"So you came by ship?" David was scratching his head trying to piece together the story Henry was telling him.

"Ah, ha. A real pirate ship, and then we went through this hole in the sea like a big tunnel, and I rode the horse because Ma didn't know how,and then we found her, and then Cora came and Ma poofed us here." He was talking a mile a minute and David was hanging off every word.

"Woah, slow down! Okay, that bit I got. Why is Cora there?"

Henry bowed his head. "She wants to kill Ma and Grandma so me and Mom and her can rule together."

David's breath hitched in his throat and he called Ruby over. "Emma is strong, Henry. She got you away, didn't she? Don't you worry about that now." He looked at Ruby with concern. "Cora found them at the cottage."

Ruby looked confused. "I thought she was dead." She beamed at Henry and gave him a hug. "I'm so glad to see you! It's gonna be fine. Is she awake?"

Henry looked sheepish and nodded. David's eyes widened and he beamed at his grandson. "I knew you'd do it! I'm so proud of you Henry!" The kid refused to make eye contact and kicked at the dirt on the floor. Ruby put a supportive hand on his shoulder as David continued. "If they're both there at full power, we have nothing to worry about. They're so strong when they work together."

Ruby was grinning from ear to ear. The relief at seeing the boy and knowing Regina was awake was igniting some much needed hope in her heart. "We should start heading back there. I'll rally the others."

"No!" Henry screeched. "Ma said she'll come back. We should stay here. We can't fight Cora. Mom and Ma can."

Ruby and David gave each other a pained look. He sighed. "Henry's right. It would take two days for us to make the ride. We need to have faith in her. She came this far and got Henry away from danger. I'll go and tell the others to stay put. Why don't you show Henry around the camp?" He winked at Ruby and she smiled.

Once he was out of ear shot, she leant in conspiratorily. "Was it you or Emma that woke her up?"Henry looked shocked and she grinned. "Don't worry, I already knew."

Henry let out a heavy sigh. "It was Ma. I didn't even know she was cursed."

"How did Snow take it?"

Henry shrugged. "She drank a lot but she's happy. Well, she was until Cora showed up. She's reallly scary. She doesn't have a heart."

Ruby put an arm around his shoulder. "I never met her thankfully but I know her reputation. You were really brave." She noticed his shoulders slumping and the look of shame on his face. "Hey, don't you worry about them or feel guilty about not being there. You are the most important thing to both of them. They need you safe so they can use that true love magic and take Cora down."

Henry gave her a sad smile. "I know they will. It'd just be nice if I had some magic or something. I feel like all they ever do is save me. I can't even sword fight."

Ruby chuckled. "You can't? Well then let's start training you!" She picked up a couple of sticks and started showing the young boy some of the basics. She wasn't great at sword fighting either, but she wanted to help keep his mind off what was going on. Hell, she needed to keep her mind off it too.

SQSQSQ

The six of them stood in front of the enchanted glass box sizing it up. Cora refused to make eye contact with any of them and hadn't said another word since her immobilization. Regina raised an eyebrow at Emma. "I think if we both stand either side and keep contact, we might be able to move her. I don't know. I'm worried about breaking the enchantment. What do you think?"

Emma looked at her like she was crazy. "What do I think? I don't know! You know how little I know about magic stuff!"

Regina pulled a face. "True. Maybe let's start with something smaller and see how we go." She shuffled the others into a circle. "Okay, keep a hold of everyone. Don't break contact and let's see if we can move them as a group."

"No way! I ain't down for that sista!" Grumpy moaned and Ariel and Robin nodded in agreement.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't be a baby! You get yourself into worse states on a weekly basis than we evercould with a botched transportation!"

That didn't exactly settle anyone's mind and Emma shuffled. "What would a botched transportation look like, just, out of curiosity?"

Cora chuckled and chose this moment to speak. "Oh, just a missing limb or two if you're lucky. Or an indefinite trip to the etherworld."

A collective groan of disapproval went up and they all stepped out of the circle Regina had put them in. "Shut up Mother! It's not true. Ignore her. She's exaggerating. Trying to get in your head, Emma."

"But there are risks?" Emma looked at her seriously.

"There's risks with any magic. It's no riskier than getting into a car. If the car is moving, you don't try and get out or suddenly change directions." She looked around the group shaking her head. She huffed. "Fine. I can take two of you. Emma can take the other two. I just thought it would be good practice for us to try and steer in the same direction."

Snow stepped forward. "How about you both take me first and once the otherssee it's fine, you come back for them?" She didn't doubt their abilities and she had been poofed away by Regina once or twice to know it wasn't a big deal.

