The next morning, Regina went out as usual, wanting to get coffee at Granny's. She noticed that Emma wasn't there. She usually went there at this hour, before going to work. That was strange. But Regina didn't dwell on it long. She had gotten her coffee, and she quickly forgot all about Emma not being there, enjoying the warmth of the hot drink. After having walked in the snow, this was good. She would have forgotten it for real of it wasn't for the door opening suddently, startling her. It was Snow. Of course. Who else would find a way to annoy her that early in the morning ? Emma's mother ran to Regina, visibly panicked :
- Regina ! Have you seen Emma ? She was supposed to be back hours ago and she didn't show up. Charming went in the woods to look for her because she was last seen there, but nothing so far. Did you see her recently ?
Regina's heart almost stopped for a second. What did Snow say ? Emma was missing ? She had noticed Emma's absence as soon as she had entered Granny's, but she hadn't imagined her absence not to be normal. Sure, she was there every day at this hour, but if Snow hadn't seen her in a long time, it was worrisome. Regina answered :
- I'm sure your daughter isn't far. Where was she supposed to be ? In the woods ? I didn't know Miss Swan's patrol went through the woods ? Wasn't it supposed to be in the town ?
Snow looked at Regina, visibly surprised :
- How do you know where she does during patrol ?
- Well, I don't. But it seems logical, right ? Why patrol in the woods ?
- She went there with Elsa to look for the lost sister. Apparently, she had found a lead in the case. That's the last thing she said to me, and now she is gone ! Regina, could you please help us find her ? I'm sure we could go way faster with the help of your powers. Plus, I know you became friends, recently. I'm sure you wouldn't want Emma to disappear. And no, don't say it. Mother's instincts.
Regina almost said to Snow that to be a mother, you were supposed to have raised the child, but she thought of Emma and Henry. She had now fully accepted Emma as the second mother of her child, and Emma hadn't raised Henry, she did. But for their case, both of them were Henry's mother. Emma hadn't had a mother to help her. Henry had had one. That was the difference. Her silence seemed to alarm Snow, because the latter began to cry :
- Please, Regina, will you help us ?
Regina pityed her, so she answered that she would look for Emma. Snow made a move to hug her, but she interrupted herself. She knew better. They were in better terms than before, but is wasn't a reason to become so close. Regina left Granny's, leaving her precious coffee on the counter. She wasn't happy to know that Emma went in the woods with the ice witch. She teleported herself (as Emma called it) outside the woods. Starting from there, it would be by foot, in the snow. Thanks, ice witch !