A/N: I apologize for the wait on this one. Life seemed to be getting in the way for a bit but I'm hoping to get more back on track with my writing now. Thank you so much to everyone who reviews! It keeps my motivation up.

Chapter 12

The ropes around her torso bruised the skin they surrounded. It seemed like it was all happening in slow motion.

Actually, it always seemed like that when she felt as if her life were ending.

It certainly felt that way when she watched Daniel's heart snuffed out by her own mother.

It was that way when 'The Charmings' had ordered her executed and Snow called everything off at the last minute.

And now, staring into the faces of all those that she'd wronged, it felt like it had all been slowed down again. Their angry cries started to run together. Their energy was all directed at one single source: Regina Mills.

It was Whale who lead the charge, followed by Jefferson; both of them holding gas cans and matches. They lived in a world filled with smart phones and smart cars but, when it came to torture, the oldies still held the gold standard. It was finally going to happen. She was finally going to have peace; wrapped around a telephone pole, with Emma and Henry the last thoughts in her head.

It might have been poetic were it not for the pedestrian presence of the telephone pole.

24 hours prior…

The pounding at the door of 108 Mifflin Street had both women's hearts racing. They'd both expected the mob to come for Regina, but neither had imagined it would happen so soon.

"Stay here," Emma warned as she stroked Regina's face before getting up to address whoever was at the door.

Regina grabbed her wrist and stood as well before speaking, "You're insane if you think I'm letting you go to that door by yourself."

"Regina, they're out for your blood," Emma explained. "Showing up right in front of them would be like bringing a lamb to the slaughter."

Regina looked at her determinedly before allowing a flash of fire to ignite and rest in her hand, "I'd say it's going to be a lot more like a barbeque, dear."

Emma's eyes grew wide, "Oh my God! That is the last thing they need to see if anyone's going to get out of this unscathed."

"I told you that this wasn't going to be a cake walk, Emma," her eyes started to take on a purple tint. "I'm not going to let these people hang me from the rafters and I'm not going to let them near you either."

The knocking started turning into thumps and it was evident that now someone was trying to break down the door. They were running out of time.

"Regina, I promise I can handle this," she pleaded with the dark mayor. "Please let me try to settle this with words first. Put away the fireball."

Emma looked down to the glowing orb and pondered how absolutely ridiculous that statement would have sounded to her just a year ago. But it was very serious now. This was her reality. She was in a town filled with fairy tale characters, her parents were Snow White and Prince Charming, and she was in love with the Evil Queen.

And now she had to go be the Savior.

"Please," she repeated to Regina.

That word, that had always meant so much to their relationship, was one of the only things that possibly could have pulled Regina from her magic induced haze. Her eyes slowly started to take on a more natural color as she sighed and looked at Emma with worry.

"I can handle this," Emma reassured.

Finally, with a shake of her head she answered, "Alright," and followed the brave sheriff to the door.

Once Emma had disengaged the lock and pulled back the heavy oak, she saw before her Dr. Whale, followed by a mass of townspeople; all angry, all out for Regina's blood.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Emma yelled, putting her hands out to stop the crowd from entering the house. "Everybody move back, that's an order from the sheriff!"

"I beg your pardon, Ms. Swan," Whale replied, "but the political offices of Storybrooke don't quite hold the clout they once did. Now, step aside. Our business is with Regina, not you."

They tried to press forward, but she pushed back.

"Any business you have with Regina absolutely has to do with me," she explained. "I will not let you touch her, do you understand?"

"Emma, for God's sake, at least draw your weapon," Regina whispered, worried that the Sheriff's words would not be enough.

"I'm fine," she grunted as she physically pushed Whale down and off the steps.

"So, what are you gonna do?" yelled one of the other citizens in the crowd. "Just let her get off scot-free after what she's done to all of us?"

"Look, I know she's done some terrible things to some of you but I assure you she has been trying to help bring back all of your happy endings," Emma explained. "Regina helped me get Hansel and Gretel back to their father, reunite Grumpy and Nova… And she was even going to help me get all of the rest of you back where you needed to be as well. We just ran out of time."

