"MOM!"
Henry's terrified screams tore through her as the curse cloud thundered powerfully throughout the town.
Emma was holding onto Henry for dear life. The ten year old had been hugging her tightly, afraid that if he let go the curse would separate them forever. But as soon as he'd seen Regina he knew they needed to get to her. Emma however, wasn't moving and Regina didn't seem able to hear him.
"Henry stop!" Emma begged as he began to fight against her. "It's not safe!"
Henry finally managed to break free from Emma's protective grasp and ran through the dark, chaotic street.
"HENRY!"
He heard the panic in Emma's voice as he ran but never looked back. He knew she would be following him anyways and that was what he wanted.
"MOM!" He shouted again, and this time Regina turned around, surprised upon hearing his voice.
"Henry?!" She called back in horrified shock.
She reached out for him and he, failing to slow down, slammed right into her. Neither of them seemed to care as they wrapped their arms tightly around each other, gently collapsing to the ground in the process.
"I'm sorry Henry." She whispered as he sobbed against her blazer.
"Mom what's happening?"
Regina looked up as Emma ran to their side, slightly out of breath.
"The curse is breaking sweetheart, I think we're about to be sent back."
"Back to the Enchanted Forest?"
"Yes." She was trying to hide it but the dread in her voice was clear.
"I'll go too right Mom? Since I'm in Storybrooke? The curse will take all of us right?" He asked her desperately.
Regina could feel her heart beating rapidly as her breathing came shakily. She heartbrokenly shook her head at Emma, but didn't know how to tell Henry.
Emma involuntarily stumbled backwards in dismay. She took in the sight of little town around her. The usually so peaceful main street was dark even though it was still only the middle of the afternoon, the winds were stronger than ever, and every so often, screams from the terrified citizens of Storybrooke could be heard cutting through the wind. There was also something that resembled bolts of lightning cracking constantly throughout the fast approaching clouds. No wonder the town was so afraid. Storms like this just didn't happen, and they still only had their cursed memories. They would have no idea what was going on.
"This can't be happening." Emma said. "It wasn't supposed to be this way."
"Mom I wanna stay with you and Emma." Henry sobbed, clinging to her desperately.
"I know Henry," Regina's voice broke. "I don't want to lose you either. I'm so sorry, this is all my fault."
"It's not just your fault Regina," Emma said, kneeling down beside them. "I was supposed to fix this. I was supposed to help. But I failed to save the most important person." She ran her fingers softly through Henry's hair as she blinked back a few tears of her own.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have wanted the curse broken, I didn't know this was going to happen! It's my fault we're gonna be separated."
"Shhh, Henry don't say that." Regina closed her eyes, trying not to let her tears fall as she held him more protectively. "This is not because of you."
Emma's eyes widened as an idea came to her mind. She grabbed the mayor's arm.
"Regina! What if we cross the town line? We'll be outside of the curse's boundaries won't we? And none of us will lose our memories, you said so yourself Regina, none of us were victims of the curse! If we're outside of its reach it can't take us back. I'm right aren't I? Tell me I'm right."
Regina gasped as she pondered this.
"But what about everyone else?" Henry asked. "David and Miss Blanchard? Emma they're your parents! They're family too, we can't leave them!"
"There's not enough time to warn them but they'll be fine, they'll go home and they'll still have each other." Emma responded. "That's right isn't it Regina?" She asked hopefully.
Through her tears, Regina looked up at the quickly approaching curse clouds. She shook her head. "Emma I don't think we'd be able to make it."
"We have to at least try, we can't just leave Henry here by himself. He doesn't have anyone else."
"Please Mom, let's try." Henry begged desperately.
Regina felt two pairs of arms trying to pull her to her feet.
"Come on Regina." Emma struggled as the brunette barely did her part.
Emma was finally successful but as soon as Regina was on her feet she collapsed sideways against the other woman.
"I can't." She said.
"Yes you can Regina." Emma insisted, supporting much of the brunette's weight. "Come on just try."
Regina shook her head, knowing any of her efforts would be useless. "You know I'll only slow you down, you two go on without me."
"Mom no! Come with us!"
"Regina I am not leaving you behind, Henry needs you."
