Thanks for following this story ;) This chapter is three times longer than usual. Please review xxx
"Hey, it's about time you two got here," Snow's cheery smile beamed from behind her menu as Emma and Henry came into the diner, sitting down in the booth with her and David. "Where's Hook?"
"He's feeling a little under the weather," Emma rolled her eyes with a laugh, "He won't admit it, but I think he and his friends overindulged during guy's night."
"Setting a great example for my grandson, I see," David crossed his arms with a haughty raise of his brows, earning an eye roll and nudge from his wife.
"Anyways, you'll never guess who the newest friendship in Storybrooke is between," Her mother's eyes danced with delight and she inwardly groaned at how eager she was to spread town gossip, "I saw Regina at the grocery store the other day, buying groceries for dinner."
"...And this is news, why?" The Savior raised an eyebrow at her parents, seeing David with a slightly disgruntled frown on his face while Snow practically radiated.
"Because she was making dinner for someone," She replied with a quick shake of her head as if to show her impatience with her daughter's slow uptake, "And then your father saw James making his way to her home. For lasagna."
"And you think they're...because she made him dinner?" Emma scoffed, "Regina would never go for him. She barely went for Robin and he was a way better person than my dear Uncle."
"Regardless, it's good that she's not just spending her time alone," Snow cocked her head to the side, "Maybe she's not headed down the dark path that we thought she was."
Henry cleared his throat then, causing all of them to glance his way, "I went to her vault a few weeks ago," He shrugged, seeing Emma's eyes widen and her lips part, "What? She wouldn't hurt me."
"I just had no idea, kid," Emma shook her head quickly, staring at him in interest, "What did she have to say?"
"Not much, I did most of the talking," He swept his gaze over the three of them as he spoke, "She's not going to turn dark again, I know she won't. She wouldn't do anything to hurt me and she won't admit it, but she loves you all too. We're her family and we don't have to worry about her doing anything rash."
"I hope you're right, Grandson," Rumple's voice startled them all from conversation, finding him standing at the end of the table with his hand resting on his cane, "But I caught her storming down Main Street just a moment ago and..." He nodded towards the windows of the diner at the impending darkness, clouds rapidly covering the town and blocking out the sun, "It's not looking good."
"What's going on?" Emma pushed her chair back with a screech against the floor, standing from the table.
"Let's just say that the black diamond that I once held safely in my keep is no longer in my control," Rumple looked pointedly at David, "Neither is it in yours."
"Regina has the diamond?" Snow's eyes widened, glancing at her husband, "I thought you hid it."
"I did!"
"What's she planning to do with it?" Swan's eyes widened as she looked to Rumple for answers.
"That remains to be seen," Gold shifted his gaze to the darkness outside, "However, the Evil Queen is accompanied by the Evil Twin, so I can assume that whatever they are up to is not going to end well for us."
"James is a part of this?" David growled, hand on his gun instantly as he bounded towards the door.
"Dad, wait!" Emma took off after him, the rest of them following towards the exit of the diner. Snow stopped on the sidewalk, holding Henry back by his arm as David and Emma ran to the middle of the street. Gold remained to the side near Snow and Henry, though no one paid attention with the scene unfolding in the middle of the pavement.
"Regina, you okay?" James glanced at her when he saw the heroes approaching, seeing her eyes devoid of any type of emotion when she looked their way. She'd been cool and detached ever since she'd called him to say she'd managed to get the cuff off. She was almost robotic, even without her dark sense of humor that was usually prevalent no matter what the situation.
"Fine, just making sure we have an audience," Regina glanced at him, smiled wickedly behind the wind of the swirling black diamond, picking up force and beginning to glow as it hovered between her hands, "If we're going to do this, we may as well go with a bang," She snickered, eyes lighting up when she looked back at the gem turning purple as it vibrated under her palms.
"Regina, what are you doing?" Emma yelled through the noise and force of the wind that swirled around her and James from the diamond. David held his daughter back by the arm, not allowing her to get close enough to the tunnel that was forming around the villains as the diamond slowly began to activate.
"You took my life from me," Regina screamed over the noise as the ground beneath them began to vibrate, "You took my son from me, you took my revenge from me, you took Robin from me. You all did!" She glared at the crowds that began to form on either side of the street.
"Whatever you have planned, don't do it Regina," David spoke loudly but in a calm tone as he put a hand up, attempting to inch closer as he held Emma behind him, "You've come too far. You both have," He glanced at James then but he did not look back.
James' eyes were fixed on Regina, sensing something was not right with her. He'd felt uneasy at the way she'd insisted they do this today, suddenly being urged to enact their plan when he'd noticed her hesitation lately at the idea. It was like she was being controlled by something or someone other than herself, all traces of the deeply buried warmth and emotion gone from her.
"Mom!" Henry yelled then, running towards the middle of the street despite the rest of his family yelling for him to stay back, "It's all right, she won't hurt me," He insisted as he approached Regina.
"Henry, stay back," The Queen hissed at him, throwing a malevolent glare that noticeably stung him when he frowned. Henry continued walking towards her, disregarding her warning, making James grow uneasy. David and Emma watched Henry, obviously believing that Regina would not hurt her son. But James knew that something was amiss, his concern growing exponentially when he glanced up to see Rumple standing near the edge of the street observing.
"Mom, why are you doing this?" The boy frowned as he ignored Regina's demand, coming closer to reach out and place a hand on her arm.
"For us, Henry!" Regina nearly screamed, causing the ground beneath them to shake thunderously, pavement cracking and crowd gasping all around them.
"I don't want this, Mom, whatever you have planned," He frowned, stepping up in front of her, "Give me the diamond," He demanded and James watched her eyes glitter with anger. He'd noticed the love in her eyes when she'd spoken about her son before and it was not present now. Another glance towards Gold told him that he was the puppet master behind whatever was happening here. She was not in control of herself.
