Disclaimer: I don't own OUAT, etc...

AN: So, I thought I'd try a Snow Queen story after this popped into my head. Enjoy.

Regina remembered. She remembered wanting to be free, no longer having to worry about her mother and living a different kind of life. A better one. Even though Daniel had been dead for years, her wish hadn't changed.

Every time Snow wrapped small arms around her, every time she called her mother, Regina felt another link in the chain that tied her to the castle. She couldn't help but love and forgive the little princess. Everyone did. Thankfully Leopold was just happy giving Snow what she wanted, he didn't need a wife and by keeping occupied with her new daughter Regina managed to stay out of his way for the few times he graced the castle with his presence. She suspected there was another woman, possibly more than one, in one of the villages. His lack of occupation in the castle was never commented upon and gradually she understood that perhaps this was why Snow was so desperate to have someone else in her life. According to Johanna, Eva had doted on her daughter and without the constant attention the princess would seek out some way to find it again.

With only her own parents as a guide, Regina struggled to understand how to act and react around Snow. She wanted to be a good mother, to make her into the good and kind person she suspected lurked beneath – at times – selfish words or actions. It wasn't easy. Most of the punishments were left to discussions between herself and Johanna. Providing a united front they were able to explain to the princess her errors and try to smooth over any upset involving other people.

As the princess grew, Regina was called in to discuss her progress with Leopold. Soon she suspected that he was planning to marry Snow to one of a dozen suitable princes. She knew that the princess would not be pleased to find this out, and so she hinted that Snow wasn't ready yet. The King seemed pleased, any excuse to keep his daughter around for another year.

Then, one day, he returned to the palace with a strange man. He introduced him as a former genie and made him an advisor, giving him free roam of the kingdom. Regina realised this genie was attracted to her. As any rumours would make the king look weak, she set out to avoid him where possible. She was surprised when Johanna told her the king suspected she was falling in love with another man and quickly denied it. Johanna believed her, but warned that Leopold could be very jealous. The only other person she could consult for advice was her father, so Regina waited for his weekly visit to the palace and took him for a walk alone into the gardens. Henry listened patiently and promised her that he would talk to the genie, to warn him to stay away.

Unfortunately, the genie spoke of his belief that Regina was unhappy in her life, something that had also worried her father. He persuaded Henry that what Regina really wanted was to be free, to leave but that she was afraid the king would never allow it. Together they hatched a plan to kill the king.

It worked.

As soon as the deed was complete, the genie went to inform Regina that she was free. He didn't realise that Snow would hear him. Luckily for Regina, she was shocked by what he had done in her name and told him that she would have liked to have him as a friend but had never wanted Leopold dead. She hated the idea of murdering an innocent man.

Assured of her stepmother's innocence, Snow ran for the guards, calling them to arrest the former genie. As the sound of the armoured footsteps grew closer, the genie made his final wish. He wanted to watch over Regina and protect her forever, without the guards being able to catch him. The twisted nature of magic sent him into her mirrors. Trapped.

One year. Regina waited, wearing the proper mourning black of a widowed Queen. The morning the year was over, she prepared her intent to step down as Queen and pass the throne to Snow. As she sorted through her belongings and began packing to leave, there was a knock on her door.

"Enter."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Snow stormed into the room.

"We discussed you taking the crown."

"No, this – you're leaving. I don't understand."

Regina sighed, removing Snow's hand from her favourite gown and taking it from the hanger. "I have no reason to stay."

"You're the Queen."

"You're a grown woman now. I'm no longer needed."

"Liar!"

Regina raised an eyebrow, but Snow didn't back down so she continued: "You are welcome to come and visit me, but as Queen you'll be very busy. The kingdom will expect you to marry and provide an heir, or heirs. I suggest looking through the notes your father was making and choosing someone who will help strengthen the kingdom and not annoy you too much."

"I don't want to marry any of those idiots!"

"You're raising your voice. Try not to do that. I taught you more diplomatic ways to get your point across."

"Would you listen to any of them?"

Regina smiled. "No."

Snow sank down onto the bed, her eyes searching Regina's for some sign that she regretted leaving. "Don't you care about me?"

"Of course I do."

"As Queen, I could order you to stay."

"Not until the crown is upon your head, and even then it couldn't make me return."

"So you don't care."

"Snow, I love you. I've spent the last decade helping you to become the person you are today. After everything, I would hope you could see that."

"Then why are you going?" Snow crossed her arms, pouting.

"I have to."

Regina turned away and continued packing. In a fit of temper, Snow grabbed the nearest pile of clothes and tossed them off the bed. Fabric flying everywhere, Regina shook her head and watched as Snow picked up more and more of her things throwing them around. It had taken hours to collect them together. Snow undid her work in minutes.

Not getting a reaction from her stepmother, Snow stormed back out of the room, calling for Johanna. Regina knelt down and began to reclaim her belongings.