Author's Notes: A special thank you goes out to BizarreBard. She has been helping me by Betaing this story and giving suggestions on where to take things. I'm very appreciative of her help.

Chapter 20: Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Pt. 2

Buffy, Emma and Sidney drive along an empty road in Emma's squad car. They see Regina's car up ahead, which turns onto a road leading into the forest. When they get closer, Emma attempts to brake, but the car doesn't stop.

"Emma?" Sidney asks.

"It won't stop!" Emma says as she continues to try the brake with no success. The car crashes into a sign along the side of the road. "You okay?"

"Yeah, you?" Sidney says.

"Yeah." Emma says. "Buffy?"

Buffy is unconscious and has a gash on her head.

"We need to figure out what's going on so we can get an ambulance for Buffy." Emma says as she and Sidney get out. Emma goes around to the front of the car, while Sidney checks under it. "We're going to miss that handoff."

"Emma." Sidney says.

"What?" Emma asks.

"You know that bug you planted? I think Regina found it. Someone's been tampering with the brakes. She's on to us." Sidney says.

Emma takes off into the forest and Sidney chases after her.

"Wait!" Sidney says. "What about Buffy?"

"The bitch tried to have me killed. I'm finding her." Emma says. "Stay with Buffy. Call an ambulance and stay with her till they arrive."

Sidney nods, "Be cautious, okay. And you need to think clearly." He turns and heads back towards the car pulling out a cell phone.

"To hell with caution. I'm going to find out what she's doing and why she's out here." Emma says.

Mr. Gold appears in front of them. "She was meeting me."

"What are you doing out here with her?" Emma asks.

"Just a little business transaction." Mr. Gold says.

"What's in the briefcase?" Emma asks.

"Everything comes at a price. Land is no different." Mr. Gold says.

"That's why you're meeting her out here? Regina bought your land?" Emma asks.

Mr. Gold nods, "The very ground you're standing on."

"What does she want it for?" Emma asks.

"You know, in business, I find it's best not to ask too many questions. Hurts the bottom line. The question is, Emma – why are you standing out here in the middle of the night with Mr. Glass?" Mr. Gold says.

"You don't know what Regina did to me. You don't know what she did to her son. We can't just sit idly by." Sidney says returning. "I can't get a signal to call an ambulance."

"Of course you can. Be careful – emotional entanglements can lead us down very dangerous paths." Mr. Gold says. "You both look fine. Why do you need an ambulance?"

"Buffy was hurt." Emma said. "Someone cut my brake line and we were in an accident. Buffy's been injured."

Later Emma and Sidney pull up outside of the Town Hall. They both get out and walk towards the entrance. Dawn came running up to them.

"What are we doing here?" Sidney asks.

"We know she bought land from Gold – we don't know why. I'm willing to bet it's for personal reasons, but we have to know for sure. We need documents that officially link her to that land." Emma says.

"Emma? What happened to Buffy? They said she might have a concussion." Dawn said.

"So, you want to break into her office? It's locked. And she's got a state of the art security system and alarm." Sidney said.

Emma looked to Dawn, "Someone cut my brake line. I just got it fixed and back to town. We were in an accident. Buffy was hurt." She looks to Sidney. "If we don't show this town who Regina really is, who will?"

"Do you think you can crack her code?" Sidney asks.

Emma nods, "Yep." She smashes the window of the front door with a rock, setting the alarm off. She reaches her hand in and unlocks the door.

"Emma!" Sidney and Dawn say.

"Who does the alarm system alert? The police. I'm the police. Two minutes for her to get a call from the alarm company, one minute to get her coat and keys, three minutes to drive here. We got maybe six minutes." Emma says.

They enter the Mayor's office. Dawn lets out a sigh and goes to the computer and hacks into it. "What am I looking for?"

"A land deal." Emma says.

Dawn nods and a moment later, "I have every file that references the tract of land she bought from Gold."

"Nice." Emma says. "Print them."

