No major TW for this chapter...
Storybrooke:
Ever since the incident at the sheriffs station Morrigans locked herself in her room. Regina plays the moment over and over again in her mind, a simmering anger hidden under her masterful stoic expression but it still chips away at her defenses, I don't want to pressure her into talking, I'd like her to come to me when shes ready but whatever he said obviously hurt her deeply, I'm concerned but..Damn it! I cant believe she let Charming of all people get to her!..Regina places the tray of untouched food on the kitchen counter and huffs, Shes changing drastically, she'd never refuse me back in the enchanted forest, if she was brought something, she would take it and enjoy it if she knew what was best for her..Regina shivers involuntarily, unsettling memories flashing through her mind, But enough is enough, I've given Morrigan her space, now she needs to move on..With determination, madam mayor slides two large apple turnovers in the oven and exits the kitchen..
Morrigan sits on the floor, clutching her knees to her chest, tears staining grey jeans as she continues to stare out of the window absently, Charming the fucking sheep herder, he doesn't know anything! I can be happy! I can..right?..Another tear slides down her cheek, how weak am I right now. Just hope to hell the Queen doesn't see me like this..Surprisingly the regal woman has respected her space and left her in peace. Regina brought food earlier but shes not hungry with all her spiraling emotions. When she rejected the food, she expected the former Queen to break down the door and punish her, but nothing. There's a tingling sensation on her throat and she swallows gently, the gash must be knitting back together. At this rate, I'll have my voice back by morning, that's good isn't it?..She sighs, weary green eyes slipping shut, I don't know anymore..There's a knock at the door.
"Morrigan we need to talk.."
I don't have the energy right now..The door knob rattles.
"Open the door!"
She sounds pissed..But I don't give two shits, nothing matters anymore, not the punishments, not the Queen, nothing..The door to her room bursts open and an angry mayor steps in.
"When I tell you to open the door you open it!"
Regina stalks towards the woman.."Morrigan?!" Her anger flares, Don't you ignore me!..
"Captain?!"
Nothing. Morrigan continues to stare through the window but Regina suddenly grabs her face, forcefully pulling it to focus on angry brown eyes, but the former queen pauses, Morrigans light no longer shining in bloodshot eyes.
"Morrigan? Speak to me." Concerned, Regina clicks her fingers in front the girls absent face.
Morrigans pupils dilate and then, as if the shes been rebooted, recognition flashes in wide green eyes. She jumps backwards, hitting her head on the wall and a hand immediately darts up to cover her aching skull, well done genius!..She looks up rattled at a concerned Regina, have I done something wrong?!..
Regina watches Morrigans rising panic and quickly places a gentle hand on her flinching knee.
"Its okay..We need to talk." She calmly makes her way over to bed, sitting primly on the edge before an olive hand pats the sheets beside her.."Come and sit with me."
What's she up to?..After a moment, Morrigan slowly rises and shuffles onto the bed, sitting at a respectable distance.
"We need to talk..Specifically about what happened at the sheriffs station.."
Morrigan nods weakly.
"What did Charming say to upset you so much?"
"Why?"
Regina frowns questionably.."Why what?"
Morrigan fidgets nervously as green eyes avoid her intently, Clearly she's afraid to answer the damn question, this is ridiculous!..
"Morrigan don't be scared to tell me what you feel, I wont get angry."
Its like I'm talking to Henry..Regina sees the small change, the woman's shoulders falling from their squared position and body visibly relaxing.
Morrigans mouth opens and closes a few times, eyes fixed on the cream carpet.."Why..do you care?"
Regina frowns.."I care because whatever he said clearly upset you. I care because that moron has no right in saying that you can't have happiness.." Morrigan continues to fidget, eyes glassy and downcast urging Regina on.."But I don't believe that's all he said to put you in such a state. What else did he say?"
There's a brief silence, Morrigan contemplating her next words before she speaks weakly.."I'm evil..nobody cares..I should crawl away and die.." Tears build up in the green eyes and her jaw steels at her weakness.."That just because I don't have a family of my own..it doesn't mean I can take away everyone else's.."
Tears roll down Morrigans cheeks and Regina's anger finally boils over, The son of a bitch! Its the shepherds fault Morrigan lost her family in the first place!..But her mind races back, disturbing and unspeakable acts resurfacing, but her anger twists into uncomfortable guilt. The Evil Queen had witnessed the carnage first hand before she put an end to things. She remembers young frightened bright green eyes staring at her amongst the flames, Morrigan must never find out..Regina's brought back from her haze by quiet sobbing and she cant help but place a gentle hand on Morrigans shoulder, ushering her to turn around.
