Regina felt better after her and Emma's chat, but the visit to Aldara was still making her panic. It wasn't what would happen, and what could happen. It's what happened already that scared Regina. Having no idea why she would abandon a child, especially her own daughter, sparked fear in her.

Emma had dropped her off at the town hall. She sat in the car for a few seconds gather herself before going in as mayor of Storybrooke. A role she took pride in. She and Emma had also talked about the fact that Rumple had turned up with the three witches. Emma was suspicious of them. Regina had promised to keep an eye on them.

She had been distracting herself by thinking about Operation Mongoose. She and Henry had inrolled Emma to there cause not long before Regina got ill. They hadn't made much progress of late. Henry and she had been getting close to something though. She needed to borrow that book from Henry. She needed to look for clues for the author if anyone could tell her why she drank that potion it was him.

She carried on with Mayorly duties. Signing things, reading things ect...ect. All the things she could now practically do in her sleep. She let her mind wander to Emma. She couldn't believe what had happened between the two of them. She had liked Emma for some time now.

When Robin left, Emma was the one who brought her back. She had done the impossible and mended her broken heart. Regina knew in the back of her head that there was a chance Robin would be back. She loved him still, a part of her always would. He was the first person to show her, she still deserved to be loved. But when he had chosen Marion, he had lost Regina completely. She hadn't meant it to be that way it just happened. She felt herself around Emma she didn't have to hide behind a mask if she was struggling with something Emma could just tell.

She liked that, it meant that she didn't have to act like the mayor, Queen or Hero. She was just Regina, the woman in love with Emma Swan.

Emma was at the sheriff office. There wasn't much going on crime-wise in town. After Rumple left everything just died down. Now he was back with his buddies she suspected there was going to be more for her to do.

Her Dad had gone out with Snow to investigate into Rumple's little gang. They had been warned that if they tried anything they wouldn't last much longer in Storybrooke. Emma knew they were up to something. They had been off with her since Rumple had brought his friends back. Something nagged in the back of her mind that they were hiding something big from her. She just had no idea what it could be.

For now, she would focus on Regina and Aldara. She wanted nothing more than the two of them to get along. She ran over in her head what might happen. It could end up a disaster. She might have just convinced Regina to walk into a trap, but there was just something about how Aldara's disposition changed the last time they met. She seemed more human less woman with scary magic powers and huge black wings. What was with those anyway. She'd never met any other witch that could fly.

It was pretty cool though. Emma just sat and daydreamed about having wings for a while. Nothing was happening she was getting bored. She decided to throw darts at the wall. Soon enough it was lunchtime. She grabbed her jacket and left the office, leaving a sign up to tell people who came in looking for her where she was.

She didn't bother taking the bug, it was only down the street. The walk was a nice distraction, perhaps she would just do a walk of the town after lunch, to make sure no one was up to no good. She got to the sandwich shop called Mr. Sandman's Sandwich shop. She opened the door and approached the counter a young man in his late twenties stood behind the counter. His hair was styled to look a little scruffy. He had rosy cheeks and wore a white apron over a white shirt, tie and black trousers.

"Hey Emma," He said as if he knew her. Last time this happened it didn't go so well. He just gave her a goofy grin. "Don't worry you don't know me, But I know you"

"I gathered," Emma said scanning the counter " I'll take one of your BLT's and a coffee. So who actually are you, you know from the enchanted forest."

"Oh my name is Mr. Sandman, I am . It might take you as a surprise but I don't age. Perks of the job" He said cheerily.

"What is your 'job'?" Emma asked him. She had obviously heard his story before but she didn't remember it.

"I um.. It's kinda weird... I give people dreams" He said chuckling nervously. Emma nodded. She didn't know what to make of that.

"So you're the BFG?" She asked him, sure sounded like it to her. Maybe he just downsized.

"Um no... I'm the Sandman, I show people hat they need to see. Or you know what they want to see. I can also give people nightmares. I use it more as a warning to people. They each have their own meanings. Like you Emma, do you remember the dream I gave you a few months back, contained a certain brunette.

"Yeah Um we were walking in the forest and a big black bird flew in front of us. It was a little snappy at first but after I coxed it a little, We made friends. Regina just gave me this look. When I woke up is when I realized for the first time I had feelings for Regina. I was a little put off a first, but then it just happened." Emma said remembering her head was spinning and she felt guilty for having the feelings when she was just starting to date Hook.

