Trigger Warnings: Violence...
Storybrooke:
Morrigan weaves through the brush expertly, avoiding thorn bushes and mapping out the terrain, he doesn't stand a fucking chance!..Her rage boils, dark impulses pulling her under the surface and clouding her mind, he touched the Queen! Hes dead!..Morrigan swings left, leaping over a set of fallen trees and disappears into the forest.
The panicked man trips over a series of outcast roots and lands face first in a pile of leaves. He glances behind him fearfully before quickly launching to his feet. Thurman's brother takes two steps before a fist barrels into his face, sending him straight back to the forest floor. He tries to get up again only for a fuming Morrigan to throw him backwards with magic where his back cracks against a tree.
Red eyes burn into the cowering man, her dark magic rapidly building, disgusting inbred pig!..She frivolously tosses him between other resounding trees, satisfied with each cry of pain taring from bloodied lips until soon, Thurman's brother falls limply to the floor, blood dripping from his head and his arm bent at an unnatural angle.
"You think you can just kidnap the QUEEN!" Morrigan rushes over, grabbing his neck harshly and drags him from the floor to meet burning eyes.."Your brothers may have been granted a merciful death but I think.." She tightens her grip.."..I think I'll take my time with you!" She chuckles darkly, red sparks dancing around her palms until a crunch of approaching footsteps pulls her from the brink of madness.
"Morrigan stop! Put him down!"
Emma slides to a stop, panting heavily and taking in the bloodied and beaten man. Red eyes dart to her and she fidgets with the butt of her gun.
Morrigan callously tosses the man backwards, his head bouncing against bark and unmoving body hitting the floor harshly.."Well well well, if it isn't the savior. Have you come to save him and vanquish the evil villain like a good little hero?"
"I haven't come to save him, Ive come to save you from making a huge mistake."
Morrigan cackles darkly, prowling around her new prey and Emma's grip on her gun tightens.."A huge mistake? The only mistake Ive made is not killing you and that Charming little family of yours! Your mother took my Queens happiness from her and your fucking dim witted father took mine from me! I think its only fitting that I take theirs from them." She grins wickedly, red sparks dancing around her fingertips as Emma instinctively backs away from the dangerous dark magic
"Morrigan.."
"I am the dark knight of her majesty's guard and you will fucking address me as such!"
"Just calm down. Look your not in the Enchanted Forest anymore, your not the Dark Knight and Regina.." Emma's words are cut short as her body is sent sailing backwards colliding harshly with a tree. The wind is knocked from her lungs, the gun in her hand dropping to the leaves but before her body can join it, shes forced back into the oak at an alarming speed. Morrigan storms over and wraps her sparking hand around the blonds throat. A high pitch scream bellows throughout the forest as red splinters invade the writhing sheriffs muscles.
"EMMA!"
David, Regina and Ruby suddenly burst into the opening and instantly the blonds father rushes at the pair. Red eyes dart to the advancing prince and quickly Morrigan throws her arm out, sending him crashing into Ruby.
Regina stares into her lovers burning red eyes and her heart races, somethings seriously wrong, shes completely out of control!..
"Morrigan stop!"
Morrigan ignores the woman and simply throws the savior to one side before pouncing on David. She grabs him by his shirt and whirls, tossing him roughly to the floor.
"Captain I said stop!"
Still no response as Morrigan scraps fiercely with Ruby, brutally shocking and kicking the brunette to the ground. Morrigan advances on David who attempts to pull his wounded daughter away from her onslaught.."Finally I'll have my revenge Shepherd! And I think I'll start by making you watch, as I burn your daughter from the inside out!"
Red splinters cascade over the area nipping at the forests brush and David quickly throws his body in front of his daughter protectively. Morrigans grin only widens until she feels a presence behind and whirls, grabbing Regina's wrist harshly.
Regina winces as the pressure on her wrist increases, but before she can utter a word, a brutal shock pulses throughout her body and she screams, her knees crippling at the pain as tears brim tormented eyes.
"Morrigan please.."
Regina's words are met with another savage shock and Morrigan chuckles darkly, releasing the screaming woman's wrist and watching her Queens writhing body flop onto the muddy leaves.
Emma attempts to approach on shaky legs but David grips her tightly.."MORRIGAN STOP! YOUR KILLING HER!"
After a moments screaming, the torture finally stops.
"How does it finally feel being at the other end of the beatings my Queen?!" Morrigan grins as Regina sobs lightly, clutching her throbbing stomach.
"Please..I love you."
There's a long pause, a silence descending throughout the trees whilst everyone watches with hesitant anticipation.
