A/N - Mix of fluff and angst. Long chapter since I did not post Tuesday. See tags/notes from chapter one, they apply.

Chapter Title

Forgotten

Summary

"The heart remembers to whom you belong when time and distance cause you to forget."

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Regina took a deep breath as she stared at the red light ahead. Fingers wrapped around the steering wheel flexed and relaxed. Then she felt it again as the light turned green. Another breath through the annoyance. 'Patience is the word of the day. Patience is the word of the—'

Then it happened again and Regina bit her tongue. Snow had been underfoot most of the morning since breakfast and she desperately just needed a few quiet minutes to think about the upcoming talk with Gold she needed to have, but the woman child whining in the back seat was making that increasingly difficult.

"I do so hate this seat, it pinches my neck Regina." Yanking the straps holding her hostage Snow fumed again, but her attempts at explaining this very annoying feeling only seemed to be ignored.

Her only experience at this age was the royal carriage and this car seat was more than uncomfortable. Logically her adult mind understood the need for one. She was small at seven, smaller than most children her age and she had never been fond of the fact. Being made to sit in a car seat only emphasized the truth of her current fate. Not getting a response Snow kicked out her feet again in upset as they neared another red light and those feet stilled when the Queen's foot missed the brake at her gesture.

A high heel found the brake, slamming and throwing them both forward. Knuckles white on the steering wheel Regina gave firm eyes in the mirror. Green light a go after a tense minute, she pulled the Benz off to the side of the road.

"Regina…" Snow gulped as the car was put into park. Driver's door opened and closed and before Snow could even reach to press the lock on the back door it opened. "I'm sorry, I—"

"Don't start." Regina leaned into the back seat and took Snow's chin. "You cannot kick the seat when I am driving for exactly what happened. I know you hate the car seat, but it can't be helped." As she spoke she began unbuckling the straps holding Snow in and adjusting them for the second time that morning then giving up. "Get out please."

Obeying that tone, Snow slowly took the offered hand and was helped from the car. "Why did we stop here?" Gold's shop was still a ways up the block.

Regina adjusted her purse finally taking in just how unruly the child looked. Snow was wearing the same outfit from yesterday of purple skirt and white sweater with tights. Habit from child the first time of being so, it was becoming clear to Regina that she would need to be more helpful than she had been with Snow's personal care. "If you can't ride appropriately we will walk the rest of the way." Pausing for a moment she knelt and buttoned up the open pink coat and tried to smooth some of the wildness away from dark curls.

At the gesture Snow realized the why behind it and blushed. "I forgot. With everything… I just forgot." And that bothered her in a way she couldn't quite voice.

Satisfied that Snow looked somewhat decent Regina gave a nod of understanding. "It has been quite a lot for both of us hasn't it?" And continued. "We will get you sorted out tonight. Let's go." Standing, she took up that hand. If Snow was anything like the seven year old she remembered the Princess to be, child was a wanderer by nature, much as Henry had been too. At the thought of him her heart pulled. They walked in silence for a few minutes both seemingly getting used to the feel of the other once again, she thought.

Little Snow watched their feet walking side by side. No, not side by side she realized as she was a full step behind the Queen's. Old habit ingrained from another world hard to break and she wondered if she should break it for the mere fact that she could. But would she be allowed. That question of difference had Snow glancing carefully upward and she caught a peek at the regal profile above her.

Regina's eyes were straight ahead and so Snow snapped hers back down again. Everything about the laws and protocols she grew up with were fresh in her little mind. She found herself second guessing her first response to things in this different world, even something as simple as walking in the Enchanted Forest had been defined by roles—gender, domestic, and rank born to.

Thinking some more, it finally hit Snow that one rule had already been broken. The simple act of holding hands, of showing open affection in public. But was this gesture affection driven? She wasn't sure but she was sure that Regina had taken her hand. Not the other way around as she sometimes used to try to do during their morning walks in the royal gardens. And sometimes she had been allowed to when there was no one to see them. Little mind swirled. If Regina initiated then it had to be alright to do here, so maybe…

Deciding little Snow quickened her feet to fall in pace right with Regina's neat quick steps instead of the customary one behind and on the right. Behind for domestic role of daughter in deference to a Mother and on the right for the same gender and rank. Whenever she'd walked alongside her Father, it had been two steps behind and on his left; left for opposite gender and one extra step between them to show she was the Queen's daughter first by law and second, the King's. A daughter belonged to the Mother and she had belonged to Regina the moment the Queen had said 'I do' to her Father.

Snow felt her tummy tighten and loosen over that idea at the same time. Eyes again going to their feet. By the simple act of increasing her step—and in public no matter the world no less—she was defying Regina's claim on her. And she wasn't sure how she felt about that now that it was done. Nor how she felt when no immediate rebuke came for the action.

If the Queen noticed her equal step she was not sure, but Snow suspected it had been more than noted as she stole another look up. Those red lips that used to kiss her cheek long ago were pinched at the corners, but amber eyes remained forward. And suddenly she felt a terrible pull in her tummy for her action. Slowly she lost the evenness of step and returned to a pace behind the Queen, whether conscience choice or not Snow was not in a place to say. Instead she focused on looking at the different plants and wildlife about in the few bushes and trees they walked by for a distraction. Like she used to, she began talking idly of the random things coming to mind as she saw this world with new eyes.

