A/N: I keep meaning to wrap this and then find it taking me somewhere else entirely! Love it! Gonna keep chugging on. I could have possibly split this into a sequel but why bother? It's flowing of its own magical accord! Hope you are still enjoying it. At this rate, who knows when the end is coming!

Emma poured a potion on the cloak and muttered some words under her breath. The cloak started floating in the air and Ariel watched in amazement. "Okay, I think that worked. Now I guess you just follow it wherever it leads you. Are you sure you are okay doing this alone?"

Ariel smiled gently and grabbed the cloak tail before it could float off out of reach. "I'll be fine, Emma. It's better this way. I'm faster than ever since your last magic trick and if I do find him, it'll be easier to bring one person back than two."

Emma felt guilty but Regina stroked her back reassuringly. "If you run into any trouble, remember you have the mirror. You can call us at any time. And that potion will render someone motionless for up to ten minutes if you are caught in a tight spot. Use it." Regina awkwardly smiled at the mermaid feeling mixed emotions. They'd talked this through and the plan was for Ariel to retrieve her mother's heart and bring it back. It was a big responsibility and a dangerous task. She didn't want to involve more people than necessary but Emma insisted that they should at least try.

"I'll be fine. Thank you. Both of you. I'll be back before you know it and we can talk more about that business idea of yours." She gave Emma a quick hug and then surprised Regina with another. "I'll see you in a week or so." Ariel dived into the sea off the pontoon, clutching the enchanted cape, and raced off underwater.

"I still don't think this is a good idea." Regina complained. Now it was Emma's turn to reassure her.

"Yeah, I don't like it much either, but there was something there. My lie detector didn't ping. You got your second chance. It's only fair Cora gets one too."

Regina huffed as they strolled back towards Silver Mines Tavern hand in hand. "I know you're right, but it doesn't mean I've got to like it."

Emma teased her with a gentle shove. "Aww, such a spoilt brat! You gonna sulk now and throw all your toys out of the stroller?"

"Keep teasing, Miss Swan, because it usually works out quite well for you, doesn't it?"

Emma groaned knowing she'd be punished for that one later. They'd stayed in the palace for two nights before going back to the woodcutter's cottage to check in on Cora. She'd been more than happy to get some food and water delivered and kept her comments to herself. They didn't tell her of the plan to get her heart back.

Things were surprisingly relaxing. It was a bit like taking a vacation. Emma, Regina and Ariel had poofed back to the cottage first, then dropped Ariel by the ocean side. Snow, David and Ruby were riding back to the cottage with a large carriage to try and transport Cora in her box back to the palace dungeons. Now they were alone again and Regina was happy to point out some of the sights. "This is where the majority of the riches in this land comes from. That's one of the reasons I confiscated the forest, actually. The mines run right under it for miles, but it wasn't the silver I was concerned with."

She poofed them inside a dark tunnel and summoned a fireball in her palm. It shone around the cavern and illuminated sparkly flecks of gems set in the walls. Emma chuckled recognizing the place instantly. "This looks familiar. Fairy dust?"

"Exactly. I didn't want the fairies anywhere near here so I discontinued the mining and closed off these shafts. I let the silver miners continue for a fee, of course. Anything they took from the mines, the crown took a cut. Under my rule, the kingdom was much wealthier than it was under Leopold's." The name left a sour taste in her mouth and she picked out a large chunk of blue crystal and handed it to Emma. "It's properties in the state aren't that magical, but it does have some benefits."

Emma turned the gem over in her palms feeling the smoothness and a little buzz of energy. "Wow, I can feel it vibrating." She looked around and smiled. "Remember when we turned that trigger off together?"

Regina smiled and stepped into Emma's embrace. "I do. Mmm, did you nearly climax too when we did it?"

Emma groaned. "I was so embarrassed. Especially when you looked at me with that just fucked glint in your eye. If you'd have kissed me then, damnit!"

Regina kissed her tenderly getting lost in the powerful magic of their tongues clashing, and the heady memory of that day and the missed opportunity. She grabbed at Emma's shirt and slipped her fingers underneath, tracing the soft outline of her underbust. A thumb circled a nipple, bringing it to attention and Emma grabbed the mayor's ass grinding their center's together. In a flash, clothes were discarded and they were grinding naked against the gem coveredwall. The gems began glowing a soft blue as they slipped their fingers over one another's wet center's. Regina moaned and increased the speed. "See what we do together? If we'd just done this instead of blasting it, it would have been much more fun."