"That was my little...wake up call for you. I'd seen how Regina and you looked at each other. Both of you just ready to accept your fate how it was handed to you. I knew I had too...give you a push, towards each other" He chuckled again. He started on Emma's Sandwich. " I did it to Regina too, hers was a little more...um saucy, You ask her about it," He said giving her a cheeky grin. "I don't think I disappointed her."

Emma really just wanted to leave. This dude kept getting creeper. He finished up making her sub. He wrapped it up for her and put it in a bag. He handed her the coffee she had ordered as well. " Sorry if I came across a little stalker, I just took notices was all. That usually means that something needs to be done. "

" Yeah...ok?" Emma said this boy was weird. She paid him and went to leave.

"Two seconds Emma I have something that might help Regina," He said he quickly went into the backroom. Emma waited unsure why she was listening to him but it seemed important. He came back out holding a glass vile with gold dust swirling around inside it. "This is some of my sand. It will be very useful to her. It will help her remember what happened with Aldara. She just needs to find the right spell to use it. Just a warning, the spell won't work if the person/ person's under its influence if they are fighting against it. They must go in willingly, it is important." He said he handed her the vile. She looked at it closely before putting it in her pocket.

"Thanks for this, So you staying around Storybrooke?" She asked him. He nodded.

"Until I'm no longer needed. your mother had a nasty dose last night. It was necessary." he told her. Mary Margret was keeping a big secret for her daughter, she needed to learn the consequents of her's and David's actions. Emma just nodded and walked out the shop.

"Well that was just fucking bizarre," She said to herself as she started her way back down to the office." Man controls dreams, not the BFG my arse!"

She tucked the sand carefully in her draw. She eats her sandwich in the office and then holstered her gun, ready to walk around. She went back on the street. She thought about her parents and why they were acting so strange. It had to be bad news. She needed to talk to them soon.

Regina was picking Henry up from school in Emma's bug because Emma was using the work car. They were going to the diner before they went to Aldara's. Regina had this feeling in the pit of her stomach something bad was happening in Storybrooke. With Rumple back with Cruella, Ursula and Maleficent it couldn't mean puppies and rainbow on the horizon. Emma had mentioned Snow and David had been acting weirdly too. If those two were hiding something it had to be big. Their daughter meant everything to them, if only they could see what there distancing was doing to Emma. She had pulled away from them, the pirate too. Regina knew it had been affecting the blond more than she let on.

During their little talk, Emma had told Regina, that it upset her. She felt like she had done something wrong. Regina had reassured her that it was her. It was her parent's who were in the wrong. Keeping things from her and being distant. Hook was just as bad. He had been pulling away too. Emma had been feeling like her family was falling apart. Regina and Henry were the only people talking to her.

She drove to Grannies and parked up. They were meeting Emma there in ten minutes. She opened the door and sat at the bar was Ursula and Cruella. They both turned to face her.

"Regina, we could use a heart rip over here. Grannie needs a little encouragement taking our order." Usurla said to He as she closed the door behind her.

"Yes a very effective tactic didn't you once rip out every heart of every village of the north woods," Cruella said to her as Regina grabbed Henry's hand protectively.

"Or was it the south?" Ursula added. Regina controlled her inner anger for the second whilst her son was present. She bent down to whisper to him.

"Uh... Why don't you head to my office, get started on the book" She asked him, she has told him about her plan earlier in the car. He had been all for it.

"Sure, make sure you get chocolate frosted donuts, not chocolate donuts ok" He reminded her. Regina couldn't really tell the difference but Henry always insisted they were better. She hummed to show she understood and he left. She waited until he was gone to talk.

"Let me be clear Ladies...If you bring up my former sins around my son again, you'll find yourself across the town line faster than you can say 'costume Jewelry'!" She gave them a grave face making it clear her, her son and the rest of her family were not to be messed with.

"These are blood diamonds, I'll have you know," Cruella said offended.

"Come on, let take our business elsewhere," Ursula said in an irritated tone. Regina just glared at them as they left. Snow and David left there booth to come and talk to her.

