Not much chatter about this story yet, makes me nervous lol! The chapters are short though, I know. It does make them fast to edit though, so I'm getting through them fairly quick. Part One is all filling in the past to get back to that first scene. Not something I've tried before (as far as I can remember) so I hope it's coming across ok.

Chapter Four: Roles

One year later.

Boston MA

A pale finger pushed thick-rimmed spectacles back up the bridge of a sparsely-freckled nose. The prescription was old now and she'd begun just lately to realise that her vision was getting fuzzy again, but Emma knew she didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting new ones.

The life of a street kid was different now that she was older. In some ways it was much harder to get by; she drew more attention from both vigilant shop keepers and the sleezy scum of the streets. But being older had its advantages too; she had a special power over men (and some women) if she didn't push it too far; she had an uncanny ability to know when people were lying; and when situations did begin to turn to chaos, she was better equipped to defend herself and/or escape. She'd also become better at spotting those valuable few homeless who retained skills from their former lives, and who were willing to share that knowledge for the price of a shared meal or two.

As Emma used one of her new skills to jimmy the lock on the door of a yellow Volkswagen Beetle, she watched the ends of the alley for anyone who might catch her in the act of stealing.

Phoenix AZ

Regina tried not to tug at the clinging fabric of her dress as she sipped her wine and feigned interest in the vapid people around her. A year had passed since her father's death and, other than when she spent time with Daniel, she'd developed a way of looking serious and engaged while screaming on the inside.

Her mother was still bitter about the restrictions that Henry Mills had secretly placed on her finances but she hadn't completely surrendered her position. True to her nature, she schemed and manipulated when she wanted something that might raise her status. Along with her slimy, new advisor/lawyer, Mr Gold, she seemed determined to suck the life and soul out of her daughter.

That was why Regina found herself remembering her father on the first anniversary of his passing with a room full of strangers. Rather than holding the small, intimate memorial she wanted, with the few people who'd been close to him, she'd been twisted into organising this large, impersonal fund-raiser. Ostensibly an event to help those suffering from heart disease – as two doctors and Cora had insisted must be the cause of her husband's death – Regina suspected that the money was heading for the pockets of those doctor friends of her mother's.

Again, foul play was something that she couldn't prove, but she'd gathered enough secrets over the last twelve months to give her hope that she might one day have the power to sink this corrupt ship.

The pompous peacock currently demanding her attention was oil tycoon, Leo White. Also widowed, he had a reputation for being very handsy with his female staff and for paying off politicians. He also happened to be a close, new 'friend' of her mother's and she couldn't help wondering if there were plans in the works to unify their families – and their money – through marriage. She could already hear her mother insisting on her calling him by some insipid patriarchal appellation.

"Mr White…" Regina began, jumping into his monologue when he drew breath between tales of working lunches with presidents.

"Please, Regina," he stopped her, his expression one of fatherly indulgence as he leant closer and placed a hand on her elbow. "Call me Leo."

Gritting her teeth, Regina moved to place her wine glass on a nearby table, effectively shrugging him off without appearing to do so. "Mr White," she began again. "My mother and I are grateful that you could attend this evening's event to support such an important cause, but I should really stop neglecting our other guests." She inched sideways to indicate her intention to leave but found herself blocked in by another figure. Finding cold, calculating eyes looking back at her, she smiled a politician's smile. "Mother. We were just talking about you and how much we appreciate the support of our donors tonight. Perhaps you would like to keep Mr White company while I check on our other guests?" If she'd hoped for backup, she was sorely disappointed.

"Nonsense," Cora replied with a dismissive wave. "They're all having a wonderful time without your help."

"I wonder that I'm needed at all then," the young woman shot back with a toothy smile.

"Don't be so ridiculous, Regina," her mother said with a girly laugh that didn't suit her at all and made her seem more menacing than ever. "This is your night to shine." Mrs Mills gripped her daughter's elbow, tighter than Leo White had done seconds before, and forced her to remain within their intimate circle. "Leo expressly wished to meet you tonight to discuss a proposal. It's in your best interest that you give it your full attention."

Regina felt a headache coming on and forced her breathing to even out. "Mr White, if you have business to discuss with me, then I would prefer you made an appointment." She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up and wondered at the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. She'd dealt with shady businessmen before and handled it, so why did this feel so different?

"This is a personal matter," Leo clarified, his oily smile never wavering. "Your father was a shrewd businessman and your mother tells me that you have made equally astute choices since taking over his estate. I believe we could all benefit greatly by combining our fortunes."

