A/N: Remember this is the second chapter I've posted today so if you haven't already, I advise you to read the previous chapter. Enjoy!

It was a still morning at the local cemetery. The sun was just about to rise and not even the birds were chirping. As Regina made her way through the various headstones she knew it was a bit extreme for her to come out this early. But even so she knew if she didn't do it now, she might not get another chance for months. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, and she only had on a pair of worn out jeans and a t-shirt. It wasn't exactly her best outfit but it would keep her comfortable on the plane.

She sighed as she came upon the marble headstone she'd grown so familiar with. Even after nine months the engraved words still looked as good as new.

MARIAN LOCKSELY

Beloved Mother and Wife

When the funeral home had asked her to define her friend in so few words she'd agonized over what she should say. Marian meant so much more than 40 letters could truly convey. So she'd picked the two things she thought her friend would be most proud of. Her happy marriage and her beautiful baby boy. If you knew who she was to her husband and son, then you would know she deserved a better ending than the one she got. Regina had always made a point to come out here at least once a week and she knew Robin did the same. It pained her to think she wouldn't be able to do so from New York.

She sighed as she leaned down to place a dark pink rose in front of the headstone. Daniel had once told her that they meant gratitude and appreciation. If this was the last time she'd be seeing Marian's grave that was definitely the message she wanted to leave with.

"Hi Marian," she said softly. "Today's my last day in California… but then I guess you would know that. Thanks for the new job by the way, I'll do my best to make you proud. And I promise that even though I'll be in New York, I'll still look after Robin and Roland. I'll do my best to make sure that they're okay. You don't have to worry about that."

Tears streamed down her cheek as she continued speaking to the headstone with no response. "I just wanted to come by and see you one last time. You did so much for me and you were such a good friend. I just wanted you to know I'm still grateful for it every day. I love you, Marian and you'll always be my best friend, no matter who comes along."

She took a minute to wipe away her tears before laying a hand on the stone. "Goodbye bodega savior."

Morning light streamed through the window as Henry and Regina stood in the center of their apartment for the last time. Boxes were piled against all the walls and she knew it would be only a few hours before the electricity cut out.

"It looks bigger," observed Henry quietly.

She rubbed his shoulders comfortingly. "I know sweetheart."

Henry had taken the news of their relocation rather well for a boy his age. He seemed most upset about having to pack up his stuff so quickly. After accepting her new job Regina was given two weeks to wrap things up in California. It had been pretty hectic, getting things squared away, but by the time she was finished things were handled to her satisfaction. She'd completed all her dress orders, and paid off all her outstanding bills. After everything was balanced she'd had enough money to last her and Henry until her first paycheck from the firm. She'd arranged a decent filing system and checklist to help Robin with the bar's budget. She'd even managed to look up a few places online for when she went apartment hunting in New York. The only thing left to do now was to leave. And it was just as hard as she expected.

"Take a look around Henry," she said softly. "For three years this was our home and it was really good to us. I don't want you to forget that, ok?"

"Okay," he said nodding his head firmly.

Regina sighed as she looked around the apartment. It held so many good memories for her. She still remembered how proud she was the first day she had moved in. A place that was all her own. One that she'd earned herself and could make into anything she wanted. She supposed she'd be able to do the same thing once she found a place in New York. Remember this isn't an ending Regina, just a beginning, she silently reminded herself.

She patted Henry on the shoulder. "Come on, the cab's waiting for us downstairs."

They both headed for the door, Henry pulling his miniature blue suitcase and Regina shouldering her small black duffle bag. As they stepped into the hallway together she took one last look back in the apartment and sighed. It really had been a good home.

As she and Henry made their way out to the sidewalk below their apartment, Regina was unsurprised to Robin and Roland waiting for them. He'd promised more than a few times that he wouldn't miss out the chance to see them off. Even if it meant the bar had to open late. However, she was a little shocked to see all her friends from the bar standing with him. Killian and Mulan and Tink. They were all waiting in front of the cab for her.

Henry wasted no time running to wrap his arms around Robin's legs. A sad smile made its way onto Robin's face as he dropped down to wrap his arms around the young boy. "Hey don't start crying now. I'd never be able to let you go then."

Henry pulled back to look at Robin's face. "Why can't you come with us?"

"Oh I wish I could Henry," said Robin affectionately patting him on the shoulder. "But I have to stay here and take care of the Drunken Monk. I promise we'll talk though. Your mom has my number and you can call any time you like."

