I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

5: Old School

Henry burst into Emma's office like the sky was falling, and with Storybrooke, that was very possible. He did not say anything, just grabbing her hand to pull her out of her seat. She did not move.

"Henry, what's going on?" Emma asked.

"Come on, we gotta go!" He yanked her a little harder.

"Why? I thought you were gonna hang out with Neal until I finished work." She was not trying to be any place Neal was. She also had not wanted to agree to such a thing, but it was one of the many promises she made that got Henry out of the door that morning.

"What?" His face twisted. "Oh, right! No time for that! We gotta go." He pulled more.

Now, he had her attention. She hopped to her feet and let him yank her out of the office. "What's going on?"

"Mom was at my school! She kidnapped my classmate!"

"Wait, what?" Emma stopped dead in her tracks, which stopped Henry in his tracks.

"Mom kidnapped a kid from my school!" Henry looked at her like she was an idiot.

David jumped up from his desk. He had only come back a half-hour ago, finally deciding he could "bear" D'Artagnan's presence. What a putz. "Emma, we gotta go stop Regina." Of course he would just hop on Henry's "anti-Regina" bandwagon without knowing all of the facts.

D'Artagnan laughed from her desk. "Wow, that's all it takes."

They all turned to D'Artagnan and it clicked in Emma's head. D'Artagnan had been too happy to help earlier for her attitude to already be so lax about a possible kidnapping. Too bad David did not take a moment to consider there might be more to this than whatever Henry was going on about. He was so embarrassing.

"You might not care." David huffed as he clipped his gun to his belt. "But, obviously Regina's stealing kids, since Henry left her."

Emma gritted her teeth as she palmed her face. "Yeah, that's not what happened." She tugged her hand from Henry's grip

"Very much not what happened," D'Artagnan said as she stood, lips pursed.

Emma turned to Henry, trying to get him to see reason. "Kid, why do you think your mom kidnapped someone?"

Henry blew right by that question and locked onto D'Artagnan. His eyes narrowed as his lips curled into a sneer. "Who are you?" The question was just a rude demand, like he was some authority.

Emma frowned. "Henry, I get that you're worried, but you're being rude. That's my new deputy, D'Artagnan."

He blinked, shocked right out of his anger. "As in the Three Musketeers?"

D'Artagnan nodded and gave him a little bow, just dipping her head and shoulders slightly. "That's me and I think you're describing my kid. Did Regina pick up Mikey by any chance?"

"Yeah," his response was barely audible. His face dropped and his shoes were suddenly very interesting.

Emma put her arm around Henry's shoulders. "Come on, let's go talk in my office."

Henry did not respond, allowing her to guide him back to her office. She sat him down, grabbed some skittles from her desk, and then sat down next to him. She handed him the candy, which snapped him out of his trance. He thanked her and took off his book bag before opening the candy.

"How you doing, kid?" Emma asked. There had to be so much there for Henry, buried just underneath the surface, ready to erupt like a volcano. His life had been so fast-paced the last couple of years. Hell, maybe before that. She would try to talk to Regina about it and figure out what they should do, even though Regina said she wanted to wait for Henry to come to her. That was probably a good idea considering how he was lashing out against her just picking up a kid from school.

He popped a few skittles in his mouth and glanced at the window behind them. "Why's D'Artagnan working here?"

"Your mom brought her by the morning for the job."

He flared his nostrils. "So, she's a spy for Mom?"

Emma squinted. "No. What?" Why does he still think of Regina as a bad guy after she saved the town and risked her life for him? Hell, she went through hell for him. "Why are you being so hard on your mom now? I thought you were beyond the Evil Queen thing."

He pursed his lips and then popped some more skittles, buying time. His leg bounced, but he stopped when he noticed her glance at it. This probably had nothing to do with Regina being the Evil Queen. It probably had something to do with Neverland. Maybe he still needed time to process that disaster. He was not alone.

"Why did Mom ask you to hire D'Artagnan?" Henry asked with more scrutiny that she liked.

