Chapter 23

Fireflies in Storybrooke

(Regina's POV, Saturday afternoon)

I had just arrived home after dropping off Henry at the arcade when the phone rang. I ran towards it's ringing noise and picked it up answering, "Yes? Regina Mills speaking."

"It's Dr. Whale. You told me to call you if there was ever a change in John Doe. Something's happened."

My heart skipped a beat. What?! How the-

The doctor continued as I paced around the foyer. "One of our volunteers said he grabbed her. There was also a slight fluctuation in brain activity."

I frowned. "And who was this volunteer?"

"Mary Margaret Blanchard."

I took a moment to compose myself before I replied, "I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

I didn't wait for Dr Whale's reply for I've already slammed the phone back onto it's stand. It isn't possible! Snow has been a volunteer at the hospital ever since the curse hit...how is she able to do something to the Prince now?!

I rushed out of the house and back into my car. As I drove through the streets of Storybrooke, I couldn't help but feel as if there was something off in the town. Everyone seems to be...doing something different aside from their usual routine. I snarled when I stopped at the lights. It must be Swan! She's done something. She's weakening my curse!

When I arrived at the hospital, I stormed into the ICU, trying to ignore Daniella's still body. Why hasn't she reacted in all this time?

As soon as I walked into the room, I realised that the Prince wasn't there. Doctor Whale and Graham entered
just as I approached his bed with a frown on my face. "Where is he?!"

"I'm not sure..."

"You're not sure?! How? He's a coma patient. He can't just get up and take a walk around the block!"

Whilst Doctor Whale was explaining what happened yesterday night, I got distracted by the loud pattering footsteps of three people. I looked past him to see Mary Margaret, Emma and Henry stride into the room. I walked around the doctor and asked Emma, "What the hell are you doing here?" Turning to Henry, I softened my tone slightly, "And you...I thought you were at the arcade. Now you're lying to me?"

Before Henry could answer, Mary Margaret spoke, "What's going on? Where's John Doe?"

Graham answered, "He's missing but we don't know what happened to him yet. His IVs were ripped out. However, there's not sign for sure that there was a struggle."

Henry turned to me and harshly demanded, "What did you do?"

I quickly replied, "You think I had something to do with this?"

Henry was about to continue when Emma began, "Well, I'm certainly curious that the mayor is here."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm here because I'm his emergency contact."

"You know him?"

I raised my eyebrow, "I found him. On the side of the road years ago with no ID. I brought him here. Now, since I clearly can't keep you away from my son, I guess I'm just going to have to keep my son away from you. Enjoy my shirt, because that's all you're getting. Sheriff, find John Doe. You heard Dr. Whale. Time is precious."

I wanted desperately to steal a glance at Daniella but with so many people in the room, I was forced to simply take Henry's hand and leave.

As we got into the car, I quietly murmured to myself, "I wonder how she did it."

I watched Henry frown from the mirror of the car. Then, he breathed, "Do what?"

"I was told that Miss Blanchard was at John Doe's side last night. I'm curious as to how she managed to wake him up."

Henry suddenly widened his eyes as he breathed, "The book!"

I nearly stopped the car in the middle of the street. "What?!"

"Snow White read her story to the Prince that's what happened."

Internally, I was getting excited. Maybe this is how I'll wake Daniella up. However, I put on an annoyed expression as I answered, "Henry, I mean it. Stop with your fairytale thing. It's not real."

Henry huffed and turned away, not noticing that a grin had taken over my face. A grin that I couldn't wipe off.

When we got home, Henry ran to his room and banged his door shut. I need to get his book again...but how?

I smirked as an idea came into my head. I went to the kitchen and prepared afternoon tea for Henry. Then, I went up to his room and knocked before going in. "Henry. I have to talk to you about today."

Henry was at his desk, playing on his DS. He turned around and gave me the same expression that he used when he prepared himself for a scolding.

"Henry, you mustn't leave a place without telling me. What if I came to the arcade to look for you? I'll think that you've been kidnapped or something. When I tell you to stay somewhere, I do that because I care for you. Because I need you to be safe. Considering what has happened recently, I believe I was already very soft on you by letting you roam the arcade by yourself. Next time, I'll either have to take you there myself or you won't get to go at all, understood?"

