It was Regina's fifth trip around the block each time driving right passed her planned destination at this rate all Regina was going to achieve was an empty fuel tank. Each time she was about to enter the carpark of the Sheriffs station, she found a new reason to turn away. It wasn't surprising there was a long list of reasons why this was a bad idea, in fact it was downright crazy. On her fifteenth time around, she was just trying to focus on the positive but there wasn't much then a familiar scent caught her attention. Regina realised Emma had left her beer-soaked sweater in her car. Focusing on why she came to this conclusion in the first place Regina slammed on the gas pulling into the car park. Just as she did one of the police cruisers speed passed her scrapping the side of Regina's car.
Quickly parking her car and getting out to see the entire right-side door of her car now has a white paint across it from the cruiser. Turning quickly angry now Regina marched towards the entrance walking past the other police cruiser she noticed the tires where slashed. There was a group of people running out of the carpark throwing a brick through the window as they did.
"What the hell is going on" Regina said allowed with a scowl.
"I was about to ask you that" David said reaching for his gun.
"Me, I didn't do this" Regina said frustrated this plan was already completely ruined.
"Then who did?" David yelled.
Just as the words left his mouth Grahams voice came over the walkie wondering why David's cruisers was speeding down the main street driven by an unknown person. Regina looked over to David with a smirk as they both realised something else was going on here and that it has nothing to do with the former queen. Then the walkie abruptly cut off with sounds of struggle apparent. David didn't have time to chat about it. Not sure what to even say about Regina's sudden need to visit the station. More focused on getting a handle who it was that had managed to steal his car. David left his gun holstered and mad his way over to Regina's car.
"What are you doing?" Regina asked.
"Commandeering your vehicle" David said as he headed over to Regina's car.
"Grahams there, then I'm driving" Regina said getting in the driver's seat before David had a chance to offering him a ride.
"Why?" David asked confused.
"I have something for him" Regina added David eyes went to the bag across Regina's shoulder.
David hesitated for a moment before getting in the car with her but there was no time to wonder if there was a better option. Graham needed his help now and there was no time to consider possible consequences of trusting Regina. Still so unsure what to think of the situation after only knowing Regina as the woman devoting her life to destroying the happiness of his wife. Never considering the impact her hatred had on everyone else. Surprised by how much has changed everything was easier back then black and white, now he was seeing shades of grey.
David reluctantly got in the passenger seat focused on the task at hand, getting to Graham and finding out what was going on. The streets where quite busy and it was difficult to get anywhere in the traffic causing David's stress levels to rise. Repeatedly trying to call Graham over the walkie trying every station getting more concerned by the second.
"He's not going to answer" Regina said bluntly frustrated as the static of the radio got louder.
"Just like you to give up hope" David shot back he's fears Graham was in danger rising.
"And you know me so well" Regina said rolling her eyes.
"Been trying to kill me for as long as I can remember, says about enough about you" David shot back.
"Do you have anything helpful to add to this car chase, other than just hoping Graham's ok" Regina said suggested he better shut up or this free ride was over.
"Why do you care" David asked curious wondering why she allowed him in her car in the first place.
"Who's says I do" Regina replied surprised at the insinuation, but her foot was hard on the gas as they made there way through the streets.
David didn't say anything looking at Regina, curiosity taking over wondering why she came to the sheriff station. Might has well of cuffed herself while she was at it. Regina let out a deep breath loudly.
"What" Regina said frustrated after David stared at her for a moment too long.
"Looks to me like you're trying to settle a score" David said wondering who was next to feel the queens wrath.
The traffic goes from a slow crawl to a complete halt. David took a moment to notice how strange this was given the time off day. Busy going over scenarios in his head. Asking what Regina was doing at the station in the first place. Now even more curious to find out what she has hidden in her bag. It could be the same reason most residents visited the station these days to complain about the new enforcement of rules. David had no time to ask before he got the words out, he noticed the traffic lights where all flashing orange. Causing complete chaos at the intersection there was already a three-car pile-up and large group of people gathering around Graham.
"This is the last thing we need" David said getting concerned "with all the unrest about town where one incident away from uproar"
"Yeah, I heard about that, actually.." Regina began to tell David about her late-night drive with Emma, before being interrupted.
"What's this doing here?" David said holding up Emma's sweater from under his feet.
"Oh, she must have left it" Regina said before realising she was already saying too much.
"What was Emma doing in your car?" David asked more confused and frustrated he had trusted Regina even for this brief moment.
"She needed a ride, I was there" Regina stated simply.
David was about to explode, he never hated Regina more he was supposed to be there, why wasn't he there. Just as his emotions hit breaking point a large rock smashed the front windscreen of the car. Realising they would need to pencil this conversation for later they quickly jumped out of the car to investigate the commotion.
"Freedom" A booming voice yelled out.
"There she is get her" Another yelled pointing towards the car and specifically at Regina. More followed coming over to the car looking for a fight. David quickly stepped out believing he could defuse this tension like he had once before. This situation had escalated.
