A/N: I just wanted to thank everyone for the reviews and lovely messages again!

You guys are the most wonderful people...I mean it!

Thanks to everyone, who is reading, following, favoriting, reviewing etc.

You are terrific...all of you.

And now on with the story...and back to Wonderland ;)

Much love and have a nice weekend, everyone!

xoxo

Ps.: Before I forget it...credit where credit is due - the lyrics I used in this chapter are taken from the song "Wonderland" by Natalia Kills


TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND

CHAPTER 15

Jefferson was already waiting for Emma and Regina when they arrived at The Rabbit Hole and led them right into Regina's dressing room.

"Can I get you something to drink, ladies?"

Emma knew right away that Regina would not answer, because the brunette was awfully tense and nervous, so she turned to face The Mad Hatter, "Just some water...oh, and maybe some tea?"

Jefferson chuckled at the mention of tea, but nodded, "I'll let The White Rabbit know that it's tea time."

That said he winked at Emma and left the room, but came back only a few seconds later, making Regina jump in the process, "Before I forget it. Your first show is in an hour. And the second one around midnight."

That got Regina's attention, "Only two?"

"Yep. Gold seemed to be rather pleased with Emma's work so far...so, only two shows and...no more lap dances for you. Two shows and you're good to go."

It was Regina's turn to nod and she let out a relieved sigh.

Only two shows.

Thank God!

Two she could manage.


Regina had dressed and done her make up in complete silence while Emma had stood in front of the dressing room, chatting with Jefferson.

At some point she had heard Gold or at least she had thought she had heard him, but she was not sure.

She was too focused on getting this over with and be done with it forever.

Regina did not know what was wrong, but something was off.

She had always come here, done her job and had went home – end of story.

She had not liked it, but she had gotten used to it, had grown a certain routine and had managed to do what she could not avoid.

But tonight everything was different.

Everything felt so very wrong.

Hell, she had to get a grip, she had to get her shit together – she could not screw this up.

Not tonight, not now that she was so close to leaving.

Not now that she had a real chance to turn her life around.

For Henry.

For herself.

She fixed her make up with shaking hands like the first time she had prepared for a show back in the day.

This could not mean anything good.

Why was she so nervous when she should be happy?

Happy that she would be free from this place at last.

Two shows for heaven's sake.

Just two.

It could be so much worse.

Gold could have done something mean and terrible – he could have insisted that she had to do three, or even four shows and at least one or two lap dances, but no.

He had given her the easy way out.

Why was still beyond her, but appearantly Emma had worked her "magic" once again.

Emma.

The blonde had done so much for her, she could not fail today.

She owed Emma at least that much after the blonde had moved heaven and hell to get Gold to agree to this deal.

To agree to let her go.

That thought finally brought Regina's spirit back, at least part of it.

She would do this, she could do this.

And then she would get out of here and never look back.


Emma was sitting in the dressing room, waiting for Regina's return.

She was worried, concerned even, because she had noticed how Regina had forced herself out of the room, forced herself to head for the stage.

Something was wrong, but she did not know what it was and Regina had not said a word.

She had only squeezed her hand for a second when she had left, but had not even looked at her while doing that.

Probably Regina was already in full concentration mode for her performance, but Emma doubted it, because the brunette had seemed off all day, but it had not been as bad at home.

Once they had arrived at The Rabbit Hole though – everything had became really weird.

Regina had stood in her dressing room, staring at her reflection in the mirror without even so much as blinking – as if she had tried to find a flaw, a stain in her appearance or something.

Emma had no clue about what was going on, but according to Regina's behavior the brunette might not even know herself.

And that was what worried Emma the most, because Regina had always been awfully professional when she had talked about her job, almost stoic.

As if it would not even affect her, because she had this perfect mask.

At least as long as nobody took a closer look.

But today Regina did not seem to be anywhere near composed and Emma was scared that the brunette would do something stupid.

That she would do something to risk her freedom, to risk her chance of a new life.


Regina breathed heavily.

One down, one to go.

She had barely been able to perform properly, but somehow she had managed to function enough to satisfy the audience.