"I think I'm going to head off back to my family, if you don't mind. The palace is in the opposite direction and I don't want to be apart from them any longer." Robin spoke softly and shuffled his feet.

Emma and Regina smiled at him gratefully and Emma gave him a warm hug. "Thanks for everything, again. And I'm so sorry for what happened." Robin quietly left the cottage.

"Well, I ain't staying here with her! Nosuree!" Grumpy moaned again pointing at Cora.

Regina huffed and grabbed him by the shoulder along with Snow. "Take the mermaid. I'll meet you there. Don't be long." And she disappeared along with the two passengers in tow.

Emma smiled at Ariel feeling a bit nervous. She was desperate when she tried it with Henry and hoped she could get it to work again. "Just give me a day or two and then we'll go and find your Prince. I promise.Are you ready?"

Ariel nodded and took her hand. "I trust you."

Emma inhaled and was about to try it when Cora spoke. "He's in Wonderland. Along with my heart."

Emma stared at the woman behind glass. "What are you talking about?"

Cora looked smug with herself and stepped forwards closer to the glass. "The prince, of course. Eric. He's one of my subjects."

Emma and Ariel stared at the woman. The blonde shook her head. "Ignore her. She's just messing with us. Come on."

Ariel dropped Emma's hand. "How do you know his name?"

Cora gloated through the glass.. "I know the name of all the owners of thehearts in my collection. I took his years ago. He often wondered about you. He never suspected you were a mermaid."

Emma put a hand on Ariel's shoulder. "Wherever he is, I will help you find him."

"That may be so, but he can't love her. All those poor souls just wandering around never knowing love. Without me there, they won't know what to do with themselves."

Emma was getting angry now. Whatever manipulation Cora was angling for wasn't going to work. Still she was curious. "What do you want?"

Cora wet her lips. "I want my heart back. I see I was wrong about the power of love."

Emma rolled her eyes and turned her back on the woman. So that was it. She still only cared about power. She grabbed Ariel's hand and let her anger take over. In a seething plume of gray smoke, she poofed them back to where she'd left Henry. As soon as they arrived, she dropped the mermaids hand and stomped off in a rage. She didn't want to see Henry like this. She didn't want anyone seeing her like this.

All she wanted to do was go and blast something. Emma stomped into the woods next to the palace and started screaming and punching a tree in frustration. Her magic sparked white with each punch, causing the bark of the tree to splinter and shatter under the force.

"What did that tree ever do to you?" A husky voice asked calmly behind her. Emma turned around and groaned seeing Regina there smirking at her.

"Just give me a minute to calm down." She turned her back on her lover too overwhelmed with rage at the bitch of a mother-in-law she had to deal with. It wasn't fair. She'd never met the woman and yet within a few seconds she'd figured out Emma's weakness and gone for the jugular.

"What did she say to you?"

"Nothing I can't handle. I'll be fine. I just need to break some shit."

Regina bit her lip watching the scene. The saviors biceps were bulging and glistening with a sheen of sweat from the force of her punches. She couldn't help but find it a turn on seeing her so hyped up. A low groan reverberated from her throat. "You are so sexy when you're mad. Just, don't damage those fists. I can think of a much better usefor them." Emma turned around and saw the glint in her eye. She grinned. Just like that, she felt her anger melting away and replaced with passion.

"Ooh, you're good!"

Regina extended het arms and Emma all but ran into them and kissed her passionately.

'I meant it. Seeing you like that makes me so wet.'

Emma moaned in appreciation and deepened the kiss.

'Well now I just have to check it for myself.'

Regina chuckled darkly as she felt Emma's hands fiddling with her waist band.

'I would like nothing more than for you to do exactly that, but we need to deal with a couple of people first. Your father for one.'

Regina reluctantly broke the kiss and tried to compose herself. Her libido had always been high but since she woke up, it was as if she were constantly seconds away from orgasm. Emma looked at her stood there with her eyes closed and dragging her bottom lip through her teeth. She couldn't bear it and lunged forward again sealing the lips together.

'They can wait.'

Regina groaned in pleasure and gave in. She unbuttoned Emma's jeans quickly and shoved her hand inside roughly feeling the savior's arousal. Her back made contact with the tree Emma was just pounding, and felt her skirt being hitched up out of the way. Emma's fingers slipped inside her with ease. She really wasn't kidding about how wet she was for the woman. They fucked hard and fast there in Regina's forest. The sound of birds flapping about above them and the rustle of the wind through the trees was their sound track. Regina moaned loudly as Emma fucked her just right and sucked on her neck. She felt her essence spill down her legs and increased her pressure on the savior. Emma's body flopped against her own and her pelvis ground harder into the touch until she tensed and stilled, breathless from the exertion and pent up frustration spilling out.

