Trigger warnings - non graphic physical abuse

Chapter 2 The Evil Queen

Her head was pounding, and for a moment Emma had no idea who or where she was. She turned on her back, realizing she was on a hard cot of some kind and there was an icy chill in the air that she recognized from her time in prison. Her green eyes flew open, meeting a cement ceiling, and as she abruptly sat up, a blinding pain erupted in her head. She squinted her eyes in pain and looked around the dark sheriff's station. Was she in a cell? What the hell happened last night?!

She looked over to the next cell to see a man snoring, and she curled up against the corner of the wall. She felt herself teetering on the edge of a panic attack. She was in town that she didn't know existed, and trapped in jail. The sheriff wasn't even in yet. She took deep calming breaths, trying to ground herself, and telling herself it must be a misunderstanding.

She remembered red lips.

Deep dark turbulent eyes.

The taste of tangy but strong apple cider.

Regina! Could she have put something in her drink? No! It was strong, but she wasn't a lightweight. And then she suddenly remembered the onslaught of rain as she tried leaving town. There had been a wolf in the middle of the road, and she had swerved. The last thing she remembered was the pain as her head hit the steering wheel and the sound of the wolf howling as she succumbed to darkness.

She could also remember thinking about the words Henry had told her before she had crashed. How people couldn't leave Storybrooke. The fact that she couldn't even make it past the town line gave her a sense of foreboding, because no way the kid was right about his fairytale nonsense.

Henry.

The son she had given up.

She still couldn't believe he found her. She was trying so hard not to let him get in her head, and with each moment she spent in this small strange little town, the more her walls started to chip, and she found herself wanting to know more about the baby she never got to hold.

She sat up straight as the door opened, light spilling in from the hall and illuminating the room. She hissed in pain when he switched on the lights and her stomach lurched in nausea at the assault on her pupils. The Sheriff she had seen last night at Regina's mansion walked in with a cup of coffee that read Granny's Diner.

Seriously?

Was this town fairytale themed?

"You're up," he stated unnecessarily, standing on the outside of her cell.

"Yeah, listen, there's apparently a misunderstanding," she said, standing up and facing him. The man in the next cell over was still snoring like a bear, making the pounding in her head worse. She needed air, but most importantly she needed silence and maybe a cup of coffee.

"Regina's drinks are stronger than you think," he chastised her as he opened the cell and let her out. "You need to sign some paperwork before I let you go." She followed him into the office that was separated from the bullpen by glass walls.

"I wasn't drunk!" she protested as she plopped into the chair in front of his desk. He sat down and pushed over a pack of paperwork for her to sign. "There was a wolf in the middle of the road."

"A wolf. Right," he clearly didn't believe her. "You destroyed our sign."

"It was an accident," she scoffed in disbelief, furiously signing her release forms and balking at the fees she was responsible to pay. This was turning into one expensive trip.

"You may not have been drunk, but you did damage town property," he explained as he shuffled the reports and looked through them, his eyes catching on the information she had filled out. "Bails bond man?"

"Person," she corrected. "Look, Sheriff…"

"Graham."

"Sheriff Graham, I was just dropping off Henry. That's all it was. Yes, Regina gave me a drink, and I admit it was a bit strong, but not enough for me to go crashing into signs on purpose. I was just trying to head home."

"I believe you," he nodded. "Besides from the wolf in the road. Your story checks out, unlike Grumpy's over there." he nodded over at the snoring man.

"Grumpy?" Like in Snow White?

"Well Leroy," Sheriff Graham shrugged. "It's just a nickname for the town drunk."

"Right," Emma shook her head. "Can I go now?" Her eyes drifted to the take out cup of coffee and she decided maybe she'd head over to the diner herself. Maybe she'll find Little Red Riding Hood working the counter?

"You're free to go," he nodded. "And try not to destroy any more signs."

This was the epitome of bad days she couldn't help but feel, as she got into her dented yellow bug and drove to Granny's diner. Thankfully her bug survived the assault on the sign, although her bank account wasn't so lucky after paying for the damages.

