Regina's POV:
Following Emma back into the kitchen, I watch as she immediately goes for the sandwich that I had prepared for her before all the commotion. Unsurprisingly, she wolfs it down in the matter of seconds, no pun intended.
"You know, you can breathe between bites. I promise no one is going to steal it from you." Leaning back on the counter, I raise a single brow at her shocked look.
"Hey, don't judge me. I was hungry, and you made it for me. Plus I have to eat more now, being a Hybrid and all. This won't survive on rabbit food." Gesturing up and down her body, Emma smirks as my gaze unwillingly follows the movement.
"And in which spell book did you read that, dear?"
"Um, I didn't. But Ruby eats a lot! Or at least I think she does?"
"Mmmhmm. Right."
The kitchen quickly settled into an awkward silence, neither of us wanting to address what had almost occurred before her parents showed up. What would have happened, if they hadn't show up when they had. I refused to be the one to it bring up first. It would be better if we just forgot about what happen-
"Regina. About what happened before-"
Of course trying to forget would be impossible because, of course she would want to bring it up.
"Forget about it Emma, I understand."
"You do?" The confusion was clear in her voice.
"Of course I do. You being a hybrid is new, confusing, playing with your emotions. I was just a side effect that."
"Actually, I think being a Hybrid has done the complete opposite. I've never felt my emotions so clearly before in my life. I did what I did, because I wanted to Regina."
"I'm very sure you do feel that way, in this moment. But that is not how you really feel."
She lets out a frustrated sigh, and I know she's resisting the urge to argue against my claims. I mean she's still with that one-handed fool, so her actions must be based on her being a hybrid. We are barely friends. I love Robin. I'm supposed to love Robin, he is my True Love according to Tinkerbell. She used the fairy dust to show me my Soul Mate.
Besides, her and captain guy liner are always making eyes at each other. I am sure this won't happen again; she is dating someone and I'm… Well I don't really know what I'm doing. Trying to focus on getting my happy ending I guess. Something which I am sure is a pipe dream. We all know villains don't get happy endings.
Not wanting to dwell on my rapidly darkening thoughts, I decide to change the subject. "So have you told Hook about your transformation yet?"
"No."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"What's with all the questions?"
"Sorry, I'm just curious. He is your boyfriend after all. But I guess it's none of my business."
"You don't have to apologise. I didn't know you were so interested in my love life. Is there something you would like to tell me Regina?" I can't help but roll my eyes at her smirk and cocky demeanour. But just like that we were back to our playful banter.
"If you must know, I do plan on telling him, I just don't know when. He has left me several calls, but I haven't gotten around to calling him back just yet. It's not like I've not really had the time to."
Nodding in response, I find that I do not really want to continue the path of this conversation. Thinking about the two of them together, in any way, leaves me feeling quite sick.
"What about Henry? What are you going to tell him?"
"The truth. I'm just not ready to do that right now."
"You're going to have to tell him at some point, dear."
"I know, I know. It's just… I don't want him to see me like this. I don't want him to see me hurting his mom. I want to have some self-control before I tell him. I don't want him to hate me."
"Emma you haven't hurt me, and he would never hate you."
"Yeah, I'm sure Henry, or any other normal person, would think me biting into your wrist and neck isn't hurting you!"
"He's going to want to come home soon, he can't stay with the Charming's forever. Plus I'm sure he wants to know you're OK too. He's tried to call me and I'm sure he has tried to call you as well. I've only sent a text to him that we're OK after all that's happened, but you and I both know he will be worried until he sees us with his own eyes."
"I'll talk to him tomorrow, just not today. I promise."
"Good, because I refuse to force him to stay at your parents apartment any longer than necessary. I won't refuse him to be in his own home."
"I know, and I would never ask you to keep him away from home."
"Why don't we just head out to Gold and worry about tomorrow a little later. Henry will have to be patient until we have some answers."
Not giving her a chance to respond, I walk up and take a firm grip on her arms, sending us to materialise in Gold's shop.
"You could have warned me before doing that, you know!" Shaking her head, she grumbles under her breath. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that."
Ignoring her protests, I look around the shop looking for any sign of Gold. He needs to reverse whatever he did to Emma, at least remove the vampirism aspect.
"Gold! Where the hell are you, you imp?"
"Maybe he's not here."