Henry looked down and nodded. I lifted his chin using my hand and whispered, "I love you Henry, that's why I make all these rules. It's not to make you miserable. It's to keep you safe."

Henry shrugged away my hand so I added, "I have to go out again but I'll be back. Meanwhile, stay here and don't even think about sneaking out of the house. I'll find out."

Henry crossed his arms, a little comically in fact. I sighed and said, "I've left you afternoon tea downstairs...without apples. That should make you happy."

Henry raced downstairs, without a second thought. Even though Henry's unwillingness to spend a moment with me made my stomach drop, I knew what I needed to do. I quickly padded towards Henry's backpack and retrieved his book. Then, I went over to my own room and put it into my handbag.

After I did so, I sped downstairs. "I'm going out now, Henry."

He looked up from his afternoon snack and muttered "Bye."

I smiled and left the house. Now, I just need to wake up my little firefly.

The sun had begun to set when I arrived at the hospital beside Daniella. The commotion from the Prince's disappearance had diminished. Now, it was just Daniella and I in the room. So, I began to speak with my little firefly.

"Firefly, it's me again. I'm back because I think I've found a way to wake you up."

I got out Henry's book and showed it to Daniella even though her eyes were closed. "Here, Henry said that this book woke up Charming. Hopefully, it'll wake you up too."

I stroked Daniella's cheek lovingly before I opened the book and flicked through it's pages. There was no story written entirely of Danielle...Or me. Grunting, I turned to Snow's story. Afterall, I've impacted this story the most.

Taking a deep breath, I began to read. At moments, I've cringed at the descriptions of myself but I kept reading the words on the page. Exactly as they were written. Several times, I stole glances towards Daniella; just in case she stirred. My heart was pounding by the time I reached the end of Snow's story. On the last page, my eyes were darting between the words and Daniella. My breath stopped when I finished the story. I leaned down towards Daniella, trying to see if she had moved.

To my disappointment, there hasn't even been a twitch. I suddenly felt tears well up in my eyes. Impossible! Why couldn't Daniella respond? I've read the same story that woke up Charming!

I slammed the book shut in anger and put it onto Daniella's bedside table. Then, I grabbed Daniella's cold hands and put it to my forehead. "Daniella...come back to me. Please! I need you...I need you to help me win against Snow and her family. It's just me against them right now. I need my little firefly."

As I sobbed, voices outside in the hallway suddenly sounded through the quiet hospital. I hastily wiped my tears away from my eyes as the familiar voice of Doctor Whale shouted, "Watch your back. Coming through!"

Then, he burst through the glass doors and wheeled a man into the ICU along with a team of nurses. I caught a glimpse of the man and gasped. They found him! They found John Doe.

One of the nurses turned around and spotted me. She hurried over and muttered, "Uh, Madam Mayor I'm so sorry but the ICU is now closed because we have a patient we need to treat with urgency."

I nodded and just when I picked up my handbag, Kathryn, the Prince's wife from Storybrooke, rushed into the scene. She too was ushered out of the room. As I stepped outside, I saw that Emma, Mary Margaret and Henry had seen everything that had happened.

Kathryn exited after I did and whilst I looked worriedly towards Henry who gave me a strange expression, she broke the silence. "Thank you, uh, thank you for finding my David."

Mary Margaret replied, "I-I don't understand. You didn't...you didn't know that he was here in a coma?"

"A few years ago, David and I were not getting along. It was my fault, I know that now. I was difficult and unsupportive. I told him that if he didn't like things, he could leave. And he did. And I didn't stop him. It was the worst mistake I ever made. I've assumed ever since that he'd left town all this time. Now I know why I never heard from him. Now, I get to do what I've wanted to do forever...say I'm sorry."

After Snow replied something inaudible to me, Doctor Whale pushed out of the glass doors and said to us, "Well, it's something of a miracle. Physically, he's on the mend but um, his memory is another issue. It may take time, if at all."

