A/N: Hey thanks for the reviews and stuff. :)

Sorry in advance for mistakes but I'm posting this at 6am after getting absolutely no sleep. Lol.

But here's chapter 2. Enjoy.

Chapter 2

A week had gone by. A week. It felt like a year. That's what happens when you're trapped in a castle alone, with no one to speak to but the darkness inside of you that's trying to seduce you into using it.

That's what this past week has been like. Regina drifting through the castle alone, all day and all night as if she were haunting it. Mostly moping as her loneliness sunk in. The darkness was steadily trying to get inside of her head to consume her. She sometimes tried to read to keep her mind busy but she found it difficult to concentrate with all of the worries on her mind. She worried that Henry was missing her as much as she was missing him. She hoped he wasn't hurting as much as she was.

She often thought of Emma and those beautiful, kind eyes that sometimes changed color from a soft green to a deep emerald, to sometimes a blue-green with her emotions.

The eyes she so easily fell in love with.

Emma's confession of love sometimes echoes in her mind and she finds herself yearning for what could have and would have been. She wondered if they would have been happy together, lived a fairytale, or even had a happy ending. She wanted that. In fact that's all she ever wanted.

Happiness.

That's a long shot now. All chances of that were snatched away when she was taken by the darkness. Just like all chances of happiness were stolen from her when Snow White spilled her secret. She should have made that little brat pay. She should have...

No! It wasn't Snow's fault. She doesn't want to hurt her.

The darkness was coming into her thoughts and heart more often, trying to manipulate her and get her to give in but she's putting up a good fight. It definitely could not tempt her with power. She's had power, it drove her mad and she lost it. She regained it and almost lost her son. She didn't want or need power anymore. She just wanted to live out her eternity in peace and quiet but the Dark Ones were having none of it. Especially as the woman form often visited her.

She knew it wasn't real. That's what made it so much easier to ignore it. She wasn't going to lose herself again. She couldn't allow it to happen.

She knew one thing though, she missed her family. What she wouldn't give to just see them, to know that they were okay. To let them know she was okay because knowing Emma and Henry they were worrying themselves to death.

But they were Charmings so they cared. They had an overwhelming need for everyone to be safe. She just hoped they weren't trying to find her, if they were, she hoped they wouldn't ever succeed. She couldn't be around them right now.

She loved them too much.


Emma entered Granny's with her baby brother in her arms, closely tailed by Henry and Hook. Her parents claimed to have a plan about Regina and they needed Emma to watch her brother for a little while. Her mother called it 'sibling bonding' while Emma knew that her parents thought she was up to something that could be dangerous and with her brother, she wouldn't do anything too reckless.

Henry, on the other hand insisted on coming along and Emma agreed that he should be involved in rescuing his mother. Hook, well... she wasn't quite sure why he was there but she was sure it had something to do with him trying to maintain his relationship with her. A relationship that Emma wanted no part in.

She just found out a week prior that the woman of her dreams loved her back. Regina's love and Henry was all she needed. Regina wanted her and she wanted Regina. Regardless of the fact that the woman was now the full embodiment of evil. If the pirate thought he could compete with a love like that then he was sadly mistaken.

Emma scanned the diner until she found who she was looking for. When she did, she nudged Henry with her elbow and motioned for him to follow her. She looked over her shoulder and told Hook to wait at the counter. He did what he was told then she and Henry made their way over to the back booth.

She shifted the baby bag on her shoulder and the growing infant in her arms uncomfortably. Henry looked over at her with sympathy before taking the bag from her. It really shouldn't have been this hard to hold a baby. He's tiny. It should come naturally but it doesn't. That just further explains why she felt she wasn't meant to be a mother. She had none of the necessary skills to do so. When it came to Henry all of the hard stuff was already done. Ten year olds could pretty much take care of themselves. They don't need to be changed, fed directly or sang to. They entertained themselves as well. Now that he was older, the most she had to do for Henry was make sure he stayed out of trouble, kept him safe, lent an ear when he needed one and love him unconditionally. Which was easy enough.

Babies were harder to care for and Emma knew for sure she didn't have what it took back then...

Now Regina did all of the difficult things such as trying to balance a crying infant while heating a bottle, stumbling through the halls at night when he wakes up crying and comforting him when he was sick.

Even in the case of Emma's brother, Regina was a natural with him. On multiple occasions when Emma was left alone with him and he would throw a tantrum, she would call Regina and the queen would poof there, tut and shake her head at the sight of Emma on the verge of a meltdown and the baby screaming at the top of his lungs. Regina would then shoo Emma away from the crib, scoop Neal up, hold him close to her and whisper to him or hum a soft melody while she rocked him. That would calm him instantly.

Regina is a mother by every sense of the word.

That's why Emma knew that the woman who has so much love to give would never go back to her old ways.

Regina was still good.

They approached the table but when Henry saw who was sitting there he froze. "Mom?" He whispered.

"I spoke to her last night, well, this morning rather. She's going to help us find your mom."

Henry nodded and inched closer to the table. He was leery of the dragon but his mother would never put him or his uncle in danger and he just wanted to find his other mother and bring her home. If this sorceress could help them do that then he'd give her a chance.

Emma ushered Henry into the booth, then slid into the seat beside Henry, directly across from the dragon. They had to come up with a plan. They didn't exactly have time to come up with one at their first meeting since Emma was in a rush to get home before her parents woke and realized she was gone. She didn't need them knowing and wanting to interfere. She managed to sneak in while everyone was still asleep, cut on the tv and pretend like she had been doing that the entire night.

They didn't suspect a thing.

She looked over at Hook who was watching her like a hawk. He was sworn to secrecy so she wasn't exactly worried about him.

"Morning." Emma said turning back to the dragon.