"There's no need for this Graham will make sure we are safe" David said hands raised.
"He's going to lock up every single one of us, except for her" Dr whale said referring to Regina with a smirk across his face as he continued to stir up the mob rapidly forming.
David could see now by the look in the faces around there was no talking them off this ledge, it would take something bigger. They needed a true act of compassion to bring this to an end it didn't stop him from trying. Noticing Graham over by the corner alone about to be pummelled by the crowd David attempted to make his way to him.
"Have respect for the Sheriff" David said helping Graham up knowing better than most he was an honourable man hearing the story firsthand from his wife.
"We didn't elect him" Little john yelled out arming his bow.
"Your where picked by the evil queen, haven't you ever wondered why" Dr Whale said getting right up to Graham's face starring him down.
"I'm not the only one in this town who gained a position of power, from the curse" Graham announced confused why couldn't they see how powerless he truly was in this new world.
"You're too cold hearted to wear that badge" A women yelled from the back.
They attack now surging towards them, Graham's expression was cold and unbothered. He pulled his gun from the holster shotting at the sky this surprising everyone including David. The crowd haltered but did not stop the attack now they started throwing projectiles.
"Is that supposed to scare us" Someone yelled knowing the Sheriff wouldn't aim towards anyone.
"It should" Graham said he looked so absent from the impending doom.
"You expect me to believe the man that cries over killing a deer would shoot an unarmed man" Little John piped in again as the Merry men chuckled in response.
"I don't even know who that man is, I could shoot you right now and I'm sure I wouldn't feel anything" Graham said with haunting certainty. Because it was true, he couldn't feel anything. He hadn't for a while.
"Not grief, not rage, or regret, nothing" Graham said pointing his gun at the man now his eyes lost and hollow.
Even crowd seemed confused by this act beginning to question how they ended up here in this moment, blaming the huntsman for there woes.
Graham no, stop" David said desperately trying to break through the mob to get to him.
Punching his way through desperately trying to stop this madness before someone was fatality injured. Still not understanding what had led to this disaster unfolding before him. Meanwhile Regina tried her best to avoid any action knowing that her only form of defence was magic. Ironically so she knew as soon as a spark was visible from her hand, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from frying them all. For once she didn't want to do that. However, it didn't matter much what she did Regina's mere presence added fuel to the fire. The mob coming to the misguided conclusion Regina was now working with the Sheriff's department.
"Get the queen" Someone yelled, and they surged forward spotting her behind David.
Then they pushed back once more and David any progress he made in getting to Graham was gone. Regina and David had to further retreat as rocks where getting pedalled across at them. One hitting David above his eye, blood started streaming down his face. Regina grabbed David's arm leading him away to safety. They found cover behind a table in a nearby garage.
"You can't stay here?" David yelled but he didn't just mean on this street but in Storybroke.
"You know I thought that too, and I was wrong this is exactly where I need to be" Regina replied confident.
"They'll kill you Regina" David replied confused.
Regina didn't say anything looking at the sweater still in David's hand, even after fighting through the mob he never let it go. The sign that Regina needed to point her in the right direction.
"I was ready to leave it all behind" Regina said breathing heavy trying to think of a way out of this mess "believing there was nothing left for me here but that's not true"
"What do you mean?" David said concerned wondering what she was going to do.
"Like you said, I have a score to settle" Regina replied.
Regina stood up abruptly as she did flick her wrist causing a nearby robe to wrap around David's wrists forcing him to stay in place. Powerless to stop Regina from what she was about to do. The crowd roared focusing their anger back towards Regina throwing rocks, but she quickly vanished and re appeared right in front of Graham. There was one option she never tried when backed into a corner, but this seemed like the right time to give it a chance.
"See there working together" Dr Whale yelled stirring the mob up more noticing Regina with Graham.
Graham stood strong getting repeatedly hit but rocks and who still had not pulled the trigger. They had ripped the Sheriff's badge from his chest and thrown it away. It took him a second before he realised who it was standing in front of him. Then he turned towards Regina eyes hollow.
"You" Graham said with distain hold his gun pointed at Regina's temple.
"This isn't who you are, that's my fault not yours" Regina said.
"Stay back" Graham word his finger twitching over the trigger.
Regina didn't hesitate, didn't stop knowing what she had to do. Not certain if the trigger would be pulled or not. Reaching into her bag as another surge of arrows and rocks came flying towards them. One projectile slicing through Regina's arm. Frustrated feeling the urge to strike back with a ball of fire, Regina closed her eyes taking in a deep breath. In a swift action Regina put her hand into the bag she was carrying not sure if this would even help their current predicament, but she hoped it would. An emotion Regina hadn't felt in years real hope that things could get better by an act of compassion.