Snow was the first to ask questions. As always. "What brought him back?"

"There's no explanation, but I think something just clicked in him."

Kathryn looked back at David and asked, "Can I see him?"

The Doctor answered, "Of course."

After she left, I glared at Henry with my puffy eyes and said softly, "Henry, you're grounded. Let's go."

Henry turned to grab his backpack from the bench behind us. As he walked back to me, he looked beyond the glass and suddenly gasped.

I frowned, "Henry, what is it?"

Without another word, he raced into the ICU and over to Daniella's side. I walked into the room after him only to see that he had picked up his book and was now holding it tight in his hands. Crap. I forgot to put it back into my bag before I left the room!

Henry gave me a weird stare before he asked plainly, "Mom, who's this?"

I opened my mouth to reply but realising that everyone was looking at me, I clamped it shut and took Henry by his arm instead. I lead him past the group and out of the hospital.

When we got into the car, there was a long moment of silence before Henry commented quietly, "Mom, you're crying."

Well it's about time you called me 'mom'.

I sniffled and took a deep breath before starting to drive out of the car park. When we got back home, Henry didn't rush to the door to unlock it himself. Instead, he walked slowly with me. I inhaled and exhaled loudly as I fumbled for the keys. When I got the door open, Henry let me in first. I was surprised at this but didn't say a word as I stepped into the house. As I kicked off my heels, I quietly asked Henry, "How much did you see?"

"Enough."

I sighed. "Meet me in the lounge room in five minutes."

Henry was already sitting in front of the fireplace by the time I've walked downstairs. He crossed his arms when I sat down. Then, he laid out his book onto the coffee table. I narrowed my eyes slightly and asked, "Tell me what you saw."

"I went ahead of David in order to clear a path for him. When I arrived outside of the ICU, I saw you...crying over that girl. There was the glass screen, so I couldn't hear what you were saying but..." Henry paused. Then, he asked quietly, "Is that girl your daughter?"

I took a deep breath and whilst I exhaled, I nodded.

"So she's in a coma, like David."

"Yes. She's in a coma."

Henry looked at his book before asking, "Why did you take my book?"

I shrugged and looked straight into Henry's eyes as I replied, "Why do you think I took your book?"

"Because you wanted to wake Daniella up. And you thought that reading her a story from the book like Snow did, will work."

I blinked several times before I turned my head towards the fireplace to watch the flames flicker and burn. Henry knows too much for his own good.

I closed my eyes and when I turned back towards Henry, I sighed. I quietly stated, "I was informed that Mary Margaret had been reading to John Doe and since he woke up, I was curious about what the book. I had to take my chances. It doesn't mean that what you say is right, Henry."

Henry pouted and looked away. Then, he replied, "You're lying to me. You know that this book is the key to wake up your daughter. You know that this book has magic; something that you've lost by coming to this realm."

Unintentionally, I glared at my son and shouted, "Henry! Please. Stop that. I don't want to hear your accusations anymore. They're delusional and untrue."

Henry was taken aback but he put on a brave face and stormed upstairs without giving me another glance. I was left in the lounge room alone, save for the warmth of the blazing fireplace.

There, I sat for a long time, with my hands on my face. When I forced myself to get up, I checked if Henry was asleep. Seeing the gentle rise and fall of his body on the bed, I left the room and headed towards the phone in the foyer. Before I could dial the number however, there was a knock on the door. I looked at the clock and frowned. Who could it be at this hour?!

I opened the door to find the Sheriff outside on the porch. "Graham! I uh, was just about to call you actually...what is it?"

Graham looked at me strangely before asking, "Is Henry asleep?"

I turned my head slightly to the side. "Yes-"

In an instant, Graham took my face into his hands and slammed his lips against mine.

...

I was restless that night. After Graham and I were done, I still remained wide awake for an hour. When I was about to slip into slumber, Graham sat up straight. He looked like as if he'd just seen a ghost. I blinked my eyes and frowned. He was drenched in sweat and his mouth was agape. "Graham? What is it?"