"What about the fact that we're all stuck in Storybrooke?" Whale asked, standing. "What about the fact that we're prisoners in a land where we don't belong?"

Emma sighed, it was becoming harder and harder to keep things civil when she didn't actually have a leg to stand on.

"We're going to work on that too," she finally said. "But you're not starting the journey back to where you came from with her blood on your hands."

"Then I'm sorry, Emma," Whale said darkly, "but I guess we're going to have to start with yours."

As he started to move toward her, Regina's eyes went completely purple and a shockwave erupted from her that knocked down not only Whale, but Emma and everyone else in the crowd. Stepping past the blonde, Regina moved directly in front of the doctor motioned her hands toward his body, lifting it with pure magic.

"I want all of you to witness this so you understand exactly who you're dealing with," she said to the crowd before lighting a fireball in her hand and rearing it back. "Whether I deserve it or not, I am going to have my happy ending, and anyone who gets in the way of that will suffer greatly," she looked toward Whale, "starting with you."

As she went to let loose the fireball she felt herself ripped away from her position and pulled back down to the floor. Emma then stood between her and the doctor.

"No one is going to die today!" the sheriff yelled. "Is that clear?"

She looked between both the crowd and Regina, who still had murder in her eyes. She was starting to panic, unsure if she could deal with a rabid queen and an angry mob all at once. Luckily, a voice from the back of the crowd interrupted the tension.

"Seems pretty clear to me, sheriff."

It was Gold she knew his voice before the crowd parted to reveal him standing there calmly with Belle at his side. She started breathing harder, hoping against hope that he really did mean it when he said he was her ally in all of this.

"I suggest you all return to your homes," he warned as he moved through the people and up the steps to join Emma and Regina. "I hate to hazard a guess as to what could go wrong should Regina and I overpower the good sheriff here and decide to team up against the lot of you."

The fear that was present in their eyes shown bright like the sun. They all moved back slowly and dispersed; even Whale.

"This isn't over," he said gruffly.

"You better be wrong about that," Emma fired back before looking to the mayor and kneeling to help her up. "I'm sorry, Regina, I couldn't just let you kill him."

"I know, she said, understanding. "Sadly, it's in your blood to make ridiculous decisions."

"Thanks for the help," Emma said to Gold. "I'm not going to lie; I kind of wasn't expecting you to come through."

"He's really not as bad as he seems," Belle said sweetly before looking fearfully at Regina.

Emma noticed the look and moved her eyes to take in Regina's features. She looked completely different than she had just minutes before. Smaller somehow, and fragile under the gaze of someone she'd wronged terribly. She didn't say anything but Emma could tell by her demeanor that she was feeling incredibly guilty for what she'd done to the young girl who'd just come to aide in their rescue.

"I think we should probably go inside before everyone realizes that guns might be a good weapon against magic," Emma stated. "We all have a lot to discuss as far as our next steps go."

"Agreed," Gold said with a nod, looking to Regina. "That is if it's alright with her Majesty."

None among them could tell if his tone was straightforward or biting but it didn't really matter anymore. They all needed each other. And at the end of the day, the enemy of your enemy can be your friend.

Emma couldn't help stepping out of herself for a few moments as they all sat drinking tea in Regina's kitchen, discussing the best plan of action to keep them all alive. She just couldn't believe she was in a zero hour meeting with Rumpelstiltskin, Belle French and The Evil Queen. She always imagined that if she made her way into a Disney movie it would be during the exciting parts but it was never so dark and real.

The first order of business had been to call Mary Margaret. Both Emma and Regina were worried that she might leave the loft and bring Henry out into the madness on the streets but, luckily he'd managed to make her stay put.

"Hello," Mary Margaret answered the phone in a tone she'd never heard before.

"Mary Margaret, it's Emma," she told her newly awakened mother. "Are you and Henry ok?"

"Oh Emma," she said with a broken voice. There was a brief pause that included a few obvious gasps and whimpers and the woman on the other end lost it after hearing her daughter's voice for the first time that she could recognize it as such. "We're fine, are you ok? I've been so worried about you. Henry told me that we couldn't leave though, that you had it under control. What is going on?"