Pulling her hand out carefully to reveal a purple fluorescent glow of a heart, the heart of the huntsman. There was an audible gasp from the crowd around them. The attack momentarily stopped just like Regina hoped would happen. She jerked her arm forward quickly forcing the heart back into Graham's chest, where it belonged. Graham grunted the motion slightly causing a sharp pain, but was nothing compared to the overwhelming emotions washing over him now. All the ups and downs of the last sixteen years flashing through his mind only now with more bite. Graham dropped his gun stepping back as tear slid down his check. He looked up at Regina, really seeing her for the first time in a long time. All the emotions flooding through him, first hate transitioning into guilt then relief and finally pity all in an instant. Regina looked so broken inside and out. Graham realised her actions did have consequences and so did his, now it was time to face them.
As this was unfolding David managed to squirm his way out of the ropes tied around his wrists as they weren't particularly tight. Quickly making his way through the crowd of about twenty people all completely surprised by what was unfolding before them. Realising why Regina had come to the station today. To return Graham's heart, truly taking steps to change. Knowing this wasn't enough to stop the momentum of the crowd there anger their pain wasn't about their Sheriff changing the rules on them. That they still burned inside believing catharses would come from hitting something today.
"Everyone, back off" David said standing out in front his hands outstretched not sure what to make of what had just happened. "I know we have all been through a lot recently"
"How would you know what we've been through" A man yelled from the back recognisable as one of the Merry men.
"We may not have exactly the same experiences, but we were all cursed, now we are free, Now that we can make the choice of who we won't to be" David said standing his ground in front of Graham and Regina "Now who are you going to be"
With those worlds a few members of the crowd paused thinking over what lead them here today. Realising attacking Graham wouldn't make them happier, in fact they why wondering how they came to this conclusion in the first place.
"Take it from someone who knows, the pain is better than feeling nothing" Graham said getting back to his feet standing tall.
Look of shame washed over the mob realising they never gave Graham the benefit of the doubt. Never thought perhaps there Sherriff was just as lost as them. Just needing there help instead it had to come from the one person who had promised them all misery because Regina had let her hate control her.
"We have to be stronger than our fears otherwise it was all for nothing, otherwise we all should have just stayed in the dark" David said.
There was silence as everyone let that sink in now eyes went over to Regina, who started to back away hoping she could slip out before attention went back to her. David's words had done the trick the intense anger most were felling now fading. Slowly the crowd walk off some even coming up to apologise to Graham starting to pick up the pieces of the mess made.
"What started all this?" David asked.
"I, I don't know" Graham replied overwhelmed with emotion now he had a full range of it.
"There was a woman started spouted this speech, she organised this" Will scarlet said coming over.
"Where is she?" Graham asked.
They all turned away looking around the street that was now becoming empty and the mystery women was long gone. David saw a flyer on the ground realising there may be more to this than first thought. Someone had planned this, but he couldn't understand why.
"She's long gone" Regina said snarky unimpressed that they had no leads.
"And someone stole my car" David said frustrated realising the time school would be out soon.
"Hey, I've got it from here" Graham said knowing David had to go pick up Emma.
David nodded smiling as he took off down the street. He couldn't not be there again even if it were just to pick Emma up from school. He broke into a run thinking about it picturing her there waiting for her ride home on the curb.
Graham looked at the flyer now more closely, it seemed to be some kind of call to arms. What surprised him is that it wasn't directed towards him but Regina, whoever organised this it was her their hate was directed towards not Graham. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong moment. Graham's behaviour of Late making him as easy target for the anger stirred up by this person.
"Hmm, figures" Regina said noticing the flyer in Graham's hand.
"Looks like the past wants vengeance, just when you started to turn it around" Graham said.
Regina wasn't really focused on that realising that Graham hadn't swung at her now he had the power to do so. He seemed at peace with it already she was almost jealous of how others had the ability to let go of their hate. Their pain when she felt it every day with every breath she took even after all this time.
"It's ok" Graham said noticing her silence.
"I'm not asking for forgiveness" Regina said bitterly assuming that wasn't in the cards for her. "It would take a million lifetimes to earn in my case"
"You can't earn forgiveness, it's an act of compassion" Graham replied.
"What's that supposed to mean" Regina said with a frown.
"It means I can forgive you if I want" Graham said with a smile. "I guess I just like to know what changed"
"I realised it's not just the town that hates me, but I haven't liked myself in a long time" Regina answered.
"Well, it's a good start" Graham said.
"A good start" Regina said eyebrows raised.
"You know I think we could use an extra set of hands at the station, if your free" Graham added hopeful.
"You want me to work for you" Regina replied with a scoff.
"Look at it as community service" Graham said with a shrug.
Regina stood there as Graham walked away once again alone, she knew this was going to be a long road, but it was the only path ahead. Still Regina hesitated not because she didn't want to heal but doubted if she really could. Seeing the anger of the residents today Regina her reflection in there faces. They believed their hate was all they had left of their lives. However, Regina knew better now, knew there could be something more not better or worse just different.
Suddenly all the possibilities where in front of her and she took her first step quickly catching up with Graham. They walked to the station together.
Notes: Thanks for the reviews, next chapter Emma is pulled out of class early by Who she thinks is Mary Margret