Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time or its characters.

Author Notes: Well folks, it's been a while, hasn't it? I want to apologize for the delay. I know I've been spoiling you with two chapters a week, but recently I got a beta for this story and it takes a bit longer to edit. Don't worry though, I'll keep it at least one chapter a week, more if it's possible. I want to thank the amazing serenequeen92 for being the best Beta ever and giving me her support.

Hope you enjoy it!

Flashback- Same Morning (Before the Charmings' arrival)

Brown eyes slowly blinked open, squinting against the morning light filling the spacious room. He looked down and smiled at the sight. Messy golden hair glinting like a halo as its owner breathed against his chest. At some point during the night, they must have shifted, and he ended up on his back, with his true love half on top of him.

He still marvels at that tidbit, having thought for so long that his chances had died along with his stable girl and feeling underserving of finding it a second time. Now he knows that while he did love Danielle and that she would always be in his heart, the love he has for Emma defies all kinds of logic and expectations, a love that will transcend time and space long after they leave their mortal life.

He thought back to the events of the night before and wondered what this new day had in store for them. No doubt Snow White and her prince along with their band of peasants will make an appearance at some point. He sighs and nuzzles Emma's hair, inhaling the fruity scent of her shampoo.

Emma hums and rubs her cheek against his chest, waking up and feeling remarkably rested and mostly free of pain, considering her state the night before. She sleepily looks up at him and smiles, kissing his jaw "Morning", she mumbled.

"Morning, Princess. How are you feeling?", he asked, glad that he was able to heal her before they went to sleep.

"I'm feeling good, just a bit of discomfort but nothing I can't handle" she confirmed, shifting slightly so she can lie completely on top of him. She kissed him lovingly, feeling his arms wrap around her. He kissed back and made his move, swiftly rolling them over so he was above her.

Emma laughed at the sudden change and wrapped her legs around his waist, glad that more often than not, they slept in the nude. She looked up at him, feeling his morning erection poke against her intimately "Make love to me, my King" she murmurs, delighted when he shivered at her choice of pet name.

Regan nodded and kissed her again as he pushed himself deep inside her, moving his hips lazily. Usually, their lovemaking was intense and passionate, sometimes even bordering on rough, but there were mornings such as this one when they were happy to let the pleasure build slowly. They kissed languidly in between moans and sighs, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.

The mayor broke the kiss, trailing his mouth down to her neck so he could tease her weak points. Emma closed her eyes and bit her lip as his talented lips sucked at her sensitive skin, driving her crazy with want. She had never been with a man so in tune with her body like Regan was, he was able to work her up and bring her down with ease, having spent countless hours exploring her many quirks.

She could feel the pressure building in her belly, so she urged him to move faster. He complied and picked up the pace, making her moan in ecstasy "So close, baby. Don't stop", she pleaded breathlessly, her hands settling on his butt as his thrusts became sharper. It didn't take long before she was arching her back, her hard nipples brushing his heaving chest as she cried out his name.

Watching her orgasm never got old for Regan. He was always filled with pride at being able to please her so thoroughly. She had confided in him how tepid her sex life used to be before him, mirrored by his own experiences. While he had several lovers in the past, it was often within the 'proper' guidelines that were given to young ladies when it came to sexual relations. A few were willing to break those standards and be a bit adventurous, mostly women of this world he had flings with during his trips out of town, but none compared to the fire Emma could lit in him with just a look.

Feeling her velvet walls clench around his cock triggered his own release, filling her deeply as he came inside her with a long, drawn out groan of pleasure. Her hands were rubbing up and down his back soothingly, her toned legs keeping him in place for a while. When he finally pulled out of her, he rolled to his back and pulled her close, their sweaty bodies sticking together.

They were happily basking in the afterglow of their coupling when he felt a disturbance at his protective barrier, followed by shouts from Snow White's false prince.

Regan sighed and immediately the nice warm feelings were gone, replaced by annoyance. Emma saw the change and rolled her eyes as well, cursing them for ruining the mood so spectacularly.

"Time to face the rabble, it seems", he murmured and sat up, using his magic to clean them up and make them presentable. Emma wrapped her arms around him from behind and kissed his neck "Don't kill or maim anyone, please. Remember we want people to like you", she reminded him patiently.

"Fine, but I'm still mocking their stupidity", he said petulantly.

Emma just grinned.

End Flashback

Present- Same morning

Regan pressed one last kiss to Emma's lips and reluctantly pulled away "Go ahead and talk to them. As much as they annoy me, they're your parents and I robbed enough time from all of you as it is. I'll go pick Henry up and come back here so we can have breakfast. We can go see Maleficent afterwards and bring her back with us", he said with sigh, speaking against her ear so no one else could hear.