"Don't make me hurt you, Henry," She warned through clenched teeth, hands still vibrating around the diamond.
"Regina!" Emma yelled with a warning frown, stepping in front of her father and David allowed it.
"Regina, what's going on?" James asked her from his place beside her, watching her stare Henry down and ignore his question entirely. The mother and son were having a standoff, the boy's hands coming closer to his mothers as she snarled and gave him a menacing look. He suddenly reached in to grab the rock in an attempt to thwart her plan and she retaliated, her hand coming up as magic spouted from her palms, throwing him backwards to land on the pavement without any change in her expression.
"That's it!" The boy's other mother growled, her own hands coming up to cast a thick stream of magic towards Regina, catching the Queen off guard. Emma's white hot beam hit her in the chest, causing the energy that Regina was activating the diamond with to practically explode in front of her from the interaction of the light and dark magic. Regina was knocked unconscious by the blow, her body being thrown back to land on the pavement with a thud.
"Stop it! Can't you see she's not in control of herself?!" James yelled at Emma when her magic continued to pour from her hands to Regina's lifeless form on the ground. He ran to her, putting himself between her body and the magic, shielding her as he fell onto his knees with a thud. Emma's magic hit him like a boulder for a few seconds before she ceased it, causing him to grimace as he slumped over the woman who'd taken the hit for much longer than he had. If she wasn't dead, she had to be close to it.
"What in the hell is going on?" David frowned, approaching the two of them as Snow and Emma tended to Henry, helping him up from the street. James glared up at his twin as he cradled Regina's head in his lap.
"Why don't you ask the man who's suddenly disappeared with the diamond?" He nodded towards where Gold had stood only moments ago. David's mouth dropped at Rumple being gone before his eyes flitted over to where the diamond had landed, finding the street now bare.
"Is she okay?" Snow asked, closing the distance between them to stand beside her husband, Emma and Henry not far behind her. "What's going on? Why would she hurt Henry?"
"SHE didn't," James spat back at them before looking back to Regina worriedly, holding her in his lap, "She needs to go to the hospital!"
"Rumple set this up, he was in control of her somehow," David admitted with a guilty expression on his face as he glanced towards his daughter whose eyes widened with the knowledge that Regina's actions had not been her own.
"...B-but what does Gold have in all of this? What did you two have planned?" Emma's head was apparently spinning as she looked at her Uncle with an almost pained expression.
"We were going to do a time reversal on the town, take it back to before the curse broken so she wouldn't have to deal with the pain of Robin and she'd have Henry to herself," James hissed, glaring at his niece who'd acted without thinking, "Regina started to hesitate, she was working through her grief and I could tell she was second guessing it. Rumple must have found out somehow and found a way to control her. After the way he's screwed things up with Belle, it'd benefit him to reverse time, too. Wouldn't it?"
"Her heart," Henry piped in then, falling down on his knees beside James to take Regina's hand into his own, "I saw her taking her heart out when I went to her vault. He must have gotten a hold of it and controlled her that way," He swallowed hard, looking at James worriedly.
"So Rumple has the diamond and Regina's heart?" Snow glanced at David and Emma before shaking her head, "We'll deal with this, but first we have to get her help." Snow's gaze landed on Regina's form as her expression filled with anguish.
"He hasn't left her side," Snow looked into the window of Regina's hospital room from where she and David sat in the hall. "I think he cares for her."
"Either that or he's just worried she'll croak before they get to enact their plan," David grumbled as he crossed his arms, glancing towards the room at his brother sitting beside the Queen's hospital bed.
"David!" Snow's mouth dropped as she elbowed him in the side and he glanced at her with a look of instant regret. He knew how much she loved Regina. She was family, they were mother and daughter in their own twisted way. "Don't be that way...I think he's really worried for her. She's been through so much, she deserves someone to be at her side."
"I just know how he is," David frowned and shook his head, reaching out to wrap his arm around Snow's shoulders, "After what happened between she and Robin I don't want her to get hurt again."
"Just talk to him about it," Snow nodded, not missing the skeptical huff he gave. He was so stubborn, and she imagined James was, too. They were complete opposites but oddly similar in more than just looks. "I think you should really give him a chance. He seems to have a bit of a softer side for her. That's a sign he's changing, isn't it?"
"I don't trust him."
Snow sighed, looking back to the troubled pair in the hospital room. She watched as James reached out and put his hand over Regina's. She was obviously unaware anyone was watching, still unconscious with wires attached to her underneath her hospital gown, but James was clearly unaware as well. Snow was sure if he knew someone was witnessing the sweet moment he'd instantly retract his hand from the Queen.
"They're kind of perfect for each other, if you think about it," Snow began to talk out loud, leaning her head against her husband's shoulder, "They were both raised by harsh parents, both have dark pasts, both are a little awkward with affection, both snarky," She chuckled softly under her breath and knew David smiled, too, "And Regina doesn't make lasagna for just anyone."
"Yeah, it's kind of her move," David chuckled with a mention to how the mayor had come onto him before the curse was broken, earning another elbow nudge from his wife, "I'm kidding. I know she was lonely back then, still hellbent on revenge. She didn't really want me, she just wanted someone to be there for her."
"She hasn't had anybody that could really understand her. I think Emma's friendship was probably the closest to that that she's gotten. Robin was an outlaw but he wasn't ever truly dark hearted. James has been there, he understands better than we ever could," Snow shrugged a little as she gazed in on them, "Not that we're saints, but we've never gone through the type of things they have. Especially Regina, she.."
"Hey," David frowned and turned his head towards her when he heard her voice falter, "She lost her fiance, I know, but you two have made amends. You can't hold onto that guilt. She lost Daniel, but she made her own choices afterwards."