"Morrigan look at me."
"..I cant.."
"Please look at me."
Morrigans head slowly turns and glassy green eyes stare intently.
"You can have happiness, you can have a life here, I'll help you if you'll let me. I know your scared, confused with everything, with me. I cant take back what I've done to you and I know I'll never earn your forgiveness, but let me help you now. I want to start over, no more lessons, no more etiquette and no more, this.."
Regina lifts a hand and brushes her finger tips across the gauze on Morrigans neck.
Wide green eyes stare intently, am I dreaming? Did I hit my head too hard on the wall and now I'm in this freaky fucked up dreamland?! The Queens being so..open, but most of all, she's going to remove the collar?..
"I..I.."
Regina quickly cuts her off.
"Its okay you don't have to say anything further."
The regal woman smiles warmly and it feels as if Morrigans heart just exploded, I cant remember the last time she smiled at me like that..
"You should rest, perhaps your voice will return by the morning and then we can talk further if you like.."
Still a little shell shocked, Morrigan simply nods as Regina makes her way to the door.
"If you need anything in the night, you know where my room is."
There's another nod before the mayor slips through the open door and quietly closes it behind her.
Morrigan sits frozen, afraid the last few minutes might suddenly disappear, What the hell just happened? The Queen just comforted me...No, it wasn't the Queen, it was Regina..My Regina..And with an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her veins, the dot of light in Morrigans heart just got a whole lot bigger...
Silence...
...
Darkness...
...
Morrigan bolts upright, heavy panting filling the room, sweat dripping from her hot skin and lacing the sheets, I'm used to nightmares plaguing my mind but this one..Elinor was in this one, I never usually have nightmares about her but tonight with the whole talk with Regina..My daughter was burning!..She presses green eyes with her palms trying to erase the image from her mind but frowns when her hands pull back smeared with liquid, I must have cried in my sleep. No matter how hard, the image wont leave! I feel...She checks the clock at her bedside table, 03:37am, damn its late..Slowly she rolls out of bed and quietly heads for the door, I hope I don't get a fireball to the face..
Gently the white door slides open and Morrigan steps through, carefully shutting it behind her. With as much subtlety as possible, the former bandit creeps over to the bed, blatantly aware of the unmoving body between the sheets, Good, I didn't wake her..Quietly she gets to the floor and places an arm under her head. Green eyes droop, a calming sensation washing over her, being near Regina seems to work, why? Hell if I know! Probably something to do with how reliant I was on her back in the enchanted forest..Her knees curl, keeping heat to her chest and eyes closing. There's a shuffle above and green eyes snap open as the familiar sensation of being watched creeps up her spine, Please don't be awake..Slowly her head turns to look up and her heart leaps into her mouth, Shit!..Pitch black eyes stare down at her, lifting her sense of panic, Is she pissed? I bet shes pissed..
Dark eyes continue to stare a moment longer before they retreat back onto the bed and out of sight. Morrigan releases a drawn out breath, guess I can sleep here tonight..Her eyes begin to droop, sleep closing in again.
"Come here."
Regina's voice reverberates around the silent room and Morrigans eyes snap open yet again, did I just hear right?..She sits up slowly, peaking her head up from the edge of the bed. The sheets have been pulled back allowing entrance and green eyes widen, seriously?!..
"Well?"
The floor or a feather bed with a beautiful woman? Beautiful?! Shut up Morrigan! But I will choose the bed any day..Carefully Morrigan pulls herself up and slides under the covers, very careful not to touch the warm body beside her, a fireball to the face this close will probably kill me..She shifts a little awkwardly, pulling the sheets up to her neck as Regina moves onto her side facing away. The beds heaven on her aching back and with the older woman so close, she finally drifts into peaceful slumber...
Sunlight beams through a small crack in the black patterned curtains causing green eyes to flutter open. This is the one blissful moment of ignorance where she feels at peace, I love these moments, waking, forgetting all my problems..Then reality hits and memories of her past come flooding back. Morrigan shy's away from the light, away from reality to roll onto her back. Its another morning, another day plagued by horrific actions inflicted so long ago.
