Cora's Scrapbook, Chapter Six: The Mayor's Office

Cora reunites with Will Scarlett in Storybrooke.

Author's Note: It's been a minute since I've had a chance to work on this story. It immediately follows the events of the previous chapter (set in the weeks before "Darkness on the Edge of Town).

Characters:

Cora Mills

Will Scarlet

Mary Margaret Blanchard

Emma Swan

Regina Mills

Will Scarlet opened his eyes. His head ached, but he was lying on a comfortable couch. He had just had the strangest dream that his former master, Cora, the Queen of Hearts, was in Storybrooke. He shrugged off that silly notion as he sat up. He was in a spacious office decorated that seemed to be at war with itself. The wallpaper and molding was rather austere with a black and white color palette. It appeared as though someone had recently (and unsuccessfully) tried to liven the place up with pastel-colored paintings of bluebirds and flowers. The plaque on the desk read MAYOR.

"You're awake," came a pleasant voice from the doorway.

"Mayor Blanchard," Will said. "I don't know how I got in your office, but if I'm being held here, I was only trying to get some aspirin."

Mary Margaret sat down on the couch across from him. The fireplace was not lit, but warm sunlight streamed in from the windows on the back wall, giving the appearance of a halo above the schoolteacher's head.

"The aspirin has been paid for," she said. "And Mr. Clark is not pressing charges."

Will leaned back in his seat, trying not to seem too relieved or grateful. "And what do I owe you for this good deed."

"I'm not the one you owe," Mary Margaret gave a slightly devious smile. "Someone wants to talk to you."

"Secret admirer?" Will gave a cocky smile. "Flattered, but I'm not looking for anything right now."

"What a relief!" came a voice from the office doorway.

The hairs on the back of Will's neck stood straight up and his whole body tensed. It wasn't a dream.

"Good afternoon, Cora," Mary Margaret said calmly.

"Hello, Snow," Cora sat down next to her on the couch.

"You know who she is, right?" Will pointed an accusing finger at Cora, his hand trembling.

"I think I'd better leave the two of you alone," Mary Margaret said calmly, rising and leaving the room.

"We have a lot to discuss, Will," Cora began clearly.

"No we bloody don't," the thief snapped. "If you think you're getting my heart a second time, I have some bad news for you."

"And I need to apologize to you," Cora continued.

Will laughed mirthlessly. "You want to apologize? After everything? I don't know what twelve-step program you're in, but you ruined my life the last time I listened to you. You turned Anastasia into a monster and me into your slave, and after Alice finally freed me, you sent your agents to kill us."

Cora frowned. "Yes. I did all of those things. It was wrong of me, and I confess it. I know I am the last person you want to talk to, but I really have changed. I want to know what I can do to help you."

Will stood and began pacing, rubbing his temples with his fingertips. "Your majes- Cora, you took my true love from me. She almost died because of the path you set her on. We both did."

"Where is she now?"

"Back in Wonderland. Rebuilding the kingdom."

"It sounds as though Anastasia turned out fine after all," Cora noted. "Why aren't you with her?"

Will sighed heavily and sat back down. "She said she needs to focus on the kingdom and becoming a good ruler before she can be in a healthy relationship with me, so I'm here in Storybrooke on the shelf."

"So you two did reconcile. It even seems like you are on good terms. I know it doesn't erase what I did, but I think it's time you did what I have learned to do and let the past go."

Will narrowed his eyes. "If you're here to tell me that love is weakness again-"

"I was wrong about that," Cora said. "And again, I'm sorry. But there is work to be done here. Perhaps if you focus your time on doing good deeds here, you and Anastasia will have more in common when you see each other again."

Will didn't answer.

Cora stood to leave. "I don't expect you to listen to me. I don't even expect you to believe me. But if you decide you want to be helpful, volunteer your services to a woman named Belle at the library. She and my friend Killian Jones can use any help they can get." She gave a polite nod and left the office.

Will took one last look around the office (suppressing the urge to take something valuable with him). He did not trust Cora in the least, she may have had a point about building common ground with Anastasia. He looked out of the window towards the library.

Emma Swan looked up from her desk as Cora entered the precinct.

"Maybe he'll behave better now that he knows you're here," Emma chuckled.