"No, you don't get it David," Snow swallowed hard and looked him in the eyes, thankful Emma and Henry had gone to the cafeteria, "It wasn't just the loss of Daniel she suffered," She felt a tear escape when he frowned and squeezed her shoulder, "At the time I was young and naive and did not see my father for who he was but...looking back. She lived in our castle like a prisoner. The people never accepted her, they still loved my mother so much that they never gave her a chance. I just wanted a mother so badly that I forced Regina into that role even though she was barely older than me. And my father...he married her," She grimaced. "What does that say about him? Marrying a girl he could have been a grandfather to. She even tried to shelter me from it, even though I know she must've hated me, she still made excuses as to why she was not allowed out of her chamber, or to why she had a bruise, or why she seemed sad. He had a temper, a cruel streak, I witnessed it when he'd get upset with servants, but he was never that way with me...but, Regina was not my mother and I think he resented her for it. She got the brunt of his anger."
David glanced towards the room at the woman he had a deeper understanding for, "I'm sorry, Snow. I never knew it was that bad."
"I haven't been able to admit it to myself, let alone anyone else," She gave a sad smile, "And if Regina knew that anyone knew what she went through she'd be so angry. You know how private she is."
"I don't know...maybe if you acknowledged it it could help her heal," David suggested, "Or she'd turn you to ash," He smiled warmly, giving her a squeeze to lighten the mood, "She's unpredictable."
"But so predictable at the same time," She sighed and laid her head back on his shoulder, "It's going to break her heart when she wakes up and realizes she almost hurt Henry."
James groaned at the stiffness in his neck when he woke up in the uncomfortable hospital chair beside Regina's bed. He gazed at her when his eyes adjusted to the low lighting of the room, realizing it had turned dark outside. She was still asleep, skin a little paler than her usual olive complexion, but her chest moved with breaths and for that he was thankful.
It bothered him how scared he'd been at the thought of Regina dying. When he'd watched her fall to the pavement it was instinctual that he go after her, that he protect her. There was an inkling feeling inside of him that he could no longer ignore. He cared about her. How could he not? He'd gotten to know her in their own strange way and he couldn't ignore how he responded.
Seeing the pain in her eyes made his heart ache for her, despite the fact that he did not want to care. Hearing stories of the abuse she'd suffered in her past made him want to protect her, despite how much he wanted to only worry about himself. Feeling the way she responded to his touch made him unable to imagine that he'd ever feel as satisfied in sleeping with another woman, though he wished he had the urge to. Developing feelings for Regina was something that had taken him by complete surprise and startled him.
She clearly did not reciprocate those feelings, which made him feel even more foolish. She'd been upfront since day one with him, telling him that the only reason she did this was to fill the void he'd created when he took Robin's life. He found himself being jealous of the man who still held her heart, who she grieved for. He hadn't deserved her after what he did and it made James feel possessive, despite knowing that his feelings weren't warranted. He was an idiot.
Her stirring caught his attention, his heart beginning to thump in his chest as she started waking up. He watched her throat work as she swallowed and grimaced before opening her eyes. She blinked a few times, eyes becoming wider as she took in her surroundings, scanning the room before clocking him in the seat beside her bed.
"What in the hell am I doing here?" Her voice was raspy as she frowned and lifted her arms to inspect the wires attached to her, "Get these things off of me," She snapped, peeling the sticky pads from her skin.
James stood quickly at the side of her bed, reaching down to still her hands, "Calm down, you need to leave those on."
"What are you doing here?" She snapped up at him, anger glittering in her eyes despite the darkness of the room.
"Making sure you don't die," He snapped back at her, putting her hands back to her sides in a pointed gesture, "But I should've known better. You're too stubborn to croak."
"Are you going to continue to pout or are you going to tell me what happened?" She sighed impatiently, letting her head rest back against the pillow. "Last thing I remember is Rumple ripping my heart out."
"Henry said you'd already taken your heart out," James sat down on the edge of the hospital bed, resting his hands in his own lap.
"I put it back in," She avoided his gaze, giving a small shrug of her shoulders in disinterest.
"Why?" He raised an eyebrow, his own interest piqued.
"Does that really matter?" She scoffed and looked at him then, narrowing her eyes.
"Well you took your heart out because you were grieving," He frowned back at her. She was so goddamn stubborn. "Something must have prompted you to put it back in."
She frowned at him as if he'd actually reached out and slapped her and he could tell she was furious at him for prodding. There was something she wasn't telling him and didn't want to admit. "Living without your heart can be confusing with certain things. Sometimes you need to put it back in to be able to feel things clearly," She looked away from him then, fiddling with the edge of her hospital blanket before adding through gritted teeth, "Now will you tell me what happened, for fucks sake?"
"Rumple used your heart to control you, had you come to me after he took your cuff off for you and we went to enact the time reversal curse with the diamond. I started to notice you were acting a little funny, especially since you'd acted hesitant about the whole thing lately," He watched her look back up at him as if she was surprised he'd noticed, "You're a little more transparent than you think, Your Majesty," He rolled his eyes, "Anyways, I knew you weren't yourself, especially when you were activating the diamond and Henry came out to stop you."
"Henry? Is he okay?" Her eyes became as wide as saucers, what little color she did have in her face draining immediately, "Where is he? Did I hurt him?"
"He's fine, you just gave him a little nudge back," He looked at her seriously, "He's outside sleeping in the waiting room with the rest of the Charming family. Anyways, Emma attacked you with magic to save Henry and that's how you ended up here," He shrugged.
"I attacked Henry and she didn't kill me?" She raised an eyebrow skeptically, "Why are they all out there if they know what we were going to do?"