Dawn prints off the records, as Emma starts to go through the drawers of Regina's desk. She uncovers a key ring with several 'skeleton' keys attached.

"What the hell do these open?" Emma asks.

"I don't know. What are you doing?" Sidney says.

"Looking for Henry's book." Emma said.

"We didn't come here for Henry. We came here for the files and-" Sidney said.

Dawn shook her head, "No, you didn't come here for Henry. Emma? That's the only reason she's here. Right?"

Emma nods as the lights in the office switch on and Regina enters.

"What are you doing?" Regina asks.

"Some kids broke in. I heard the alarm, so I'm checking it out cause…I'm Sheriff." Emma says.

"Well, that was an awfully quick response time." Regina says.

"You told me to do my job, and I'm doing it." Emma says.

"And you brought them." Regina says.

"Oh, well, Sidney saw it while he was on a walk. So he's a witness. Dawn is acting Deputy while her sister is in the hospital." Emma said.

"Hospital?" Regina said as she looked at Dawn. Dawn for a split second saw the look of recognition in Regina's eyes before it vanished again. "Hm. And what did you see, Sidney?"

"Some kids with a…" Sidney said.

"Rock." Dawn said.

Sidney nods, "A rock."

"Did they take anything?" Regina asks.

Emma shrugs, "I don't know. I'd have to do a thorough sweep to, uh, find out."

" It appears to me it's all just a prank." Regina says.

"You sure you don't want me to take the place apart?" Emma asks.

Regina shakes her head, "Sheriff, your services are neither wanted nor needed."

"Okay. Well, you know where to find me." Emma says.

Later at Sidney's office, Dawn, Sidney and Emma are sorting through the papers they got from Regina's office.

"Blueprints, bank statements…" Sidney says.

"What is she building out there? A mansion?" Emma asks.

"Well, whatever it is, it doesn't matter, because these escrow statements have her name all over it. You were right – personal use. She's done – we got her. What's wrong? Didn't you hear me?" Sidney said.

"We stooped to her level. That's exactly what I promised Henry I wouldn't do." Emma says.

"Emma, we got her!" Sidney says.

Emma sighs, "It's fruits of the poisonous tree – illegally obtained evidence. It'll get thrown out in court in a heartbeat."

"No. We don't need her to go to jail." Sidney says.

"Yes we do. She had to have been the one to cut Emma's brake line and land Buffy in the hospital." Dawn said.

Emma sighs, "Dawn it's alright." She looks to Sidney. "Then, what are we doing here?"

"What you wished for – get everyone to see who she is. What she did to Henry, she does to everyone. She destroys what people love. Let me show you something." Sidney said as he pulls out a box of files and photos and puts it on the desk. Emma looks through them. All of the pictures are of her and Henry at various places around town. There are even a few of Buffy, Dawn and Faith.

"She made me follow you, and Dawn here, her sister and Ms. Lehane. She made me tell her everything. She knew about your secret place weeks ago. She just waited to destroy it until it would hurt you and Henry the most. It's all my fault. If you don't do this – I have to." Sidney said.

Emma sighs, "Okay."

Later Regina sits in front of the city council. The regular citizens of Storybrooke sit in the audience behind them. Regina bangs a gavel to start the meeting.

"This session of the Storybrooke city council will come to order. We will begin by reading the minutes from our last meeting." Regina says.

Sidney stands up from the audience. "Uh, excuse me, um, Madam Mayor. I have something I'd like to bring to the council's attention."

"This is not an open forum, Sidney. And no one on this council's interested in hearing the boozy complaints of a disgraced reporter. Now sit down." Regina said.

Dawn and Emma stands up, as well, Dawn's holding a binder.

"He's not the only one who has something to say." Emma says.

"Miss Swan, Miss Summers, this meeting is to discuss issues facing Storybrooke." Regina said. Her eyes flicker over Dawn as recognition is clearly shown in them for only the briefest of moments.

"Like the Mayor stealing thousands of dollars from the city to build herself a second home?" Dawn asks.

Gasps come from the audience.