The blonde took a deep breath as she tried to deal with the millions of feelings that were flowing through her at that moment. The pain in Mary Margaret's voice spoke to her her on a platonic level but she knew she should also be feeling something maternal… She just couldn't.

"I'm fine," she explained. "I'm at Regina's right now. We had a bit of a problem earlier with Dr. Whale and some of the other townspeople, but we're fine now. We just need time to regroup and figure out how to address everything."

She could hear voices and shuffling in the background and wondered who it could be.

"Mary Margaret, is David there with you?" she asked.

"Yes," she said excitedly. "He came as soon as his memories came back. So did all of the dwarves. They're all here to protect me and Henry."

"Good," Emma nodded. "Have everyone stay there for the night then. I'm going to come by tomorrow and we can talk then. Right now can you put Henry on the line?"

"Sure, absolutely," there was a hint of disappointment in Mary Margaret's. "Emma, please be careful with Regina. I know that you don't want to listen to me about her, you haven't since the beginning, but I need to you to understand how incredibly dangerous she is."

Emma looked directly at the subject being discussed. Regina had calmed and her eyes had finally transformed back to their natural color. Now she looked smaller and more scared that Emma had ever witnessed. Snow was right about Regina's capabilities but she was wrong about her heart.

"I understand her better than you'll ever know," Emma answered. "Now, please let me speak to Henry."

A brief pause took over the other end and Regina moved closer, anxious to hear from her son.

"Emma?" He answered.

"Henry!" She smiled and sighed in relief just from hearing his voice. "Are you ok?"

"Duh, there are like nine people in here making sure I'm ok," he told her in an exasperated tone. "What about you and mom? Are you both ok? I was so worried when we didn't hear from you but I did exactly what you said because you're the Savior and I believe in you."

She wondered if her heart would ever just get used to swelling as much as it had since she'd come to Storybrooke. But every time it happened she could feel the walls stretch a bit more to a place they'd never been.

"We're fine, Henry," she looked to Regina. "Do you want to talk to your mom?"

"Yeah, but I need to talk to you too after we're done," he said seriously. "Remember, I'm the expert with all this fairytale stuff. You need some more Intel before you make anymore plans."

She laughed lightly, "Roger that, kid. Here's your mom."

She handed the phone over and Regina mouthed a tear-filled 'thank you' as she accepted it.

Then she watched as the dark mayor's face became more and more illuminated at Henry's words. Whatever he was telling her; it was putting her at ease and making her feel safe.

There were a few portions of Regina's side of the conversation that she caught;

"Yes, dear she is very brave."

"Don't worry, I'll protect her too."

"I promise I won't let that happen. I love you too, Henry."

When she finished the conversation and handed over the phone she looked deeply into Emma's eyes and brushed a hand across her cheek before moving away to let the savior finish her conversation with her son.

After about 15 minutes of Fairytales 101, Emma cut off the conversation and told Henry it was time for bed. They exchanged relieved 'goodnights' and 'I love yous' before hanging up. Allowing Emma the opportunity to join the conversation at the grown-up's table.

And that's where they were now. Working hard to figure out how to make people not wish to kill them.

"I think there are two key advantages here," Belle started. She was coming into this situation as kind of an outsider and that gave her objectivity. Everyone was very interested in hearing her opinion. "One of them is that, with both Rumpel and Regina on the same side, the townspeople are operating in a state of intense fear. They're certainly not going to act alone so the only time we really have to worry about them getting the upper hand is if they're in large groups."

"I agree," Emma expressed. "Even the crowd dispersed when Gold came on the scene. You two working together is going to be crucial to the first steps of this process."

"You'll get no argument from me," Gold assured.

"Nor from me," Regina agreed, her eyes glancing between Belle and the cup of tea in her hands.

Emma put a comforting hand on her thigh when she noticed the insecurity. Regina was feeling horrible about what she'd done to Belle now that the girl was working in tandem with them to help save her life. The brunette moved a hand down to clasp it with Emma's.