"Because I said you'd been hesitant about the plan in the first place and that Rumple had motive to want us to continue with the time reversal," He shifted uncomfortably, looking away from her this time, "I brought it to their attention that you were not in control of your actions. That you'd never hurt Henry."
"And Henry? He's not angry with me for what we almost did? For what I did to him?" Her voice trembled a little and he knew she must hate it.
"No, you know he's smarter than that. He knows you were grieving when we cooked up the plan," James let out a breath as he looked back at her and frowned, "They all know that, Regina."
"And you," She crossed her arms, jaw clenched, "Our plan failed, you're not getting what you wanted. Why are you still hanging around?"
He frowned, irritation bubbling within him. He knew pushing people away was her defense mechanism when she was feeling vulnerable. Hell, it's what he did himself, but it got to him. He didn't usually extend this amount of care towards anyone, didn't put himself out on the line like that, and she was throwing it back in his face. "Fuck if I know," He stood without looking at her, "I'll tell them you're awake."
"Great," He heard her mutter as he made his way towards the door, slipping out.
"So help me god, if you don't release me today I'm going to singe every one of those bleached blonde hairs off of your head," Regina threatened, snarling at Dr. Whale who rolled his eyes as he continued to flip over her charts. "There's nothing wrong with me. I'm alive, am I not? I've suffered much worse than Emma Swan's weak magic."
She was being a monster, that much she did know. But regardless of whether she'd admit it, she felt like shit and she just wanted to go home and be by herself. Besides, her heart was no longer in her chest and that allowed her to be coarse without the little twinges of guilt she'd normally get. Henry had been in to see her the night before and she'd caught the rest of the Charming idiots peering into her hospital room at one point or the other, but they were avoiding her this morning due to her mood.
Her son had been worried and relieved and angry with her all at once when he came into her room. All she could do was apologize to him for being distant, for considering the time reversal and for unknowingly hurting him. The boy said he knew she wouldn't have actually gone through with it and reassured her that he was not harmed. She had cried in relief when he hugged her and he'd fallen asleep in the bed beside her for the rest of the night. It was what she'd needed for months, just being with her son. Henry remained with her until Frankenstein had walked in and suggested he go get breakfast while he examined Regina, effectively killing her close to good mood.
James still hadn't come back since he'd walked out the night before and she couldn't say that she blamed him. She didn't understand why he insisted on pretending like he cared, or sticking around like they were anything more than villains with benefits. He was probably worried about himself and what she was going to do for him since their plan did not go through. It was best she'd made him angry enough to leave, maybe now she'd get some peace and quiet.
"Madam Mayor, Emma's weak magic would have stopped your heart had it been in your chest," Whale replied, "Your body has been through a great deal receiving a blow like that. I'd like to keep you at least until tonight. Then if you're still doing well, you can go home."
"Useless," She muttered and rolled her eyes, clenching the blankets in her fists, "Leave me."
"Gladly," He threw her chart down on the rolling table beside her bed before making his way out, meeting Snow at the door. Regina almost smirked at the awkward glance they gave each other due to their history.
"I can't believe you slept with him. Honestly, what were you thinking?" She chuckled as Snow shut the door behind her and threw a glare her way. "I mean I know they're not all Tarzans and John Smiths in the looks department, but him?"
"I was under a curse, Regina," Snow rolled her eyes and closed the distance between them, "You've probably heard of it. Woman who created it was a real bitch."
Her mouth dropped slightly as she looked up at the younger woman who never usually sassed her back, "Well look who finally found her backbone. It's about time," She sighed.
"You gave us quite a scare, Regina," She heard the disapproving tone of the hero standing beside her bed and wanted to scream. The last thing she needed was a lecture from the mother of the sorceress who'd nearly killed her not even a day ago. "What were you thinking? Planning to curse us again?"
"I wasn't going to actually go through with it," She grit out, staring straight ahead instead of looking at her step-daughter. "It was Rumple who wanted to make sure it happened. Probably so he could rescue Belle from her padded cell and she wouldn't remember she actually hates him. Or James, he wanted revenge on your brother."
"Always everyone else's fault, isn't it?" Snow crossed her arms when Regina glared back at her, "You're awful quick to throw the man who saved your life under the bus, you know."
"What are you talking about?" She scoffed, trying to act disinterested by picking at the wires connected to her, peeling back the stickers that kept them in place.
"He didn't tell you?" Snow watched her, realization showing in her features, "James stepped in between you and Emma's magic. He was hurt, too, but refused treatment. He was also the one who made us aware that you were not yourself and he carried you to David's truck and didn't let you out of his sight until he made sure you were here and being cared for. Then, of course, he stayed at your bedside until you woke up and were a bitch to him."
"He said I was a bitch to him?" Regina frowned, hating the fact that her conscience made her aware she would be feeling guilt right now if she had her heart in her. James had saved her. He'd known she was not herself. He'd stayed with her to make sure she was all right.
"No, he didn't say anything other than that you were awake," Snow sat down in the chair that James had occupied, "But I could tell he was upset and angry. My husband is his twin, they have similar brooding faces."
"Probably angry because our plan didn't work," She shifted the blame with a shrug, tearing off some of the wires and throwing them back at the annoying machine that beeped at her beside her bed. "He's insufferable. Honestly, who steps in front of a beam of Savior magic willingly? An idiot, that's who. I thought he was supposed to be the smart twin. You know, I just don't trust him. I don't know what he's planning. David should really run him out of town."
She rambled, avoiding Snow's gaze by taking her frustration out on all of this realm's medical magic that was attached to her. She knew if she looked at the woman that she'd see right through her. She probably already did. The woman's intuition was strong and she was able to read her in a way that made Regina uncomfortable.