A small movement by her side catches Morrigans attention. Her Queens black tresses are spread on the white pillow next to her head as green eyes catch the clock on the bedside table, 06:44, not too early to get up. I doubt I'll get back to sleep anyway..Morrigan very carefully lifts the sheets and slides from the bed. Regina turns, curling onto her side now facing the apprehensive witch.
Morrigan stares for a few minutes, soaking in the peaceful woman's beauty, she's beautiful..Green eyes widen, what the hell! God Morrigan! This is so freaky, you look like a fucking stalker! And that's my Que to exit..Awkwardly but quietly, she moves to the bedroom door, grabbing the knob and gently pulling it open. There's a creak but she feels a sudden presence behind her, green eyes widen further, her hand on the door knob tightening, Shes behind me isn't she..Morrigan turns slowly and when her eyes meet the questionable mayor she yelps, jumping backwards, her back slapping against the door and slamming it shut, What is she a fucking ninja or something?!..Her sudden startle elicits a small grin from the former Queen.
"What are you doing?"
"I..eh.."
"Because I wont have you sneaking downstairs in another horrific attempt to make me coffee."
"Oh thanks.." Morrigan slaps a hand over her mouth at Regina's ascending eyebrow and blurts her apologies.."Your majesty, I'm sorry I didn't.." She panics, eyes darting to the floor.
"Well it seems you've gotten your voice back as well as your sharp tongue dear.."
Regina scrutinizes the reclusive girl, eyes drawn to the gauze at her neck.
"Come, I'll show you how to make coffee properly." She glides next to Morrigan and for a brief minute, they gaze at each other.
"I'm not.."
Regina frowns as apprehensive green eyes dart to the floor again.."Your not what?"
"..getting..punished?"
A heavy sigh pushes passed scarred lips, Regina sliding closer to the skittish woman.."I told you last night all of that stops, so no your not going to be punished for speaking your mind. Now come and make coffee with me."
I'm not going to be punished for speaking out of turn? I'm never going to be punished for anything? Okayyy..Well that's just weird..Morrigans frowns questionably.
"Morrigan?"
"Yes my Queen?"
"Will you please move so I can leave the room?"
Morrigan startles, quickly stepping away from the door sheepish.."Yes, sorry your Majesty."
"Regina.."
Green eyes peer into brown, a small smile tugging at pink lips.."Regina.."
Regina ghosts a smile and walks from the room, well that certainly was a start..
Morrigan perches on a stool at the kitchen island, watching Regina load small packets of fresh beans into the espresso machine, If I knew she had one of these I would have used it last time..
"I assume in the last twenty eight years you've managed to use an espresso machine?"
"Yes my Que.." Morrigan pauses, hesitantly clearing her throat, No etiquette..I'll never get used to it..
"Yes."
"Good, so I hope next time you feel the need to make me coffee, you'll at least make a decent cup. Oh and I take one spoon of sugar, not a ladle dear.
A surprising laugh erupts from a timid Morrigan and Regina cant help an amused chuckle accompany it, but eventually the chortle alleviates and Morrigans expression dims into a small frown.
"What's wrong dear?"
"I..I haven't laughed like that for a while."
Silence washes over them, Regina's thoughts dance around the prospect shes actually never heard the woman laugh like that, ever. Before she can recede further into her dark thoughts, Morrigan shifts awkwardly in her seat drawing her attention.
"Did you really mean what you said?"
"About what?"
Dark green eyes flicker up uncomfortably.."About..starting over?"
"Yes.." Regina quickly slides alongside the timid woman.."And we're going to start with this.."
Olive fingers attempt to remove the gauze but Morrigan flinches away apprehensively.
"I think its about time we take this off, don't you?"
Regina waits patiently for confirmation and when Morrigan finally nods, slim fingers pull the gauze from the woman's neck revealing a fully healed throat. She studies the skin carefully, I mustn't overlook anything that may result in the wound reopening..She prods and strokes white skin lightly before running her fingers over the black and purple collar. She feels the woman shiver, from fear or..something else, I'm not sure. In a way I wish its the latter..
Regina's so close Morrigan can smell the woman's apple scented shampoo. Another shiver snakes up her spine as the woman strokes the skin on her throat delicately, She needs to hurry up!..Morrigan clears her throat anxiously, if she stays there much longer I'm going to fall off the damn stool!..
Regina can see the shifty woman visibly gulp and takes a small step back.
