Author's note: The song being played in this chapter is Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want by The Smiths.

CHAPTER 18

"Now… Go get her."

Shae nodded her head at the fairy Tinkerbell, and turned away from her, peering out carefully from around the trunk of the tree she was hiding behind. She saw a flash of bright green light from the corner of her eye, and heard the sound of tiny wings fluttering away as Tinkerbell took flight, leaving Shae alone to pursue her true love.

She stood rooted in her spot for a time, watching Regina as she conversed with the strange looking man standing in the clearing with her. It appeared that this man was trying to teach her how to use magic, specifically, how to conjure a fireball. Regina seemed to be having quite a bit of trouble with the simple spell, and Shae smiled amusedly as she scrunched up her face, staring intently at her outstretched hand.

"Well, this simply won't do." The man snapped at her, waving his hand impatiently. "You need to practice more, dearie. If you cannot conjure a simple fireball, then I'm afraid these lessons will become utterly pointless."

"Wait!" Regina cried.

In the time it took Shae to merely blink, the strange man in the clearing with Regina was suddenly gone. She heard Regina emit a frustrated groan, and watched as she slowly sunk down onto a fallen log. She then held out her hand again, and continued to stare intently at it, her lips pursed into a firm, determined line.

Shae remained where she stood, gazing out at the woman that she had met when she first entered the world of The Enchanted Forest, the woman who was her one true love. She tried to calm her spinning mind, tried to come up with something, anything, to say to Regina. As she stood silently thinking, watching, her mind suddenly began to wander. She remembered the last time she had been in love, truly, deeply, madly in love. She remembered staring into Nadia's blood red eyes, the same shade as her own, yet, somehow, so much more beautiful. She remembered the horrible, terrible pain she felt as she watched the light of life fading from those very eyes, and, suddenly, she was running.

Shae ran as fast as her legs could carry her from the woman that was her true love, her head spinning, her heart aching as she remembered the pain of losing Nadia. In that moment, she knew that it was best for both Regina and herself to get as far away as she could. She couldn't bare that pain again, couldn't even chance it. She had to leave Regina behind, true love be damned.

"NO!"

Shae stopped in her tracks at the sudden scream. She stood rigidly still, brow furrowed as she listened hard. The forest around her was silent, the soft chirping of the birds in the treetops the only sound to be heard. Suddenly, Shae realized that the scream had come from her own lips. She blinked several times, confused by the sudden confliction in her heart. A moment ago, she was certain that leaving was the right thing to do. Now, all of a sudden, she wasn't so sure.

The vampire stood alone amongst the trees, and found herself thinking about how, only moments ago, her heart had fluttered within her chest at the sight of Regina's smile. Her heart had done the same whenever Nadia had smiled at her. She remembered what it felt like to hold her in her arms, to kiss her, to love her, and be loved in return. Her time spent in Nadia's loving arms had been the happiest she had ever felt, and she found herself desperately longing for that happiness again.

"No more running." She whispered to herself, nodding with determined resolve. "I'm going to get my happy ending."

Shae spun back around, and ran as fast as she could back toward Regina, toward the happy ending that Tinkerbell had promised lie with her. Her heart soared as she ran, but she still wasn't quite sure what to say to her true love. Perhaps, she didn't need to say anything. If Regina really was her destiny, then she was certain, hopeful, that things would simply fall into place.

As Shae neared the clearing where she had left Regina, she slowed to a stop, her blood red eyes growing wide with horror as she happened upon a shocking scene. Regina was lying in a heap upon the ground, surrounded by over a dozen men. They were all dressed in weathered and torn leathers and furs, every single one of them armed with swords, daggers, clubs, and axes. Shae gritted her teeth. Bandits.

"Look at this leather." One of the men said as he crouched down beside Regina. "Expensive stuff. Must be some sort of noble."

"Good." Said another. "She'll fetch a high randsome. Once we're through having a bit of fun with her, that is."

"I don't think so."

The bandits all spun around, drawing their various weapons as Shae stepped through the trees. "Who the bloody hell are you?" One of them called out.

"Your worst fucking nightmare." Shae growled dangerously. "Leave now, and you leave with your lives. Understand?"

The bandits all gaped at the vampire in silence for a moment. Then, they all burst into raucous, mocking laughter. "Kill this bitch." One of them commanded to the others. "And make it quick. We've got some coin to collect."

Shae breathed out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Honestly, what is it with you men and never doing as you're told?"

A fearsome war cry echoed through the trees as the bandits charged at Shae. She didn't have time to remove her sword from within the magical satchel tied around her belt, so she used nothing but her own two hands to take down the unfortunate men. She made quick work of them, and, soon, they were lying dead at her feet, their heads twisted around grotesquely, fist sized holes punched straight through their chests.

Shae immediately rushed over to Regina, and knelt down beside her, gently and carefully lifting her into her arms. "Regina… Regina!" She called out, gently patting the young woman's cheeks. "Come on, now. Wake up!"

For a moment, Regina remained limp and unconscious in Shae's arms. Then, suddenly, she began to stir. She emitted a feeble groan, and, slowly, her eyes fluttered open. She blinked dazedly for a few moments, her eyes hazy and unfocused. When they did focus, they grew wide as she gazed up at her rescuer.

"Shae?" She whispered.

"Hello, Regina." Shae whispered back, smiling warmly down at her.

Regina breathed out an astonished laugh, still dazed and confused as she stared into Shae's blood red eyes. She then slowly, shakily, reached out, and placed her quivering hand on Shae's cheek. Shae's heart lurched as she felt her true love's warm and gentle touch. She smiled in wonder as she stared back into Regina's eyes, never before seeing such a deep and beautiful shade of brown. She shifted her gaze onto her full, red lips, and suddenly felt the most powerful urge to kiss her. Shae didn't bother to fight it, and she slowly leaned forward, her eyes fluttering closed as she felt Regina's warm, sweet breath upon her lips.

"What? No! Regina!" Shae exclaimed, drawing back as she felt Regina's body go limp in her arms, as she fell unconscious once again. "Dammit…"

"YOU THERE!"

Shae nearly leapt right out of her skin at the sudden shout. While she had been in her wonder filled stupor, staring into the eyes of her true love, she had failed to hear the footfalls of another group of armed men that were approaching her. These men were no bandits, as they were all dressed in chainmail armor, the same sigil embroidered on all their chests. They appeared to be soldiers of some kind, and they all drew their swords as they surrounded Shae.

"On your feet, scum!" One of the soldiers commanded, pointing his sword at the vampire. "Unhand The Queen, at once!"

"The Queen?" Shae muttered, staring wide eyed down at the still unconscious woman lying in her arms. She then glanced around at the dead bandits surrounding her, and gave the angry soldiers a nervous grin. "Right, yes, er… I understand what this looks like, gents. But, I assure you, this is all a grave misunderstanding."

"Shut your mouth, bandit!" The same soldier growled at her.

Regina tumbled from Shae's arms, and Shae grunted as one of the soldiers seized her by the back of her armor, shoving her face into the dirt. "Oi, watch it!" Shae protested loudly as the soldier pulled her arms roughly behind her back, placing iron shackles on her wrists. "I'm not a bloody bandit! I just saved your Queen's life!"

The soldiers all chuckled amusedly, and Shae glowered at them all as she was hoisted to her feet. "A likely story." Said the man behind her, then pointed a commanding finger at another. "You there, bring Her Majesty safely back to the castle. I'll take this one straight to the dungeons."

"The King will want her hung straight away, most like." Another soldier said with a dark chuckle.

"Dammit, will you idiots just listen to me?" Shae exclaimed irritably. "I'm not a damn bandit! I'm a friend of Regina's, and-"

Shae grunted painfully as the soldier behind her hit her in the back of the head with the butt of his sword. "Shut up!" He snarled, shoving the vampire forward.

Shae gritted her teeth, falling silent as the soldiers pushed her along. She knew she could very easily free herself, and tear them all limb from limb. However, she decided to comply, knowing full well that if this King decided to have her hung, then no harm would actually befall her. She glanced quickly over her shoulder, watching anxiously as one of the other soldiers lifted the still unconscious Regina into his arms. She silently hoped that Regina would wake soon, so she could finally speak with her true love.

XX

Regina sat next to her husband, King Leopold, in their castle courtyard, staring out at the gallows as she waited for the soldiers to bring forth the prisoner. She remembered little from her attack the previous day. Apparently, a group of bandits had happened upon her in the woods just outside the castle. What was strange, however, was that the King's men had found all but one of the bandits dead. The only survivors of the attack were Regina herself, and another woman.

Regina didn't remember seeing a woman amongst the bandits, but she did remember having a very strange dream while she had been unconscious, a dream about a woman, a woman that she had met only once before. She remembered staring into her blood red eyes, feeling the coldness of her skin as she placed her hand upon her cheek. She remembered her heart beginning to race as Shae, the woman from the enchanted mirror, leaned in close, as if to kiss her.

Suddenly, Regina was roused from her quiet musings as the door to the dungeons on the other side of the courtyard burst open. A group of soldiers marched out of the door, and between two of them, was the prisoner, the lone surviving bandit. Her hands were shackled together behind her back, her face hidden by the sack hood tied over her head. Regina balled her hands into fists, and her lips curled into a furious snarl as the soldiers stopped the prisoner just before the noose. Her snarl quickly faded, and her brow furrowed in confusion. The bandit woman's black leather armor seemed strangely familiar.

"Remove her hood." Leopold commanded to the soldiers, glaring furiously at the prisoner. "I wish to look upon the face of the one who dared attack my Queen."

The soldiers obeyed their King's command, and swiftly pulled the sack hood off of the prisoner's head. Regina drew in a startled gasp at the sight of her jet black hair, and blood red eyes.

"Shae?"

Shae blinked several times, squinting from the bright sunlight. Finally, she turned her gaze onto Regina. "Well, it's about damn time, isn't it?" She snapped irritably. "You should have that dungeon cleaned, by the way. It's filthy."

Suddenly, the shackles that were upon Shae's wrists were now in her hand. "Here you go." She said, tossing them lightly to the soldier next to her.

"Seize her!" Leopold shouted, rising to his feet.

The soldiers on either side of Shae drew their swords, and Regina gasped again as the vampire disappeared in a puff of blood red smoke. Regina leapt to her feet as well, and her husband drew his own sword as Shae reappeared right beside Regina.

"WAIT!" Regina shouted as Leopold raised his sword, and the soldiers charged toward her. "Stop! She's… She's a friend!"

Leopold slowly lowered his sword, staring at his wife with wide, baffled eyes. "You… Know this bandit?"

"As I tried to tell your men, I'm not a bandit." Shae replied, with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "In fact, I saved Regina from said bandits. They had knocked her unconscious and were about to have their way with her when I happened by."

The King's eyes grew even wider, and he slowly turned them onto his men. "Is this true?"

The soldiers all glanced round at each other, hesitating in uncertain silence. "I'm… Not sure, Your Majesty." One of them slowly replied. "We assumed she was merely spouting lies to save her own life."

"Well, you assumed wrong." Shae said scoldingly, folding her arms across her chest.

"Regina, you claim to know this woman." Leopold said to his wife. "Do you believe what she says?"

"I do." Regina replied with a swift nod. "Shae is… An old friend. She would never hurt me. Right?"

"Of course not." Shae agreed, quickly shaking her head.

King Leopold hesitated in silence for a moment, sword still in hand. He then breathed out a relenting sigh, and stored it back in it's scabbard. "Stand down, men." He commanded to the soldiers. "There will be no hanging today."

Regina let out the breath she had been holding, and turned around to face Shae as the soldiers lowered their weapons. Though it hadn't been so long since the last time Shae had seen Regina, she somehow seemed much more mature than the young woman she had met before. The last time they had met, Shae had noticed a certain sparkle in her deep brown eyes when she had spoken about Daniel, the man that she was going to run away with. That sparkle was now gone, replaced by darkness and pain, a pain that was very familiar to Shae. She saw it every time she looked in the mirror.