"Good," Belle nodded at the mayor, kindly. "That leads us to our second secret weapon: Emma. Rumpel has told me how beloved you are in this town. Whale was probably just the exception to the rule as far as anyone being willing to hurt you. Plus, you're supposed to be the Savior. The one who brings back all of the happy endings. They're not going to kill you if they believe that. I think as long as you keep assuring them that you are in charge, they'll agree to your terms for the most part."

"I don't know if I'd go that far," Emma huffed. She was somewhat overwhelmed by the idea of keeping an entire town in check.

"I would," Gold asserted. "Your kind heart and bravery got me on your side, Emma. Don't sell yourself short."

"Ok, but what do we do with it?" Emma asked.

"Honestly," Bell sighed, "I think one of your best options is to establish some normalcy within the town. They're used to listening to Snow and Charming. Why not allow them to be your mouthpiece. As long as they're in agreement that they'll encourage the masses to leave Regina and Rumpel alone then I don't see it being a negative."

Regina groaned, "As much as the very idea of that plan makes my skin crawl, I must say I agree with it. Most of these people are simple lemmings. Just make sure you're… parents don't lead them off the witch burning cliff and we should all be in a much safer environment."

Emma noted the annoyance in Regina's voice and somehow it made her feel better. Like things might actually go back to normal someday.

"It's settled then," she said. "Tomorrow I'll go see David and Mary Margaret while you guys hole up here. If we can use them to calm the crowd we'll figure out the next steps. For now I suggest we figure out some kind of watch schedule so that we don't have any unwanted visitors come bumping around in the night."

"That won't be necessary, dearie," Gold disagreed. "I'll set up a protection spell around the perimeter of the house. It won't be completely impenetrable to magic, but it'll keep out the laymen.

"And even if someone does manage to get through we'll still know," Regina added.

"How's that?" Emma asked.

"I've got a security system, dear," she explained. "Don't forget about the magic of this world."

"Right," Emma nodded and addressed Gold and Belle. "Ok, Guest room is upstairs. Regina and I will be in her room if you need anything."

"Thank you," Belle said with a smile.

"No, thank you," Regina insisted and moved closer to the chipper woman whose smile fell slightly at the sight of her. "Belle, there will never be any apology I can make to you that will accurately convey the remorse I feel for what I've done to you. And no act of contrition can ever bring back all of the years I took from you. But I do want you to know that it does pain me and that I will live out whatever is left of my life trying to make up for the evil I've done to others."

It was hard to tell whether or not Belle's features were softening because they were so soft already. But it was obvious that she was taking in Regina's words with care and trying to develop a response. When she finally did, it was worth the wait.

"You are who you are in each minute, Regina," She explained. "Rumpel taught me that. Whatever you've done in the past is who you were in the past. You have to deal with who you are right now. And in all the 'right nows' that follow. Use what you've learned about hurting people in the past to make sure you don't do it anymore."

She gave her a genuine smile that Regina returned with her own tear-filled one.

"Thank you, Belle," she said genuinely before turning to join Emma going up the stairs.

It wasn't safe, it wasn't perfect and it wasn't even remotely the way any of them thought this would all end up. But it was the rocky start to a future filled with possibilities. Good possibilities. And they all went to sleep, exhausted, with that one thought comforting their hearts.

Emma had never been so nervous to knock on Mary Margaret's door. Which is probably why she had to stand there for a few minutes and work up the nerve. It was just so weird. Her parents were on the other side of that door. Parents that were her age. Parents that were fairytale characters.

With a deep breath she raised her hand and finally managed a respectable knock. Not ten seconds after she'd pulled her hand away, the door flew open and revealed a relieved Mary Margaret standing on the other side, about to burst into tears.

"Emma!" she breathed, elated, and launched into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're ok."

The blonde hesitantly hugged her back, still unsure of how to feel. Of course she'd held affection for Mary Margaret before she ever knew that she was her mother but this new element to the equation actually made things more complicated. Her parents gave her up and effectively laid the weight of Storybrooke on her shoulders. It was difficult to swallow the reticence that clung to any words she might want to say.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, pulling back with a smile. "Don't worry; everything is going to be ok. Where's Henry?"

She looked around and saw her son just behind Mary Margaret, waiting with a smile on his face. She moved in for a hug immediately.