"My mother is free to marry whom she choices," Regina responded, thinking that she knew where this was going and seeing no reason to beat about the bush any longer.

"Tsk," Cora scoffed. "I'm flattered that you think I still have that life ahead of me, but have some compassion, daughter. I only lost your father a year ago."

Regina frowned, confused. However, at the matching expressions of anticipation staring back at her, she soon came to a horrifying conclusion. "You're joking," she blurted. She watched the hungry look on her mother's face turn sour but was drawn by the short, low chuckle in front of them.

Leo's gaze wandered more critically over Regina's form. "You were right, Cora. She's a firecracker."

"I believe I said 'insubordinate'," Mrs Mills muttered.

Regina's mouth opened and closed as she stared at her mother in disbelief. She had always known that the woman valued her own ambitions above the lives of others, her father's fate had proved that much, but she had never thought that Cora would stoop to such levels. Without another word, Regina turned and walked as quickly as her outfit would allow through the mass of revelling bodies, suddenly feeling like she was surrounded by enemies. When she finally found her bedroom, she shut and locked the door firmly behind her.

For several minutes, she paced with panicked steps back and forth between her walk-in closet and the window on the far side of the room. Once the shock had worn off, she began to slow. I will refuse, she heard her inner voice at last. It's not as if she can make me marry him. "Can she?" She thought of all the things her mother might say or do and scoffed at what she thought was a ridiculous concern. "No, she can't."

Still, her nerves kept her restless and before the end of an hour, she decided that she'd had enough and swapped her cocktail dress for a pair of jeans, polo-neck and her riding boots. Sneaking out wasn't easy, but she managed to mingle with a group of waiters into the kitchen and slipped out the back door. Knowing that the vast driveway would be a mess of vehicles, she'd already called ahead for a cab and found it waiting for her by the sidewalk.

By the time she arrived at her boyfriend's apartment, she was fuming. She rapped on the door in a flurry and stepped inside the second it opened. "I can't believe her. She's insane!" she ranted as she resumed her pacing.

Daniel raised an eyebrow at his girlfriend's demeanour and closed the door softly behind her. "Your mother?" he assumed instantly.

"Who else?" She flung her hands in the air and growled. "She's trying to ruin my life. I'm convinced she killed Daddy – or was responsible for it somehow – and now she's out to get me."

With his usual patient, gentle approach, Daniel manged to bring the young heiress to a halt in the middle of the room and reached to hold her hands between his. "Regina, tell me what happened and maybe I can help."

With his soothing presence beside her, Regina's mind slowed and focussed. She thought about the events of the evening and immediately saw a solution to the upcoming battle with her mother. "Marry me," she said abruptly.

Blue eyes widened comically. "What?"

A tiny, amused smile grew from the corners of painted lips. "Marry me," she repeated without explanation. It felt so right to say those words that she almost felt grateful to her mother for forcing her into this situation. "I love you, Daniel. I don't care that you don't come from money. I don't care that you might only ever want to spend your life rescuing horses. I love your compassion, your patience, your willingness to always help others first." She pulled him close and kissed him longingly. They swayed together for a moment, their eyes closed until she whispered again, "Marry me."

Overwhelmed by the question and his girlfriend's praise, Daniel pulled her closer and drew in the scent of her hair. "Of course, I'll marry you. I love you so much, Regina." He felt the fight drain out of her and wondered again at the events which had driven her to his home that night. "Are you going to tell me what happened now?"

For the rest of the night, they alternated between discussing Cora Mills' insane collusions and their plans for their wedding. Still fearful that her mother would find a way to intervene, Regina insisted that they tie the knot in the speediest way possible and worry about the accompanying celebrations later. Though Daniel lamented the need to rush through what should have been one of the most significant events of their lives, he agreed. In both their minds, the wedding wasn't nearly as important as the marriage.

They tumbled into bed together, full of hope, and Regina returned home the following morning feeling content with their plans.

Walking back along the long driveway, she felt a combination of relief and trepidation as she noted the absence of dozens of fancy cars. All of her guests had left without her there to play the composed and powerful hostess, and she knew that her mother would have taken advantage of that absence somehow. Back through the kitchen entrance, she nodded and offered a small smile to the house-keeper there and tiptoed lightly back through the long corridors to her bedroom. Inside, she shut the door and closed her eyes with relief, thinking that she'd bypassed her mother for now.

