As soon as Regina turned the doorknob, the door flew off the hinges. Both Regina and Emma were thrown backward and onto the stairs they had just walked down. Emma stared at the fire in shock but stopped once she hadn't heard anything next to her. She turned and found that the door had landed on Regina. "Shit," Emma hurried to move the door off of the woman. She found a fire extinguisher in the room that was on fire and put out as much as she could. Emma carefully lifted Regina and carried her out of the building. She held onto the woman until the paramedics arrived and placed her on the stretcher. While the paramedics were working on Regina, she began to wake up. Emma was waved over and rushed to the mayor's side. Mary Margaret stayed behind with Henry. "Madam Mayor," Emma said, "Regina, can you hear me?"
The woman's eyes fluttered open and she looked at Emma as if she were seeing her for the first time. "Where am I?" she said in a raspy voice.
"Outside your office," Emma said.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Emma," she said and waved Henry over.
"Is he your son, Emma?" Regina asked.
"I gave birth to him but you adopted him when he was three weeks old."
Regina's eyes went wide, "wait, why can't I remember anything?"
The paramedic noticed that Regina hadn't winced or responded when he began examining her injured leg. "Madam Mayor," he said.
"That's you," Emma told the woman.
"Huh? I mean, yes?" she asked as she turned to look at the medic.
"Can you move your legs for me please?"
Regina tried to but nothing happened. She began to panic, "wait, what's going on? Why can't I feel my legs?"
"Henry," Emma turned to her son, "I need you to go home with Mary Margaret. I'll go with your mom."
"Okay," Henry said and ran to his teacher.
The EMTs loaded Regina onto the ambulance and Emma climbed in next to her.
Whale couldn't find anything that said Regina was permanently paralyzed. She had to have surgery on her back and had a terrible concussion. She had been hit in the head by the door which caused a traumatic brain injury. It may have also been what paralyzed the woman. Regina would spend the next month in the hospital getting used to life without using her legs. She needed someone with her all day every day after being discharged. Emma volunteered to be that someone.
Emma made sure that accommodations were made to Regina's home before the woman left the hospital. Regina had spent a month in the hospital getting used to her wheelchair and strengthening her upper body. She had several medications to take. Some were taken for pain and others to help anything affected by her paralysis.
"I know this place is unfamiliar to you," Emma said as she pushed Regina through the back door into the house, "but how does it feel to be home?"
"I don't care where I am as long as I'm out of that hospital." Henry walked into the kitchen to hug his mother and welcome her home, "I feel terrible that I don't remember you."
"It's okay because I know that you would never intentionally forget me," he said sweetly.
"Regina, did you want to lie down for a bit or sit with us?"
"I'm not tired yet," was Regina's answer.
Henry pushed his mother to the living room. Emma helped Regina transfer from her chair to the couch because Henry wasn't really strong enough to do that safely. He did bring his mother something to drink. "Do you need anything?" Emma asked.
"I think I'm alright for now."
Emma and Henry knew that if Regina hadn't lost her memory that she would be utterly depressed and embarrassed right now. In a way, it was a relief. Maybe she could recover enough physically before recovering mentally.
Three months after the fire, Regina was able to slightly move her lower body. She couldn't quite support herself on her legs yet and still had no memory. One night, Emma kissed Henry good night and a rush was felt across town.
"What was that?" Emma asked.
"I think you just broke the curse."
"How?"
"True loves kiss. You've never kissed me before. You've hugged me, but never kissed."
"Do you think that somehow your mom got her memory back too?"
"There's only one way to find out."
Henry and Emma ran to find Regina. She wasn't in the living room or the bedroom. They checked the first floor before hearing yelling coming from outside.
"I bet she's lying about her memory and paralysis," Whale said angrily. He lifted Regina out of her chair by her arms and tried to force her to stand. The woman crumbled to the ground and Whale climbed on top of her. He pinned her arms above her head and began threatening her.
"Whale, she's not lying," Ruby said.
"Get off of her," Granny yelled.
"This wasn't part of the plan," Leroy added.
Suddenly Whale was pulled off of Regina and thrown across the walkway into the mob. "You touch her again and I will tear you apart limb by limb," Emma said angrily.
"What are you all doing?" Snow asked. "You know that she has no clue what's going on."
"Whale was convinced she was lying," someone shouted.
"I think it's best if you all leave," David said and ushered everyone off the property. Emma and Snow helped Regina back into her chair.
"Are you alright?" Emma asked.
Regina shook her head and began to cry. "Why don't we get her inside," Snow suggested.
The three took Regina inside along with Henry. Emma helped the woman transfer from her chair to the couch. "Emma told me that you were able to stand the other day," Henry said.
"Yeah, briefly," Regina answered.
"I told her to try walking, but she was a bit nervous," Emma added. "What were you doing out there?"