Henry pouted before reaching into his pocket and handing Robin a small photograph. A smile tugs on Robin's lips as he looks down at the photo of Henry and Regina at the beach. Henry's hair was still wet from the splash pad and Regina had wrapped him a towel as he sat on her lap. She was in a black one piece swimsuit with her hair down, falling just below her chin. The smiles on their faces were identical. "What's this for?"

"So you don't forget what I look like," mumbled Henry.

His answer broke Robin's heart but he managed to keep the smile on his face. "How could I ever forget you Henry? You're the greatest sidekick I've ever had."

Regina watched with a sad smile as Henry and Robin said their goodbyes. It was getting harder to leave by the second.

She turned away when she felt Killian tap her on the shoulder. He gave her one of his charismatic smiles before holding up a folded piece of notebook paper.

"I know going to a new place can be scary but it always helps if you know somebody," he said handing it to her. "I've been to New York a few times, kept in touch with a few people. Here are their numbers. You should be able to call any of them if you need some help."

"Thank you Killian. That means a lot," she said, tucking the numbers into her pocket. She pulled him into a hug before whispering into his ear, "Look out for them while I'm gone, okay?"

"Always," he whispered back before releasing her. He gave her hand one final squeeze before smiling brightly at her. "You're going to love New York. The city is magnificent."

"But the plumbers are trash," said Tink stepping over to her. She excitedly handed her a copy of Home Repair for Dummies. "In there is everything you'll need to know to survive, plus a list of everything you should have in your first toolbox."

Regina chuckled as she looked over the book cover. "Oh Tink, what am I going to do without you to fix my leaky faucets?"

Tink shrugged her shoulders with a smile. "I guess, you'll have to roll up your sleeves and do the work yourself. It's alright, I have faith in you."

"Thank you," said Regina giving her a hug.

The tiny blonde patted her on the back appreciatively before letting go. "Try not to become anyone's mistress, okay?"

"Okay," laughed Regina. She then turned her attention to Mulan who looked at her with nervous eyes.

"I didn't bring you a gift," she said flatly. "To be honest goodbyes aren't really my thing. I never know what to say."

"Just say something that makes it a little easier for me to leave," offered Regina.

Mulan sighed before shaking her head and shrugging her shoulders apologetically. "Your plane tickets are nonrefundable…"

A bark of laughter escaped Regina. "Thank you Lani. That was exactly what I needed to hear."

"Are you serious?" she said raising her eyebrows. "That helped?"

"No," giggled Regina. "But it was perfectly you and that exactly the memory I want to leave with."

"Well you're welcome," replied Mulan haughtily, before pulling her into a hug. She sighed as Regina wrapped her arms around her.

"Thanks for always giving me a kick when I need it," she said softly.

Mulan hugged her a little tighter. "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too," said Regina pulling back.

She was going to miss them all. This motley crew that had somehow become her family. They'd all taught her so much and helped her so many times she didn't know where she'd be without them. I suppose I'll find out now, she thought to herself.

Oh this next goodbye was going to be the hardest.

She took a deep breath before kneeling down next to Roland's stroller. She knew it was early enough that he couldn't have been awake for more than an hour or so. Usually he'd be cranky but she supposed the weight of the occasion must've reached him because he was sitting in his seat as calm as ever. His pacifier was firmly in his mouth as he looked at her with his wide innocent eyes.

She ran her thumb over his cheek with a sad smile. "Hello Roland. God you've gotten so big. I know you're going to grow up to be so strong and so handsome. I'm so sorry that after today I won't be able to see you as often but I promise it's not forever. In a few months Henry and I going to try and fly back and we're going to be so very excited to see you. Until then I want you to try and be the happiest little baby you can be, alright? And remember just because I'm not here doesn't mean I'm not thinking of you always."

She leaned in to press a kiss to his forehead as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I love you."

She quickly wiped the tear from her face as she stood to face Robin. "If I don't get pictures every week, I swear I will hunt you down. You understand me, Locksely?"

"Of course," he said nodding solemnly. "You're his godmother. We're not going to forget you."

They stood there in heavy silence for a moment both of them unsure of what to say next. What could you say to someone you owed so much to? What type of goodbye could leave them both satisfied?

Regina swallowed before breaking the silence. "You know I'll be back, right?"

Robin sent her a small smile. "I'm counting on it."