"I'm not going to lie, this is going to hurt, perhaps even a lot. Ive never removed the collar before and when the curse brought us to Storybrooke, it just seemed to remove itself. I'm not fully aware of what will happen."
Green eyes study the regal woman, so with confidence and a small smile, Morrigan nods, it may hurt like hell to get it off, but not as much as it does while its on..
Regina smiles weakly and warily steps forward. A delicate hand wraps around Morrigans throat and with another confident nod, Regina summons her magic. She focuses, purple sparks dancing around her hand and Morrigans neck. The younger woman hisses, grinding her teeth in pain as Regina pushes again, attempting to strip the collar from skin, but Morrigan shrieks painfully when determined purple magic seeps into the leather. Regina's jaw sets, her forehead beading with sweat, as strands of magic begin to detach themselves.
Another scream echo's around the mayoral mansion as Morrigans hands clamp around the wrist at her neck, its being torn out of me!..Darkness ebbs at her consciousness, black spots dancing in her vision, somethings wrong!..She tastes the familiar tang of copper as the tip of her spine explodes with pain and she shrieks in agony.
The painful screech is deafening and it startles Regina somewhat, somethings wrong!..The curses magic is receding into the collar but her magic, the original darkness placed there wont come to hand, Damn it, why wont it come! Morrigan cant take much more of this..And so with one last push, Regina grabs the protruding leather and rips the collar from white skin. She stumbles backwards, collar in hand and leaning heavily on the kitchen surface.
Morrigan otherwise sways on her feet, eyes hazy and tears staining her cheeks.
"Are you alright?" Slowly Regina pulls herself towards the woman.
"Morrigan?" Quickly Regina grabs Morrigan as she falls, lacing her arms around Morrigans waist and crumbling to the floor. A lucid head lulls forward, unmoving and resting on her shoulder.
"Morrigan?!" Panicking, Regina shakes the limp body.."Morrigan?!"
"I'm..'kay.."
Regina carefully helps the woman sit upright and bloodshot green eyes droop.
"Did..it work?"
"Yes but.."
"What?"
"I managed to remove the collar but my magic, I couldn't..It wouldn't.."
So that's what that feeling was. The feeling of darkness being ripped from my soul. But as long as that fucking collar is off I couldn't give a flying fuck about a little darkness, I'm swimming in it anyway..Morrigan nods, eyes sliding to the collar and tentatively reaching for it.."It doesn't matter..at least.."
Regina follows green eyes to the collar in her grasp and she nods weakly, At least its off..She opens her palm, offering the strip of leather to the woman but Morrigans hand snaps back.
"I don't want it."
"Okay, I'll keep it in my vault then."
"What will you do with it?"
"I need to figure out what went wrong during the extraction. Maybe I can get some answers from it.."
Morrigan nods, Regina scrutinizing bloodshot green eyes.
"Come, you need to rest."
"So do you my Qu..So do you."
"I didn't almost die."
"Almost, I almost died."
Regina raises an irritated eyebrow.."I think I rescinded the speaking rule a little early."
Morrigan looks away sheepish.."Sorry."
"Hmm, Come on."
Regina climbs to her feet wearily and holds a hand out for the shaky woman. Tentatively Morrigan takes it and with a tug, the younger witch unceremoniously climbs to her feet.
"Would you like me to help you upstairs?"
"No, I think I can manage..Thank you."
Regina stands silent, still enjoying the feel of the woman's hand in hers, I feel all bubbly, nervous and happy at the same time..its frightening..Her heart beats rapidly, I cant do this..Regina pulls her hand away.
"I'll bring you coffee when your settled. Breakfast will be in an hour and then I'm meeting with sheriff Swan about my case.." Morrigan opens her mouth to interrupt but she quickly raises a hand.."And before you say your coming, your not. You'll stay here and rest. I wont be long, you may watch television in the living room if you wish."
Oh woopty fucking doo, thanks Regina..Morrigan scowls, crossing her arms and pouting. Regina sends an equally terrifying scowl back, placing one hand on her hip and ending the conversation, well that's just petrifying..touche' your majesty..Relenting, Morrigans arms drop and she looks away huffing her irritation.
"Yes your majesty."
Regina nods, a little irritated at the title reference.."Now go and rest, I'll be up shortly."
With a bow, Morrigan slowly exits the kitchen and ascends the staircase, Even though shes handling me like a child, at least we're moving forward..its a start...