Emma groaned in appreciation and curled two fingers up inside the Queen. The gems flickered brighter, almost a strobe effect as Regina's head fell back in delight. Encouraged by the show, Emma fucked her harder making sure to hit her sweet spot with each thrust and sucked greedily at her neck. Loud grunts of pleasure echoed around the cavern providing a soundtrack that only heightened the women's arousal. The blonde added a third finger and Regina screamed her name. It bounced back, reverberating all around them as it echoed. Emma shuddered, her abdomen tensing and she pooled in response. She changed their position now, turning Regina to face the wall. Her front grinding against the brunette's ass, while her fingers angled up inside her. With the other hand, she reached around and applied a firm pressure to her clit, squeezing and rubbing as Regina rode out a loud and intense orgasm. The feel of cold, rugged stone and crystal on her front side contrasting with the softness of Emma's skin at her rear. She came hard, giving Emma a taste of it with their connection magic. They used it regularly now and they could both switch on the spell whenever they wanted. The lights eminating from the gems flickered and died down as they panted breathlessly back to front up the wall.

A loud slow clap sounded behind them and a sultry voice filtered towards them. "Well that certainly brought back some good memories."

Regina waved a hand and dressed them both taking a big breath. She summoned a fireball in hand and shoved Emma behind her quickly. "You always had impeccable timing, dear. What is it with the dead rising lately? How are you here and what do you want?"

Emma didn't need to ask who it was. She figured it out as soon as she saw those cheekbones and full lips. 'Damn, she is hot!' She was feeling a bit vulnerable, one from just having had a massive orgasm, and two from it being witnessed by Regina's magical ex.

Maleficent chuckled and sent a wave of magic to extinguish Regina's fireball. "Oh, don't be like that, my pet. We're all friends here, even if you did send your little princess to try and slay me. Let's be honest, haven't we all done that at some point? I don't hold a grudge. Well, not about that, anyway."

Regina caught her breath and watched as Mal summoned a couple of chairs and a table into the middle of the cavern. The crystals illuminated again, this time giving off an eery green glow. Mal sat down on one and filled a couple of glasses with a red liquid. "Sit. Have a drink. Let's catch up."

Regina groaned and looked at Emma apologetically. She kissed her showing her a thought. 'I don't think she's a threat. Sorry, this is awkward. Are you okay?'

'I'm fine. Just a bit jealous. She's smokin' hot!'

'You have nothing to be jealous of. Let's see what she wants.'

Regina broke the kiss and Emma nodded in agreement. They'd dealt with so much drama already, an ex lover,slash dragon fairy Queen, who apparently wasn't dead after Emma killed her wasn't that big a deal, was it?

They took a seat in the surreal little tea party, Emma stayed silent, unable to not notice the cleavage and how Regina's eyes lingered on it long enough to cause another pang of jealousy. "If it's any consolation, I didn't think she'd do it, to be honest. I sent her down hoping to get rid of her."

"What?" Emma screeched and Regina caressed her cheek fondly.

"Don't take it personally, dear. You know I love you, but that was before. I wanted you out of town."

Maleficent giggled lightly to herself. "You found love? How wonderful for you. So this is the Savior? Charming." She held out her hand and Emma hesitated but shook it anyway.

"Sorry, I tried to kill you. Uhm, but I saw you turn to ash."

Mal handed them both a drink. "Yes, well someone brought me back. I was delightfullymiserable in the underworld too. Quite annoying really. I thought perhaps you missed me, Regina. I see I was wrong."

Regina gulped on the wine without a thought it might be poisoned. They went back too far for such cheap tricks. Mal would never compromise the taste with a venom. Alcohol was to be enjoyed. Emma took a sip to steady her nerves. "It was likely my Mother messing with us. How long have you been back?"

"Not long. About a week. Found myself down here and assumed you wanted me off my leash for something else. Are we back in the Enchanted Forest?"

Regina nodded. "Yes. Emma broke my curse. True loves kiss. With me."

Mal chuckled. "I had an inclining that might happen when I met her. You do like the blondes, don't you Gigi."

Regina blushed and Emma thought she might actually kick off. Her magic sparked and Regina and Mal sighed. "Calm down, Savior. I don't mess with true love. I learnt that lesson the hard way." She winked at Emma who found herself blushing now. What was going on? Mal turned to Regina again. "She's just like you were all those years ago. Brimming with new power and not quite in control of those emotions."

Regina looked at her hands. Being around Mal always humbled her a little. Her power and wisdom was undeniable. The only way she'd managed to capture her in the curse was because of the fact she'd all but given up on everything. She had to admit, she was angry at her still for letting her fire go. "What do you want Mal? After all these years, don't tell me you suddenly have a new lease of life."