That was, until she heard a noise behind her and turned to find Cora Mills standing beside her window, holding a framed photo in her hand. "Mother," Regina greeted cautiously.

"How like your father you are, Regina," Cora began coldly.

"You say that as if it's an insult," the young brunette retorted, feeling all of the previous evening's anger returning.

"It is." Mrs Mills replied. "While he may have had some luck with his business, he was a bleeding-heart who threw far too much away on hopeless endeavours."

"Hopeless endeavours?" Regina repeated in an incredulous tone. "His projects actually helped people who needed it. Not like your networking soiree last night. He didn't take people's money under the guise of charity."

"You don't believe in helping ill people?" Cora asked with a sickly-sweet voice. "Shame on you, Regina."

"Shame on you, Mother. As if any of the money raised last night is going to find its way to those who truly need it. We both know that it's going to pay off your doctor friends. God, forbid you don't have a credible alibi next time you need someone out of your way!" Regina knew by the narrowing of her mother's gaze that she'd said too much. Her anger was boiling over, revealing the knowledge she'd kept hidden for the upcoming war with her devious parent.

Cora's expression turned rapidly from irritated to smug. "My, my, so you have some sense about you after all. It's a shame that you're such a slave to your emotions. They make you weak, Regina. If you think you can best me, you'll be sorely disappointed. I have eyes and ears everywhere." She placed the picture of her late husband face down on the window sill and stalked closer to her daughter. "I have fingers in pies that you wouldn't even know to look for. You think that running off to your lover last night will save you from what I have planned?" She grabbed Regina's face in one hand and laughed as the girl pulled away. "A union with Leo White will increase our wealth and power three-fold. Once you give him a child, we will be locked in and so many new doors will open to us."

Regina felt bile rise in the back of her throat. "He's nearly as old as Daddy," she spat with disgust.

"Don't be naïve, Regina. Men his age are still virile. I hear he has more than one bastard child out in the world – the youngest not more than a year or two old. His late wife only managed to give him one daughter, and she's not been seen for many years. Will you let his fortune be divided amongst the masses?"

"That sounds perfect, actually," Regina retorted with a bark of laughter.

"Well, I won't let that happen," Cora insisted.

"You can't make me marry him," the young brunette responded, while hoping that her growing fear did not show. She almost added that she was already engaged to someone else but bit back the words; she'd already spilled more than she should have.

"Can't I?" Cora grinned. "You think because you're my daughter that I will go easy on you?" Her voice softened abruptly. "Well, perhaps I will. But wouldn't it be a shame if Mr Colter suddenly found himself out of work and unable to pay his way? What would he think of you then? What might he do if someone tempted him into a life of crime? It would be a shame for such a promising young man to have to spend the best years of his life behind bars. And prison is such a dangerous place. Who knows if he would survive to live out his full sentence?" She watched with a sense of satisfaction as her daughter's expression froze and a look of helplessness grew in her eyes. "Think about it carefully, Regina. I wouldn't want you to make the wrong decision."

Boston MA

The heavy weight of an arm around her shoulders brought Emma an uneasy comfort that she hadn't felt before. She could still recall the purr of the Beetle's engine as she got it to start, and then the shock of finding someone already in the back seat.

She and Neal had been inseparable since that day, almost six months ago. He'd become an accomplice and a teacher on the path she'd chosen for herself, and she'd fallen into the image of their Bonnie and Clyde partnership, playing the part of the girlfriend until she grew used to the feel of his body close to hers.

It was far from a tale of romance and true love, but he protected her and he didn't hurt her, and she knew that it might be the best she could hope for. If she lay awake at night, wondering why she wanted to squirm out from beneath his naked body, it seemed a small price to pay for a warm place to sleep and a belly full of food.

And when images of her saviour sometimes invaded her dreams, she shook them off in the morning and scolded herself for entertaining a fantasy. This was her life now. No one was going to swoop in to save her.

Near Phoenix AZ

As the city lights grew distant in the rear-view mirror, Regina felt her racing heart begin to beat a little slower. She still wore the makeup and lingerie that her mother had insisted on for her wedding and she itched to rip it all off, but that would have to wait for now. The alarm had been raised by now to alert Cora Mills to her flight and after months of careful planning with Daniel, she wasn't about to let the woman catch her.

A new life lay ahead for them. One she felt entirely unprepared for, but for which she whole-heartedly yearned. A simple, humble life – with a husband and a home, and in time, perhaps children. Most importantly, a life full of love and not one consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power.

But only if they could get far enough away from the monsters left in their wake.