Emma nodded and cupped his cheek, feeling his stubble tickle her palm "I love you, My King".

"I love you too, Princess", he beamed, wrapping his arms around her and spinning her around. He looked at Snow and Charming over her shoulder and winked, his hands going to her ass and squeezing playfully under their thunderous gaze. With a last smirk thrown their way, he poofed away.

Emma reddened, silently promising to herself to make him pay for that. She took a deep breath and walked over to where her parents were standing, immediately being pulled into a slightly overwhelming but warm embrace. She would be lying if she said that it didn't feel nice.

Finally, after years of wondering and being weighed down by their perceived abandonment, she finally got answers. They didn't just get rid of her because they didn't want her, and while she didn't agree with their decision, she knew that in their own way, they were doing what they thought was best.

"Oh Emma, we missed you so much", Snow cooed, looking at her grown up daughter. Granted, she had known Emma for almost a year, but it was different. Now, she was looking at her with a mother's eyes, admiring her features so similar to her own and yet, she could also see Charming's attributes, which extended beyond physical resemblance "You did it, our baby,"she sniffed.

David smiled his usual dashing smile "Sending you away was the hardest thing we ever had to do, but we're glad you grew into such a beautiful and brave woman. We're so proud of you", he said, hugging her again. He had known her for less time than his wife, but they had been good friends. Now he felt happy that their family was complete "I know there are a lot of things to discuss, but for now, I'm just happy you found us. I never doubted you would".

Emma looked at them both, getting emotional and tearing up a bit. She had known who they were under the curse and she had time to come to terms with how things turned out. Still, the part of her that still thought of herself as a lost girl was relieved and overjoyed. She was angry at them, very angry, but she also loved them very much. She had longed for them her whole life and finally, her wish came true.

She may not need them, for she was a grown woman with a child of her own, a child she shares with her true love, but she wanted them in her life anyway.

"This is ridiculous", she huffed, wiping her tears "I've known who you are for a while. I just…", she trailed off, taking a deep breath "I spent my whole life wondering why you didn't love me enough to keep me and even now that I know the truth, it's hard for me to let go of that feeling," she cried.

Snow and David hugged her again, letting her cry for a while, feeling awful for making their child feel that way "Oh, baby girl. We do love you, we loved you from the moment we found out we were expecting you," Snow said, giving her a watery smile.

David nodded "We love you more than anything, Emma. You were our very own miracle. Never forget that", he added and kissed her forehead. After a little while, Emma calmed down and put a bit of distance between them. He sensed it and decided to change the subject "Now, where's our grandson? We can't wait to spoil him!", he cheered.

Emma smiled "Regan went to pick him up. He spent the night at a friend's house," she said, lifting an eyebrow as her parents shared a wary glance.

"Emma, we know what you said before, but are you sure that it's wise for you and Henry to stay with Regan?" Snow asked.

"I agree with your mother, sweetheart. He's very dangerous", David warned.

Emma crossed her arms, suddenly defensive "Yes, I'm sure. Regan is the man I love; I trust him with my life. But even if we weren't together, I wouldn't take Henry away from him. He raised him from birth, it would break them both to be apart. His past has no bearing on his ability to be a father and this is the last I'll hear of it," she rebutted sternly, giving them a warning glare.

Snow stepped closer and took her daughter's hands "Emma, you don't know him like we do. You didn't see the things he did in his quest to hunt me. He's angered easily and power is something that calls to him, which is why I suggested the elections. If we show a united front, we have a good chance of winning. I will be mayor; your father will be sheriff and you can be his deputy. Together, we can bring order to the town and uphold the ways of our land", she finished with a beam.

Emma chuckled in disbelief "Why can't I be the sheriff?", she asked, humoring her mother. Her speech sounded a bit ominous in a Sith kind of way and she had seen Star Wars enough times to know how that ended.

"Emma, you can't be your father's boss!", She exclaimed, aghast "It's weird enough that we're younger than you. We need to establish a sense of normalcy. Ideally you wouldn't even be on law enforcement at all, but we now this world is different than ours," she said, not sounding trilled at the last part.

In that moment, Emma could understand why Regan hated her. Snow had a good heart deep down, but she was narrow minded, and way too set in the old ways, which no doubt fueled her dreams of becoming his wife back when she was a teenager.

Emma knew what she had to do.