I wonder what he would think if I said that's her maybe-girlfriend, but Regina didn't like that joke and D'Artagnan probably wouldn't appreciate it if she has an actual partner if she's into that. "Are you going to answer any of my questions?"

He looked down at his feet. "Sorry."

"It's okay. Look, I know you're still out of sorts. You're not alone. Me and your mom are still working through everything. I actually spent most of my morning in here, kinda hiding, until your mom brought me lunch."

His brow wrinkled. "Mom brought you lunch? Why?"

Emma shrugged. "I think she brought for D'Artagnan and got me too since she knew I was here."

"Why does she care about D'Artagnan?" He glanced at the door and frowned.

"They're friends, I think. Your mom and D'Artagnan are helping each other out. They knew each other in the Enchanted Forest before your mom became the Evil Queen. She took your mom in." Emma took a breath. She had tried to put this off, but this was the perfect time to tell him.

His face scrunched up in even more confusion, like he did not speak her language. "Took Mom in? What'd you mean? When? Why?"

"When we got back from Neverland." Emma blew out her breath. "Apparently, while we were gone, a mob went to your mom's house and burned it to the ground."

He frowned, wrinkles right between his eyebrows. "So, she fixed it with magic."

"No, she couldn't."

"What do you mean? Of course, she can."

"Yeah, I thought that, too, but no. I don't really get it, but I guess whatever they did works. The mob salted the ground and sprayed it with pixie dust mixed with iron. It nullifies your mom's magic somehow."

His frown deepened. "But, how? She beat Peter Pan."

"I dunno." Emma was still blown away that they moved the moon together, but Regina had not asked for her help with the house. It was gone. "According to Regina, the Blue Fairy knew about the powers she'd gain in Neverland and that's why they put down the salt."

"Powers she gained? What happened in Neverland?"

Emma scratched the top of her head. "Tons of stuff that I don't understand, but yeah, Regina's magic evolved or something. Either way, the Blue Fairy expected it to happen and made sure Regina wouldn't be able to rebuild."

Henry scratched his chin. "How did she know Mom would get new powers? What kind of new powers anyway?"

Emma shrugged. "Badass ones." She did not want to say "demonic" as he might just take that as proof that she would forever be the Evil Queen or the Devil and Regina did not want that. "They kicked Peter Pan's butt, I'll tell you that. Protected your heart, too."

His eyes got sad and he looked down. He shoved more skittles in his mouth, chewing on them and his thoughts more than likely. Emma stared at him. I wish he'd just open up a little. She would not push, though. She knew what could happen if she tried to force the issue before he was ready.

"So… so… all my stuff's gone?" Henry asked in a small voice. "Everything's gone?" His bottom lip trembled and he turned away.

"I'm afraid so." She put her hand on his knee. This had to be a nightmare for Henry. His reverse fairy tale.

It was his turn to take a deep breath. "So, I get to stay with you, Grams, and Gramps?"

Emma was not sure how, but she managed to hold in a wince. "I—I guess." We might have to schedule him a session with Archie. He is burying stuff and I can't figure out what.

He nodded. "Okay. I should go. I'm supposed to meet Dad at Granny's." She was already aware of this. They had agreed to it that morning. He could hang out with Neal at the diner until her shift was done at four. Ruby agreed to keep an eye on them for her, especially if they left the diner for any reason. While Henry promised he would stay at the diner, she was not sure how much that promise would be worth in the face of his father.

Emma gave his knee a squeeze. "Henry, is there anything you want to talk about?"

"Nope. I'm gonna go. Dad's waiting." He was out of his seat and out of the door in a flash. She got up just in time to see him disappear out of the station.

"Everything okay?" D'Artagnan asked.

Emma sighed. No, they are not. "He's not going to put up missing person's posters of your kid or wanted posters of his mom, so small victory."

"That's parenting in a nutshell," D'Artagnan said.