She had to do better next time, the last time or Gold would probably change his mind in the last second.

Yes, she was really that paranoid.

But who could possibly blame her?

She went off stage, put on her robe and handed Jefferson the bills she had received as she always did.

He nodded and smiled, "It's almost over, Regina. Just relax. Everything will be okay."

She gave him a tense nod in return and headed for her dressing room just to bump into a woman she was not familiar with.

Not at all.

And there was something about that woman, despite her color, something that had her alarms going off instantly.

"Who are you?" Regina forced out and furrowed a brow.

"Zelena. I'm the new one", the woman snapped back, obviously not fond of Regina either.

"That's impossible! You are...green."

"And you are rude", the woman with the black clothes and hat and the green painted skin barked out and headed off before Regina could have said anything else.

Gold would replace The Evil Queen with The Wicked Witch?

Now that was absolutely ridiculous.

But thankfully not her problem.

Regina continued her way to her dressing room when she caught sight of the one person she had been "friends" with in all those years at The Rabbit Hole.

Ashley Boyd.

They had never been that close, but they had shared the fate of being single moms, had shared being stuck in that hell hole.

And the moment Regina saw her a massive wave of guilt washed over her.

She had completely forgotten about Ashley.

When Henry had gotten sick she had called Emma and had left Mifflin Street without ever looking back, without so much as thinking about Ashley and Alexandra for a second.

But now that she was confronted with the blonde Regina felt terrible, because she realized that she had let Ashley down just the way everyone always had let her down.

She had just abandoned her like a used toy, thrown her away like she was not worth anything.

Ashley stared at her for a moment, but then turned around and left for the oppsite direction and that got Regina to move – finally.

"Ashley, wait!"


The blonde had disappeared into her own dressing room, but Regina had caught her before Ashley could have closed the door on her and to her surprise her stripper colleague offered her to come in.

Now that she stood in the room, facing Ashley, Regina felt completely out of place, but she knew she had to say something, "I'm sorry...that I disappeared on you."

"I bet you are...now that you live in that fancy apartment with that incredibly wealthy chick."

"I'm not living with her. Emma rented an apartment to me", Regina countered.

Ashley snorted, "Yeah, sure. As if you would be able to afford a place there...tell me, Regina...is it really easier to fuck someone you are not into than stripping for a few creeps, who never get to touch you?"

"What?" Regina's eyes went wide, "That's what you are thinking? I'm not sleeping with Emma...we are friends. That's it."

A bitter laugh escaped Ashley's lips, "Of course. Friends. And the next thing you'll tell me is that she helped you out of the goodness of her heart...without any ulterior motive...suuure."

Regina straightened her shoulders, because she would not allow Ashley to talk about Emma like that. Hell, she would allow no one to talk about Emma like that, " Believe it or not, but yes...that is exactly how it is. I know it sounds absurd...and I don't get why anyone would do that for someone like me...but that's how Emma is...she's just this good hearted person...who cared...when no one else did. I get that you are mad and you have every right to be...but you know that my heater didn't work and Henry got sick as hell...I had to do something...and Emma offered her help...she offered me a chance...and I took it. Believe what you want, Ashley...but the truth is the truth...you can't change that. I'm aware that this sounds too good to be true...I'm aware of that. But this once someone genuinely cares about me...and I had a hard time accepting that...you of all people should know how paranoid I am."

She might not have told Ashley anything about her past, but the blonde had witnessed enough situations over the years when Regina's fears had gotten the best of her.

She had to know that Regina did not trust easily.

When Ashley did not say anything Regina headed for the door, but turned around one last time, "For what it's worth...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I didn't call or anything. But I'm not sorry for trying to give my son a better life, because he deserve better than this. We all do."


When Regina finally returned to her dressing room there was a fresh cup of tea standing on the table and Emma was sitting on the couch, reading a book – Alice in Wonderland in fact.

She could not help, but chuckle at the sight, "I see Jefferson has brought you something to kill time."

Emma looked up and grinned at Regina, "Yeah. I mean it's not like I've read it already...like fifteen times...but hey...are you alright?"

