A/N: Sorry for not posting last week. I got super busy and sick. Anyways... here's the next chapter!
Regina's POV
In that dusty storage room, Regina sat and held Emma in her arms for several moments. Time itself slowed as her thoughts swirled rapidly. The events of the day played over and over. Plans and half-plans filled her mind. She had to do something. But what exactly would be best?
After much deliberation, she settled on one of the plans she haphazardly threw together. Emma would not be happy about it when she awoke, but Regina felt her anger would be worth it. Besides, Emma would come to understand eventually.
With a deep breath, Regina teleported them both to the mansion. A purple plume of smoke signaled their arrival in the guest room Emma used. Positioning Emma so she would be comfortable, Regina stood up and summoned a potion from her crypt. It was a weak sleeping potion, similar to a sedative in this world. Regina hoped it would help Emma get some rest, and time, away from the curse that plagued her waking hours. Being choked was not exactly easy to calm down from.
After that she called Snow and Charming, letting them know she'd found Emma. It took many reassurances for them to believe the situation was under control. With much hesitation, and only a little guilt, she also told them they needed to talk. Keeping secrets was no longer an option.
The Charmings arrived shortly after, and Henry came down to meet them. An awkward moment passed where they expected Emma to show up. Once they realized Emma was not coming Regina sat them down at the table.
"Hey, uh… Where's Ma?" Henry asked quietly, fiddling with his hands.
"She's resting right now, upstairs." Regina told him, softly.
Snow leaned forward, "Regina, how is she?"
Regina sighed irritably, "I just told you. She's resting."
"No. I mean… how was she, when you found her?" Snow never took her eyes off of Regina.
Regina laid her hands on the table, "That's what I was about to tell you about. There is something that… has occurred, and you all need to be made aware." Her fingers ached to tap the table, but Regina kept them still.
The Charmings eyed her with concern, for once waiting for her to speak first.
"It would appear that… the Dark One's curse is able to… put thoughts into Emma's head. As well as use her own magic against her."
"What are you talking about?" David asked. His hand moved to grasp Snow's.
Regina looked at him, "Emma has revealed to me that the curse has been putting thoughts into her mind, and preying on her insecurities." At least, Regina had inferred that last part.
The group was quiet for a moment, contemplating the new information. Wondering about the implications. Snow broke the silence, "When you said it was 'using her magic against her' what did you mean? She's wearing the cuff, she can't do magic. Right?"
Regina glanced at Henry, wondering how to say what needed to be said without revealing too much to her son, "Apparently, the Curse is able to use Emma's magic even with the cuff on. But only against her, inside her, I believe."
The looks of concern become ones of horror, "How do you know this? What happened? Is she okay?" David questioned rapidly. His body was tense, ready to run upstairs.
Regina picked up a nearby water glass, "She will be fine. I can give you more information later," She looked at Henry, hoping David understood.
Henry looked vaguely sick and indignant, but he let the comment pass, "What do we do now, Mom?"
Regina placed her hand on Henry's, brushing his hand with her thumb. Then, she turned and faced the other two, "We need to find the sorcerer soon. I believe we can travel to the other realm within a few days. All I need to do is make the right potion."
Snow and David grew resolved at her statement, "Okay, we need to get started on that." Snow began, "Let me get some supplies for there, while you work on the portal."
Regina nodded.
"We're going to save Emma soon." David agreed solemnly.
——————
It was the next day when the sleeping potion wore off and Emma awoke. Regina made sure to be there with Henry as well, for he insisted he be there as well. He held in his hands an origami Swan. Obviously he wanted to do something helpful, given the events of yesterday. Regina hoped that soon he would no longer feel guilty over what happened. It was not his fault one bit.
Emma woke up slowly, shuffling and groaning. Regina and Henry waited several moments before she finally sat up, looking around the room confused.
"Hey Ma!" Henry said, leaning forward.
Emma eyed him sleepily, then looked at Regina. Her face gave nothing away. Regina would say it was blank, if not for the tiredness so evident on it.
"Good morning, Emma." Regina greeted, "How are you feeling?"
Emma nodded, then looked down at her body covered in bedsheets. Regina figured she was still waking up when it took a minute for her to respond.
"Fine." Emma responded. Then she moved her legs over the edge of the bed, "What's with the welcome committee?"