Autumn in Storybrooke was always a beautiful time of year and little Snow loved seeing animals getting ready for a long winter's nap. Seeing a squirrel with a chestnut she pointed to the tree nearby delighted and pulled to the side at the hand holding hers as she had done in another life and like in that life it gave her some slack though it did not let go. Queen gave her chatter a tolerant nod and she shrugged it off with a small smile.

They passed Granny's diner just as Ruby was putting out the specials sign for the day. Big Snow suddenly shifted forward out of heavy little thoughts and her eyes gave her best friend a once over at the way the waitress was dressed. Thigh high red boots and cropped sweater that showed generous cleavage. She waved with a bright smile at seeing a familiar face and forgot again. "Hi Red!"

The red-head quirked a brow and nodded to the Mayor, but gave a wave in return. "I'm not sure who that is Snow, but hi yourself. Where are you two going today?" Smacking gum and blowing a bubble.

Regina's hand squeezed in warning and Snow realized her fumble. "Oh, um to see Rum—Mr. Gold." Truth but without elaboration had the Queen's hand relaxing on hers.

Ruby cocked her hip and put a hand on her short leather red shorts. "He's in a weird way that one today. Grumbled over his breakfast I served him all morning. I doubt he's in the mood to make any deals, but good luck."

That's exactly what Regina had been hoping and that the Imp's irritation was at waking up in another curse. Filled with it now that she might be right she started to pull Snow along the rest of the way, but the girl's feet wouldn't budge.

"Just a moment." Snow begged and looked back at Ruby as she remembered to ask. "Do you know an Emma Swan?"

Waitress head cocked. "Doesn't ring a bell. Why?"

"No reason." Regina finished smoothly and got them moving once again. A glance at Snow and the girl's chin was tucked down to a chest. That dejected look had her thumb gently running over pale knuckles, but she didn't say anything further.

The pawn shop bell rang over their heads and they entered the musty shop. Giving the same directions as she had yesterday for Snow not to touch anything she dropped the little hand and went to the counter where Gold leaned polishing some silver.

"Ah Madam Mayor to what do I owe the pleasure of seeing your less than happy face?" Snide even here Gold narrowed his eyes across the room at little fingers wanting to paw his glass cases. "And you'd best be careful, dearie." Nodding to the child as the Queen turned.

"Snow?" Irritated that she could not be obeyed for even a moment, but girl remained fixated on something in the case. Calling again more firmly. "Snow, come here to me." That got the girl's attention.

"Coming."

Regina kept her hand on the girl's shoulder as a tether and gave her attention back to Gold. "Are you awake?" Searching his beady eyes for awareness, he only cocked his head as gold teeth flashed.

"I'd have to be since we are speaking. Miss your morning caffeine Madam Mayor? I'm sure Eugenia and the trollop she calls a granddaughter could help you sort that out."

"Cut the riddles Gold and just answer the question."

"But I have and you're still here." Moving to the other side of another counter he tapped his cane twice. "So that must mean you are here to buy something or make a deal." Then leaning close and in personal space, he gave the Mayor a once over. "So which is it?"

"Maybe he…" Snow interjected and immediately shut her mouth when the hand on the back of her neck flexed.

Regina pursed her lips. "Excuse us a moment." She said to Gold and quickly pulled Snow across the store and leaned down to be eye level.

Grumbling under the stern gaze Snow tried to explain. "I was only trying to help."

"I don't need your help on this. What I need right now is to be able to focus and get us some answers." Going between pouting green eyes, Regina whispered firmly. "Do you understand me?"

Snow tightened her lips and nodded once. When that didn't seem to be enough little one in her gave the response expected. "Yes Ma'am."

Nodding and straightening back up, Regina went back over to where Gold was watching them. Unsure if he was in fact awake or not, she decided to play along with his previous answer. "What are you offering if I am, in fact, willing to make a deal with you? Would that change your answer?" Regina took a calming breath when Snow tugged on the sleeve of her coat. She glanced down with both brows raised.

"You can't make a deal with hi—" But Snow was cut off before she could finish her thought.

"Hush please." Regina admonished and looked back to Gold. "You were saying?"

Curious at the display between them the man took a step forward, forgetting his polishing cloth in favor of looking at the little girl trying still to get the Mayor's attention. She looked familiar and inside him something whispered that he should know who that child was, but too far it was to hear. Gold snapped his head to the side as he heard another voice in his mind he thought he recognized; a sultry one of a beautiful woman long lost to him that made his heart beat faster and warm ever so tenderly. And unsure of why he felt that way, he was more unsure of the words spilling from his mouth that were not his own.

"I wasn't saying anything." A sly grin. "Perhaps, dear, you should pay attention to who is right in front of you." Nodding to the girl and turning he left them to go into the back of his shop.

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Snow struggled to keep up as she was pulled down the block by quick heels. Regina always walked quickly when annoyed or upset and Snow wished it wasn't at her, which had seemed to be the case all morning. She was trying and failing miserably to follow a simple direction and she was told as much as Regina lectured her over the fact.

"He was going to say something important and you interrupted. I asked you to do one thing to make this easier. One. And it was important especially while we were in that shop." Regina shook her head in frustration, still marching onward as she spoke. "What was it?"

"To listen." Little one answered out of habit and the adult taking over pulled away. Big Snow halted in the middle of the sidewalk as she slipped that grip. "I'm trying. You don't need to chew me out over it."