Regina sighed and sat down next to Emma, shaking her head slightly, "I don't know. I feel so off, so on edge...and I have no idea why. I should be glad that it's finally over...and I am...maybe I'm just a bit scared...because this...here...is all I know. It's all I ever had...and I'm not sure what to expect from the future...will I be good enough at doing make up and stuff..."

She shrugged helplessy, "And then I ran into Ashley...and I realized that I had completely forgotten about her. The night I called you...when Henry was sick...I left without a word...I'm such a horrible person, really. I mean we were colleagues for years...we helped each other out, because we were both single moms...and I just left. We were not really close or friends...like you and I... but still...I'm giving people a hard time, because I'm so afraid to get let down again...and then I treat the only...companion I had...just the same. Everything's so fucked up."

"Regina, listen...you can't beat yourself up over that. I mean...okay...you should have told her, called her or whatever. But you know...phones work both ways...she could have called you as well", Emma handed her the cup of tea and Regina took it with a grateful nod, "And I get that you are afraid...that things will not work out...because that's what happened before. Your experience tells you that it can't be okay...but Regina, it will. You have to have faith...in yourself. You can do this. You can have a better life...you deserve it."


They had sat in silence after that for the most part until Regina had to get ready for her last performance and Emma had left the room so the brunette could get dressed.

But when Regina stepped out of the dressing room, more or less ready to fulfill her last job at the club, she did not let Emma return to the couch to continue reading while she waited.

"Could you...come with me?" Regina's eyes were pleading and Emma nodded her approval although she was not sure what was going on.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Just...take a seat...and...just be there. I know you won't glare at me like I would be a piece of meat...like the rest of the people here...I guess that will help me...to relax. To know you are here...that..."

Understanding was shining in Emma's eyes, "I get it. I'm coming with you."


Emma was trying to get comfortable in her seat, but she did not really succeed.

She would have preferred to stay in the dressing room, far away from here, but Regina clearly needed her and that's why Emma had not hesitated to sit down right here, in the middle of the audience of The Rabbit Hole.

But that did not mean that she liked it, because she did not.

Not one bit.

Before she could get lost in her thoughts though, the lights were already turned down, the spotlight focused on the middle of the stage where Jefferson appeared, "Ladies and Gentlemen...we proudly present...for the last time...The Evil Queen."

People cheered and Emma cringed, because she could not understand why someone could be giddy about someone stripping for them – and not even because they wanted to, but because they had to.

Because they had no other choice, because they had bills to pay.

No, this was all kinds of wrong and she would be damned if she ever would become so desperate that she would become a client of such an establishment.

Right then the music started and Regina entered the stage, wearing the exact same clothes like a few months prior when Emma had first seen her.

It was time.

Time for Regina to say her last good bye to The Rabbit Hole.

Time for Emma to focus on what was important – Regina and her well – being.

And so she took one deep breath and then she locked her gaze on the one thing that that would keep her sane in here – Regina's eyes.


Regina looked in Emma's directon for a second, realizing that the blonde was deep in thought, and she felt sorry for asking this of Emma, because the blonde clearly was uncomfortable.

But she had no time to worry about it, because the music started and she had a job to do after all.

Just one more time.

She started to move her body to the rhythm of the music, concentrating on the lyrics, concentrating on herself, because she could not look at anyone.

Not anymore.

She had come to realize that during her first performance. While she always had looked right into the audience, quite intimidating, she could not do that today, but why she was not capable of doing it was beyond her.

It did not matter anyway – all she had to do was to get over with her performance and leave.

I'm not Snow White but I'm lost inside this forest
I'm not Red Riding Hood but I think the wolves have got me
Don't want those stilettos, I'm not, not Cinderella
I don't need a knight so baby, take off all your armor

Regina had to chuckle at the lyrics. Wasn't it bizarre?

Because she had not realized it for the longest time, but a knight had been exactly what she had needed.

A savior so to speak.

And she had found it in Emma.

