Just a quick little note because this bothered me. The person who gave me the prompt for Day 332 was happy with the chapter. Prompts let me use my own creative license. Please don't tell me how to write my own story. Thanks.

Regina slowly opened the back door and quietly slipped out into the backyard. She crept over to the stump of what once was her beautiful apple tree that Emma had chopped down. How rude.

They had moved past it though, and were now even in a relationship. But Regina needed the help of the tree. Her poison apples grew on this tree, and right now Regina needed a poison apple.

Regina wrapped her magic around the stump and made the tree grow to its full height, producing the most beautiful apples she had ever seen. Then again, looks could be deceiving.

Smiling, Regina reached up to one of the lower branches and plucked an apple from the tree. There was a reason she loved this tree. It had come with her from the Enchanted Forest, and produced the most delicious poison apples. Perfect for revenge.

Henry walked downstairs, rubbing his eyes. He was up earlier than usual, but had felt that something was off. He supposed he got that trait from Emma.

He got to the kitchen just as Regina walked back inside holding her apple. She quickly poofed it away, but not before Henry could see it.

"What was that?" Henry asked. "It looked like an apple."

"You must be seeing things," Regina said. "I have no idea what you're talking about. What do you want for breakfast?"

"Why do you have an apple?" Henry asked. "Emma chopped down the tree."

Regina sighed. "Henry, sometimes I have to do things without you knowing. Don't worry about the apple."

"So there is an apple," Henry said triumphantly.

"Yes, there is an apple," Regina said. "And the tree is back because I missed it. I like having one handy just in case I need it."

"To use on someone?" Henry asked.

"Depends," Regina said. "Sometimes, it's just a good threat."

"A good threat," Henry repeated slowly. "Does Emma know that you brought the tree back and have apples?"

"No," Regina said. "And we're going to keep it that way. No telling her."

"Who are you going to use it on?" Henry asked.

"You're going to be late for school," Regina said. "Go get dressed."

Henry sighed before going back upstairs. There was something fishy going on, and he was sure Emma could get to the bottom of it.

"A poison apple?" Emma asked, walking into Regina's office.

Regina jumped at Emma's sudden appearance. "What happened to knocking?"

Emma waved her hand dismissively. "Why do you have a poison apple? And why did you grow the tree back?"

"I needed the apple, and I can't have the apple without the whole tree," Regina said. "Why I need the apple isn't important."

"We both know that's not true," Emma said. "You wouldn't have it unless you were planning on using it on someone. So, who's the victim?"

"It doesn't matter," Regina said. "It's no one that you or I care about."

"And that's a good reason to put them in a deathlike sleep by apple?" Emma asked. "You've been doing so good resisting the darkness. What happened?"

"I need to keep you and Henry safe," Regina said. "The easiest way to do that is to make this person go to sleep."

"And you're keeping us safe by poisoning someone?" Emma asked. "That sounds like a great plan."

"I'm glad you think so," Regina said.

Emma glared at Regina. "That was sarcasm."

"I know," Regina said. She ran her fingers through her hair. "If I could just negotiate with her I would."

"Her?" Emma asked. "Are you talking about Zelena?"

Regina winced at the mention of her sister's name. "I don't like her, but no. That's not who I'm talking about."

Emma looked at Regina in confusion. "Then who?"

"Lily," Regina said. "She hates your parents, and you. I can't let her go after you or Henry because of some huge mistake that your parents made. She needs to be stopped."

"And you think that she's just going to accept an apple from you?" Emma asked.

Regina shrugged. "She has no idea who I am. It'll just seem like a kind gesture."

"You can't do that," Emma said. "And I'm not just saying that because she used to be my best friend. Think about what it will do to you."

"I don't care about me," Regina said. "I care about you and Henry. My heart is already dark. I might as well continue making it darker."

"No," Emma said. "You don't need to do this. She's bonding with Maleficent now, and I have no doubt that they'll just be living out in the woods together. Leave it alone."

"And when she comes for you?" Regina asked.

"Maleficent just wants to move on from the whole thing," Emma said. "She wouldn't let Lily do anything that would ruin everything."

"Fine," Regina said. "I won't use the apple."

"Just to make sure," Emma said, holding out her hand. "Give me the apple."

"That's not necessary," Regina said. "I'm not going to use it."

"Regina, please," Emma said. "I just need to be sure you won't use it."

Regina sighed before poofing the apple into her hand and giving it to Emma. "Fine. Can I keep the tree up though?"

"Of course," Emma said. "I know how much you love that tree. Just no more apples. I love you too much to let you give yourself to the darkness again."

"Okay," Regina said. "I won't give myself to the darkness."