Take me to Wonderland
Chapter 4
Emma left the hospital with hanging shoulders.
Ruby would not get released before Monday, David was in a coma and Mary Margaret was devastated beyond words.
A truck had crashed into David's car Wednesday evening, because the driver had been drunk and had fallen asleep behind the steering wheel and while Ruby had been "lucky", David had gotten injured badly.
Doctors had been able to stabilize him, but he had fallen into a coma and nobody knew when or if he would wake up again.
Ruby and Mary Margaret's fiancé had been on their way to pick up the wedding gift David had chosen for his soon-to-be wife, but they had never reached their destination, because life had shown its cruelest side.
Emma had spent the last days cancelling everything wedding related, because Mary Margaret had refused to leave David's side, had kept sitting in an uncomfortable chair beside his bed, holding his hand.
Now that she left the hospital after visiting Ruby and telling Mary Margaret that she had taken care of everything, Emma felt numb.
She had been so close to losing two of her best friends and while Ruby was recovering quickly, David's fate had yet to be decided and Emma was scared. She was scared for all of them, because nobody knew what would happen and in that moment Emma realised that not knowing was by far the worst.
Being caught between fear and hope, between doubt and faith was draining and she felt as if she would go crazy.
How Mary Margaret could handle it was beyond her.
Emma couldn't understand where her friend had found the strength to keep positive, to keep believing, because Emma was aware that she would not be able to do it, but then again she never had been such an optimistic person.
And considering the facts, how could she be?
They should be celebrating Mary Margaret's and David's wedding by now, they should be laughing and drinking, everyone should be happy.
But life had thrown them a curveball.
A drastic one.
"How's everyone?"
The sound of Killian's voice had Emma out of her lost thoughts within a second and she caught sight of one of the Swan shipping company's pick-up trucks.
Graham, a good friend of Emma's and her photographer of choice for her events, was also the on/off boyfriend of Killian and they had offered to pick up all the boxes with the wedding decorations, which had given her the opportunity to check in on Ruby, Mary Margaret and David.
"Where's Graham?", Emma wondered about her friend's absence and hoped that the photographer and the eccentric make-up artist hadn't gotten into a fight again.
"He has a photo shoot tonight, love. I just dropped him off at his apartment."
The answer caused Emma to sigh in relief, because truth be told, she would not be able to handle any more drama at this point.
By the time they had finished putting all the boxes into the storage Emma had rented, it was almost 9 pm and she was exhausted. The last few days had taken a toll on her and a part of her was still hoping that this was all one big nightmare and that she would wake up soon.
"You look like you could use a drink…", Killian stated and Emma only nodded, causing the make-up artist to smile widely, "Great! Let's go to The Rabbit Hole. Ruby seems to be obsessed with that club."
At the mention of Emma's personal hell she faltered, her face going pale within a second, which did not stay unnoticed by Killian, "What's up, darling? Are you alright? You might want to sit down for a second…"
But Emma's thoughts were too far gone already and she did no longer pay attention to him.
Regina.
She had left her standing in the doorway Wednesday evening and had not even thought about her since. She simply had been too busy, too worried about her friends, her mind occupied with cancelling the wedding.
But now that she was reminded of the mysterious brunette and her son Emma felt guilty, simply because she had insisted that not everybody would let them down and yet she had stormed off without an explanation and had not bothered to get back to Regina since.
Now that Emma was confronted with it she felt like she had already failed, that she had already proven once more that her promises were nothing, but empty words.
"Did I say something wrong, love?", Killian watched Emma in confusion, slightly worried, because his friend was obviously struggling with something.
"Let's go to my place…I need some advice."
Emma had never wanted to share this story about Regina and her son with anyone, but she knew that Killian could be trusted, he had always been a reliable friend.
And she had to get it out.
All her worries about the brunette and her child, about the life they were leading were getting to her.
Killian had listened all along – without interruptions – and now he was studying Emma again, which made her feel rather nervous.
"You really have a thing for this Regina, haven't you?"
"What? No. Not like that…it's just…I could have ended up like that…easily. You and I…we both know it. I was lucky, she wasn't. But she deserves better and her son does too. Hell, everyone would deserve better than what they've got. And I want to help…I just don't know how", Emma tried to explain although she knew quite well that there was more to this than what she was willing to admit. She was fascinated by Regina Mills, truly fascinated, but she knew that it was a story with a dead end, simply because she was not looking for a committed relationship and the brunette was not interested in women – so there really was no point to this and yet she wanted to help Regina to turn her life around.
"Well, love…I get that you want to help her and I think you are right. A child should not grow up like that…", Killian admitted and took a sip of his wine.
"Yeah…and I keep thinking and thinking…but I can't come up with something useful to help them", Emma sighed.
"If you really want to help them…stop thinking about it so much, love. Stop thinking and just do it!"
By the time Emma arrived at The Rabbit Hole it was already close to midnight.
She had thought about Killian's words for a while and in the end she had not been able to stay at home and go to bed. She had to talk to Regina, she had to do something.
She still had not figured out how to help the stripper and her son, but she would in time.
Emma would follow her instincts, but first she needed to see Regina and explain – if the brunette would talk to her this time.
The moment Emma entered the club, dove into the nightmare of Wonderland, she was greeted by Jefferson's smile and she could not stop herself from rolling her eyes in annoyance.
Did this guy always work?
"Emma Swan…what a pleasure to see you. Again."
"Good evening, Jefferson", she felt proud that she was finally able to recall The Mad Hatter's name, "I need to talk to Regina for a minute. It's important."
"Well, well…you're lucky. Her next show starts in about an hour, so I might as well let you see her…she's in her dressing room. Follow me…"
Emma knocked, her hand shaking, and a sharp "Come in" could be heard, which caused her to open the door and enter the room, just to find Regina sitting on a small couch, covered in a robe.
"Miss Swan! What the hell are you doing here?" the brunette growled, obviously not so thrilled to see her once again.
Emma wanted to explain, wanted to say something, when she caught sight of the small form next to Regina's, "It that Henry? What is he doing here?"
At the sound of his name the boy started to stir and Regina started to panic.
The blonde definitely would call social services now. How could she not?
"Emma…", Henry rubbed his eyes, making sure that he was not dreaming.
"Hey kid, sorry to wake you…but what are you doing here?"
Regina was still sitting there, shocked and in fear, not even able to blink. She would lose Henry if somebody found out that she had taken him to work, but she did not have another choice.
"Eugenia…Granny…she is usually watching us when mom and Ashley are working…but she is sick and she had to go to hospital…", Henry stated after a few seconds, sensing that his mother was scared and uncomfortable.
"I see. Regina?"
Emma turned to face the brunette and caught the fear in the brunette's eyes, "Regina, listen…I'm not going to judge you…but you and I...we both know…that this is no place for a kid. If somebody else, but me will find out that Henry is here…you'll be in big trouble…"
"Tell me something I don't know, Miss Swan. I didn't want to come to work today…but Gold didn't leave me with a choice…", the stripper spat out at last.
"I see…well, let me help you…I could watch Henry tonight…", Emma suggested without giving it a second thought. All she knew was that the kid had to get out of the club as soon as possible.
"No! You don't get to take my son…", Regina started to yell, but Henry took her arm and made her stop immediately, nodding into Emma's direction, signalizing her to continue.
"I don't want to take Henry away from you, Regina. I promise. I don't. I just want to help…he can stay with me and I'll send you a car…so you can pick him up at my place. It's really no big deal", Emma took a deep breath, "Let me help…just this once. Do it for Henry."
Regina stood there, watching Emma like a hawk, countless expressions running over her face and the blonde expected to be slapped any second, but then Henry broke the dangerous silence, "Mom, please. Let her help us…at least tonight. I don't want you to get in trouble."
His pleading eyes were Regina's undoing and she nodded with a heavy sigh, "Fine. Only for tonight."
Then she turned to face Emma again, "I will be finished at 3.30 am…I'll come over right away to pick him up."
"Of course", Emma smiled and took one of her business cards out of her pocket, "Do you have a pen?"
Once she had written her address on the backside of the card she handed it to Regina, "I'll send Leroy to pick you up. He'll bring you straight to my place."
Regina nodded in understanding and after a moment of hesitation she added, "Thank you, Miss Swan."
Henry grabbed his backpack and got ready to leave and Emma was relieved that the brunette had agreed to let her son go with her.
For one, because she knew that Regina would never let Henry stay with her if she would not know that it would be okay. It also gave Emma hope that the brunette had finally started to realise that she indeed meant no harm.
Maybe Regina would reach out after all?
But then she saw the sadness in the brunette's eyes, saw that she beat herself up over the fact that she could not take better care of her own child, even when it was not Regina's fault.
And so it was Emma, who reached out in the end – to grab the brunette's arm.
To get her attention.
To reassure her that everything was going to be fine.
She regretted it only a second later when she saw how Regina's eyes went wide – horror, terror shining in her brown eyes and before Emma knew it Henry was standing next to her, "Emma, let her go...just let her go."
Emma loosened her grip immediately and stepped back, "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…"
All she could do was stare at Regina, who seemed to be frozen to the spot, caught in her own horror and darkness, while Henry tried his best to calm his mother down, whispering words of comfort, assuring Regina that everything was okay and that Emma had no intention of hurting her.
Emma watched the scene, feeling helpless and truly concerned, and she realised for the first time that Regina's past might have been a lot worse than she had expected, that Regina Mills might be a lot more damaged than she had ever thought possible.
Once Regina had regained her composure Henry and Emma had left through the back entrance of The Rabbit Hole and the blonde had not even dared to look at the stripper, because Emma felt like she had committed a serious crime by grabbing Regina's wrist.
Never would she do anything to the brunette, never would she force anything on her.
Henry must have sensed her discomfort, because he had given her an apologetic smile, "You have to know one thing about my mom…she doesn't like it if somebody touches her or grabs her. She can't handle it well…except for when she is at work. Then it's all business and she hides behind her mask…but besides that…it's really no good idea to…you know…the only one she is comfortable with is me…."
"I understand. I promise it won't happen again, kid. I really didn't mean to hurt her."
"I know."
Henry's convincing tone made Emma feel better, at least a little, because there was no doubt that he believed her, believed in her.
And right that moment Emma Swan swore to herself to never let him down.
By the time they had arrived at Emma's penthouse Henry was so tired that he was not even able to take in his surroundings, so she led him straight to the guestroom and it took the boy not even a minute to pass out on the bed.
Emma stood there for a while, watching Henry's even breathing and it hit her that there was indeed something she could do to help Regina and her son.
All she had to do was to convince the brunette – if only that would be an easy thing to do.
When she was sure that Henry would not wake up Emma returned to the living room and let herself fall onto her couch, sighing heavily.
She was worn out from the last couple of days, but especially from the incident in the stripper's dressing room earlier.
Regina clearly had been through a lot and it had to be some really bad stuff if her reaction from earlier was anything to go by, but Emma knew that the brunette would never reveal her past, because Regina did not trust her and did not feel nowhere near safe around her.
It also dawned on Emma that what she had considered a step forward, the permission to watch Henry tonight, probably was nothing, no progress at all.
Because in the end it had been Regina's one and only option – except for being caught and reported by someone.
Since she feared that she would fall asleep any second Emma called Leroy, one of her family's drivers and told him to pick Regina up at The Rabbit Hole at 3.30 am.
Sharp.
And before she knew it she had drifted off to sleep.
Regina had been nervous the whole drive through town, but the fact that there had been a driver waiting for her as Emma had promised had calmed her nerves a little.
Now that she entered the building, just to be greeted by a security guy, all her fears and insecurities came back.
What if he was there to stop her from getting her son back? What if Emma had called social services? What if Emma would try to take Henry away from her?
"Good morning, Miss. Can I help you?"
Regina was startled by the question and had to blink a few times to get her dark thoughts under control enough to answer, "Yes..I'm…I am here to see Miss Emma Swan."
"Of course. You must be Miss Mills then. Miss Swan is expecting you. Just take the elevator to the top floor."
She sighed in relief at his statement and followed his instructions, entering the elevator only a second later.
Taking one deep breath Regina pushed the button, praying that Emma truly meant well.
She woke up to the sound of somebody knocking on her door and Emma jumped up from the couch, slightly disorientated, her heart pounding in her chest, but then she remember that it had to be Regina.
Unfortunately that realization made her heart race even more.
Ignoring the fact Emma made it to the door and pulled it open, almost knocking herself out in the progress, rolling her eyes at her own stupidity.
When she met Regina's gaze and recognised how worried the brunette looked Emma managed to pull herself together, aware that she had to act normal or she would work up Regina even more and that was the last thing she wanted.
"Hello Regina…please, come on in."
She stepped aside to allow the brunette to enter her penthouse.
Emma noticed how Regina's eyes roamed through the living room and open kitchen, obviously looking for her son and a small smile appeared on the blonde's face, because she had expected nothing less from the stripper.
Her exclusive apartment, the expensive furniture, the stunning view from the balcony, nothing caught Regina's eye.
The only thing the brunette cared about was her son.
"Henry is asleep in the guest room. It's the first door on the right", Emma stated quickly and Regina headed towards it without another word.
Emma had been careful not to close the door completely, so she would hear Henry in case he had a nightmare or something. The other reason was that the door could be opened quietly without waking him and now that she watched Regina standing in the doorway, looking at her sleeping son, Emma knew she had done the right thing.
"He looks so peaceful."
Regina's words were barely a whisper.
"He does. Do you want something to drink? Water maybe? Or some tea?", Emma suggested carefully and got a nod in return, "Some water would be nice."
Regina was sitting on the big, comfortable couch, a glass of water in hand and Emma noticed how tense the brunette seemed to be, which made her nervous as hell.
"Listen, Regina…about earlier…I didn't mean to…to hurt you…or…I just…I'm sorry."
She dropped her head in shame, but this time it was Regina, who surprised her, "Nothing to be sorry about, Miss Swan. You couldn't know."
Regina tried to give the blonde a smile although she knew that it would not be very convincing and that Emma would see right through it, but she was too tired to care.
For a few minutes neither of them spoke, but then Emma cleared her throat, "You shouldn't wake Henry up…you should let him sleep."
"What are you saying?"
Regina stared at the blonde, slightly confused, afraid that Emma would tell her to leave Henry with her.
"I'm saying…you should stay the night. You can sleep in the guestroom with your son…I'm sure he wouldn't mind."
Emma knew she was walking on thin ice and that Regina probably would get it all wrong and go off on her within a second, but on the other hand the brunette cared more about her son's well-being than about her own, so maybe she would accept the offer.
"That's very kind, Miss Swan, but I'm sure you have plans tomorrow and you've done more than enough…"
"It's Sunday. Henry could sleep in…and it would be my pleasure. Look, Regina…I know you are tired…so why don't you lie down and get some well-deserved and much needed rest? Why would you wake your son up and drive through half of the town…to go to bed…when you can as well sleep here?"
"Fine."
One word.
One word, that brought this huge smile to Emma's face.
"Okay, I'll get you some clothes to change and a towel. I'll be right back."
She had shown Regina the bathroom, had given her one of her tank tops and boxer shorts, which had caused the brunette to look at her with a frown, but Emma had told her they were the most comfortable clothes to sleep in and now they were standing in front of the guestroom, staring at each other once again.
"Uhm…well…my..my bedroom is right next to the living room…on the left…Just in case you need anything", Emma explained and realised how weird it sounded, "I mean…if there is an emergency or something. I didn't mean to suggest…you know."
She shrugged helplessly and blushed slightly.
"I understand, Miss Swan."
Regina's façade stayed intact, although she was not as comfortable as she wished she would be.
"If you get thirsty or hungry or whatever…just help yourself. Good night, Regina."
"Good night, Miss Swan."
When Emma entered the living room in the late morning she found Henry sitting on the couch, watching cartoons and she had to smile, "Morning, kid."
"Hey Emma! Mom is still sleeping...thanks for making her stay…she really needs some rest."
"I figured as much. What do you think…should we make breakfast for your mom?" Emma suggested quickly, earning a big grin from her little guest, "That would be so awesome."
By the time Regina appeared in the kitchen the table was set, the smell of coffee and pancakes consuming her senses and she eyed Emma in surprise.
The blonde handed her a mug, "Sit down, please. Your son and I made breakfast. You're our guest today."
Once they were all seated and enjoying their food, Emma recognized how relaxed Regina seemed to be and it gave her the courage to start the conversation, which could change everything.
"Henry, would it be okay if your mom and I talked for a moment after breakfast?"
"Sure. Why not", the little boy nodded and kept eating while Regina had stopped dead in her tracks, obviously fearing the worst.
"Nothing to be afraid of, Regina. I just want to talk to you, because I have an offer to make…"