"I do, actually. I learnt some truthes down in the Underworld. One being the whereabouts of my daughter."

Emma and Regina gasped in unison. "You have a daughter?"

Mal looked saddened. "I did. Never met her though. Never held her in my arms. I had an egg. It was stolen cruelly and taken from me just before the curse hit. I need to get back to the land without magic. That's where she is. All those years and I never knew she was alive. That's why I couldn't move on. I want to find her."

Regina and Emma listened both feeling that weight of those words. "I had no idea. You never said a word!"

Mal's eyes brimmed with tears. "What would it have accomplished, Gigi? You were single minded in your fury and I had no fight left. What they did broke me. I wanted nothing more than for your curse to punish them. I hope they suffered immensely."

Emma felt her stomach knotting. "Who took her?"

Mal smiled with a pained expression and placed a hand over Emma's gently on the table. "The same people who discarded you, child."

Emma shook her head in disbelief.

"When you came for me, I knew it was the end and I welcomed it. I don't blame you. You were used in the same way as all of us with magic often are. You were manipulated."

Regina looked between the two blondes with a lump in her throat. Her heart ached with the injustice of this impossible situation. "Why would they take your child? I don't understand."

Mal filled their glasses again and took a large gulp. It was clearly painful for her to talk about but Regina sensed this new desire in her to fight and to live. "There was a chance the Savior could be born with the immense power for evil or good. They made certain she was pure and that any potential for evil was given soley to my offspring. Then they cast her away to a land without magic thinking as long as she couldn't use it, she'd be no threat."

Regina felt sick. Emma felt sick. The three of them sat in silence contemplating the new information. Snow and David would arrive at the cottage in less than a day and Emma felt she could never look at them again. Regina held Emma's hand and squeezed it gently. She knew what the woman was going through. Her mother had manipulated her since the day she was born. Now it seemed Snow had done the same to her unborn child. Emma spoke in a low tone. "What are you going to do to them?"

"There's nothing to do. What's done is done. They suffered as much as I did living with that guilt and not having you in their lives. All I want now is to find her. For that, I need both my freedom and to get back to the land without magic."

Regina pulled her lips through her teeth. "We are working on a way back. Once we get there, I'll give you your freedom on the condition that you never try to harm anyone in my family. That includes Snow and Prince Charming." She slurred on the names as they left her mouth. Honestly, right now, she'd happily rip their hearts out herself seeing how much damage they'd done to so many people's lives that she held dear.

Emma snorted. "We left Henry with them, Regina."

Regina's eyebrows widened. "Emma, don't. Remember what you said. Everyone deserves a second chance. You have me believing it. If I can do that for my mother, you sure as hell can do it for them." She growled and banged her fists on the table. "Insipid child! She never thinks about her actions! This is why... Hmmm! This..." She felt herself getting annoyed all over again.

Emma tried to calm her as well as herself. "Hey! You're right. I know. I get it! In-laws, am I right?"

Regina laughed now. Emotions were running too high and Emma managed to diffuse them once again in true savior style. Mal smirked, loving seeing their interraction. Her time in the Underworld gave her a different perspective, and despite everything, she didn't hate Emma or wish any ill will on Regina. She'd been her only friend in her darkest hours and they shared a bond through their suffering. "Never had any, thankfully!' She chimed in. There it was again. That churning in Emma's stomach. She looked at Regina and saw the same expression there.

Regina cleared her throught shaking it off. "Mal, we are meeting Snow and David now. My mother showed up and we managed to render her powerless but can't move her with magic. We're riding back to my Palace to keep her in the dungeons for now, until we figure out our next move. Doyou want to go back to your fortress? I can contact you again before we go back to Storybrooke."

Mal shook her head. "I never want to see that place again, but I wouldn't mind coming out of the darkness and feeling a cool breeze under my wings again."

Regina struggled internally for a moment and looked at Emma apologetically. "I've... invited anyone who was cursed to take quarters at the Palace until we figure out a way back. I feel it's only right to extend that invitiation to you also. I only ask that you remain hidden somewhat for your own protection. The townsfolk are already dealing with alot. If they know you are out and about, they will be much harder to contain."

Mal smiled and nodded once in agreement. "I understand. Thank you, Gigi. I accept the invitation graciously and assure you I won't be going far."

"Don't make me regret this, Mally." Her eyes pleading as she rested her hand around the dragon's wrist. Emma bristled again at the tender contact.

"You have my word. There's been enough suffering."