Missed chance to learn anything of value at Gold's and more than disturbed by his closing statement Regina put her hands on her hips, mirroring Snow's upset, but keeping her tone in check. "You need to try harder."

A shift again and a little foot stomped because it could and did with each word after. "You're—making—that—difficult—Regina."

"Enough." Queen took back up a little hand bristling at her name and the stares from passersby they were getting and kept walking. "I am not going to argue with you. I am the adult and right now you are the child." Sighing for a better way to explain than her first reaction when another shift happened and Snow's big eyes ripped through her. "We need to work together in order to—"

Snow again yanked away, cheeks reddening. "I'm not a child!"

But Snow was and again like one most frustrated, tired, and anxious it all was too much. She started to cry. Great tears like candle wax running from a flame burning too brightly fall from her eyes. This day flamed right through her core. And Snow gave in to the child she was this moment as Regina allowed her to cry right there on the sidewalk as people passed them with more than a curious look. Then a tissue came to wipe her cheeks. Accepting the touch Snow stood still as she was cleaned up and her shoulders shook under stifled sobs as she fought to sniff back tears. Crying and showing such strong feelings in public went against the grain of how she was raised, but here emotions slipped the leash and in her current disgrace she didn't know what to do.

Snow hugged her middle to self soothe and then her chin was lifted. She didn't fight it either. Amber looked through her book of heart, reading all her pages thoroughly for a moment. She expected a scolding for her less than tolerable display, but Regina didn't say anything. The Queen of past looking down at her didn't need to. Amber eyes said too much when words didn't have to and in them she longed for some comfort. Her mouth began to move, lips wrapping around a silent affectionate title wanted to slip, but nothing came out.

An arm in answer to Snow's plea came to rest instead around her shoulders, but in her upset the adult in her shrugged it off. Regina kept walking though and she followed as their feet fell mismatched in rhythm. But little ones remained on the right and one step behind Regina sniffling all the way to the car.

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Snow was quiet.

Though Regina was grateful as her mind was deep in thought over Gold's cryptic answers, but the lack of chatter, with Snow any size always meant some mischief was stewing in that head. They had finished lunch long ago since getting back from the pawn shop and Regina had begun to get things around the mansion ready for the work week that was looming ahead. Leaving the girl in the living room after showing the little one how to work the TV she decided to begin that chore.

And that also meant locating Snow's things for school. Easily found, they were where Henry kept his. Her fingers traced the school crest of a uniform hanging in what used to be his closet now filled with too much pink and white. Readying the blazer with a blouse and skirt to match Regina hung it up on the hook on the back of the child's door just as she had done with Henry's uniforms when he used to live with her. She missed him terribly and tears welling, swallowed down that loss to deal with the present. School bag, also pink, was placed on the other hook. Some searching through the bag found a classroom number and teacher's name for the morning. Child set she went to her room to figure out her own things.

Downstairs Snow had gotten up from the couch the moment Regina had left her alone and paced the living room. Set there to play, though that word had not be used she had tried flipping through the TV as suggested, but her head was too full and everything was literally a re-run for adult mind now present anyway. Snow wondered over their situation and again over the book Regina had bought back from the vault. It had to mean something more than sentiment to the Queen and curious, her feet went right into the Study Regina had told her to stay out of.

Careful to slide through the cracked door she went right to the desk. Red jeweled heart in the middle of the leather bound mystery resting there seemed to glow under her gaze. Her fingers hesitated over it. Looking over her shoulder and back again Snow opened the cover and began carefully thumbing the pages.

She could feel the buzz of magic at her fingertips. Gravity spoke to her skin from the parchment pages and stuck there with invisible spider silk. It whispered to her mind in a most delicious voice… Entranced Snow leaned closer to a hideous ink drawing trying to make out what the people or things in the image were doing. They were about a great fire or were they in the fire or maybe… Snow shrieked as the book snapped shut nearly catching the tip of her nose, spun around by her shoulders, her chin was taken.

"What did I tell you?"

Cringing Snow shrank under Regina's heated voice and swallowed thickly. "Regina I—." She was pulled back away from the desk and book. "I was just trying to help and I thought the book would have an answer!" She was frustrated at being rebuked like a child when the Queen let her go and fixed her with a loaded gaze.

Regina took a breath and tried for patience. "Answer me please."

Huffing Snow rolled her eyes, but again the expectancy of an answer forced her little mouth to work. "You said not to touch the book… or go here without you."

Nodding Regina moved to sit on the couch, keeping the child under her eye. "How did it feel?"

Snow's face scrunched in confusion. "How did what feel?"

"The power. I can tell it spoke to you, remnants of it are in your eyes." Jaw tense over the fact and Queen pointed to the spot in front of her feet, beckoning. "So, how did it feel?"

Licking lips and taking a few steps forward. "Heavy. Really heavy."

Nodding again Regina pulled Snow close, resting her hands on little shoulders. "That's because Power is heavy. Magic is dangerous and when stirred or wielded by an unknowing hand it can cause a lot of very unpleasant things."

More confusion spoke. "But there's no magic here. You said your powers didn't work."