"Don't be stupid, Emma. Where else would he be?"
"I don't know, his cabin maybe?"
"Now, now. There's no need to argue."
The voice I've come to despise over the years echo's through the shop. Coming out of the back, Gold makes his presence known.
"Your Majesty. What a pleasant surprise! How may I be of assistance?"
"Don't. Call. Me. That."
"Why? Does it bring up unwanted memories? You are, were, a queen, were your not?"
"We don't have time for games Gold. Undo what you did to her. Now."
"You should know better than anyone that a curse can only be broken one way, Dearie."
"There has to be another way."
"There isn't."
"I don't understand how you could do this. She is the mother of your grandchild."
"That's neither here nor there. Once cannot simply flick ones wrist and undo a curse. What's done is done."
"You're a fucking asshole. You know that, right?"
"So I've been told. Do not forget, Miss Swan, that though I may be an asshole, as you like to put it, I did warn you that all magic comes with a price. It's not my fault that you decided not to take that seriously."
"But why would you do this?! I don't understand what you gain from this, from me being this way. Making Regina being the only person I can feed from! Why would you do that to either of us?"
"I have my reasons, Dearie, and that is all you need to know."
Before Gold could even react, Emma had pinned him between her and one of his glass counters.
"What's stopping me from ripping your throat out right now?" She hisses as her face begins to change.
Her teeth sharpen and extend, now on full display for all to see. To my surprise, I see fear in Gold's eyes. However it was gone as quickly as it came.
"That would be highly ill-advised, Dearie."
"And why is that?" Her hold on his neck tightens and I'm sure he is struggling to breathe right now.
"Because biting me will only cause you excruciating pain." He barely gets out, his face now purple.
"Oh really? And why is that?"
"Vervain."
She gives him a confused look before shrugging and moving in to bite him.
"Emma, don't!" She looks at me with the same confused look she gave Gold.
Gold smirks despite not being able to breathe properly. I know he is right. If he has Vervain in his system, and she bites him, his blood it will burn her throat. Plus a drop of someone else's blood that is not mine will hurt her anyway. With Vervain added to the mix, the pain would be unbearable.
She knows this; we read it only a few hours ago. Clearly her anger is clouding her judgement, causing her to either forget or dismiss this fact.
"Emma, lets go. You know he won't help us, or tell us anything, and killing him won't reverse what he's done. We will figure out why he did this ourselves, and we will reverse it on our own."
She shoves him none too gently as she lets go of him, causing him to stumble forward. Making her way over to me, so that we were now standing side by side, I level my fiercest glare on the man before us.
"This is not over Rumple."
"I wouldn't wish of it, Your Majesty."
"Let's go Emma."
We leave the shop and begin to walk down the street, in no specific direction. I can feel the anger radiating off Emma in waves. I stop our walking, gently grabbing hold of her arm, turning her so she could face me.
"Emma-"
"What?!"
"You need to calm down."
"I AM calm." She tries to continue walking, however I stop her once again.
"Your eyes are still golden." I state matter-of-factly.
"I just don't like being used."
"Trust me, I understand better than anyone, but you need to calm down. He will get his. Karma makes it way to everyone at some point, and he is long overdue."
Taking hold of her hand, I thread my fingers through hers. I watch as she takes a deep breath, and her eyes begin to return to their original colour. We remain like this for a few moments, looking at each other while our fingers squeeze gently by our sides.
It's only when I realised that people we were beginning stare that I began to detach our fingers, redirecting my eyes away from hers.
Emma's POV:
As soon as Regina's fingers graze my own, I feel any anger I felt begin to drain away. It's like her touch alone causes me forget everything else, focusing only on her. When she touches me, it's like all the sensation in my body is only in that one spot. Everything is heightened, especially the feeling of her tough.
That's the only benefit of this curse, being able to feel what I feel when she touches me. Being able to hear her heart speed up when I touch her, to hear her breath hitch at my touch. I can watch as the goose bumps prickle across her skin, spreading from where our skin is pressed together.
Apart from that, having heightened sense can suck. I mean, who wants to hear every single sound that's around them?! Every hum, buzz, and tiny noise is as loud as a drum. Even now I'm finding it hard to focus on one sound. Blocking everything else out, I focus on just one: her heart beat. Just like when I was in the hospital, it's like she keeps me grounded. It makes me feel like I can beat this curse.