"Hey kid, are you ok?" She asked as she pulled away to survey his features.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he nodded. "We've just been worried about you and mom. How is she?"

"She's good," Emma assured him. "The house is under a protection spell right now and, thought I still can't believe it, you mother and I have forged an alliance with Mr. Gold. Nobody seems to want to take on the two of them at the same time."

Standing back up she looked past him into the loft and saw David backed up by what was apparently the seven dwarves.

"David," she nodded to him before moving inside to try to talk the group into appealing to the masses for Regina and Gold's protection.

It wouldn't be easy.

She asked everyone to take a seat as she paced in front of them and explained the plan. It was obviously from their faces that none of them were happy about it. Especially Grumpy, who was the first to speak.

"You gotta be kidding," he stood and shook his head. "I know you're a little new to this whole song and dance, sister, but Regina has committed so many crimes against the fairy tale crowd that she makes Jeffrey Dahmer look small time. We're talking whole villages, children, friends and family… all killed under her orders or by her hand. Hell, she killed her own father just to make sure she'd be able to ruin the lives of everyone around her. She's not getting any more chances."

"Agreed," David backed stood and backed him up. "Emma, it's obvious that you think you see a different side of her, but she's had too many chances already. Your mother…" he paused, unsure if the terminology was appropriate this soon. "Snow stopped her from being executed and gave her a second chance before and still she nearly killed us before sending us to this world. We can't take those kinds of risks again."

"Yeah, well you're going to," Emma stood strong. "Because whether you like it or not, Regina is tied to two of the most important people in your lives. She'd Henry's mother and she's my True Love."

The room broke out in gasps. Yesterday, she told Henry to explain to Mary Margaret that she'd found a way to break the curse. She did not tell him how she planned to do that. Emma nearly laughed at the look that crossed her mother's face as she took in the news. Part of her wished Regina was there to witness it.

"She's also one of the only two people in this town that can possibly figure out how to get all of you back to your land. Gold and Regina are the most powerful beings in Storybrooke. If you want to go back, you're going to have to figure out how to work with them and play nice."

It seemed that her logic was starting to work until Mary Margaret's sad voice issued forth from a forlorn face.

"Emma, she killed my father," she said solidly. "She spent most of my adult life trying to figure out a way to kill me. James fought off her guards with you in his arms before he sent you to safety. I held him, dying in my arms as she laughed at me. And for 28 years I lived with an emptiness that I had no idea how to fill because you and your father weren't with me. There is no goodness in that woman's heart."

Emma swallowed hard as she took in Mary Margaret's pain. Mother or not, they were still friends. A sadness washed over her, matching that of the broken school teacher.

"Mary Margaret," she moved closer and took the woman's hands. "I understand that she's been horrible to you. And no matter what happened in the past, there is no excuse for that. But you don't know her now. I do. And if you allow them to kill her now you will not be killing the Evil Queen from all your nightmares. You'll be murdering a very tortured woman whose main goal in life is to give your grandson love and family."

Mary Margaret's face contorted as she looked at the boy in question.

"Henry shouldn't be here for this conversation," she sobbed softly.

"Better for him to see her stoned in the street?" Emma asked, sadly and softly. "Because that's what's going to happen if you don't speak out against it. Henry's mother and my True Love will die violently with your consent."

The dark head shook as sobs continued to flow forth from her body.

"I can't handle any of this," she said, and David came to comfort her. "I don't know what to do."

"You're going to have to give us some time, Emma" he said. "I know this all seems so clear cut to you but it's not that black and white for us. We need time to deal with it. To come to terms with what she means to you and Henry and what that means to us."

Emma sighed in frustration. Though she knew that he was right. It just wasn't that simple.

"Ok," she said, shaking her head. "I understand. I know this is hard for you all. Just don't go leading the charge, ok? I'll figure out a way to stall the mob until you make a decision on where you stand."

"What do you mean," Mary Margaret asked indignantly. "Where we stand? We're a family; we're supposed to stand together."

"Well, then you're going to have to accept that Regina is going to be a part of that family too," Emma explained. "Or you're going to have to make the choice to give me up again. Because I will do anything to anything to protect her."