"Mhm, so you're telling me that a Queen who used to conquer realms thinks that a man without magic, who saved her life might I add, is an actual threat?" She heard the skepticism dripping from Snow's words and knew very well the insufferable woman was trying to make a point. "You're right, Regina. We should get rid of him. I'll speak with David about it."
Regina glanced at her quickly, giving her a fake smile, "You think you're so clever, don't you, Snow white?"
"I think I know you more than you are to admit," She shrugged with a sad smile, "I know what you've been through-"
"You don't know what I've been through," She hissed back at the naive woman. Snow may have lost David for a few years, but they always found each other. She may have witnessed him die, but Regina had split her heart and brought him back. She may have lost years with her daughter, but she had her now. Snow had never known a life without love, had never experienced the heavy hand of someone who enjoyed being cruel to her, had never had the loves of her life taken from her forever.
"Regina," Snow's voice cracked then and Regina bit down on her bottom lip, her resolve to be mean to her lessening at the onslaught of emotion the woman beside her felt. Her step-daughter reached her hand out to cover her own tense one, "I know. I know I cost you Daniel, I know my father was cruel to you, I know I forced you to be a mother to me when you needed one of your own. I know what happened with Robin reinforced your feelings that you aren't good enough, but that you grieve him anyways. I know you're terrified of being hurt again and that you doubt anyone who shows kindness to you because typically they have ulterior motives. But you have family now, whether you like it or not, and we love you and care about you just because we do. I know James is just as confused about what's happening between the two of you...but I don't think you should push him away," She let out a shaky breath, "And lastly, I know you probably want to light me on fire for bringing all of this up, but I'd really appreciate it if you didn't."
Regina's sharp intake of breath was a half laugh, half sob as she stared down at her lap, feeling a tear roll down her cheek. She hated her step-daughter for making her feel so vulnerable, so open, so on display. She hated the way the she really did know her, hated the way she didn't give up on her, hated the way she could make her feel things even when she didn't even have a fucking heart in her chest. She hated that she loved this idiot girl.
"Maybe just singe you a little," She mumbled under her breath and heard the woman beside her chuckle, causing her to look up at her with a watery, weak smile.
"We're gonna get your heart back, Regina," Snow reassured her through her own tears, "And we're going to help you get your happy ending," She squeezed her hand gently, "Team Charming has taken on Operation Mongoose whether you like it or not."
"Regina's being released," Charming came into the waiting room where James sat with a pensive expression. "Didn't think you'd be back."
"Had to go take care of a few things," James muttered, fingers tapping on the arm of his chair as his eyes flickered up at his twin.
"Like what?" David frowned, taking a seat in the row across from him, "What have you been up to?" His brother had left the hospital the night before after Regina had woken up. He didn't expect him to come back, judging on his mood, but he was back in the wee hours of the morning.
"Had to pay someone a visit," James grit back at him, growing annoyed at the questioning.
"Are you working with Rumple now?" David's eyes narrowed as he eyed his twin. He was being elusive and it didn't settle well with him.
"Hardly," He leveled his stare then, looking back at him with firm eyes, "Is this an interrogation?"
"Does it need to be?" He crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair.
"What the fuck is your problem? I've done nothing to you," James' anger flared and his fingers gripped the arms of the waiting room chair until his fingers turned white.
"Well, you were trying to reverse time and effectively put me back under a spell," He cocked his head to the side sarcastically, "Forgive me, James, if I'm a bit skeptical of you right now. I gave you another chance here and look what you did behind our backs."
"Gave me another chance?" He gave a bitter laugh, "Who gave me my first chance, David? Was it our parents when they sold me and kept you? Was it King George when he raised me to be a monster? Tell me, who are you to give me my second chance when I never got a first one, brother?"
David bit down on his bottom lip at the anger radiating from his twin, "James, I did not control my fate any more than you did your own. How am I to be held accountable for being the one our parents kept?"
"And how am I to be held accountable for not being the chosen one?" He frowned, leaning his elbows on his knees and staring back at him seriously, "We're both a product of the life our parents chose for us. Are we not?"
"I suppose," He frowned, understanding his brother's point of view, "But-"
"But nothing," James shook his head, "I'm not saying that I have not done terrible things, that I haven't chosen the dark path almost every time. I know I do not deserve this life I took from a decent man," He frowned to himself and David saw the guilt that flickered on his twin's features, "But who are you to condemn me or think yourself so much better simply because you received the more privileged path in life?"
"I'd hardly call being a shepherd the privileged path."
"Ah, so having our mother's love, finding your own true love, having a family, that's not as exciting as dying in a battle with a beast twice your size because your adopted father paraded you like a prize fighter? You'd rather of lived my life?" James raised a brow, "I'll admit I was angry with you for years, I made you the target of my hatred because you got everything I always wanted," He admitted, squaring his shoulders as he sat straight again in an attempt to retain a shred of his dignity.
"And you don't now?" David shook his head in disbelief.
"I don't really know you, David. And like you said, you didn't choose to be the one they kept," His brow creased, "I'm tired of fighting. Tired of being on the losing end. I'm not going to try to harm you or your family, so you can stop questioning me at every turn."
"Hm," Charming mumbled as he studied the man in front of him, "Just remember that Regina is a part of that family. If you hurt her, you'll deal with me."
James scoffed, "I don't think you have to worry about that," He muttered in a way that let David know the Queen had been the one to sting his brother.
David recalled the way his brother had held Regina in the street, had carried her to the truck and cradled her until they reached the hospital. He'd even roughed up Whale when he thought he was not doing everything he could. Not to mention the way he'd hung around even when Regina had been dismissive of him. "She's a tough one, but I'd imagine if you have the patience and the willpower, breaking down that wall of hers would be worth it."
His twin eyed him cryptically, hesitating for a moment before replying, "I'm the reason Robin died, she'll never forgive that."