She smiled back at him before stepping into his arms and pulling him close. "Thank you for the home and the family."

"Thank you for bringing me back to life," he replied softly.

Their hug lasted a moment longer before Regina finally allowed herself to pull back. "I should probably get going."

He nodded sadly at her. "Just remember we're always going to be here if you need us."

"I know," she said nodding her head.

She swore her duffle bag never felt heavier than when she was loading it into that cab. After saying her final words to the group she and her son got into the back of the yellow car and watched as the figures in the rearview got smaller. She let out a sigh as she turned to face forward in her seat. Onto new beginnings, she thought to herself.

New York was a completely different animal than California. It was all Regina could think as she made her way down the sidewalk with Henry's hand in hers. Where California was sunshine and beaches, New York was concrete and skyscrapers. It took her two whole days to stop looking up when she walked down the street. It wasn't exactly the safest way to move through dozens of people at once. God, the sheer amount of people, it almost made her feel claustrophobic. Though, if her mother hadn't been able to find her in Santa Barbra then she surely couldn't find her New York. It'd be like finding a needle in a pile of needles.

"Are we almost there?" asked Henry.

"I promise we're only a block away sweetheart," she said absentmindedly.

It was her first day at her new job and she had to admit that she was a little anxious. She'd changed her outfit no less than three times before settling on a cobalt blue dress with a folded, asymmetrical neckline and a pair of plain back pumps. A choice that she now regretted since she'd gotten off at the wrong subway station and ended up walking an extra five blocks. It was a relief when they finally reached the gigantic office building where she now worked. She quickly rushed them into the elevator and pressed the button for the eighth floor.

When she'd called to accept this job she was pleasantly surprised to find out that the building had a daycare center for most of its employees. The price tag would surely eat into her paycheck but it was worth it to have Henry close by. Besides he'd be starting school in a year anyway so it wasn't like it was forever.

She kneeled down in front of him before dropping him off with the day care teacher. "Okay sweetheart, I know it's your first day and you're a little nervous but I promise you're going to have such a good time here. And if you need me I will be right upstairs, okay?"

"Okay," said Henry nodding his head stoically.

She tried to give him a reassuring smile. "Will you wish Mama good luck on her first day?"

"Good luck," he said with a small smile.

"Thank you," she said giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Have a good day baby."

Regina watched nervously as the daycare helper led him over to another group of small kids before heading back to elevator and pushing the button for the twelfth floor. She fretfully drummed her fingers against her purse strap as the metal box made its way up the shaft. Her first day at the bar hadn't been this nerve wrecking but she supposed that was because she had Marian and Robin's friendly faces to help her through it. She didn't know much about her new boss. Just that her name was Mallory Volante and she'd started the firm all by herself.

A ding signaled the end of her elevator ride and when the doors opened she stepped out onto the white tile floors of a very posh lobby. There were a three leather chairs and a small white coffee table across from the lobby desk with the word VOLANTE spelled out behind it in larger stylish letters. She felt her heart beat faster as the elevator doors shut behind her. There was no escape now.

At that very moment she felt a buzz against her side and reached into her purse to see she'd gotten a one-word text from Robin.

BREATHE

She let out a deep breath as she rolled her eyes at his instructions. She should've known he'd send something for her first day. Still the reminder of his faith bolstered her confidence just a little. She squared her shoulders and walked up to the lobby desk. It was manned by a tiny bird of a woman with her light brown hair pulled back into a severe bun. She raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow as Regina approached her.

"Hi I'm Regina Gardiner. Today's my first day."

The receptionist gestured toward a leather chair. "Have a seat," she said coolly.

Regina did as she was told while the secretary spoke softly into her headset, summoning someone from the office. It wasn't long before Regina heard the click-clack of heels against the tile floors. A blonde woman rounded the corner and regarded her appraisingly.

"Regina Gardiner," she said in a smooth voice. "I'm Mallory Volante."

Regina rushed to shake the hand of her new boss. She could tell that Mallory was older than her but she didn't think it was by that much. Maybe five or ten years. She carried herself proudly, with her shoulders back and her chin parallel to the floor. It could be the power suit or the bright red lipstick but Regina couldn't help but be reminded of her mother when she looked at her.

"I, um, didn't think you'd be greeting me on my first day," she stammered.

"I like to meet with all my new employees personally," Mallory replied. She let her eyes run over Regina's body critically. "The dress. Where'd you get it?"

