Chapter 20: Another Adventure Awaits

Three months later

"Captain Swan, where are we off to now?" Regina asked as the ship cut through the ocean. The sky had darkened, turning the water into a rusty color. It matched Regina's official pirate garbs. She had been finally inducted into the crew as a proper member. She could not be more proud. Emma had bought her the clothing, tailored to make Regina look absolutely dashing. Neal had gifted her with a cutlass, Sabine gifted her with a flintlock pistol, and Ruby had given Regina a black wide brimmed hat with a plume on the side to match her outfit.

Neal and Sabine had gotten together, finally making it official with a band of matching gold. Ruby had her own eye on one of the hired crew on deck and Regina had been helping her with that. So far they had only bumped into another pirate ship once and fought with them, before chasing them off. Regina had put her new gun and sword to the test then.

"You, are not going anywhere," Emma said, approaching Regina from behind and wrapping her arms around her waist before kissing her on the back of her neck. Regina had cut her hair again and it was shorter than before, only going to her chin. "You threw up on the last guy you fought."

"Nonsense, I can still fight. It was just a one off event," Regina said.

"Yea, Regina's cool when she fights too," Henry said, coming out to join them. He had his own little nifty pirating outfit, and a wooden sword. He was still too young to use a real sword, in Emma's opinion. But, he was handy with it and had proven it during swordplay when he bruised Emma's shin so badly she couldn't walk for a day.

Regina smiled down at him. She had taken warmly to Henry, which made Emma so happy. They felt like a little happy family.

"I still think we can stop by a doctor's on our travels. I just want to make sure..." Emma trailed off.

"Do you think?" Regina said, turning to Emma, the blonde already filling in the blanks.

"I want to make sure. It shouldn't have happened but..." at this a shrug. She pulled away from Regina, worried she would hate this. Would hate it like Lily had. But Regina was smiling softly.

"Then I'm ready, if you are," was all she said and Emma felt her heart soar. She had traveled all these miles and finally found the one. The perfect one for her. She leaned in to want to kiss Regina but Henry made a retching noise and they pulled apart.

"If that's the case, we'll have to find a place to settle down in."

"But your quest for August?"

"He's a hunk of metal. He won't go anywhere," she said. She kept him safely stored in the cargo hull of the ship she traveled on.

"And neither will I. I'm here to stay," Regina said, turning back to look at the ocean.

Castle cells

"You know, I could offer you greatness," the imp said, smiling with black teeth. Cora held up a limp head. She was weary. Tired, and cold. Her own daughter, her own flesh and blood had treated her like this after all she did was care for her and try to keep her safe.

She didn't understand. Poison had been fed to her by those pirates. Everything was ruined now.

"I don't want greatness," Cora spat, pushing limp hair out of her eyes. "I want my daughter back."

"And I can give you that." He giggled. She looked at him properly. Who was he, and how had he gotten in here?

"How?" she sneered at the short man with the greasy hair.

He held out his hand, purple mist drifting off of it. "Have you ever heard of magic?"

She got up, eyes transfixed on this. Suddenly, a wide grin split her mouth and she began to laugh.

Just when she thought things had reached an end, they had only reached a new beginning.

A/N: Ending this series here. It's a bit of a cliff hanger but it gives me a chance to decide to continue this or leave it on this note where more adventure awaits them, along with a future as a happy family. Thanks for those who stuck through with this story until it's end.