"They don't work, but that does not mean magic is not here or able to be helped along to work." Regina's powers were muted at best. She'd been experimenting with what her Mother would call a few parlor tricks and was still coming up with nothing. But she felt her power humming under her skin waiting to be tapped, but tapped how she was still trying to figure out. Never had she ever wanted Snow to feel the lure or weight of it. The very idea made her sick especially in the current form in front of her. She'd put her foot down and hard if she needed to over the fact. Gesturing to the book, Regina tried to keep her temper in check. "Magic here, especially here, is unreliable."

Snow knew that look; that calculated set about a jaw. Regina knew something. "Where is here exactly anyway?"

Queen tilted her head sharp and watchful of green staring. To share what she had been reading or not she was unsure. Snow was curious and that always led to trouble unless sated and yet her theory was exactly that; theory gained from reading Mother's notes in margins. Deciding it best to share something instead of nothing she began. "I suspect, though I am not sure, that we are in some kind of time pocket."

"Pocket?" Snow took a tiny step forward. "Whose pocket?"

"Not whose, rather where." Regina clarified. "There is not a better way to describe it aside from that term. A pocket or piece of time frozen within the natural flow of time. The original Storybrooke occupants were frozen in time—no one aged, but the world outside and within kept moving forward from 1983 to 2011."

"And this Storybrooke?"

"This Storybrooke, much like the original dark curse, is also frozen I believe, but I think this world is both a pocket frozen and tucked away. Like it was set aside from the moving timeline. We are here but not really here. It's hard to explain." Which explained why she had been unable to contact anyone outside of the town via phone or internet. Tested her theory yesterday when Snow had been upstairs in the room crying. Both worked but only to communicate within this pocket they seemed to be stuck in.

Snow processed that and thought she understood. "Is that why I can't call Emma? Because we are not really here in this time, but next to it?" Shuffling her feet when amber eyes seemed to question when that had been attempted. "I tried that first yesterday when you were... busy." Shrugging it off. "So is it?"

"I believe so." Regina clasped her hands in her lap and regarded the girl with a new eye. Perhaps Snow did understand more about the workings of magic than she thought originally, but how had her more than curious and even more uneasy.

"I want to try to get a hold of Emma." Snow said. "Maybe she can help us."

A quiet kind of care spoke. "I don't see how Snow. I really don't. Besides, if we managed to get a hold of her some way, she is almost seventeen years old. The year is 2000. This was a pivotal year for her. If we disrupt that in anyway, she may not—"

"Meet Neal." Paling Snow dropped her chin. "Or conceive Henry." Never mind down the road of the dark curse breaking. That option was out. She'd never forgive herself if Emma's destiny and eventual happiness in their real life was interrupted. There had to be another way, always another way she had managed to find with almost everything in her life and her eyes darted to the spell book resting.

Regina's eyes followed briefly to the book and then gaining back her former tone to address the topic they had been on. "That aside, you are not to touch that book or come in here again unaccompanied. I mean it Snow. Magic, anything connected to it here under an untrained hand is shaky at best."

Big green eyes of past narrowed. "What are you hiding?"

Scoffing. "I'm doing nothing of the kind and doing what I have always tried to, which is to pro—"

"How did you know to get that book from your vault?" Interrupting Snow crossed her arms. "What's so special about it?"

Sighing at the disbelief on a little face ever housed there. "That is what I am trying to figure out but that has been really hard to do while keeping you safe and out of trouble."

"I do not need your help." Pouting and hating how small she sounded, Snow blew tangled curls off her forehead. And when they wouldn't go away, she brushed them aside, scowling further when her fingers caught in those tangles. Further pulling only made her eyes crinkle at the corners.

Regina raised a single brow and chose not to comment on the obvious.

Snow dropped her hands with a huff and took in the Queen's silence. Adult side ran with it. "I'm not a kid and I don't need your help and I don't have to do what you say." Twisting away from the Queen's reach she crossed the room back to the book. Answers were there and she would find them with or without Regina's help. She got two feet towards her destination before Regina moved quicker than she thought possible to stand between her and the goal. Staring at a waist she used to hug she grumbled. "Move." And when Regina didn't Snow lost what hold her adult side had on the present and gave into the frustrated child within. Little arms flew out to push in more than aggravation and did against the Queen's stomach. "I said move…"

Patient, though how she remained so in the commotion Regina tried to dissolve the tantrum. She caught Snow's forearms and balanced the action. "You do not get to push me or speak to me that way Snow."

Slipping the loose grip and trying to push once more to do just that and failing, little Snow stepped back. Red faced and full of hurt. "I can if I want to. You're NOT my mother. My mother's DEAD."

Queen sensed a double meaning, but focused on the tears rolling down the face in front of her. They pulled at her heart and calmly she confirmed for one of them. "She is." Queen stared at the floor for a moment, bitter over more than their current fate. Then back to the little Princess in truth. "But like it or not, right now you are stuck with me."

Angry at that notion, little Snow was out in full glory. "I don't like it. My father is dead too and it is all your fault!" Looking to blame and forgetting to whom she was speaking and what role this person once had in her life.

Refusing to claim that responsibility anymore when adult Snow clearly now knew the truth behind that matter Regina chose to finish this conversation for both of them. "That's quite enough young lady. Curse or not, I am still the Queen and your elder Princess." Finishing with the final card. "I didn't tolerate your tantrums in the Enchanted Forest and I most certainly will not abide them now."

Big hurt spoke with little words. "You are not the Queen here."

Regina agreed with a minor correction with more ease than she thought capable. "No, but both there and here I am your parent." And that meant more, but more how she was still unsure of yet.