Regina bangs the gavel to silence them. "Miss Swan, Miss Summers, you both will sit down immediately or so help me-"

"What? You'll punish us? You'll bully us like everyone else in this town? No. Not today. In Dawn's hand, she is holding documents proving that this woman, your mayor, stole funds from the city to build herself a lavish home in the woods. And this disgraced reporter – you want to know why he was really fired? Because he stood up to her. Because he questioned her. We all know what happens to people who question the Mayor. You claim that you act in the best interest of all of us, but that isn't the truth, is it? The truth is, you are a thug that doesn't care about anyone, or anything, but yourself. That is who you really are. And it is time for the people of Storybrooke to know that."

"You are right, Miss Swan. I am building a house – a playhouse." Regina said as she pulls up the image of a playground on the screen behind her. "The accusations are true – I did take city funds. I wanted to build a playground so my son, Henry, and all the children of Storybrooke, could have a special place to play. Safely. As for the sketch in your hands, it was inspired by a drawing I found in one of my son's books. So, there you have it, Miss Swan. Miss Summers. You've exposed me for who I really am. I hope you're satisfied."

The council meeting is over. Outside the Town Hall, Regina speaks to a group of people, while Emma, Dawn and Sidney head for the car. They run into Mr. Gold.

"Look at her – queen of the castle. You know, what you did in there was commendable, Miss Swan. Miss Summers. But if you really want to bring her down, you're going to need a strong ally." Mr. Gold said.

"Like yourself? Thanks, but I'm still not interested." Emma said.

"Oh, one can wish." Mr. Gold says as he leaves and Regina approaches them.

"Miss Swan. Miss Summers A word? Alone." Regina says.

Sidney leaves, leaving Emma and Dawn alone with Regina.

"I don't know what you two were hoping to accomplish in there. But now, Miss Swan hope you'll go back to your job. Which is upholding the law – not breaking it. You don't think I know you broke into my office?" Regina says.

"Don't pretend like you're so innocent. I know you messed with the brakes on my car. You are the reason Buffy lies in the hospital from a concussion." Emma says.

"Your brakes? Are you delusional? Why would I kill you when you just saw I had nothing to hide? Or harm your deputy?" Regina says.

"Nothing I can prove." Emma says.

"Well, until you have something more substantial than disdain to throw my way, you're going to stay away from me. And, more importantly, from Henry." Regina says.

"But that's-" Emma says.

"Not open for discussion. You've lost the high ground, Sheriff. If I wanted to, there's not a judge in the world that would deny me a restraining order after what you've done. You don't get to see my son unless I say so. And right now? I don't say so." Regina says. "Ms. Summers you have my deepest regrets for what happened to your sister. Tell her she can take a few days to recuperate before she returns to work."

Later at the hospital Dawn walks in to the hospital room to find Faith sitting with Buffy, the two of them talking.

"Hey." Dawn said.

"Hey little D." Faith said.

Buffy smiles, "Dawnie. Faith and I were just trying to convince each other were right about the whole curse and being sisters. While I know I'm right. Faith has made a pretty good argument."

Faith shakes her head, "B, all we have is what you and little D feel. And then there are the supposed memories of Snow White. We have no tangible proof that there is a curse so far."

Buffy sighs, "I know, Faith. I know it's a lot to take on just mine or even Dawn's word."

"So when are they letting you out?" Dawn asks.

"Tomorrow." Buffy says. "Think you can take care of Faith here for one night?"

Faith rolls her eyes.

Dawn smiles, "Sure."

Later that evening Dawn knocks on the door to Regina's mansion as Regina opens the door. "Ms. Summers?" Regina asks.

"Who are you?" Dawn asks.

"What do you mean?" Regina asks. "I'm your neighbor and the Mayor of Storybrooke."

"I know that," Dawn said. "Every time we looked in each other's eyes I see something. Something like recognition. You know who I am don't you?"

Regina sighs and nods, "Yes."

"Who are you?" Dawn asks.

"Your mother," Regina says.