Without looking at me, the Huntsman answered, "I had the most intense dream. I was in the woods hunting and I killed a deer...there was also a wolf."

What?! No, it can't be...he's regaining his memories?! "A wolf?"

Graham looked at me and whispered, "It's eyes. One was blood red and other was black as night. That's not what's strange though...the funny thing is; I think I've seen the wolf before."

My heart was beating rapidly as I rubbed his back, "Graham, come back to sleep. It was only a dream, nothing more."

Shaking his head, Graham replied in a very convinced tone, "It didn't feel like a dream. It felt like a memory." Quickly, he stood up and slipped on his clothes.

"Graham?"

"I need some air. I need to think."

No. Don't you do that... "Graham, please. Come back to bed. Listen, it's late. You're tired...probably still drunk." Pleadingly, I added, "Don't leave..."

To my disappointment, Graham bluntly asked, "Since when do you want me to stay anyway?"

Then, he left the room without another word. Rejected, I seethed at the empty place on the bed next to me. I walked over to the window and looked out, watching Graham as he left the mansion. I was about to close the curtains when I spotted something white stalking towards the Huntsman. I squinted and my breath hitched at the realisation of what it was. The wolf, Accalia. She's here.

...

*The next day

In the morning, I had returned to Daniella, feeling stupid for what had happened yesterday. I wanted to read her another story from the storybook but Henry had taken it with him to school. The book is now always in his possession, it never leaves his side.

After I had given Henry his dinner, I left the house to visit Daddy's grave. When I got to the cemetery however, there was an odd feeling that kept nagging at me. Looking around, I quickly made my way to the vault only to find that the door was opened. I peered in and saw the backs of Emma and Graham. My blood began to boil. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

The two of them jumped and whipped their heads around. Emma was the first to speak. "What are you doing here?"

I rolled my eyes and answered the obvious, "Bringing flowers to my father's grave...and you?"

Before Emma could reply, Graham stood in front of her and said hastily, "Don't blame her. It's my fault. I wanted to look in here."

I raised my eyebrow and softly asked, "Really? Why? What were you looking for?"

"Nothing. Uh, It was nothing."

I made my move to drag Graham away from the vault but he shook me off. "Regina, I don't want to go home...not with you."

I spun around and glared at him. Then, I threw Emma a glance and seethed, "Oh, but you'll go with her? Graham...you're not thinking straight."

To my horror, Graham replied without a waver in his voice, "Actually, for the first time I am. I'd rather have nothing than settle for less. Nothing is better than what we have."

My heart fell. But you're the only one I have left... "Graham?"

"Sorry. It's over."

My eyes saw red. I stalked towards Emma and muttered in between my clenched teeth, "I don't know what I ever did to you to deserve this." Then, I raised my voice as I shouted, "To have you keep coming after everything I hold dear."

Emma however answered me with poison in her voice. "I'm sorry but did you ever stop to think that maybe the problem isn't with me, but with you? Henry came and found me. Graham kissed me. Both were miserable. Maybe Madam Mayor...you need to take a good hard look in the mirror and ask yourself why that is. Why is everyone running away from you?"

In this land without magic, I wasn't able to churn my anger into magic. However, the blood pumping through my body still surged, wanting to break free. With one more glance at Swan, I threw my fist into her face. I grinned, satisfied, as Emma fell into Graham. After her quick recovery, she stood up to my disappointment. In a second, I felt her fist collide onto my cheek, scraping the top of my lip. Then, she grabbed me and roughly pushed me against the side of the crypt. Graham tried to put himself between us whilst shouting, "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Eventually, Emma stepped back and grunted, "Not worth it."

Then, I turned to Graham for one last time...but he walked away, brushing past my shoulder. I watched Graham leave with Emma and scowled. As soon as they had gotten out of my sight, I went into the crypt and locked the doors. I put the bunch of flowers I had in my hand onto Daddy's grave before pushing the heavy coffin to the side. Then, I descended the stairs and entered my vault.

I looked around and swept into the room that held all the hearts that I've brought with me from the Enchanted Forest. It took me a while, to find the right one. After several minutes of searching, I finally found it. Taking out it's box carefully, I held my breath. I set it down and opened it, staring at the glowing red organ. I picked it up, feeling the heart's familiar touch.