Regina and Henry stepped aside to give her some space. Neither quite sure how to act.
"Well… I, uh—" Henry began, "Here, it's for you." He then practically shoved the origami Swan into Emma's hands. He stood expectantly, holding one arm with the other. Regina could not help the small smile from forming on her face at her son's awkwardness.
Emma examined the Swan carelessly, then set it aside on the bed stand, "Thanks, kid." That was all she said as she went back to watching them.
Henry looked a little dismayed at Emma's lack of enthusiasm, so Regina stepped in, "Henry, could you go get breakfast started?"
He looked at her confused but complied, leaving her and Emma alone in the room.
Regina turned around to look at Emma, "So, how are you really feeling?" Nobody was just 'fine' after being strangled by dark magic, even if they were healed. Especially combined with everything else.
Ignoring the question, Emma asked, "How long was I asleep?"
Regina did not look away as she answered, "A little over 13 hours."
"Oh." Emma looked down, slightly confused. After a moment's contemplation she stood up, stumbling slightly before regaining her balance, "Now, are you just gonna stand there, or can I get dressed?" She grabbed some clothes from the drawer, and then stared dully at Regina, expectant.
Regina looked right back. The women had just woken up, but Regina was still getting irritated. Now was not the time to fight however, so she relented, "I'll be downstairs, if you need anything."
Emma nodded and walked out the room toward the guest bathroom.
————
Snow, Charming, Robin, and Henry all sat together at the table with Regina, in the crypt. A series of potions and magical ingredients covered the table, and right next to it was a series of tubes and fires set up to create more potions. Regina was actively working at the station, getting closer and closer to creating a portal.
While it was silent for the most part, across the room a constant tapping could be heard from Emma. She had barely talked to anyone since learning they knew her secret, and her help was nearly non-existent when it came to making a portal. It was not unexpected, but Regina felt the sting of guilt anyway. Nobody had it in them to push Emma to talk at the moment, though, so they left her relatively alone.
Ignoring the tapping, Regina carefully let two drops of liquid Moonweed fall into the beaker. 'All of this will be over soon." She thought hopefully, and stood up.
"It's done." She declared out loud, holding up the potion in her hand. The response was immediate. Henry jumped up, hugging her, "Awesome! When do we leave?"
Regina paused, realizing the one thing she had overlooked in this situation: What to do with Henry? Such an obvious question, but one that had not occurred to her.
Snow took it upon herself to speak first, "Oh Henry, I don't know if—"
"We're not leaving him." Emma declared sternly, interrupting her mother. She halfway stood up, leaning against the chair, "Who knows how long we'll be gone?"
The adults sat contemplating while Henry joined Emma, "Yeah! You can't just leave me! What if… What if you get stuck! Or it takes you a while to find the sorcerer?"
Regina hesitated. All those situations were highly possible. But simultaneously, it could be very dangerous. Henry could easily get hurt.
Instead of answering right then, Regina said, "Emma and I will need to discuss this."
"There's nothing to discuss." Emma countered.
Regina narrowed her eyes at Emma, "Yes, there is."
Emma chuckled coldly, "Who's he gonna stay with? Ruby? Leroy?"
"That's part of what we need to discuss."
Emma fully stood up, and walked forward, "No. I'm not leaving him again. He's coming with us."
"Emma, it could be extremely dangerous there." Regina stood opposed to Emma.
"No worse than StoryBrook." She scoffed.
Regina clenched her hand tightly, fighting back the urge to throttle Emma. This was supposed to be a private, calm, discussion. Not an angry one in front of an audience.
"Mom! Please! You can protect me! You don't have to leave me!" Henry interrupted, standing between them.
Regina took a deep breath and looked at her son. They were right, of course. His voice tore at her, causing her motherly instinct to rise up. A few moments passed before she answered with clenched teeth, "Alright, Henry. You can come with us." Her and Emma would still be having a talk, Regina guaranteed internally.
A grin split his face as he jumped up.
"However," Regina continued, "You must do everything we tell you. We do not want you to get hurt."
Henry nodded emphatically, "Of course."
"So…" David started, "When do we leave?"
Regina turned her gaze toward the potion bottle, "Whenever we want."
"Tomorrow then," He said.
Despite the uncertainty of the future, Regina felt a spark of hope. Perhaps everything would end up alright.