David scoffed. "And you know that from stealing some Cursed kid?"

D'Artagnan glared at him. "Mikey is mine and I've been protecting her from self-righteous Enchanted Forest assholes since before she was born."

David did not back down. "Maybe if her mother wasn't a defect—" D'Artagnan made a fist and took a step toward him.

"Whoa!" Emma stepped between them and glared at David. "Not cool, Dad!"

He folded his arms across his chest. "That's what she is."

Emma ground her teeth together. "No, she's not. While I'm in charge, we're not just going to be throwing around hurtful and hateful words." Emma had heard more than her fair share of slurs and names in her life. Now that she had some power, she would not stand for it, especially in the workplace. They had to be able to trust each other and have each other's backs around here.

He had the nerve to lock eyes with Emma, as if that would make her back down. She stared right back. After several tense seconds, he went back to his desk. Emma sucked her teeth. She did not want to go home with that and to that later, but she did not have anywhere else to go. This sucks.

-8-8-8-8-

When stressed out, Regina cooked apparently. She had not realized how much she had come to love cooking, but it was calming. It was like making potions, but more. Mikey watched her work from the dining room, school books on the table in front of her as homework was attempted. But, Mikey's pen never touched her notebook, eyes always on Regina, narrowed, suspicious. Regina waited, but did not have to wait long.

"Are you dating my mom?" Mikey asked, breaking the silence. That was probably the polite version of what she really wanted to ask.

"I am not." Regina replied, trying but failing to keep the bit out of her tone. "Your mom is just giving me a place to stay for right now since some misfits around here burned down my home."

Mikey nodded, but her face did not clear. "Are you trying to replace my mama?"

"What? No." Regina paused. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because Mama was the one who cooked and picked me up from school."

Regina shook her head and went to sit next to Mikey. "Listen to me, I could never replace your mama and I would never try. I'm just trying to handle some chores for your mom while she works as thanks for her letting me stay here. Your mama is always going to be your mama."

Mikey gnawed the inside of her cheek. "I don't think she is. She didn't even say bye. I promised her I'd be a better daughter. I'd stop being a tomboy. I'd practice my violin more. I even promised to clean my room, but she left anyway." Her voice broke and she looked away, closing her eyes to gather herself.

Regina wanted to grab Mikey into a hug, but she was not sure if Mikey would appreciate it at the moment. "It wasn't your fault. The Curse breaking left a lot of people confused and lost. They had lived two different lives, one as a puppet of the Curse, and just aren't sure what's real anymore. Your mama included."

Mikey sniffled. "I get that. I was confused and scared. Mom was confused and scared. We helped each other. We could've helped her, but she left. She left us."

Regina put her hand on Mikey's knee and leaned in. Mikey's breath hitched and her eyes went wide, but looked at nothing. Touch was a big thing for her. People had probably stopped touching her when the Curse broke. People were awful.

"Sometimes, you can't help people until they're ready to be helped. I think if you give your mama time, she'll be back," Regina said and she believed that. She did not know Nanette personally, but she knew Nanette's circumstances and personality. Nanette was the perfect mate for D'Artagnan, but D'Artagnan was also perfect for Nanette. Nanette just needed to realize that and cast off what society thought of her.

Mikey sighed. "We could've been like our Cursed family. It was so nice."

Regina smiled. "I'm sure it was and that's why I'm confident your mama will return. I've only been here a day, but I want to visit you and D'Artagnan more often when I finally get my own home. I can't see how your mama would be able to stay away for long."

Mikey sniffled. "You mean that?"

"I do."

"And you're not trying to replace her?" Her eyes squinted, as if trying to see if Regina meant that.

With a smile, Regina held up her free hand in surrender. "I would never. I wouldn't mind being your friend, though."

Mikey smiled. "I'd like that, too."

"Then, as our first act of official friendship, allow me to thank you for pulling me away from a bad situation earlier today," Regina said. She was not sure what would have happened between her and Henry, especially with a crowd forming, but she doubted it would have been good. Her heart was still shattered in her chest. Why doesn't he want me?