Livid tears fell as the child sniffled and a chin wobbled. "No you're not." Hating how unsure she sounded.

"I have legal papers right upstairs that say otherwise." It was her card to play and use it she would. "Go upstairs for a while. You need time to cool off and think about what I've said."

Snow lifted her chin and daring when she'd never once had before, little one stood firm. "No."

Regina waited a moment taking in the defiant child at her feet. There had been but very few times in their past Snow had pushed even near this much. Girl more than needed a quiet moment away and she did as well. Queen moved from the desk, taking an unwilling hand and pulling Snow along with her as she walked towards the stairs. Stopping at the base of the grand staircase, she pointed. "Go on up." And adding when small feet remained frozen. "Do not push me right now. You need to listen."

Pulling away little Snow spat. "I said no." She was done with this reality, the woman in front of her, and the reminders of a life they used to share. It hurt too much.

Losing what patience she had managed to keep in their argument, Regina tried once more in a low under tone she knew little Snow well understood."Yes, you will. Now go."

Losing ground, Snow felt her anger boiling over more than she could comprehend. Out of control too and she didn't know how to regain it on her own, child grasped for a verbal weapon. "I don't have to do what you say… You're nothing but a…" A raw ache in her heart released the quiver on the bow of past, she let loose with an arrow; the ending to a phrase from a memory she'd heard her Father once throw at the Queen. "… bitch."

Memory was fresh in her young mind now. She had always wondered what Regina had been insisting upon in that moment with the King for her Father to say such a thing. Women were not to talk back, especially to their husbands, and Snow recalled only a few times Regina ever outwardly doing so. Present moment came right back however as her arm was taken.

"I…" And Snow had forgotten that children least of all were allowed such liberties. She was swatted once sharply over the seat of her dress. Correcting hand to her bottom brought a flood of mixed emotions; confusion, a strange sense of calm, and least of what she expected—relief of a clear response of their long lost roles. Chin quivering as sting registered both in skin through layers of fabric and heart at the word she'd said. Wet eyes found damp amber.

"Don't you ever speak to me like that again." Firm Queen spoke with raw hurt framing her eyes. "Upstairs. Right now. Go."

And Regina let go of Snow and wondered why when she simply wanted to hold the angry bundle at her feet and make the two very different worlds crashing in on them better for the cost of tears on those pink cheeks. Memories of that vile word and more words yelled in fits of rage from his mouth crushed through Regina, now from the daughter of the dead King. Her daughter here in the eyes of the law just as it had been long ago. One she had never asked for. One especially she never thought she'd see again, but still little Snow was now her responsibility. Again. And not one easily shaken for the woman that had forced them together here.

Little Snow stormed upstairs, stomping on each step hard enough that the picture frames rattled. "I wish I'd never met you!"

'And I you Princess.' Regina thought and swallowed the remnants of darkness that still lingered in her system down along with that untruth.

She only wished things could have gone differently between them in the past. Little Snow was not the one she was upset with right now. Though hurt by the child's words, Regina regretted reacting without thought to the word itself. As a royal she'd been taught from a very young age to control her emotions and losing them in more than one way just now as she had with Snow, little Snow, rubbed a raw nerve. Child more than deserved a correction but she much preferred her formal and sequential way of it. Snow would learn nothing from such a blunt reaction without the discussion or softer way of correcting she'd crafted.

As the Queen of the Enchanted Forest she naturally held rank over the Princess as wife of the King, even after his death. Trapped in a loveless marriage where she had been considered property for the taking, she had been kind to the little girl. Snow had needed her attention from day one and Regina a distraction from reality. New Queen had given attention with the cool and sometimes aloof affection she herself had been raised with. Still, over time, those green eyes cracked at her long ingrained resolve and they had grown quite close in those early years. Some part of her had been happy with Snow.

Regina had come to love the little Princess as her own, tried to protect until a secret revealed broke the tie between them. Cora happened again and like always, ruined any chance of happiness Regina had begun to have at Castle White. She shook her head over the thought. There were moments of happiness, brief, but still there and every single one of them involved Snow, but like those small joys the most painful memories of that Castle also did it some way. Hidden away Regina had kept the harshness of truth away from little ears and eyes as best she could. Questioning now if that had been the best decision of the few she had been allowed to have at the time.

Would that have changed the way her heart felt like it was being ripped from her body right now as Snow's feet stormed away in angry hurt? Change the feeling of a small fist crushing her heart to dust? Regina didn't know and that had her sinking down on the bottom step with her face hidden away in her hands as she heard a door slam upstairs.

Snow had that power over her, the daughter she'd let go of in the past and just now still did… Regina lifted her chin to rest in her fist as she thought more on her feelings and made a decision.

Now it was time to take back her power and along with it some form of her rightful role in Snow's life.

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Upstairs Snow sat on her bed and nursed her bruised ego. The swat she had gotten had long since faded into a reminder of the form she was currently stuck in. Had she dared in the Enchanted Forest given such a display as she had downstairs she would have gotten more than a tap on the butt from her fit of temper. And stewing in such a temper she recoiled at the why of it. Safe she'd felt to voice her hurt so strongly. She wondered then at Regina's patience.