She walked into the diner, relieved that there weren't any fairytale characters inside, well the girl at the counter did have red streaks in her hair, and dressed in red shorts and apron, but that didn't mean she was Little Red Riding Hood, or the older woman beside her was the Granny from the stories. Nope! She wouldn't let Henry get into her head. They were just a regular grandmother and granddaughter that happened to own a diner in a picturesque town.

She ordered a coffee and chose the back booth. She needed to think. She was starting to feel like maybe she should stick around a bit longer. Just to make sure Henry was ok. These fairytale delusions were getting to her, and despite her reluctance of getting to know him, she was worried for his mental health.

She wasn't sure how much time she had spent sipping her coffee and mulling over Henry, until the bell on the door signaled another customer. She realized the morning crowd was getting heavier, and the gray early morning light filtering in through the window was now shining brighter. She looked up ahead to see who had walked in, and to her surprise, Regina Mills was standing at the counter and placing an order. She couldn't help but sweep her gaze over her. She was beautiful, obviously, as she had noticed last night. She wore a gray dress with a dark peacoat, and killer heels that eunicaited her calves. Her short dark hair was perfectly straightened and curled at the edges. She was such a sucker for women in power.

Henry called her the Evil Queen. She wasn't sure about the evil part. She didn't know Regina well enough, but she definitely had the air of a Queen with the confidence and elegance in which she held herself.

She watched as Regina paid at the register and then quickly looked back down at her coffee when Regina suddenly turned in her direction. She heard the clicking of heels and knew before Regina even spoke to her that she had been caught staring.

"Miss Swan, I would have thought you'd be halfway to Boston by now after crashing our town's signage."

What?! How did she know that already?

Emma looked up to see that same false political smile she gave her last night. Big and bright with no real meaning or emotion behind it.

"The Sheriff called my husband last night after he found you passed out at the border," she explained when she saw Emma's confused expression.

"Actually Regina, I think I might stick around a little longer."

The moment those words were out of her mouth, she was fixed with a long stare. The smile Regina had just a few seconds ago was gone and Emma forced herself not to shrink back in her seat. She didn't want to give Regina the satisfaction.

"What do you think you're going to accomplish by staying?" she asked coldly, her dark eyes boring into her. Emma was shocked by the sudden hostility when she had been nothing but hospitable since dropping Henry off last night. "Henry is already getting into enough trouble. He doesn't need you influencing anymore bad behavior!"

She was intimidating, Emma can give her that. In fact she didn't miss the way the customers shied away from her presence. Were they all afraid of her? She stood, facing the brunette head on. They were so close they could feel each other's breath. This was all a mask, and Emma wasn't going to back down to her.

"Don't blame me for bad behavior when I've only known him for a few hours," she retorted, her tone hushed with the same animosity Regina was showing her. Regina glared at her, and Emma was starting to think she was beginning to see the woman's true colors.

"Exactly," Regina smirked. "You've only known him for a few hours. He may think he suddenly needs you in his life, but he doesn't."

"Dr. Mills, your order is ready," Ruby announced from the counter, purposely. She must have seen the tension between the two women. Regina took a step back, and with a final glare, she turned to the counter and took the two coffees from the young waitress and left the diner.

Emma watched Regina through the window as the brunette hurriedly approached the car parked outside as if she had spent too much time in the diner. She stepped closer to the window when she realized the mayor was behind the wheel. She tried to get a glimpse, but it was nearly impossible from the distance and the tinted windows. She wondered if Henry was in the backseat.

Once the car drove away, she went up to the counter where the girl with red streaks in her hair was wiping it down with a damp clean towel. Her name tag read Ruby. It wasn't Red Riding Hood, but close enough.

"Dr. Mills?" she asked, emphasizing on Dr.

"PhD in political science. She teaches at the community college. I'm in her afternoon class. She's a good teacher, but she expects a lot."

"Yeah no kidding," Emma scoffed. She could already see that. In fact last night, Regina had admitted herself that she might be too hard on Henry. Maybe the pressure was the cause of his delusions? "Is the mayor as strict with Henry as she is?"

Something dark flickered in the younger woman's eyes, something Emma couldn't quite place. She frowned in concern as Ruby avoided eye contact and focused on her task. "The Mayor isn't as involved in Henry's life. Regina cares for him, she's just very protective." Ruby looked at her once more. "She loves him. Trust me on that."