When she did begins to remove her hands from mine, I can't help but a bit disappointed. There was another emotion that I couldn't quite name, but I didn't say anything. I know why she did it, I could hear what the people were saying, and knew they must be gawking too.
One of those people, the ones making comments, is the Blue Fairy. I can hear her asking what the Evil Queen was doing holding the Saviour's hands. I'm sure Regina couldn't hear their words, but the looks were enough for her to some idea of what they were saying.
We continued to walk in silence, hands each in our pockets, both lost in our own thoughts. It's only when we are outside her front door do I realise that I had led us there. Clearly not ready to part with the woman, I open my mouth to ask to stay, only to be interrupted.
"Swan!"
I hear my name being called already knowing who it is. I have no desire to deal with anyone right now, only to spend some more time with the beauty in front of me. I just don't have time for him right now and especially not for his smothering.
"Don't turn around; just keep walking until we get inside. Hopefully he will go away." I know he won't, but I can hope.
"Avoiding him I see. Because that has worked so well in the past." Regina's brow is raised, letting me know she is more annoyed than worried at this point.
Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I know I am pouting, but at this point I just don't care. "No, I'm not avoiding him. I'm just not ready for the conversation he wants to have right now."
"That would be avoiding, dear." I don't even have to look at her to tell she is smirking.
"SWAN!"
"As much as you feel that you would rather delay this conversation, you will need to at least address him right now. I would rather not have your boyfriend on my lawn, or in my house for that matter, and you know he will continue to follow you like a lost puppy if you don't acknowledge him."
"SWAN! SWAN!"
Heaving a sigh, I stop and turn to face him, knowing she's right. He won't leave me alone until he has at least spoken to me. Turing to speak over my shoulder, I can see she is waiting for my decision. "I'll see you inside."
She nods and I watch her make her way into the house.
"Hook."
"Emma, didn't you hear me calling you?"
Frustrated at having to deal with him, I shrug with a pointed look. "Nope. Didn't hear a thing."
"Have you not checked your phone either? I've been calling you for hours. I went to your apartment yesterday, but you weren't there. So I went to Snow's, only to find out from Ruby that you were in the hospital. I tried to see you but I was told only family members were allowed in. But that doesn't make sense because I know Regina was in there with you. What's going on?" Rambling through his entire drawn out explanation, I wait for him to breath before jumping in.
"Regina is family. And how did you know she was there?"
"Snow. She told me that Regina cursed you, turned you into a monster." Of course it was Snow, only giving half-truths as usual.
"She didn't change me into anything, she saved me. I was tricked when I tried to find out what everyone has been keeping from me."
"Why were you even with her? She's the Evil Queen. She's probably involved in whatever happened."
Unable to control my anger at his words, I find myself screaming in his face before he can blink. "Don't call her that! She's not that person anymore! And she had nothing to do with it!"
Never one to back down, he begins shouting right back. "You have been ignoring my calls, but have been spending your time with the person who probably helped put you in the hospital in the first place. And even if she wasn't part of it, why do you even allow her to take over your whole life?! You're always talking about her, going to her for help, saving her life, or risking your life for her. We should take just Henry and-"
"I wouldn't finish that sentence, if I were you. I don't know what fantasy you're living in Killian, but you clearly need a reality check. Regina is my family, she is Henry's other mother, and she will always be in my life. Just because we're dating doesn't mean that will change. Plus I'm staying with Regina now, until we figure out what happened and how to fix it. If you have a problem that, I don't really care. So deal with it."
Not giving him a chance to respond I make my way to Regina's front door, only looking over my shoulder to see if he was still standing there which he was. Looking like someone just took his favourite toy from him.
"But Emma-"
"Bye Killian"
Closing the door behind me, I place my jacket on the rack, and my shoes next to Henry's by the door. Listening hard, there is too much back ground noise to hear Regina's heartbeat, and the whole house smells like a perfect mixture of her and Henry.
"Regina?"
"In here, dear."
Walking into the living room, Regina is seated on the couch, her legs drawn up under her, a glass of wine on the table beside her.
"Given how tense you seem right now, I am guessing things did not go well with the pirate. What happened?"
"He want to know why I was with the 'Evil Queen'. Then he wanted us to run away together. Same old, same old. Oh, and I told him I was staying here." I say the last part fast hoping she would miss it.
