No major TW for this chapter...

3 Days Later:

Darkness...

...

Where am I? This waking up and not knowing where I am gag is getting old. There's someone talking..

"..And then Rumpelstiltskin imbues a warning, that all magic comes with a price, leaving the Prince and his new Princess to think about what consequences could befall them.."

Consequences? Oh I know all about those..But that voice, Henry? What is he doing?..Morrigan groans, lifting her heavy eyelids.

Henry pauses to stare at the stirring woman.."Mom?!"

Green eyes slide open and Morrigan squints at the wide eyed child.

"MOM?!"

He jumps from his seat, placing his book down and running from the room, What the hell?..She shifts lazy green eyes around the room, the hospital..of course..I finally killed Whale and Charming knows about Elinor..Gods..She moves to sit up but pauses, a subtle numbness throughout her muscles making her frown, somethings different. Why do I feel so different?..

Henry comes running back into the room followed by his mothers and Mary Margret whilst Ruby hovers cautiously by the door.

"See, told you."

"How are you feeling?"

Green eyes flicker from the stoic mayor to scan the other timid bodies in the room, somethings not right..

"I'm fine."

"Any headaches? Nausea? Aches or pains?" Emma chirps in.

Morrigan frowns deeply and Regina gives the blond a pointed look.

"No, and since when do you care about how I'm feeling?"

Emma shifts awkwardly.."Well you know.."

"No, I don't."

Something clearly isn't right..and why do I feel funny? My wrist's itchy..Green eyes bulge when they refocus on the black and purple band around her wrist. Panic quickly sets in as Morrigan begins to tremble slightly, Ive been collared..AGAIN!..

Regina watches Morrigans rising panic and quickly slides alongside the bed.."Morrigan let me explain.."

Morrigan frantically claws at the bracelet, looking up with terrified eyes while Emma and Mary Margret take a calming step forward.

"Morrigan its okay, just let us explain.."

Green glassy eyes dart to Regina.."You promised.."

The pain and anguish in green eyes brakes Regina's heart, I did promise but this time its different, she needs to calm down so I can explain..

Breathing erratically, Morrigan darts out of bed, scratching fiercely at her wrist. Her legs wobble as she scrambles to lean on the viewing glass, the IV in her wrist torn out, blood leaking from her arm as she backs away, pointlessly clawing at the leather and metal.

"No no no no.."

Regina moves around the bed quickly.."Morrigan listen to me, I haven't collard you again, please calm down and I'll explain everything."

Frightened eyes dart from the bracelet to the woman and subconsciously a hand moves to touch her neck. Surprisingly Morrigan touches bare skin and looks around, focus darting from one thing to another before settling on her faded reflection in the viewing window.

"No collar?"

Regina takes small steps forward.."No, sit so we can explain."

Morrigan scrutinizes chocolate eyes and only finds concern, huh..okay I'll bite..for now..She cautiously sit back on the hospital bed, Regina sliding next to her and noting green eyes darting to everyone suspiciously.

"That bracelet your wearing, I fashioned it from the cursed collar, but this only blocks your magic.."

"You blocked my magic?!"

Morrigan furiously leaps from the bed, seething eyes landing on the placid savior, how fucking dare they without my consent!..

"Its for your own good.."

"Don't give me that bullshit Swan, its for your benefit, NOT MINE!"

Ruby quickly enters, picking up on the increasing tension and beckons Henry towards the door.."Henry come on, why don't we get a hot coco."

Henry looks at the flaring scene and slowly grabs his book, shuffling towards Ruby.."Okay." With one last concerned look, the boy and wolf exit the room.

Morrigan scowls, fists clenched.."I bet this was your idea wasn't it?!" She takes a threatening step towards Emma and Regina darts to her feet on guard.

"What's the matter? Cant tolerate me any longer? Want to fight me without magic? Well I'm happy to oblige savior!"

"Enough! It was my idea."