"It is… Good to see you again, Regina." Shae told her with a smile.

Regina smiled back, and Shae, once again, felt her heart flutter wildly inside her chest. "It's good to see you too, Shae."

Regina stepped up to Shae, and drew her into a tight and grateful embrace. Shae tried to stop her hands from trembling as she held her true love in her arms. Her heart lurched at the feeling of Regina's arms around her neck, her head swimming with the intoxicating scent of her perfume. When Regina pulled away, Shae once again had to fight off the powerful urge to kiss her as she smiled into her eyes.

"I am deeply sorry for all of this, friend." Leopold said to Shae, rousing her from her stupor. "It appears I owe you a great debt. If you hadn't been in the forest when you were, my wife would surely be in the clutches of those bandits."

"What exactly were you doing in the forest?" Asked Regina, raising an eyebrow curiously at Shae.

Shae's mouth hung open for a moment as her mind worked, thinking carefully about how to respond. "Er… Just… Wandering." She stammered quickly. "Hunting, actually. I-I was hunting."

"Well, I am certainly lucky that you were there." Regina replied with another smile. "Though I have to say, it is quite a strange twist of fate that you of all people were wandering the forest."

"How exactly is it that you two know each other?" Asked The King.

"Shae is… From another world." Regina slowly explained. "I met her the very night she came into ours, through an enchanted mirror."

"Another world?" Leopold asked, staring at Shae with wide, baffled eyes. "That is… Absolutely fascinating! Please, come inside, dine with us. You must tell me all about yourself, and this other world of yours."

Before Shae could say or do anything to protest, she was hastily ushered into the castle by King Leopold. She glanced over her shoulder at Regina, shrugging as she did. Regina gave her a silent smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. Shae only saw the same pain in those eyes as she had before.

While the castle servants prepared a meal for The King, The Queen, and their guest, Shae was introduced to Snow White, the young Princess, and King Leopold's daughter. She found The King to be a very kind and gentle man, his daughter even more so. However, Shae carefully watched Regina's face throughout dinner, and she seemed to be eyeing them both with nothing but disdain.

Both The King and The Princess were simply fascinated when Shae told them that she was a vampire. They bombarded her with questions as they ate, and Shae drank. Regina, however, sat in reserved silence, barely touching the food on her plate. Shae couldn't help but notice how thin and pale she had become. She had no idea what had happened to the bright and hopeful young woman that she had met before, but one thing was for sure; Regina was miserable.

"Can you turn into a bat?" Snow White asked of Shae as they finished their meal. "Why are vampires so afraid of garlic?"

Shae chuckled amusedly, slowly shaking her head. "No, Princess, I'm afraid not." She answered with a smile. "And we're not afraid of garlic, the smell of the stuff is just too strong for our sensitive noses. We simply tend to avoid it."

"Oh." Snow muttered with a disappointed frown. "What about magic? Father said he saw you, um… Teleport! What else can you do?"

Shae chuckled once again, and gave the young Princess a knowing wink. Her eyes then began to glow a bright, burning red, and she slowly and casually raised her hand into the air. Snow White gasped, watching in astonished wonder as the apples that had been sitting in a silver bowl upon the table rose magically into the air. She giggled excitedly as Shae swept her hand to the side, slowly twirling her finger, causing the apples to spin around the Princess's head. Shae then swept her hand back toward the table, and drew it down, settling the apples back into their bowl.

Princess Snow applauded excitedly, and Shae gave her a small bow from her seat. She grinned across the table at Regina as her eyes faded back their normal blood red, frowning slightly when The Queen avoided her gaze. Shae's brow furrowed in concern and confusion when she saw Regina's lips curl into a bitter snarl.

"Well, that was certainly a sight to see." Said The King, smiling fondly at his daughter. "But, I think Shae has had her fill of our questions for one night."

The King and The Princess both rose from their seats, and Snow gave Shae a quick curtsey. "The Queen and I would be honored to have you stay with us tonight." Leopold said to Shae with a small bow. "For as long as you'd like, in fact."

"The honor is all mine, Your Majesty." Shae replied with a nod.

King Leopold nodded back, and bent over, placing a light kiss on his wife's cheek. Shae clenched her jaw tight as a surge of vengeful jealousy coursed violently through her veins. She balled her hands into fists beneath the table, startled and confused by the sudden rush of emotion. As soon as The King and Princess were gone, Shae relaxed, and breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Regina!" She suddenly exclaimed, leaping to her feet as The Queen slowly rose from her chair. "I-I mean, Your Majesty. Please, allow me to escort you to your chambers."

Regina nodded, giving Shae a weak smile. "I'd like that." She replied quietly. "And, please, it's just, 'Regina.'"

Shae nodded back, gesturing for Regina to lead the way. She followed her out of the castle dining room, and trailed along beside her as they walked through the dark and empty halls. Shae was finally alone with the woman that was her true love, and she was at an utter loss for what exactly to say to her.

"You… You look… Wonderful." Shae stammered, trying her best to hide her lie with a smile.

"Thank you." Regina quietly replied.

Shae bit her lip, falling silent for another moment as she pondered the question that had been running through her mind all night. "Regina, I… I must ask…" She slowly began. "Last time we met, you were vehemently against marrying The King. What exactly happened to the man you were going to run away with? I believe his name was… Daniel?"

Regina suddenly stopped walking, turning her gaze down onto the marble floor. "He's gone." She whispered softly. "Daniel was killed."

"Killed?" Shae breathed in horrified shock. "By who?"

Regina clenched her fists, and Shae saw her lips curl into another fearsome snarl. "Snow White."

Shae's jaw dropped open in utter disbelief. "T-The Princess? She killed Daniel?"

Regina heaved a sad, heavy sigh, and slowly shook her head. "No, my mother killed Daniel." She answered, her tone soft, and heavy with sorrow. "But only after Snow told her all about our plan to run away together. I asked her to keep my secret, begged her. But the wretched girl betrayed me, and now… Now Daniel is gone."

"I am… So sorry, Regina." Shae whispered mournfully. "I too know of the pain that comes with losing someone you love. I wouldn't wish it even upon my worst enemy."

Regina nodded, giving Shae another weak smile. They continued walking in silence, and Shae's heart ached with sorrow and pity for Regina's loss. "Who was she?" Regina asked of her, after a time.

Shae sighed, running a hand through her messy black hair. "Nadia." She answered quietly. "Her name was Nadia. She was… My world, my everything. She was murdered by Van Helsing."

"I see." Regina replied, with another nod. "So that is why you swore revenge upon him."

"Yes." Said Shae, nodding as well. "Though I'm afraid I might not ever see it. He is much too powerful for me alone."

"How long has it been?" Asked Regina, keeping her face turned carefully away from Shae, so the vampire couldn't see the tears welling into her eyes. "Since Nadia was killed, I mean."

Shae furrowed her brow, thinking silently for a moment. "I'm not quite sure anymore." She muttered sadly. "A long, long time."

Regina stopped in front of a door along the long hallway they were walking down, finally turning her gaze onto Shae. "People say that time heals all wounds." She went on, staring up into Shae's blood red eyes. "Is that true?"

Shae breathed out another sad, heavy sigh, and slowly shook her head. "No." She whispered in reply. "Not wounds as deep and painful as ours, at least. I still think about her every day, it still pains me to even utter her name. I am… Truly sorry, Regina."

Regina nodded, her expression strained as she fought back her tears. She then reached out and took Shae by the hand. "Thank you." She said, smiling another, meek, sad smile. "For saving my life. I… I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

"There's no need." Shae replied, shaking her head again. "I am… Simply glad to know that you're safe."

Regina nodded some more, and held Shae's hand in both of her own. "Will you stay for a while?" She asked with a hopeful smile. "It would be nice to have a friend here in this castle."

"I'd be honored." Shae replied, smiling back at her.

Regina nodded again, and stood on her tiptoes, placing a gentle kiss on Shae's cheek. Shae's heart lurched as she felt her true love's lips upon her cheek. Her head swam, her vision blurring as Regina stepped back, the smile on her face finally reaching her deep, gorgeous brown eyes. Regina then retreated into her bedchamber, and Shae's vision suddenly cleared as the door clicked shut behind her. She remained where she stood for several long, silent moments, slowly rubbing the cheek that Regina had kissed. Tinkerbell had told her that Regina was her happy ending, but nothing about Regina's life, or Regina herself, was happy. Suddenly, Shae wasn't so sure she had done the right thing.

XX

Shae spent most of the next day wandering King Leopold's castle, regaling The King, The Queen, and The Princess with tales from her homeland. She was careful to leave out the dark and evil deeds she had done in her past, instead choosing to tell much more light hearted stories. The King and The Princess were absolutely enthralled, and prodded her with question after question. Regina, however, said very little, her face a blank and emotionless mask. This went completely unnoticed by her husband. Leopold seemed to have no idea just how miserable his wife was, and it made Shae furious.

That night, Regina had retired to her bedchamber fairly early, and Shae was left alone with King Leopold and Princess Snow. Though The King was nothing but kind to her, she had to fight to keep her expression calm as she wrestled with the rage boiling inside her. She longed to go to Regina, to tell her the real reason why she had been in the forest during the bandit attack. However, she knew that she shouldn't, that she just couldn't. Regina was a married woman, no matter if Shae was her true love or not.

Shae was sitting in an armchair by the fire within the room King Leopold had provided her with, staring idly into the flames. She was contemplating leaving the castle, but the misery she continued to see in her true love's eyes was giving her pause. If what Tinkerbell said was really true, then, possibly, Shae could save Regina from the torment that was her life.

"There you are!"

Shae whirled around in her chair, and saw the fairy Tinkerbell herself fluttering into the room through the open window. She shielded her eyes from the flash of bright green light as Tink changed into her human sized form.

"I was right, wasn't I?" Tink asked her excitedly. "Your true love really is a Queen!"

Shae breathed out a heavy sigh, staring back into the fire. "Yes, that she is."

Tink clapped her hands joyfully, and grabbed a nearby stool, pulling it over to the fire and sitting in front of Shae. "So, how was it?" She asked, practically bouncing in her seat. "Meeting your true love, I mean. Was it wonderful? Was it magical? Was it the most amazing experience of your entire life? Was it-"

"She's married."

Tink's face fell, and her jaw dropped open in shock. "What?"

Shae sighed again, slowly rubbing her forehead. "Regina is only Queen because she married a King." She muttered bitterly. "He's a good man, a kind man, but he's goddamn idiot, and a wrinkled old sack of bones to boot. Still, he is her husband."

"Oh… Oh dear…" Tink whispered, staring at Shae with pity in her eyes. "I am… So sorry, Shae."

"Are you sure you cast your spell right?" Shae asked, raising an eyebrow at the fairy. "You are a novice, after all."

Tink folded her arms across her chest, narrowing her eyes irritably at the vampire. "I may be a novice, but I know I did everything right." She insisted hotly. "Regina is your true love, which means she doesn't really love her husband… Does she?"

Shae sighed once more, and slowly shook her head. "No, she doesn't." She replied quietly. "In fact, she's utterly miserable being married to the old sot."

"Well, there you go!" Cried Tink, throwing her arms up in the air. "If she doesn't love him, then you have to tell her that you're the one she's meant to be with!"

"I don't know how these things work in fairy world," Shae snapped at her. "But here, you don't go telling someone's wife that you're her true love. Especially if that someone is a King with a very large army at his disposal."

"Well, you have to tell her sometime." Tink retorted, folding her arms stubbornly across her chest. "Shae, you have to tell her how you feel."