"You looked scared… and hurt. I didn't want anybody to hurt you," Mikey said.

"You're a good person."

"I try to be. Besides, you helped me. Of course I should have your back. I'm sorry Henry was so mean to you."

"Henry and I have our own history to overcome."

"Doesn't mean I can't feel sorry for you, or him. You're a good person, too."

Regina laughed. "I really wish that was the case. But, I'm glad you think so."

"You might not think so, but you are. You helped me when you didn't need to and Mom believes in you."

Regina smiled. How did this go from her giving Mikey a pep talk to Mikey making her feel better? I should expect nothing less of D'Artagnan's child. How many times did D'Artagnan find me in a bad way and convince me things would improve in some way?

"Are we all right then?" Regina asked.

Mikey nodded. "We're good."

"Good. Now, you finish this homework and I'll finish dinner." Regina squeezed her knee before removing her hand.

Mikey nodded again. "It's kinda weird you can cook."

"Is it?"

"You were the queen. Mom made you sound… I dunno… kinda delicate." She glanced away and shrugged, as if trying to soften what she seemed to think was an insult.

"Of course she did. That's the Regina she wants to remember, but during the Curse, I had a lot of free time, especially before I adopted Henry. I spent eighteen years learning how to cook. I only just realized how much I enjoy it. So, I'll be cooking a lot while I'm here." It might help her through the process of becoming herself. She had a hobby she enjoyed that did not hurt people. That sounded like the young/old Regina inside of her.

"Cool. Maybe I could help sometimes?" Her face twisted up a little. "I used to help Mama cook…" She shook her head. "Well… you know… anyway, maybe I could help you sometimes."

"I'd like that." Regina smiled and returned to the kitchen. A few moments went by before Mikey filled the air again.

"Did Henry used to cook with you?" Mikey asked.

"For a brief time. A few years when he was little. He especially loved to bake cookies with me, of course," Regina replied.

Mikey made a noise and then was quiet for a moment. "He seemed really upset with you today."

"He often is and he has cause." Well, he probably did. He refused to tell her, though. How can I improve if I don't know what I did wrong? If he was as upset with her as he seemed, he might never tell her what she did wrong. Of course, it could be as simple as not being his birth mother, as was always the problem. She would never be able to fix that.

Mikey nodded. "It's just… well, it looked like he hurt your feelings. And, I know how that can be because my mama said a lot of mean and hurtful stuff to me before she left. And, if my mama will come back, then I bet Henry will, too."

Regina smiled and she felt a slight warmth spread in her chest. Damn hope. "Thank you, Mikey." She would try to believe that was true, but if she could save Henry's life, get them all home safely, and he still exiled her from his life, it seemed pretty safe to reason he was done with her. He had his real family and that was that.

Regina reached into her suit jacket pocket. The charred picture of her and Henry safely inside. She plucked it up and looked at his cherubic, smiling face. I just want my son to love me. Staring into his sparkling eyes made her heart collapse in on itself. She put the picture away and took a deep breath before refocusing on her cooking.

By the time Regina had everything on and cooking, Mikey was done with her homework. Without being told, she went and grabbed her violin. She played in the living room, by the window, a leftover habit from the Curse. And she was good.

D'Artagnan came into heavenly music. She paused, listening for a moment. Then, she inhaled, taking in the scent of dinner. For a long moment, she did not move, possibly trying to piece together if this was real or the Curse again. Then, she blinked, coming out of it. "That smells so good. I'm starving." She smiled at Regina, who remained in the kitchen.

"Busier first day than you expected?" Regina asked.

Blowing out a long breath, D'Artagnan nodded. "I'm just going to take a shower."

"Rough day?" Regina asked. She would have to call Emma to check on her.

D'Artagnan groaned. "The shepherd spewed Enchanted Forest hatred all over me."

Regina rolled her eyes. "Of course he did."