They stayed there catching their breath for a few moments until a piece of bark fell off the tree and stuck in Regina's hair. She laughed and Emma followed suit, picking the piece out and chucking it behind them. It was quick and rough, like at the station, but it was just what Emma needed to take out her frustrations. She stepped back and buttoned herself.

Regina tugged her skirt back down to cover her modesty and smirked. "Better?"

"Yeah. Sorry. She's just so manipulative. She knew exactly what to say to me to wind me up."

Regina pursed her lips. "Yes, it's one of her talents. We need to figure out how to move her. I don't want her under the same roof."

Emma shrugged. "Can't we just leave her there. For tonight, at least? I mean, everyone is here and I know you promised Henry a tour of the palace. I'm pretty interested to see the Queen's bed chambers."

Regina looked torn and Emma caught it. She stepped into her space and lifted her chin. "Hey, I know it isn't you. If it's too much to deal with, we can go somewhere else."

"I know you understand, Emma. It's just I don't want Henry to start having doubts again. It's one thing seeing it in a story book."

The blonde wrapped her arms around the queen and reassured her. "He knows there's more to it than that. Hell, he just met his other grandma while she was trying to kill us! I think he can handle seeing a palace!"

Regina chuckled and took Emma's hand. They started walking back out of the forest towards the group. "You're right. Let her stew on her own for a few days. And it would be nice to put on a banquet in the great Hall. Half the town is camped outside the walls. I had no idea." Her stiletto sunk into the mud and she almost lost her balance. Emma chuckled and shook her head helping her steady herself.

"Love the shoes but they aren't exactly ideal for this terrain!"

Regina rolled her eyes. "Well, I had no intention of walking anywhere when we dressed this morning." They were laughing and walking hand in hand when they came out of the forest. David spotted them instantly noticing their closeness and easy exchange. He beamed at them and looked at Snow.

"Are they..?"

Snow sighed and nodded.

"Huh! That explains a lot. I'm sorelieved." He pulled Snow into his side and laughed heartily noting her cringe face. "Hey, it could be worse!'

Snow groaned. "I know! I'll be fine. I'm getting there. I have to say, you're taking it better than I did."

"Well, now that I think about it, she did drop a few hints."

"She did?"

David made the so so gesture just as Emma and Regina reached the spot they were stood in. She awkwardly hugged him and smirked. "Hey Dad. Uhm, so I guess I better tell you Regina and I are dating."

David chuckled and pulled Regina into his arms in a strong hug. "Some detective I am, right! Welcome back, Regina. It's great to see you!"

Regina awkwardly returned the hug and patted him on the back. "You too David. I apologize for the confusion. Snow filled me in yesterday." She stood back and the four of them just stared and smiled at one another uncomfortably. Regina cleared her throat. "Perhaps we should go and talk somewhere more comfortable. I'm sure everyone has many questions. Shall we?"

She rubbed her hands together and felt her heart pounding in her chest as she approached the large gates of her old home. With a flick of her wrist, the gates swung open slowly and the full view of the court was revealed. Gasps went around the camp and Regina took a few steps forward and turned to address the people. "I am opening my doors to all of you. Please feel free to find rooms for yourselves and get comfortable. I will hold a banquet at seven this evening where I'll address all of your concerns and answer any questions I can regarding recent events. Thank you." Whispers went up around the camp and Henry ran up to meet his family. Regina hugged him and led the four of them inside.

Once the crowd saw David and Snow being welcomed in, they didn't hesitate to follow on. The thought of a bit of luxury after their ordeal was too enticing. Granny caught up to Ruby and cocked her head to the side sniffing the air. Ruby chuckled and they shared a knowing look. "So that's why they were avoiding the diner. Should have called it."

Ruby gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. I promised."

Granny put an arm around her. "I'm proud of you, Red. Hot damn, that must have killed you keeping that quiet!"

Regina began directing people to guest accomodation. She waved her hands and cleaned up some of the dust, lit all the lanterns and candelabras trying to compensate for the darkness inside. It felt odd seeing so many people in the place she'd spent so many years alone. She spotted her dark knights and went to address them. "You are all relieved of your service." She transformed their outfits back into regular attire and a few familiar faces were revealed. She smiled warmly. "I know it's probably too much to ask, but if any of you notice people getting lost, maybe point them in the right direction. Thank you for your loyal service."

"What happened, Ms. Mills?" Mr Pevensie asked. She didn't look like his old boss anymore. She was just Henry's mother and the mayor of Storybrooke to him.

"We'll explain everything this evening. It's been a long couple of days. We need to resolve a few family issues first."