In the Study she had pushed the Queen's buttons for a response, literally pushed, and yet she had been afforded grace in her upset until she crossed too many lines. Her Father had never punished her. As a man and even more so as King he could not be bothered, but had told Regina on more than one occasion to handle her discipline when she had been disobedient or mouthy. Cora had done that too she remembered, but in a much more cruelly direct manner. She sat up straighter at those memories.

Snow had always been wary of Cora, but never scared until she had gotten older. Being caught in a wrong doing by that woman never went well for her. Cora had once given her a choice to whom she could atone with after one particular afternoon she had been caught sneaking in from playing in the gardens when she was supposed to have been at her etiquette lesson. Stupidly and having been mad at the Queen from earlier in the day for something trivial she had chosen Cora. Snow never again snuck out after that nor chose her Grandmother over Regina. Lesson learned the hard way she had not sat comfortably for several days.

She'd been eleven and at odds with Regina over something she didn't remember the details of. By then the Queen had changed and affection that had once been warm shifted to cool with her. Cool, but never cruel as Cora had been that day. Her young heart had known the difference. After that incident she'd given proper breadth and fear to the woman who was her Grandmother. Regina had found her crying on the bed in her chamber afterwards. Snow remembered the delicate way her skin has been tended, the healing salve put on. Held even long past when her tears had dried in stiff arms that used to do so fluidly.

By the time she was twelve Regina spent even more time pouring over books in that private library, going out of the Castle on private excursions close by and even seemed willing to spend some time with Cora behind closed doors. Theirs was a troubled relationship Snow often wondered about and so too was her own with the woman, who in those early years, she had called her Mother. Gone were the heart to hearts with Regina, long walks and the gentle affection Snow had come to greatly miss as she'd gotten older. It was as if someone had taken what made Regina, Regina from her overnight and left a shell of a woman behind. In a way that had happened and Snow had a hand in that decades ago, she knew.

Blushing again, Snow hid face in Mr. Thumper's fur. More and more she just wanted to hide there and never come out. It was getting harder and harder not to let the child she was rule the present moment, but this little girl she was sharing a mind and heart with was broken and angry. Too angry. Snow puzzled over it and how much the child inside needed attention. Affection too.

And Regina had always given her both. Attention especially in a careful and meaningful way that got her awareness to what needed to change. Affection even in the midst of misbehavior and in spite of the rules of the land governing them. Most of that ended just after her 8th birthday…

The closed bedroom door opening brought Snow's wet eyes up from the past. Wiping them she shoved the rabbit she was holding aside, but not before royal eyes caught the gesture and seemed to soften greatly under the fact.

"It's called knocking Regina." Big heat laced her tone.

Stepping into the room Regina regarded the woman child with a raised brow and now little eyes on her. "We need to talk Snow."

"I'm done talking to you." Flipping over on the bed, little Snow buried her head under a pillow. Cringing when the bed sank nearby at how much she needed a hug. "Go away." But a hand tapped her foot and she kicked at it, only for it to tap again more insistently. Ripping the pillow off her head she glared, but thought better of voicing her current thought.

Studying those little hot eyes for a moment Regina replied how she thought Snow might need her to. Firm and in control when the child obviously felt so out of it. "I've corrected you for less than that vile display of language and attitude downstairs. Do not push me right now by continuing." Reminding the child Snow was of her authority, then softer as glassy green loosened at the edges. "I know you are hurting and very much want to not be as you are, but we are stuck here, together, for the time being. We need to get along for this to work."

"Why?" Asked with much less intensity as she began calming under Regina's direction. Then saying what she thought might be true. "You don't care about me. You only pretend to when other people are around."

Regina opened her mouth and promptly closed it in hurt. Mirrored words from another child's mouth were still just as cutting. And from little Snow they cut just as deeply. Maybe even a little bit more. "I know you see it that way." Because she did care much more than she could say at the moment.

Snow sat up some and wiped her eyes, listening.

Regina tried to explain some of her actions. "I think, like me, you are feeling very sensitive right now and are unsure of how to go about things between us. I have been trying not draw people's attention our way. Curse or spell or whatever, things could go badly for us if people think there is magic or something unnatural occurring. There are certain things that are different here than what you are used to and it is my responsibility to protect you."

And naturally decades ago she'd been so taken with the sweet girl since those little arms encircled her neck in the field after the rescuing and again when they had welcomed her to Castle White. But old reins kept her emotions leashed and heart trained against showing such open affection. Cora had seen to that well, but now especially she fought against those old inclinations. Regina reached her hand out to touch Snow's knee. The little girl did not pull away and her thumb rubbed circles gently there.

Contact.

"But I'm mad at you and you already corrected me." Sniffling in some confusion over how it was done, but Snow allowed the touch, calming even more under it.

Regina spoke directly to the child Snow was in this moment that had thrown that comment downstairs her way and proceeded with the discussion she should have had prior to any action. "I swatted you for not listening and more so for the word. That's what it is called here. Your behavior has been begging for my attention all day and right now Princess you have it. You know better, even here, than to behave like that." World not their own and for little Snow very much not so. "That is not how I raised you."

"I know."

Two words that said so much, but also did not at the same time. Regina wouldn't tolerate Snow's defiance. Especially when the child was deemed hers again, on paper anyway. Hard roots hard to dig up and here with Snow it felt right to return to some part of them that had worked. That had anchored them together, in their own way, against the world they came from and the people who had ruled them. Like Cora's hands had ruled her heart.