"Just go," Regina begged desperately. "At least this way you'll have a chance at escaping. Henry can't lose both of us. And if you wait for me he will."
"Regina no, we can all make it out of here."
"MOM! EMMA!"
The two women looked up to see what Henry was pointing at. The curse cloud had already reached them and was beginning to surround them.
"It's too late." Regina said faintly.
"Henry get over here!" Emma said, reaching out for him.
He ran back into the arms of both of his mothers, clinging to them fiercely. Maybe if they held on to him he would be taken too.
The Enchanted Forest
Regina stumbled in shock as her eyes washed over her surroundings. The place was so familiar; it felt like she was last there both yesterday and a lifetime ago. The last time she'd seen it was just before the curse had taken her and the rest of the Enchanted Forest's occupants to Storybrooke.
"No." She whispered. "Henry?!" She cried out, looking around for the boy she already knew she wouldn't find.
A baby began to cry somewhere close by, most likely startled by her shouting.
The queen felt her heart stop as she slowly looked down and her eyes fell on the tiny bundle in her arms. She held a newborn baby wrapped in a knitted white blanket; there was a name embroidered into the fabric.
Regina took a sharp intake of breath. "Emma?"
The baby's continued crying was the only response she received as she stood rooted to the spot, frozen in fear. It wasn't supposed to have happened this way. How had everything gone so wrong? Emma had promised to help her, but now she was gone. At least, the Emma she knew was. And if Emma was a baby again that meant Henry was gone too. Truly gone.
Regina was right back where she had started, only this time she was completely alone. This time she didn't even have her father to turn to for comfort.
"I'm sorry." She whispered to no one in particular.
Her eyes quickly washed over her own clothing. It was strange, she was still wearing the outfit she'd last had on in Storybrooke. It seemed like everything had reverted back to how it had been before the curse had struck, everything except for her.
She looked down at the distraught baby in her arms and adjusted her hold on her. Regina cradled baby Emma more securely, and began to rock her gently in hopes of soothing her. She'd done it automatically, it's what she had always done with Henry.
"Shh... It's okay." She said faintly, her eyes were still full of heartbroken shock.
Someone was groaning nearby but Regina didn't bring herself to check on whoever it was. She was still trying to come to terms with what had happened.
"Emma?" The queen heard Snow's frightened voice as she searched for her daughter. "Emma!" Snow cried out in shock as she saw who was holding her baby. "Let go of her Regina!"
The younger woman struggled to her feet and rushed to where Regina stood. The princess pulled her daughter from her stepmother's arms, quickly examining the baby to make sure no harm had come to her. Once she was satisfied that her baby was safe, she glared triumphantly at the queen.
"It looks like you've lost again Regina. Your curse failed." She said as Charming joined her, seemingly healed from the trip back in time.
"I wasn't going to hurt her." Regina whispered, her eyes fell on the baby in Snow's arms. Emma was all she had left of Henry, she couldn't lose her.
"But you were going to curse her and the rest of this kingdom for the rest of our lives." Snow replied coldly. "But luckily for us good always defeats evil. You'll never be able to hurt us again Regina, I'll personally see to that."
"Snow..."
"It's over Regina, you've gone too far this time." Charming said, wrapping his arm protectively around his wife and daughter. "GUARDS!"
Regina's attention shot towards the door as it flew open and a dozen of her black knights poured in. However they hadn't come to defend her, they had come to arrest her.
They quickly surrounded her, two of them taking a strong hold of her as they did.
She tried to fight them off but it was useless. Not even her magic would work, it seemed her powers had not been returned.
"Take her to the tower." Charming ordered.
"No, let me go!" Regina struggled against the knights.
"She's to be publically executed in three days time." Snow instructed as she continued to stare hatefully into the eyes of her stepmother. "That will give her plenty of time to dwell on her crimes."
"Snow," Regina begged. "This isn't who you are, please don't do this to me. I'm sorry for hurting you!"
Her stepdaughter didn't respond as the guards turned Regina around and forced her out of the room.
"You should have chosen love Regina!" Snow shouted after her. "You've wasted your life on vengeance and now, you'll die a pitiful and lonely death!"
Regina continued to fight against her captors as they dragged her throughout the castle, leading her up to the tallest tower.