D'Artagnan went off to clean off the Charming grime of the day. Regina kept busy by cleaning her mess from cooking. She listened to Mikey on her violin and was hardly surprised by the heavenly music. The Curse had put that knowledge in her, but now she could own it. How many residents of Storybrooke were using their knowledge this wisely or had they shunned it because it came from a curse and from her? Fools.

D'Artagnan returned in casual wear, a blue, zipper hoodie, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. Regina felt overdressed, but did not say anything. She served dinner, lemon-garlic lamb chops, roasted potatoes, spinach, and salad. They sat at the dining room table. Despite the illusion of the family setting, it was tense. None of them could look at each other for more than a second. Does D'Artagnan think I'm using her or trying to replace her wife? They would have to discuss it.

"So, Mikey, I see you picked up your violin again," D'Artagnan said. This made it sound like it was something she had not done in a while.

Mikey nodded. "In case Mama comes back. I don't want her to think I don't actually like the violin. I love it and I want to play with her again."

D'Artagnan smiled, but her eyes glistened with sorrow. "She'd probably like that." She looked at Regina. "Under the Curse, Nanette played several instruments and got Mikey involved in the violin. One of their playful arguments was that Mikey would drop the violin for the guitar or worse, the drums, when she became a teenager." She and Mikey chuckled fondly, but their eyes misted over.

"She sounds like a good mother," Regina said.

"The best," Mikey replied without hesitation. Curse or not, defect or not, Regina could not imagine Nanette staying away from Mikey for too long. Thanks to the Curse, Mikey was as much Nanette's as she was D'Artagnan's. D'Artagnan did not seem to mind.

D'Artagnan winced and looked away briefly. She did not have the faith Regina and Mikey had and Regina could understand why. D'Artagnan carried around the realism of hatred, just had it thrown in her face at work. D'Artagnan bore the scars of selfishness and lack of remorse. She knew how awful humans could be without an Evil Queen having to sashay through her life. But, then again, D'Artagnan probably did not realize what a delight being married to her own wife was compared to some Old World royal stuck in tradition, which Nanette had given herself to.

Dinner and dessert were finished quickly. Mikey ducked into her room, probably for the rest of the night. Regina went about the task of cleaning up.

"You don't have to do that, you know," D'Artagnan said as she moved dishes to the sink. "You're a guest."

"But, I want to repay your kindness. I'm not trying to overstep."

"I never said you were."

Regina took a deep breath. Time to dive into the conversation. "Mikey thought I was trying to replace Nanette."

"I'll talk to her."

"I already did, but I fear even there, I crossed a line. I told her I believed her mama would be back."

D'Artagnan frowned. "Why would you tell her that?"

"Because I believe it to be true."

"She's with a prince, Regina!"

"And I was with a king. Whose company did I prefer, his or yours?"

"Do you honestly believe she'll pick a defect over a prince?"

"If she's half the woman I believe her to be, she will. It might take some time, but she will." Nanette needed time to realize what she let go and what she put herself in.

D'Artagnan blinked. "You really think that?"

"Who is this prince? And how does he compare to the legend of D'Artagnan? For years after you vanished, the Court still compared any and every guard to you. Even my own Black Knights whispered your name, wanting to live up to the Great D'Artagnan." That was all true. D'Artagnan's name lived on until the end, even when people thought D'Artagnan was dead.

"That was before they knew I was a defect."

"Stop saying that."Regina scowled. "You are D'Artagnan, one of greatest fighters to ever live and more than that, a gentleman."

D'Artagnan chuckled. "Careful. You keep talking and I'll fall in love with you again."

Regina smiled. "I doubt that because I'm sure you love your wife."

D'Artagnan sighed. "I could. If she's anything like she was under the Curse, I really could."

"The Curse didn't change people. It just made some qualities more upfront than others. Do you think Charlie Baudin is so different from Charlotte D'Artagnan?"

D'Artagnan smiled. "She had a life D'Artagnan would kill for."