Morrigan suddenly twitches, her dark grin fading as she frantically scrutinizes whiskey eyes, Whats happening?..Her eyes flicker from red to green, a hand slowly sealing itself in her hair.
"Whats.."
She grits her teeth, taking a few cautious steps away from the injured mayor as unfocused green eyes flicker from place to place. Her attention soon lands on Ruby who's clutching her bloodied scalp before it glides to father and daughter. David still grips Emma's shoulders, tugging the blond back but its the blood running from the saviors hairline that has Morrigans heart racing, What did I do?!..Wide green eyes eventually dart to her true love and notice how Regina clutches one hand to her stomach and another into the earth fiercely, I..I hurt Regina?..
Glassy brown eyes stare at the horrified expression creeping onto Morrigans features.."Morrigan.."
Morrigan twitches, shaking her head slowly, I hurt her. They were right, they were all right. I'm a fucking psycho! I have to get out of here!..She begins to back away and Regina's eyes widen.
"No wait, please!"
Panicking, Morrigan quickly backs away and stumbles over Thurman's brother. She lands heavily on her backside, staring at the bloodied heap in front of her and her breathing becomes erratic, eyes darting from injury to injury on the man. Quickly she scrambles backwards, stumbling to her feet and sprinting into the forest.
"MORRIGAN!"
Regina quickly attempts to stand but a sharp pain in her gut instantly sends her back to the ground. Ruby rushes over and gently helps the mayor sit upright.
"Wait here." David squeezes his daughters shoulders and makes a move to run after the woman but Emma catches his arm.
"Wait! You cant go after her alone! Did you not just see what she did to us!"
"I have to try! She could be heading back to town.."
Regina shakes her head weakly.."No, she wont go back there, she'll distance herself for a while."
Emma frowns.."How do you know?"
"Because that's what she did last time. Miss Lucas?" Regina extends her arm to the young wolf and slowly, shes pulled back onto wobbly legs.
"So what do we do now?" Emma paces, dabbing the back of her hand to the gash at her hairline as David checks the unconscious mans pulse.
"Well for starters I think we should get him to a hospital."
"He's still breathing?"
"Not for long if we don't get him to a doctor soon."
Emma quickly pulls out her cell and wanders into the woods idly as Regina continues to stare absently after true love, I forgive you Morrigan...
The Next Day:
A cold draft blows through a crack in the wall causing a shiver to snake up her spine. A small slither of light beams through the slit between the top and bottom of the stall door highlighting Morrigan, who sits against the back wall, hugging her knees and staring blankly at the cracked paint beside her. The images of Regina's torture are on constant repeat in her mind, I'm a psycho. Whale was right, I should have just died in that fire and saved everyone the hassle..Another wave of cold air drifts over her, making her shiver before green eyes slide shut and she leans her head on her knees. She listens to the rain dancing on the roof above and hears subtle movements of the horses in the stables, I don't deserve to be with her. I don't deserve any friends, to have a family..There's a series of clicks and then a flood of light illuminates the empty stall. Green eyes slide open but continue to stare aimlessly at the wall as the clicking of heels advances on her. Someone carefully sits beside her, their eyes burning into the back of her skull and she immediately gets a whiff of expensive perfume, Regina...
"Please come home."
Regina gently places a hand on the woman's arm but frowns when she feels Morrigan flinch.."I miss you, Henry misses you."
"No.."
Morrigans cracked voice makes Regina's heart bleed.."What happened wasn't.."
"Please don't say it."
"Morrigan look at me.." Ebony hair shakes subtly and Regina frowns aggravated.."Look at me."
"I cant.."
"Look at me!"
Morrigans anger flares at the clipped tone.."I cant! I cant see that again alright! I just cant!" Tears roll from haunted green eyes.."Just leave Regina, we're obviously not right for each other. Go and live your life with your son."
Regina gawks, her heart plummeting, Is she breaking up with me?..
"No..You are my life!"
Morrigan chuckles bitterly.."More like your burden..everyone's burden."
You cant give up on us! I wont let you god damn it!..Regina frowns deeply, her perfectly manicured nails slicing into her palms.."Now you will listen to me! And so help me if you don't look at me Morrigan I will hold you down and make you look at me!"
Morrigan sighs, slowly pulling her head towards the angry woman. Soon glassy green eyes stare into furious brown and she shivers, from the cold? No I doubt it..The images of Regina's torture flash in her mind and she quickly avoids the woman's glare, but a hand suddenly grabs her chin, pulling her focus back to angry brown eyes.
"You've made dozens of your little speeches so its about time I made mine. What you did yesterday was save our lives.."
"But.."
"Sh! I'm talking! Yes you lost control but haven't I countless times?! You keep telling me that the Evil Queen hurt you, that your Regina didn't do all those terrible things, so what makes you any different? The Dark Knight reared her ugly head yesterday and I lost you for moment but that was it, then you came back to me like you always do. I love every part of you Morrigan, the good and the bad. Please don't let what happened yesterday destroy you, don't let it destroy our happiness."
Tears roll freely from green eyes.."But I, I almost killed you, I almost killed everyone and what if I went back into town and.."
"But you didn't."
Morrigan looks at the woman's comforting smile, feeling the fingers under her chin slide to her cheek and rub gently, She doesn't understand. What if it happens again and I kill her next time? I couldn't live with myself...I have no choice..She looks down desolate and Regina's smile slips.."You have to reattach the collar."
"No, you don't need it anymore, we have the bracelet."
Morrigan shifts away from the woman's touch, staring down at her knees.."Its not enough, the only way to make sure yesterday doesn't happen again is to reattach the collar. Its that or..removing me from the picture entirely."
How can she even think about..Regina's eyes blaze.."NO!"
Morrigan startles, flinching away from the furious woman.
"I will not give up and neither will you! The collar will not be reattached and you're not dying! And if you even think about doing either of those stupid things in secret, I will strap you to my bed for the rest of your existence, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!"
Wide green eyes stare as Morrigan nods silently, Jesus Christ Regina..
"Good! Now come on we're going home! Ive had enough of sitting in this dank hole!" Regina roughly grabs one of the woman's cold hands and promptly gets to her feet, pulling Morrigan with her. She grinds her teeth, storming out of the vacant stall and dragging her confused and startled true love after her...
Morrigan startles awake, quickly taking in the decorum of Regina's bedroom and releases a shaky breath, The Dark Knight plagued my nightmares this time. The town was on fire, everyone was dead or dying in the streets..She shivers, battling with the slowly fading images in her mind, after returning from the stables last night, Regina force fed me in bed and patched up my injuries. The woman had been mad to begin with so she was furious when she noticed the neglected puncture wounds in my back. They must have been from Thurman's brother when he hit me with that damn baseball bat..
Morrigan glances at the mass of raven hair splayed on the pillow beside her, I haven't got a clue why she was so mad at me last night, I tell you, the woman's like a whirlwind of emotion, but even after our little talk, it still doesn't dissuade me from what happened in the forest..Regina's screaming floods her mind and she silently rolls from the bed with her head in her hands, I cant explain it, I don't know what happens to me, One minute I'm angry and the next I'm staring at the carnage around me. I cant even remember what Ive done until a good while later..
She looks up, staring at the gap between the curtains as a tear gently rolls onto her cheek, I don't understand it but torturing Regina felt good, I mean really good and I'm absolutely terrified. The fact I felt..I feel satisfied at my true loves suffering is just sick. What do I do? I don't want to leave but I wont hurt her, not again..Her gaze flickers to the vanity and silently she glides over to it. Green eyes sweep the tables contents, finally landing on the purple and black bracelet and she picks it up hesitantly, if Regina wont put the collar back on, at the very least this should never come off again..Quickly Morrigan clamps the bracelet around her wrist and immediately feels light headed. Green eyes clamp shut as she reaches out and roughly grabs the table top.
After a pause, smooth hands gently grab her shoulders and her eyes dart open, locking onto Regina's reflection through the vanity mirror.
"Are you okay?"
Morrigan looks back down at her hands.."I'm fine."
"No your not."
"No, I'm not." An arm snakes around her middle as the older woman's head sits comfortably on her shoulder.
"As long as you know what you did was wrong and your sorry, you should have a chance at forgiveness."
Morrigan feels the body behind squeeze lightly and her eyes slide to Regina's reflection.."But how many chances have I had and still I hurt people."
"We're not perfect Morrigan. Everyone makes mistakes."
Morrigan pauses, contemplating the woman's words.."She said it was a mistake."
"Who?"
"Emma, she said she came to stop me from making a huge mistake.." She frowns deeply, green eyes downcast.."But yet again when someone tries to help me, they get hurt."
"As adamant as Miss Swans goal was, unfortunately she was trying to help the wrong person.." Morrigan stares questionably.."She couldn't have stopped the Dark Knight, only the Evil Queen could have, and she's not around anymore."
Morrigan sighs, she still doesn't understand..
"I'm going to take a shower."
Regina frowns as the younger woman slips from her arms and quietly exits the room, there's something else I'm missing here. I need to coax it out of her but how?..There's a pause and then her face lights up, got it...
Regina places the last of the clean plates in the kitchen drawer and hangs a discarded towel on the rack, after this morning Morrigans blatantly been avoiding me, shes constantly kept herself locked away and out of sight. Every time I tried to engage her in conversation, she would give a one word response and push the conversation flat on its face. Guilt seems to be her number one enemy but I will not let it get the best of her. Henry will be over soon and we WILL have a movie night together, even if I have to glue the woman to the sofa..She pulls the kitchen cupboard open, whiskey eyes scanning the contents, after arranging to spend time with Henry I had to inform Swan that Morrigan had returned to the mansion. Surprisingly the savior had been sympathetic, asking about Morrigans condition and offering assistance. I swear the righteousness of heroes makes my stomach churn. Undoubtedly Swan has already informed her parents so probably half of the town know our business by now..
Promptly Regina reaches into the cupboard and pulls out chips, dip, a substantial bag of popcorn and a bottle of wine, I haven't heard a thing around the house so she must have retreated back into her room..She grabs a few bowls and glasses from the cupboard and wanders into the living room, Henry's better with empathy than I am, perhaps he can get Morrigan to loosen up, and maybe I can finally get to the root of whats really bothering her..The doorbell chimes and Regina rolls her eyes, placing the snacks on the coffee table and makes her way to the front door. She smooths her skirt before pulling it open and is greeted with her smiling son..
"Henry hunny we've been through this, this is your home, you don't need to ring the doorbell."
The boy fidgets with the strap on his backpack.."Yeah, sorry mom."
Regina smiles at her fidgeting son and steps to one side. The boy quickly waves behind him to Emma in her yellow bug and scampers into the mansion. Brown eyes slide to the yellow monstrosity noting the blond smiling at her, I can almost smell your concerns Miss Swan. Henry will be fine..Emma nods and Regina reluctantly returns the gesture before heading inside, right time for the hard part..
"Henry why don't you get set up in the living room okay?"
"Okay." Henry quickly hangs up his coat and scarf on the rack before dashing into the living room with his heavy looking backpack.
Regina watches him go before finally ascending the stairs and heading determined towards Morrigans old room.
There's a soft knock at the door.
"Morrigan?"
When there's no response, the door slowly slides open and brown eyes refocus on the curled and unmoving body on top of the bed.
"Morrigan?"
Silence...
Regina's stomach churns with worry and she rushes over, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder.
Immediately Morrigan startles, jolting awake from her slumber and looks frantically at the body above.."W..What? What's wrong? What did I do?"
Regina smiles weakly, taking the frantic woman's hand and alleviates some of her panic.."There's nothing wrong, and you haven't done anything dear. I'm sorry for waking you but I need you to come with me."
"Oh, Okay." Morrigan frowns questionably before shes pulled from the bed and lead downstairs. As soon as she rounds the corner into the living room, she stops dead. Henry sits on the carpet in front of the TV, pulling a mound of DVD's from his backpack. Quickly she retracts her hand from Regina's and makes a B-line for the staircase, what the hell is he doing here?!..
Quickly Regina slides in front of the retreating woman and places a gentle hand on her chest.."Just hear me out.."
"What the hell is he doing here Regina?! He shouldn't be around me after what just happened!"
"You wont hurt him."
"What if I get angry and lose control again? What if.."
"You wont hurt him. I wouldn't have brought him here if his life was in any danger."
Angry green eyes stare critically.."No! I wont risk harming the boy.."
"You wont hurt me."
Morrigan whirls to stare at the smiling child beneath her, this is stupid! Cant they see the danger here! Its too soon damn it!..
"No I never would, but things are complicated Henry."
"How?"
Morrigan sighs, running a frustrated hand through her hair as green eyes glance at the silent mayor, well your not going to back me up are you! It was her fucking plan all along, backing me into a corner! I'm not happy Regina!..Regina raises an eyebrow at her silence and green eyes roll.."What are we watching?"
Both mother and son smile brightly before Henry quickly grabs Morrigans hand and pulls her into the living room.
"Well I haven't decided, I thought you should pick one." He pushes Morrigan onto the cream sofa and sits cross legged in front of her.
She stares at the selection of DVD's and rolls her eyes, they're all Disney. The boy has serious obsessions with fairy tales..
Regina primly sits beside Morrigan on the cream sofa, grabbing a bottle of wine from the coffee table and watches her lovers hesitance amused, well this should be interesting. Ive always been drawn to the little mermaid personally, but I wonder what catches her eye..
"What have you already seen?"
Morrigan clears her throat.."I haven't seen any of them."
"Really?! Well these are the best ones."
Henry picks out five DVD's and lines them up at her feet, Right, so there's Snow White ugh, I have enough of that woman in real life. Although it would be interesting to see what the Evil Queen is like..Green eyes slide over The Little Mermaid, Sword in the Stone, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty but another case suddenly catches her eye. She curiously pulls the DVD from the pile and scrutinizes the cover, the words The Black Cauldron printed on the front.
Regina watches Morrigan study the front cover of a horned devil creature and sighs weakly, she's going to think that bloody creature is her..
"Yeah The Black Cauldron is pretty cool but it might be a little too classic for you."
Henry chuckles as Morrigan continues to evaluate the cover, I think..I think I found my story. A horned villain who uses magic and kills people..A hand on her arm jostles her from her dark thoughts before slim fingers gently pull the case from her hands and a glass of wine replaces it.
Regina slides the DVD across the coffee table and refocuses on her curious son.."I think you should pick one Henry, you are the expert after all. What do you think Morrigan would like?"
"I know just the thing!"
Quickly Henry scoops up the DVD's and fumbles with the TV whilst Morrigans attention returns to The Black Cauldron cover, I'm going to have to watch it just to be certain..Regina suddenly shuffles closer, pulling Morrigans arm around the regal curves and nestling into the woman's side.
Henry quickly scampers over to the sofa and sits on the carpet below them. He pours a sizable amount of popcorn in a bowl and places it in Morrigans lap. She looks at it questionably as the opening credits for The Little Mermaid roll on the 48" screen. Regina chuckles, taking a sip of wine and Henry smiles broadly, plopping several pieces of popcorn in his mouth.
"You'll like this one dear."
Morrigan cant help smiling at happy brown eyes staring up at her before she lightly kisses Regina's cheek and their gaze slides back to the TV...
"Bye mom, bye Morrigan."
The two woman smile, waving as Henry runs down the path and jumps into Davids truck. Green eyes catch a glimpse of the smiling prince who seems to be talking to Henry, but before the truck pulls away, David makes eye contact with Morrigan and she can see the princes smile slip. Hers immediately follows, I guess we go back to hating each other now..She sighs, immediately heading back inside and begins to ascend the stairs.
"Morrigan?"
She pauses mid step as the click of Regina's heels stop at the bottom of the staircase.
"There's still a little wine left, care to join me?"
"I'm a little tired, maybe some other night." Morrigan presses forward again but Regina's plea stops her.
"Please talk to me my love."
Her heart breaks, green eyes sliding shut, I'm sorry Regina..There's a click of heels as the woman approaches and she sighs heavily.."Just leave it Regina."
"No, I know something else is bothering you and you need to tell me."
Morrigan frowns.."No, I don't." She tries to ascend the stairs but a hand grabs ahold of her wrist, keeping her firmly in place. Her anger rises, leave it Regina!..
"Yes you do! And I will keep trying until I get the truth from you Morrigan!"
Morrigan whirls, yanking her wrist from slim fingers.."You really want to know?!"
Brown eyes widen as Regina's slowly backed down the stairs.
"You want to know why every time I look at you I want to be sick?! Why I cant stand being around you?!"
Regina's jaw slackens, angry green eyes brimming with tears.
"Its because it felt good to watch you being tortured, to hear you screaming! I enjoyed your suffering! And I'm not talking about the Dark Knight, I'm talking about me!"
Regina's back bumps into the wall and Morrigans hands slam against the wallpaper at either side of the woman's head.
"I actually enjoyed watching you suffer! What the fuck does that say to you?! Because it tells me that if my sick fucking mind can actually find pleasure in torturing the person I love, then I should be as far away from you as possible!" Tears roll from frustrated eyes and Morrigan slams a heavy hand into the wall startling the older woman.."You kept saying it was her and not me, but it was me! A part of me wanted that and..and.."
Morrigan steps away sobbing, Regina watching the woman back herself into a corner and slide to the floor in a broken mess, No wonder she wanted to keep it to herself..Slowly Regina kneels, grabbing Morrigans hands gently.."Do you want to hurt me now?"
"No of course not."
Regina looks intently at glassy and remorseful eyes and smiles, rubbing soothing circles on the back of Morrigans hands.."I forgive you Morrigan." Morrigan shakes her head, crying more hysterically and Regina's quick to wrap the shaking woman in her arms.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.."
"Shhh..Its alright my love, everything will be okay, I promise."
Morrigan clings to the regal woman, whispering her onslaught of apologies into Regina's neck as red lips kiss her gently on the forehead...