Regina sighed and removed the bracelet from around her wrist. It wasn't like the cuff they'd used that rendered someone powerless, but it stopped her from ever leaving her prison. Regina had been cruel in the past, but she'd never take Mal's magicaway. It would be like cutting off a limb to someone like them. Emma watched realizing why the touch was necessary and calmed down somewhat. "Fly in through the west wing discreetly after dark. Take the tower and you won't be disturbed. We'll be back in two days and see you then."

Regina stood up and took Emma's hand. "I mean in Mal. Be good."

"I will, thank you. See you both in two days." She winked and Regina transported her and Emma back out of the mines.

Emma let out an unsteady breath. "That was fucking surreal!"

Regina rolled her eyes and nodded in agreement. "I'm sorry. I had no idea she'd be down there. She is intense, that's for sure."

Emma felt a blush creeping over her cheeks again and Regina caught it. She bit her lip embarrassed. "I, have to come clean about something. Mal is, how do Iput this? She's beguiling. It's one of her powers."

Emma was cringing but chanced a look up. "What do you mean?"

Regina laughed. "Oh, come on. You felt it too! I didn't tell you before as I never thought you'd actually meet her. You wanted to fuck her, didn't you?"

Emma felt the heat rising again. "Yeah, kinda. I know that's really weird. And I was like super jealous when you touched her. Is it magic?"

Regina made the so-so gesture. "Ina way. Its her power. She's known as a seductress. You can't help it when you are around her. Just fair warning, you might have a few dreams tonight. Don't worry about them." She kissed Emma and showed her what she meant.

'You can't control them and it doesn't take away from what we have. So just enjoy it.'

"Wow! Really? That's kinda messed up. Does she do it to everyone?"

Regina shook her head. "Oh, no! She turns it on to her advantage, or taste. She likes you. Don't worry about it."

Emma was stunned and followed the brunette inside the tavern. "What? Regina, you can't be serious! How are you so calm about this? This isn't normal!"

"Oh and we are the picture of normal!"

"Yeah, fair point."

Regina ordered a couple of ales and a whole section of the tavern cleared out to make room for the Queen. She sat at the now vacant table chuckling to herself. "Don't act so innocent, Miss Swan. You forget what I've seen or your heart, and I know exactly what you've witnessed of mine."

Emma's hands covered her eyes. "I just feel like, gahh! I mean we are true loves. Doesn't that change things?"

Regina shrugged. "Obviously not." She took a swig of the cheap ale and made gagging sounds. "That's awful. Bring me a bottle of your finest wine instead." She handed the ale back to the server who scuttled off at break neck speed. "It was a seduction and you'll feel the effects for a couple of days, is all. It's up to you whether you decide to act on them. Technically."

"What do you mean technically?"

"If you really don't want to, then you won't." The wine came and Regina was grinning from ear to ear. "Honestly it's the cutest thing you being all coy!"

"We never talked about that."

"We didn't talk about a lot of things. We didn't need to."

Emma downed half the ale and then reached for the wine to take the bitter taste away. Regina watched in fascination. This was not the reaction she was expecting from her Swan.

Emma winced. "It's a lot to process, Regina. Honestly, I'm kinda reeling right now. I justmet your ridiculously hot ex, who I killed, and she watched us get it on. Then I findout you sent me there last year to die! Yeah, sure just throw in the fact she's a friggin seducer and wants to bang us! Why not? Oh, yeah and then the small matter of fact we gotta move your bitch of a Mom, and my parents might be cold blooded killlers who are currently alone with our kid!"

"You're freaking out."

"Hell yeah, I'm freaking out!"

Regina's eyebrows knitted. "Just try to keep a check on that. Look, your parents aren't killers. They threw a dragon's egg through a portal. They probably didn't know it was a child inside. I'm not defending them but try to keep a perspective here."

Emma downed the rest of the glass. "Okay, sure I'm overracting but, this is Snow White we're talking about. My mom talks to birds and bunnies, why the hell would she think it's okay to throw a baby dragon through a damn portal?"

Regina groaned seeing where this was going and what it was really about. She stayed silent. There was nothing she could say that would justify the woman's actions, not did she really want to.

"I'm sorry. I'm just trying to work through this. I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now, and Idon't like the idea of being purposefully manipulated."

Regina's head sank. "I'm sorry. I do know how you feel. I guess I'm just hardened to it all sometimes. If you want to callthings off, I understand."

"What?" Emma shifted around to sit beside Regina now and flung her arms around her. "Why the hell would I want to end this? I love you, Regina!"

"And I love you. I understand if you need to take some time to process everything. This world is, complex."

Emma chuckled and rubbed their foreheads together. "Yeah, it friggin well is! That's why I need you with me on my side. You're the last person I want a break from!"

Regina smiled and kissed her. 'Will it ease your mind if we meet them half way?'