"So whats the plan here?" David asked. Snow and he had been instantly wary of their new visitors. They had been doing their own investigation into the witch trio.

"To deal with our latest...crisis" Snow asked she looked like she was hiding how scared she was, she wasn't doing a great job of it though. Regina could always tell when Snow was frightened, call it an intuition.

"Those two might be tactless morons, but ...They couldn't magic their way out a paper bag. I wouldn't worry. And they're here to seek redemption." Regina said to the not entirely believing that fact herself.

"You don't really believe that," Mary Margret asked her stunned and a little angry Regina was just brushing their caution away. The puppy killer and fish hadn't really been top of her priorities considering they were as harmless as they were useful. Sure Maleficent could be a problem but Regina knew that woman well enough to know when she was in on it. She had come here looking for something else completely.

"If I didn't think it was a distinct possibility, I wouldn't have let them in town in the first place," Regina told them. The Charming's had gotten on her nerves, no matter how much Emma had trusted her decision, the blond's parents still doubted her.

"Now that they're here, we have to be certain, which means keeping eyes on them 24/7," David added. Regina knew that Emma had been keeping her own tabs on the trio. Regina had seen enough to know right now they weren't an issue. Sure she would love a little more information, but that wasn't just going to appear out of thin air. She would wait until her sheriff told her there was an issue as any good mayor would. Pre-judging was something of a qualm to her.

"Which sounds like a job for the sheriff's department. I have bigger things to worry about. Don't forget about dinner tonight, Emma's cooking." Regina said the pushy pair had twitched one of her nerves that were already a little tender. She walked past them and went to order.

"Our daughter can cook?" Snow said quietly to David. He just shrugged they went back to their booth. Regina made sure not to make eye contact when she left the diner. She could still see them in the corner of her eye following her as she walked away, Obviously wanting to ask about Emma cooking but not having enough balls to do it. The brave and mighty everyone. As Regina closed the door behind her she spotted Emma stood by her sheriff car that was parked up by Regina's. She was talking to Hook. Who had noticed Regina coming out and awkwardly said goodbye to Emma?

"Hello Swan, what brings you here?" Regina asked knowing exactly why the blond had come to the cafe. She handed her two paper bags and a disposable coffee cup.

"You didn't?" Emma said opening the bag. Inside the first was two bear claws, in the second a grilled cheese. "Two as well, You must love me!" Emma said grabbing her waist and giving her a big smooch. Regina pulled back embarrassed.

"EMMA!" She said trying to sound angry but just ended up laughing at the blond who just grinned and bit into one of the pastries. Regina shook her head. " Oh, by the way, I dropped the 'Emma's cooking' bomb on your parents. Their reaction wasn't one of complete horror so I think you stand a chance." Regina said teasing her. Emma slapped her on the arm lightly still chewing. She finally swallowed.

"I've got to go somewhere with Dad then I will come and meet you at your Office," Emma said.

"Oh, so you're abandoning me with the junk box again. Henry is already there, I had a run in with Cruella and Ursula, they brought up my past around Henry rather insensitively" Regina said. Emma opened the door of her bug for Regina to get in. Regina took her seat and Emma closed the door and leaned through the window.

" Yeah me too, Hook knows something about Ursula. They just jealous because you've won. You have a son, even Snow and David have welcomed you with open-ish arms" Emma said knowing that Regina probably knew this, Emma just wanted to make sure the woman didn't doubt that she made the right choice when she chose the light side.

"I know dear, more so I have you and they definitely should be jealous of that," Regina said she took Emma's face in her hands and place a light kiss on her mouth. "I'll see you in soon, missus. Don't be too late!" Regina warned her playfully.

"Yes Madam Major," Emma said, she quickly snuck another kiss and ran off childishly. Regina shook her head and laughed at her girlfriend. How in the world had she ended up in love with such a goofball?

Emma made her way up the stairs of the town hall towards Regina's office. She knew Regina was nervous about their little trip so she brought along a bottle of wine for her and Aldara to share. Being the responsible bug driver she was she would drink. She knocked on the door and heard Henry and Regina talking behind.

"Come in Emma" Regina shouted. Emma was surprised she knew it was her until she remembered the door had glass panels. She opened the door and saw them sat at her desk looking at a magic copy of the Storybook.