Mr Pevensie nodded and dispersed with the others. Once the majority of Storybrookes relocated residents were seen to, she led her family away into a private lounge. Emma and Henry were stunned into silence with the grandeur of the place. It was airy and bright with a view over the gardens of the estate. Bright purple chaises with gold leaf applique dotted the lounge. Decedent tapestries and portraits hung from the walls and there was a well stocked bar, albeit a little dusty. Regina took a seat in her favorite spot and tapped the space next to her for Emma. Once they'd all settled, the Queen sighed heavily. "Well, Emma and I managed to contain my mother. She's in an enchanted glass box in my kitchen. I'd prefer to move her into the dungeons but I'm not sure how she'll transport with magic."

Snow smiled. "At least she's contained. That's the main thing. We'll help you work it out."

David fidgeted. "So, I'm taking it we aren't the only true love pairing in the room."

Emma grinned. "Yeah, I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to tell you. We only found out the night you all got brought back here."

"How long have you been dating?"

"Just over a month. We wanted to keep it to ourselves until we knew if it was going anywhere. Honestly, it all happened pretty fast." Emma grabbed Regina's hand and they were both grinning from ear to ear.

David grinned right back. "Yup. True love tends to strike quickly. People are going to want to know how they ended up back here and, if there's a way back."

Regina took the lead. "There is. Emma managed to find not one, but two alternatives for crossing the realms, and neither involves anyone dying. She's certainly living up to the title of savior."

Emma blushed and David continued. "How?"

"Well, if Ariel is willing to help us again, we could take a ship like how we got here. I also found a magic bean, but I'm kinda hoping we don't have to use it unless there's an emergency. I need to help Ariel find her prince though, before anything." Her brow knitted and everyone caught it. Emma was terrible at hiding her emotions.

Snow was chirpy. "I imagine he'll be here somewhere. It shouldn't be too hard. We can all help look for him."

"Cora said something as we were leaving. She told us he was in Wonderland. She wants us to go there to get her heart, and apparently, everyone else's she's ever taken."

Regina growled under her breath. "I should have known she'd try something like this. You can't believe her. She'll never change. It's probably just some trap she's laid in a bid to take you away from me."

Emma looked directly at Regina now with a sadness in her eyes. "She wasn't lying."

"You can't go to Wonderland, Emma. It's too far and the town want to go home. Half of them don't want to stay here." Snow was fretting and David quickly interjected.

"Maybe we hold off telling everyone else that we have a way back. Once they know the curse was broken by true love, they might settle down and relax. At least for a week or two."

Regina nodded. "Agreed. The last thing we want is to give them false hope and unsettle them. I think we all need a day or two to work out how to move forward." She stared the savior down. "That is not me giving you permission to go swanning off to Wonderland. We made a deal also, don't forget."

Emma squirmed under the scrutiny. "I know. I don't want to go either. I just got you all back and I don't want to lose you again. Even for a day. Where is Wonderland, anyway?"

"A realm across." Regina felt a plan formulating in her mind and a smirk broke out on her face. "What if I can kill two birds with one stone?"

"I'm listening."

Snow and David sat forward in anticipation. It was strange seeing their daughter and Regina's easy interraction.

"She has something the belonged to her Prince. I could show you how to enchant it with a locator spell. It'll lead her directly to wherever he is. Once she finds him, she can swim right back and we can ask her nicely if she wouldn't mind running a few trips to Storybrooke."

Emma had to admit, it was a great idea. "Kinda feels like cheating though if I just send her off with some magic."

Regina chuckled. "It isn't cheating if it gets results." She winked and Emma shuddered remembering the last time she heard her use those exact same words. Her face reddened.

"I think that's a great idea. But what if she doesn't want to come back?" Snow interrupted. Ariel had been looking for that Prince for years.

"She'll want to come back. If he's heartless, as my mother says, he won't be able to leave, or love." She felt awful for being so calculated about it, but they had little choice.

"But what if he isn't?" Snow asked again.

Regina worried her lip and raised an eyebrow. "Then we still have a bean."

David nodded. "Okay. Well, I for one am not opposed to staying here for a while. It'll be like a vacation. People are still arriving from all over the land. They know to come here so it's best we don't miss anyone before we leave, or if we leave."

Snow and David shared a look. With Emma and Henry here, maybe it wouldn't be too bad staying.

Emma's stomach rumbled loudly and everyone laughed. Regina got up still holding her hand. "Snow, will your old chambers suffice?"

Snow grinned and nodded. "Of course. Thank you Regina."

She turned back to Emma. "Come on. I promised the town a banquet. You can help me prepare it. You too Henry. Time you learnt how a Prince really eats."

A/N: I've split this chapter because I'm pretty busy at the moment. Will post the next part in the next couple of days. Thanks for your continued support! x