Morrigan pauses, her anger leveling, Regina did this? But..she promised..She turns to the guilty woman.."You did this?"

Regina nods weakly, hurt flashing in Morrigans eyes as Mary Margret takes a calming step toward the pair.

"You have to understand, the people of this town wanted your head, this was the only way."

Emma lays a protective hand on her mothers arm.."After everything that's happened in the past, before and after the Dark Knight stuff, and even in Storybrooke, they've agreed to give you another chance, but the bracelet is the price."

"Before? What do you mean before?" Morrigan curiously watches the blond shuffle apprehensively, what did?..Her eyes bulge and she whirls, staring at Regina who pointedly glares at the savior.."What have you told them?"

What has she said?! How could she?!..Regina looks to her somber as Emma tries to undo her mistake.

"She hasn't told us anything, she.."

"DON'T LIE TO ME!"

Morrigans rage explodes and the Charming women take a hasty step back.

"IS THAT WHY YOU WALK IN HERE WITH YOUR FUCKING PITY?!"

"Calm down.."

Furious Green eyes dart to the regal mayor.."And you! Your worse than they are! I thought.." Her voice cracks, eyes quickly darting to the floor and Regina takes a step forward, lifting a comforting hand towards her.

"Morrigan I.."

"Get out." Its a whisper but everyone heard the command.

"Please I.."

"I SAID GET OUT!"

Morrigan snaps, glaring at the once Evil Queen. Regina can see tears threatening angry green eyes and sighs, slowly moving towards the door. Mary Margret and Emma grimly leave and with one final glance back, Regina finally closes the door with a soft click.

When the retreating footsteps subside, Morrigan gently climbs onto the hospital bed and curls herself within the nylon sheets, The one person I thought I could trust betrayed me. Why am I not surprised, she's the Evil Queen after all..She curls in on herself, hugging her knees and eventually letting her tears fall...

4 Days Later:

Its been four days since she woke up, four days of silence and barely touching the meals brought to her. The hospital says she's clear to leave but with the woman's current emotional state, moving her may not be wise. I've visited two, perhaps three times a day trying to get a response but nothing. Even the bug's sessions haven't gotten any results. That's something the Savior conveniently forgot to tell me about, but maybe a little therapy will help..Regina watches anxiously from the viewing window while Morrigan lays on the hospital bed, facing away and staring blankly out of the window, Shes hardly moved from that spot for the past four days. I've subtly tried to coax her into talking to me but nothing. Its just a grim reminder of when I looked into those green eyes after the incident with the Shepherd, vacant, like an empty shell was just staring back..Regina shifts uneasy, come on Morrigan..come back to us..

"I know the last few months have been difficult with the curse breaking, having two lives in your head can seem too much sometimes.."

Morrigan continues to stare passively out of the window as Archie continues.."I know I've said before, but who you were doesn't reflect who you wish to be. A lot of people support you and some are adamant you get better. I can help you, I'm here as someone to talk to, or I can just sit and listen, I don't pass any judgment.."

After a minutes silence, Archie reluctantly closes his notebook and places it back in his briefcase.

"You know, regardless of what everyone says, I do forgive you. You never did anything personally to me but I believe everyone should have a second chance, everyone should have happiness..even you. After everything you've been through, for yourself, for Regina, for your daughter, you deserve to be happy as much as anyone else here." He prepares to leave but pauses at the shift on the bed. When he turns, green glassy eyes stare intently and he slowly sits back down in the visitors chair.

"You...You forgive me?"

"I do."

A tear leaks onto Morrigans pillow.."Why?"

"Like I said, everyone deserves a second chance, your not the only one whose made mistakes in their past."

Morrigan frowns curiously.."You?"

He nods, smiling weakly.."A long time ago, before I knew who I truly was, I traded something..something so precious for my own selfish desires."

"Who did you lose?"

Archie's eyes flicker to his lap momentarily.."I lost my parents, I traded their lives for my own freedom."