"And how exactly am I supposed to feel?" Shae demanded. "I've only met her once. I barely know her!"

"So what? She's your true love!" Tink exclaimed, throwing up her arms once again. "You felt something the other day when you first saw her in the forest, something powerful. You can't tell me that you haven't felt anything since then."

Shae opened her mouth to retort, but shut it again, biting her lip as she thought back to the previous night, when Regina had placed a kiss on her cheek. "She kissed me." She whispered quietly. "It was only on the cheek, but still, it was… Unlike anything I've ever felt in my life, and I'm over two-hundred years old."

Tink chuckled amusedly. "And you called her husband a wrinkled old sack of bones."

Shae narrowed her eyes irritably at the fairy. She was about to reply, but stopped when a breeze blew through the open window. The vampire's sensitive nose picked up on a strange smell, a smell that was all too familiar.

"What is it?" Asked Tink, noticing the alarmed look on Shae's face.

"That smell." Shae muttered, slowly rising from her chair.

Tink's brow furrowed in confusion. "What smell?"

Shae gazed up from the floor, and her eyes grew wide as she quietly replied. "Blood."

Shae raced out of the room, and Tinkerbell hurried after her. Shae sniffed the air as she stepped out into the hallway, and turned to her right, taking long strides as she followed the scent of blood hanging heavy in the air. She and Tink turned the corner, and they both gasped in alarm at what they saw. Several of King Leopold's soldiers were lying dead in pools of their own blood, their throats slit wide open.

"Regina…" Shae whispered.

Shae took off down the hallway, Tinkerbell racing along behind her. The vampire skidded to a stop in front of the door to The Queen's bedchamber, which was already standing open. She stopped in her tracks once inside, staring in horror at the bodies of several more soldiers that were strewn about the room.

"What's going on here?" Asked Tink, her eyes just as wide as Shae's.

"I don't know." Shae muttered in reply.

"HELP!"

Shae and Tinkerbell both gave a start, and exchanged a quick, wide eyed glance at the sudden shout. They both rushed back out of the room, Shae leading the way as they sprinted down the hallway. Shae stopped in her tracks as she entered The King's bedchamber, and Tink grunted as she smacked right into her. Snow White was kneeling next to her father, who was lying unconscious upon the floor, blood trickling down the side of his face from the wound on his head.

"Are you alright, Princess?" Shae asked of Snow, as she knelt down on Leopold's other side.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine." Snow answered with a nod, her eyes wide with panic. "But… Father, he-"

Suddenly, Leopold emitted a feeble groan, and he slowly blinked his eyes open. He stared dazedly all around him for a moment, his eyes growing wide as they focused on Shae. The vampire wasted no time or energy on asking The King if he was alright.

"What's going on? Who did this?" Shae asked him hurriedly.

"B-Bandits." Leopold muttered weakly, still a bit dazed from the blow to his head.

Shae seized him by the front of his nightshirt, pulling him up from the floor and staring urgently into his eyes. "Regina, where's Regina?"

"T-They… They took her." Leopold stammered shakily. "There was… Nothing I could do, I-I… I couldn't stop them."

The vampire's hands began to trembled with rage, and her lips curled into a vicious snarl. "That's because you're a no good, useless, wrinkled old bag of BONES!"

Shae shoved him roughly back onto the floor, and leapt to her feet. She started toward the door, stopping upon the threshold and whirling back around. "Hide yourselves, the both of you!" She commanded to The King and Princess, then pointed at Tinkerbell. "You, come with me."

Tink nodded hastily, and followed after Shae as she stomped out of the room. Shae removed her ornate, blue bladed sword from the enchanted satchel tied to her belt. She scooped up another from one of Leopold's dead soldiers, and Tink gasped as she shoved it into her hands.

"You know how to use one of those?" Shae asked, not even bothering to glance at the fairy as she marched briskly down the hallway.

"Um… I… I-I don't know." Tink stammered in reply, panting slightly as she attempted to keep up with the vampire's long strides. "I've never used a sword before."

"Of course you haven't." Shae growled irritably. "Got to do everything my goddamn self…"

Shae stomped up the stone steps of the spiral staircase at the end of the hall, Tinkerbell huffing and puffing behind the enraged vampire. The staircase led to the battlements of King Leopold's castle, and Tinkerbell doubled over with her hands on her knees once they reached the top. Once she had caught her breath, she stepped up next to Shae, her eyes growing wide as she gazed down into the courtyard. King Leopold's soldiers were in the midst of a heated battle with a score of armed bandits, falling to their swords one by one. Shae balled her hands into fists, glaring menacingly down at two of said bandits, who were dragging Regina through the fray roughly by her arms.

"What do we do?" Tink asked, looking to Shae, her eyes wide with panic.

Shae bit her lip, thinking silently for a moment as she stared down at her true love in the clutches of the bandits. "I don't care how you do it, but just… Keep Regina safe." She muttered in reply. "I'll handle these idiots."

"What? How are you-"

Tink stopped short as Shae hurled her sword into the air. The sword called Soul Eater shot up into the night sky tip first like an arrow fired swiftly from a bow, disappearing from sight amongst the stars. Shae then drew back several steps, taking a running start toward the edge of the battlements. Tinkerbell let out an audible, startled gasp as Shae rushed forward, and leapt from the edge, her arms spread wide. She fell toward the ground with the grace of a swan diving into a rushing river, bellowing out a fearsome war cry as she grabbed on to the helmets of the bandits that were leading Queen Regina through the courtyard. Blood splattered into the air as Shae landed, shoving the men's heads into the ground.

Regina gasped as Shae wrapped her arm around her waist, using her free hand to send powerful, telekinetic blasts to her left and to her right, knocking more bandits off their feet. Shae kept her arm wrapped around Regina, holding her protectively against her own body, her blood red eyes shifting around the battlefield. Her eyes focused on one of the bandits that was dressed much more finely than the others, a horned helmet placed upon his head.

"Well, well, well…" Snarled the bandit leader, grinning deviously at Shae, his sword dripping with blood. "You must be the one who murdered my men. I was told to look for a woman with black hair and red eyes."

"Take your men and leave this place." Shae growled in reply. "If you value your lives."

The bandit leader and his men all laughed mockingly, brandishing their weapons at the vampire. "I don't know how you managed to best my men before." The leader sneered at Shae. "But, I assure you, you won't be so lucky this time."

The last of King Leopold's soldiers dropped dead to the ground, and the bandits slowly began to advance forward toward The Queen and the vampire. Regina remained in fearful silence, her hands trembling as she dug her fingers into Shae's black leather armor.

"Surrender The Queen to us." The bandit leader commanded, pointing his bloodied sword at Regina. "And, maybe, I just might think about granting you a swift death in return for slaughtering my men."

Shae let out a low and dangerous chuckle, releasing Regina and stepping forward when she saw a flash of green light from the corner of her eye. Regina gasped as Tinkerbell grabbed onto her arm, and pulled her backward a few steps.

"W-Who are you?" She asked, staring wide eyed at the fairy.

"Tinkerbell. I'm a friend of Shae's." Tink replied with a nervous smile, keeping a careful eye on the bandits. "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. I think."

Tinkerbell and Regina both watched in astonished wonder as Shae casually held out her hand, seizing her sword by it's hilt as it finally shot back toward the ground. The blue blade sparkled in the moonlight as Shae fell back into a battle ready stance, glaring dangerously at the bandits and their leader. Silence echoed across the courtyard as the bandits waited for their leader's command. The bandit leader then used his free hand to point a menacing finger at Shae, and his men all bellowed out a fearsome war cry.

Utter chaos ensued as the bandits rushed at Shae. Tinkerbell pulled Regina back even further, and they both retreated behind a cart piled with hay. They both peered out carefully around the cart, watching in absolute wonder as Shae stood alone against the score of armed men, taking down one right after the other. Shae used both her sword and her powers against the bandits, darting around the battlefield faster than the eye could blink. Regina and Tink watched as she plunged her blue bladed sword into a man's chest, using her free hand to send three more shooting across the courtyard, blood splattering into the air as their faces collided with the wall. The vampire quickly disappeared in a puff of blood red smoke, reappearing behind the bandit leader, who let out a strangled gurgle as she buried her sword into his neck.

One of the bandits managed to break through Shae's defense, and he charged straight toward Tinkerbell and Regina, axe raised high into the air. Tink reached into her pouch of pixie dust as he reached them, but she was too slow. The fairy was sent spinning to the ground as the bandit hit her in the face with his axe free fist. As she was falling toward the ground, Tink let loose her fistful of pixie dust. The cloud of dust caught the bandit right in the face, and he immediately slumped to the ground.

Regina stumbled backward, and lost her footing as she tripped over the body of a fallen soldier. She squeezed her eyes shut as she fell, waiting for the pain of impact as she hit the ground. She gasped when she felt an arm around her waist, and she jerked to a sudden stop. Her eyes snapped open, and she found another set of eyes staring back at her, eyes that were a shade of deep, blood red.

"Are you alright?" Shae asked her, smiling a dazzling, white toothed smile.

Regina nodded, smiling back at her. She stared into Shae's blood red eyes, the vampire's face mere inches from her own. Regina was overwhelmed with Shae's scent: Sage, with just a hint of mint. She felt Shae's breath upon her lips, which was sweet, as if she had just bitten in to fresh, ripe apple. Regina's heart began to race, and, suddenly, the entire rest of the world began to melt away. She placed her hand gently upon Shae's cheek, and she felt her heart lurch as she watched her smile grow wider. Regina stared at Shae's cold, pale lips, and, suddenly, felt the powerful urge to kiss her.

"Regina!"

Regina snapped violently out of her daze, and found her husband, King Leopold, was rushing toward her, Snow White a few steps behind him. Shae's arm fell away from her waist, and Regina suddenly felt a horrible sense of cold emptiness as the vampire stepped away from her. Shae glanced away as Regina was swept up in her husband's arms, her clenched fists trembling as she felt another surge of jealous rage course through her body. She noticed Tinkerbell sitting upon the ground beside a cart full of hay, blinking dazedly as she stared all around her. Shae rushed over to her, and quickly helped her to her feet.

"Remind me to never make you angry." Tink muttered, staring wide eyed at the bodies of the now dead bandits littering the courtyard.

"You… Slew all these men yourself?" Asked The King, also gazing around the body strewn courtyard.

"She did." Regina breathed quietly from beside him, smiling at Shae in absolute and grateful wonder. "She… Saved me. Again."

King Leopold gaped silently at his wife for a moment, then turned his baffled gaze onto Shae. He rushed toward her, and Tinkerbell stifled a laugh as he threw his arms around her. Shae patted The King on the back uncertainly, giving him a nervous grin when he released her.

"Er… Sorry I called you a useless bag of bones." She mumbled sheepishly. "Sometimes my temper gets the best of me."

The King laughed loudly, clapping the vampire on the shoulder. "I daresay all is forgiven, considering that you have now saved my wife's life twice, and possibly my entire castle." He replied, beaming up at her. "I don't know what exactly it is that continues to draw you to Regina's aid. Perhaps it's simply chance, or even fate itself."

"More like destiny, actually." Said Tinkerbell, giving Shae a knowing wink.

Leopold frowned slightly when he finally noticed the fairy standing beside Shae. "I'm sorry, who exactly are you?"

"This is Tinkerbell." Shae replied. "She's… A friend."

The King smiled as he clasped Tinkerbell's outstretched hand. "Well, any friend of Shae's is certainly a friend of mine." He said with a nod, then turned his attention back on the vampire. "Whatever force it is that draws you and Regina together, I will be forever grateful to it, and to you. I would like to offer you a permanent place here in my castle, and a position befitting your actions these last few days."

"W-What?" Shae stammered in alarm. "Oh, no, I-I don't think-"

"I would name you The Queen's Royal Protector." Leopold went on, ignoring Shae's anxious sputtering. "Should you choose to accept, that is."

Shae opened and closed her mouth several times, staring hesitantly from The King's warm and expectant smile, and to Tinkerbell. She then turned her eyes onto Regina, and she felt her heart flutter once again as she gazed upon her smile. It was one of gratitude, and of hope, hope that she would accept. In that moment, all of Shae's worries and uncertainties over her bond of true love with Regina seemed to fade away. She still wasn't sure what exactly her future with her true love would be, but, as she gazed upon the smile that moved her unbeating heart, she knew that all she wanted was to continue to gaze upon that smile, as often as she possibly could.

XX

The very next day, Shae was knighted by King Leopold, and named Protector of the Queen in front of the entire kingdom. That same night, The King and Queen threw a ball in Shae's honor. In his old age, King Leopold was not much for dancing, so The Queen spent the evening being twirled about the ballroom by her new Protector. In the few short days Shae had spent in Regina's company, that night was the most she had seen her smile.

Shae spent every day after that by her Queen's side, accompanying her nearly everywhere she went. She even started joining Regina on the days she ventured back out into the forest, for her magic lessons with a man named Rumplestiltskin. Shae was extremely wary of Regina's tutor, as she had heard his named whispered amongst the inhabitants of The Enchanted Forest, and could sense a dark and terrible power within him. However, though he was callous and rude at times, he seemed to be a friend to Regina, so Shae decided to keep her worries to herself. She used her own extensive knowledge of magic to help Regina practice, and, slowly, The Queen was becoming an adept and powerful sorceress.

Several months went by, Shae and Regina growing closer and closer with each passing day. They spent hours together within King Leopold's castle, talking about everything and nothing. Though Regina was still quite miserable being in a loveless marriage to The King, her time spent with her Protector made being trapped within the stone walls of his castle much more bearable. She relished her time spent with Shae, and found herself longing for her presence while in her bed at night. She was almost constantly thinking about her, especially on the dreaded nights when her husband would summon her to his bedchamber. She tried to focus her full attention on Leopold, to be a good and dutiful wife, but her thoughts always wandered to her Protector. She felt no love for The King, no attraction whatsoever. Shae, however, was a different story. There was something about her that Regina found so incredibly enticing. She would often catch herself staring at her lips, longing so desperately to kiss them. She felt a strange, powerful, magnetic pull toward her vampire Protector. It was something she hadn't felt in a long, long time, and it frightened her.

Unbeknownst to her Queen, Shae was struggling with the same feelings. She shared everything with Regina, told stories about her dark and dangerous past. Regina did not judge her for the things she had done, and merely sat in rapt attention, offering kind and consoling words when Shae expressed deep regret over some of her fowl deeds. Shae was comforted to know that Regina did not see her as the monster that she often thought of herself as, even after learning the truth about her past. Regina was kind, patient, and understanding. Shae could feel herself falling deeper and deeper in love with her every passing day.

"Well, of course you are!" Tinkerbell exclaimed when Shae shared this information with her one night. "She's your true love!"

Tink checked in on both Shae and Regina every so often, and was always warmly welcomed by The King and Princess Snow. The fairy decided to drop in on the evening of The Princess's eleventh birthday. Half the kingdom was gathered inside the castle for the event, and Shae slipped quietly out onto a nearby balcony to speak with Tinkerbell.

"I know, I know." Shae muttered, breathing out a heavy sigh. "That doesn't change the fact that she's married, Tink."

"The King doesn't love her, you do." Tink insisted, poking the vampire's shoulder. "And she loves you too. She might not know it just yet, but she will. You just have to take the first step."

When Shae remained silent, biting her lip and staring down at the ground, Tink heaved a heavy sigh of her own. "You have to tell her, Shae." She went on, placing her hand gently on Shae's arm. "I've done all I can for you, for both of you. The rest is up to you."

Shae turned her face away from the flash of bright green light. Tinkerbell fluttered before her for a moment, gesturing her tiny hand toward the doors of the balcony. She then sailed off into the night sky, leaving Shae alone with her thoughts. Shae remained where she stood for several long, silent moments, trying to come up with a way to tell a married woman that she loved her, that she was her true love.

"'Regina, we need to talk.'" Shae muttered to herself as she started toward the door. "No, no… That's never a good way to start a sentence. Better not-"

Shae stopped in her tracks as she stepped back into the castle. The entire hall was silent, all attention turned toward The King. He stood before his throne at the front of the hall, Princess Snow standing quietly beside him.

"No gifts are required to mark this special day." King Leopold was saying, smiling down at his daughter. "They all pale in comparison to the greatest gift of all: My daughter, Snow."

The hall erupted in applause, but Shae did not clap along with them. She was too busy staring out at her true love, who was seated alone at the table at the other end of the hall. Regina wasn't clapping either, only eyeing her husband and step-daughter with sheer contempt.

"Every day I look upon your face, I am reminded of your dearly departed mother." Leopold went on, kneeling down in front of his daughter, smiling as he took both of her hands in his. "She, like you, was truly the fairest in all the land."

King Leopold's subjects applauded as The Princess threw her arms around her father, giggling joyfully. Shae's heart ached when she the immeasurable pain in Regina's deep brown eyes. Regina hastily got up from the table, and quietly left the hall, unnoticed by all, except her Protector. Shae pushed through the crowd, and found Regina outside in the small courtyard, where a grand apple tree stood front and center. She paused for a moment, smiling in wonder as she admired Regina's radiant beauty in the pale moonlight. She then softly cleared her throat, and slowly crossed the courtyard.

"Not in a festive mood?" Shae asked of her.

Regina didn't even bother to turn around at the sound of her Protector's voice. "No one seems to notice my absence." She whispered quietly.

"I noticed." Shae replied with a shrug, as she stepped up next to her Queen.

"Well, of course you noticed." Regina muttered bitterly, turning her face away from Shae, so the vampire couldn't see her tears. "It's your job."

Shae bit her lip, hesitating in silence for a moment as Regina wiped away the moisture from her face. "This is… A lovely tree." She commented, gesturing toward the apple tree.

"It's from my childhood garden." Regina told her, staring up at the tree with a sad, wistful smile. "This tree and I share something in common; Neither of us can leave this place, and neither of us truly belongs."

Shae's heart ached as she watched Regina wiping away more tears. "No matter how hard I try to please The King, he will never love me the way he loved his first wife." She went on quietly, miserably. "No one ever will."

"Oh, now, that's just not true." Shae replied, shaking her head in disagreement.

Regina raised an eyebrow at her Protector. "And how can you be so sure about that?"

Shae opened and closed her mouth several times, unsure of how to respond. She desperately wanted to tell her exactly why she knew, that she loved her so very much, that she was her true love. Instead, she simply shrugged, and sat down on the marble ledge surrounding the apple tree.

"I think I have something that might lift your spirits." She said, gesturing for Regina to sit next to her.

Regina complied, and watched curiously as Shae began rummaging around in the small, magical satchel she kept constantly tied to her belt. After a few moments, she finally found what she was searching for. She produced an equally small, but surprisingly ornate hand mirror. It's handle and edges were decorated with solid gold, and there was a large crack right down the center of the glass. Though it was broken, it was still shockingly beautiful.

"I found this mirror in an ancient elven ruin." Shae began to explain.

"What exactly was the elves' fascination with mirrors?" Asked Regina, raising another eyebrow at Shae.

Shae laughed loudly, and slowly shook her head. "You know, I'm not entirely sure. They were insufferably vain creatures."

Regina shrugged. "Well, I suppose that makes sense, then."

Shae laughed again, nodding in agreement. She then cleared her throat, and went on. "Right, so, this mirror, it's said to be enchanted." She said with an excited smile. "If you look into it, it will show you the truest beauty that is hidden deep within yourself."

Regina smiled excitedly herself, and took the mirror out of Shae's outstretched hand. She gazed down into it for several long moments, waiting expectantly for something, anything to happen. She frowned down at her own reflection, the cracked glass showing no signs of change.

"I only see my reflection." She muttered, brow furrowed in confusion.

A wide grin spread across Shae's face, and she gave The Queen a knowing wink. "Precisely."

Regina narrowed her eyes irritably at the grinning vampire. "This mirror isn't enchanted at all, is it?"

Shae chuckled lightly, and slowly shook her head. "It might have been, once. But, as you can see, it is now clearly broken." She smiled, tapping a finger on the crack in the mirror's glass. "Still, though, there's a lesson to be learned from it."

"Lesson?" Asked Regina, brow furrowing even deeper.

Shae nodded, and placed her hands gently on top of Regina's, which were still holding the mirror. "Even something so broken, and so forgotten," She began in a whisper, smiling into Regina's deep brown eyes. "Can be so… Incredibly beautiful."

Regina felt her cheeks flush with heat, and she turned her face away from Shae, shoving the mirror toward her. "No, you keep it." Said Shae, pressing the mirror back into her hands. "Perhaps it will… Help you see yourself as I see you."

Regina stared down at the mirror in her lap, feeling the burn of Shae's piercing red gaze upon her face. "And how do you see me?"

Shae reached out, gently cupping her hand under Regina's chin, turning her gaze upward. Regina's eyes began to well with tears as she stared into her Protector's intense but smiling eyes. She once again found herself staring with desperate longing at Shae's cold, pale lips, and her heart lurched within her chest as she watched them utter a soft whisper.

"As truly the fairest, in all the land."

A single tear rolled down Regina's cheek, and her lips gaped silently open as Shae gently brushed it away with her thumb. Regina's heart began to race as Shae left her hand where it was upon her cheek, staring deep into her eyes. She searched them quietly for a moment, and Regina drew in a soft gasp as Shae leaned in closer, and kissed her.

The mirror in Regina's lap clattered quietly to the marble floor. As soon as their lips touched, both Shae and Regina felt a surge of emotion so great and so powerful, that it felt as if they were struck by lightning. Their hands shook as they wrapped their arms around each other, their lips parting slowly, gently. A soft, desperate moan escaped Regina's lips as Shae's tongue brushed lightly against her own. Shae drew her in even closer, curling her arms up her back. Regina ran her fingers through Shae's messy black hair, her scent wafting over her, the taste of her lips sweeter than anything she had ever tasted before. For a moment, just a moment, the entire rest of the world lie forgotten as The Queen and her Protector shared a tender and passionate embrace.

Suddenly, the sound of more raucous applause from within the castle roused them both from their daze. Regina drew back from Shae's lips, staring bewilderedly into her blood red eyes. Shae stared back at her in silence, and Regina gently touched her fingers to her own lips, tears streaming from her eyes at the sensations that Shae's kiss had left upon them. They sat in silence for a few moments, neither of them knowing exactly what to say. Regina then shook herself from her stupor. She leapt to her feet, scooped up the broken mirror from the ground, and turned and ran from the woman that was her true love.

"Regina, wait! I-I'm sorry!" Shae called desperately after her, scrambling to her feet as well. "Please! WAIT!"

Shae sank slowly back down onto the marble ledge surrounding The Queen's apple tree, her shaking legs suddenly unable to bare her own weight. She buried her face in her quivering hands, her head spinning wildly. Her heart ached with sorrow, with yearning for her true love's kiss, a kiss that should have never been placed upon her lips.

"Oh god…" Shae whispered, tears spilling out of her blood red eyes. "What have I done?"

XX

Shae saw very little of Regina the next day, and, every time she did, she was always in the company of her husband. Shae spent most of the day aimlessly wandering the castle, haunted by the forbidden kiss that she and Regina had shared. That kiss was unlike anything she had ever felt before. Whatever doubts she had about her bond of true love with Regina were now gone. Shae knew that she was hopelessly in love with her Queen, who was a married woman, and it was making her miserable.

Shae was in her chambers that evening, once again staring deep into the flames of the fire crackling in the fireplace. She searched for answers the never came, and was once again contemplating leaving the castle, when she was summoned by The King. Shae followed the servant that had been sent to fetch her, her thoughts lingering still on the tormenting kiss that she had placed upon her true love's lips.

"How may I be of service, Your Majesty?" Shae asked The King, once she had entered his chambers.

"Close the door." Leopold commanded quietly, from his seat in front of the table at the center of the room.

Shae's brow furrowed in concern at the heaviness of Leopold's usual kind and welcoming tone. Nevertheless, she obeyed The King's command. Once the door to his chambers was safely shut, he rose from his chair, his face grave as he turned to his wife's Protector.

"I have reason to believe my wife's heart belongs to another man."

Shae's heart dropped deep into the pit of her stomach, and she fought hard to keep her expression calm and even. "Certainly, The Queen would never stray, Your Majesty."

"Yet, her diary suggests otherwise." Leopold replied in a dark tone.

The King picked up a small, leather bound book from the table, and handed it over to Shae. The vampire suppressed her outrage over Leopold violating his wife's privacy in such a way. She opened Regina's diary to the latest entry, and began to read. She couldn't help but notice that even Regina's handwriting was exceptionally beautiful.

Last night, I was given a gift. At first, it was a simple mirror, but it was the kiss placed upon my lips that was the truest gift of all. That one kiss awakened feelings in me, feelings that I had thought were long since abandoned; Hope for companionship, even though I am trapped here at my husband's court, hope for love. It frightens me.

"Sadly, the diary does not name the man who gave her this mirrors, or that damned kiss." Leopold went on, when Shae turned her blood red eyes back onto him. He gestured to the small mirror that was sitting upon the table, the very mirror that Shae had given to Regina just the night before. "I am not a fool, I realize that The Queen is unhappy. She yearns for someone to love her in a way that I never can. Still, though, she is my wife. I never imagined she would betray me like this."

Shae slowly closed the diary, fighting to keep the trembling in her hands unseen by The King. "Surely The Queen would never act on these feelings."

Leopold breathed out a low, sour chuckle, slowly shaking his head. "Love makes us do foolish things."

"Love…" Shae whispered softly, staring down at the diary in her hands. She then cleared her throat, and set the book back onto the table. "Why exactly have you called upon me, Your Majesty?"

"I need someone of your particular skills, and your wits." Leopold explained. "Besides, you and Regina have grown quite close in the past few months. As my wife's closest confidant, I expect it will be quite easy for you to find the man that has stolen her heart."

Shae nodded slowly, shoving her quivering hands into the pockets of her coat. "What exactly will you do to this… Man, once I've found him?"

Leopold narrowed his eyes at the vampire. "That is my concern, not yours." He stepped up close to Shae, staring intensely into her blood red eyes. "Now, then. Can I count on you to find this man, or not?"

Shae held The King's gaze for a moment, then shifted her eyes over to The Queen's diary. Her true love's words tolled like a bell throughout her mind. Hope for companionship, hope for love… It frightens me.

XX

The next day, King Leopold announced that he was leaving with his daughter for his summer palace, as a birthday gift to the young Princess. Regina was to remain behind to rule the kingdom in the months that her husband would be gone, and, as The Queen's sworn Protector, so was Shae. She stood beside her Queen in the front courtyard as The King and Princess said their farewells, seething silently as Leopold kissed the woman she loved goodbye.

"I trust you will honor our agreement." Leopold whispered in Shae's ear, as he gave her a tight embrace.

Shae nodded hastily as The King released her. "Of course, Your Majesty."

Leopold nodded back, and took his daughter by the hand, leading her toward the carriage that was waiting just outside the gates. Shae stood beside Regina, waiting and watching anxiously as the carriage and accompanying armed guard slowly rumbled away from the palace. She was finally going to be alone with her true love. She dared not tell her about what she had read within her diary, but she knew that Tinkerbell had been right, she had to say something. She had to tell the woman that she loved how she felt about her, and she was elated to know that Regina felt the same. Hope for companionship, hope for love…

As soon as the carriage carrying her husband and step-daughter were lost from sight, Regina turned away from them, and started back toward the palace doors. "Regina, wait!" Shae exclaimed, hurrying after The Queen. "I… I-I think we should talk."

"There's nothing for us to talk about, Shae." Regina replied, keeping her eyes locked squarely in front of her as she marched toward the palace.

"Regina, please… Stop!"

Regina stopped in her tracks as Shae stepped in front of her, blocking her path. Shae then took her Queen by the arm, and lead her toward an empty corner of the courtyard. She glanced carefully all around her, and, once she was sure they were alone, and would not be overheard, she went on.

"The other night, when we kissed, I… I felt something, something powerful." She whispered quietly, desperately searching her true love's eyes. "Regina, It was… Unlike anything I've ever felt before. And… A-And you felt it too, I know you did."

Regina narrowed her eyes at her Protector, and Shae drew back a step in alarm as her lips curled into a vicious snarl. "What you think you know is nothing but your own self absorbed delusion." Regina replied scathingly, glaring into Shae's blood red eyes. "I felt nothing. I am your Queen, and you will not presume to touch me again."

Shae's jaw dropped open in horrified silence, and she stood rigidly still as Regina turned her back on her, stomping back toward the palace. Regina bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears as she threw open the doors, leaving Shae alone in the courtyard. She walked briskly through the castle, jaw clenched tight, nodding curtly at any guards or servants that she passed in the halls. Finally, when she was alone in her bedchamber, she broke down into tears, sobbing bitterly as she collapsed to the floor on her knees.

Regina knew that she had just broken Shae's heart, and her own in the process. The things she had felt when Shae had kissed her were, in Shae's own words, unlike anything she had ever felt before. She had never felt such a powerful rush of emotion, such a deep, desperate longing for one more kiss. She knew that the moment her Protector's lips touched her own, she was helplessly and hopelessly in love with her. Regina was a married woman, and she was confused and conflicted, but, most of all, she was frightened.

The Queen tossed and turned in her bed that night. Since Daniel's death, Regina's dreams were often plagued by his memory. However, since the night Shae had kissed her, she dreamt of nothing but her Protector's lips, their passionate and forbidden embrace playing itself over and over again in her mind. Regina had gained nothing but pain and heartache from love in the past, and so had Shae. She knew that what she had done was for the best, for both of them. Yet, she couldn't help the unyielding ache of longing she felt deep in her heart. She desperately wanted to go to Shae, to tell her how she really felt, to once again feel her kiss upon her lips.

Regina threw the covers off of her, practically leaping out of her bed. She made a sudden rash decision, a decision to follow her heart. She had to go to Shae, apologize for the things she said, tell her that it was all a lie. She had to tell her that she loved her.

The Queen rushed out of her room in only her nightgown, her heart racing as she hurried down the hall toward Shae's room. She paused just outside the door, which was open just a crack. She slowly pushed the door open, her heart hammering in her chest. Shae was sitting by the fire with her back to Regina, strumming out a slow, somber melody on an old lute. Regina's breath caught in her throat as she started to sing.

"Good times for a change.
See, the luck I've had,
Can make a good man turn bad.

So please, please, please,
Let me, let me, let me,
Let me get what I want,
This time."

Regina stood rooted in her spot with her hands over her mouth, her eyes welling with tears as Shae plucked at the strings of the lute, her fingers moving with deft precision up and down the neck. Her voice was mesmerizing, and it left Regina utterly breathless. She remained where she stood in the doorway, tears flowing freely down her face as Shae continued to sing.

"Haven't had a dream in a long time.
See, the life I've had,
Can make a good man bad.

So for once in my life,
Let me get what I want.
Lord knows, it would be the first time.

Lord knows, it would be the first time…"

When her song was finished, Shae hung her head with a heavy sigh, setting the lute down on the floor next to her chair. Regina stood quietly in her spot for several long moments, her mind still reeling over the sheer beauty of Shae's voice.

"What is it that you want, Shae?" Regina asked her quietly.

Shae turned her head slightly, seemingly unsurprised by her Queen's presence. "Do you really need me to answer that?" She whispered, her pale face glistening with tears.

Regina silently shook her head, more tears streaming out of her eyes as she quickly crossed the room. Shae made to get up from her chair as The Queen came to stand before her, but Regina placed her hands on her chest, and pushed her back down. Shae drew in a sharp gasp as Regina straddled her waist, placing a deep, firm kiss on her lips.

Their tears mingled together upon their cheeks as their lips parted, both of them feeling the same intense rush of emotion course through their bodies. Shae could barely believe what was happening. She placed her quivering hands on Regina's hips, her head swimming with the intoxicating scent of her perfume, reveling in the feeling of her lips upon her own. She then drew back from Regina's lips, staring deep into her true love's beautiful brown eyes.

"What is it that you want, Regina?" She whispered softly.

Regina responded by placing another deep, passionate kiss on her lips. Their lips parted slowly, gently, and Shae began to explore her Queen's body with her hands. Regina gasped as Shae's thumbs brushed against her already firm and swollen nipples. She clambered off of Shae's lap, grabbing on to the front of her shirt and pulling her to her feet as well. They found each other's lips again as Regina led her Protector over to the bed that had sat abandoned since Shae first came to occupy the room. She paused at the end of the bed, swiftly undoing the laces of her nightgown, letting it fall to the floor at her feet.

"My god…" Shae breathed, staring in absolute wonder at her Queen's naked body. "Regina, you are… So beautiful."

Regina smiled, running her fingers through Shae's messy black hair. "It's been so long since anyone's called me that."

Regina gasped as Shae's ice cold hands touched the bare skin of her hips, which turned into a soft moan as Shae kissed her again. Their lips parted again and again with desperate, passionate urgency, and Regina began to tug at Shae's clothes. Once over the initial shock over the sight of Shae's scarred and mangled torso, Regina found her Protector's lips once again, and the two of them fell into the bed together. Regina gasped as Shae slipped her fingers deep inside her as soon as her head hit the pillows, and she experienced a pleasure unlike anything she had ever felt before as her Royal Protector made love to her.

The entire rest of the world melted away as they made urgent and passionate love until the wee hours of the morning. Shae was carefully in tune with Regina's body, and was gentle with her at times, and not so gentle when she could sense it was what Regina wanted. Several times, Shae had to clamp her hand over Regina's mouth, stifling her cries and moans of pleasure. Though being wrapped up in each other's arms felt so incredibly right, they both knew it was wrong. Regina was a married woman, and both her and Shae knew the consequences of what would happen if The Queen was caught in bed with her Protector. Neither of them cared much about the risks or the consequences, or the moral implications of their actions. They were too wrapped up in each other, too deeply in love to care.

"Oh, Shae…" Regina whispered as she lie in her lover's arms. "Shae, that was wonderful."

"I live to please you, my Queen." Shae whispered back with a grin.

Regina smiled against her Protector's lips as she kissed her again. She climbed on top of her, and Shae laughed as Regina pinned her arms to the bed above her head. She moaned softly as Regina bit into the tender flesh of her neck, her bare breasts pressing against her scarred and mangled chest.

"Regina, there's something I need to tell you." Shae muttered quietly, causing Regina to pull away from her neck. "That day that I saved you from those bandits in the forest, I… I wasn't there by chance."

Regina's brow furrowed in confusion. "You weren't?"

Shae breathed out a heavy sigh, and sat forward with Regina in her lap. "That was the day I first met Tinkerbell." Shae slowly began to explain, running her fingers up and down Regina's back. "I saved her from Van Helsing and his men, and, to repay me, she… Cast a spell, a spell that took me to my one true love."

Regina stared silently into Shae's blood red eyes for a moment, her own growing wide with shock. "And… A-And it took you to… Me?" She stammered in a whisper, her eyes welling with tears when Shae nodded. "True love… I-I'm… Your true love?"

"Yes." Shae whispered, smiling as she tucked a stray lock of Regina's hair behind her ear. "And I'm yours."

Regina slowly shook her head in complete and utter shock. "Shae, I… I don't know what to say."

"It's alright, you don't need to say anything." Shae replied, her own eyes glistening with tears as she smiled. "I just… Needed you to know, because… Every day since, I've fallen deeper and deeper in love with you."

Tears began to flow freely down Regina's face as she gaped silently into Shae's blood red eyes. "Regina, I… I love you." Shae whispered, tears rushing down her face as well.

Regina choked out a strangled sob of pure joy, taking Shae's face in her hands and placing a deep, passionate kiss on her lips. She never thought she'd ever hear those words again.

"Oh, Shae… Shae, I love you too." She whispered back, gently caressing her lover's cheek. "I knew it the moment you first kissed me. I'm sorry I said I didn't, that I didn't feel anything. I did, but I was… I-I was… So afraid. After Daniel, and… M-My husband… I… I-I just-"

"Shh, I know, it's alright." Shae murmured softly, pressing her lips to Regina's cheek, kissing her tears away. "I understand, believe me, I do. I was scared too, I still am. But… For you, Regina, I'll gladly face my deepest and darkest fears."

Shae's eyes streamed with tears, and she wrapped her arms tightly around her true love, kissing her once again. "Regina, I love you." She whispered against her lips.

"I love you too." Regina whispered back, her lips trembling as they pressed against Shae's. "Shae, I love you."

Regina laughed with pure joy as Shae spun her around, pinning her back down onto the bed. She wrapped herself around her true love as she kissed her, and, once again, the rest of the world faded away around them as the two lovers lost themselves in each other. After another round of vigorous and passionate love making, Regina fell asleep in Shae's arms. No nightmares plagued her dreams that night, not while in the strong, loving arms of her Protector, her true love.

XX

The next several weeks went by in a hazy, joyous blur for both Shae and Regina. They kept their passionate affair a careful and well guarded secret from the inhabitants of King Leopold's castle, only stealing kisses from each other during the day when they were sure they were alone. At night, Shae would appear in a puff of blood red smoke within her Queen's bedchamber, and they spent every night wrapped up in each other's loving embrace. Though they knew what they were doing was wrong, they couldn't help the deep and unyielding love they felt for one another. Neither of them could truly remember a time when they had been happier.

Even more joy and happiness was brought in to their lives when a visitor arrived at the castle, a visitor that was none other than Remus, Shae's oldest and dearest friend. Shae was beside herself with joy over being reunited with her brother in all but blood again. However, Remus brought with him grave news. Abraham Van Helsing, the man who had murdered his sister, Shae's first love, had amassed a small army just on the outskirts of Leopold's kingdom. Remus and Shae's joyful reunion came to a sudden, screeching halt, and the two of them, along with Regina, immediately began to make preparations for battle. Van Helsing had no idea that the two vampires were so closely within his grasp. If they could catch him off guard, they would have the upper hand. Remus and Shae could finally have their revenge.

"So, how long have the two of you been having an affair?" Remus asked, as soon as they were alone in the war room.

Shae and Regina's jaws both dropped open in shock. "How did you know?" Regina demanded, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at him.

"Oh, I'm extremely perceptive." Remus replied with a wink. "I know Shae like I know the back of my own hand. I saw the way she looks at you, the way you look at her. It was quite obvious, really. Well… At least to someone of my exceptional wits, that is."

"Has he always had such a big head?" Regina asked of Shae, raising an eyebrow at her.

Shae shrugged as she nodded, to which Remus only laughed. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." He said, waving his hand dismissively. "I pass no judgement. Just do make sure you don't get caught red handed like you did with the last Queen you got into bed with."

Regina's jaw dropped open in shock all over again. "You've had an affair with a Queen before?"

Shae bit her lip, glancing anxiously between her lover and her best friend. "That's… That's not important right now!" She exclaimed, shooting Remus a reproachful glare. "Now, can we please get back to the matter at hand?"

Regina hesitated for a moment, but eventually relented, deciding that her lover's secrets should remain just that. She stayed up for most of the night with the two vampires, making plans and preparations for the upcoming battle with Van Helsing and his army. Word was sent to King Leopold at his summer palace, which left Regina with a bad, apprehensive taste in her mouth. She knew that her passionate love affair with her Royal Protector would be difficult to keep a secret once her husband returned. However, she set aside her worries, and, the next morning, prepared The King's soldiers for battle.

Van Helsing's army was made mostly of commoners, and proved little challenge for Leopold's skillfully trained soldiers. The man himself, however, was a different story. Shae and Remus went head to head against Van Helsing and his wife, Aela. During the vicious battle, Van Helsing transformed into his hulking werewolf form, and Shae was almost lost to both Regina and Remus, the people that loved her most, when she was bitten by the terrifyingly powerful werewolf.

In her rage over watching the woman that she loved falling in battle, Regina cut Van Helsing down, using Shae's own sword to sever his head from his body. Miraculously, Remus, with Regina's help, was able to save Shae from the toxic werewolf bite, though at a terrible cost. They were forced to feed Shae human blood, which she hadn't fed on in years. Her bloodlust caused her to go into a frenzy, and, after unwillingly attacking her true love, she disappeared into the forest. Regina begged Remus to go after her, to help her, and return the woman she loved so very deeply to her once again. Remus agreed, and Regina spent the next several days alone and miserable, filled with worry for the woman that she loved, and, most of all, for the inevitable return of her husband, King Leopold.

Finally, after over a week apart, Remus finally returned, with Shae in tow. Regina was overjoyed to see her true love again, and had to fight desperately against the tears of joy that were welling into her eyes as Shae swept her up in her arms.

"Shae, wait…" Regina muttered as Shae leaned in toward her lips. "There's… There's something I need to-"

"SHAE!"

Shae's blood red eyes grew wide with shock as Princess Snow came sprinting across the throne room. The young Princess threw her arms around Shae's waist, and Shae exchanged an anxious glance with both Regina and Remus as she gently patted her on the back.

"You're here, you're back!" Snow White exclaimed, beaming up at Shae. "Regina said that you were hurt, that you-"

"At last, you finally return!"

Shae whirled around, and her heart sank deep into the pit of her stomach. King Leopold was crossing the throne room, and he also threw his arms around the vampire, pulling her into a tight and grateful embrace.

"My wife has told me all that you and your friend have done for my kingdom." Said The King, smiling a warm and gentle smile. "Ah, this must be the man himself!"

Shae stood in horrified silence as Leopold introduced himself to Remus. She knew that Leopold was bound to return, but she hadn't thought it would be so soon. Both of the vampires, in turn, were introduced to a friend of The King's that he had made in his travels back to his palace; The Genie of Agrabah.

Remus was positively beside himself with excitement at meeting a genie. Ever since his beloved sister's death, Remus had been searching for a cure for his vampirism, so that he could finally, one day, be reunited with Nadia in the afterlife. His joy quickly disappeared, and he was quite furious to learn that Leopold, in his gentle and uncommon kindness, had freed the genie, rendering him unable to grant any wishes. Shae, however, was extremely wary of The Genie of Agrabah. He stared at Regina in a way that made Shae's blood boil.

To make matters even worse, that same night, Regina was summoned to her husband's bedchamber. Shae was positively furious, and paced the length of her own room in a wild and agitated state. Remus, who had always been the more calm and collected of the vampiric pair, sat and listened quietly as Shae ranted and raved.

"I can't stand it, Remus." Shae snarled, her clenched fists trembling with rage. "As we speak, that useless old sad sack likely has his wrinkled, bony hands all fucking over her."

"If you're so upset about it, then why haven't you razed this whole bloody castle to the ground yet?" Remus asked, snapping the book that he was reading shut.

Shae stopped her frantic pacing, biting into her bottom lip. "That's… That's not who I am anymore, Remus." She replied quietly. "I've been trying to change, to be better, for-"

"For Regina." Remus finished for her. "I understand. She is a remarkable woman. If I wasn't so fond of men, I think I might even-"

"You shut your mouth!" Shae exclaimed, pointing a furious finger at her friend. "Honestly, it's bad enough with that damn genie always undressing her with his eyes like he does. Oh, how I'd love to rip his fucking lungs out and-"

Suddenly, there was a knock on Shae's bedroom door. Shae immediately rushed toward it, expecting, hoping, to find her true love on the other side. When she threw the door open, her excited smile fell into a fearsome snarl.

"You." She muttered, glaring furiously at The Genie of Agrabah. She then carefully smoothed out her face, and put on her best, welcoming smile. "What can I do for you this evening, friend?"

The Genie didn't respond right away. He slowly sauntered into the room, both Shae and Remus eyeing him warily. "The King has entrusted me with a very interesting task." The Genie replied, his lips curled into a small smirk. "A task that he originally entrusted to you."

Shae exchanged a silent, anxious glance with Remus, and The Genie went on. "His Majesty suspects that his wife has taken a lover." He said, slowly pacing about the room. "He tells me that you have failed to find the wretched man. Tell me, as the Queen's closest confidant, and someone of such incredible skill, how exactly is it that you have found no evidence of the man who gave her this?"

The Genie held out his hand, and the broken mirror that Shae had given to Regina the night they first kissed appeared in his open palm. "That's not-" Shae exclaimed, taking an angry step toward him. She then stopped in her tracks, and carefully smoothed out her face again. "That is The Queen's personal property."

"Has it occured to you that The King just might be wrong?" Remus asked of The Genie, raising an eyebrow it him. "He is a goddamn idiot after all. Who exactly decides to free a genie and not make any wishes?"

The Genie narrowed his eyes irritably at Remus. "The King is a man of exceptional kindness." He snarled in reply. "I owe him my life, my freedom. I will find his wife's lover, and I will bring both him and The Queen to justice."

Shae glowered silently at The Genie as he stepped up to her, pressing the mirror into her hands. "Perhaps your friend is right, perhaps His Majesty is wrong." He whispered, staring intently into Shae's blood red eyes. "Perhaps it isn't a man at all that I should be searching for."

Shae kept her expression calm and even as The Genie turned his back on her, and headed for the door. "We shall see, won't we?" He muttered, pausing in the doorway. "We shall see, very soon."

As soon as the door swung shut behind The Genie, Shae whirled around to face her old friend. Remus slowly rose from his chair, eyeing Shae with concern as she clutched the mirror to her chest, her hands trembling.

"Remus, we have to leave." Shae whispered, her blood red eyes wide, and filled with urgency. "I have to get Regina away from here, tonight."

XX

Later that night, when everyone else in the castle had gone to sleep, Shae appeared in The Queen's bedchamber with a puff of blood red smoke. She started to panic when she found the bed empty, but then spotted Regina out on the balcony, sobbing bitterly upon the ground. Shae rushed over to her, and dropped down onto her knees before her, quickly pulling her into her arms.

"Shae… Oh, Shae… Shae, I'm so sorry." Regina sobbed into Shae's chest, her whole body trembling.

"Shh, it's ok, it's alright." Shae whispered softly, wrapping her arms tightly around the woman she loved. "I've got you, everything's going to be alright."

Regina pushed away from Shae's chest, and threw her arms around her neck, kissing her urgently, desperately. "Please, take me to bed." She whispered, kissing her lips again. "I need you, I need to feel you, I need-"

"Regina, no, there's no time." Shae replied, grabbing on to Regina's shoulders and pushing her back, staring urgently into her eyes. "The Genie, he knows, he somehow knows. We need to leave before he tells The King."

"Leave?" Regina asked, wiping away the tears from her face. "W-Where will we go?"

"I don't know. Away. Far away." Shae muttered hastily. She then cupped Regina's face in her hands, her blood red eyes welling with tears as well. "Please, Regina, please let me take you away from all of this. I know you're The Queen, but-"

Regina cut her off by placing another deep, urgent kiss on her lips. "Yes! Oh, Shae, please… Please take me away!" She sobbed, covering her lover's face with more gentle kisses. "I don't want to be Queen, not if it means I can't have you. All I want is you, Shae. You, and only you."

Shae nodded, tears of joy streaming down her face as she kissed her true love. "Now, you wait here." Shae told her with a smile, gently caressing her cheek. "I'll be back soon. I'll go find us a ship and-"

"You're not going anywhere."

Both Regina and Shae leapt to their feet, startled and alarmed to find The Genie of Agrabah standing in the doorway to The Queen's bedchamber. Before either Shae or Regina could react, The Genie threw out both of his arms toward them. Their bodies momentarily glowed with a pale blue light, and they both dropped back down onto the floor as their knees buckled. They stared wide eyed at each other, both suddenly feeling drained and weak.

"W-What have you done?" Regina breathed quietly, fearfully clinging to Shae's arm.

"I've stripped you both of your magic." The Genie explained with a triumphant grin. "Now neither of you can escape. You will both be brought to justice for your crimes."

Regina and Shae both watched in horror as a group of King Leopold's armed soldiers came marching into the room. They seized Shae by her arms and pulled her to her feet, taking hold of The Queen's as Regina clung desperately to her true love.

"NO!" Regina screamed as Shae was dragged away from her. "SHAE!"

"REGINA!"

Shae was dragged kicking, screaming, and swearing all the way down to the dungeons. The soldiers tossed her into a cold, dark cell, and Shae screamed furiously at them as they locked her away. Shae continued to scream into the quiet and the darkness, but eventually collapsed to the floor, sobbing bitterly. While Shae wept and wailed in her dungeon cell, Regina did much the same in the room she had been locked away in atop the highest tower of the castle. Both of their hearts ached with misery, with fear. They silently hoped that Remus was able to escape the castle, and The Genie, and that he would come for them, to save them from King Leopold's vengeful wrath.

XX

"The two of you have been charged for the crime of adultery, for which the punishment, is death." King Leopold called out in a clear, ringing voice. "Do either of you have any last words?"

It was midday the next day, and almost the entire kingdom had gathered in King Leopold's courtyard to watch his wife and her Protector's execution. Shae and Regina stood side by side atop the gallows. The noose had been removed, replaced by two wooden posts, to which The Queen and her Protector were shackled to, still completely powerless. A line of archers stood on the ground before them, the ones in front of Shae armed with silver tipped arrows. Though both Regina and Shae were terrified, they faced their death with calm and collected grace.

"Yes, I do." Regina replied quietly, smiling sadly as she gazed down at her husband, her step-daughter standing teary eyed next to him. "When I look back on everything that I have done, I want you both to know how I feel, and that is… Regret. Regret that I could not be the mother that you deserved, the wife that you deserved."

Regina paused for a moment, tears beginning to rush down her face. "I am truly sorry for what I've done, Leopold." She went on, her voice cracking with emotion. "But I don't love you, I never have. I love Shae. She is my true love, my world, my everything. If death is truly the price that I have to pay for my actions, then I will gladly pay it, by her side."

Shae's eyes streamed with tears as the woman she loved smiled at her, her unbeating heart fluttering wildly within her chest. She then noticed The King and the crowd of onlookers staring expectantly at her. She cleared her throat, the iron shackles on her wrists clattering softly as she shifted in her spot.

"I regret nothing."

Unable to help herself, Regina burst out laughing. The gathered crowd began muttering angrily as Shae laughed with her. Their laughter caught in their throats as blindfolds were placed over their eyes, and the crowd grew silent once again. More tears rushed down their faces, their entire bodies trembling with fear. Neither of them had any idea what exactly had happened to Remus, but it appeared that the vampire had not escaped The Genie's clutches. This was it, it was all over. No one was coming to save them.

"Father, do they really deserve to die?" Snow White muttered to The King.

"All crimes must be punished, child." Leopold quietly replied. "Especially crimes such as theirs."

"B-But, father, don't they-"

"ARCHERS!"

The soldiers standing at attention below the gallows all drew their bows, training their arrows at The Queen and her Protector's hearts. "Regina… Regina, I love you." Shae whispered, her voice quavering with emotion, with fear.

Regina choked out a terrified, strangled sob. "I love you too, Shae."

"FIRE!"

Regina drew in a sharp breath, and Shae clenched her jaw, both of them waiting for the pain. But it never came. Suddenly, the crowd began muttering once again, gasping and crying out in apparent shock.

"What is the meaning of this?" Leopold shouted.

"Come, now, did you really think I'd let you kill them?"

The blindfolds were suddenly removed from Shae and Regina's eyes, and they both blinked dazedly from the bright sunlight. They were startled to find the arrows hovering in the air just before their faces, and they both gasped excitedly when they saw who was stepping through the crowd, arm outstretched toward them.

"Remus!" Cried Regina.

"Well, it's about damn time!" Shae snapped irritably.

Remus chuckled as he lowered his arm, his glowing red eyes fading back to normal as the arrows clattered to the ground. "Oh, you know how much I love a grand entrance." He replied with a wink.

"YOU!"

Remus whirled around, and found The Genie of Agrabah pushing through the startled crowd toward him. "I was starting to think you weren't coming." He snarled, grinning dangerously at the vampire.

"Oh, so you were expecting me? Excellent!" Remus replied, grinning back at him. "By the way, have you met my friend here? Her names Tinkerbell."

The Genie spun around, just in time to catch a face full of pixie dust. "Surprise!" Shouted Tink.

The Genie's body glowed with a pale green light, and he stared bewilderedly down at his own two hands as all his magic drained away. He glanced back up at Tinkerbell, his eyes wide with horror as the fairy's fist collided with his nose. The crowd cried out in alarm as The Genie instantly hit the ground, and so did Tink.

"OW! Oh, god!" The fairy exclaimed, clutching her aching hand. "Oh, wow, that hurts! That was a terrible idea!"

"SEIZE THEM!" Shouted The King.

"Go! Get them out of here!" Remus commanded to Tinkerbell.

Tink set aside her pain, and nodded, shifting into her tiny fairy form as The King's soldiers charged toward her and Remus. As the vampire threw himself upon the soldiers, armed with Shae's own blue bladed sword, Tinkerbell zoomed over to Shae and Regina. She waved her wand over the shackles that were chaining them to their posts, and they both smiled gratefully at each other when they fell to the ground at their feet.

"Right, let's go." Tink said with another nod.

Before either Regina or Shae could do or say anything, Tink pointed her wand at both of them, and they were suddenly rising higher and higher into the air. Regina laughed with joy as Tinkerbell soared away from the castle with both her and Shae in tow, and Shae screamed in terror. Regina and Tinkerbell were both fully aware of the vampire's fear of heights, but neither of them could help but laugh. Regina glanced behind her, her heart soaring glee as her husband's castle shrunk farther and farther away into the distance. She glanced back over at the woman she loved, her true love, and laughed some more as Shae continued screaming, wildly flailing her limbs.

"Oh god, oh bloody hell." Shae muttered, her whole body trembling when they finally landed deep in the forest. "Never again. Never again!"

Regina burst out laughing again, and threw her arms around Shae's neck, kissing her with immense and grateful passion. Shae held her tight as they kissed, and both their eyes streamed with grateful, elated tears. They broke away from their embrace when they heard a sudden whooshing sound from behind them, and they found Remus stepping out of a cloud of blood red smoke.

"Are you two alright?" Remus asked them with a smile.

"Yes, we're fine." Regina replied, nodding hastily as more tears leaked from her eyes. "Oh, thank you, Remus. Both of you."

Shae and Regina both exchanged tight and immensely grateful embraces with their friends that had just saved their lives. "Sorry we couldn't stop and get any of your things." Tink said to Regina with a frown.

"It's alright." She said, smiling as she placed her hand gently on Shae's cheek. "As long as I have you, I don't need anything else."

"Yes, well, as touching as that is," Remus began to say, dramatically rolling his blood red eyes. "I did manage to steal this. Shae tells me it's very important to you."

Regina gasped as Remus produced a small, broken mirror. She hugged it to her chest, smiling into her lover's eyes. "Shae gave this to me the first time we kissed." She explained to a confused looking Tinkerbell. "That was the night we first fell in love."

"And now your love is free to blossom." Tinkerbell said, smiling fondly at both Shae and Regina. "I'm so happy for you both."

Regina sobbed with pure joy, throwing her arms around the woman she loved. Tinkerbell's eyes began to well with tears as Shae and Regina kissed once again. She laughed joyfully, and Remus grimaced as the fairy wrapped him in a tight, excited hug. He rolled his eyes again, but, otherwise, didn't make a fuss, and patted the young fairy lightly on her head.

"There's just… One thing, something that we've never really talked about." Shae muttered quietly, pulling away from Regina's embrace. "Regina, you know that I love you, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. But, being a vampire, I'm… Immortal. I won't ever age, which means-"

"You'll have to watch me grow old and die." Regina finished for her, her brown eyes wide with horror.

"Yes." Shae whispered sadly, then looked to Remus. "I… I don't suppose you have-"

"No." Remus whispered back, slowly shaking his head. "I've been searching for a cure for my own vampirism ever since I lost my sister." He explained to Tink. "I'm sorry, Shae. I wish there was some way to get rid of this curse, but-"

"I hear your wish."

They all gave a start, startled by the sudden, gentle voice that seemed to be echoing from amongst the trees. Suddenly, there was a flash of bright blue light, and another fairy came fluttering down from the sky toward them. Shae, Regina, and Remus had never seen this fairy before, but, unfortunately, she was all too familiar to Tinkerbell.

"Blue!" Tinkerbell exclaimed as her mentor, The Blue Fairy, hovered before them. "W-What are you doing here?"

"As I said, I have heard Remus's wish." The Blue Fairy explained with a warm smile.

"And… You've come to grant it?" Asked Remus.

Blue slowly shook her head. "No, unfortunately, I cannot." She slowly replied. "However, I do know of something that can. There is an enchanted lake in this realm, called Lake Nostos. If you and Shae drink from it's waters, your humanity will be restored to you once again."

As Shae and Remus exchanged excited, hopeful smiles, The Blue Fairy turned to Tinkerbell. "As for you…"

"Blue, please, don't take my wand again!" Tink exclaimed, clutching her wand protectively to her chest. "I didn't break any rules, I swear! I was only trying to-"

"Calm yourself, Tinkerbell." Blue said with a laugh. "I admit, I was a bit upset when you went off and decided to find true love for a vampire. No offense."

"None taken." Shae replied with a shrug.

"However, I have been keeping an eye on you, and I have seen how strong your bond of true love really is." Blue went on, smiling warmly at both Shae and Regina. "Though I do not condone your actions against King Leopold, I do know that true love is the one thing in this life that is truly worth fighting for."

The Blue Fairy paused for a moment, turning her gaze back onto Tinkerbell, who was still eyeing her apprehensively. "You all have fought bravely, especially you, Tink." She said with another smile. "You have done well, and I believe that there is little else I can teach you."

Tink's jaw dropped open in shock. "Y-You… You mean-"

"Your training is complete." Blue finished for her with a nod. "In fact, I wish to reward you for your deeds. You have kept careful watch over both Shae and Regina, doing all you could and more to see that their true love flourished and blossomed. I hereby name you Fairy Godmother to the both of them."

"F-F-Fairy… G-Godmother?" Tinkerbell stammered, staring at her mentor with wide, baffled eyes. "T-That's… That's the highest honor a fairy can ever get!"

"Precisely." Blue replied with another nod.

The Blue Fairy then drew her wand, waving it in Tinkerbell's direction. Shae, Regina, and Remus all lept back as Tink was engulfed in a cloud of blue smoke. When the smoke cleared, they all gasped in wonder. A nearly completely different woman was standing before them. Tink's bright blonde hair tumbled down her shoulders in tightly wound curls, her usual bright green tunic replaced with a long, puffy, equally green dress, reminiscent of a flashy ball gown. Her wand, which had been a short and simple training wand, was now much longer, and much more ornately decorated. Though she was stunningly beautiful, the others all silently agreed that her new look was not at all Tinkerbell.

"Oh… Oh, Blue, thank you, this is… Amazing." Tink muttered, staring down at her puffy dress with a nervous smile. "But, I… Um… D-Do I… Do I really have to-"

"You don't have to keep the dress." The Blue Fairy replied with an eye roll. "Or the hair."

"Thank god." Tink whispered.

They all burst into laughter at the immensely relieved look on Tinkerbell's face. Regina stared down at the cracked and broken mirror that was still in her hands, smiling at her own reflection. Finally, after so much pain, after so much heartache, she was finally happy, happier than she had ever been in her life. She took her true love by the hand, and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Both she and Shae were finally free to love each other, they were both finally and truly happy.

XX

Per The Blue Fairy's instruction, Regina, as well as Tinkerbell, traveled with both Shae and Remus to the fabled Lake Nostos. Both the vampires drank from the lake, and, just like Blue had said, their undead curse was, finally, after over two hundred years, lifted. Their hair remained unchanged, but their eyes and their complexion were entirely different. Remus's eyes were a stunning and brilliant shade of green, and his skin was still quite pale, though no longer the shade of gray that it had once been. Shae's eyes were a bright, piercing blue, and her skin was tan and olive toned. Regina thought her true love was even more stunningly beautiful than she ever had been before, and both Shae and Remus were immensely grateful to be human once again.

After their trip to Lake Nostos, Tinkerbell took her leave of them, but, due to her new position, was only ever a call away. All Shae or Regina had to do was utter her name, and Tinkerbell would appear to them with a flash of bright green light. Regina and Shae were frequently visited by their fairy godmother, who was always immensely worried about her new charges. Since the former Queen and the former vampire had been freed from King Leopold's clutches, they became outlaws, and The King placed a high price on both their heads. Shae and Regina, as well as Remus, spent many long years running from place to place, always being chased by bounty hunters, bandits, or The King's own soldiers. Still, though, they lived a happy life together, Regina and Shae's true love growing stronger and stronger every day.

While travelling through a kingdom called Camelot, the trio happened upon a friar, who took them in for a few days, providing them with some much needed food and shelter. The friar, who was called Friar Tuck, was in awe over the harrowing tale of true love that Shae and Regina told him. He offered to marry the two lovers, who both immediately agreed. Friar Tuck presided over a simple ceremony, with only Remus and Tinkerbell in attendance. Though the wedding was not at all the one that either of them had dreamed about, it was still the happiest day of their lives.

Not long after the wedding, Regina, Shae, and Remus heard tell that Snow White had also gotten married, to King George's son, Prince James. The two of them had fallen deeply in love upon only meeting once, and both King George and King Leopold were more than happy to bless their union, knowing that an alliance with both the kingdoms would prove nothing but fruitful. A few weeks after his daughter's wedding, Leopold fell gravely ill, and passed away several days later. After The King's death, the bounty was removed from both Shae and Regina's heads, by none other than Snow White, who was now Queen.

With no more soldiers and bounty hunters after their heads, Regina, Shae, and Remus lived in peace after Leopold's death. A few years later, they learned that King George had also passed away, leaving Snow White and Prince James to rule two different kingdoms. Not long after King George's death, The Blue Fairy, who had become a friend to both Snow White and Prince James, appeared to Shae and Regina one day, carrying with her a message from Queen Snow. They were both summoned back to King Leopold's castle, and both Shae and Remus were hesitant to accept. Regina, who had held on to a deep and unyielding regret for the hatred she had felt for her step-daughter, insisted that they should go, and the trio set out for the castle that they had once fled from years past.

Shae and Remus were both wary, sure that it was all a trick, a trap to finally capture them after years of eluding The King's soldiers. However, they were warmly welcomed by a misty eyed Snow White, who had blossomed into a kind and beautiful young woman.

"Regina, I am so sorry." Snow whispered, tears rushing down her face as she held her step-mother's hands in her own. "My father was kind and gentle, but he was also a jealous man. I tried to reason with him, for years I tried to talk him out of the bounty that was placed on your head, and on Shae's. But… He refused, insisted that you both needed to be punished, simply for loving each other."

Snow paused for a moment, biting her lip as more tears streamed from her eyes. "But, above all else, I am sorry for what happened to Daniel." She went on in a whisper, her voice quavering with emotion. "I learned only a few years ago what had really happened to him. You entrusted me with a secret, a secret that I did not keep. His death… It's all my fault. Regina, I… Oh god, I'm so sorry."

Regina pulled Snow White into her arms, holding her tight as the young Queen broke down into bitter tears. "Shh, it's alright, it's ok." She whispered softly, gently stroking her step-daughter's hair. "I forgive you, Snow. I forgive you."

Snow White smiled an astonished smile through her tears. "You… You do?"

"Yes." Regina whispered, placing her hand gently on Snow's cheek. "I was filled with so much pain, so much hate for so long. But… Shae's love, my true love, has helped me let go of all that hate. I have deeply regretted it all these years. I'm so glad that you asked me here, that I got to see you again, if only for today."

Snow White glanced over at her husband, who had been standing quietly just behind her. "Um, see, that's the thing…" She slowly replied. "Charming and I, we would like to-"

"Charming?" Asked Shae, raising an eyebrow at The Prince.

Prince James laughed lightly. "It's, uh… A nickname that Snow came up with for me, the first time we met."

"It's certainly fitting." Remus said with a grin.

They all laughed, and Queen Snow cleared her throat, turning her attention back to Regina. "Right, well, David and I… Er, that's his name, actually. Not, 'Charming,' not, 'James.' A-Anyway…" She stammered, then cleared her throat once again. "It's been… Difficult, for David and I, ruling two separate kingdoms. If you choose to accept, we would like to restore your position. You would be Queen once again, and rule my father's kingdom, while David and I rule his father's."

Regina's jaw dropped open in pure and utter shock. "Are… Are you serious?" She breathed quietly. When Snow and David both nodded, Regina glanced over at her Shae, who was looking just as baffled as she was. "W-What… What about Shae?"

"She is certainly welcome as well, as is Remus." David replied with a smile. "Though, I'm not exactly sure what your title would be." He went on, frowning slightly at Shae. "You two are married, so, I-I suppose you would be… Queen as well?"

"Certainly not." Shae replied with a scoff. "I will be what I have always been." She placed her hand gently on her wife's shoulder, smiling into her deep, gorgeous brown eyes. "Your partner, your Protector."

Regina nodded, her eyes streaming with tears once again as she placed a kiss on her true love's lips. The next day, David and Snow White gathered the subjects that were once King Leopold's to the castle for a coronation ceremony. Regina was made Queen once again, and Shae, once again, was pronounced her Royal Protector. Remus, who had vehemently refused any sort of title, was simply content to remain at the castle, assisting both The Queen and her Protector with anything that they might need.

Both kingdoms flourished during both Queen Snow and Queen Regina's rule. Both step-mother and step-daughter remained in close contact, and often visited one another at each other's castles. During one visit, Regina was positively overjoyed to learn that Snow White was pregnant. Though she was happier than words could describe with Shae, her partner, her true love, she longed so desperately for a child of her own. After Snow and David's daughter was born, her longing grew even deeper as she held baby Emma in her arms. Shae knew of her wife's desire for a child, and she longed for the same thing. She was heartbroken over the fact that it was not possible for her to provide the woman she loved with a child.

Once again, Shae and Regina's fairy godmother, Tinkerbell, came through for them in a spectacular way. She appeared at their castle one day, carrying a small bundle of blankets in her arms. Within the blankets, was a baby boy, not even a day old. His mother had died during childbirth, and the father was nowhere to be seen. The fairy told the midwives that had tried so desperately to save the young mother that she knew the perfect couple that would give the baby a loving home.

"He's amazing." Shae whispered as she stood behind Regina sitting in a chair, staring down in wonder down at the baby nestled in her wife's arms.

"He certainly is." Regina whispered back. "Do you want to count his fingers and toes again?"

"No, let him sleep." Shae muttered softly, kneeling down next to Regina. "I'm sure there's still twelve of each."

Regina laughed, turning her head and placing a gentle kiss on Shae's lips. "What do you want to name him?" Shae asked of her.

The baby in Regina's arm's stirred softly, emitting a soft grunt as he stretched his tiny arms. Regina and Shae both held rigidly still, and they both sighed in relief as he fell peacefully back to sleep. Regina stared silently down at the baby, who was now her son. She gently brushed her finger across his cheek, smiling as her eyes welled with tears.

"Henry."

XX

Prince Henry grew into a fine young man under both of his mothers' proud and careful watch. Princess Emma grew up to be much the same, and both her and Henry spent many days laughing and playing together, both of them becoming fast and loyal friends, just like their parents were. Henry ended up marrying a commoner, which neither Shae nor Regina had any problems with. They both simply wanted their son to be happy, and to marry for love, just as they both had.

The woman's name was Violet, whom Henry had met as a young boy on a trip to Camelot. Shae and Regina had gotten word that, Friar Tuck, their old friend, who had been the one that married them, had fallen ill, and immediately rushed off to visit him on his deathbed, with their son in tow. Henry and Violet had an immediate bond, and remained in close contact after parting. Both Regina and Shae welcomed Violet and her father, who had raised her himself, into their court several years later. Not long after that, Henry married Violet, and, not long after that, the two of them had children of their own.

Many years later, Regina fell ill herself. The healers in her castle tried all they could to help her, as did Tinkerbell, but to no avail. The Queen lie in her bedchamber, her once luscious, raven colored hair now withered and gray, her skin spotted and wrinkled. Despite all that, Regina was content, surrounded by the people that loved her most. Snow White, David, their daughter Emma, her husband, Neal, and their children were all present. Her fairy godmother, Tinkerbell, who, due to her magic, had not aged a day, was also there. Her son, Henry, of course, was also at his mother's bedside, along with his wife, and Regina's grandchildren. Henry's uncle Remus was standing quietly at the back of the room next to Tink, and Shae, Regina's true love, sat next to her wife at the edge of the bed.

"Now, don't go running off with the first woman you lay eyes upon." Regina said to Shae, emitting a weak, frail cough.

Shae laughed, shaking her equally gray haired head. "No, no, of course not." She whispered with a wrinkled smile. "That's a recipe for a haunting, you know."

Regina laughed too, which turned into another painful cough. Shae bit her lip, eyeing Regina with concern as she coughed and wheezed, her whole body trembling. She reached out a frail, shaking hand, gently wiping the blood away from Regina's lips with an already bloodstained cloth.

"I love you, Shae." Regina whispered, feebly gripping her Protector's hand. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Regina." Shae whispered back, smiling as she gently squeezed her hand. "I have always loved you, and I always will."

Regina began coughing some more, and the people gathered around her deathbed hung their heads in sorrow. When the coughing stopped, Shae leaned forward, placing a gentle, tender kiss on her wife's lips. Shae pulled away from her true love's lips, squeezing her eyes shut as tears rushed down her wrinkled, olive toned face. Regina was gone.

Shae sat and listened to the quiet sobbing of the friends and family gathered in her Queen's bedchamber, her grandchildren standing in reserved silence next to their parents, not really understanding what was happening. Though her heart ached with sorrow over the passing of the woman she loved, she couldn't help but smile as she reflected on their life together. She gently caressed her wife's still, lifeless face. They had truly lived happily ever after.

XX