Mother would have strangled her on the spot had roles been reversed today and had on more than one occasion. No, Regina was firm with the child Snow was, but not cruel. Strict by modern world standards sure, but they were not from the modern world. The Enchanted Forest had very different views on how to raise children, especially Royal ones. Soft was not the word of their time. Born to the ruling class did not lessen that callous reality—responsibility to those less fortunate only increased with title and wealth. Then there was also their societal norm on gender.

Boys always were sent to training camps for skills in fighting or hunting or an apprenticeship if they showed talent for craft at a young age. Noble ones schooled and trained to be knights or land owners. Daughters belonged to their Mothers until marriage. Sometimes, like in her case, even after. They were tutored in deportment and studies the same manner noble young men were and used as a bargaining chip to further the wealth and standing of their families.

And through her marriage to Leopold just shy of a child herself she had inherited Snow as her own. Had been careful to instill discipline alongside love, yet by their world at the time Queen had often been criticized for being too soft with the Princess. She had kept her first promise to the child. Had never slapped Snow or used anything, as was common of the time, other than her hand for an occasional swat or a few well placed ones together no more than Snow's age—her heart couldn't. Still there was expectation for correction.

But their way.

Always done formally with a soft hand in order to teach and Regina had preceded with discussion and followed with the affection she had never gotten herself. When people had looked at Princess Snow White they saw the heir to the Kingdom, the Queen's daughter. Women could inherit rank and property through their fathers or husbands and that is exactly how Cora had gotten power and link to magic. But when Regina looked at little Snow then and now she saw a pouting little girl who had a lot to learn with a runny nose in need of a lot of love and direction.

With Henry, her second chance after the dark curse, no one could take her son from her. He was not sent away to school or taught to hold a sword to a neck for his first kill at the age of ten, the age of transition to manhood. He would not be betrothed before then to a woman twice his age. He was her hope for something different, something happy.

Henry was goofy as a little boy and the light of Regina's life, loved to help her cook and garden; deemed women's work less worthy of a man in the Enchanted Forest, she had adored sharing her love of domestic tasks with him. Regina could show him unbound affection and tuck him into bed and hold his hand, kiss his fat cheeks without anyone batting an eye that she was 'coddling' him. She had been able to raise him as she had wanted to, under the new world's view of children. Here children and women were not property to barter. They had rights and choices, of that Regina had been grateful and in her position as Mayor had never once allowed anyone to make her feel less than.

Never again.

With Snow it was different. Their established relationship was so much so. Little Princess expected and needed a different response from Regina and so she gave it.

"I should not have reacted the way I did with you downstairs just now. I was hurt and feeling more than a little upset."

"But I deserved a correction." That much was clear to her and Snow expected it.

"You needed a talking to and possibly a correction for what the moment was, but not how I went about it."

Little Snow felt something tight inside loosen at that revelation.

"But to be clear going forward, ignoring your safety, blatant disobedience or any more name calling like was done and I will take you right into my Study. We will talk and I will correct you just as I've done before."

Little Snow blushed, and it slipped. "But we're not home." Somehow she'd thought Our Way wouldn't happen here.

Sure and soft. "Even so that is how it will be. The choice of actuality is yours, as always. You also seem to be forgetting to whom you belong and like it or not right now little one that is me." Lifting a small chin. "Do you understand me Snow?"

Nodding. "Yes M—Regina." Little Snow answered covering the slip. She was not ready to open that door back up, but was now very aware even in this world Queen meant business on such things. And that was more than a small comfort. Sniffling Snow wanted to fall into the arms that used to hold her now that she was calmer. Ones that she was surprised opened to her now, but now the adult in her wouldn't allow her to go to them.

Regina sighed and settled for patting that knee gently instead. "I want you to take some time to reflect and to think about what I've said. I'll call you for dinner when it's ready. After which we need to get you sorted out."

Rubbing tired eyes. "What does that mean?"

"You need a bath and your hair is a bird's nest at best. We need to also change the bandage on your foot from the glass cut yesterday." Standing to leave the conversation there for the moment, but Regina paused at the door and turned needing some common ground as she thought little Snow might. "Do you still enjoy those small hens? I found some in the fridge that need eating." Adding as if to explain her inquiry to a question she well knew the answer to, but needed to ask for something soft between them.

Snow nodded once and as those heels turned to leave she added. "With the little red potatoes?"

"I well remember, with the garlic butter." Said from the hall.

Big Snow wondered then just how much Regina did remember. She knew they were far from done even chipping the tip of the past ice-burg between them.

But now the ice-burg was melting. And maybe, just maybe Snow thought, the woman walking away down the hall was not as dead and buried as the little girl once thought. Perhaps one of her Mothers was, in some small way, still her Mother after all.

::::::::::::::

Dinner was a quiet but tasty affair. Regina was a magnificent cook, little Snow had decided. Even better than the cooks at Castle White when it came her favorite dish of roast hen. Though it tasted divine she couldn't eat nearly as much as she wanted too. Her stomach was much smaller than she was used to and she couldn't finish the plate made for her. In her hunger she had eaten quickly and now sat waiting for Regina to finish, taking intermittent nibbles just to have something to do with her mouth.