"Sorry what was that?"
I clear my throat. "I told him I was staying here. I mean, I don't really have to stay here, I just said that so he would leave me alone. I can stay somewhere else."
"Emma, would you want to stay here with me and Henry?"
"Well, yeah. You're the only one who is able to calm me down when I get angry, but if you don't want me to stay here, that's cool. No pressure."
"You can take the guest bedroom."
"You don't have to do that Regina. I can find somewhere else to stay for a bit."
"You said you wanted to stay here, did you not?"
"Well, yeah-"
"Then it's settled. You will take the guestroom until everything is sorted out."
"OK." I never really believed she would let me stay here, even if I really don't have anywhere else to go at the moment. The loft is out of the questions, and Killian is staying at the Bed and Breakfast. "Thanks."
She nods, and we settle into our own thoughts. The quiet is nice, especially after being out and around so much noise today. But as much as I am enjoying the peace, I begin to fidget after only a few moments.
Luckily, it seems I am not the only person who needs a distraction. "So what would you like to do now?"
"Well, we can watch a movie? Do you even own any movies?"
"Of course I do. They're over there near the television."
"Right. Well, I'll look for something to watch, and you can order us something from Grannies. And don't try to tell me you aren't hungry. You haven't eaten yet today and we can't have you passing out on me."
Rolling her eyes, a small smile is quickly suppressed on her face. "I could cook something for us to eat. It would be much healthier than anything from the Diner."
"That will take too long. And it's been a long day. You shouldn't have to do anything else than relax for the rest of the night."
She shakes her head, making her way out the living room, and I know I've won this argument.
Her DVD collection was interesting to say the least. There are a lot of Disney films, from The Lion King to Aladdin. A few Pixar movies too, but what shocked me the most was all her chick-flick films. There was Mean Girls, Clueless, and so on. A few horrors here and there, but who would have though Regina Mills was into chick flicks.
"Did you find anything you wanted to watch?"
"No, but at least I finally understand where your 'braiding your hair and call Robin Hood and hanging up' comment came from." Smirking, I know she is going to try to deny it.
"What?"
"Regina, most of your films are chick-flicks and Disney. You can't deny it." Gesturing behind me to the rows of neatly arranged cases, I grin at the blush on her cheeks.
"They are not all 'chick-flicks' and Disney films."
"You even have Snow White." I deadpan, completely unsurprised.
"Those were for Henry." She tries to dismiss, but I can tell she lying.
"I think it's cute that you're a Disney fan. The so-called 'Evil Queen' likes chick-flicks and Disney."
"I'm a Queen. I don't do 'cute', dear."
"You have The Notebook. It doesn't get much cuter than that."
"Well-"
"Who knew you were a romantic at heart?!"
"Shut up and choose a damn film, Emma."
I just laugh in response and put The Notebook in the player. I haven't seen it before, but I know it's got to be one of her favourites.
We sit next to each other on the couch, and we're 20 minutes into the movie when the doorbell rings. I go answer it, paying Ruby for the food she brought, but her any information on why I was in the hospital. I know she wants answers, and its not that I don't trust Ruby, but I'm just not ready to talk to anyone about what happened.
Returning to the living room, we eat at the coffee table. It's not long until we finish out food, continuing to watch the film. As the film plays, I notice we began to slowly move closer to each other. So close together, that there was no space between us at all anymore. Our shoulders are touching, in fact.
I hear a sniffle; so quite that an average person wouldn't be able to hear it due to the movie. It's only then that I release Regina is crying. The 'Evil Queen' is crying over a romantic film. I mean, yeah, the film has its moments where even I was fighting tears, but I can believe that she is this moved by the story.
"Are you crying?"
"What?! Of course not. Don't be ridiculous."
"So if you aren't crying, why you wiping your eyes so much? Why are your eyes red?"
"There's something in my eye, nothing more. Let's watch something else. I don't want to watch this anymore."
"Come on Regina. I'm just teasing you. We can watch your chick-flick."
"Fine. Just stop teasing me."
She conjures a blanket, and then leans her head on my shoulder. I don't think she even releases what she doing, she so engrossed in the film.
After the film ends, we just put on another and continue to watch film after film. While watching The Lion King, which just so happens to be her favourite film, I find out that her favourite character is Scar. Go figure.