"On the contrary. It might make him even worse. But we'll see. I steered him towards Hook and Belle. Perhaps he can do some good while he's in town." She sat down across from her step-great-granddaughter. "Do you have anything for me to investigate while I'm out?"

Emma pressed a few buttons on her computer keyboard and scrolled through a document. "No, everything is very peaceful. It's been nice."

"It has." Cora stared at Emma. Emma was halfway through chewing a bite of a grilled cheese sandwich before she noticed.

"Was there something else I could help you with?"

"Yes," Cora said. "I want to talk about Regina."

Emma frowned slightly. "Is everything alright with her?"

"The loss of Robin has been a challenge for her, and I don't think she's close to moving past it."

"He was her soulmate," Emma said. "She'll never get over him."

"And I don't expect her to," Cora said. "But she needs a task."

Emma folded her hands. "The budget isn't going to stretch to a fourth person working from this office. You, David, and I are all that the budget allows for."

"That wasn't what I had in mind. I think Regina needs to resume the office of mayor."

Emma was floored. Her initial reaction would have been to accuse Cora of attempting a power grab, but her family (which she did recognize that Cora was a part of) had been through too much with her for this to be plausible.

"Let me explain," Cora said. "Snow is also a teacher. She has a baby at home. She is always involved with whatever you and David are doing. Regina does not have another job. Robin is gone, and I can only entertain her so much. If you care about my daughter, you won't let her wallow."

"Have you considered whether Regina is ready for this?" Emma asked.

Cora answered slowly. "We haven't discussed it yet, but we will."

"I'll tell you what, Cora," Emma said. "I'll talk to Mary Margaret and you can talk to Regina. We'll see what they both say, and then we'll circle back and decide the best course of action."

"Thank you, Emma," Cora said, shaking the sheriff's hand.

"Next week on Grimm…" came the announcer's deep voice from Regina's living room television. Regina reached for the bag of potato chips on the coffee table.

"Regina!" came Cora's voice from the hallway.

"In here!" Regina called.

Cora stepped into the living room to find Regina wearing sweatpants and a "Storybrooke 5K" t-shirt from 1997 and eating potato chips from the bag. "Not even a bowl?"

Regina shrugged. "Henry won't be here today. What he does not know will not hurt him. I'm catching up on my shows. You should be happy. There will be more room on the DVR for all of your RuPaul."

Cora rolled her eyes and waved her hand at the television, which magically shut off. "Regina, we need to talk."

Regina glared at her mother, but she put the bag of chips back on the coffee table.

"My dear, I'm concerned about you. I understand your despondency about Robin, but it won't do for you to spend your days sulking."

Regina rolled her eyes. "Mother, I just helped you make breakfast this morning."

"You did," Cora nodded. "And that was good. Belle and Hook enjoyed breakfast, and it was the liveliest I've seen you in some time. I think the best way for you to help yourself right now is for you to help others."

"So what, should I open a soup kitchen?" Regina asked sarcastically.

"No, you need to be the mayor again."

Regina's eyes widened. "Mother, I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"You weren't ready when I made you queen either."

"I don't think that's a good argument for you, Mother."

Cora sat down next to her daughter. "I think it is. I know it was not an easy path, and to say that we both made mistakes along the way would be the understatement of the century, but look how it turned out. We're here together. We've made peace with Snow White and her family. We are leaders fighting for the common good. And think how much more prepared you are this time! You've suffered a blow, yes, but you have Henry, you have me, and you have a town that needs you."

Regina smiled at her mother and took her by the hand. "You may have a point, but there is the matter of my stepdaughter currently filling the office."

"I've thought of that," Cora said, gripping her daughter's hand. "I spoke with Emma earlier, and she's going to discuss it with Snow."

"So you discussed it with Emma first?" Regina scowled.

"Don't get angry with me for looking out for your best interests," Cora chided her. "Emma didn't seem opposed to the idea. She cares about you too."

Regina's hard look softened somewhat. Her phone vibrated briefly on the table. "Speak of the devil. It's a text from Emma."

"What does she say?" Cora asked.

"Dinner tomorrow," Regina read. "You, me, our parents, and Henry. Mary Margaret's apartment."

Cora nodded. "Very good. Now, since we're both here, why don't we see what RuPaul is up to?"

Regina leaned her head on her mother's shoulder and reached for the remote.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you feel so led, please follow, favorite, and review!