"What's up?" She asked them, they were both hunched over the book staring at it.

" I need to talk to Pinocchio, well... August" Regina said deep in thought. Emma hummed in response and went to stand next to her. She put shoulder.

"You gonna elaborate on that?" Emma asked she rubbed her back.

"We think he might know more about the author. I told Mom he took the pages out to show you. She thinks he might know something we don't" Henry said.

"But August is Pinnochio now he doesn't remember being August?" Emma said. Regina kept her eyes on the loose pages. more ingrossed in them than she should be. "Gina?" Emma said not liking that the brunette wasn't saying anything.

"I need to change him back Emma, I have to. The author he will know about Aldara. He can tell me why I abandoned my own daughter!" Regina said passionately. She realized she was getting worked up and took a deep breath, " Sorry"

"It's fine Mom. I don't think changing Pinnohico is the best answer to this though" Henry told her. "Like I said the Mother Superior said there were clues in the book. I just need more time to look Mom" He said this was dark magic territory, he wouldn't let his Mom go back to that. Not now, not ever.

"Henry, what ifs my only chance?" Regina asked her son sadly.

"Dark magic is never an option," Henry said putting his foot down.

"I agree if we are doing this we are doing it properly," Emma said, She trusted her son could find something. "Okay, we need to go because Mom and Dad are coming round at nine and it's five now. I'm gonna need at least two hours to get ready for dinner tonight."

"Are you sure about this Emma?" Regina asked still hesitant to talk with Aldara now she knew more about her backstory.

"Gina she's your kid, She's smart. If she hasn't worked out you've changed yet then she's blinding herself." Emma said grabbing Regina's hands in her own. Regina nodded and stood up. Emma hugged her, Regina pulled Henry into the hug and kissed his forehead.

"Let's do this" Regina said she smiled at them, still a little unsure but feeling better. After all, she had the Saviour and the truest believer with her.

Aldara was sat on her small patchwork armchair writing a song. She had her guitar in her lap and a notebook balanced on her knee. She was going back and forth the two jotting lyrics down and figuring the next ones out with the melody that had popped into her head earlier that day. She had gotten the chorus but the verses were a little more tricky.

She was about to do another playthrough when she heard a knock on her front door. She stood up, placing the notebook and guitar on the armchair. She walked nervously to the door. She knew her mother was stood behind it. She really did want to give her a chance though. If someone hadn't given her chance a while back she would never be where she was today. She took a deep breath and unlatched the door. Opening it, revealing Regina, Emma and Henry stood there. The two women were smiling shyly at her but Henry was beaming at her.

"Hey, we're back," He said still grinning. He like that he had a big sister, he liked even more than his big sister was Regina's. He loved his Mom and knew she always regretted not having a child of her own. He knew that if they could talk today properly that his Mom would be even happier than she was. She didn't need to find her happy ending because they were going to bring it to her.

"Hey Cutie, Emma...Mom" She said smiling at them. She could see that her Mom had a good support system. Her support system was in another realm but she knew that they were waiting for her. Regina was staring at her but Aldara could see her finding her own features on her face. Each one bringing a smile to her face.

"Hi," Regina said smiling timidly. Emma handed her the bottle she had brought with her.

"Icebreaker," She said smiling at Aldara.

"I'm ok, I don't really into wine, but I'll go find a glass for you." Aldara stood back and waved them in.

"That okay I wasn't really in a drinking mood anyway," Regina said, "I should probably keep a straight head for this, well give it to Snow and David tonight"

"But I already got them one?" Emma pointed out. Regina sighed.

"Then they can have two," Regina said giggling a little.

"Or...I could keep it?" Emma said nudging Regina playfully. "Ehhh"

"Sure we can keep it," Regina said Emma put her arm around her around her. Regina kissed the cheek.

"So you guys are together then?" Aldara said smirking at them "Your kind are of adorable together." Emma grinned at Aldara.

"Thanks," She said in a cheery tone. Regina was just looking at the floor embarrassed.

"Ah come on Mom, you can't be embarrassed by that," Henry said chuckling at her.

"I'm not embarrassed, " She said trying to hide in Emma's jacket. Aldara chucked at Regina.

