Part 4 : Revelations and investigation.
Of course, it happened.
When she saw again her girlfriend (former) come again in her bar, Regina gave her a terrible slap, full of anger and rancor.
There were just few customers then, and it made a great good to Regina to be able to explode against the one who took everything from her two years ago.
"Ah, yes, I see what you meant, Anastasia remarked, as she saw the reaction of the witch.
- How do you dare coming back there, after what you did to me ? Regina whistled, not even noticing Anastasia's presence, too much taken in her anger. Are you coming here to praise yourself again for what you did ? Well, in this case, great job Drizella ! I congratulate you, you succeeded.
- Regina, I am not here for this.
- Get out of my bar, right now !
- If you could just listen to what I have to tell you.
- And then what ? You betrayed me, you considered that I was not enough for you, that your revenge, and your freaking curse mattered more than me ! Why would I want to listen to you ?
- You're the one who broke up with me, I remind you.
- Yes, of course ! Because it couldn't work anymore, because you had all your anger and your rancor, and I, I just wanted… Then, she noticed Anastasia's presence. Who are you ?"
It had been since some hours that she learned what happened to Lucy, and she came back not a long time ago from San Francisco, and she was back in her bar just since a little time (just as Zelena was), and she was quite tired.
So, yes, the arrival of her ex didn't really please her, that was the least which could be said.
"I am Anastasia."
The barmaid's face then showed a choked air.
"So, this is because of you that Lucy is in a coma now ?
- Who is Lucy ?
- Please, Regina, you can blame me, be angry at me, you have all the reasons to be, but please, don't be rude toward Ana, she doesn't deserve your anger. Calm yourself, please.
- My grand-daughter may die, and my son is risking his life because of you, and you want me to just calm myself ?
- My mother and Rumplestiltskin tried to determine if Anastasia was the Guardian or not, the person who would allow Rumplestiltskin not to have his powers anymore and to be mortal again. She could wake up Lucy, maybe. After this, Gothel came to take Ana and she almost succeeded. She betrayed me, and took my powers, in order to give them to Anastasia. My mother and I, we escaped from the well where Gothel locked us up. To summarize what happened then, she is with my mother now, without her powers, and she is unconscious. My mother is now contacting Rumplestiltskin, so we will be able to put her in prison, for kidnapping.
- Wait… you're serious ? Regina asked, surprised.
- Yes. Listen to me… I believed Gothel would be able to take my mother's place, but I realized that she was worst than her. She took my powers, and sent me into a well, from which my mother and I we were able to escape. There, I understood how wrong I was. And my mother did too. I am sorry Regina, for everything. And I swear that now, I am ready to do everything to make myself be forgiven.
- Save my son and Lucy first, we will see it later."
But she was smiling, so, maybe that it was not too late.
§§§§
Weaver sighed. Anastasia was now gone since hours, and he was worried, but he couldn't share his worry with Rogers, as this one knew nothing of the story, and would understand nothing of it.
He came back to the post office, not knowing what else he could do.
"Is everything okay ? His partner asked him."
The sorcerer nodded his head with a distract air, and then, the ring of his phone resonated in the air.
He grimaced when he saw that it was coming from Victoria, but he did answer despite it.
"Victoria ! So, are you happy you got out of prison ? And your daughter, how is she ?
- Listen to me Rumple, I got Anastasia back, just as Drizella. Gothel can hurt no one now, and I want to make her go to prison, for trying to kidnap my daughter, Anastasia. Would you accept to testify against her ?
- Well… yes, of course. Are you sure she can't hurt anyone ?
- Yes. Drizella took her magic, and now, she is unconscious, I stopped her. Well, Anastasia did, she added, and Rumple was able to feel all the pride that Victoria was feeling toward her two daughters.
- Well, this is a good thing…
- Anastasia and Drizella are now with Regina and they are fine. I want to help you break the curse, and my two daughters will try to wake up Lucy and cure Henry from the poison with which Gothel and Drizella poisoned him."
A true air of relief appeared on the Dark One's face, who was beginning to understand that things were just getting better now.
"Well, very well… Where is she ?
- In one of the Belfrey's towers."
Rumplestiltskin couldn't help but smile.
"In a tower, again, right ? Why am I not surprised ?
- Because I must be someone very predictable, for sure, Rapunzel replied immediately.
- Alright, don't move, we are coming right now.
- Do you think we can stop her in a legal way ? I don't want to be seen again as the villain of the story.
- But, well, Victoria you are the villain of the story, you have to be aware of this ! Weaver exclaimed with irony, while Rogers was nodding his head, seeming to be trying to contain his rage, still blaming Victoria Belfrey for what she did to Eloise.
- Not in her story…
- I agree. And the answer is yes, with my testimony, and your daughter's, well, your daughters'. And about yours…
- Yes, I know. Drizella already told me I wouldn't be really believable as the accuser, after I was the accused.
- Don't worry Victoria, she will finally pay for what she did.
- Not for everything, unfortunately. Not for what she did to Alice and her father.
- No, unfortunately…
- I am waiting.
- Fine, I am coming."
He then stopped the call, and met the worried and also lightly circumspect look of his partner, who heard just the half of the talk.
"What happened ? What did Belfrey want from you ?"
Rumple sighed, knowing it would be difficult to explain the situation to Rogers without talking about curse, magic, and be seen as a madman.
"This is about Eloise Gardener..."
Immediately, the policeman stand up, a light of anger in his look.
"What does she want again from her ?
- Listen, Rogers… this is possible that I didn't tell you everything about Eloise… She is not the one you think she is.
- What do you mean ?
- There is a reason to what Victoria Belfrey did… Some years ago, her daughter, Ana, fell into a deep coma after something Eloise Gardener did to her. She kidnapped her, and what happened after is kind of blurred, but something happened. I don't know what it is, but Victoria kidnapped her, and locked her up by revenge. And before you say anything, yes, she tried the legal way before, but Eloise was put again outside despite what we tried.
- Why didn't you tell me anything before ?
- Would you have listened to me ? You were just seeing an innocent woman who needed to be freed. And we had no proof against her.
- What changed ?
- Ana, Victoria's daughter, she finally woke up, and Eloise tried to kidnap her, again, as before she got her accident."
Rogers nodded his head.
"Alright, he said, seeming to accept his explanations. I hope you know what you're doing.
Rumple smiled.
- Oh, don't worry, dearie. I am perfectly aware of this."