"Look, Mary Margaret, I understand that it must be difficult for you guys to deal with a new world and a new reality. But with all due respect, you're the one that doesn't know Regan the way I do. You only saw what he wanted you to see, while I know who he really is. And the fact that you're asking me to turn my back on him is insulting. I love you, I really do, but I won't stand with you in the elections," she said bluntly, getting shocked stares from her parents.

"I may have been born in the Enchanted Forest, but that place is not my home and I refuse to follow its medieval laws," she declared "Now, it's been an emotional day and we can all do with some time to process. Regan and Henry will be back soon, and we want to have a nice family moment before exposing him to this craziness. I'll call you guys later, ok?", she promised, kissing both their cheeks before hurrying back inside the mansion.

They watched as the white door closed behind her resolutely. David wrapped his arms around his wife as they slowly make their way back to Main Street "Don't worry Snow, she's just a bit lost right now. Once we win the election and she witness for herself how much better things are, she will come around," he assured her, though deep down he suspected she wouldn't.

Inside the mansion

Emma was glad she left when she did. She didn't want to lose her temper with her newly found parents. She had been a bit harsh with them, but she didn't want to set a precedence of them thinking they can order her around or have any say in how she lived her life. She could only imagine the damage if Snow had her way and won the elections.

Minutes later, she heard the front door open and close, followed by hurried little footsteps. Emma rushed to meet them, feeling her restlessness abate for the most part as she kissed both her loves. Now more than ever she was sure that her place was with her two favorite guys in the whole universe "Mommy! Daddy said we're going to visit his friend" He informed her with a grin, squirming until she took him into her arms. She kissed his nose and he giggled.

Regan went into the kitchen to start on breakfast, listening to their son spin a tale of his adventures with his friends as he and Emma sat at the counter. After a nice family breakfast with all their favorites, Regan prepared a bag of food to take to his dragon friend. No doubt after shifting back to her human form after so long and healing herself, she must be tired and hungry. He gave the bag to Emma and turned to Henry.

The former king picked up his son and looked at him seriously "Henry, something happened, and things will be a bit different from now on. You will probably see and hear crazy stuff around town, even scary stuff, so I need you to be a brave little prince for me. Your mommy and I won't let anyone hurt you, ok?" he assured him, giving him a confident smile.

Henry nodded, putting on a brave face "I won't be scared, daddy," he promised. Regan beamed "That's my boy. Now, take a deep breath and close your eyes, don't open them until I tell you to. When you do, it will be dark but remember your promise" he instructed. Henry obeyed without question, resting his head on a broad shoulder and closing his eyes. With his free hand, the mayor took hold of Emma's, poofing them to the library.

Henry groaned "Daddy, I feel spiny" he whined, which was code for dizzy. Regan rubbed his back "I know, baby. It will pass very soon. Count to ten and then you can open your eyes" he soothed. He would have driven them to the library, but he didn't want anyone to know about Maleficent.

They got into the elevator and Regan subtly used his magic to operate it, taking them down to the cave. He felt Henry tense as they were plunged into darkness "It's ok, baby. We're safe" he murmured in his ear. They carefully navigated their way through until they spotted a small camp up ahead. There was a bed, a basin to wash up and a table with a few books on it. The whole area was illuminated by torches, though it wasn't enough to cover the enormous cave.

Sitting at the table was a woman, with blonde hair and a statuesque figure. Her clothes, from their land no doubt, were dark and gave her a regal aura. She stood up, having felt their presence the moment they left the elevator and turned to face them. If Emma hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would never guess the attractive lady to be a dragon.

"Maleficent," Regan greeted with a smile, putting Henry down and pulling the older woman into a heartfelt embrace. She pulled back after a moment and held him at arm's length, looking him up and down, assessing his appearance. He looked the same as she remembered before the curse, though the was a lightness to him that was not there before.

"You look good, dragonet. It seemed that you haven't aged a day since the last time I saw you", she purred jokingly, knowing time had been frozen until the night before.

He laughed "You flatter me, old friend. You look as ravishing as you did twenty-eight years ago," he joked back. He looked at Emma and gestured for her to step closer "I want you to meet my one true love, Emma Swan," he introduced proudly.

Maleficent chuckled "We've met, though under very different circumstances. It's very nice to meet you, my dear. Anyone that can charm my little dragonet is worthy of my respect," she said, "And who might this little hatchling be?" she asked in a gentle tone, looking down at the small child.

"This is our son, Henry Mills Jr. Say hello to the nice lady, baby boy" Emma encouraged, ruffling his messy hair.