"I'll go get us some drinks coffee good, you're stuck with Soda Henry," She told them and ruffled Henry's hair. " By the way kid, that storybook has helped ton's. You're special, don't let people tell you otherwise" She said knowing that Henry would have had to face his own hardships as the Evil Queen's son. Kid's could be cruel at his age.

"Oh he know's I tell him all the time," Regina said pulling him to her side.

"You guys take a seat, I'll be back in a moment," Aldara said going into the kitchen.

"You were right this place is pretty amazing," Regina said, Her daughter clearly had her good taste.

"Yeah, I told you didn't I, look at the guitar. She must have been playing before we got here." Emma said walking over to it. She didn't pick it up, not wanting to be rude.

"OH do you think she will play for us," Henry said excitedly. He jumped up. " I'm going to go ask her" He left the room that fast Emma and Regina didn't have time tell him she probably wouldn't want to. Regina didn't think she was there with her yet, she could be wrong.

Emma and Regina sat on a small loveseat. There quietly looking around the room, hands tangled together. Emma looked at Regina who looked calmer than she had all day.

"I told you she was nice," Emma said nudging her slightly.

"Yeah you did, Emma you've been my rock, thank you," She said and lent her head on Emma's shoulder. Who lent her head on Regina's.

Henry came back in with Aldara, helping her to carry the drinks.

He gave Emma's to her and sat on the floor by his Mom's the small front room could barely fit the small love seat and the armchair.

Aldara gave Regina her cup with a timid smile. She set her own cup on the side table by her chair. She turned to face Regina and Emma.

"So how did it happen?" Aldara asked curious about how they had ended up together.

"Emma was looking after Henry and I a while back when I caught the flu. I think it just developed from there. We didn't really talk about it properly at first but, I think we knew what was going on" Regina said smiling her daughter then at Emma who wore a cheesy grin

"Your arrival kind of triggered it I think, so thanks for that" Emma said chuckling.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about the forcefield, I didn't think Mom would be that easy, to find. I had like seven of those shards hidden in Storybrooke" Aldara said, " I really hadn't expected you to be friend with the Saviour" She said smiling. " Um.. so Henry asked If I would play you guys something." She said nervously. Henry nodded. " I guess I could play you one song." She said smiling at Henry's enthusiasm. Se picked up her guitar and coughed nervously. She started to play.

Regina listened intently as her astounding voice filled the small room. She watched her finger's dancing across the strings. She could feel her passion through her music. She felt privileged to be able to listen to her. After everything she never thought Aldara would let her in so fast. She couldn't help the goofy grin on her face as her daughter sung, although she did wonder who the song was for. She didn't want to push too much in case Aldara wasn't ready to talk about it yet.

When Aldara was finished she gave them a shy smile, whilst hiding behind her hair.

"Your incredible" Henry said standing up to run over and hug her which she happily accepted.

"Thanks, kid," she said. He pulled away.

"Whats it called? Could you teach me?" He asked smiling at her.

"Did You Forget," She said. " Sure, maybe something a little easier first though." She giggled.

"Yes," He said holding his hand up for a high five. Aldara slapped her hand on his. Regina and Emma were still sat there silent.

"You wrote that?" Regina asked her. Aldara nodded smiling. " That...It's..."

"Breathtaking" Emma finished just as gobsmacked. She hadn't been expecting that voice. She was beyond incredible.

" Umm... thanks. Do you guys do that a lot?" Aldara asked a little weirded out but their couplely-ness.

"Yeah recently, It weird isn't it" Henry informed her. She nodded and they both giggled.

"Hey Aldara, do you wanna come over to Regina's for dinner tonight. My parents are coming too. I'm cooking" She said proudly, but Regina gave Aldara a stare that told her the blond didn't cook much.

"Yeah sounds like fun, mind if I tag along with you guys?" Aldara asked she hadn't used her magic for a while not wanting to use dark magic anymore. Hoping she could overcome it like her Mother. She wouldn't mind seeing what unraveled at this dinner party If Snow and David were going to be there and Emma was cooking something hilarious was bound to happen. She couldn't believe a few days ago she had almost ruined this family. She was so happy that Henry had come with Emma. He made her realize Regina must be a decent person because she could tell that this boy loved both of his Moms but Regina was his 'Mummy'. You could tell by the way he was with her that he wouldn't ask to have been brought up by anyone else.