After that, I simply looked at the organ in my hand as thoughts filled my head. My fingers were telling me to crush the heart but my mind was hesitant. Graham's been with me for too long...his death is just another hole that I have to fill.

I sighed. Minutes ticked by until I grimaced and let a tear trickled down my cheek. Then, I furrowed my eyebrows. Slowly, I squeezed the organ until it turned to dust in my hands. I brushed away the grit immediately. I should get out of here. There's nothing to be done now.

As I walked back through to cemetery and towards my car, I saw something white scamper through the trees. I looked from side to side, trying to locate what it was. I couldn't see anything, save for the tombstones. There was a sudden breeze and I shook, feeling uncomfortable. I focused on the path and hurriedly walked to my car. When I got in, I shuddered and without delay, started back home.

On the route, I passed the hospital. I imagine they would have taken Graham there by now. I sighed and watched as steam curled out of my mouth and into the air. Not long after the car drove past the hospital, I saw the same white blur at the corner of my eye. I stopped abruptly. Then, a furry body scampered out onto the road in front of me. Accalia.

Cautiously, I got out and frowned at the wolf. She couldn't have sensed the Huntsman's death could she?

Apparently, I was wrong. Accalia showed her teeth and snarled at me. My heart was pounding. I was powerless against a wolf in this world. I didn't have magic.

Backing away, I whispered, "He left me with no choice."

The next moments took me by surprise. Accalia seemed to understand what I was saying. She paused and hid her teeth. Then, she strode towards me and her glare gradually fell away from her eyes. Shaking, I looked around to see if there was anyone on the streets before muttering, "Can you understand me?"

Accalia gave me a look. I slowly let myself breathe again. Nervously, I crouched down to the same level as Accalia before stroking my hand through her fur. She closed her eyes. "He wasn't loyal to me, unlike you. He left me for that newcomer. For Emma Swan."

Accalia opened her eyes and blinked. Then, I continued softly, "You've been waiting for him, haven't you? You've been waiting but he didn't come."

The wolf turned her head around. I'm guessing that she understood. I knew just how much loyalty meant to the wolves. My curse had made the Huntsman forget about his wolf, about his pack. To Accalia's eyes, Graham wasn't her brother any more. Relieved at my realisation, I gave another stroke through Accalia's fur before standing up. As I did so, she nuzzled against my legs. I looked down and sighed. "I can't bring you home...I'm sorry. You're a wolf, not a dog. Things are different here in Storybrooke. You must hide, or they'll...shoot you."

Accalia looked up at me with her yellow eyes. She gave a soft whine before padding in the direction that my car had come from. I watched her head turn back repetitively towards me. Seeing that I wasn't moving, she strode back and sat in front of me.

"You want me to follow you?" Accalia gave no indication. However, she walked back along the path. I exhaled and followed her, hoping that no one would be on the streets at this hour. It was late but still...I couldn't risk anyone finding out about Accalia.

I was confused but I allowed the wolf to guide me. Soon, we arrived at the forest next to the cemetery. "Accalia, where are you leading me?"

Accalia continued walking, straight into the forest. I grimaced at the darkness but I was lead by the warmth of Accalia's fur against my legs. Soon, I noticed that small specks of light were drifting between the trees. They multiplied, the deeper I walked into the forest. Orange, bright and beautiful they were...lighting up the forest. Then, I gasped. I looked down at Accalia to see that she had stopped at a clearing where dozens, hundreds, thousands of fireflies had gathered. In awe, I stood in the middle of the space with a dumbstruck expression on my face. I gazed at the fireflies that surrounded me. Suddenly, I felt warm, even despite the cool breeze and the freezing temperature of the night.

I looked down to my legs and saw that Accalia wasn't there. Quickly, I scanned the clearing to see that she had padded towards a fallen log. She sat next to it and looked towards me. I strode towards the log and sat down. Then, the wolf laid her body on my feet. "You wanted to show me this?"