"Snow was the reason her first love died. Regina is not so narrow minded that she believes you or Snow were actually responsible, despite what she says. Cora and Hades actually did the deed. She knows that, she's just grieving."
"What would someone like me have to offer her, anyways?" James shook his head frustratedly at his brother's optimism. These fucking Charmings never gave up.
"Understanding," David shrugged, "You both can be a stubborn pain in the ass," He leaned forward, holding his truck keys out to him, "She just needs someone to be there for her. Someone loyal. Take my truck and get her home. Don't mess this up."
James frowned at his brothers offering before taking the keys from him and standing, "You're going to enjoy watching this, aren't you?" He asked when they heard Regina snapping at a nurse from the hallway as she was wheeled out of her room.
David smirked up at his brother, hearing Regina in the background berating someone for treating her like an invalid, "Immensely."
"Thank god that's over," She sniped, closing her eyes for a moment to regain control of her swirling stomach when James parked the car in front of her home. It was dark out by the time she was released and she was fatigued from merely getting herself into this monstrosity, "Did they not teach you how to drive a standard in hell?"
She watched him roll his eyes and get out of the drivers side, prompting her to look at her own door and jerk on the handle. It took all of her strength to push the passenger door open and she hated how weak she was. He rounded the front of the truck and opened the door the rest of the way before holding his hand out.
"I can do it myself," She refused stubbornly, gripping the frame of the gas guzzling carriage as she started to slide from the seat, hoping she could land on her feet without collapsing.
"Stubborn shit," He frowned, catching her by the hips when her feet hit the ground and she swayed, "I should've let you fall on your ass."
"You should've let me make my own way home and you wouldn't have had to deal with this," She retorted with a glare up at him before pulling away from him and forcing her legs to take her up the path to her front door.
She couldn't deny that a little part of her was glad he showed back up at the hospital and insisted on taking her home. After the way she'd been with him when she woke up she didn't think she'd see him around anymore. Him coming back for more made her want him, but also made her want to push him away. Why was he here, anyways?
"You're right, I should have," He agreed, following her up the path, giving her some distance but remaining close enough to catch her if she'd fall, "But someone has to take care of the invalid," He mocked and she could hear the smirk he gave her in his tone.
"Shut up," She sniped, becoming breathless as she climbed the few steps up to her doorway, pressing a hand against it when she finally reached it. It felt like she'd just climbed a mountain.
"You know, you probably don't have enough energy to make it all the way to your room AND be sassy," James said as he came up behind her, bending to pull the spare key from under the doormat, "Which is it gonna be?"
"Looks like I need to find a new hiding place for that," She muttered as she watched him unlock the front door. How in the hell had she let him get so comfortable here?
"I'll take that as sassy," He gave her a fake smile and shoved the key into his pocket before reaching out and scooping her up off of her feet.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Her mouth fell open, dark brows furrowing as she glared up at him.
"Like I said, you're running your mouth too much to make it up to your room on your own two feet," He replied, kicking the door shut behind him as he made their way to the staircase, "And I can't let you collapse on my watch or the Charmings will hang me in the town square."
"I am not some flimsy princess who needs rescued," She huffed despite the fact she felt drained and was secretly thankful that he'd picked her up. Her pride probably would've led her to braving the stairs with her wobbly legs and making a fool of herself when she tumbled down them.
"I know, princesses are usually a lot more pleasant when they're in my arms," He smirked as he climbed the stairs with ease at how light her petite frame was in his arms.
"You know you can go now," She smiled fakely when he sat her down on her bed, kicking off the heels she'd insisted on putting back on to leave the hospital.
"I'm tired, it's late, you can scoot your smartass over," James replied without missing a beat, pulling his shirt over his head as he began to strip down for bed.
He was incessant, completely unmoved by all of her barbs. She didn't know what it was with him that got under her skin so much, but she was growing frustrated. Frustrated at the way he would not seem to go away. Frustrated that she was being mean to him when he was trying to help. Frustrated that she was doubting his intentions. Frustrated that it made her feel so good to be taken care of by him.
He turned then to go towards her bathroom and she suppressed a gasp at the deep purple and blue bruising on his back, undoubtedly masking broken ribs or maybe even internal injuries. She scooted over to the other side of the bed when he disappeared in the bathroom, managing to shrug out of her dress and get under the covers, laying back in utter exhaustion as she contemplated his injuries. Snow had said had taken a blow for her but refused treatment. Stubborn prick.
"Here, you need to stay hydrated," James came out a few minutes later in his boxers, setting a glass of water on her nightstand before making his way around to the other side of the bed and slipping in it.
"You really should've let them look at your back," Regina said in a tone much softer than she'd used with him in days, seeing him gingerly lay down on his side to avoid putting pressure on his bruises.
"It's fine," He raised an eyebrow at her as he laid his head on the pillow, reaching up to poke and prod at it until he was comfortable, "You worried about me?" A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I'd just rather not have a corpse in my bed when I wake up," She rolled her eyes, "Roll onto your stomach, I'll heal you."
"Yeah right, Whale said no strenuous activity for a couple of days until you're fully rested and no magic," He pulled the covers up over him, "Goodnight, Regina Mills."
Sleep beckoned her as well and she sighed, watching him close his eyes. Her eyes grazed the tattoos on his upper arms mindlessly as she considered the events of the past couple of days. She wondered what Rumple had planned with her heart. The magic her body sustained from Emma's blow had obviously broken the control he'd had over her and she worried that she may never be able to reconnect with her heart, even if she got it back. She'd never been so truly severed from it when it had been out of her chest before. But the Charming fools seemed to think they would get it back for her and that they would help her be happy again. Her gaze met the relaxed face of the man who now slept beside her and she wondered if perhaps he was playing a part in Operation Mongoose, too.
A hunger pain woke Regina from her slumber and she nearly groaned out at how stiff she was when she rolled over in the bed, as if she'd been in that position all night. When she opened her eyes it was still dark outside, the bedroom dimly lit. She stretched, surprised to find little to no soreness after she got the stiffness out. That had been quick for only being asleep a few hours.
"You're awake," James raised a brow, a hint of a smile on his face when he walked in carrying two bags of takeout, "Granny actually served me at the diner. I had to tell her half of it was for you, of course."
Regina chuckled, her voice raspy as she pushed herself into a sitting position, "Did you wake up just to go for food?" She frowned in confusion, head still hazy with sleep.
"Regina, you slept through the day and into the night," He said as he sat down on the bed, sitting the bags down on the comforter, "Hungry?"
"I don't eat in bed," She frowned disapprovingly, running a hand over her face at the realization of how much she just slept.
"I can hear your stomach growling from here, break your rules just this once," James rolled his eyes before shoving the burger in her face after unwrapping it halfway for her. She looked at it and felt her mouth salivate before taking it into her own hands.
"How is your back feeling? You're lucky you weren't internally injured," She frowned at the thought before taking a bite of her sandwich. How had they gone from frenemies to eating takeout in bed and griping at each other like a regular, boring couple?
"I've suffered worse than my niece's attempt at magic," He joked and she only stared back at him, thinking of how she'd made that own snarky remark just the day before. They were so alike. "What? Oh, I see. I bet you haven't had a burger since 1987. Are you on the brink of orgasm?" He smirked and she frowned through the chewing of the bite in her mouth.
"Like you'd know what I look like on the brink of a real orgasm," She quipped with a smirk after swallowing her food. It wouldn't hurt to relax and just enjoy having someone around for a few moments, anyways.
James grinned back and took a big bite of his sandwich, his eyes scanning her figure that was only clad in her bra and panties still. He'd changed into jeans and a black shirt and she suddenly had images of peeling it off, despite the fact she was under doctors orders not to partake in such activity.
"How are you feeling?" He asked after a few moments, putting the containers from their takeout back into the bags and disposing of it in the trash can beside her nightstand on his side. "I mean I know you're a smartass on the brink of death, so you being snarky tells me nothing."
"I feel fine," She chuckled and shook her head, brushing crumbs from her chest as she finished the last bite of her burger, "Been through worse."
"I know," He replied, looking at her a little more seriously when she met his gaze, "I uh...have something for you..."
"What?" Regina watched him curiously, noticing the way he shifted and averted his eyes almost nervously.
"I wanted to wait until you'd recovered, I've heard it can be painful," He turned then, pulling a soft cloth bag from the drawer of the nightstand before turning back to her. Her breath caught in her throat when he undid the drawstring of the velvet and opened the top, pulling her heart from the fabric.
"Wh..how did you get that? Rumple would never have given that up willingly," Her lips parted in shock, watching her heart beat in the large hands that held it so gently. She felt the warmth of the care he took in handling it, felt the way it tingled at his touch, enlightening her to feelings for him that unnerved her.
"I got tired of just sitting around the hospital the other night, so I got the idea," He shrugged with an uncertain smile, "I went to his shop. Got your heart and left. No big deal."
"No big deal? He could've killed you on the spot with magic," Regina shook her head, eyes wide with disbelief, "You're an idiot. Do you know what he could've done to you?" She began to berate him, becoming irritated that he'd put himself in danger for her.
"He wasn't even there, Regina," He reassured her, "He's so wrapped up in trying to get Belle back that he's becoming sloppy. I found it within a few minutes, slipped out and it's all good. Now do you want me to put this thing in or not?" He smiled, glancing down at it. She looked at the organ too, noticing the glowing red that had started to take back over the black parts.
"O-okay," She stuttered, suddenly feeling anxious at the thought of feeling so deeply again. "Just press it against my chest, apply some gentle pressure, don't stop even if I look like I'm in pain, okay?"
"Are you sure you're up to it?" James eyed her seriously.
"Yes," She swallowed hard and scooted closer to him in the bed. She could tell he was a little nervous as he glanced down towards the beating organ and brought it to her chest. He pressed it to her skin like she'd instructed, applying just the right amount of pressure. Her breath was taken from her as it began to go back inside of her, eyes locking with his and seeing the worry there when she gasped as it sunk back into place.
Her eyes filled with tears at the onslaught of sudden emotion. Guilt, grief, love, hate. They all swarmed inside of her, glimpses of the things her heart had experienced separately she now felt fully. A flash of Henry's worried look at her beside evoking guilt in her. A little pang of grief at the reminders of Robin. Hatred for Rumple and what he had done to her; what he continued to do to her. Love for her son, for her step-daughter and the rest of the idiot Charmings. Love...maybe even for the man in front of her.
"Regina, are you okay?" He watched her closely as she seemed to be riding a roller coaster of emotions, "Did I do it right?"
"Yes," She whispered as she stared at him, heart beating wildly in her chest. Trepidation ran through her at the idea of falling for him, being fully aware now just how much of a pull towards him she already felt, "James, why are you here?" The question came out before she could stop it, without any of the malice in her tone that she usually had when she asked him that question. She had to know.
His eyes searched hers as he hesitated, "I'd imagine for the same reason you're looking at me like you're scared as hell right now," He swallowed hard and looked back at her knowingly. She knew in that moment he was aware of how she was feeling, for he was feeling the same way. She desperately wanted to believe it was true. He had been there for her, after all. He hadn't betrayed her yet, had remained loyal to her even in the face of the danger that occurred the day before. He'd even risked his life for her.
"I'm not going to be easy to deal with," Regina bit down on her bottom lip, shifting her gaze as she warned him. "I'm mean and I'm stubborn and I'm going to drive you crazy," She glanced back at him then as she gave him the chance to opt out.