Queen sipped a blood red Cabernet, enjoying the balanced fruit and spice after the hardness of the day, though it had been somewhat better than yesterday. She wondered if there just might be a chance at some peace between them eventually. Yawning child brought her back to the present. Dabbing her lips with a napkin she cleared her throat. "You may take your dish into the kitchen and go upstairs. The bathroom I want you to use is just across the way from your—the room you are staying in."

Room Henry's, always Henry's. Maybe she should… Snow's big eyes filled the room they were in instead as little hands swept over the mess hair had become. Regina stood, taking her own plate as Snow followed her. Setting hers down by the sink she reached for the girl's.

"I hate to ask but…" Pink lips did anyway. "Could you help me?"

Putting the dishes in the sink to soak Queen found herself nodding automatically. Familiar, this was too familiar. "Go up and do what you are able, I'll be there in a moment."

Dismissed Snow went upstairs and found the bathroom. Like her room it was done up in pale pinks and whites. Distracted by the décor and the fact that she was starting to refer to things in this house as hers, one faucet knob turned under her hand. As the water ran in the tub, she struggled, as she had yesterday with the zipper and buttons on her clothing, but managed to get the blouse and skirt off with the tights. Clad in an undershirt and panties Snow left the pile on the floor when there was no where else to put it, but she tried folding them neatly first as she'd been taught. She stepped up on the foot stool by the sink and got a good look in the mirror. Eyes red again, but less somehow and in what way she was unsure. She found a brush in the drawer, pink too, and went to work on a piece of her hair. Wincing and frustrated over more than the tangles after a few minutes of work she went to throw the brush on the floor, but her hand was caught.

Silent Queen had slipped into the room and let go of that little wrist in favor of taking the brush with a pointed look. She turned Snow around by the shoulders. Slow, but sure hands began at the end of black coils and worked upwards.

Still, Snow stood. Her tummy fluttered as she watched their reflection in the mirror of present blur with the past. She closed her eyes, focusing on the gentle tugging of her scalp, the knowing fingers separating the thick strands and running the length to feel for knots. So many of those between them, always knots and snarls. She never thought she would feel them quite like this again. One night they had done this ritual before bed clearer than most floated in her mind.

The night she had been sick and overheard the arguing in the corridor outside of her room. Snow focused on the memory, the sound of her Father's heated voice and Regina's insistent pleading for something. Wanting comfort in her feverish state and knowing Queen would more than give it, Snow had slipped from her bed and moved toward that husky tone. Chamber door had been cracked and cheek flush with the wall her eyes had watched and her ears had listened…

"Listen to me for one moment Leopold. She's just a little girl—"

"She is the heir to my throne unless you have suddenly decided to give me a son?"

Snow bounced a bit on the balls of her feet at her Father's question. She had always wanted a brother, but Regina was quiet over that same question.

"At the very least you are beautiful, as Snow will be and she a fine prize in a few years." But her Father's compliment sounded angry.

Regina's voice did too. "She's too young and wouldn't understand—"

Snow's ears strained. A prize for what and what wouldn't she understand, she wondered.

King mumbled something inaudible and Snow tried to catch the end of it. "… coddle her Regina. She's nearly old enough. Your Mother has more sense than you ever will and agrees with me…"

Snow saw the Queen pacing and try to take her Father's hand. "Snow deserves some choice surely as your heir and unification with Mida's greedy brother will put the Kingdom in ruin. He will raise the taxes to the point of poverty for our people after your death. My Mother doesn't always know—"

"And you do?" He spat.

Why was her Father so upset?

"When it comes to Snow I do Leopold and she is mine… The law is on my side." Though quiet, Regina's tone held challenge and certainty that made Snow's tummy flutter.

"Only until marr—"

"And after if it is my will and as her Mother I have some say now in when and who she m..."

Fragments tangled.

Father's voice rose, "… really wish to defy… made my decision and you…"

Regina's voice cut through. "I will not yield on this."

They moved out of sight from where she could see, so Snow moved her ear to the crack instead as her Father's voice cut through in bursts "…Don't you… tell me what… You are nothing…" Something echoed she couldn't name, but it made her wince. "… bitch."

"Snow?"

"Hmmm?" Then Snow blinked and lips rolled inward as she gave eyes to the woman looking at her in the mirror. "I mean yes?"

"I said your bath is ready." Setting down the brush, Regina turned away from the question unasked and tested the water. Too hot, she added some cold. Waiting a minute and turning it off she stood back up. Hesitating. "Are you able to manage from here yourself?" Not sure how well little Snow's knowledge of the Enchanted Forest and the adult's of the modern world were mixing here.

A nod. "Yes."

Good. Regina was more than done with awkward and the other thing eating her stomach from the inside out. She moved to leave the room, picking up the pile of clothes by the doorway. Realizing as she held them that they were folded and felt the corner of her lips bow up.

"Regina?"

Turning Queen gave pause.

Snow shifted from foot to foot, fingers twirling the ends of fresh brushed curls while the other tugged at the hem of an undershirt looking every bit the part of a nervous little girl. "I'm sorry."

Silent confusion looked back, but red lips parted.

Little Snow tried again. "You are not that word I said." Then she turned away and began fumbling with her shirt to get in the tub.

"Thank you Snow." Barely there.

Big green misted and turned to speak, but Regina was gone.

:::::::::::::::::

A/N – Thoughts?

Next time –Snow has her first day of school in this world and her emotions get the better of her in the lunch room. She and Regina have a heart to heart. Queen realizes another clue.