"D'Artagnan can have that life. You just need to wait." Regina would not have allowed the Curse to pair D'Artagnan with a woman who would not be back eventually. D'Artagnan deserved someone who could match her boldness.

D'Artagnan nodded. "I'm willing to do that. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you willing to wait for the life you want?"

"I think I have to wait, but I also have to work for it." She had tried to hold Henry close and tight, which only drove him away further and faster. She liked to believe she was in a better place since letting him go. All she could do was wait for him to acknowledge that and come back to her. And, of course, she had to work on being whoever the hell she was.

"You can wait and work for it with us."

"You sure?" Regina could not believe the feeling that bloomed in her chest. It was not hope. She could not place it, like acceptance and care. Not like she felt with Emma when they connected in Neverland. Different, but welcomed.

"Moral support. We can all uplift each other. Besides, I feel a lot better about Mikey being out and about with you by her side."

Regina nodded. "Agreed. I'll make her a charm to ensure she keeps her human guise just in case something happens to me."

"Maybe more than one. She's pretty active once she gets going. I hope they let her play soccer again. She has energy to burn." D'Artagnan gave an exhausted sigh that was full of love.

Regina smiled and nodded. "Thank you for this."

"No, thank you."

-8-8-8-8-

One of the worst things about living with her parents for Emma was the inability to get a moment alone with Henry. The second she looked concerned about him, her parents flocked to him. So, for them to have a proper conversation, she got him outside, claiming she wanted to show him something.

"What's up?" he asked as they circled the block and he buried himself deeper into his scarf. It was probably too cold to have him out, but she needed the time alone with him.

"That's my question to you. How was lunch with Neal?" She would throw up if she ever said the words "your dad."

Henry shrugged. "It was okay." No details. Not like him at all.

"Do you want to do it again?" Please. no.

"Yeah. I definitely want to spend time with him."

Damn. "Okay. How was school? Everything went good?"

He frowned. "Grandma hovered a lot. I don't think she taught her class at all."

"No?" That sounded about right, especially if Snow showed the same amount of dedication to work as David did. It could also explain why Henry was so keyed up when he saw Regina. He was already in a spiral thanks to Snow and whatever she said to him. "They probably already had a sub for her since we disappeared for a week."

"Probably."

She blew out a breath. He was not giving her much to work with. "You okay with seeing your mom?"

He stiffened and scowled. Wow. "Maybe we should get back. Grams' probably finished with dinner."

"Henry, what's with you and your mom?" Emma needed to know if she was going to help him through it. "She's trying so hard for you." How does he not get it? He had a mother who would change the world for him rather than change him and he refused to accept that. But, for a birth parent who did absolutely nothing for him, he wanted to spend every waking moment with.

He folded his arms across his chest. "There's nothing with me and Mom. I just want to be with my family now. Is that a crime?"

"Of course not. I just thought your mom was your family, too."

He groaned and threw his hands up. "Of course Mom's family!" He had inherited Regina's way of calling someone an idiot through tone alone.

Emma took a breath to remain calm. She was his mother and the adult. She could not fly off the handle at him. She had to be very careful with her words. Well, I'm screwed.

"Look, Henry, I'm just worried about you and I want to help—"

He cut her off. "Well, I don't need or want your help! Just mind your own business. You're worse than Grandma!"

That cut deep and paused her long enough for him to run off. Worse than Snow While when it came to hovering? Well, at least when it came to Henry. Snow only hovered around her to talk up Neal and what a great family they would make. The very idea turned Emma's stomach. Fuck them, fuck that, and fuck this. She walked until she ended up at Regina's house. Well, the empty lot that was once Regina's house. It was still gone.

"I wonder if…" Emma raised her hand, drew on her magic with a glowing fist, and tried. She tried under she was straining to breathe, until sweat was chilled on her face, and until she fell to her knees. It was still just an empty lot. Whatever Blue did was too powerful for her. It felt like everything fell out of her and she did not even have the strength in her to cry.