"Good morning." Maleficent said with a small nod. She tilted her head as she took in the small bundle in Emma's arms. "I know breeding is different for humans but that was quick." She gestured to the sleeping Prince when Emma's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Oh..." Emma laughed. "This is my brother Neal."

Mal nodded with a small smile. "Another Charming, huh? I bet Regina just loved that."

Emma smiled. "Regina actually loves him and he loves her."

"Well, Regina has always liked children... deep down..." The dragon said gently. Regina has never directly harmed a child. Her wanting to harm Snow White was an exception but look at the circumstances. "A lot of things has changed about her but I'm sure that hasn't." Her eyes lingered on the baby. "May I?"

Emma nodded and pulled the blue blanket from his face and angled him so the dragon could see him. Mal smiled softly at the baby. "He's a lot cuter when he's asleep." Emma said with a soft chuckle.

Mal looked at the baby a moment longer then back up at Emma. "He's quite cute. He takes after you."

Mal knew that that child was the offspring of her enemies but he was innocent. He did not even know what his parents had done. He didn't hurt her. Just like his sister - who no matter how hard Mal tried to hate, she couldn't bring herself to.

"I take after my dad." Emma pointed out.

Mal snorted. "Indeed you do but that baby." She pointed to Neal "Looks like you."

Emma smiled at that. "Thanks."

"Regina always wanted children..." Mal said softly. "If she would have just given me a chance, I would have..." She trailed off as her eyes drifted to Henry who was watching her closely.

Emma wasn't sure what else Mal was going to say but she had an idea. She made a mental note to ask about it later when they were alone. Instead Emma tilted her head towards Henry. "Speaking of kids, this is Regina and my son, Henry."

Mal nodded. "Yes. I've had the pleasure of meeting him. Henry Daniel Mills, correct?" She asked, remembering Regina calling him that in her first and only encounter with the boy. She remembered that just as she remembers everything Regina says. He nodded. "Your mother is very proud of you and loves you very much. You were named after two very important men in her life. You will do great things, although I'm sure you already have since you're her son."

He smiled at her. "Thank you."

Emma nudged Henry. "See, she's not the big scary dragon you thought she was."

He nodded.

Mal raised a brow. "Now, I wouldn't go that far. I am very much a big scary dragon. It's just that the two of you happen to be very important to Regina..."

Emma chuckled and shook her head. "Okay, got it."

Mal smirked and leaned back in her seat. "So let's get down to business. We're supposed to be coming up with a plan."

"Right." Emma and Henry said in unison.

"As I said earlier, I have a theory as to where Regina is." She shook her head when a waitress approached the table. The girl nodded and backed away. "But we need to be sure before we go taking trips to other realms."

"Okay, how can we be sure?" Henry asked.

"There's an item. It looks like a globe but it's blank. It's white and almost looks clouded. A blood relative can prick their finger and drop their blood on to it, the blood will then reveal the location of the person you seek. I'm sure it's in this realm, like most magical items..." The dragon said thoughtfully. "But Regina doesn't have any living blood relatives."

Emma frowned. She knew of this item. She has seen Rumple use it but thought only he could because he was the Dark One. Apparently not and most definitely someone as powerful as the dragon sorceress could.

"She does have a living relative." Henry said pulling Emma out of her thoughts.

Emma's brows came together then they shot up when she realized who he was speaking of. "Kid, no..."

Mal looked between the Charmings before her as they silently argued over the issue. "What?" She asked.

Emma turned to her and sighed but before she could even speak, Henry blurted, "Mom has a sister."

"I understand that Cora only had one child." Maleficent said confused.

Emma shook her head. "She had a child before Regina, I don't really know the specifics but I know that she banished her to another realm and she hates Regina for it. She's basically been trying to ruin her life."

Mal nodded, taking in the story. This is the first she's hearing of this. "Do you think she'll help us?"

"I doubt it."

"Okay." Mal said with a simple shrug. "I'm sure I can persuade her."

"I don't like the way you said that..." Emma said raising her brows. "What are you-?"

"Where can I find this sister?" Mal asked with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"The hospital." Henry replied. "She's in the basement, in the psych ward."

Mal nodded and stood from her seat. "I'll see the two of you later."

"Where are you going?" Emma asked.

"I have two stops to make." Mal said simply. "I have to pay Rumpelstiltskin's maid a visit."

"Belle?"

"Yes to obtain the magical item I spoke of. I'm sure that if that item is in this world, the Dark One or ex Dark One rather... is in possession of it. The same probably goes for my looking glass. The portal."

Emma nodded. "And then?"

"Then I'll go see the queen's older sister."

Emma nodded and handed Neal over to Henry. "I'm coming with you."

Mal looked at Emma and the determination on her face. She knew she would follow her anyway. "Fine. Come along."

"Watch him, Henry." Emma said to her son. "Hook is right over there and Granny and Ruby are around. The two of you will be fine."

Henry smiled at Emma. "I know. Go."

She nodded and walked over to Mal, as soon as they were close enough, Mal poofed them to Gold's shop.


Belle heard voices in the shop which was strange because she didn't hear the chime above the door. She stood up from where she was sitting beside Rumple's still unconscious form and walked into the front of the shop. She smiled when saw Emma standing at the counter patiently but she bristled when she saw the other blonde lurking in a corner of the store.

"Hey Emma." Belle said, still keeping an eye on the dragon who looked over at the sound of her voice.

"Hey." Emma said watching Belle closely. She looked back at Mal who had her arms crossed and was glaring at the librarian. "What's up? You guys know each other?" She asked, sensing the tension.

"Well not formally, unless being kidnapped is a way of meeting new people." Bella replied dryly.

"Oh please," Mal scoffed. "Your husband has tried to kill me, twice. