CHAPTER 28
In The Underworld, where all hope goes to die, things were looking exceptionally hopeless for the heroes of Storybrooke. They were pinned down, their backs to the wall, literally. They had been forced back to the wall of Underbrook's cannery by Van Helsing's army. A few members were sent down into The River of Lost Souls, but not nearly enough. The heroes were still outnumbered and outmatched by dead men.
Emma Swan had taken a nasty blow to the head, and was down for the count, as was her mother, who was working frantically to stop the bleeding. David's right leg was hobbled after being struck by an arrow, and Remus was in bad shape as well. He fought furiously in the midst of the fray, and had a number of wounds that were swollen and bleeding. The only ones left standing were the two dead souls, Nadia and Hook. Zelena was still on her feet as well, keeping them all safe behind a barrier spell. However, it was clear that she was fading fast.
"Why don't you stand and fight me, witch?" Aela snarled at Zelena.
"Why don't you shut your fat old gob, bitch?" Zelena snarled back.
Aela howled in fury, striking the magical barrier before her with her sword. Zelena grunted and groaned as she did, her barrier flickering dangerously. A stray arrow managed to make it through, and Hook managed to leap aside just in time.
"Bloody hell!" Shouted Hook. "Can't you keep that thing stable?"
"Don't you know by now that magic requires energy?" Cried Zelena. Her outstretched arms trembled violently as another barrage of arrows struck her barrier. "I don't know how much longer I can hold it! We need to retreat!"
"Where? How?" David exclaimed, grimacing in pain as he held his hand over the bleeding wound in his leg. "If you haven't noticed, we're pinned down!"
Zelena breathed out an angry growl, which turned into another grunt of exertion as Van Helsing's archers launched more arrows at the barrier. "Well, we need to do something!" She shouted. "We can't just sit here all day and wait for my sister and her dead girlfriend to show up!"
"Zelena's right." Agreed Snow White. She held her unconcious daughter tightly in her arms, pressing a torn piece of her shirt even tighter to Emma's head wound. "What if Regina can't even wake Shae up? What if they're still trapped in Shae's dreams?"
Remus suddenly started to laugh, which turned into a fit of violent coughs. "What's wrong, Snow White?" He asked, spitting out a wad of blood. "Fresh out of your speeches about hope?"
"Stop it, Remus." Nadia chided her brother. "It's not funny."
"Who's laughing?" Remus asked with an uncharacteristic giggle.
David breathed out a heavy sigh, leaning his head back against the wall. "Emma's down, so am I, and Remus is delusional. We're screwed!"
Zelena snorted loudly. "Well, if Prince Cheerful and Princess Hopeful think we're done for, then we must certainly be." She snarled in fury, stumbling back a step as more arrows struck her barrier. "Dammit… Why did I ever agree to this?"
"NOOO!"
They were all startled by the sudden, furious scream. Aela and the rest of Van Helsing's army were as well, and the barrages of arrows stopped for a moment as they all whirled around. Every single one of the fighters from Storybrooke felt their hearts drop out of their chests. It was Van Helsing himself, who had finally returned to the battle. He looked even more enraged than ever before.
"Abraham!" Aela cried as her husband approached her. "You're back! Did you find them?"
"I did, but someone… Unexpected, got in my way." Van Helsing spat furiously in reply. He stood beside his wife, raising an eyebrow at what remained of the group from Storybrooke. "What's going on here?"
"We've got them pinned down, my love." Aela replied with a grin. "This witch here thinks she's so clever with her protection magic, but she won't last much longer."
A grin of his own stretched across Van Helsing's face as he turned his eyes onto Zelena. "Oh, I remember this one. Not as green as she used to be, but I know she's that witch from Oz." He chuckled darkly, pointing a finger at The Wicked Witch. "You'll die first for what you did to me!"
"Bring it on, dog breath!" Snarled Zelena.
As Van Helsing drew his sword, Hook softly cleared his throat, stepping up to Zelena's shoulder. "Could we possibly not taunt the very large, angry, wolf man?"
Zelena chuckled herself. "Oh, please. He's not a werewolf, not anymore, not down here." She sneered, grinning at Van Helsing. "Isn't that right? You would have turned by now if you had the power. But you don't. You're nothing here in this place!"
Van Helsing barked out one of his loud, mocking laughs. "You think so?" He asked, grinning even more himself. "Let's just see about that."
The group from Storybrooke watched with wide, terrified eyes as Van Helsing raised his sword into the air, and time seemed to slow to a crawl. Zelena slid one leg back, readying herself, as the others watched helplessly. Before any of them could do a thing to warn Zelena, to stop her, Van Helsing bellowed out a furious war cry, and brought his sword down.
Zelena's barrier finally broke under the crushing weight of Abraham Van Helsing's blow. Zelena herself was sent hurtling backward, her head smacking into the wall of the cannery. The others watched in horror as she hit the ground hard, where she remained motionless. Their only remaining mage, their only protection, was now lost. They were doomed.
Nadia had been knocked off her feet by Zelena's flying body, but she quickly scrambled back up, notching an arrow to her bow. Killian Jones, the only other one left standing, stepped up beside her, readying his sword. The two of them stood in silence as Van Helsing, his wife, and his army, all laughed, and slowly began to surround them.
"Wait a minute… I know you." Said Van Helsing, pointing the tip of his sword at Nadia. "You're the bloodsucker I killed all those years ago. You're the reason Shae has hated me for so long."
Van Helsing paused for a moment, and Nadia glared at him in silence, her arrow aimed straight at his head. "Frankly, I don't really see what all the fuss is about." Van Helsing went on with a laugh.
As Aela and the rest of his army laughed along with him, Remus grunted and groaned, staggering to his feet. "Careful…" He growled, his chest heaving as he stumbled forward, hefting his sword. "That's my sister you're talking about."
"Remus…" Nadia groaned as her brother stepped protectively in front of her. "Dammit, just stay down!"
"Never!" Remus snarled in reply.
Remus swung his sword at Van Helsing, but was much too injured, and much too slow. Van Helsing easily countered with the blade of his own sword, then used the hilt to strike Remus in the face. Remus swayed dangerously for a moment, then collapsed backwards onto the ground at Nadia's feet.
"Right…" Van Helsing said, cracking his neck as he glanced back at his army. "Kill them. Then, we'll take The Evil Queen and her bitch."
Aela and her husband's army all threw their fists into the air, bellowing out fearsome war cries. The heroes of Storybrooke all watched in silent horror as they began to approach. David, who was sitting helplessly on the ground, glanced over at his wife, who was clutching their daughter fearfully in her arms. He opened his mouth to speak something hopeful and reassuring, but nothing at all came out.
Nadia and Hook, their last line of defense, slowly drew back as Van Helsing and his army loomed ever closer. The two of them exchanged a fearful, uncertain glance. Hook fell back into a battle ready stance, and Nadia pulled her bowstring even tighter. Their hands shook violently as they watched Abraham Van Helsing raise his sword again, and they braced themselves for a losing battle.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a wall of fire burst forth between Van Helsing's army and the small army from Storybrooke. "WHAT?" Van Helsing exclaimed, stumbling backward. "What the fucking hell is this?"
"Hey! Dickwads!"
Van Helsing, his wife, and his army all turned in their spots once again. Nadia drew in a sharp gasp, her bow nearly tumbling from her hands. It was Shae and Regina, finally awake, and finally ready to join the fight.
"Looking for us?" Regina asked with a grin, hand outstretched as she maintained her protective wall of fire.
"Ah, excellent!" Van Helsing exclaimed, grinning himself. "We can finally end this properly." He pointed his sword at Shae and Regina, his grin falling into a fearsome snarl. "I'm going to tear you both limb from limb!"
"Aren't you supposed to take us both to Hades?" Asked Shae, folding her arms across her chest.
"Fuck Hades!" Growled Van Helsing. "This is far too personal."
Shae laughed loudly, one of her signature quirky grins stretching across her face. "Well, would you look at that? After all these years, we finally agree on something!"
Shae then turned her gaze over toward the group from Storybrooke huddled against the wall of the cannery. Her breath caught in her throat as she locked eyes with Nadia, and she smiled. Nadia smiled back at her, her brilliant green eyes welling with tears.
"Regina, go take care of the others." Shae muttered quietly as she scanned her eyes over her fallen friends. "They look like they're in rough shape."
"Are you sure?" Regina asked, gently gripping Shae's arm. "Your magic… Can you control it?"
Shae breathed out a small chuckle, shrugging her shoulders. "No clue. But I won't know until I try."
Regina nodded, knowing full well there was no time to argue. She then began to make her way toward the others. She was forced to stop in her tracks when Van Helsing called her out.
"Where the hell do you think you're going, Your Majesty?" He snarled. He glanced over his shoulder, calling out to his soldiers. "Stop The Evil Queen! Don't let her use her fowl magic to heal her little friends!"
Regina breathed out an enraged snarl, and opened her mouth to reply. She stopped as Aela suddenly thrust her sword into the air, shouting, "CHAAARGE!"
Van Helsing and his army all bellowed out fearsome war cries, and charged headlong at both Shae and Regina. Shae reacted swiftly, crying out herself as she thrust her hands forward. A blast of roaring wind stopped Van Helsing and his army in their tracks. Several members were sent hurtling backwards into The River Acheron, where they did not resurface, lost for eternity.
Shae remained where she stood for a moment, grinning triumphantly down at her own two hands. She then glanced at Regina, who was grinning back at her. Shae's grin quickly disappeared, and she pointed a finger over at the others.
"GO!" She shouted.
Regina shook herself, and nodded her head. As Shae charged into battle, Regina rushed toward her friends from Storybrooke. The ones who were still conscious were all smiling at her through the flames before them. As she began to approach, Regina waved her hands in the air, and her wall of fire disappeared.
"REGINA!" Nadia suddenly shrieked.
Regina whirled around, and spotted Carl charging toward her, sword in the air. All she had time to do was gasp in alarm before he was upon her. Regina gasped again as Carl lurched violently to a stop, an arrow protruding from his forehead. She then turned herself around, and gasped once more when she saw Robin, bow in hand.
Robin Hood lowered his bow, and sprinted toward Carl, who was blinking dazedly. He bowed his head, snarling furiously as he threw his shoulder into the man's chest. Regina, as well as the others, watched with their mouths gaping open as Carl was sent hurtling backwards. He tumbled over the side of the dock, and into the water.
"Robin!" Regina exclaimed. "I thought you were staying behind to look after Henry and Belle, and the baby!"
"Don't worry, I took them somewhere safe." Robin replied with a grin. "Besides… I couldn't let you lot have all the fun."
He shifted quickly in his spot, shooting off an arrow at another man that was rushing toward him. Nadia fired an arrow from her own bow as she joined Robin. Hook was not far behind them, sword at the ready.
"Go, get to healing!" Nadia shouted. "We'll cover you!"
Regina nodded, and hurried over to her fallen friends. "Thank god you're here, Regina." Snow said with a grateful smile. "Start with Remus. He's hurt bad."
Regina nodded her head once again, and bent over Remus. She outstretched her arms over his battered and beaten body and, after a few moments, his wounds began to close. His eyes then slowly fluttered open, and he grinned up at his savior.
"Oh… Regina… If you aren't a beautiful sight." He muttered dazedly. He sat forward, breathing out a relieved sigh as he examined his now fully healed body. "Honestly, if I wasn't so thoroughly repulsed by the female form, I just might kiss you!"
Regina laughed as she helped Remus to his feet. "As lovely as that would be, Remus, I think we both know a certain someone who would be quite upset."
"Yes, Henry is awfully protective of you." Remus replied with a wink.
Regina laughed again as Remus placed a quick kiss on her cheek. He then scooped up his fallen sword, and rushed back into battle. Regina used her magic to heal Emma's head wound next, then David's leg. Before The Charming Family re-joined the fray, they pointed out Zelena, who was still lying unconscious against the wall.
"I won't lie, sis, I'm surprised to see you here." Regina said once her sister was back on her feet.
Zelena chuckled dryly as she tousled her hair. "Yes, well, it seems today is a day full of surprises." She muttered, quickly brushing herself off. "Here you are, The Evil Queen, swooping in to save the day like a proper hero."
Regina sighed, folding her arms across her chest. "You know that isn't who I am anymore."
"Right, right…" Zelena mumbled, rolling her eyes. She and Regina both quietly observed the utter chaos ensuing before them for a moment. "It's a shame, really." Said Zelena. "We sure could use a little of Her Majesty's, er… Expertise."
Regina slowly nodded her head, her lips pursed into a firm line. "Well… I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let The Evil Queen out to play." She said with a shrug. "You know… Just a little. For the sake of turning the tides of battle, of course."
A wide, excited grin suddenly stretched across The Wicked Witch's face. Regina grinned back at her as she summoned a fireball into her hand. Zelena produced her own glowing green fireball, the flames dancing menacingly in her eyes.
"What do you say, sis?" Regina asked as two of Van Helsing's soldiers began to charge at the sisters. "Do you think it's a good day for a barbeque?"
Zelena breathed out a deep, dark chuckle. "I think it's an absolutely perfect day."
Regina and Zelena, The Evil Queen and The Wicked Witch, hurled their fireballs at the two unfortunate souls. They both stopped in their tracks, screaming as they burst into flames. As the sisters stepped around them, Zelena used her magic to send the burning men flying through the air. They crashed down into The River of Lost Souls, where they would never bother another soul again.
The battle was raging fiercely, the docks of Unbrooke engulfed in sheer chaos. With their wounds now healed, the heroes of Storybrooke fought with a renewed vigor. They used the waters surrounding them to their advantage as much as they possibly could, and quite successfully. Van Helsing's numbers were significantly thinned by the time Regina reached the thick of the battle.
She finally spotted the woman that she loved amongst the fray. Shae had taken up a fallen sword from one of Van Helsing's men, and was using it to cross blades with Aela, a foe that she had once vanquished. Regina reached Shae just in time to watch her knock Aela's own sword out of her hand. She then kicked the fearsome huntress straight in the chest, sending her hurtling over the dock.
"AELAAA!" Van Helsing screamed.
Shae was too busy reveling in her victory to notice her enraged nemesis charging toward her. "I don't think so…" Regina snarled under her breath.
She used her magic to bodily seize Van Helsing. He screamed in fury as he was sent sailing backwards through the air. Shae had turned herself around just in time to see it all, and she smiled in wonder at Regina.
Suddenly, Shae's smile fell into a fearsome scowl. She took up her sword in both of her hands, and hurled it straight at Regina. Regina felt the wind of Shae's sword zooming past her ear. She quickly spun around, and saw that it was now buried deep in the skull of one of Van Helsing's men, who had crept up behind her.
Regina quickly wrenched the sword from the man's head, and used it to cut down another. She spun around, and tossed the sword back to Shae. It came just in time, as another soldier was bearing down upon her. Shae made quick work of him, using her wind magic to send his limp body over the edge of the dock.
As more soldiers began to surround them, Shae and Regina stood back to back, just as they had done before upon the battlefield. They eyed the soldiers carefully, watching for any signs of an attack.
"You… Fucking… BITCH!" Van Helsing roared as he approached them once again, shoving his own soldiers out of his way. "You'll pay… You'll pay for what you've done!"
Shae laughed loudly, mockingly. "Oh, you have no idea." She snarled, chuckling some more. "You have absolutely no idea. The River of Lost Souls is child's play compared to what I've been through!"
"I don't FUCKING CARE!" Van Helsing shouted, pointing the tip of his sword at Shae. "You took the woman I love from me! And now… I'll take yours!"
"Just go ahead and try, motherfucker!" Growled Regina.
Shae gasped, taking Regina's hand. "Aww!" She cooed, another quirky grin stretching across her face. "You used one of my favorite words!"
"What can I say?" Regina replied with a grin of her own. "It's grown on me."
"ENOUGH!" Van Helsing bellowed, brandishing his sword at Regina and Shae. "Kill them! KILL THEM!"
As Van Helsing's soldiers charged forward, Shae and Regina exchanged another knowing, devious grin. They stood back to back once again, and Regina summoned her own black steel sword into her hand. The two of them then fell into battle ready stances as their enemies closed in.
The sound of steel striking steel rang out across the docks of Underbrooke. Now that Shae was in full control of her powers, she and her Queen were an even more devastatingly dangerous duo. They turned in unison in a tight circle, twirling around in a deadly, decimating dance. As each foe fell at their feet, one or the other would use their magic to send them crashing into The River of Lost Souls.
The others soon began to join Shae and Regina, their own foes felled and fallen. By the time the heroes of Storybrooke came together, most of Van Helsing's forces had been lost. Still, though, they threw themselves vigorously into battle, each of them feeling their victory close at hand.
"Retreat!" Van Helsing's voice suddenly rang out across the battlefield. "RETREAT!"
What remained of Van Helsing's army began to flee left and right. Shae turned in her spot, scanning the battlefield for her nemesis. His voice had sounded far away, and she breathed out an enraged snarl when she failed to spot him.
The others threw their fists into the air, crying out triumphantly as the last of Van Helsing's soldiers either fell or fled. Regina then summoned up all the power she could, arms outstretched toward the dozen or so soldiers that were lying unconscious upon the ground. She swept her arms to the side, sending the fallen soldiers straight down into the depths of The River Acheron.
All thoughts of her nemesis left Shae's mind as she watched the woman she loved sway on her feet. She rushed forward, quickly wrapping her up in her arms. Regina blinked dazedly for a moment, then smiled when her eyes focused on Shae.
"You're amazing…" Shae whispered, smiling back into the eyes of the woman she loved. "Absolutely and completely, just… Amazing."
Regina's smile grew even wider, and she wrapped her arms around Shae's neck. She breathed out a contented sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as Shae kissed her. For a moment, as always, the entire rest of the world melted away as the two lovers kissed.
"Alright, that's quite enough of that." Remus said as he stepped toward Shae. "Move aside! Best friend, coming through!"
Regina stumbled slightly as Shae's lips were wrenched away from her. If it had been anyone else other than Remus, Regina would have been angry as she was shoved aside. Instead, she simply smiled as Remus threw his arms around Shae.
"Remus…" Shae whispered, holding her best friend tight. "Remus, I'm so sorry for what I did to you back in Storybrooke. I-"
"No, no! I'll have none of that." Remus interjected. He held Shae out at arms length, staring very sternly into her eyes. "You have absolutely nothing to apologize for. Understand?"
Shae opened her mouth to protest, but shut it again, smiling as she nodded her head. The others then all took turns embracing Shae, as well as Regina. Every single one of them were immensely grateful for their timely arrival.
"It's good to see you up and about, mate." Hook said with a smile.
"Hook! You're alright!" Shae exclaimed as she tightly embraced him.
"Aye, just as you said I would be." Replied Hook. "How did you know?"
Shae laughed, running a hand through her messy black hair. "I, uh… I didn't. I just, you know… Had a little hope." She replied with a shrug. She then cleared her throat, and scanned her eyes over the others. "I… I-I swear I saw Nadia with you guys. I didn't dream that, right? That was… T-That was real… Right?"
Regina nodded her head as Shae looked to her for an answer. "Yes, yes, she's here!" Remus replied excitedly. He then turned around, calling out to his sister. "Nadia? Nadia!"
The others all turned in their spots, scanning the docks with their eyes. "She was right behind me, I swear it." Remus muttered with a frown. "Where the bloody hell did she go?"
They all immediately split up, searching the battlefield for their new, now missing friend. "Over here!" Robin called out after a few moments.
Robin Hood was crouched behind a now mostly shattered stack of wooden crates. When he stood up, he was holding a bow that was not his. "That's… Nadia's bow." Said Remus, his eyes wide.
"Guys!" Shouted Emma.
The others rushed over to her, and found that she was holding a shoe. "Nadia's shoe!" Remus exclaimed.
"Son of a bitch…" Shae suddenly whispered, her own eyes growing wide as well. "Van Helsing… He took her!"
A stunned, confused silence fell over the group for a moment. "What?" Snow was the first to speak. "Why?"
"Why does that bastard do anything?" Shae snarled, her clenched fists shaking with fury. "To spite me! Even in The Underworld he's still trying to ruin my life, to hurt the people I care about! I'll fucking RIP HIM APART!"
"Shae… Stay calm, ok?" Regina muttered soothingly, placing her hand gently on Shae's trembling arm. "Robin, can you track Van Helsing?"
Robin Hood swiftly nodded his head. "Of course. They all fled this way. Come on."
The others all followed Robin, but Regina remained behind with Shae for a moment. She was still struggling to calm herself. "We… W-We have to find her, Regina. We have to save her." Shae whispered, frightened tears beginning to trickle out of her eyes. "I… I can't. N-Not again… Not again…"
"Shh… It's alright, Shae." Regina whispered in the same calm, soothing tone. She gently brushed the tears away from her lover's face, managing a small smile. "We'll find her. We will. I promise."
Shae let out a shaky, quivering breath, and slowly nodded her head. Regina took her by the hand, holding it tight as they both hurried after Robin and the others. Regina had no idea what exactly Van Helsing had in store for Nadia, none of them did. One thing they did know, was that it was nothing at all good.
XX
It wasn't hard for an experienced tracker like Robin to follow Abraham Van Helsing's large, heavy footprints. The trail led them on a trek through the woods, and it wasn't long before they all realized where Van Helsing had taken Nadia. His footprints led straight to The Cave of Judgement.
Shae insisted on going in first, for she knew that she was the one Van Helsing really wanted. Remus and Regina both insisted on their own terms as well. They followed right on Shae's heels as she quickly and quietly entered the cave.
The three of them carefully peered around the corner of the cave's opening, the others remaining behind to guard the entrance. They spotted Van Helsing near the edge of the cliff that overlooked the roaring lake of flames. He was pacing back and forth in front of Nadia, who he had placed right at the cliff's pointed tip. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground, glaring menacingly at her captor.
"Do you really think Shae is just going to storm in here after me without a plan?" Nadia asked of Van Helsing, folding her arms across her chest. "Fat fucking chance!"
"HEY, ASSHOLE!"
Before either Regina or Remus could stop her, Shae sprang out from around the corner. "Oh, dammit… " Muttered Nadia.
"Dammit!" Snarled Remus.
Van Helsing laughed in the loud, mocking way that he often did. "There you are!" He called out with a devious grin. "I was starting to think you wouldn't find us!"
"Let her go, Van Helsing!" Shae shouted, pointing her sword at her nemesis. "This is between you and me!"
"Is it, now?"
Shae, Regina, and Remus all jumped at the quiet, unexpected voice. "Oh no…" Regina breathed in horror.
"Hades…" Growled Shae.
Hades, Lord of Death, was leaning casually against the rocky wall, grinning at Shae in a way that none of them liked one bit. "What do you want, Hades?" Asked Shae, tightening her grip on her sword.
"Oh, so many, many things." Hades replied, his unsettling grin growing even broader. "But, at this specific moment, all I want… Is your suffering."
"Fine." Shae snarled in reply. "Do whatever you want with me. Just leave Nadia out of this. She's never done anything to you."
"Shae, NO!" Cried Nadia.
Nadia grunted in pain as Van Helsing struck her in the face with his fist. "STOP!" Remus bellowed, leaping out of his hiding spot. "You keep your filthy hands off her, you BASTARD!"
"Dammit…" Regina muttered, rushing off after Remus.
"Oh-ho!" Hades exclaimed as Remus and Regina both joined Shae. "I see you've brought your brother, and your lover! Perfect. I'm guessing Scooby and the rest of the gang are just outside?"
"Stop it!" Shouted Shae, her limbs beginning to tremble all over again. "Just… Whatever you're going to do, do it to me! I'm the one you want, right? I'm the one that escaped, the one that defied you. Leave everyone else out of this! Please!"
Hades emitted a dark, devious chuckle, pushing away from the wall. "Oh, Shae… I'm so disappointed in you." He replied, slowly shaking his head. "You used to be great… A hungry, ruthless, blood-drunk killer. You sent so, so many souls my way. In fact, you and your Queen here were a magnificent help in populating my domain. I honestly can't thank you both enough!"
Shae and Regina exchanged a quick glance, but remained silent, and turned their furious eyes back onto Hades. "Now look at you." Hades went on, gesturing vaguely toward Shae. "You're just another one of those useless heroes willing to martyr yourself for the ones you love. Pathetic, honestly, but it did help me realize something very important about you."
"And what exactly is that?" Growled Shae.
"Simple. Hurting you will get me nowhere." Hades replied with a small shrug. "In fact, after being inside your head, I know for a fact that you often enjoy it. You little masochist." He paused for a moment, his devious, dangerous grin slowly returning. "So, I realized that the only way to punish you… Is to hurt the ones you love. I was going to torture Her Majesty here right in front of you, but I suppose starting with her is even better."
Hades gestured toward Van Hesling. Obediently, Van Helsing seized Nadia by the throat, lifting her effortlessly onto her feet. Shae, Regina, and Remus could only stand and watch in horror as Van Helsing thrust his arm out, dangling Nadia over the edge of the cliff.
"NO!" Shae shouted, her sword falling from her hand. "STOP! Please, just… J-Just let her go! Take me! TAKE ME!"
Hades rolled his eyes at Shae's frightened cries. "Pathetic." He scoffed. "Honestly, for real this time… I'm not mad, just disappointed."
The Lord of Death then gave Van Helsing a swift nod. Time seemed to slow to a horrifying crawl as the others turned their eyes onto him. With a smile on his face, Van Helsing released his grip on Nadia's throat.
"NOOOO!" Shae screamed.
"NADIAAA!" Bellowed Remus.
Regina remained silent, her mouth gaping open in sheer horror. She managed to catch a glimpse of Nadia's frightened face just before she dropped over the edge of the cliff, and down into the flames. Her heart ached, the pain of it making her sick to her stomach.
A different sort of pain suddenly hit Regina. In a fit of pure rage, Remus rushed at the God of Death, sword in the air. Hades simply laughed, and sent Remus careening backwards, straight into Regina. The two of them rolled and tumbled across the rocky ground, where they remained once they came to a stop.
"Excellent…" Van Helsing muttered. He was grinning from ear to ear as he watched Shae rush to the edge of the cliff, only to collapse onto her knees. He then turned to Hades. "Now, then. I held up my end of the bargain. I think it's time you held up yours, don't you?"
Hades laughed once again. "Oh, Abraham… You're strong, I'll give you that, formidable, even. But it's clear that Alucard got all the brains in the family."
Van Helsing narrowed his eyes at Hades. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Hades laughed loudly this time, mockingly, the same way that Van Helsing himself so often did. "I can't send people back to the living world, you moron!" He exclaimed. "Don't you know that I'm trapped down here too?"
Van Helsing's jaw dropped open in sheer indignation. "You… Y-You tricked me!"
"Of course I did!" Cried Hades, spreading his arms wide. "And what exactly are you going to do about it? I'm the God of Death!"
Van Helsing drew his sword with a furious growl, stepping toward Hades. "I'll tear you apart, you goddamn-"
He lurched to a stop as his chest suddenly exploded outward, raining droplets of blood down onto the rocks and dirt. He glanced down at the fist that had bored straight through his ribcage. It was on fire, clenched around his own heart.
Van Helsing slowly turned himself around, his wide, baffled eyes staring into another set of furious, tear stained eyes. They were Shae's, wide and wild with rage, with pain. Her chest heaved as she stood before her long time enemy, holding his heart in her own hand.
After lying on the ground in a painful daze for a few moments, Regina finally made it to her feet. She was just in time to watch her lover's flaming fist punch straight through Van Helsing's chest. The others rushed into the cave at the same time, drawn by all the screaming.
"SHAE!" Emma shouted.
"Stop." Regina muttered, throwing out her arm, stopping The Savior in her tracks. "Let her do this." She commanded as tears streamed down her face. "She… She needs to do this."
"Bloody hell…" Hook whispered.
They all watched in horrified wonder as Shae crushed Van Helsing's heart in her flaming fist, right before his very eyes. She then seized him by the front of his shirt, and threw him to the ground. Van Helsing's head hung dangerously over the edge of the cliff. Shae let out a furious, agonized scream, and threw herself upon him. She continued screaming like a banshee as she struck him right in the face, over and over and over again.
By the time Shae was finished, Van Helsing's face was a contorted, bloody mess. She then staggered shakily to her feet. She stood over her battered and bloody nemesis for a moment, her chest heaving, her flaming fists trembling.
"Burn…" She whispered. "Burn… You fucking… BASTARD!"
Shae bellowed out another anguished, fearsome scream, and kicked Van Helsing hard in the chest. The others all gasped as he tumbled straight over the edge of the cliff. He screamed as he fell. The flames below roared louder for a moment, swallowing up Abraham Van Helsing and his terrified screams. Then, there was only silence.
Suddenly, a loud, slow clapping sound drew everyone's attention. It was Hades. A wide, gleeful grin stretched across his face as he slowly clapped his hands.
"Oh, well done." He said as Shae turned around to face him. "There she is. There's the old Shae that we all know and love."
Shae's chest was still heaving with exertion, with rage, her whole body trembling. "You…" She snarled. The flames surrounding her hands burned even brighter as she pointed a quivering finger at Hades, tears streaming from her eyes. "You're next…"
"SHAE, LOOK OUT!" Snow White suddenly shrieked.
Shae whirled back around, and gasped at what she saw. A swirling cyclone of fire had suddenly sprung up from the flames below. It was heading straight toward her.
Just in the nick of time, Shae managed to dive out of the way. The fiery cyclone crash landed right in the spot where she had been standing. She shielded her eyes from it from her spot on the ground. It roared and swirled for a moment, then it was sucked back down into the fiery abyss. It left something behind, something that shocked them all: Nadia.
"What?" Nadia exclaimed, staring wide eyed down at her own body. "W-What… What just happened?"
"Nadia?" Shae whispered.
Nadia was busy patting herself down, and turned her eyes onto Shae once she spoke. "Shae?" She whispered back. She then smiled, spreading her arms wide. "SHAE!"
"Nadia!" Shae exclaimed.
Shae scrambled up onto her feet, and threw herself into Nadia's arms. She sobbed with pure joy as she held her. She was finally reunited with her long lost love, after so many, many years. Regina, as well as the others, couldn't help but smile too.
"No…" Hades suddenly whispered.
The Lord of the Underworld had been momentarily forgotten. As soon as he spoke, Shae removed herself from Nadia's arms, and spun around. The others reacted swiftly as well, drawing their various weapons.
"You'll pay…" Hades snarled. For the first time, they saw fear in his eyes as he pointed a quivering finger at Shae, then at the others. "You… Y-You'll all pay for this… YOU WILL PAY!"
Then, The God of Death disappeared in a swirl of blue flames. They all stood in silence for a moment, listening hard, their eyes darting back and forth. Slowly, they began to lower their weapons. It seemed as if Hades was really gone, for the time being, at least.
"Remus…" Regina muttered as she knelt down, shaking Remus' shoulder. "Remus, wake up!"
Remus groaned, and slowly began to stir. "Nadia… No…" He mumbled. "Nadia…"
"It's alright, Remus. Nadia is just fine." Regina told him in a soothing tone.
Remus finally was able to open his eyes, and he sat forward. Regina tapped him on the shoulder, then pointed out at his sister, who was embracing Shae once again. A wide, joyous smile sprang to his face.
"Nadia!" He exclaimed.
He scrambled up onto his feet, and immediately sprinted to his sister. Regina and the others all watched with more smiles as Remus swept both Shae and Nadia into his arms. The three of them laughed, tears of joy streaming down their faces. After such a long time, their tiny, dysfunctional family was finally reunited.
"Woah…" Emma suddenly muttered. "Look!"
They all followed Emma's pointed finger with their eyes. On the other side of the cave, across the lake of flames, a sudden bright light began to shine through the rocky wall. Shae, Remus, and Nadia noticed it too, and they watched in astonishment as the light grew and grew. Suddenly, the wall of the cave was gone, and a bridge now stretched across the cavern. The bridge led to what looked like a massive portal, a portal made of warm, white light.
"Woah…" Shae whispered.
"W-What… What is that?" Remus stammered.
"I'm not sure." Said Nadia, slowly shaking her head. "But, I think… I-I think it's meant for me."
"It is."
The three halflings turned themselves around, and found Regina and the others had joined them upon the cliff. "The light, it leads to someplace… Better." Emma slowly explained. "Someplace where you can… Move on. Find peace."
"Oh… Oh, I see." Nadia mumbled. She was silent for a moment as she stared across the bridge and into the light. Then, a smile slowly crept across her face. "Someplace better… Peace… That sounds awfully nice, doesn't it?"
"Indeed it does." Replied Remus. He smiled too, more tears welling into his eyes. "It's everything you deserve, Nadia. I'm just… I'm sad to see you go."
"Go?" Shae suddenly exclaimed. She had been staring transfixed into the light as well, and finally snapped back to reality, quickly shaking her head. "No… No, no, no… Nadia, you can't go. You just… I… I-I just-"
Nadia reached out and cupped Shae's face in her hands, stopping her confused stammering. "I know, Shae." She whispered, smiling into Shae's piercing blue eyes. "I'm sorry, but… It's time, I know that now. I finally know what my unfinished business was."
Shae blinked several times, then pointed to herself. "Me?" She asked.
"Yes, of course, you knob!" Nadia replied, shoving Shae's shoulder playfully. She then breathed out a heavy sigh, and took both Shae and Remus by the hand with a smile. "And Remus too. I just… Needed to see, needed to know that you both were… Taken care of, and taking care of each other. And… And that you were loved. Just like I love you."
Nadia paused for a moment, her brilliant green eyes shining with more tears as she looked upon the two people she loved most. "And now… Now I know that you are." She went on, smiling through her tears. She then turned her eyes onto Regina and the rest. "And it's thanks to all of you. Thank you."
Remus and Shae both stood quietly waiting as Nadia embraced each of the others, saying her goodbyes to her new friends from Storybrooke. Every single one of them was teary eyed, even Zelena.
"It was an honor and a pleasure fighting by your side, love." Hook said with a smile.
"Indeed." Robin agreed with a smile of his own. "Your skills with a bow just might rival that of my own."
Nadia laughed as Robin winked at her, and she gave him a tight and grateful hug. "Well, that's certainly high praise, coming from the famous Robin Hood." She replied, winking back at him.
"Good luck, Nadia." Said Emma.
"It was wonderful to finally meet you." Said a misty-eyed Snow White. "We wish you all the best."
Nadia nodded, and embraced them both, as well as David. Finally, she turned to Regina, who was fighting back her own tears. They came pouring out as soon as Nadia threw her arms around her.
"I know I've already said it, but I'll say it again." Regina muttered, wiping at the moisture on her face. "I'm glad to have met you, Nadia. So, so, glad."
Nadia nodded her head some more, tears of her own starting to trickle down her cheeks. "You're an amazing woman, Regina. Complete with the features and the ass of a goddamn angel."
Regina couldn't help but burst out laughing. Nadia laughed with her for a moment, then took her hands in both of her own. She smiled into Regina's eyes, more tears leaking out of her own.
"Thank you for loving my brother, and, of course, for loving Shae." She went on, her voice quavering with emotion. "I know it hasn't been easy for the two of you, but… In the end, you've always found your way back to each other. You have a fearsome bond that I don't think anyone could ever break, not even Hades. And I'm so grateful for it."
Regina was the one to nod her head this time, her throat too tight for speech. For the second time, Nadia threw her arms around the once Evil Queen. They embraced tightly for a moment, then Nadia stepped back, her green eyes streaming with tears.
She then moved on, stepping over to where both Remus and Shae were still standing. She threw her arms around her brother. Remus held her tight, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"Oh, my little dove… I love you. I love you so much." Remus whispered softly. "Go, now and… And move on from this horrible place. Go find your peace in the halls of Valhalla."
"I will." Nadia whispered back. "I love you too, brother. I love you so, so much."
Nadia then turned to Shae, who had been quietly staring at the portal of light, the portal that Nadia was about to step into. Nadia sighed, and took Shae by the hand. She led Shae to the edge of the cliff, where a bridge now stretched across the lake of flames, a bridge that stood waiting for her.
"Shae, please… Please don't be sad." Said Nadia, holding both of Shae's hands in her own. "I've been trapped here for so long, and… And now-"
"I know." Shae muttered, cutting Nadia off. She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face as she fought to keep her voice even. "I just… I-I wish… I wish we could have spent more time together. I've missed you so much, Nadia."
"And I've missed you." Nadia whispered in reply. She reached out and took Shae's face in her hands again, gently brushing away her tears with her thumbs. "Part of me wants to stay right here with you, but… If I don't go now, I might not be able to later. I might not have the strength even if I could."
Nadia paused as Shae choked out a quiet sob. "Besides… You've got someone else now." She went on, wiping more tears from Shae's face. "A strong, smart, magnificent woman who loves you so fiercely, she journeyed into The Underworld to save you."
Shae nodded her head, breathing out a shaky sigh. She turned her tear stained face onto Regina, who was wiping furiously at her own tears that continued to leak out of her eyes. Shae managed a small smile, and Regina smiled back at her.
"Just… Promise me something." Said Nadia, causing Shae to turn her eyes back onto her. Nadia stepped in closer, dropping her voice to a whisper, staring deep into Shae's eyes. "Promise me that… That you'll never forget that I love you. Don't ever forget that I've always loved you, Shae, and that I always will."
Shae nodded some more, her face contorting in sorrow. Nadia then glanced over at Regina herself. "Do you mind?" She asked of the once Evil Queen. "Just… One last time?"
Regina knew exactly what Nadia was asking her. She shook her head with a smile, then cast her eyes politely away. Nadia then turned back to Shae, wrapped her arms around her neck, and placed a kiss on her lips.
Shae choked out another quiet, strangled sob against Nadia's lips. She placed her trembling hands on either side of Nadia's face, holding her kiss. A quiet few moments passed, then they drew apart. Nadia kept her forehead pressed against Shae's as she shifted her eyes over to the portal of white light.
"Can you feel it? It feels so… So warm, so peaceful." Nadia whispered. Shae nodded her head, for indeed she could feel it, deep within. She suspected that Hook could as well. "Where do you think it leads? Do you really think it's Valhalla?"
Shae thought back to what Hades had said about the old gods, the gods the people of Avalon worshiped. "I… Don't know." She muttered, slowly shaking her head. "I don't… I-I don't think so, Nadia."
Nadia nodded, pursing her lips as she pondered for a moment. "That's alright." She replied with a shrug. "I don't think I really want to spend the rest of eternity fighting and feasting anyway."
Shae chuckled quietly, which brought another smile to Nadia's face. She then reached out a hand toward Remus, who immediately rushed over to her. Nadia placed a kiss on her brother's cheek, then Shae's.
"I love you." She said, smiling through her tears. "Both of you." She then glanced at Regina, smiling at her one last time. "Take good care of these two, won't you? They're quite a handful, so watch out."
Regina chuckled herself, and nodded her head. Nadia then stepped away from Shae and her brother, and waved at the others. They all waved back, all of their eyes shining with tears. Then, Nadia took a deep, steadying breath, and turned to face the bridge before her. She was still clinging to Shae's hand, but she let go as she stepped forward.
Remus wrapped his arm around Shae's shoulders, and the two of them wept together as they watched their beloved Nadia cross the bridge toward the portal. Just before she stepped through, she turned back, giving the two people she loved most one last smile. Then, she stepped into the light, and was gone.
The white light disappeared not a moment later, as did the rest of the rocky bridge that stretched across the cavern. The only sounds to be heard were the roaring of the flames below, and the quiet sniffling of those gathered inside the cave. Regina slowly approached the woman she loved, who was still standing beside Remus, both of them staring at the spot where Nadia had just been.
"Shae…" Regina whispered softly, placing her hand gently on Shae's arm. "Shae, are… You alright?"
Shae slowly turned her head toward Regina, and Regina's heart nearly broke. Tears were streaming down her cheeks, her features contorted in sorrow. She opened her mouth to speak, her bottom lip trembling. All that came out was a pained, strangled sob.
Shae practically collapsed into Regina's arms. Her knees buckled, and Regina went down to the ground with her. She sobbed into Regina's shoulder, and Regina held her tight, pressing her lips into the side of her head. Regina glanced up at Remus, who was still standing rigidly in place. She wanted to call out to him, to comfort him too, but no sound was able to escape her lips.
Remus suddenly turned in his spot, wiping at the tears on his face as he walked away from the cliff. "Remus… Are you alright?" Robin asked of his old friend.
"No." Remus muttered as he continued walking. "But I can't stand to be in this place anymore."
"Come on." David said to the others. "Lets, uh… Give them some privacy."
They all nodded in agreement, and followed Remus out of the cave, leaving Shae and Regina alone together. Shae continued to sob bitterly, and Regina held her as tight as she could. She gently and soothingly stroked her hair, pressing tender kisses into the side of her head. Her legs started to ache, and eventually went numb. She didn't care. She knew there was little else she could do, and that there were no words that she could say to ease Shae's pain. She was determined to hold and comfort the woman she loved as long as she could, for as long as Shae needed.
XX
After a fierce battle with Van Helsing and his forces, and Nadia's departure into the beyond, the heroes of Storybrooke were tired, starving, and in desperate need of a drink. They decided to convene at Underbrooke's version of Granny's Diner. Now that Van Helsing was defeated, and the danger was over, Henry and Belle joined them as well. Remus and Robin, however, did not.
Remus had remained silent on their trek back to town, only speaking up to decline the offer to join the rest at Granny's. Robin offered Remus a spot at his camp in the woods instead, and Remus accepted. Robin purchased a bottle of whiskey and a full case of beer from The Blind Witch before he and his long time friend ventured out into the forest. Robin knew full well that Remus would need it as he mourned.
Not too long after, Regina finally returned from The Cave of Judgement, with Shae in tow. Like Remus, Shae was mostly silent, uncharacteristically silent, and simply stayed quietly by Regina's side. They all understood, saving their condolences for another, better day.
"Is Shae going to be ok?" Henry asked of his mother, as Shae got up from their booth to get another drink. "She's being awfully quiet. It's, you know… Not really like her."
Regina breathed out a heavy sigh, taking a large sip from her own glass. "She's been through a lot, Henry. Too much." She quietly replied. "She'll be alright. It just… Might take some time."
Henry nodded, and was about to reply, when Belle suddenly slid into the booth next to him. "Did you tell her?" She asked of Henry.
Henry bit his lip, and slowly shook his head. "Tell me what?" Asked Regina, raising a suspicious eyebrow at Belle and her son.
Henry and Belle exchanged a quick, nervous glance. "While you and Shae were asleep, and the others were fighting, we had an, um… Encounter, with Rumple." Belle began to explain. "We learned something, something both Shae and Remus should know."
Regina sighed once again, taking yet another generous sip of her drink. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's something… Horrible." She muttered. "But… Can it wait?"
Belle and Henry exchanged another glance, then nodded silently as Shae returned to the booth. They both gave Shae some more kind smiles, and vacated the booth, leaving Shae and Regina alone. Regina's brow furrowed in concern as Shae emitted a soft but painful sounding groan, and rubbed at her forehead. She had done this several times since arriving at the diner, and Regina was starting to worry.
"Are you alright?" Was all she could think to ask.
"Yeah. Just a headache." Shae quietly replied. She took a sip of her drink, then shifted in her seat, to better face the woman she loved. "Regina, listen… I'm sorry about what happened in, uh… In my dream. All those things I said when we were in that room on fire… Hades, he, you know… Messed with my head, and-"
"Shae, it's alright." Regina cut in, slowly shaking her head. She smiled into her lover's eyes, gently running her fingers through her messy black hair. "What Hades put you through, it was… Awful. You don't need to apologize. If anyone should be apologizing, it's me."
Shae's brow furrowed in confusion. "For what?"
Regina breathed out a sad, heavy sigh, and placed a kiss on Shae's cheek before responding. "When I was in your dreams, I saw all these times when you lost hope." She said, staring mournfully into Shae's eyes. "And half of them… Most of them… Were because of me."
Shae sighed too, and took Regina's hand, placing a kiss on her knuckles. "We talked about this, remember? You don't need to apologize anymore. It's all in the past."
Regina opened her mouth to protest, but quickly shut it again. "You're right. I remember." She replied with a nod. "But you're the one who started the apologizing again."
Shae chuckled, a smile crossing her face for the first time since they had left the cave. Regina was delighted to see it. She smiled too as she kissed her lover's lips.
"Hey." Emma said as she approached the booth. Shae and Regina immediately drew apart, and Emma winced apologetically. "Sorry… Didn't mean to interrupt."
Regina chuckled herself, slowly shaking her head. "It's alright." She said, taking another sip of her drink.
Emma nodded, and slid into the booth across from them. "I just, um… Wanted to check in." She said, giving Shae a small smile. "How are you doing?"
Shae winced in pain once again, rubbing at her forehead. "I'm, uh… I-I'm fine." She stammered in reply.
Just like Regina, Emma's brow furrowed in concern. She exchanged a worried glance with Regina, and opened her mouth to speak more. She stopped as her parents suddenly stepped up to the booth.
"Hey, Shae." Said Snow, smiling the same small, sad smile as everyone else. "How are you feeling?"
"Snow, Charming." Shae replied with a curt nod.
"Actually, I'm going by-" Snow started to say. She stopped suddenly, quickly shaking her head. "Oh… Nevermind. I forgot, you've never called me, 'Mary Margaret.'"
Shae chuckled quietly once again as she took another sip of her drink. "Nope. I told you, it's a stupid name."
Snow laughed too, then softly cleared her throat. "Right, um… Listen. David and I just wanted to apologize."
Shae raised an eyebrow at Snow and her husband. "What for?"
"Well, for starters… Keeping you locked up in our dungeon for so long." David was the one to reply. "And for, you know… Having you tortured."
Shae flinched as her head pounded once again. It had started as just a headache, but now brief, flashing visions had started to accompany the pain. She had seen the first one when Emma had sat down at the booth. She saw Emma as The Dark One, the sword Excalibur clutched in her hand. Now, she saw herself, sitting in the darkness of her dungeon cell, alone, blood starved, with only the rats to keep her company, to keep her alive.
"It's… I-It's, um…" Shae stammered as her head pounded even more. Images of soldiers sticking her with silver daggers over and over flashed before her eyes. "It's… Fine."
"Yes, I suppose I should apologize too." Said Zelena, a drink in her hand as she sauntered up next to Snow and David. "For, well… Crushing your heart, and everything. Sorry about that."
More images flashed in Shae's mind, and her whole body started to tremble. She saw quick snippets of her battle with The Wicked Witch of the West. She saw herself attacking Regina, the woman that she loved, unable to control her own actions while under Zelena's spell. Then, she saw Zelena crushing her heart in her fist, a smile on her face.
"We're sorry too for banishing you from Storybrooke." Snow White went on. "We're just… Really sorry, Shae. For everything."
They all jumped as Shae suddenly and violently slammed her fists onto the table. "Why the hell are you saying all this to me now?" She snarled, glaring at Snow and her Prince. "Because I'm dead? Because I just lost Nadia, again?"
Shae knocked her glass of whiskey over as she leapt out of the booth, causing Snow, David, and Zelena all to draw back a step. "That's it, isn't it?" Shae went on in a whisper, her blue eyes wide and wild all over again. "You would never have the balls to apologize to me if I was still alive, if I hadn't just lost someone close to me!"
"Now, wait just a moment-" Zelena began to say.
"SHUT UP!" Shae shouted, pointing a furious, quivering finger in Zelena's face. "Do you seriously think I'm just going to forgive you? You? You nearly killed me! You're the reason I'm even down here in the first place! You tricked me into thinking Regina had betrayed me again, and set The Hollow free!"
Zelena swatted Shae's hand away furiously, pointing her own finger right back at her. "I was only trying to protect myself, and my daughter!"
"At my expense?" Shae exclaimed, spreading her arms wide. She let out a deranged sort of cackle, running a shaky hand through her hair. "You're… Y-You're just a fucking bitch! And so are you! And you too!"
She pointed furiously at Zelena, Snow, and then David. Emma and Regina, who had both been watching in silent shock, exchanged another worried glance. They both then scrambled out of the booth, and attempted to calm Shae.
"Shae, it's alright…" Regina muttered soothingly.
"Just… Calm down, ok?" Muttered Emma.
"STOP IT!" Shouted Shae, lurching violently away from both of them. "You two! You both saw what I had become, you both knew what needed to be done! But you didn't, you couldn't! And I was forced to… To… To commit fucking… SUICIDE!"
Regina and Emma both stood with their mouths gaping open, their hearts breaking. They were at a complete and utter loss for words. "You don't even understand what it feels like." Shae went on in a quiet, furious growl. She paused for a moment, her chest heaving as she glared between the two of them. "I asked you both for mercy. I begged you. But you couldn't do it. There was no other choice, no other hope. And, I… I was forced to do it myself."
Shae suddenly clutched at her head again, crying out in pain this time. "What the bloody hell is going on over here?" Hook exclaimed as he rushed over, looking worried.
"Shae?" Asked Henry, brow furrowed in concern. "Are you ok?"
There were tears in Shae's eyes all of a sudden, and her breaths came quick and ragged as she stared around at them all. "I… I-I have to go…"
"Go?" Emma exclaimed. "Shae! Shae, WAIT!"
As Shae bolted out the door, Emma made to run after her. She was stopped by Regina. "Don't." Regina said quietly. "Just… Let her go."
"Seriously?" Cried Emma. "We can't just let her go running around out there by herself! She's obviously not right in the head! She's traumatized! What the hell are you thinking, Regina?"
"I'm thinking that she's right, Emma!" Shouted Regina. The anger on Emma's face melted away as tears began to stream from Regina's eyes. "It doesn't matter how screwed up her mind is right now. She's right, it's all our fault. It's… It's my fault."
Regina paused for a moment, wiping furiously at her tears. "Maybe… Maybe I shouldn't have come here." She went on, her voice quavering with emotion. "Maybe I should have just… Let Shae move on. I should have just told her to go with Nadia. It crossed my mind, but… I wanted her here with me. I was too selfish."
Emma breathed out a sad, heavy sigh, slowly shaking her head. "Come on, Regina. Don't say that."
"WHY NOT?" Regina snapped furiously. She sighed too, wiping away more tears as she attempted to collect herself. "I'm sorry… I… I need to go too."
"Regina!" Emma called out desperately.
As the diner's door swung shut behind the once Evil Queen, Emma groaned, and sunk back down into the booth, looking defeated. "It's alright, Emma." Her mother muttered soothingly as she sat down across from her daughter. "They'll be ok."
"Are you sure?" Asked Emma, tears of her own shining in her eyes. "I mean… W-What… What if Hades finds them?"
"I heard a song once that might be an appropriate answer." Hook replied, a slight grin on his face. "I believe it was called… 'Sympathy for the Devil.'"
David breathed out a small chuckle, placing his hand gently on Emma's shoulder. "Hook's right. Nobody is more powerful when they're emotional than those two." He said with a reassuring smile.
"Indeed." Commented Zelena. "After what I saw them do today, I'd pity anyone who dared cross their path." She breathed out a heavy sigh, taking a deep swig of her drink. "Even Hades."
XX
The sun was hanging low in the Underbrooke sky, making the burnt orange glow of the town that much more gloomy and dismal. Several deceased souls eyed Regina dangerously as she wandered the streets. She glared right back at them, daring them with her eyes to make a move. Not a single one of them did.
As the sun was setting, Regina finally felt the weight of the day's events bear down upon her. She was thoroughly exhausted, and, most of all, heartsick. She so desperately wanted to be with Shae. She knew that there were no words she could utter that would calm her aching heart. Still, though, she wanted to say them all the same.
Wanting and needing to be alone, Regina made her way to Underbrooke's version of her own home. Just like everything else in The Underworld, her normally elegant house was in a bad state of disrepair. The columns that she enjoyed so much were decayed and rotted, the usual white paint a sickly shade of yellow.
She stepped inside, and removed her coat, letting it drop to the floor. She paused as she noticed a picture frame hanging on the wall. The picture was of her and Shae. She had witnessed something similar in The Charming apartment, but it still sent a chill up her spine.
She shuffled slowly into the living room, the furniture draped in white sheets, covered in a layer of dust. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed a fire crackling in the fireplace. There was a dark figure of a person sitting in front of the fire, their back leaning against the couch. Regina gasped out loud.
"Shae?"
The figure in front of the fire shifted slightly, and the glow of the flames illuminated their face. It was indeed Shae, sitting on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chest. Her olive toned face was stained with tears, her piercing blue eyes bloodshot.
"Oh… R-Regina." She stammered with a small, nervous smile. "Um… H-Hi…"
Regina immediately rushed over to Shae, and sat down on the floor beside her. "Shae… Are you alright? What are you doing here?"
"Um… I… I-I don't know." Shae muttered in reply. Regina's heart broke all over again when she noticed her lover's whole body trembling. "I just… I wanted to… T-To go home. But, this… This isn't home."
Regina's brow furrowed in confusion. "It's not?"
Shae shook her head. "No… You weren't here."
Regina breathed out a heavy, shaky sigh, tears beginning to well into her own eyes. "Oh, Shae…" She whispered, gently stroking Shae's hair.
Shae squeezed her eyes shut, more tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, Regina." She whispered, staring mournfully into her lover's eyes. "My head, it's… A fucking mess. I… I-I didn't mean what I said. I'm… I'm so sorry."
Regina shook her own head, continuing to run her fingers soothingly through Shae's messy black hair. "It's alright, Shae. You've been through so much trauma." She whispered back. "And, besides… You were right. I did know what needed to be done, but… I didn't have the strength to do it. I wasn't there for you when you needed me most. I… Should have been stronger, for you. I'm sorry."
Shae suddenly lurched forward, groaning in pain as she held her head in her hands. "Shae… What's going on?" Regina muttered, gently rubbing her back. "Talk to me."
Before responding, Shae drew in a deep, shaky breath, attempting to steady herself. "My head, it just… Hurts. And I keep having… Visions, visions of… My past. Like when Hades was in my head. When he was using that… That thing on me, I kept seeing all these strange glyphs and runes. I was even speaking a strange language. And… I think… I-I think I saw… My mother."
"Your mother?" Asked Regina, brow furrowed in confusion. "I thought you never knew her."
"I didn't." Shae replied, slowly shaking her head. "But, I saw myself as a baby, a… Newborn. A woman was running, and carrying me. Then she cast some sort of spell on me." Shae groaned once again as her head pounded. "I… I-I don't know. It hurts to… To think about it all."
Regina nodded in understanding. Shae dropped her head into her hands again, and Regina continued to run her hand up and down her back. "I… I don't even know if any of this is real." Shae went on in a whisper. "If… I-If you're real."
A moment of silence passed between them as Regina pursed her lips in thought. She then reached out and took Shae's hand. She slipped it beneath her blouse, placing it firmly over her heart.
"Do you feel this?" She asked, staring intently into Shae's eyes. "This heart, we might not share it anymore, but, still… It beats for you, Shae. All for you. That's why I'm here, why I couldn't just… Let you go."
Shae squeezed her eyes shut again, more tears leaking onto her cheeks. "Just… Feel this, feel me." Regina whispered. She placed a kiss on Shae's hand before moving it to her cheek. "I'm real, Shae. I'm right here beside you. I promise."
The soft crackling of the fire was the only sound to be heard as Shae stared deep into Regina's gorgeous brown eyes. Regina gazed right back, keeping Shae's hand pressed firmly to her cheek. After a few moments, Shae reached out her other hand, slowly and gently running it through her soft, luxurious, raven colored hair. Regina sighed as she did, relishing the feeling of her gentle touch. Shae then leaned in close, her lips trembling as she pressed them against Regina's.
Regina sighed once again as Shae kissed her, as her lips parted against her own. Shae drew her in even closer, curling her arms tightly around her. Soon, Shae began kissing her in a way that made Regina's heart race. Her hands slowly began to wander, and Regina had to fight hard to retain her composure. She knew the horrors that Shae had endured, and she didn't want to push her. But the deep, desperate ache between her legs made controlling herself immensely difficult.
Even in her current, distressed state, Shae still had the uncanny ability of knowing exactly what Regina wanted. Their embrace swelled as Shae pulled her into her lap. As Regina straddled her waist, Shae moved her lips to her neck, pressing deep, gentle kisses up and down it. Regina gasped softly as Shae's hands wandered to her breasts. Shae then leaned back, taking a moment to stare deep into her lover's eyes. In that moment, Regina knew exactly what she wanted.
Regina quickly undid the buttons of her own blouse, Shae watching her in silence. Shae gasped herself as Regina next removed her bra. "You're so beautiful, Regina." She whispered, her blue eyes filled with wonder. "Just so… Fucking beautiful."
Shae dove back into her lips, and Regina moaned softly into her mouth as Shae fondled her breasts. Regina squeezed two fistfuls of Shae's hair, fighting even harder to control herself as Shae's thumbs brushed across her firm, swollen nipples. She had missed her so, and wanted her so, so terribly.
"Oh god, Shae…" Regina whispered breathlessly, unable to keep her desire to herself anymore. "I want you. I want you so bad."
Shae didn't even hesitate. She lurched forward, causing Regina to collapse to the floor on her back. Regina waited patiently as Shae took a moment to remove her shirt. Her chest heaved as Shae unbuttoned her pants, and tore them off. She then spread her legs wide for her lover, and drew in another deep, quivering gasp as Shae slipped two fingers inside her.
Shae started out pumping her fingers slow and deep. Regina moaned loudly, grabbing onto Shae's shoulders, pulling her in close. She wrapped her arms around the woman that she loved, kissing her lips with desperate passion. She gasped once more as Shae's skillful fingers found the spot deep inside her that drove her crazy. Regina dug her nails into Shae's back, her moans of pleasure growing louder and louder as Shae worked that spot hard.
It wasn't long before Shae's hand was coated in her lover's warm, sweet juices. She removed her fingers from within Regina's folds, and pressed gentle kisses all the way down her torso. She didn't even let Regina recover from her climax before she put her tongue to work.
"Oh god! Shae!" Regina cried out after a time. "You're… You're going to make me cum again!"
Shae responded by shoving her face even deeper between Regina's legs. Regina's cries of pure pleasure echoed around the empty house as Shae focused in on her clit. She licked and sucked on it like a rabid, wild animal. Soon, Regina's back was arching high into the air as she came all over again.
The heat of the fire next to them, and the heat of their own love-making, caused both Shae and Regina's bodies to break out in a deep sweat, their breaths labored and ragged. Shae pressed deep and gentle kisses all over Regina, using her lips and her tongue to worship her body. After a long few moments, their breaths finally began to settle, and Regina wrapped both her arms and legs around Shae, holding her close as she kissed her.
"Oh, Shae… You have no idea how much I needed that." Regina whispered against her lover's lips.
"Mmm… There's nothing a few rounds of good sex can't fix." Shae murmured in reply.
"Good sex?" Asked Regina, eyebrow raised.
Shae chuckled, placing another kiss on Regina's lips. "Sorry. Great sex."
Regina nodded in a satisfied way, and Shae laughed once again. They returned to each other's lips, kissing slowly and gently as they wrapped their arms around each other. After a few moments, Regina drew back, gazing deep into Shae's piercing blue eyes.
"How do you feel?" She asked of her.
"Better." Shae replied with a smile. "Much better. Your pussy must have healing powers."
Regina laughed loudly as Shae nibbled at the tender flesh of her neck. "I think… No, I'm certain that's the first time anyone has said anything like that about it."
Shae laughed too as she rolled over, pulling Regina on top of her. She sat forward, curling her arms around the woman that she loved. She ran her hands up and down the smooth bare skin of her back, pressing more kisses on her neck, her shoulders, her breasts. Regina breathed out a contented sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as she reveled in her lover's sweet, gentle kisses.
Something was nagging at her though, something deep in the back of her mind. It felt as if something, somewhere, was wrong. Unable to ignore it, she held out her hand. A small hand mirror appeared in her open palm with a puff of purple smoke.
"What are you doing?" Asked Shae, pulling away from the nipple she had been sucking on.
"Just… Checking on something." Regina muttered in reply. She then grinned into Shae's eyes, placing a quick kiss on her lips. "I didn't say you should stop…"
Shae grinned back at her, and returned her lips to the tender flesh of her neck. Regina bit her lip, and had to focus hard as she waved her hand in front of the mirror. She ran her fingers through Shae's hair, watching with a frown as the mirror showed her an image of her sister. Zelena was walking arm in arm with Hades, an uncharacteristic, smitten smile on her face.
"What is it?" Shae murmured, placing a kiss on Regina's cheek.
"My damn sister." Regina growled in reply.
Shae leaned back, brow furrowed in concern. "What's she done now?"
Regina sighed, slowly shaking her head as she continued to watch Hades and Zelena from within her mirror. "Nothing… Yet."
Shae sighed too, nodding her head in understanding. She then placed a hand on Regina's cheek, turning her head away from the mirror. "Whatever it is… Can it wait until morning?" She asked, staring deep into her lover's gorgeous brown eyes. "I want more of you."
The mirror in Regina's hand disappeared in another puff of purple smoke. "Of course." Regina whispered with a smile. "In fact… I get the sense that you could use a little more healing."
Shae smiled back at her, and leaned in for another kiss. Regina stopped her just before their lips touched, placing her hands on Shae's chest. She shoved her roughly down onto the floor, to which Shae laughed. She remained silent, squirming in anticipation as Regina unbuttoned her jeans. Once they were off, Shae sat forward in attempt to kiss her lover's lips. Regina grinned as she shoved her back down. Shae gasped, which turned into a moan as Regina plunged her face between her legs.
Just a short while later, Shae was cumming hard into Regina's mouth. Such was almost always the case with her. Pleasuring Regina brought Shae herself so much pleasure that she was always right on the edge of orgasm. Regina loved that about her, as well as so many other things.
Not at all satisfied with just one orgasm, Regina continued to use her fingers and her tongue to pleasure the woman that she loved. They both made love to each other back and forth several more times, until, finally, they were both spent. Regina shook the dust off the sheet that was covering the couch, and draped it over their naked bodies. She then nestled into Shae's arms, and found her lips again.
"I love you, Shae." She whispered softly.
"I love you too, Regina." Shae whispered back. "I promise, I'm going to find a way out of this place. I won't stop, I won't ever give up until I do. All I want is to go back home with you."
Tears immediately welled into Regina's eyes at her lover's heartfelt, whispered words. "You really consider Storybrooke your home now?" She asked as she caressed Shae's cheek.
Shae chuckled, placing a quick kiss on her lips. "Home could be in a swamp for all I care. As long as you're there with me, that's all that matters."
Regina smiled, happy tears trickling onto her cheeks. Shae kissed them away, then kissed her lips again. Regina sighed in sheer contentment as she enjoyed the warmth from the fire, and the taste of Shae's lips. The two lovers remained that way for a long time, holding each other close as their lips slowly parted again and again.
"You know, Nadia sure was right about one thing." Shae murmured against Regina's lips.
"What's that?" Asked Regina.
Shae grinned as she ran her hand over the soft curve of her backside, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You really do have the ass of a goddamn angel."
Regina laughed loudly, and Shae laughed right along with her. Regina then pulled her into her lips again, breathing out another contented sigh. For at least a night, all their troubles melted away as they lie in each other's arms. For the first time since that terrible night by the wishing well, Regina and Shae both fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
XX
The next morning, Shae and Regina returned to Underbrooke's version of The Charming apartment, which the heroes of Storybrooke were using as their home base. Everyone was already awake and gathered together by the time they arrived, minus a few. Robin and Remus were still out in the forest with Baby Hood, and Zelena was, they assumed, at The Underworld's version of her farm house.
Belle was missing as well. The others told Regina and Shae that she had placed herself under a sleeping curse the night before, to protect her baby from Hades' clutches. Gold was unable to wake her with true love's kiss, for Belle no longer trusted him, no longer loved him. For the time being, she would remain asleep until they found a way home. Then, her father would be able to wake her with a parent's kiss of true love.
After Shae made her apologies for her outburst to those gathered inside the apartment, they all began to discuss what their next move should be. Regina then told them all about what she had seen in her magic mirror the night before. They were all shocked to learn that Zelena just might have feelings for The God of Death.
"Zelena… Is in love?" Asked Emma.
"And not thinking rationally, which is a big problem for her." Replied Regina, breathing out a heavy sigh.
"We have to stop her." Hook growled, stroking his stubbly beard as he stared down at the floor. He then turned his eyes onto Regina. "If you can't, because she's your blood, then allow me to."
"What?" Regina exclaimed. "You mean… Kill her?"
"Oh! I'll do it!"
Shae, who was seated on the couch, finally spoke up. She had been quietly scribbling away with pen and paper that she had, for some reason, requested from Henry. She paused momentarily to raise her hand in the air.
"Shae… No." Said Regina, quickly shaking her head.
"You're not killing Zelena either." Emma replied with a sigh of her own.
Shae pouted her lips at them. "You guys never let me do anything fun…" She muttered bitterly.
"Shae, come on, this is no time for joking around." Snow replied sternly.
"Hey, I may be dead, but my sense of humor is not. Which is more than I can say for the rest of you." Shae quipped back. She then turned her attention back onto her drawings, rolling her eyes. "Bunch of wet blankets…"
Regina sighed once again, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look, taking action against Zelena in any form is not a good idea. With her and Hades' feelings for each other, it'll just get… Messy."
"Alright, so, we find a way to keep them apart." David suggested. "Without killing anyone."
"I'm waiting for the better option." Muttered Hook.
A moment of silence passed between them all as they pondered what to do about their newest problem. "So… What's the plan?" Emma asked after a time, looking to Regina.
Regina didn't respond right away, biting her lip hesitantly. She then offered a solution: Her mother. She was convinced that the only person who could stop the love blooming between Zelena and Hades was the mother that Zelena had never known. With little other options, the others agreed, and quickly formed a plan to break Cora out of Hades' prison, where she had been trapped ever since Regina's father had crossed over into the light.
"Shae?" Regina asked of her lover as she stepped toward the door. "Are you coming?"
Shae suddenly stopped her scribbling, and sat back against the couch. "Um… No." She muttered quietly.
Regina raised her eyebrows in surprise. "No?"
Silence fell over the room once again as Shae glanced between Regina, and the rest, then sighed. "Regina… I love you, you know that." She slowly began. "But… I'm not exactly in the mood to go on a heroic quest to save your mother, who once tried to kill me, in attempt to help your sister, who also tried to kill me."
Regina pursed her lips for a moment, then slowly nodded her head. "I… Suppose that's fair."
"Great! So, I'll stay here and keep working on this." Shae replied, gesturing to the papers scattered on the coffee table in front of her. "And, you know… Keep an eye on Henry."
"What exactly are you doing, anyway?" Asked Emma, picking up and examining a few of Shae's drawings. "Are these… Runes?"
"Yeah. I kept seeing them when Hades was torturing me." Shae replied with a nod. "I can't read them though. Which is really weird, especially for me."
"What do you mean?" Asked Snow White.
Shae frowned as the rest looked just as confused as Snow. "Oh, right… I guess I haven't mentioned it." She muttered, then cleared her throat. "In Avalon it's called, 'The Gift of Tongues.' Anyone of elven blood has it, even halflings. We can read and understand any language, even speak it after a while. It just… Takes a little time, a little… Concentration. Not these runes, though. No matter how long I stare at them, I still can't read them."
"Woah… That's awesome!" Henry said with an excited grin.
"Most of the time, yeah." Shae replied with a laugh. "Not right now, though. Right now it's just… Frustrating."
"What do you think it all means, though?" Emma asked, brow furrowed in concern. "If even you can't read these runes."
Shae breathed out a heavy sigh, slowly shaking her head. "I'm… Not really sure." She replied. "They must be ancient, and I mean really, really ancient, before even the elves were around. When Hades saw them, he mentioned something about a prophecy."
"A prophecy?" Snow asked, eyes wide. "About… You?"
"Maybe." Shae replied with a shrug. "I dunno, maybe I'm some kind of chosen one or some bullshit." She rolled her eyes, then breathed out a small chuckle. "Wouldn't that be crazy?"
David suddenly, and loudly, cleared his throat. "Yep. Sure would be." He said in a rush. "But, uh… One problem at a time, alright?"
Shae shrugged once again, and nodded in agreement. Regina then placed a kiss on her son's forehead, and a kiss on her lover's lips, before departing with Hook. It was plainly obvious that Cora no longer had access to her magic, so she thought the pirate's enchanted hook would come in handy with freeing her.
Emma and her parents left soon after as well. They had promised to meet Robin out in the forest, to deliver some supplies for the baby. Henry was left in Shae's care, and the two of them soon left the apartment themselves. They ventured to the library, in attempt to find a book, any book, that might help Shae in her quest to decipher the runes she had drawn out. She was convinced that they held some sort of key to escaping The Underworld.
"Hey, uh… Shae?" Henry muttered after a time. "I, um… I need to tell you something."
Shae breathed out a heavy sigh, glancing up from the book she was buried in. "Yeah?" She asked, rubbing at her already tired, bloodshot eyes. "What is it, Henry?"
What Henry had learned about his grandfather, about what he had done to Nadia, had been nagging at him. He opened his mouth to speak, to tell Shae about Rumplestiltskin's long, closely guarded secret. However, as he stared into Shae's tired eyes, he decided it could wait until another day.
"Just, um… I'm just really glad you're back." He replied with a smile. "And, I… I-I hope that we can find a way to bring you back to life soon, you and Hook."
Shae smiled back at him, and placed her hand firmly on his shoulder. "Hey, don't you worry." She said, staring very sternly into Henry's eyes. "I promised your mom that I will never give up until I find a way back home. I'm making that same promise to you too."
Henry nodded, and smiled some more. Shae then held up her hand, where her ring was now back on her finger. Regina had returned it to her that morning, as well as Elsa's necklace. She had taken them both back, only after making another promise; As soon as she found a way to return to the land of the living, she would place her ring back on Regina's finger, where it belonged.
"See this?" She asked, gesturing to her ring. "It's going to be on your mom's finger soon enough. And you're going to be the best man."
Henry laughed. "Really?"
"Of course!" Shae replied with a grin. "You'll probably have to fight Remus for the position, but I have faith in you."
Henry laughed some more, and Shae laughed with him. The two of them then returned to their work. They spent hours reading through tome after dusty tome, occasionally finding a few glyphs and runes that resembled the ones Shae had drawn. None of them were completely accurate, though, which put them nowhere closer to deciphering what Shae suspected was some kind of ancient prophecy.
It was just around dinner time when both their stomachs began to growl. They then made their way to Underbrooke's version of Granny's Diner. After they ate, Henry and Shae were stating their concerns about their loved ones, when Emma walked in, followed by her parents.
They told a harrowing tale about how they, as well as Robin and Remus, had been briefly captured by Cruella de Vil and James, David's twin brother. Cruella had escaped, but James was not so fortunate. Filled with rage, James had attacked his brother, and David was forced to send him into The River of Lost Souls. He had been left with little other option, but, still, David lamented the loss of his brother, and what he had done to him.
Hook joined them not long after, announcing that he and Regina had been successful in freeing Cora from Hades' dungeon. Regina, however, was not with him. She had gone alone with her mother to deal with Zelena, which worried Shae. She knew full well the kind of affect Cora had on her daughter. She didn't trust her one bit, and Zelena even less. The thought of Regina alone with the two of them made Shae incredibly anxious.
"Hey." Said Emma, as she took a seat at the counter next to Shae. "You doing ok?"
"Yeah. Just, you know… Worried." Shae replied, taking a sip from her glass of whiskey. "How's Remus doing, by the way? I haven't seen him since, uh… Since Nadia left."
Emma's face suddenly turned a deep shade of red. "Oh, he's, um… H-He's good." She stammered awkwardly. "Really good, from what we saw."
Shae's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"We, um… May have accidentally walked in on him and Robin." Emma slowly replied. "You know… Um… Together."
There was a moment of silence as Shae's jaw dropped open in shock. "Remus and Robin? No shit?" She muttered, breathing out a laugh when Emma nodded. "Man, that guy sure gets around."
"Definitely." Emma agreed, laughing herself. "I just… I had no idea they had feelings for each other."
"Oh, I seriously doubt feelings have anything to do with it." Said Shae, quickly shaking her head. "Sometimes a few rounds of plain old good sex helps cleanse the soul. Why do you think I'm back at full strength now?"
Emma grimaced in disgust. "Oh… Gross."
"Hey, isn't this what girlfriends are supposed to do?" Shae exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. "You know… Talk about their sex lives and stuff? You never did give me any details about Hook. Is it big? Average? I'm assuming it's not at all small. I know you better than that."
"Oh my god…" Emma groaned, burying her beet red face in her hands. "Shae, just… Please stop talking."
Shae chuckled, and was about to completely ignore Emma by asking more, when the bell over the diner's door jingled. It was Regina. Shae breathed out a sigh of relief.
"Regina! You're back!" Emma exclaimed, immensely grateful for a change in subject. "What happened with Zelena? How'd it go?"
Regina opened her mouth to reply, but shut it again, quickly shaking her head. "I, um… I'll tell you all about it in a minute." She finally spoke, her voice quiet, and a bit shaky. "I just… I need to use the restroom."
As Regina hurried past them, she placed her hand briefly on Shae's shoulder. Shae could tell that something was wrong. She looked like she had been crying, her brown eyes red and puffy. She even felt Regina's hand trembling atop her shoulder.
Shae remained in her seat for a moment, brow furrowed in concern as she watched Regina cross the diner. As soon as she exited out the back door, she gulped down the rest of her whiskey, and rushed after her. She found the woman that she loved standing in the corner, her forehead pressed against the wall as she sobbed.
"Regina!" Shae exclaimed, placing her hands on her shoulders. "Regina, are you alright? What happened? What's wrong?"
Regina immediately turned around when she heard her lover's voice, when she felt her gentle touch. She reached out her trembling hands, and gripped the front of Shae's black leather jacket. She stared into her eyes, her own streaming with tears.
"I… I-I just…" She stammered, choking out another soft, strangled sob. "Just… Hold me. Please."
Shae nodded her head, and quickly pulled Regina into her arms. "Yeah… Yeah, of course." She whispered as she held her tight. "It's ok. I'm right here. I've got you."
They stood there in the hall of the bed and breakfast like that for a long time. Shae didn't dare let go until Regina's quiet sobs had subsided, until Regina removed herself from her arms. Regina then told Shae that she had only come to Granny's to find her, and wasn't in any state to deal with the rest. Shae didn't exactly know what was going on, but she followed Regina as she slipped quickly and quietly out the back door.
Once the two of them were back at Underbrooke's version of Regina's house, Regina told Shae all about what happened with Zelena and their mother. Cora initially planned to use a memory potion on Zelena, to wipe her memory of ever loving Hades, of ever even meeting him. However, Zelena saw right through it. After that, her and Regina screamed and fought, but their mother put a stop to it. She then used her magic to, instead, bring to light a lost memory, a memory of when Regina and Zelena had once cared deeply about one another.
Cora had brought the sisters together once, when they were children, so Zelena could save Regina's life. After that, they spent several days at Cora's estate together, laughing and playing as sisters ought to. It was the happiest memory of their childhood that either of them had. However, once they learned the truth, Cora took it all away. She sent Zelena back to her horrible father, and wiped her memory, as well as Regina's. She admitted that she once thought love of any kind was nothing but a weakness, and then admitted that she was wrong.
After that, Cora apologized to both her daughters, and decided that, finally, it was time for her to move on. Regina and Zelena went with her to The Cave of Judgement, where both of them had been standing not long before, watching Nadia cross over. For a moment, it seemed like the flames were going to take their mother. Then, the flames disappeared, and the portal of warm, white light appeared instead. Cora said her final goodbye to her children, stepped into the light, and was gone.
"She told me to tell you that… She's sorry for what she did to you." Regina told Shae. "She thought that our love would make me weak, but… In the end, she realized that it only made me stronger, made us stronger."
Shae nodded, listening in quiet support as Regina told her tale. "She also said that… That she wants more than anything for you to return to the land of the living, to return to me." Regina went on with a teary eyed smile. "And she knew about the runes that you saw, the… The prophecy. She said that the library might hold more answers than meets the eye. But… That was all."
Shae's brow furrowed in confusion, but she didn't dwell on Cora's cryptic last words. Instead, she focused her full attention on comforting the woman that she loved, just as Regina had done for her when she had been in great pain. Though Cora spent most of Regina's life hurting and manipulating her, she was still her mother, and was now gone for good. Shae too knew the pain of watching someone she loved cross over into the light. It was a bittersweet feeling, but mostly bitter.
XX
Once again, after spending the night wrapped up in each other's arms, Regina and Shae met the others at The Charming apartment. Belle was still under the sleeping curse, Zelena was god knows where, and Robin and Remus were still out in the woods with the baby, likely continuing to enjoy the pleasure of each other's company. The others were all present, and they questioned Regina about Hades and her sister.
Regina regaled them with the same story that she had told Shae. However, there was one crucial part that she had carefully left out. After Cora had crossed over, Regina told her sister to go to Hades, to be with him.
"You told her what?" Emma exclaimed.
"To… Give him a chance?" Regina replied, cringing slightly as she shrugged.
The others all exchanged a shocked and bewildered glance. "And, you thought that was a good idea… Why?" Asked David.
Regina breathed out a heavy sigh, rubbing at her forehead. "Because… We're family." She replied with another small, one armed shrug. "And because I'm actually trying to trust my sister for once. She's convinced that she can change him."
Hook snorted loudly. "I'm sorry, love, but I missed the part where Zelena changed."
Regina narrowed her eyes irritably at Hook. "You'd think the ex-pirate with a rum habit would cut my sister a little slack."
"Well, you'd think that the Evil Queen would be smarter than to send the Wicked Witch to romance the most devious man alive!" Shouted Hook.
Regina was about to retort, when Emma quickly stepped in. "Woah, woah, woah! Easy, you guys!" She exclaimed, placing herself between Regina and Hook. "We're not going to win this war if we use all our ammo against each other."
Hook groaned in frustration, and turned to Shae. "Shae, mate, any time you'd like to chime in here would be just… Bloody brilliant!"
Shae was seated on the couch yet again next to Henry, pouring over her drawings and several dusty tomes from the library. "Oh, I like it a lot." She replied, not even bothering to glance up from her book. "I think it's a great idea."
"See? I-" Hook started to say. He stopped short, the triumphant grin fading from his face. "Wait… What?"
Shae finally glanced up, surprised to see everyone gaping wide eyed at her. "Oh, come on! It's the perfect plan!" She exclaimed. "We use Zelena to get close to Hades. Then, when his guard is down, we rush in and gank the bastard."
Regina breathed out another heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Shae, that's… Not exactly what I had in mind. Were you even listening?"
Shae bit her lip, glancing anxiously between Regina and the others for a moment. "Um… Sort of?"
Regina rolled her eyes, folding her arms across her chest. "I told Zelena to go to Hades because she obviously loves him. And he loves her. I think they both deserve a chance."
Shae's jaw dropped open in utter shock. "A chance at what? Death? Destruction?" She cried. "Regina, what the hell? Did you seriously forget what Hades did to me, what he did to Hook?"
"Exactly!" Hook agreed.
"No, of course not!" Regina retorted, before Hook could say any more. "Have you forgotten all the terrible things that you've done? Have either of you? Because I certainly haven't." She paused for a moment, glaring between Hook and Shae. When she went on, her voice was heavy and quiet. "I will never forget what I did as The Evil Queen, and I'll always be haunted by those terrible deeds. But they don't define me, not anymore. I've found redemption, and my enemies are now my friends, my loved ones, my family. Both of you can say the same, have done the same."
Silence fell over the room for a moment as Shae and Hook both contemplated Regina's heartfelt speech. They exchanged a quick glance, and Shae was about to reply. She immediately stopped as Regina continued on.
"What exactly is the difference here, hm?" She asked, placing her hands firmly on her hips. "Why doesn't my sister deserve the same? Why doesn't Hades?"
Shae leaned forward with her elbows on her knees, and buried her face in her hands. She sat there like that for a long time, Regina, Hook and the others watching her silently, waiting. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she sat back, breathing out a long, heavy sigh.
"Look, I don't like this, I don't like it at all." She said quietly, her eyes focused solely on the woman that she loved. "But… I don't want to fight, Regina. Not after all we've been through. If you really think this could work, then… I trust you."
Regina breathed out a surprised laugh. "Really?"
Shae confirmed with a nod. "Just know that I'm extremely skeptical."
"At least that we can agree on." Growled Hook.
Regina sighed, shrugging once again. "I suppose I'll take what I can get."
"Look, I'm skeptical for good reason, ok?" Shae replied, throwing her arms up in the air. "I've studied a lot about mythology, and, no matter what Pantheon they're part of, gods of any kind are… Unpredictable. The Olympians, The Norse, Hindu, Egyptian, all of them did just… Crazy shit, half the time just because they could. Even the one God that everyone back home seems to love so much was an asshole. He caused a giant flood that wiped out the entire population on Earth! And don't even get me started on the plagues!"
"She's right. We gods can be fickle creatures."
Everyone in the room jumped at the sudden, quiet voice. They found Hades himself casually sitting on the steps leading up to the loft. They all backed away, readying themselves for a fight.
"Speak of the bloody devil…" Snarled Hook.
"Get behind me, Henry." Shae muttered, stepping protectively in front of the boy.
Hades rolled his eyes as he rose to his feet. "Relax, I'm not here to hurt you. I came for your-" He suddenly stopped mid sentence, groaning in apparent frustration as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Wow, this is really hard… I came here… For… Your help."
Everyone's jaws dropped open in shock. "What could you possibly need our help with?" Asked David, eyes narrowed dangerously at The God of Death.
"I went to meet Zelena for our date last night, but she never showed." Hades explained, his tone grim. "Instead… I found this."
He produced a small envelope from inside his jacket pocket, and handed it to Regina. Her brown eyes grew wide with alarm as she read the note tucked inside. Zelena had been kidnapped by Gold and his father, Peter Pan. They demanded a meeting at noon at Granny's. There, Hades was to tear up the contract on Gold's unborn child, or he would never see the woman that he loved again.
They all, though a bit warily, agreed to help. However, Hades pointed out that all of them charging into the diner would not bode well for Zelena. He chose to take The Savior with him. In exchange, he offered Emma, and the others, a deal. He would remove all their names from their headstones once Zelena was free and safe, which would allow them to finally leave his realm, and go home.
Emma left with Hades, and told the others to meet her at the cemetery. They all obliged, and waited anxiously for her return. Too worried to just stand around, Snow and David went on a walk through the rows upon rows of headstones. After a while, they stopped at one particular grave, and called Regina over. Regina met them hand in hand with Shae. Both their eyes grew wide when they saw the name etched into the headstone: King Leopold.
"I just thought you'd like to… Pay your respects." Snow told Regina with a shrug. "And, you know… Make amends."
Regina raised an eyebrow at Snow White. "'Make amends?' Really?"
"Well… Yes." Snow replied, confused by Regina's bitter tone. "I mean… You did have him killed, after all."
Regina scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "And that is something I will never apologize for."
Shae merely bit her lip in anxious silence, but Snow and David's eyes grew wide with shock. "Regina, come on. Are you serious?" Said David.
"He was your husband!" Cried Snow. "And a good man!"
"Would a good man force himself on his young bride?" Regina shouted. Snow White's jaw dropped open, and Regina breathed out a bitter, sour laugh. "I was barely a grown woman when I married your father, had only ever been with Daniel, the man I loved. On our wedding night, I told Leopold that I wasn't ready, and I begged him to stop."
Regina's voice broke with emotion, and tears began to well into her eyes. "He told me that I had no choice. I was his wife." She went on in a dark, quiet tone. "It was my duty, my obligation. He used the same excuse every time after that. Eventually, I just… Became numb to it."
Snow White's eyes were shining with tears as well, and she continued to gape silently at Regina. "So… The answer is no, Snow." Regina growled, wiping furiously at the tears leaking onto her cheeks. "I have no interest in making amends. I will not apologize. And I don't care what you think of me for it. I don't care one bit."
With that, Regina turned on her heel, and stomped away from them. Snow and David both watched her go in shocked, dumbfounded silence. Shae remained silent as well for a moment, then, she started to laugh.
"Wow! The Wonder Twins strike again!" She exclaimed, laughing some more as she clapped them both on the shoulder. "Nice job. Real smooth."
Shae left them where they stood, and went in pursuit of the woman that she loved. She found Regina several rows away. She was leaning against one of the headstones, her face buried in her hands.
"Hey…" Shae muttered, placing her hand gently on Regina's shoulder. "You ok?"
Regina breathed out a heavy, shaky sigh, and nodded her head. "I'm fine. That speech was a long time coming." She replied, wiping away more of her tears. "I just… Hope this all works out. I just want to go home, with you."
Shae nodded too, and gently drew Regina into her arms. "Me too, Regina." She whispered, placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Me too."
She continued to hold her lover tight for several long, quiet moments. Then, Regina drew back, and placed a quick kiss on Shae's lips. "What's the very first thing you want to do, once we're back home?" She asked.
"I think we both know the answer to that." Shae replied with a grin.
Regina hummed happily against Shae's lips as she kissed her. "Alright, well… After that."
Shae ran her hands up and down Regina's arms as she thought. "I think… I'm gonna go to Granny's, and order one of everything off the menu."
"Really?" Regina asked with a laugh.
"I haven't had normal taste buds in… A really long time." Shae replied with a shrug. "Things were so crazy back in Storybrooke, I didn't really get a chance to try a lot of stuff. And The Blind Witch isn't exactly a gourmet cook like Granny. The food down here is just… Blech."
"Tell you what…" Regina said, smiling as she fiddled with the front of Shae's black leather jacket. "As soon as we're back, I'll cook you whatever you want. Anything, you name it."
Shae pursed her lips as she pondered for a moment. "Mac and cheese pizza." She answered, grinning some more.
Regina laughed loudly. "Done."
Shae smiled, kissing her again. "You're the best." She murmured against her lover's lips.
The two of them enjoyed each other's lips for another moment, but only a moment. They broke apart when the ground suddenly began to rumble beneath their feet. They clung to each other in alarm, their hearts racing. Once the quaking had subsided, they rushed back to the spot where they had left Hook and Henry. Snow and David had already arrived, and the four of them were staring wide eyed at the ruined clock tower standing before them.
"How the hell did that get here?" Shae exclaimed.
The clock tower had been sitting in ruins on Underbrooke's main street ever since they arrived, the hands on the clock face only moving whenever a soul crossed over. Now, it was sitting in the middle of the cemetery. The hands were continuously ticking away like a normal clock would.
"The hands are moving now." Henry mused quietly, noticing the same thing as the rest. "Is that… A good or bad sign?"
"A great one, if you want to leave."
They all whirled around, and found Emma, Hades, and Zelena all walking toward them. "Emma!" Snow exclaimed, throwing out her arms.
Emma quickly embraced both of her parents, and her son. "Those hands are going to start spinning fast in about an hour." Hades went on to explain, standing hand in hand with Zelena. "Once they do, it'll turn into a portal back to the land of the living. But there's not much time. It will only remain open until sunset."
"That's great, but we can't exactly get through because of those." Said David, gesturing to the nearby headstones that had all their names carved into them. "So, get on with it, then."
"Glady." Hades replied.
The God of Death waved his hand in the air. They all watched as the names etched into the headstones magically disappeared. "See? I told you love could change him." Zelena said to her sister with a smile.
Regina smiled back, and was about to reply, when Hook abruptly cut her off. "I don't buy it." He growled, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at Hades. "A man can't change that quickly."
"Agreed." Said Shae, eyeing Hades warily as well. "What's the catch?"
Hades glanced at the woman that he loved for a moment, then back at the others. "There's… No catch." He replied, brow furrowed in confusion. "Zelena restarted my heart with true love's kiss. My banishment is finally over. Not only can all of you leave this realm, but so can I."
The others all had hopeful smiles on their faces, all except for Hook and Shae. The two of them exchanged a skeptical glance. "I still don't buy it." Shae grumbled. "I don't-"
"Shae, please." Said Regina, cutting Shae off. "Just… Look at me." She placed her hands on either side of Shae's face, staring pleadingly into her eyes. "I know you don't trust Hades, but I need you to trust me. You said you would, remember?"
Shae bit her lip, glancing at Hades, then back into her lover's eyes. She then breathed out a heavy, relenting sigh, and nodded. "Thank you." Regina whispered, placing a quick peck on her lips. "Now, let's do this heart split."
Shae nodded once again. Regina nodded back, and took a deep, steadying breath. The others all watched with bated breath as she reached into her own chest, and tore out her heart. Her hands trembled as she split it in half.
"Ready?" She asked of Shae.
"Ready." Shae agreed with a smile. "Let's go the hell home."
Regina smiled back at her, and drew in another steadying breath. She then took half of her heart, and shoved it into Shae's chest. Something immediately went wrong. Regina's hand seemed to bounce right off of Shae's chest, as if there was some sort of magical, unseen barrier. A split second later, she cried out in pain, clutching at her own chest.
"Regina?" Shae cried, gripping both of her arms. "Regina!"
"MOM!" Shouted Henry.
They all watched in horror as Regina suddenly collapsed onto her knees, her chest heaving as she struggled to breathe. "Shit… SHIT! REGINA!" Shae shrieked in panic.
Not knowing what else to do, Shae scooped up the two halves of Regina's heart that had fallen from her hands. She quickly pieced them back together, and shoved Regina's heart back into her chest. Whatever pain that had taken hold of Regina immediately dissipated, and she was able to breathe again.
"What the hell just happened?" Cried Shae. "Why didn't it work?"
"I knew we couldn't trust him!" Snarled Hook, pointing an accusing finger at Hades.
"That wasn't me!" Hades exclaimed. "There are laws of nature beyond even my control!"
The others all exchanged confused, wide eyed glances. "N-No… It should have worked." Snow muttered, slowly shaking her head. "When David died, I had Regina split my heart, and it brought him back."
"Hmm… I see…" Mumbled Hades, stroking his chin in thought. "How long was he dead?"
"I… I-I don't know." Snow stammered, glancing at her husband. "A minute, maybe less."
"Ah… I see. I don't ever recall you entering this realm." Hades mumbled once again. He then breathed out a sad, heavy sigh, and went on to explain. "Prince Charming's soul never left his body. That's why the heart split worked."
Everyone's jaws dropped open in shock. "Wait, so… You're saying that Shae, a-and Hook… They've been down here too long?"
Hades nodded grimly. "Their bodies are up there rotting away as we speak. Even if it had worked, I doubt any of you could stomach the smell."
Hook breathed out a long, heavy sigh, and gently gripped Emma's hand. "It… I-It looks like you all will have to leave without us." He muttered, glancing sadly at Shae.
Regina, who was back up on her feet, and wrapped tightly in Shae's arms, suddenly pushed away from her. "No…" She whispered, shaking her head as tears leaked onto her cheeks. "There… T-There has to be some other way."
"There isn't." Hades replied, shaking his own head in sorrow. "I'm sorry."
"You're saying no one's gone to the Underworld and brought someone back?" Asked Emma. When Hades remained unusually silent, Emma drew in a sharp gasp. "They have! Who? Who did? How?"
Hades glanced at Zelena, who nodded in encouragement. He then breathed out a heavy sigh. "Orpheus and Eurydice." He replied, then went on to explain more. "Keep in mind, it's all just a rumor… But, apparently, after Eurydice died, Orpheus followed her down here, and fed her Ambrosia, the nectar of the gods. It supposedly brought her back to life, but, unfortunately, I was never able to confirm the story."
"So, what you're saying is… There could be a chance." Emma mused quietly. Slowly, a wide, hopeful smile stretched across her face. "If I've learned anything from my parents, it's that all you need is a little hope."
"Exactly." Snow replied, smiling at her daughter. "Is there more of this Ambrosia down here?" She asked of Hades. "Can you take us to it?"
"I can." Hades replied with a nod. "But, I'm warning you… It won't be easy."
"Nothing ever really is with this family." David replied with a laugh. "Come on. Let's go."
The others all nodded their heads, and began to follow Hades out of the cemetery. Regina made to follow them as well, but stopped when she noticed Shae still standing rooted in her stop. She was staring down at the ground, a strange sort of frown on her face.
"Shae? Are you alright?" Regina asked in concern.
Shae quickly shook herself out of her stupor, and nodded her head. "Yeah. Of course." She said with a smile. "Come on. Let's go do this so we can go home."
Regina nodded back, and smiled herself as Shae placed a quick kiss on her lips. She followed after Shae as she took her by the hand. There was something in those piercing blue eyes that she loved so much, something troubling. It was some strange sort of sadness, and it left Regina puzzled, and a bit worried. She put it from her mind as she and Shae caught up with the others. She was determined to find this Nectar of the Gods, and feed it to her lover, just as Orpheus had done. Then, they could all finally go home.
XX
A short while later, they all arrived at Underbrooke's library. Hades told them that, at the very bottom of the elevator, below even his own sanctum, was a cave where the Ambrosia grew. It was a mysterious place, where even The God of Death himself never dared venture. His warning did nothing to deter the heroes of Storybrooke.
Hades then told them that there would be a test in order to pass into the cave, a test that required offering up your heart for judgement. The other remained unafraid, and determined to push forward. However, Hades said that only two of them would be allowed to pass through. After a bit of arguing between Emma, Hook, and Regina, they decided that Emma and Hook would be the ones to venture below, and retrieve the Ambrosia. Shae had remained uncharacteristically silent through it all, but they were all too preoccupied with their newest dilemma to notice.
"Are you really going to stand there glowering at us the whole time?" Zelena suddenly exclaimed.
She was glaring at Shae, who had been standing silently in the corner ever since Hook and Emma had departed. She was keeping careful watch on both Hades and Zelena. She had her arms folded across her chest, her blue eyes narrowed dangerously at the two of them.
"Yes." Was all she had to say.
Zelena groaned, rolling her eyes as she turned to her sister. "Regina, can you please do something about your girlfriend?"
Regina sighed, rubbing at her aching forehead. "Shae, we talked about this."
"Yeah, and you told me to trust you, which I do." Shae replied, never taking her eyes off of Zelena and Hades. "You never said I had to trust them, which I don't. At all."
Regina sighed once more, and was about to reply, when the library door suddenly creaked open, and Robin walked in. "Good! You got our message." David said with a smile.
"Yes, I did." Robin muttered, eyeing Zelena and Hades just as warily as Shae was. "What's going on? What are they doing here?"
"It's alright, Robin." Snow White said in a gentle tone. "As hard as this is to believe… They're actually helping us."
"It's true." David added with a nod. "Hades wiped all our names off the headstones. We can finally leave."
"Hold on a moment…" Zelena muttered with a frown. "You're here… But where the hell is my daughter?"
"She's with Remus, just outside." Robin replied, slowly shaking his head as he processed everything they had just told him.
Zelena's jaw dropped open in shock. "You left the baby with him? Are you mad?"
Shae suddenly snorted loudly. "Relax." She said, rolling her eyes. "Remus raised Nadia all by himself at only six years old. Besides, he was one of the oldest kids in our orphanage. He spent half his own childhood taking care of other children."
At that exact moment, the library door swung open again, and Remus himself entered. He was holding baby Hood, just as Robin said. He was gently bouncing her in his arms, singing softly in a strange language. Shae and Regina both recognized it to be elvish.
"Oh, just perfect!" Zelena exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. "What sort of nonsense are you spouting off to my child?"
Remus immediately stopped in his tracks when he noticed Zelena, with Hades by her side. "Well, hello to you too." He replied, his tone laden with sarcasm. "If you must know, it's a lullaby my mother used to sing to me. Before I was old enough to be beaten bloody, that is."
"Wonderful." Zelena growled sarcastically herself. "Now, hand her over."
Remus narrowed his eyes at both Zelena and Hades. "No." He muttered, clutching the baby even tighter in his arms. "I think she's much better off with her Uncle Remus, or her father. Isn't that right, my little dove?"
Baby Hood giggled softly as Remus tickled her cheek with his finger. Regina and Shae both smiled at each other. They were both glad to finally see Remus, even more so to see him in good spirits. They smiled even more, they all did, as Remus placed a gentle kiss on the baby's forehead before handing her over to Robin.
Once he was baby free, Shae immediately threw her arms around her best friend, her brother. "It's good to see you, Remus." She said, smiling even more. She then softly cleared her throat, her smile slowly fading. "How, um… H-How are you doing?"
"Fine." Remus replied with a small shrug. "Just fine, I promise. I'd just… Rather not talk about it, if it's all the same to you. I'm not sure I'm ready just yet."
Shae nodded in agreement, and shifted her eyes over to Regina. She was in the middle of a heated discussion with Robin and her sister. Shae then leaned in closer toward Remus, dropping her voice low.
"There's actually something else I need to talk to you about." She whispered. "It's important."
Remus silently nodded his head. He and Shae both remained where they stood, watching as the others began to argue amongst themselves. Once they were sure they could slip away unnoticed, they hurried to the back of the library.
Just as planned, none of them noticed as Remus and Shae quickly and quietly slipped away between the rows upon rows of dusty old books. They were too busy arguing over baby Hood. Zelena insisted that she should take her to the cemetery, where she, the baby, and Hades, would pass through the moment it opened.
Robin objected at first, still wary of his child's mother, as well as The God of Death. After some reassuring words from Regina, he eventually relented. He handed his daughter over to Zelena, who promptly left the library, with Hades in tow.
Right when Regina was starting to wonder where the woman she loved had gone off to, Shae returned to the group, Remus right behind her. The look on both their faces concerned her. It looked as if they had been crying, their eyes red and puffy.
"There you are!" She exclaimed, the moment she spotted Shae. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, um… I just wanted to talk to Remus alone." Shae replied with a small shrug. "You know, about… A-About, um… Nadia."
"Oh. I see." Regina muttered with a frown. She glanced over at Remus, who was now leaning against a bookcase, his eyes hazy and unfocused as he stared down at the ground. "How is he doing?"
"Oh, you know… Fine. All things considered." Said Shae, shrugging once again.
Regina nodded her head, and gently took Shae's hand. "And how are you doing?" She asked, carefully searching her lover's eyes. "I… Should have asked much earlier. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I'm fine." Shae replied with a smile. She leaned in to kiss those lips that she loved so much, but stopped when she noticed something strange. "Wait a minute… Where's Hades? And Zelena?"
Regina bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before responding. "Now, before you say anything, I know you don't trust either of them." She said in a rush. "But, they… Took the baby to the cemetery, to wait for the portal to open. As soon as it does, they're going through, for the baby's sake."
Shae didn't respond right away either. Regina watched her carefully as her jaw clenched, as did her fists. "Shae, I-" She began.
"It's alright." Shae muttered, cutting her off. She breathed out a heavy sigh, smiling once again as she quickly relaxed. "I trust you. And, I… I love you."
Regina smiled back at her in relief. "I love you too."
Shae then leaned in and kissed her, and Regina sighed herself as she felt the warmth of Shae's lips upon her own. Once again, though, there was something about the look in Shae's eyes that left her unsettled, and a bit worried. It was that strange sort of sadness that she had seen back in the cemetery. She quickly put it from her mind as her son suddenly announced that he was making a final push with his own plan, which he called, 'Operation Firebird.'
Henry was determined to put his powers as The Author to good use. He wanted to help the people of The Underworld by using his pen to write out their unfinished business, which most of them had no knowledge of. Regina and Shae, as well as the rest of his family, helped him to announce his plan to the people of Underbrooke. He set up a table just outside the library, and a long line of lost souls quickly formed before him.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst as Cruella De Vil suddenly made an appearance, in tow with The Blind Witch. Since Hades was abandoning his realm, Cruella decided that she was going to be Underbrooke's new ruler. She announced that the group from Storybrooke was not leaving, and she had The Blind Witch cast a spell that trapped them all back inside the library. They were all perplexed when they realized they could not escape, not even with Regina and Shae's combined magic. Neither Cruella nor The Blind Witch should have such power.
"I don't get it." Regina muttered, after another fireball failed to break through the library doors. "The Blind Witch's spells have always been, well… Half baked."
"Unless… It wasn't her spell." Robin mused quietly.
They all stared around at each other for a moment, then turned their eyes onto Regina as she groaned out loud. "Hades." She snarled. "He wants us trapped here."
"That son of a bitch!" David shouted, slamming his fist into the nearby bookcase.
Regina then sharply turned to Shae, hands on her hips. "Well, go on!" She exclaimed. "Say it!"
Shae's brow furrowed in confusion. "Say what?"
"'I told you so!'" Shouted Regina, throwing her arms up in the air. "You were right, after all. You were right this entire time, Shae! Dammit, why didn't I just listen to you?"
"Because you're a strong, independent woman?" Shae offered with a shrug.
Regina scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "More like a stupid, idiotic woman."
Shae sighed, placing her hand on Regina's back. "Come on, Regina, don't say that." She muttered, gently and soothingly rubbing her back. "Hades is a master manipulator. He's been doing it for centuries."
"It's gonna be ok, Regina." Snow said in the same gentle tone as Shae. "We'll find another way."
"And how exactly are we going to do that?" Cried Regina, her brown eyes welling with frightened tears. "We're out of time! Out of options!"
Snow sighed herself, and was about to reply, when Henry suddenly cried out. "Look!" He exclaimed, pointing at the elevator. "The elevator! It's moving!"
They all turned to look, and found that the doors were indeed vibrating, and a deep rumbling sound was growing closer and closer. "Emma and Hook!" David exclaimed. "They're coming back!"
"See?" Shae said to Regina with a smile. "I'm sure Emma's magic combined with ours will be able to blast these doors open. It's gonna be ok."
Regina nodded, smiling back at her. She then turned back toward the elevator, as did the rest. They all waited in silence, hopeful smiles stretching across their faces. Their smiles immediately disappeared the moment the doors opened, and they saw Emma, and Emma alone. Her face was white as a sheet, stained with tears. What she told them made their hearts drop out of their chests;
Hades had lied about the Ambrosia. They had found the charred remains of a tree down below, but that was all. Not a single leaf or bud was left.
Hook had remained behind after saying his goodbyes to Emma, the woman that he loved. He knew that there was no time left to find another way back, if one even existed. He made Emma promise to go through the portal without him. In turn, Emma made him promise that he would find a way to move on.
"No. No, no, no…" Regina muttered, clinging desperately to Shae's hand as she shook her head. "There… T-There has to be another way."
"It's ok, Regina. It's gonna be ok." Shae replied, rubbing her lover's back some more as frightened tears began to stream down her face. "I… I-I think I saw some in Hades' sanctum when he was torturing me. Let's just… Get these doors open first. Then, I'll go get it, and meet you guys at the portal with Hook."
They all blinked silently at Shae for a moment, their jaws dangling open. "Really?" Emma breathed. "Are… A-Are you sure?"
"Yeah, of… O-Of course." Shae stammered in reply. Before anyone could question her more, she stood squarely in front of the library doors, and beckoned Emma and Regina to join her. "Come on, we don't have much time. Let's do this."
Emma and Regina exchanged an uncertain glance, but then obliged. They stood on either side of Shae, taking a moment to summon up their magic. They then threw their arms out at the doors. Red beams of magic shot forth from Regina's hands, bright white ones from Emma's. Shae then outstretched her own hands, shooting out a gust of wind that barreled straight through the doors, blasting them open.
They all took a moment to exchange excited, hopeful grins, then immediately rushed outside. "Shae! Wait!" Regina cried just as Shae was about to teleport herself down to Hades' sanctum. She placed a quick kiss on her cheek, smiling into her eyes. "Hurry back."
Shae nodded, smiling back at her. She opened her mouth to speak, but shut it again, her jaw clenching tight. She then reached out and took Regina's face in her hands, and placed a deep, passionate kiss on her lips. Shae curled her arms around Regina, holding her tight as their lips parted. Regina's brow furrowed as she felt Shae's lips trembling upon her own, as she felt the trembling in her limbs.
"Right, um…" Shae mumbled as she released her. Her voice cracked as she spoke, and she quickly cleared her throat. "Be… B-Be right back."
She then glanced over at Remus, who hadn't so much as spoken a word in quite a while. It looked as if she were fighting back tears as she stared into her best friend's eyes. She then nodded at him, and he nodded back. Shae gave the woman she loved one last smile before she disappeared in a gust of swirling wind.
"Remus?" Regina muttered quietly as she turned to face him. "What… W-What was that all about?"
Remus cleared his own throat, his eyes cast down onto the ground. "I don't know what you mean." He muttered back. "Come on, now. Let's get to that portal."
He brushed past Regina, strangely refusing to meet her gaze. Regina wanted to question him more, but knew he was right. She, as well as the others, fell into step beside him as they hurried to the Underbrooke cemetery.
XX
Deep in the Underbrooke forest, a swirling gust of wind shook the leaves upon the trees. Shae Cormac remained in the spot where she had appeared for a few moments, her clenched fists trembling. Suddenly, she threw back her head, bellowing out a furious, agonized scream. She screamed up at the sky, at the earth, at the very cosmos itself. The trees near her all burst into flames.
Shae shrieked and wailed herself horse, and the flames slowly dissipated. She stumbled forward, bracing her hand against the charred remains of the tree before her. She turned around, leaned her back against it, and slowly slid down onto the forest floor. Then, she began to weep.
"I'm sorry, Regina…" She sobbed, tears pouring down her face. "I'm so sorry…"
XX
Regina Mills glanced up at Underbrooke's burnt orange sun, then behind her at the glowing, swirling portal that had appeared on the ruined clock tower's face. Her son, Robin, and David had already gone through. Snow White remained behind with her daughter, shouting at her to go through herself. Emma resisted for a while, determined to stay and wait for Shae to return with the ambrosia, and with Hook. With time running out, she eventually relented too. Now, only Remus remained with Regina.
"Regina…" He spoke quietly from behind her. "Regina, please. It's… I-It's time to go."
"NO!" Regina shouted for the dozenth time, her brown eyes streaming with tears. "There's still time! She… S-She can still make it!"
Remus glanced up at the sun himself, which was hanging dangerously low in the sky. He glanced over his shoulder at the portal, which was now slowly beginning to shrink. He breathed out a heavy, shaky sigh, squeezing his eyes shut as tears leaked onto his cheeks.
"I'm sorry, Regina." He whispered.
Before Regina could turn around, before she could do or say anything, Remus struck her in the back of the head with his fist. She was immediately knocked unconscious, and Remus caught her before she hit the ground. He scooped her up in his arms, taking one last glance over his shoulder. He sighed once more, then stepped through the portal.
XX
Shae was sitting alone in the back booth of Underbrooke's version of Granny's Diner. She took up the bottle of rum she had purchased from the girl behind the counter, and poured herself another glass. She was about to gulp down the whole thing, stopping when she heard a familiar voice.
"Well, well, well… Here you are."
Shae narrowed her eyes at Cruella de Vil, who slid into the seat opposite her. "It looks like your little friends actually managed to escape after all." Cruella said with a shrug, adjusting her signature white fur coat. "No matter. It's still going to be a wonderful eternity without them."
Shae merely glared in silence at Cruella as she drained her glass in one gulp. "As the new, self appointed Queen of the Underworld, I could certainly use a Royal Protector of my own." Cruella drolled on, grinning in a sultry way at Shae. "Interested?"
"Fuck off, Cruella." Was all Shae had to say.
Cruella scoffed, placing her hand dramatically over her heart. "Is that any way to speak to your Queen?"
"You are not my Queen, and never will be." Shae snarled in reply. "Now… Fuck… OFF!"
Cruella jumped as Shae slammed her fists into the table. Her eyes grew wide with alarm as they both burst into flames. She then quickly vacated the booth. Shae breathed out a relieved sigh, the flames surrounding her hands dissipating.
"Careful… She's awfully cranky." Cruella muttered to someone behind her.
It was Hook, and he stood hesitantly beside Shae's booth for a moment. Her heart ached as she stared up at his pale, tear stained face. She then gestured for him to join her, which he did. She then took up the empty cup that was ready and waiting beside her, and silently poured him some rum.
XX
Regina slowly blinked her eyes open, her head pounding painfully. She sat forward, and realized that she was lying on a bed. She blinked several more times, and her eyes grew wide as they finally focused. Surrounding the bed was her son, Snow White, David, and Emma.
"Hey, mom." Henry muttered with a small smile.
"W-Where…" Regina stammered, slowly shaking her head. "Where am I?"
"It's alright, Regina." Said Emma, with the same small, sad smile as Henry. "You're, um… You're back in Storybrooke."
Regina blinked several more times, shaking her head some more. "No… No, no, no…" She whispered as her mind finally began to clear. She scanned her eyes around the Charming apartment, and finally spotted Remus sitting at the kitchen counter. "YOU!"
She leapt up from the bed, swatting the hands away that were grabbing at her arms. She could hear voices shouting at her, but they were quickly drowned out by the ringing in her ears. As she approached Remus, he slowly turned toward her, his eyes cast down onto the ground. She then cocked her fist, and punched him straight in the face.
Remus grunted in pain, tumbling to the ground. Regina threw herself upon him, hitting him again. "What did you do?" She shrieked, furious tears streaming from her eyes. "WHAT DID YOU DO?"
"I did what had to be done!" Remus shouted back.
Regina snarled in fury, striking him in the face with her fist once again. She struggled furiously against the hands that were seizing her, but Emma and David managed to overpower her. They dragged her backwards off of Remus, who staggered up to his feet.
"I'm sorry, Regina…" Remus whispered, tears of his own pouring down his face. "I'm so sorry…"
"WHY?" Shouted Regina.
Remus drew in a deep, quivering breath, wiping the blood from his lip. "I only did what Shae asked me to." He muttered quietly. "She knew Hades had lied about the ambrosia. She made me promise to do whatever it took to get you through the portal."
Regina's jaw dropped open in shock. "What?" She breathed. "She… S-She knew? The whole time?"
"I guess, in the real myth, Orpheus never gave Eurydice ambrosia." Emma answered from beside her. "He never even managed to save her. Hades lied about the whole damn thing."
"I don't care!" Regina snarled, wrenching her arms out of Emma and David's grip. "We… W-We have to go back. Now! Right now!"
"Regina…" Snow White muttered with a heavy sigh. "That isn't what Shae wanted."
"She knew that she was powerless to stop Hades. That's why she lied to you." Remus quickly cut in, before Regina could retort. "She lied to get you through the portal back here, so that you could defeat him. You and Emma."
Regina defiantly shook her head, more tears streaming down her face. "No." She whispered. "I won't just leave her down there to rot."
"Well, you aren't, because Shae won't just sit down there and rot." Remus went on, taking a step forward. "She swore to me that she would never give up until she finds a way back here, back to you."
"She promised me the same thing, Mom." Henry said quietly from behind his mother. Regina turned around to face him, and found tears leaking down his face as well. "I… I-I have faith in her. If anyone can find a way to come back from the dead, it's Shae."
"But… What about Hook?" Emma muttered, her eyes suddenly wide with horror. "I made him promise not to do that exact thing. I made him promise to just… Move on."
Remus breathed out a small chuckle. "Yes, well… Therein lies the difference between you and Shae, I think." He replied, wiping away more blood from the cut on his lip. "That's the type of thing you bloody heroes say."
"Are you saying Shae's not a hero?" Asked David, folding his arms across his chest. "That you're not?"
Remus laughed louder that time. "Me? A hero? Certainly not." He scoffed, looking offended. "As for Shae, well… I don't think things are quite that simple for her, or for me, or for any of us. Things aren't quite as black and white as all that. There are plenty of heroes and villains, sure, but there are also those that are neither, or both."
"That… Doesn't really make sense, Remus." Snow muttered with a frown.
Remus scoffed once again. "Maybe not to you." He spat in reply, rolling his eyes. He then breathed out a heavy sigh, and stepped up to Regina, taking both of her hands in his own. "Regina, I'm sorry for what I did, for lying to you myself. But… We have more important things to worry about right now. Hades needs to be stopped."
Regina stared into Remus' brilliant green eyes, her heart aching, her own eyes still streaming with painful tears. "I… I don't know if I can, Remus." She whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "Not… N-Not without Shae."
"Yes, you can." Remus replied, tightly gripping Regina's shoulders. "Shae knows you have the strength, that's why she did what she did. If you can't believe in yourself right now, then… Believe in her."
Another silent moment passed as Regina continued to stare into Remus' eyes. She could see the pain there too, the same pain that she felt. Then, she slowly nodded her head, and leaned forward, burying her face in Remus' chest.
Remus wrapped his arms around Regina, holding her tight as she cried. "So… What do we do now?" Asked David.
"I… Don't know." Replied Emma, breathing out a shaky, quivering sigh. She took a deep breath, quickly steeling herself, and glanced around at her parents, and her son. "But, whatever it is… We need to do it fast."
XX
Killian Jones, aka Captain Hook, sat in silence as Shae explained to him the real myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. At first, he was angry that Shae had known about Hades' lies the whole time, and had lied to everyone herself. His anger didn't last long, though. He was in too much pain, too heartbroken to really care.
"So… What do we do now?" He asked, after a time.
Shae gulped down another glass of rum before responding. "Tonight, we get wrecked." She replied as she poured herself another glass. "Tomorrow, we start on finding a way back home."
Hook scoffed as he drained his own glass. "Emma made me swear that I wouldn't do that, that I would find a way to move on instead." He replied, his anger quickly returning. "Don't you think Regina would want the same for you?"
Shae didn't respond right away. She took another sip of her rum, swirling it around in the glass for a moment as she stared into it. "No." She said quietly.
"No?" Asked Hook, eyebrow raised.
Shae emitted a drunken giggle as she took yet another deep sip of her drink. "She might say that out loud, sure, because that's the type of thing heroes say. But I know that's not really what she wants."
Hook leaned forward, narrowing his eyes at Shae. "And how can you be so sure?"
"Because, Regina and I, we're the same." She replied with a shrug. "If the situation was reversed, if she was the one trapped down here… I'd want her to fight until she found a way back to me."
"That's an awfully selfish line of thought, mate." Hook muttered in reply.
Shae chuckled once again. "Yeah, I guess it is. But don't pretend that you don't want the same. You want to get back to Emma, just as much as I want to get back to Regina."
"Aye, but that isn't what Emma wanted for me!" Hook snarled, banging his good hand on the table. "I told you, she made me promise-"
"And I promised that I would never give up!" Shae shouted back, cutting Hook off. She glared furiously at him as she drained the rest of her rum. She then staggered out of the booth, swaying slightly on her feet. "I promised Regina, Remus, and Henry that I wouldn't stop until I found a way back to them. And I intend to keep that promise."
Shae then scooped up what remained of the bottle of rum, and headed toward the door. "Shae! Wait!" Hook called after her. "Where the bloody hell are you going?"
"To drink in peace!" Shae snarled, whirling back around. She pointed a shaky finger at Hook, narrowing her eyes furiously at him. "If you won't help me, if you really want to sit and rot here, then stay the fuck out of my way!"
She took a swig of rum straight from the bottle, emitting another uncharacteristic, drunken giggle. "I'll do whatever it takes to get back to the people I love." She went on. She had one of her signature quirky grins stretching across her face, but her tone was dark, quiet, and dangerous. "I'll burn this whole fucking realm to the ground if I have to. You mark my words."
XX
The days following everyone's return from The Underworld were wrought with fear, chaos, and more heartbreak. The heroes of Storybrooke rushed frantically to stop Hades, and actually managed to succeed, though not in the way Shae nor anyone else had at all suspected. Zelena had been the one to kill The God of Death, the man that she loved.
Hades had brought a weapon with him from The Underworld: The Olympian Crystal. It held incredible, unfathomable power, and was the only weapon known that could kill a god. Hades had intended to use it to harness all of Storybrooke's magic, so that he could rule over the town, with Zelena as his Queen. However, his plan was interrupted by Regina, Robin, and Remus.
The three of them broke into Regina's office where Hades was hiding, via an underground tunnel. As soon as they arrived, Remus, ever the fearsome warrior, immediately threw himself at The God of Death, knocking the crystal from his hand. His victory was a short one, though, for Hades quickly overpowered him, and seized the crystal once again. He intended to use it on Regina, to destroy her for trying to turn Zelena against him. However, at the last second, Robin leapt in front of her, sacrificing himself to save Regina. Robin Hood, the famous thief, the famous hero, was now dead.
Robin's death, and Hades' threats against her sister, finally made Zelena see sense. She used his own weapon against him, and plunged The Olympian Crystal into his now beating heart. Hades, The God of Death, finally met death himself.
After that, Storybrooke mourned the loss of their fallen hero, and held a funeral for Robin. Remus took it especially hard. Though their relationship started as purely physical, he and Robin had grown quite close. Robin had gone through his own loss, and helped talk Remus through the loss of his sister, again.
Remus, Regina, and the rest of Robin's friends and loved ones didn't get much time to mourn. They quickly found out that Gold had stolen what remained of The Olympian Crystal, and used it to harness Storybrooke's magic, just like Hades had wanted to. However, his motivations were to gain enough power to wake Belle, after her father refused to do so, to protect his daughter from her own husband.
While they were dealing with this new and startling information, they were met with a new arrival in Storybrooke, one they had not at all expected. It was Hook, who announced that Zeus, God of Olympus, had restored him to life. Regina, as well as Remus, both immediately questioned him about Shae. What he told them left them both even more heartbroken than ever; He said that he hadn't seen Shae since they were in Underbrooke's library with all the others. He told everyone that he had absolutely no idea what had happened to her, what she was doing, or where she even was.
Regina and Remus were both devastated over Hook's news, and Hook's arrival in general. They felt that it was unfair that only Hook had made it out of The Underworld, and not Shae, who had promised them that she would do whatever she could to find a way back to them. They didn't have time to dwell too much on it, for Henry suddenly disappeared from Storybrooke, with Violet, his girlfriend from Camelot, in tow.
Henry had decided that magic was the source of all their problems. He sought to destroy it, and used his Author powers to steal The Olympian Crystal away from his grandfather. He and Violet then left Storybrooke, and hopped on a bus to New York City. Emma and Regina, along with Remus, followed him there, while Hook, David, Snow, and Zelena were unwillingly sucked into another realm.
Zelena used The Apprentice's wand to open a portal back to The Enchanted Forest. Many Storybrooke residents stepped through, but many also remained, having made a happy and content life for themselves in Storybrooke. Robin Hood's old band, The Merry Men, chose to return home, and took Roland, Robin's son, with them.
The Merry Men were the last to leave, and when Zelena made to close the portal behind them, something went terribly wrong. Some sort of magical force seized her and the others that were standing upon Main Street beside her. Only Granny was left behind, who, shocked and confused, clung to Zelena's baby, whom she had named Robin, after her father.
Meanwhile, in New York, Emma, Regina, and Remus raced to find Henry. Unfortunately, Gold had found him first, and stole back The Olympian Crystal from him and Violet's clutches. Suddenly, a new race was on, a race to stop Gold.
Things took a chaotic turn as Gold harnessed the power of Storybrooke's magic contained inside the crystal, which, momentarily, brought magic to the land without it. Neither Emma nor Regina had the power to stop him, but Henry did. He and Violet had followed in the footsteps of Baelfire, Henry's father, who once sought to destroy magic himself. The clues he left behind led them to a chalice, which resembled a dark version of The Holy Grail. Henry used it to suck all the magic out of the crystal. He had finally succeeded with his own plan. Magic was no more.
A text from Granny to Emma immediately made Henry regret his actions. They all learned that the rest of their family was trapped in another realm, and only magic would be able to bring them back. After much panicking, and arguing, Henry came up with an idea. He rushed out onto the streets of New York, and beckoned passersby to listen.
A crowd quickly formed before him, and the others watched, shaking their heads in sorrow as Henry told the people of New York that his family needed their help, that magic was real, and that it was the only thing that could save them. He begged them to join him in throwing a penny into the nearby fountain, and to make a wish. At first, Regina and Emma tried to tell their son to stop, that it was pointless. Then, The Olympian Crystal clutched in Emma's hand began to glow. Henry's plan was actually working.
The crystal glowed brighter and brighter as Henry, Violet, Regina, Emma, Remus, and even Gold, joined the mortals of New York. They all tossed their own pennies into the fountain, wishing for the return of their lost friends and family. Suddenly, a pulsewave of magic burst forth from the crystal. The waters of the fountain swirled in a roaring cyclone, and the people of New York watched in shock and awe.
When the water settled once again, Snow, David, Hook, Zelena, and a strange man that none of them recognized, were suddenly standing before them in the fountain. All of the onlookers clapped and cheered as they scrambled out, excitedly and gratefully embracing Henry and the others. Though he was glad to see his family safe and reunited, Henry was disappointed. The New Yorkers immediately dispersed, thinking it all just an elaborate street performance. Regina too was disappointed, but for her own reasons.
She stood apart from the others, watching with an aching heart as they all laughed together. "Can I be honest with you about something?" She asked of Remus, who was standing just as sullenly beside her.
"Of course." He replied with a nod.
Regina sighed sadly, turning her eyes away from the others laughing and chatting merrily. For her, it was an awful sight. "When I threw my penny into the fountain, I… Didn't wish for Snow White and her husband, or Hook, or even my sister." She muttered quietly. "I… Wished for Shae."
Remus pursed his lips, slowly nodding his head before responding. "Can I be honest with you about something?" He asked, to which Regina nodded. "So did I."
Regina breathed out a small, sour chuckle, nodding some more. The two of them stood in silence for a while, staring at the fountain standing before them, the fountain that everyone except for the one person they had wished to return had just stepped out of. They were both thoroughly miserable, their hearts aching.
"What if she's stopped fighting?" Regina asked of Remus, wiping at the tears that were leaking onto her cheeks. "What if that's why our wish didn't come true. Maybe there was no way out for her, and she's just… Moved on."
Remus sighed himself, running a hand through his chestnut brown hair. "I… Don't know, Regina. It's possible." He muttered in reply. "I know it's wrong to say it, but… I hope not."
Regina chuckled sourly once again. "Maybe it's me." She spat in reply, wiping furiously at more tears. "You've never pretended to be anything other than who you are, you've never pretended to be a hero. Maybe I should stop pretending. Maybe The Evil Queen was too much of a villain, and that's all I'll ever be."
Another moment of silence passed between them, as Remus hesitated to reply. "Regina… I…" He mumbled, his own eyes shining with tears. "I just… I-I don't-"
"It's alright, Remus." Regina cut in, slowly shaking her head. "In fact, if that's really the case, then one more selfish wish shouldn't hurt."
She produced two more pennies from her pocket, and handed one over to Remus. He nodded as he took it, and the two of them both cast their coins into the fountain. Once again, they both wished with all their hearts for the woman that they both loved to return. Neither of them were at all surprised when nothing happened, and they turned their backs on the fountain. Remus wrapped his arm around Regina's shoulders as they slowly and sadly walked away.
Suddenly, something about the atmosphere made them stop in their tracks. The wind suddenly picked up, and they watched as the bright, sunny day became overcast with thick, dark clouds. The people of New York all began to rush about in alarm as heavy rain began to pour down from the now blackened sky.
"What the hell?" Regina exclaimed, throwing her arms over her head.
"There's no way this is just any normal storm!" Hook shouted over the din of rain and wind. "This is bloody magic!"
"Gold, what the hell did you do?" Shouted Emma.
"Don't look at me!" Gold exclaimed, covering his own head. "I didn't do this!"
Emma shouted some more at him, but her words were drowned out by a roaring clap of thunder. The group from Storybrooke all clung to each other in fright as the thunder shook the very ground beneath their feet. Every single one of them cried out in alarm as a bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree, which, despite the heavy downpour, burst into flames.
"JESUS!" Emma shrieked, protectively grabbing on to Henry. "We gotta get out of here! We-"
Once again, The Savior's frightened words were drowned out by another violent clap of thunder. Suddenly, the very earth beneath them gave a massive heave, and they were all knocked off their feet. Another bolt of lightning struck the fountain itself, and the cement beneath it gave way and cracked.
As quickly as the strange, violent storm came, it faded away. The wind stopped, the rain stopped, and the flames upon the nearby tree were quickly doused. They all blinked dazedly up at the bright, shining sun. Then, the sound of someone coughing drew their attention.
"Jesus… FUCK!" A voice rang out from within the fountain, followed by more coughs. It was a familiar voice, a very familiar voice. "You couldn't have made the landing any fucking SMOOTHER?"
They all staggered up onto their feet, just in time to see a black haired head poke up out of the fountain. "Oh my god…" Regina suddenly whispered. "Shae?"
It was indeed Shae, and she collapsed forward with her arms dangling over the side of the fountain, her chest heaving. "Hey there, gorgeous!" She replied, one of her signature quirky grins stretching across her face. "You didn't really think I'd break my promise, did you?"
Regina choked out a loud, strangled sob. "Oh my god! SHAE!"
She raced forward, and Shae staggered out of the fountain, dripping from head to toe. The others all stood in silent, confused, completely astonished wonder. As soon as she reached Shae, Regina threw herself into her arms. She sobbed loudly and gratefully as the woman she loved swept her up, swinging her around in a circle.
Regina kissed Shae's lips, her cheeks, her forehead, her hands trembling as she groped around her body. "Oh god… Shae…" She whispered, tears of pure joy streaming down her face as she kissed her lips some more. "How… H-How are you here? What happened?"
Shae laughed, pushing back the soaking wet hair that was drooping into her eyes. "It's, um… I-Its a long story."
"Oh, I don't care." Regina whispered breathlessly. "Just kiss me!"
Shae obliged, laughing against Regina's lips. She broke away for a moment, only for a moment, to smile at Remus, her best friend, her brother. His face was plastered with shock, tears of his own streaming out of his eyes. Shae reached a hand out to him, and he rushed forward, sobbingly loudly himself as he wrapped his arms around both Shae and Regina.
"Shae, my god!" Hook exclaimed as he and the others approached them. "I can't believe you're here! Last time I saw you, you were-"
"HOOK!" Shae suddenly shouted, cutting the pirate off. She released both Remus and Regina, and threw her arms around Hook. "Don't." She snarled quietly in his ear. She embraced him tightly, a bit too tightly, and dropped her voice even lower. "Don't you dare say anything about what I had to do to get here. Understand?"
She quickly released him, and held him out at arms length, smiling into his eyes. Hook stared back at her silently for a moment, brow furrowed. Then, he slowly nodded his head, and said no more.
The others all took their turns embracing Shae, absolutely baffled at how she was even standing before them. They questioned her about how she got to New York, seemingly on the back of a violent storm. Shae brushed them all off, insisting that she would explain everything later. She then swept the woman that she loved back into her arms, placing another deep, passionate kiss on her lips.
"Come on." She whispered to Regina. She had tears in her eyes as she smiled at her, and gently caressed her cheek. "Let's go home."
XX