'Yes, it would.'

Without breaking the kiss, Regina poofed them out ofthe tavern and they landed inside the carriage. "Oh, Jees! You scared the hell out of me!" Snow shrieked when the two women appeared out of thin air. They broke the kiss, Emma feeling awkward realizing where her hands were in front of her mom.

"Hey. Sorry. We missed Henry. Where is he?" Emma straightened herself out and pushed away from Regina.

"He- he's up front with your Father and Ruby."

Emma clambered out of the window and up onto the carriage roof leaving Regina glaring at Snow.

"Hey kid, how you doing?"

"Hey Ma! What are you doing here?"

She scooted down and plonked next to him in between Ruby and David. "I missed you. Everything okay? Any detours? What have your grandparents been feeding you?" The overprotective questions tumbled out of her in a jumble without pause. Henry quirked an eyebrow.

"All good. We stopped last night and camped by a stream. Gramps caught some fish. I helped filét it!"

Emma chuckled forcefully. "Ha! You're mom is gonna be so proud of you!" She looked at Ruby. "Any problems I should know about?"

Ruby could sense the agitated nervous energy and knew something was off with Emma. She patted her back. "Everything is fine. You don't need to worry. We've got this."

Snow sensed she was in trouble for something but had no idea what. Regina analyzed her now carefully noticing how she always had an expression of guilt written on her face. "Everything okay, Regina?" She tried breaking the awkward silence.

"Just peachy, Snow White." Her tone laced with venom and superiority. She crossed one leg over the other and continued staring her down. "I am a little hungry, come to think of it. I could just go for some... eggs. Know where I can find one? A really big one. Famished." She rubbed her stomach in exaggeration.

Snow recognized that tone and knew Regina was pissed off about something. She felt like a teen caught sneaking chocolate from the kitchen all over again and blushed crimson. "What is it, Regina. Whatever I've done now, I swear, it wasn't deliberate and I apologize."

Regina snorted an ironic laugh. "Of course not. It never is with you. That's what makes it so tragic."

Emma climbed back down through the window just in time to hear the last remark. She shot Regina a look and the brunette sighed, backing down. "I said Henry should come back with us tonight, Regina. Movie night and pizza."

Snow noticed how Emma wouldn't make eye contact with her and she felt heartbroken. Something had happened and she didn't know what. "Why don't you stay with us tonight. We can camp out under the stars, toast marshmallows, if one of you can make them appear, and have a big family night?"

"Rain check. It's getting colder at night. I don't want Henry catching a bug or getting sick. Ready, Regina?"

Regina took her hand smiling smugly. She couldn't help gloating a little bit as she poofed them up top and grabbed Henry. "Hold on tight, my loves. I think I want mintchocolate chip ice-cream. Anyone else?"

"Oh yeah! Me!" Henry and Emma agreed as the three disappeared in a plume of purple haze.

Ruby groaned and shouted into the air. "Fuck! I want mint chocolate chip ice-cream, bitches!"

David shook his head. "What I wouldgive for some of that magic. I'm sick of fish and berries. What was that all about?"

Ruby shrugged. "I don't know. Emma's freaking out about something. She wanted Henry close."

David smiled. "She's got that protective maternal instinct." Ruby sensed the shift in his mood to one of sadness over the past but she knew better than to comment. Snow climbed out and hopped down beside David.

"I need to talk to my husband, alone please."

Ruby nodded sheepishly. "I need to stretch my legs anyway. Catch up to me." She hopped off the moving carriage and dropped down on all fours, transforming into a wolf and running off into the distance.

"What's up?"David asked looking at his wife in concern.

"I think they know what we did." Snow whispered, her voice trembling.

"What do you- what are you talking about? Who knows we did what?"

"Regina. And.. and Emma. I think they know. I don't know how, but they do. Do you suppose Cora knew?"

"Knew what, Snow?"

She cried fully now. "What we did with Maleficent's baby."

David halted the horses feeling the dread and shock hit him at once. "Did Regina tell you that?"

Snow shook her head. "No. She hinted that she wanted eggs. A big egg,and asked if I knew where to find one. How would she know, David? I've never forgiven myself for that."

He put his arms around her and tried to comfort her. He didn't think it was a long shot to assume Regina knew. It was all bound to come out in the wash at some point, but it still didn't prepare him for it. "We don't know for certain, but, let's say they do know. While we are all offering fresh starts and clean slates, maybe we should air our dirty laundry too. It's time, Snow. We've kept it buried long enough."

She nodded and bawled into his chest shaking. "I know. We just got her. I don't want to lose her again."

"We'll work through it. All of us."