Shortly after the return to Pride rock, I feel a shift in Regina's weight on my shoulder. She has fallen asleep on me. She looks so much like an angel; so peaceful. It's not long until my eyes started to feel heavy and I fall asleep as well.
Regina's POV:
The feeling of an unwanted magical presence woke me up, and I was immediately on alert. There is a warm body restricting my movement, and a mess of blonde curls blocking my view. Trying to readjust my eyes to the dim light in the room, I look down to see that Emma is asleep on my chest; her arms were tightly wrapped around my waist.
"Now isn't this is an interesting sight."
I remove my hand from under Emma and create a fireball, ready to attack.
"No need for fireballs Regina. Put that thing out before you hurt yourself… or your bedmate."
"What do you want Maleficent?"
I try to remove myself from the position I was, in so I could at least look intimidating, but Emma tightens her hold, not allowing me to move away.
Maleficent gives me a questioning look, raising an eyebrow, and giving a trademark smirk. "The fireball Regina."
Rolling my eyes I close my hand, smothering the fireball.
"I do have a door, you know. It's actually there to be used, there for a purpose; such as keeping unwanted guests out."
"And here I thought it was just there for decoration."
I watch as she moves over and take a seat directly across from me. "Why are you here?"
"I heard the Saviour was turned into a hybrid. I just came to see it for myself. A little birdie told me she was here."
"Still playing with birds, I see. Seems you and Snow have that in common." Waiting a moment, and not receiving a replay, I demand real answers. "How did you find out?"
"Gold."
That man is behind everything that happens in this town. "Of course. He's made it so she can only drink from me. Did you know that he was going to do this? Did you contribute to her becoming a Hybrid?"
"No."
Maleficent has never lied to me before, and I truly see no gain in her helping him. I nod in response.
"Would it make a difference if I did?"
At the thought of someone from my past helping the imp to harm me causes my magic to surge forth, along with my rage. "Drastically. I would find a way to end you, if you were involved."
"You care that much for the Saviour?" The surprise in her voice and on her face is clear as she leans forward in the seat.
"Unfortunately. She grows on you." Stroking a few golden tendrils back from Emma's face, and tucking them behind her ear, I know there is no point in lying. She knows me better than anyone else in this in this town, apart from Emma. And maybe Snow.
"Maleficent, why are you here?"
"I'm not here to kill you, if that's what you think. Even though I have every reason to, given that you did lock me away for more than 30 years. I just had to see if what I had heard was true; needed to know if I had a chance."
"A chance for what?"
"If you had a choice, between them, The Charming's, and me, who would you choose?"
"You already know that answer."
"Yes, but I want to hear you say it. I know your turning back into the Regina you were before. Back into the girl I used to care for. So I need to know, if you had to choose, who it would be?"
"Why does this even matter?" This is not something I want to discuss. It is choosing between people I care about, and I don't want to make a choice like that if I don't have to.
"I know you will always choose her, I just want to hear you say it." She sighs out, falling back in the seat again.
"I don't what to have to fight you Mal, but I will if necessary. I will protect my family, and that now includes not only Henry, but his mother and her idiot parents. I know after 30 years of being trapped in that library, and what her parents did to you, you have every right to want revenge but just-"
"I don't want revenge, Regina. I'm too tired for that. I just want to find my daughter."
I have never seen Maleficent look so defeated. "Oh. How do you plan on doing that?"
"I don't know. Maybe I will ask Rumple. Don't worry, it won't be at the expense of your Saviour."
"She not my Saviour." Looking at the blonde currently using me as her teddy bear, I can't help but wonder how true that really is anymore.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night, dear."
"Emma used to look for people as her job. I can ask her-"
"No, thank you. I want nothing to do with The Charming's right now. I will ask Gold and make a deal, before asking the very people who took my daughter away from me." Her eyes flare green for a moment before returning to normal.
"She's not like them." If she were, we never would have gotten as far as we have together.
"She may not be, but I'm not ready to ask a Charming for help yet. If Gold's deal is too much, or he won't help me, then I will ask your Saviour myself. Have a nice night with your Saviour Regina."
"She not my Saviour!" Emma mumbles in her sleep, snuggling her head into my neck, and making Maleficent laugh.
"Good night, Regina." She smirks before disappearing in purple smoke.
Serahhaggerty as Beta Reader ;)
