally, a Charming with common sense and a good heart came along and then she threw her future away. I was so looking forward to your coronation and the day we'd be able to work together, Princess. I guess I'll have to keep waiting." She lavishly sat down and crossed her legs, looking at Emma almost predatorily.

Emma was stunned, her throat dry and embarrassingly turned on. "You haven't worked with any other kingdom…ever." Emma said softly. "Why would you have worked with me?"

Regina smirked, knowing what affect she was having on the young princess. "Because you're different. You're what this world need, dearest. You're…you're like the beautiful swan in a pond full of ducks and toads. Together, we could have changed so much."

Emma blushed under the compliment and then shrugged. "I don't see how. My parents would have made me marry some boring man who would have taken over and done things how they wanted it." She sighed. "I just wanted my freedom. Maybe it was selfish, but I couldn't submit to them."

Again, an eyebrow rose at the princess and her words. She leaned forward. "Maybe not to them, but maybe you could submit to another." She licked her lips before standing. "Your son needs magic, Princess, but I cannot help him while he is in your parent's kingdom. He needs to be here where I can evaluate him and treat him correctly. You need to be here as I am not a nursemaid or a nanny, and I dare say your wolf friend should come to watch over him when you and I need to discuss things. If you are agreeable to that, I can transport you back there to pack up. We can discuss the price once I've seen what I am dealing with." She licked her lips. "I have a feeling we'll both benefit from this, Em-ma."

Emma swallowed, wondering how all the moisture in her body was suddenly pooled somewhere a bit uncomfortable. "I think most of that is agreeable, however, I cannot speak for my friend Ruby as she does take care of her grandmother."

"Understandable. If she is agreeable to come at least two days a week to start with, I will make sure she's granted entry."

"Thank you." Emma said, relief filling her. "I cannot say how much this means to me, Your Majesty. I can go now and pack. Do you have a carriage I may borrow, or shall I go the way I came?"

"Come." Regina said, standing and leaving the room, knowing Emma would follow. She stood in front of a giant mirror and placed her hand upon it, changing the reflection to Emma's chambers where little Henry lay in bed with Ruby watching over him. "Simply step through. I will be back in an hour to let you pass back through. That will give you time to do whatever you feel necessary to do on your end. Do not worry about bedding or food as I will provide you each with your own chambers and meals. Simply enough clothes for yourself and anything you'd like to bring to fill your time. Talk to Ruby because if she is not willing to help, I will have to find someone. If she is willing, she will be paid as any nursemaid would be." She stepped closer to Emma. "I would advise you not directly tell your parents where you are going. I will need to use my time to asses your son, not to direct my army on an attack from your parents."

"W…will I see them again?"

"If you so wish, then yes, but not until I know what I am dealing with as I need concentration." She gently pinched Emma's chin. "Do not play with me, Princess. If I come back to this mirror and anyone other than you or Ruby are waiting for me, you will regret it. You may have heard stories, but you have no idea what I am capable of."

Shivers ran down Emma's spine and she gave a nod. "Yes, your majesty. I will see you in an hour; thank you."

Regina let Emma go and gestured for her to step through the mirror. She watched as she changed the mirror so Emma and Ruby wouldn't know they were still being watched.

"You really are a softie, your Majesty." Husked a female voice. "Though, she is beautiful and the daughter of your enemy. What plans you must have."

"Yes, what plans I must have." Regina said, though really, she wanted to help the beautiful soul and her son. "Maleficent, dear friend, I am going to have to ask you to leave."

"I know why you think that, Regina, but we both know that I'd be more help here than anywhere else." She sighed. "Regina, look, what we have is simply to scratch an itch and if you'd rather scratch that itch with that beautiful specimen, I completely understand. However, let me stay and watch over the child and help you help him. I'll stay out of your way."

Regina thought about it and nodded. "You're right. Thank you, we do work better together." She looked at Mal. "Just don't stand in my way with the princess."

Maleficent smirked. "I never would. I don't go for blondes like you do." She then poofed back to her room.

After the mauve smoke had cleared, Regina sighed and went up to the bedchambers to get one ready for her guests.