Mary Margaret's head simply shook, "She's still managing to take from us what we love. I won't be throwing the first stone, Emma, but I'm not telling these people that the grief she's caused them doesn't deserve to be satisfied. Not when she keeps causing it."

Emma's heart started racing as anger and anxiety started to set in.

"Fine," she said through thin lips. "Can I count on you to keep Henry safe while I try to figure this out myself, then?"

"Of course you can," David spoke up tersely. "And you can take that self righteous tone with you when you leave. Your mother is in pain here, Emma, we all are. You didn't go through what we went through."

"And who's choice was that?" she asked barked. "You saved me so that I could come back and save you all, instead of keeping us together as a family. And now that I'm trying to be the Savior you wanted so badly, you're standing in my way."

"That is not fair," he shot back.

"Oh what ever is?" she asked and turned away from him to address Henry, who was looking sad and distressed.

"Look at me, kid," she put her hands on his shoulders, "Everything is going to be fine. I promise you it is. I am going to find a way to save everyone but you've got to stay here for a while until I figure it all out. It's not safe out there right now."

"Will you tell my mom that I love her?" he said as tears escaped his eyes. "I said so many terrible things to her before you two started getting along. If something bad happens…"

"Don't you dare think like that," she put one of her hands on his face and bit back the tears that threatened to fall from her own eyes. "I'm the good guy, remember. And the good guys always win. I will find a way to save everyone. I just need you to have faith in me like you did before. You were right the whole time and it all seemed so impossible. I need you to have that faith again."

"Ok," he nodded and wiped at his tears.

"Ok," she said before pulling him into a hug. "I love you, Henry."

"I love you too," he replied.

As she pulled away she ruffled his hair to try to lighten the mood and moved toward the door. She was stopped by Mary Margaret's voice calling her name. She stopped but didn't turn to address her.

"I know it's hard for you to accept right now," the brunette said. "But we do love you."

"I know," was the only reply they received as she walked swiftly out the door to allow herself the breakdown that she so rightfully deserved.

Archibald Hopper was startled from studying his notes from Henry's sessions by a puff of purple smoke that appeared in the corner of his office.

"Regina!" he stood and moved as far back from her as he could. "What are you doing here?"

It pained her to see such fear in his eyes. But she knew that it was the same fear she'd be encountering from half the town. Because the other half would only reflect rightful anger.

"I'm sorry, Archie," she held out her hand to try to calm the situation. "I promise that I'm not here to hurt you. I just needed to talk to you about Emma. I'm worried about her safety. That's the only reason I'm here, I swear."

Taking a deep breath he nodded at her, "Alright. How can I help you, Regina?"

"You're the town psychiatrist," she started. "You understand the minds of the people in Storybrooke better than anyone. And many of the people in town want me dead. Emma will do anything to stop them and I'm afraid she'll get caught in the crossfire. I need to know, in your professional opinion, how far you think these people will go when it comes to their revenge. Would they kill an innocent to get it?"

"I can't offer you any definitive answer to that question, Regina," he sighed. "Grief and pain are very strong motivators in human interaction. The only emotion that can even remotely compete with them is love. And while Emma is beloved by some of the citizens of Storybrooke, she's also a closed off person. She hasn't let a lot of people in. I don't know that it would be enough to halt their need for revenge against you."

"Would it halt yours?" she asked, sadly.

"No," he answered quickly and then surprised her. "You wouldn't need anyone to protect you from me. Aside from Henry and Emma, I'm probably the only other person in town that may actually know who you are now."

"And who do you think I am?" she asked.

"Someone who is being changed, for the better, by love," he offered.

She stared at him; almost right through him for a while before finally speaking again.

"I think you may be right, Dr. Hopper," she nodded. "Thank you for all you've done… for all of us."

Before he had a chance to respond she exited the room the same way she'd come in. Purple smoke lingered in the room as he contemplated her words.

Emma experienced a similar interruption to her day as she was stockpiling weapons from the armory into a heavy duty duffle. She'd been all alone in the station until the purple smoke cleared and revealed Regina's form. The brunette looked to be in much higher spirits than she had been that morning and the night before. Which was more than Emma could say for her own state of mind. Still she put on a brave smile and greeted her lover.