The waitress left her with those words. Emma wasn't surprised to hear that the mayor wasn't as involved in Henry's life. Considering how he didn't seem to care that Henry was missing yesterday, she had already suspected it. Maybe he was a workaholic and didn't take the time to spend time with his adoptive son? She wasn't so sure, but she had to believe when Ruby said Regina loved him. Otherwise, what else would explain Regina's fierce protectiveness for him.

The Mercedes Benz stopped in front of the elementary school. Henry tried pulling open the door, but the child locks were activated and he slowly looked up to see his adoptive father glaring at him through the rearview mirror. Regina was quiet, her gaze turned down and looking so defeated. She had always been able to shield her son from Leopold's anger, but these past months the young boy had really been testing his father's patience. At this moment she felt useless. She could feel Henry watching her, waiting for her to stand up to him, and her heart shattered as she once again disappointed him.

Leopold turned in his seat and Henry stared back at him with defiance.

"After your little field trip yesterday, you are not allowed to go anywhere after school. It's straight home, understood?"

He didn't yell, but he was furious. Regina could tell in the way he had lowered his voice and the cold hard stare that was fixated on him. Henry looked at her once more, leaning a bit on the back of her seat as if he were trying to meet her gaze. She slowly looked at him with glistening fearful eyes. She shook her head, and she could see the defiance turn to defeat as he sank back against his seat. She knew he realized that she wasn't going to say or do anything against his father's order. As tough and as intimidating as she made herself seem, she was absolutely terrified of her husband.

"Yes," he said quietly and her heart broke. She couldn't even stand up for him.

"Don't be late," he growled, the locks clicking open and Henry wasted no time in opening the door and clamoring out without so much as a goodbye. When he was gone, Leopold turned to her and she froze in her seat.

"Look at me," he demanded in the same tone he used with Henry. He grabbed her right wrist, squeezing her tightly. He wouldn't try anything here, or at least she hoped he wouldn't. There were too many people around, but then again it didn't mean she was safe from his anger. She slowly met his eyes. "You will make sure he goes straight home. If anything happens… if he magically disappears again… he won't be the only one in trouble."

His grip on her wrist was becoming more than painful. Her fingers were starting to feel numb. She tried pulling away but he only tightened his grip. He yanked her towards him, his face leaning dangerously into her. She could smell his aftershave and it made her want to vomit.

"Do I make myself clear or do you need a reminder of what happens when you disobey me?" he threatened and at this point her entire hand was throbbing.

"You're hurting me," she whispered, looking into his cold eyes and seeing no remorse for the pain he was inflicting on her. His other hand suddenly grabbed her other wrist and she cried out from the pain.

"Shut up!" he barked. "I said, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," she gasped, forcing herself not to cry. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, but she didn't dare let them fall out of fear.

He finally let go of her after a moment's silence and she sank back in her seat, rubbing her bruised wrists, the right one in particular. He started to drive, his expression unreadable and she tried to appear as small as possible.

"That kid is out of control. What did I expect anyway when you were hardly a good mother to my Mary Margaret. Maybe it's time I put my foot down with him, hmm?" He glanced at her before quickly turning back to the road.

Her heart sped up at that and not just with fear of what he meant, but with a sudden rage that drove her protectiveness for her son.

"Don't you dare touch him," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. When it came to Henry she would take a beating if it meant the monster kept his hands off of him. However, what she didn't realize was that Leopold often made empty threats towards him just to keep Regina in line.

"Ohh, is that a threat," he chuckled coldly as he pulled up outside of the college. He stopped the car and leveled her with a warning glare. She shrunk back, losing her confidence as her anger turned to fear once more. She shook her head, desperately hoping he wouldn't hit her for that.

"I think it was?" he said, his tone calm in a terrifying way. Regina knew better. She knew that tone meant she would be paying for her disobedience later behind closed doors. Usually in public, if she said or did something that angered him, he would let her know in the most subtle of ways and once they were alone, that was when he'd violently lash out at her. "Now get out. I'll deal with you later."

She wasted no time unclipping her seatbelt, grabbing her things and rushing out of the car much like Henry had. The window rolled down just before she could walk away and his voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Oh and Regina, you better keep that anger in check."