"I went out back for some air and heard yelling. I went around to the front and up the ramp to the porch. All of a sudden, this mob was running towards me and I had nowhere to go."
"Well, you're safe now. I think we should all call it a night. Henry, say good-night and head back up." Henry did as Emma told him and told her she didn't have to tuck him in again. Emma helped Regina get ready for bed. Snow and David picked up some of their things to stay at Regina's for a few days. That way Emma could take care of the woman and they could keep watch.
A week had passed since the curse was broken and everyone had decided to leave Regina alone. They figured her memory loss and mobility problems were punishment enough. Snow and David had moved back to their loft. The former mayor had started to walk with a walker very slowly. Emma had walked into the living room one night after finishing up in the kitchen. "Emma," Regina said.
"Do you need something?"
"No, I just wanted to talk."
"Okay," Emma said, "about what?"
"I think I've fallen in love with you," she blurted out.
Emma's eyes went wide and she stared at Regina in shock, "Um, are you sure? I only ask because you have a lot going on up there right now."
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll understand if you don't..."
"No, it's not that. I just don't feel right about doing certain things while you're still having memory issues. We can hang out and spend time together."
"You mean like we already do?"
"Yes, but now it will mean more."
"My back is really hurting today," Regina winced.
"How about a hot bath?"
"No, that's too much trouble."
"I offered so clearly it's not."
"I'd rather just lay in bed with a heating pad on my back."
"We can do that too. Are you alright to stand?"
"I think so," Regina made it to her feet and Emma helped her get situated in the bedroom. Emma was incredibly proud of how far Regina had come in a short amount of time. Things always get better before they get worse.
The following week saw Regina getting around a lot better. Emma was enjoying her time with the woman and her parents had even been around to help. "She seems so happy," Snow told her daughter. "So do you."
"Well, it's not real. One day she'll get her memory back and that will be that."
"You don't know that."
"We were fighting right before the door blew off. She had the story of where Henry was born published in the newspaper. Regina hates me and that will never change."
Emma walked onto the back patio and began to set the table. It was nice out and easier for Regina to move around out there versus her dining room. David walked in and shared a look with his wife. "She's upset that Regina will get her memory back."
"Why?"
"She thinks this will all end when that day comes."
"Boy, she's got it bad."
"What are you two talking about?"
The couple turned to find Regina behind them. "Damn, that thing is surprisingly quiet," David said in reference to the walker they didn't hear.
"Here, let's go outside," Snow said, "dinner will be ready soon." Snow helped her former stepmother to the patio and into a chair. Once everyone was seated, they began to eat.
"You know, we should recreate one of my favorite memories," David said.
"Is this one that Henry and I shouldn't hear? Or wouldn't want to hear?" Emma asked.
"I know which one it is," Snow said.
Emma tapped her mouth, "is this thing on?"
"When you caught me in that trap."
"Really?" Emma asked.
"She was cute. Just stuck in that net that hung from the tree," David said.
Emma noticed Regina roll her eyes and smile. "Remember our wedding day?" Snow asked.
"Of course," David said, "how could I forget?" He tried to not look at Regina, but Emma did look at her. She noticed how Regina's mood changed. The woman had a look of regret on her face.
"So, Mo...Sno...sorry, Mary Margaret. What was the name of your stepmother's late fiance again?"
Snow looked at her daughter confused, "I think it was Daniel."
Emma noticed Regina perk up a bit, "didn't her father kill him?" Emma mouthed a yes to her mother.
"Um, yes," Snow said. David, Snow, and Henry were all confused.
Emma saw Regina's face turn to anger so she made her move, "no, it was her mother. Wasn't it, Regina?" Emma asked as she stared at the woman.
"I don't know what you mean, dear."
Emma slammed her hand on the table and caused everyone to jump. "I knew it! When did you get your memory back?"
"What?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You haven't called anyone dear since before the fire. I saw the look on your face and you knew what my parents were talking about this entire time."
"Fine, I did get my memory back."
"When?"
"When Whale attacked me."
"Are you fucking kidding me? You've been lying to me this entire time?"
Regina struggled to her feet, "I didn't want to be the old me anymore. I realized when my memory returned that everyone else had their memories back too. They were going to kill me and I was afraid."
"When you sat me down to talk about your feelings..."
"That was real and I was me when I had that conversation with you. I figured you would end things if you knew."
"Well, you're right about that."
Regina felt her heart drop, "what?" she whispered.
"I can't trust you. I mean, you lied to me for two weeks. I was worried you would end things once you got your memory back, but this changes everything. I'll find someone to stay with you." Emma threw her napkin onto the table, "I'm out of here." The blonde walked away and Snow ran after her daughter along with Henry.
David jumped up to catch Regina when she began to fall. "Easy," he said as he helped her back into her seat. "Don't worry, this won't be permanent."