Accalia looked up before curling her head back into her body of thick fur. I took that as a yes. It was late but I didn't want to go back to the mansion. I wanted to stay here, amongst the fireflies. Sitting here reminded me of firefly hill and those nights with Daniel. It also reminded me of how I had found Daniella in the forest. I smiled at these memories. Suddenly, a longing feeling entered my heart. I wanted to go back to the Enchanted Forest; to experience the magic embedded within its woods once more. But I can't. They hate me there.

I reached down to stroke Accalia's fur as I began to mutter, "Do you miss the Enchanted Forest too?"

The wolf sat up and put her head onto my lap. Just as she did so, the fireflies in the clearing began to circle us. I looked around until a gentle murmur drifted through the breeze. I froze at the voice. Regina, Regina, Regina...

The voice kept on repeating my name but I was too stunned to speak. Finally, I managed to utter back, "Daniel?"

The fireflies around me slowly flew away and condensed in the space before me. I held my breath as the glowing specks of light formed the shape of a man. I gasped. It can't be..."Daniel?"

My true love's voice spoke again, "Yes, Regina, it's me."

Then, Daniel's face appeared within the glow of the fireflies. I stood up and approached him. "How? There's no magic in this realm..."

"Nothing can get rid of magic, Regina. Has your love for me disappeared? Even after all this time?"

I shook my head as tears trickled down my cheek. "No, no, of course not! I love you Daniel...but this isn't possible!" I gulped and softly continued, "You're dead."

"I am. But our love is not."

I stepped up to the fireflies and in the glowing light, I saw Daniel's face smiling at me. Quietly I whispered, "Am I dreaming?"

"Maybe, maybe not...but that doesn't mean that this isn't real."

"Daniel?"

"Yes, love?"

I took a breath, "Please don't leave me. I need you. Our daughter, Daniella...she's in a coma. I need to wake her up but I don't know how!"

"Regina, I'll never leave you. But I can't stay forever."

My heart stopped. Then, I stuttered, "No, no, Daniel...what do you mean?"

"I'm only able to talk to you now because of these fireflies."

"These fireflies?"

"They're the symbol of our love, remember?"

I sighed, "Of course...so does that mean that I'll always be able to see you when these fireflies are present?" My heart was hammering to find out the answer.

"As much as I wish for that to happen...no."

My breath was knocked out of me. "Then how-"

Daniel shrugged and replied softly, "I don't know. I really don't know...but I might not see you again, Regina." He paused. Then, the glowing lights of his body moved closer to me. As he stroked his hand against my cheek, he whispered, "I love you, Regina."

I looked up into Daniel's eyes and quietly mirrored his response, "I love you too, Daniel." Then, I added, "But our daughter...she-"

Daniel smiled. Then, a speck of glowing light fell from his heart and onto the ground between us. I watched the light plant itself into the soil. "This will wake her up."

I frowned, "What? What is-" Before I could say anything else, the fireflies that outlined Daniel's body suddenly started to disperse. "Daniel? Daniel? What's happening?!"

My true love looked at me with glistening eyes and whispered, "I have to leave now, but remember our love, Regina."

I felt my eyes grow watery. "Daniel?" Helplessly, I looked on as the fireflies slowly flew away into the night. Daniel's face was the last to fade away. "I love you, Daniel."

When his gentle smile finally evaporated into the cool night, my knees fell onto the ground. I let out a whimper but before I could cry of both happiness and sadness, my eyes caught something peculiar. Peeking out of the soil in front of me, was a pink flower. I plucked it carefully from the dirt and examined it. Then, I gasped. Pixie flowers! Daniel must have created it out of our love.

My body suddenly felt like it held caged butterflies. I smiled but my breath stopped as a realisation kicked into me. Pixie flowers only grow in the presence of great evil...me. How then, will this flower help me wake Daniella?

I stood up and looked around. Accalia had disappeared. So had the glow of fireflies. I breathed out steam into the dark night and shivered. Despite the fact that I was lost in the forest, my heart felt at ease. I gently cradled the pixie flower in my hand and smiled. Thank you, Daniel.