She nodded at him, pulled the sleeves of her peacoat down to cover her bruising wrists and proceeded to make her way to the building. She could feel his eyes on her from the parking lot, and she shuddered as he watched her like he did every time he dropped her off. Like he was making sure she actually went inside. Ever since her last escape attempt before they adopted Henry, he's kept a tight leash on her. He even tracked her through her phone and god forbid she was somewhere she wasn't supposed to be.

She entered the building and took a breath of relief when she was finally out of his sight. She was shaking from his vulgarness and she needed to get to the bathroom before she vomited in front of everyone. She didn't even register one of her coworkers calling her in her dash to the nearest faculty bathroom.

She locked the door and dropped her stuff on the floor before kneeling over the toilet and losing what little breakfast she had this morning. He had shaken her up, scared her so bad she was sick. When she was finally done, she stumbled over to the sink, rinsed her mouth and took deep breaths to calm her trembling body. Her hands were shaking and she wondered when that had started to happen.

She rolled up her sleeves to inspect her throbbing wrists. Bruises were already forming on the right from where he had held her too tightly. She cursed under her breath, knowing she'd have to work through the pain until she could go home and ice it. It wasn't something new. She often had to work through injuries and pretend everything was ok. She pulled her sleeves down, trying not to cry. She looked in the mirror, and forced herself to swallow her fear, her pain, her tears until she became the cold stony faced wife of the mayor everyone saw her as. All that was left was the anger she held in its place.

She walked into class in an incredibly foul mood. Her students were quiet, already picking up on the tense atmosphere. They were used to her rapid mood swings everyday. She was a great teacher, but had trouble separating her feelings from work. Some students often became suspicious of what the cause of her moods were, especially if she'd come in with bruises on her face. Of course it was just rumors of Mayor Blanchard beating Professor Mills, and nobody believed them. No one dared to accuse their mayor of something so heinous.

Her heels clacked on the hardwood floor as she walked to the front of the room. She deposited her things on her desk and faced them. She wasn't an easy A, nor was she one to coddle her students. Tough but fair was how the other professors described her. The students had a more colorful vocabulary when describing her as a teacher. Only political science majors dared to take her courses.

"Summarize the key points in your reading from chapter 5," she asked, looking around and growing irritated when the class remained silent. Not a single hand went up and some were even avoiding eye contact. Her eyes landed on the young man in the back of the room who was looking at his phone. "Mr. Davis?"

He dropped his phone on his desk and stammered, looking through the pages of his barely used textbook. She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"Did anyone do the reading last night?"

Still no one answered, and instead they started flipping through their books and notes, murmuring amongst themselves.

"How do you expect to go into your midterms without having done any of the reading assignments? Do you expect to wait till the night before, wing it, and hope for the best?" she asked in frustration. "Are you still in high school? Do you want me to teach a high school class? In fact, open all your books to chapter 5 and read silently to yourself. You have 30 minutes and after that you're getting a pop quiz."

They all groaned and Regina shook her head in disbelief.

"Start now!" she snapped and when every student was silently reading, she slipped outside for a breather and a cup of coffee. Plus her right wrist was absolutely killing her. The pain was fueling her anger.

As she made her way to the lounge, she mentally planned to apologize after their quiz along with a mini lecture on how important it was to read and come prepared for her class. She wanted to see every student pass but at the rate some of them were going, it didn't seem possible especially with midterms vastly approaching.

She knew she was being tough with her students. She knew she was letting her mood get the best of her. The stress of Henry's behavior and Leopold's abuse was making it hard for her to separate home from work. She needed to calm herself before going back into that classroom, so she headed for the teachers lounge, relieved to see no one was inside.

She quickly checked her right wrist once more, seeing the bruising was getting just a bit worse. She pulled her sleeve back down a little too roughly, her anger for husband once more seeping through her tough exterior. She was a bit rough with the coffee pot but managed to pour herself a cup without spilling anything.

After a moment of taking deep breaths and slowly sipping at her coffee, she could feel the anger fading and leaving guilt in its place. Yes, her students could strive to be better, but as their professor she shouldn't have snapped at them. So refilled her coffee, squared herself up and walked back to class with an apology in mind.

It was no wonder they called her The Evil Queen.