Morrigan shifts on the bed.."They died?"

"More like cursed and taken from me.."

She nods weakly.

"What about you? Got any family?"

Green eyes shift back to the window.."No."

"May I ask what happened to your parents?"

"They died."

"Any siblings?"

"They died, everyone's dead so stop asking."

"I cant imagine how that feels."

"No..you cant."

"I heard that you met Regina before her lapse into the Evil Queen, care to talk about that?"

Morrigan ignores the question, captivated with the branches of the tree outside, that's enough for today bug, I don't want to talk anymore..

"Morrigan?"

After a brief silence, a content Archie gathers his briefcase and grabs his umbrella, rising from the chair.."Thank you for talking with me, I hope we can talk further this evening if your up for visitors?"

When there's no answer, Archie smiles weakly and heads for the door.."I'll let myself out." He quietly exits the room only to bump into a worried Regina as he closes the door with a soft click.

"So? How is she?"

He pulls the mayor to one side.."Well I managed to hold a conversation, even if it was brief."

"Well that's good isn't it?"

He smiles at the anxious woman.."Its a start. I'll be back later tonight before visiting hours end."

"Thank you Dr Hopper."

Regina watches the therapist head down the corridor before she hesitantly slides alongside the viewing window, Why is she talking to him and not me..She cant help feeling a little jealous but the reasons are blatantly obvious, Ive betrayed her trust, gone behind her back and talked to her enemies about her past..She reaches for the handle with shaky hands and gently pushes the door open. Brown eyes never leave Morrigan as she glides into the room and hesitantly lowers herself into the vacant visitors chair. Absent green eyes continue to gaze out of the window and Regina's heart sinks that little bit more.

"I spoke to Dr Hopper, he said you talked to him..He didn't tell me what about so don't worry.." Morrigan gives no response so she clears her throat awkwardly.."I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for..well everything.."

Silence...

Regina fiddles with her hands in her lap.."I should have discussed the bracelet with you first. It was wrong to just put it on after everything you've been through and..I'm sorry.." Brown eyes slide to the unresponsive woman and her heart clenches, I'm apologizing, what more can she possibly want from me? I..I don't know how to make this better..

"Please talk to me." A tear involuntarily slips from brown eyes and her gaze settles back into her lap defeated.

Morrigan snaps from her thoughts, sensing another's presence, someone that smells of apples and overpriced perfume..Stoic green eyes slide to Regina and narrow, Regina? Is she..crying?!..Her heart clenches, gods..no matter how much of a bastard the woman is, its not right seeing her cry, seeing someone that strong break in front of you..She watches a gentle tear rolling down slightly flushed cheeks and shifts..She's been trying so hard to earn forgiveness, I know she slips time and time again but didn't I? Even before the whole Evil Queen fiasco, Regina forgave me that night she saw me at my worst. I don't feel the woman sat across from me is the woman, the Evil Queen of my past...I should try to forgive her..wait..But can I really? I mean, I was hurt so badly in every possible way for a long time...What the fuck do I do?!..She mentally sighs, Perhaps even if my forgiveness is uncertain, maybe its a start? This woman is different, more the Regina I used to know, damaged, scared, desperate, so maybe with hope and a hell of a lot of work, we can actually find happiness. Maybe we can have it together..the idea of finding it together scares the shit out of me but screw living in my past misery any longer. Maybe the bugs right, everyone deserves a second chance, just look at me. And maybe I should start looking to the future instead of living in the past. Well shit, time to get over yourself Morrigan and do the right thing..

Regina continues her silent despair until Morrigans hand slowly reaches for her. Her head darts up, focus solely on dark green eyes staring back in silence. Morrigan notes the woman's apprehension but eventually their hands slide together.

"I'm sor.."

Morrigan shakes her head weakly and Regina frowns.."I understand."

Rejected, Regina tries to retract her hand only for it to be gripped tighter.

"I forgive you."