"Thought I told you to stay put at the house," she asserted.

"When have I ever been good at taking orders from you?" Regina asked as she moved closer to survey the sheriff's handiwork. "I take it the talk with the Charmings didn't go quite as well as we'd hoped."

Emma swallowed hard, "They just need a little time to adjust is all. Once they get used to the idea that they don't really have a choice in the matter."

"Uh-huh," Regina nodded. "And what's all this? Are you preparing to head up Storybrooke's first NRA rally?"

The blonde huffed out a brief chuckle before answering, "It's just a little extra insurance in case things get rowdy. I don't want anyone breaking in here and getting a hold of these and if anyone gains access to the mansion, I don't quite have the same fire power you and Gold do."

Regina's face fell slightly as she took in the sheriff's words.

"So, your 'no killing' rule is being suspended now?" she asked.

Green eyes met brown as she spoke, "I'm not letting anything happen to you. Whether or not that entails using these depends on the actions of the people in this town."

Regina regarded the blonde with wonder. Love truly was one of the strongest magics of all. It could change someone in so many different ways. Her love for Emma was changing her for the better. But Emma's love for her… it had the capacity to change her into something dark.

And Regina couldn't let that happen.

"Well, since it looks like you're arming yourself for the apocalypse," she moved closer to the blonde and spoke seductively, "perhaps we need to make every moment count before the world ends."

Slipping a hand around Emma's neck, she pulled her face forward and crashed their lips together. Nipping and sucking as she moved them both into the jail cell.

Pulling back briefly, the blonde smirked and regarded the amorous mayor.

"Believe me, Regina, if I have a choice in ways to go this would certainly be at the top of my list but don't you think that maybe this should wait till we get well within the walls of the force field surrounding your house?"

"My house doesn't have so many bars," Regina replied darkly, pushing Emma's back against the subject at hand and reaching down toward her belt and retrieving something, "or handcuffs."

She slipped the restraints out of their pouch and proceed to cuff one of Emma's hands to the bars before moving in this time to kiss her softly. None of it was what the blonde was expecting.: the kinky new addition to their lovemaking or the tenderness of the kiss that followed it. Sadly, she didn't have to wonder about Regina's actions for long.

The brunette head pulled back as she lovingly cupped the beautiful face before her and allowed her walls to fall away before speaking.

"I love you, Emma," she shook her head in wonder. "So much. Much more than I ever thought I had the capacity to after all of the terrible things I've done."

"I love you to," a brow furrowed above green eyes. "What's going on, Regina."

"I love you too much to let you change for me," she replied sadly. "Whether that be internal or external, I can't bear the thought of losing you to the rage of the town or your own."

Before she stepped back she pulled Emma's keys from her pocket and gun from her belt. The sheriff didn't have enough of her wits about her to react quickly enough to grab her. As soon as she realized what was going on, she started panicking against the cuffs and reached out.

"Regina, no!" she yelled. "You get back here right now and let me go."

"I can't do that, Emma," she looked upon her for the last time and wished that fear and anguish didn't paint her face. "There is only one way for you to save this town and that's to let me go."

"Regina, no! Please!" Emma screamed as tears started to fall from her eyes and she jerked harder at the cuffs. It didn't feel real, yet it felt more urgent than any other situation she'd ever experienced. "I love you. You can't just leave me here!"

Regina spoke as if she hadn't heard her cries, though they were ripping right through her soul.

"Don't let Henry find out what happened to me," she ordered softly. "When he asks about it, just tell him that I found a way back home. And that I always loved him… that I will always love him. I'll always love both of you."

She turned and walked out of the cell, tears falling down her eyes as Emma's cries followed her. She pulled the cell shut and locked it without another look at the blonde. She was too close to breaking as it was. She didn't dare gaze upon the face that had managed to bring her to her knees after only a few months.

The cries didn't stop as she placed the keys and the gun in the desk drawer and locked the entrance to the station. And they wouldn't stop after she'd transported into the town square and started hurling fireballs into the air to rally the mob.

It was time for her to face her fate while she still had the chance to die as Regina, and not the Evil Queen.