The guards ignored her pleas as they ascended the last spiral staircase. When her eyes finally fell on the dark, cold looking prison cell, she fought even harder.
"No!" She begged. But her attempts were futile.
The guards pushed her into the cell and she stumbled forwards, trying not to fall from the force.
Before she could even turn around, she heard the clanging of the door as it slammed shut behind her and the whole room was cast into darkness.
Storybrooke
"Henry?!"
Regina awoke with a start, the blankets were twisted around her and she could feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
It was just a dream.
"Hey, you okay Regina?"
She jumped at the voice, looking around for the source. Her eyes fell on Emma as the blonde made her way into the room. It was the Friday after their trip to Boston and Regina had unwillingly made a habit of napping each day.
Regina nodded faintly as she tried to process what she'd just seen. But even as she did, the dream was already beginning to slip away. She slowly sat up, her wide, slightly frightened eyes met concerned blue ones.
"You sure? You're as white as a ghost."
"I'm just..." Regina swallowed, closing her eyes tightly for a moment. "I'm just not feeling very well that's all."
"What's wrong?" Emma asked, stopping in front of the coffee table.
"I'm just feeling a little lightheaded." Regina said, touching the back of her hand to her forehead.
"Want me to call Doctor Whale?"
"No no, don't do that. I'm sure I'll be fine in a few minutes."
"You sure? It could be something serious."
"No, I'll be fine." Regina insisted, knowing full well there was nothing Doctor Whale could do.
"Okay..." Emma said, not entirely convinced. "Well is there anything I can do?"
Regina shook her head, beginning to untangle the blankets wrapped around her legs.
"You still look exhausted." Emma commented, moving around the coffee table and sitting down in front of Regina. "Maybe you should try to finish your nap upstairs. It's quieter up there and I'm guessing more comfortable, you'll probably get a better sleep."
"Are you trying to get rid of me Miss Swan? Because the last time I checked this was my house."
Emma was pleased to hear some of the old sass in the brunette's tone.
"No," she grinned. "I just think it would more restful for you upstairs that's all."
"I'm alright down here."
"Okay, well let me know if you need anything."
Regina nodded in thanks.
"Tonight you should try some of the chamomile tea from Boston." Emma shrugged, "maybe then you'll sleep through the night and you won't need to nap during the day."
"Maybe I will." Regina agreed, laying back down on the couch. She didn't mention that sleeping through the night probably wouldn't help. Even on the nights where she slept right through, she was still exhausted by late morning the next day anyways.
Emma got up to leave but then noticed that Regina was wearing her sweater again.
"You warm enough?" Emma asked with a grin.
"Mmm, not quite." The brunette answered distractedly, not catching the teasing in Emma's words. Regina zipped the sweater up higher and pulled the blankets up to her shoulders.
"Seriously?! You're under two blankets, how are you not roasting?"
"It's cold in here." Regina responded simply.
"No Regina, it's not."
Regina grudgingly sat up again. "Don't you have work to do? What are you even still doing here?"
Emma smiled, seeing right through Regina's strong tone.
"I do have work to do. In fact I have double the amount of paperwork to do since I'm helping your assistant do your work while you're on leave, AND I'm also catching up on the stuff from the sheriff's station since no one took over for me while I was gone. But paperwork can be done anywhere and I figure why not do it here? You might need me here, and I have to admit, your house is way nicer than the station. And there's better coffee. If any town emergencies come up I have my cell phone."
Regina sunk further into the couch, not wanting to argue.
Emma grinned as Regina accepted defeat. "I'm gonna go back to the dining room. Shout if you need anything."
Regina gave another small nod and Emma paused, studying the brunette's expression more closely.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
Regina ran a dismissive hand through her hair, "I'm fine."
Emma stepped closer to the couch again. "Are you having second thoughts about breaking the curse? Because hey, believe it or not I get that. But if you are just tell me, you don't have to hide it from me. I'm worried too."
"I'm not having second thoughts." Regina replied warily.
Emma frowned. "Have you gotten the test results back from the hospital yet?"
"No, not yet." Regina responded quietly.
Emma crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed briefly. "Okay. Well, let me know when they do alright? Try to get some rest."