"Nice to meet you, Miss" he said politely, giving her a shy smile. Maleficent grinned "My, so well mannered. You can call me Mal, little one," she said with a bow, always having a soft spot for children.

"Mal, we brought you some food. We can leave this place after you eat" Regan informed her, looking around in mild distaste. Seriously, Rumple could have made it a bit nicer.

"Thank God. I'm starving and this place is depressing. Wait until I get my hands on that little imp", she growled, her eyes flashing yellow for a moment before they turned to normal.

"That'll have to wait for a while. Things around town are a little crazy after last night and you need to regain your strength. You can stay at the mansion for a while until we manage to work on a permanent place for you. I was thinking maybe a nice cabin in the woods, isolated enough so the peasants can't find it easily," Regan suggested, knowing that Maleficent wasn't a social person. She liked peace and quiet.

"That could work. Once I'm back at full power it will be easy to build one," she agreed, eyeing the food hungrily. Regan had her gotten plenty of food, aware of who he was dealing with. Emma and Henry continued to eat anything in their path on a daily basis but Maleficent, despite her dainty appearance, had the stomach of a dragon, literally.

"So, how did the curse break?" Mal asked in between bites, curious.

"True love's kiss, mine and Regan's" Emma said proudly.

"So, you're the Savior. The child of Snow White and Prince Charming," Mal deduced and her stare turned calculating as she looked at Emma with interest.

"Um, what's with the look?" the blonde deputy asked, slightly wary.

"Mm, it's nothing. I was just reminded of a couple of times I had to deal with your parents, dear. But don't worry, I don't hold their stupidity against you," she said truthfully, though Emma sensed there was more to the story.

Regan was also curious about the look but decided to ask at a later time. Once Mal was finished with the food, they cleaned everything up. It wasn't like she was taking anything with her, so it was a quick affair. Once again, Regan instructed Henry to close his eyes and poofed them back to the mansion.

Henry looked around, confused "Daddy, how did we get home so fast?", he asked with big, green eyes full of wonder. Now that he thought about it, it was the same before, though he didn't really notice because he was feely spiny, but he definitely noticed it this time. Emma caught Regan's glance and subtle nod and turned to their guest "Mal, let me show you around", she offered. Mal sensed that her friend needed a moment with his boy and accepted.

Left alone, Regan took Henry to the living room and sat down, holding him on his lap. He took a deep breath "Pay attention, papito," he murmured and extended his hand, letting a small fireball form on his palm. Henry gasped and looked at it wide eyed, turning back to his dad "Wow, how did you do that?!", he asked eagerly.

Regan smiled "Magic. You see, most of the stories mommy and I read to you before bed have some truth to them and most of the characters are real. We all used to live in a land called the Enchanted Forest, where there's magic, fairies and even unicorns," He started, getting a delighted giggle in response.

"How come you don't live there anymore?", the boy asked in wonder. Regan gathered his courage "You remember the story of Snow White and the seven dwarves?" he asked, getting a nod "Well, she's real and the dwarves too. However, in place of an evil queen, there was an evil king," he revealed "The king was lonely and sad, and those feelings made him angry. So, he used his magic to bring them all from the land of magic to this world, making them forget who they were in the first place", he related.

Henry frowned "Why was the king sad, daddy?", he asked, feeling sympathy. He didn't like being sad either "Well, he had his heart broken a few times and he felt that no one truly loved him. He felt it was unfair how everyone else was happy but him and he wanted them to feel how he felt".

"What happened to him?"

"Well, he realized that he had no right to do what he did, no matter how sad and angry he was, but it was too late. He once again was sad and alone and this time it was all his fault. But then, one day he got good news, he was getting a baby. He was very scared because he thought he didn't know how to love, but from the moment he met the child, the king loved him with all his heart. And then, a few years later, the mother of the child arrived, a young and beautiful princess, and he felt even more happy. He wanted to be good for them, to make them proud. So, he promised that he would never again be evil and instead he would help others, to maybe make up for some of the pain he caused," he finished, their gazes locked.

Henry was as brilliant as his father, if not more. He figured out what he was trying to tell him "You were the king; I'm the baby and mommy is the princess", he deduced. Regan smiled and nodded "Yes, that's correct, Henry. I did bad things, my son. Some things I wish I could change, other's I would not, because it brought me to you and your mommy. Both of you inspired me to be better, to feel love and happiness. What I did was bad, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it and to be the man you both deserve. Do you think you can forgive me for what I did, Henry?", he asked, fear and hope filling his heart.