Regina stares confused.."But I..I told them about your past, I put that bracelet on.."

Morrigan shakes her head, effectively cutting the woman off.."No, I forgive you."

Regina frowns questionably.."I don't understand."

Morrigan pulls Regina's hand, prompting the woman to sit on the bed. She studies the surprised mayor whilst carefully replying and lacing their fingers together.."I Forgive you Regina."

Realizing the double meaning, Regina's walls finally crumble and a small sob escapes red lips. She shy's her face, her head lowering and Morrigan shimmy's closer. Finally without fear or hesitance, Morrigan pulls her Queen in for a long overdue hug.

"Why?"

"Because I cant stand on the sidelines anymore and watch you fall apart."

"But I..I'm a monster, I killed your brother, I tortured you, I destroyed your life! You should hate me! Why don't you hate me?!"

Morrigan pulls back, sad green eyes sliding to their entwined hands.."When we met after I lost my brother, I refused to believe that you were the Evil Queen, that the stories were true. The Regina I first met was far from the Queen who abducted me, and I guess over time, through the torture and through the training, I gradually saw glimpses of the woman the Queen used to be. I knew that my Regina wasn't the woman who put that collar on me, that was the Evil Queen.."

Morrigan looks back into broken brown eyes and raises her free hand to tentatively wipe a tear from the woman's cheek.."But no matter how hard the Queen tried to bury her, I knew you were still in there somewhere. I'm glad you finally decided to come back to me."

Morrigan smiles broadly at the stunned former Queen, my Regina is finally back, and Ive never been happier..After a moment staring, Regina suddenly darts forward, claiming her lips in a vivid kiss and green eyes bulge comically, what the fuck?!..After a heated beat, Regina pulls away, staring with a degree of horror.

Silence...

Morrigans heart races, her palms sweating and hands fidgeting in her lap, what the hell was that?! Why did she..does she feel..Impossible! Then why did she kiss you moron?..

Regina stares in horror, the tingling on her lips only increasing her panic, I just kissed her..what was I thinking?! I bet she doesn't even feel the same way! How could she feel the same way! Ive ruined everything..

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have.."

Morrigan quickly crashes their lips together again and Regina moans, hooking her hand behind the woman's neck and deepening their kiss. Morrigan cups heated cheeks, slowly trailing one hand into soft raven hair and feels a slight nibble at her lower lip asking for entry. She gladly obliges and lets a desperate tongue swirl happily in her mouth, exploring and massaging, making her groan at her building arousal. Shes slowly pushed backwards until her back hits the bed and Regina gently slides on top.

Completely lost in the moment, neither of the two notice Emma walking by the viewing window. The blond glances in and freezes, her eyes bulging, jaw dropping to the floor. Henry turns a corner, heading for the room and staring at a bunch of snacks in his arms.

"I couldn't decide what she would want, and they were all out of Cheetos sorry, so I just got a selection."

Emma quickly rushes in front of him before he reaches the viewing window, Jesus Christ Regina! Couldn't you have picked somewhere more private!..

"Ah yeah that's great kid, why don't you run to the coffee machine and get us some hot coco, I might stay here for a while, you know, wait until Archie gets here later."

"Okay."

Emma grabs the assortment of fatty foods from Henry as he scampers back down the hospital hallway, well that could have been a disaster..She rushes back to the viewing window and peaks her head around the corner, Yep, still at it, this is just..disturbing. They're both kissing, well looks more like second base but I was right, I knew something else was going on, just glad they finally worked it out. Perhaps this is the kick they both need. No more evil schemes to destroy Snow White, no more killing people, just peace..peace that will allow me the enjoyment of a grilled cheese at Granny's. Well I hate to be a cock block but Henry will be back soon so, time to break up the love session..She quickly moves to the door and with her back turned, knocks and waits patiently.