"It's a good thing I'm so even-tempered and compromising and easy to be around," He replied sarcastically, giving her a good humored grin, "Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?" He asked, giving her a look that told her he did not want the chance she was giving him. Her lips parted to retort but his hand was already cupping the back of her neck, pulling her towards him and kissing her deeply.
"No, usually I'm accused of not talking enough," She smirked against his lips, feeling joy and relief bubbling within her, lifting a bit of the weight from her shoulders. He carded his fingers through the back of her hair, grinning against her lips as he brushed his over hers playfully when she spoke, her own hands running up over his biceps.
"Good thing I know what you're thinking before you even open your mouth," He whispered before kissing her again, tongue dipping into her mouth and caressing her own, earning a moan from her.
"What am I thinking now?" She withdrew her tongue from his to whisper before kissing him again, hands coming down to grip the edge of his shirt and work it up his muscled torso.
"How much you want me," He broke the kiss long enough to pull the shirt over his head and grin at her before pushing her down onto the bed, crawling over top of her, "How handsome I am..." He dipped his head to her neck and began placing chaste kisses on the spots she liked, "...how wet you're getting for me..."
"Mmm, what else?" She half moaned, half sighed as his large hands came underneath her back to undo her bra, lips trailing down over her breasts as she pulled it down her arms and freed them.
"..how good it feels when I run my tongue over you like this," His voice was husky, sparking something low in her belly. She let her head fall back when he ran his tongue over her nipple, feeling it stiffen instantly with arousal and the cold air that followed, "...but how you like it more when I suck down on it..." His lips curled around the peak and he suckled, earning a hiss from her.
She ran her fingers through his hair, spreading her legs wider for him, hips curling up towards his instinctually, "...and how good it's going to feel when you do that between my thighs," She purred, hearing him groan in response as he teased the other nipple with his tongue, his fingers curling around the edge of her panties.
"That's what I was going to say," He gazed down at her mischievously as he lifted momentarily to pull the lace down her legs, watching her bend her knees to help him. He threw the scrap of fabric from the bed before taking her naked form in with a long, sweeping look. She was smiling up at him with heavy lidded eyes, pebbled nipples, thighs pressed together teasingly, "Open," He mumbled, fingertips grazing the outsides of her thighs.
"What am I thinking now?" She breathed heavily as she parted her thighs at his command, seeing his eyes darken instantly. Heat pooled in her belly and he hadn't even touched her yet, though the throbbing of her clit was begging for it. Her hands found her own breasts, massaging the flesh and teasing her nipples and he groaned and closed his eyes for a moment at the sight. It excited her to turn someone on so much, to know without a doubt that they wanted her as much as she did them.
"Hm..hard to...harder to read your thoughts when I have so many of my own right now," He groaned, mind flooded by his arousal as he settled down between her legs. Her breath caught in her throat when he pressed a kiss to the bend of her thigh, so close to her sex she could feel his breath. His lips trailed around her slit slowly, earning a moan from her before he dipped his tongue in her folds and ran it over her slowly, "Fuck, Regina."
"Hmmmph," She choked on a moan as she reached down with one hand to grip his hair, her other hand working at her breast. His tongue found her clit as his hands gripped her thighs, pushing them further apart. A whimper escaped her at the feeling of being spread further apart and the soft rhythm he teased her clit with, beginning to curl her hips to add to the friction.
"You've got my dick so hard, Regina," He growled against her and she moaned at the thought. She cried out and jerked at the way he sucked down on her clit suddenly, taking a rougher tone with her that made her stomach tense instantly.
Her body was on fire for him, wanting him closer, wanting to feel him pressing her into the mattress, "I want you inside me," She moaned, pulling at his hair and he obliged, sucking down on her clit before letting go of it as he lifted his head. He kissed her aggressively when he crawled up her body and she moaned, tongue coming out to lick herself off his lips and chin.
"Fucking hell," He groaned loudly, both of their hands working at the belt and zipper of his pants, feeling her push his jeans and foxers down with her feet sliding against his sides. They scrambled once he was freed from his pants, her hands coming to grip his shoulders as one of his own came down to grip and guide himself, sinking into her tight heat with a growl.
"You weren't lying," She hissed at how hard he was, her head falling back and she clamped her legs against his sides, feeling him rock into her deeper. "Deeper," She whimpered, hands running down to his ass to grip the flesh and pull him tightly to her, "Yesss."
"Goddamn it," James cursed as he struggled to regain control, stilling for a moment as he reached up to grip the edge of the mattress not far above her head, the other hand reaching down to grasp one of her thighs. He began to rock into her once he knew he could without cumming, hearing her moan of approval as he buried his face into her neck.
"Like that," She gasped when he curled his hips and hit the spot inside of her that made her begin to coil quickly. Her eyes closed as her nails dug into the flesh of his ass and jerked him towards her as he rutted, effectively spreading her thighs wider for him, feeling him deeper. He drove into her dutifully, ripping moans and grunts of approval from both of them.
"So good," He murmured in her neck before sucking down on the skin there, "Yes, that's it baby," He coaxed her as he felt her walls begin to tense around him, her hips moving frantically under his, squirming and curling up towards him. "Come for me."
She cried out at the heat building in her abdomen, letting her head fall back against the bed as her body writhed. He lifted his head to watch as he thrust into her with hard, deep curls of his hips, gradually increasing the pace. Their eyes locked when hers fluttered open, lips parted as she panted and flushed underneath him.
"James!" She gasped before letting out a heady moan, eyes clamping shut and face scrunching sexily as she came around him. He jerked through the throws of her orgasm as she arched and squirmed underneath him, filling her with his own when he buried his face in her neck and groaned her name in response.