Henry looked at him for a long moment before he shifted. For one awful moment, Regan thought he was getting off him in disgust, but then realized he was just standing up. The brave little boy stood on his daddy's legs for support and hugged him tightly around the neck "Tu no eres malo, papi. Eres el major papi de todos y te amo", he murmured and felt his father's arm wrap around him, holding him close.

"Gracias, Henry. Yo tambien te amo, mi principe. Mas que a nada en el mundo", He breathed, a sob stuck in his throat, feeling incredibly relieved. The only other person, besides Emma, that owned his heart didn't hate him or thought he was a monster. His son loved him even now that he knew who he used to be.

Emma was watching from the doorway and smiled with tears in her eyes, proud of her boy. She knew that Regan was deathly afraid of Henry's reaction to the truth, and while a lot of details were glossed over, she knew they would be alright.

Together, they would deal with whatever came their way.

As a family.

The next few weeks were crazy; between the town's people reactions to their new reality, Regan and Snow White's campaigns for Mayor, old feuds coming to light and being put to rest, and some revolts as people debated whether or not this new world was better than their old land, it was a wonder everything got done at all.

Mrs. Thompson, Regan's secretary, remained loyal to him. The old head housekeeper remembered her many years in the castle, both before and after Regan took the throne. Before him, guards and knights took liberties with the maids and went unpunished, because who would go against the royal guard. But after King Regan made sexual assault punishable by death, things got better, not only at the castle, but in the kingdom as a whole.

Graham also was firmly on Regan's side. As a huntsman, he had always been wary of nobles and royals that thought of the forest as their playground. Regan made wolf hunting illegal. In fact, hunting for any other thing than food and furs for winter were heavily restricted. He was never officially on his guard, but he had authority to deal with law breakers as he saw fit.

Granny and Ruby, even after years of being on Snow's side, were amicable. As long as he didn't make any trouble in their diner, he was welcome to eat there. Besides, they adored the deputy and their little pup, so there was no need to create unnecessary hostility. It was an unspoken agreement that Granny's dinner was neutral territory and unless you wanted to find yourself in the business end of Eugenia Lucas' crossbow, no one messed with that.

Predictably, the dwarves and fairies were on Snow and Charming's side, loyal to the bitter end. It was of no consequence for Regan, is not like he wanted to spend time with them in the first place.

Nobles and royals were mostly neutral, like Cinderella and Thomas, as well Midas, Kathryn and Frederick. Others, like King George were firmly on Regan's side, if not for any other reason than to get back at the usurpers of his throne. Prince Eric and Princess Ariel were more on Snow's side, though that was because, given their story, they were wary of magic users, not because they were especially close to her or anything.

As for the commoners, like back in their land, they were divided. Families and friends of people that were executed by King Regan, as well as people that had believed her drivel about him desiring the throne at all costs, were obviously on Snow's side, more in spite than anything else. After all, their feud had nothing to do with them. But a lot of people, previous citizens of the Northern Kingdom and its allies, were in favor of the current mayor. Being cursed was no fun of course, but what they got out of the deal was not half bad in their opinion.

Tensions were high and people were nervous. So, it was no surprise that, the day of the big debate, town hall was packed. In fact, the assembly room had to be magically expanded to accommodate all the people that attended, which was almost all the town. Even classes were suspended that day so that the kids and their teachers could attend.

It was the candidates' last chance to rally the people on their favor and both of them were determined to win.

Debate day

Up on the stage, two small podiums were placed. Behind each of them, there was a handful of chairs for advisors and running mates. Graham had opted out of being in the sheriff's run, he had been at it for 28 years and he was done with it. So, in addition the mayor's election, there was also the Sheriff's election. That meant that on Snow's side, sat David and Blue. In Regan's side, was Emma and surprisingly, Jefferson, in representation of the common people, he explained when he offered to be Regan's advisor.

Archibald Hopper was the mediator. He had been an ally of Snow, but as a former conscience and now town's therapist, he was the most impartial party.

"Welcome, citizens of Storybrooke, to the Mayoral Debate. Today, our candidates will tell us of their policies and answer questions previously submitted by the public. Please remember, no cursing or insulting, there are children present. Any kind of heckling or taunting will not be tolerated as well. So, without further ado, I open this debate with the first question. What kind of family values and morals do you consider to be most important? Snow, you have the floor", Archie said.

"Thank you, Archie. I think we should focus on reinforcing our given roles in society. First of all, the virtue of chastity. Girls should always be taught to keep their maidenhood until marriage and men should be taught to respect that. What kind of citizens are we shaping if we don't impart this important moral standing on our young ones or let our teenagers at their most vulnerable state adopt the depraved practices of this world? I know my rival doesn't think this is important. He had a legendary reputation of seducing maidens and making them stray from their righteous path. On that same vein, I believe that family is the base of any society, a value that's indispensable for our way of life. And what constitutes as a traditional family? A lawfully wedded couple whose children are born within the bond of holy matrimony, another virtue that is necessary to keep basic decency afloat. I believe that, along with a sense of duty towards one's family and elders, which I know for a fact my rival does not care about, are the best values we can impart to keep our town formidable and decent," she orated with a firm tone, getting some applause.

Archie nodded "Thank you, Snow. Mister Mayor, your turn" he said. Regan nodded "Thank you, Archibald. I'll start by refuting my rival's statement. I do believe that chastity until marriage is a very decent and commendable PERSONAL virtue to achieve. But is not necessary, nor does it speak of a lady's character. Exploring one's sexuality is not shameful, as long as it's done with the consent of all parties involved and understanding the consequences that may come forth, which is why I think sexual education from an early age, age appropriate of course, is necessary so young people can make an informed decisions.

Marriage, in a similar way, is a matter of personal perspective and choice. I view it as a blessing of the love shared by two people, a confirmation of their commitment in the eyes of God that shouldn't be taken lightly. Which is why I think contractual betrothals should not be legal or binding in any way. No one should be forced or pressured into it, nor is it necessary. An unmarried couple's love is not less true than a married one, and children born to unwed parents are loved and cherished all the same, their relationship status has no bearing on that. Family, whatever personal definition we have of it, is a value that should be encouraged to achieve when the time is right, not only for the sake of society, but because no man is an island. Whether it is by blood or by choice, everyone deserves a family.

Now, there is no such thing as duty to one's family. I do believe we have a moral obligation to do something valuable and meaningful with our lives and be the best possible version of ourselves, to make our name proud and to take care of our elders in their time of need like our parents or caretakers did for us from infancy. But that doesn't mean we're their property or that our lives should revolve around their expectations. Again, we arrive at the matter of choice. I can expect many things from my child but in the end, his choices are his own, with consequences he alone will be responsible of. All we can do in the limited time we have with them, is to teach them actual, important values and virtues, so when the time comes for them to stand on their own, their choices result in a decent, happy life, which is what we truly want as parents. What am I talking about? Honesty, diligence, respect, tolerance, responsibility, courage, humility, compassion, forgiveness, the list goes on. But the most important value we can teach our children is to love, unselfish and unconditional love for our family, our friends, lovers, even life. To love even in our times of adversity; for love sprouts hope, and together, they can carry a person through even the direst of situations or inspire an evil king to seek redemption. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the true basis of our society. Thank you", he finished to thunderous applause. He looked back at Emma and grinned proudly.

Snow White couldn't believe her ears. The evil king talking about love. The worst thing is that even she was inspired by his speech. Damn him and his silver tongue.

Archie spoke again "Next question. How would you innovate and enrich our education system? Again, Snow, you go first".

"Thank you. I think our priority should be to keep our heritage alive, which means that the history, laws and traditions of our land need to be taught in school, as to not to forget where we come from. I believe is possible for us to adapt to this world without losing the way of life we are accustomed of. Some classes should be taught depending on the level of necessity and skillset. To clarify, let me give you an example. An aspiring seamstress, would strive in home economics as opposed to, say, chemistry. In the same way, a potential woodworker would benefit from attending workshop classes rather than the sciences. In the case of children with the means to pursue higher education, obviously, they should have a schedule filled with a variety of subjects. That way, you'll find that my vision of education works for everyone" she finished with a pleased smile. Again, there was some applause.

"Mr. Mayor, your turn", Archie said. Regan smirked and seized the chance to take pot shots at his nemesis, like she did to him on the previous question "Thank you. I would be more impressed with my opposite's education plan, if it wasn't just a fancy and polite way of saying we should segregate our children according to their social standings. There is no such thing as an aspiring seamstress or a potential woodworker. children, nor anyone for that matter, can't predict the future. Their aspirations may change several times as they grow up, and even if they have a certain skill in which they excel and should be nurtured, doesn't mean they need to neglect other areas of their education. Furthermore, higher education such as college or university, should be encouraged, regardless of social or economic standing," he said with conviction.

"This isn't the Enchanted Forest where only children of Noble or Royal status were educated while the rest usually had to make do by learning the trade of their parents or caretakers. This world offers a lot of opportunities such as scholarships, financial aid, student loans and there's even community college. Anyone who wants to further their studies can do it with the right motivation. Is this the so-called traditions Snow White thinks we should preserve? Keeping children from following their dreams because they weren't born with a silver spoon?", Regan asked, enjoying Snow's expression of horror as he spun her words and made her look like a bigot.

"Education should be equal for everyone, and I can assure you that under my management, it will be. I agree on teaching the history of our land, to preserve its memory and learn from the many mistakes that were made during its course. But the old laws and traditions that are meant only to widen the gap between social classes have no standing in this world. I suggest we embrace the advantages we have now, societal and technological. We need to learn about this world, its virtues and also its faults, but we must never forget who we are or where we come from, nor the efforts and sacrifices of those that came before us. That's how we keep our heritage alive while adapting to our new reality. Thank you", He finished with a nod, smiling as his words were received with praise and hollers of agreement.

Archie almost didn't want to continue. It was obvious that Snow was way over her head. They might both come from similar backgrounds, but Regan Mills was on a league of his own. It was sad to watch "Next question. What it's your plan or strategy for a fair justice system and to keep a low crime percentage in our town. Snow, you first".

Snow was starting to think that her having the first turn wasn't such a good thing, but she couldn't protest now without appearing petty. She was almost regretting this whole thing "The Sheriff's department will have full authority to arrest anyone that breaks a law or commits a crime. Rather than wasting money from taxpayers, we will implement a system of volunteers to aid with patrols and other small-scale responsibilities. Sentencing with be dealt with as a joint effort by a three people panel consisting of the Blue Fairy, the Sheriff and the Mayor" She concluded, which in other words, meant that she would have full authority, as Blue and David would default to her decisions.

Archie didn't have to look at Regan to see his condescending smirk "Mr. Mayor, if you please", he said tiredly. He just nodded "Thank you. I can't even imagine the disastrous outcome of such a system. First of all, the Sheriff can't just arrest people on a whim without sufficient proof of suspicion. Then, the volunteer system is not reliable. Assuming it works as it should, what happens when they come across a suspect or have in interject in an official manner? Civilians can't arrest or interrogate other civilians. As for the so-called panel, I won't even comment on the many unethical and illegal implications.

My strategy is simple. Why change what already works? I will expand the Sheriff's Department by 6 deputies in rotation, which will cover the day and night shifts in pairs. All calls will be responded to and investigated. Should someone become a suspect, they will be detained for a period of 48 hours in which an investigation will take place. If enough evidence of the crime is found, they will be arrested formally, and their case will be handled by the District's Attorney's office. All suspects on trial will be entitled to have defense council and will be tried and sentenced in the presence of a judge, a prosecutor and a jury of his peers. If found guilty, they will be transferred to a cell in an unused ward of the hospital, located in the lower levels of the building, with the appropriate security measures in place, of course. This arrangement will be only temporary, just until such a time Storybrooke has its own Detention Center, which is a project that is being already undertaken by the Mayor's office.

Obviously, sentencing will be decided in direct proportion with the crime in question. Misdemeanors and minor charges will carry shorter prison stays than other, more serious and disturbing felonies. In some cases, good behavior and compliance will be rewarded by early release and parole, again, depending on the charges and length of the sentence. Fortunately, crime in Storybrooke is at an all-time low, so I'm confident such measures won't be necessary all that often", he said at the end of his turn, smiling charmingly.

Archie didn't bother with the rest of the questions. As a respite to his old friend, he would end this now "I think we've heard enough for everyone to determine which party they want leading our town. Both candidates will now deliver a closing statement. Please be brief and concise. Snow, you may start".

Snow took a deep breath. This was her chance "Citizens of Storybrooke, you were taken from your land and your homes, probably lost loved ones at the hands of the Evil King and you were lied to for years. Do you really want this man to lead you? He who seized a throne that was not his, who hunted me and tried to kill me on several occasions. The son of a dark magic user and student of another. Who probably tricked my daughter into dating him and whose son he guards possessively? Do we really want to give him any more power than he already has? Maybe I don't have his expertise or understanding of the government of this world, which he mastered under false pretenses, but I have the best interest of my people at heart. Everything I ever done has been with that in mind, to defend the innocent from this man that dared to call himself king while he ruined our lives. I urge you to please think carefully about your decision, think of others who have suffered because of him and let me be the one to lead us into the future. Thank you", she exhaled, smiling as people applauded her words. She may not have Regan's experience or wisdom, but she could discredit him by exposing his sins.

"Mr. Mayor, whenever you're ready", Archie cut in. Regan nodded and cleared his throat.