Regina eyes fell down to her chest as if she'd forgotten what she was wearing already. "I made it," she said quickly.

"Really?" said Mallory with an impressed arch of her eyebrow. "Nice to know your application didn't lie about your potential."

"Thank you Ms. Volante."

"Please… everyone here just calls me Mal."

She beckoned Regina to follow her as she turned on her heel and headed back to the office. "Know now that despite our impressive client list this is a small design firm. I only employ eight designers but that is because I only choose to hire those that I know are capable of not disappointing me. I can only count the amount of people able to do that on two hands… and I am not afraid to cut off fingers."

She led Regina to office space filled with two groups of white desks arranged in squares. If it weren't for the fully grown adults sitting at each one she might've mistaken it for a class room. Mal lead her over to an empty desk surrounded by three other workers and gestured to them respectively. "These are the members of your design team, you'll be working closely with them as you handle projects for our individual clients."

They all looked over at her expectantly. Mal pointed to the woman closest to her, she was rail thin with two-tone died hair, one side white and the other jet black. "This is Carlotta Duville, she'll be handling shoe design."

The woman smiled at her mischievously. "Pleasure to meet you darling."

Regina nodded at her with a forced smile. Something about that woman's eyes just screamed sociopath.

Mal then pointed to the woman next to her. She was full-figured with flawless dark skin and blonde hair. "This is Ursula Triton. She'll be designing the jewelry to match your dresses."

"Hello," said Regina softly.

The other woman only gave her a nod of acknowledgement before returning to her sketch pad.

Regina quickly recovered from her lack of interest and turned to the last worker of the group. He was the only man at the table and his light brown hair was complimented excellently by his light blue eyes.

"And last but not least is Jefferson Abbott, he designs all our outerwear and scarves but hats are really his specialty," said Mal affectionately.

"Good to have you aboard," he said giving her a non-threatening smile. Regina nodded appreciatively before taking a seat at the empty desk. As soon as she sat down Mal dropped a thin file in front of her. "Your first assignment."

Regina opened it to find photos of a young blonde woman she was sure she'd seen in more than a few B-movies over the last few years.

"She has a premiere coming up and her agency wants her to look flawless," said Mal, calmly folding her arms across her chest. "I want to have at least four dress options on my desk by noon tomorrow. You'd best get started."

And with that she strutted back out of their sight back into her own private office. Regina watched her go with her mouth slightly open and Jefferson chuckled at her reaction.

"She's a bit of a dragon," he said shrugging his shoulders. "But that's what makes her so successful."

Carlotta eyed her from across the table. "Sketch pads are in the table drawers darling. If I were you I'd get busy."

Regina nodded stiffly at her before reaching in her purse and pulling out her Marina snow globe. As she set it on the corner of her desk Ursula scoffed at it haughtily.

"What the hell is that?" she said, her voice dripping with disdain.

"A piece of home," replied Regina, pointedly looking in her eyes as if daring her to say anything else. Ursula only rolled her eyes and returned her attention back to her sketch pad.

After a few hours at her desk Regina slowly felt the anxiousness leave her body. Coming up with possible designs for the young starlet had helped relax her. Designing was familiar to her and that familiarity was quite comforting given how much she felt like a fish out of water. She was so deep in her work that her focus was only broken when she saw two men in identical black suits walk into the office space.

"Who are they?" she asked curiously.

Cruella looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed. "They're bodyguards for our insipid little intern."

"Intern?" said Regina, scrunching her eyebrows in confusion.

"If you can call her that," scoffed Ursula absentmindedly.

"She doesn't really do anything here," said Jefferson shaking his head at her. "She's just some spoiled little girl whose daddy paid Mal major bank to let her work here. I don't think she even really wants to."

"Is she really that bad?" said Regina.

"So much worse," replied Ursula, her eyes still on her sketchpad.

Regina looked over at the office doors just as the young intern made her entrance. As soon as they locked eyes she felt her blood run cold. Her hair was definitely shorter, cut just above her ears and spiked up with gel. She'd apparently traded in her bright sundresses for a dark bodycon dress and leather booties. But her green eyes were just as Regina remembered.

Jefferson leaned closer so he could whisper, "Her name is Mary-Margaret Blanchard but everyone just calls her-"

"Snow."

IN THE NEXT CHAPTER: Snow confronts Regina about her disappearance.

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