"How do you know?"
"Emma is crazy about you."
Snow walked back out, "David, can I talk to you for a moment?" The man stood and walked towards his wife who began to whisper, "I think we should stay here for the time being."
"That's fine with me. How's Emma?"
"I'll tell you later." Snow walked over to Regina and sat facing her. "David and I are going to stay here for now."
"You don't have to."
"We want to," David said.
After getting some things from home, David had everybody gather at the town hall so he could explain everything about Regina.
"She wanted to have a fresh start and a new life. Just take that into consideration from here on out," he concluded. The only person who appeared to still be angry was Whale, but that was to be expected. Regina would never recover completely, but she was going to try and recover as much movement as possible.
Emma avoided Regina for two months. She was walking home from the station when she saw a familiar face walking towards her. "Regina?"
"Hi, Emma," the brunette said.
"You're walking with a cane and you look as if you're doing really well," Emma said happily.
"I am doing well, physically. Look, I knew you were leaving work and I wanted to catch you. I really miss you and I want you to come home. I know I screwed up, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things right."
"I can't go with you. Not right now."
"Why not?"
"I'm not ready to be with you again."
"Emma, I've been receiving threats and I really need you there."
"David is there and besides, how do I know you're telling me the truth."
Regina felt as if she had been punched in the gut. Emma walked past her and continued on her way home. Regina turned to walk to her own home. When she entered her house it was unusually quiet. The house was never empty if she was going to be there. Something wasn't right. She walked into her office and found Snow and Henry tied up and gagged. Before she knew it, everything went dark.
Emma became worried when her father's name came up on her phone. "Is something wrong?" she asked when she answered.
"I got locked out of Regina's by Whale."
"What? He's in there with her?"
"Your mother and Henry are in there too."
"I'll be right there." Emma hung up and ran as fast as possible to Regina's. She and David decided to just go in and look for everyone. They decided to stay together.
Regina's eyes slowly opened. She wasn't able to move and began to think she was once again paralyzed. Instead, her arms were tied above her head. "Don't worry, I just gave you a shot to temporarily paralyze you," a voice said.
Regina looked towards the voice, "Whale," she said softly.
The man didn't hesitate to begin beating and raping Regina in front of Snow and Henry. The woman tried to not scream because she didn't want to terrify her already frightened son. While she couldn't move, she could feel everything Whale was doing to her. Sometimes she couldn't help but scream. Henry and Snow cried as they sat there, watching Whale assault someone they love, and unable to do anything to help.
Emma and David were in the hallway where Regina's home office was. "Did you hear that?" Emma asked quietly.
"Yeah, it sounded like a scream."
The two moved quickly but quietly towards the office door. Emma slowly opened it and found Whale on top of Regina. She burst through the door with David. Both had their guns pointed at Whale. The doctor quickly stood and kicked Regina in the side. "Come any closer and I'll finish her."
David fired his gun and a tranquilizer dart hit Whale in the neck. He collapsed near Regina and David moved him away from her. Emma knelt down next to the mayor, "honey, are you alright?" Regina didn't answer, "I'm so sorry. I should have listened to you. I should have come home with you."
"Please don't leave me again," Regina said through tears.
"I'm not going anywhere as long as I can help it."
David took Whale to the station while Emma took everyone else to the hospital to get checked out. Snow and Henry were perfectly fine. Regina had a great deal of bruising but nothing broken. Emma helped the woman into the house and to her bed. "Would you still like me to come home?" Emma asked.
"More than anything."
"Tomorrow I'll go get my things and bring them back."
"I'm sorry I lied."
"I understand more, now, why you did. You don't have to apologize, but I forgive you."
"I love you so much."
"I know, and I love you too."
For the first time in months, Emma and Regina fell asleep in each other's arms. Never again would they let each other go.
Whale was sentenced to time in prison with mandatory appointments with Archie. He had to get over what made him so angry or be forced over the town line and lose all of his memories. Whale was angry because he was stuck in the Enchanted Forest when the spell was cast. Regina purposely did that so he could save Daniel. He was forced to spend time in his cell watching Regina interact with the Charming family. He could tell she wasn't faking that she had changed and thought that if she could change then he could too. Whale's rehabilitation was a success. He even officiated Emma and Regina's wedding. Yes, they made damn sure he was certified beforehand. They even had someone else sign as a backup. Whale found happiness with Ruby and the two welcomed three little pups into the world. A boy named Wolfgang Victor and two girls. Their names were Willow Ruby and Milla Emma. The Mills family expanded their brood as well. Regina only went through one pregnancy because of her condition. While the woman could walk small distances on her own, she typically needed her cane. Emma and Regina had three more babies. Emma gave birth to Remy David and Regina to twin girls names Odette Margaret and Faline Regina. It's amazing how one incident, a fire, changed everything for the better.