But when she wanted to take a glimpse at the blonde once again Regina realized that she could not look at Emma, not now, because she knew exactly that Emma would not be paying any attention to her body, but to her eyes and she was not ready to face her.

Not now anyway.

You be the beast and I'll be the beauty, beauty
Who needs true love as long as you love me truly?
I want it all but I want you more
Will you wake me up, boy, if I bite your poison apple?

Emma watched Regina's every blink and could not miss to notice that the brunette tried to avert meeting her gaze at all costs while Regina started to drop pieces of her outfit to the floor and more skin was exposed.

Not that Emma would be looking at anything, but the brown eyes, but she could see fabric falling in the corner of her own eye anyway.

I don't believe in fairytales
I don't believe in fairytales
I don't believe in fairytales
But I believe in you and me
Take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Wonderland, Wonderland

Regina shivered, feeling the greedy looks on her body, on her naked flesh, but she forced herself to go on, because there was no way back now.

She would do this, she would be free.

Of course her eyes moved through the room and although she had no intention of looking at Emma, she caught sight of her anyway.

Just for a second, but the second was enough.

Yes, Emma truly was a knight in shining armor how she sat there, tense and probably as uncomfortable as Regina and yet her gaze never wavered – it was locked on her face, on her eyes and nothing else.

And that did the trick for Regina, made her realize that she was not alone in this – that Emma respected her enough, cared for her enough to keep focused on the one thing that was important – to get this over with and be done with it.

Forever.

When I lay my head down to go to sleep at night
My dreams consist of things that'd make you wanna hide
Don't let me in your tower, show me your magic powers
I'm not afraid to face a little bit of danger, danger
I want the love, the money and the perfect ending
You want the same as I, I so stop pretending
I wanna show you how good we could be together
I wanna love you through the night, we'll be a sweet disaster

Emma had not missed the mere second Regina had looked at her, had not missed how the edges of the brunette's lips had curled up into the tiniest of smiles and she knew that Regina would make it.

And she was right, because right then the brunette's movements gained strength, pace and Regina put her body on show for the all those greedy people in the audience. For people, who believed that strippers were unworthy of respect and kindness, who believed strippers could be treated as they pleased, because they paid for it.

The bare thought sent shivers down Emma's spine, but the lyrics of the song were quite distracting and considering their situation completey bizarre.

And yet the lyrics were what had her attention, next to Regina's eyes, who played with the last pieces of her clothes, teased and danced like it would be no big deal.

Yes, this would be over soon.

I don't believe in fairytales
I don't believe in fairytales

I don't believe in fairytales
But I believe in you and me
Take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Wonderland, Wonderland, Wonderland

Regina had to focus on her performance, because she wanted to laugh out loud all of a sudden.

This was too weird.

Wonderland...

She pretty much felt like she would live there now.

Never had she thought her life would change so much one day.

She had not even dared to hope for anything like that, not after everything she had been through.

Not even in her wildest dreams she could have imagined anything like the the life she had now.

Maybe Emma was The White Rabbit and she had truly fallen through the rabbit hole?

What a ridiculous thought.

And yet it seemed so much more realistic than the actual truth.

She dropped her bra, aware that all eyes in the room were on her – on her breasts to be specific.

Except for Emma's.

The blonde was still sitting in her seat, watching her face like it was the only thing that mattered and that was when Regina realized that it was indeed the only thing that mattered.

At least to Emma.

Because Emma saw her for who she was.

I believe in you and me

And in that moment the scales fell from Regina's eyes.

I don't believe in fairytales
I don't believe in fairytales
I don't believe in fairytales
But I believe in you and me

Emma had not missed that some sort of realization must have hit Regina, because her eyes had spoken volumes before her gaze had dropped.

But Emma had caught the shifting expressions in Regina's brown eyes anyway.

There had been disgust and fear, horror even and Emma had become aware that Regina had been lying all this time.

She had never gotten used to expose herself in front of countless strangers, had always despised what she had to do for a living and that had to be the reason that Regina had been so on edge today.

Regina had been gone from The Rabbit Hole for quite a few days now and she had been more at ease since then.

Coming back here tonight had to be torture, especially since Regina always expected the worst and clearly the brunette feared that something would go wrong, that something would come up that would make her stay in the end and Emma wanted to smack herself that she had not thought about this earlier.

That she had not made another deal with Gold to save Regina this horrible experience.

Take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to

Regina felt the urge to cry all of a sudden.

She wanted to get off this stage immediately, but she could not. She had to finish her performance.

It would be over in a minute anyway.

She had not been aware what a toll it had taken on her to have to come back here.

But that was not the only reason she was so uncomfortable and she could see that now.

There was a reason why she could not look anyone in the eyes anymore, because...

Because of her conversation with Emma.

Her own armor had been cracked open and her vulnerable self shone through and she could not bear the thought of anyone noticing it, because there was nothing and nowhere to hide.

She could not risk it although she was certain that no one in the audience cared for her soul.

Except for Emma of course.

Emma.

Emma was here.

With her. For her.

Emma cared about her and she cared about Emma.

And Emma believed in her, in them.

She believed in them just as much.

She did, she truly did.

And that was the moment Regina finally looked back up and locked gazes with Emma, looked straight into the familiar and loyal eyes of the woman she considered family and a beautiful smile appeared on Regina's face.

I believe in you and me

Forgotten was the torture of undressing for an undeserving audience when the last piece of her outfit fell, because all Regina could see was the understanding nod from Emma, the decent smile on the blonde's lips and the sparkle in her eyes.

Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland
Take me to, take me to, take me to Wonderland

And while the song slowly faded away, Regina stood there, smiling and relieved, because her body might be on display, exposed to the world, but her broken heart, her wounded soul would always be safe.

Safe and protected by the one person, who could truly see her in all her darkness and pain, but also in all her beauty.

Safe and protected by Emma Swan.


When Regina had left the stage, dressed in her robe, the audience was still cheering, demanding another performance, but she did not care.

She was done.

Emma was already waiting for her in front of the door to her dressing room, talking to no other than Mister Gold himself.

Regina cringed at his sight, but when she saw the smile on Emma's face she relaxed a bit, hoping that things would really be okay.

She entered the room to get changed and ready to go, but she had not ever buttoned her jeans when she heard a knock on the door and she paniced slightly.

She pulled her shirt over her head in a rush when the door opened and Gold entered with a rather wicked smile.

"Well, congratulations, dearie...I'd say tonight was a success", he waved with the dollar bills she had gotten from countless people during her performances, bills she had handed to Jefferson right after she had left the stage. Like she always had.

"Where is Emma?"

Gold giggled and Regina shivered. His maniacal way auf giggling or laughing had always creeped her out, "She's in my office with Jefferson...to pick up your release papers since you want to leave us."

Regina closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "So, you're letting me go...for real?"

"Of course, dearie...that was the deal. And that's why I am here...to give you this", he stretched out his hand to give her the bills, but she only looked at him, obviously wary of his unusual behavior, "I think I don't understand."

Another giggle escaped Gold's lips, "Don't you remember, dearie? Miss Swan made me promise I would pay you your full loan this month. No deductions...so clearly this is yours."

Regina took the money, still hesitant, but Gold took a step back the second she held it in her hand, "I just came to say good bye, Regina. I know you think I am a monster...and you are probably right. But all people who want to be successful are...somehow."

She did not know what to respond to that, so she just nodded.

"I hope you know how lucky you are...because real life is not a fairytale...not even close. I assume you know that quite well...and yet Miss Swan came here...like a knight in shining armor...to save you. There are not a lot people out there who would do something like that...she's one of a kind", Gold said and sounded rather impressed.

"I'm aware of that", Regina agreed and nodded again.

"Good", he waved his hand and opened the door, but stopped yet again, "Good luck, Regina. I hope I'll never see you again."

And Regina realized that he had not said it to offend her. It was Gold's way of saying that he hoped things would work out for her, that he hoped that she would never end up in a place like this again.

Taking one last look into the mirror Regina saw a single tear rolling down her cheek.

After all this years, after all this hell – she was finally free.