Regina's so engrossed with the body underneath that when there's a knock at the door, she frantically bolts upright and launches herself off the bed, I hope Morrigan doesn't take offense..But she finds the woman darting back under the covers and composing herself quickly. Regina smooths her skirt and fixes her hair promptly, brown eyes drifting to Morrigan and noting red lipstick smeared on the woman's lips and jawline. Quickly, as the door opens, Regina wipes the wide eyed face clean.

Emma walks in with her back to the room, please be decent..

"Today's your lucky day, Henry went all out on.." When Emma turns around, she acts in false surprise at the placid looking mayor sat in the visiting chair. She also notes a slightly flustered Morrigan looking at her from the bed and her eyes widen in fake shock.."Oh your up and..well up." She smiles goofily.

"Brilliant observational skills Miss Swan.."

Regina's tone is to be expected, shes still angry at me for spilling the beans to Morrigan the other day. Maybe in a week or so, she'll calm back down to only a handful of condescending retorts a day..

"And what's this about Henry?"

The blond drops a selection of chips and candy on the table. Regina looks at the treats with disdain.

"He got all this because he didn't know which you'd like."

Emma looks pointedly at Morrigan who raises a questionable eyebrow, he got those for me? Ive never really indulged in such foods, not even before the curse was lifted..Morrigan inspects the treats, edging forward to take a closer look, Well I practically haven't eaten for four days and they do look good. Perhaps if I have one..Regina's "don't you dare" look suddenly catches her eye and she pauses, Damn! Maybe try one later when she's not around..She scuttles back to the pillows, pouting a little, I'm a grown ass woman who basically gets treated like a ten year old!..

"I doubt junk food is essential to her recovery.." Regina locks gentle eyes on the grouchy patient.."I'll make you something and bring it before your session later."

Morrigan nods, smiling weakly at the gesture while stern brown eyes refocus back on Emma. Henry quickly scampers back into the room with two polystyrene cups and immediately notices his adopted mother.

"Mom! I thought you were coming by later?" His attention is drawn to green eyes and he smiles brightly.."Your up!"

Henry quickly places the coco on the table and rushes over to Morrigans side, Why is he so excited? Surely the boy should hate me for what I did, for what he was exposed to with Whale..Henry you're one complicated child, just like your grandmother..and adoptive mother at that..

"We brought you some food, I don't know what you like so I just got one of everything from the machine."

Regina cocks a disapproving eyebrow.."I hope you wont be eating them either young man."

"Erm...No."

Morrigan cant help a grin, the boys a cheeky little shit..

"Henry Daniel Mills, are you lying to me?"

"Erm...Maybe."

Regina places both hands on her hips, raising a threatening eyebrow just as Emma jumps to the boys rescue.

"Don't worry Regina, I wont let him eat much."

"Yes, forgive me if I don't find your reassurance comforting."

"I wont Mom, besides Morrigans here, she'll keep an eye on me."

"Indeed she will.."

Morrigan raises an intrigued eyebrow, what did she mean by that? It sounded reassuring and threatening all at once. She knows I'm just going to eat this stuff when shes gone right..

Shes going to eat that damn candy when I leave..Regina narrows her eyes at Morrigans sly grin, I should just take the sugary trash with me!..

"Anyway I have to run a few errands, I'll be back later.." She hugs her son warmly and he gladly returns the gesture. Brown eyes stare over the top of Henry's head and refocus on the smiling woman in bed. Regina's focus darts to Morrigans pink lips and she pushes down the urge to claim them again.

"Miss Swan, I believe that Morrigan may be well enough to return to the mansion within the next couple of days..If shes feeling up to it that is. Please make that infuriating mother of yours aware so the masses don't mistake her release as an evil escape plan."

Emma chuckles weakly.."No problem."

Regina nods and with one final look at Morrigan, exits into the hall.

The sound of heels eventually fades before Henry turns excitedly to Morrigan.."So, which should we eat first?"

Henry looks pointedly at the sugary snacks and Morrigan cant help a mischievous smile...