"You, citizens of Storybrooke, who for years were taxed unfairly, surviving winters with little food and shelter while the monarchy gorged themselves and kept warm in their castles. You, who barely had access to affordable and capable healers. You, ladies of all standings, who were regarded as playthings, violated at the whim of men and given no rights, no voice. You, unfortunate victims of greed, who were forced to live in poverty. For all of you, I used my throne, one I legitimately inherited when the late Queen Eva asked me to marry her, to help you. Under my reign several kingdoms flourished, and as Mayor, so did my town. It is true that I had a personal vendetta against Snow White and a lot of times, I let my anger and resentment at her cloud my judgment as King when I shouldn't have. It's true that I cursed us all in an effort to hurt her, taking your memories from you. I'm not asking for forgiveness, for there are things that can't be forgiven. What I'm asking is for you to accept that I have changed, that I regret so many things that I wish I could undo. Do you think I seek power when my platform includes forming a council to work as a checks and balances system? Do you think that my advisor, a man I separated from his daughter, would be at my side today if I wasn't redeemed? Do you think I could have broken the curse with true love's kiss, if I was still evil? Do you believe my beautiful son would be the kind, smart and happy child he is If I was a bad parent? I'm not asking you to forget or ignore my bad deeds. All I'm asking you today is to give me a chance to prove to that I'm more than the Evil King, that my heart which was dark for so long, now beats with love for my family, my friends, my town. More than anything I want this new world to welcome us all, to give us a better way of life. It is my sincere wish that every person in this room today finds happiness and if you let me keep my job as mayor, I promise you to do everything in my power to help you achieve that happiness. Thank you", he closed with a deep exhale. This time the applause was subdued as every person present thought about his words and pondered their dilemma.

Who to choose? The elitist Queen Snow White or the supposedly redeemed Evil King?

The one favored by the fairies or the former pupil of the dark one?

A woman with merely a few years of experience in leading a kingdom and none leading a town or the seasoned king and mayor?

The pair whose daughter stands with their rival or they who even in chaos keep their family together?

Relive the past or embrace the future?

That night, the people of Storybrooke went to bed in a conundrum, wishing for clarity upon waking up. The next morning, the polls were open, and every single person of voting age made their choice, wishing fervently that they weren't making a mistake.

In an apartment building located in Main Street, Snow White and Prince Charming waited anxious but confident, sure that their people wouldn't disappoint and would seek their guidance. With the faith of the town on their side, they would convince their daughter to join them and take her rightful place at their side.

In a mansion on Mifflin Street, the current mayor and his deputy curled up together on the couch, their son on the floor, laying on his stomach as he colored to his heart's content. They were nervous but hopeful, safe in the understanding that no matter the outcome of the election, they would deal with it together and be better for it.

The polls closed at 8:00pm on the dot. It didn't take long to count the votes, which was done by Kathryn Midas, Archibald Hopper and Granny, under the watchful eye of the Blue Fairy, Jefferson and the current Sheriff. It seemed a bit excessive, but no one was taking any chances. This election would shape the future of their town and no one wanted the process to be a mess. In the end, they repeated the process four times, until anyone was pleased that there wasn't any foul play at work.

The day after the election, town hall was, once again, packed to the brim, perhaps even more than the day of the debate. Regan and Snow stood before their podiums, this time accompanied by their prospective sheriff and their advisors.

"Citizens of Storybrooke, we are pleased to announce that all the votes are in. They were counted four times, each time bearing the same result. It's my honor to announce that our new Mayor and Sheriff are…"

To be continued.

I know, I'm horrible, but most of you can already guess who will win, lol. Next chapter should be up sometime next week. For those of you who are curious, dragonet is what a dragon is called between the ages of 15-40. Obviously, Regan is not a real dragon, but he did learn to shape-shift.

Also, someone asked why is Snow jealous of Emma if Charming is her true love? The answer is simple; she can't handle losing. As a child and teen she was very spoiled, mostly by her father and later by servants when Eva was Queen. She wanted Regan badly enough, that she was willing to support his marriage to her mother to get him. Then, as Mary Margaret, she was once again, deeply in love with him. Now that the curse is broken, those separate personalities are conflicting with one another, fueling her unhealthy attraction to him. She does love Charming, but she is obsessed with Regan, the one she always wanted and was never able to get.

Traductions

"Tu no eres malo, papi. Eres el mejor papi de todos y te amo"- "You're not evil, daddy. You are the best daddy in the world and I love you".

"Gracias, Henry. Yo tambien te amo, mi príncipe. Más que a nada en el mundo" - "Thank you, Henry. I love you too, more than anything in the world".