Emma had no escape. She had to return home to parents eager to be rid of her and son outraged with her. It was like walking to the gallows. On the way there, she texted Regina. We have to talk about Henry.

Regina responded almost immediately. Agreed. Would you like to meet up or wait for tomorrow?

Emma really wanted to meet up, but they did not have anywhere private to go. They were both trapped. Her chest heaved and she spun around until she felt her phone buzz in her hand. Regina's name flashed on her phone screen.

"Regina?" Emma answered instantly.

"Are you all right?" Regina asked.

How did she know? "Why is life always so hard?" It took all of her self-control for it to not be followed by a sob.

Regina sighed in camaraderie. "What would we do if it wasn't?"

"I dunno, but one day I'd like the chance to find out."

"You and me both."

Sometimes, it was scary to think Regina was the only person who got her. What did that say about her that the only person who understood her was someone who not too long ago tried to poison her? Of course, they had come a long way since then. But, it seemed like they had a long way to go, even if they were no longer standing in each other's way.

"I walked to your house. I tried… I tried to rebuild it with magic," Emma confessed.

Regina asked. "Why?"

"I just… I dunno. I thought maybe I could do it."

"But, why would you want to do it? Not that I'm not grateful for the attempt."

"I just… I was trying to talk to Henry, but he doesn't wanna talk. He said I'm as bad as my mom." Emma rubbed her eye as a pain ripped through her chest. "I don't wanna be as bad as my mom."

"I know that feeling all too well. Where are you now?"

Emma sighed and shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I gotta get home." Everything felt heavy, crushing and collapsing around her, like there was too much. She might burst into tears right then in there, in the middle of the dark, deserted street. She hated how empty Storybrooke seemed now, like there was no place for her to go.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." She did not want Regina to see her like this. It would just worry her over Henry and Regina already had enough to worry about with Henry.

"We'll talk soon." Her voice sounded urgent and concerned for Emma and all it did was put more pressure in Emma's chest. Regina cared more than Snow did.

"Yeah." It was a habit from Neverland. It helped keep them sane. She might still need it. "Later."

"Later." Despite the calling ending, Emma felt a little less alone in the world. She took a deep breath, threw her shoulders back, and marched back to her family. Maybe they did not want her, but they were stuck with her for now. Or am I stuck with them? She did not want to think about it.

When Emma entered the loft, no one looked up from what they were doing. David was setting up the dinner table while Snow was in the kitchen. Henry was huddled up on the couch, talking into his phone. Emma flopped down next to Henry.

"Who's that?" she asked. Good parenting, right?

"Just Dad," Henry replied.

Emma's guts tied themselves into knots. He ran here and called Dark One junior immediately? She resisted the urge to grab the phone and chuck it out the window. Not good parenting to throw a tantrum.

"We should've invited Neal over for dinner," Snow said.

"No, the fuck we should not," Emma replied. She would be damned if she would sit across from him and try to eat a meal.

"Oh, come on, Emma. Don't you want to try to make it work? If only for…" Snow nodded toward Henry.

Emma scowled and up, marching to the counter to speak with Snow in a volume Henry would not be able to hear. "No, I won't give it a try, especially not for the reason you think. You think it's healthy for kids to be in a household where one parent fucking hates the other? And that's what I need you to understand, I fucking hate Neal."

Snow gave her a sad look. "Oh, Emma. I know it feels like that now, but one day you'll forgive him and understand he made the right decision."

Emma was not sure how, but something kept her from punching her mother right in the face. She might be grateful for that someday, but now was not that day. With a snarl, she turned and stormed out of the house, making sure to slam the door on her way out. By the time she hit the street, she remembered she did not have anywhere to go. Yet, she walked back to that burned down lot. She sat down on the curb, trying to breath, but somehow each inhale smelled like smoke and rotted her insides. She put her head in her hands and cried.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: Regina formally steps down as mayor while Emma makes a friend in D'Artagnan.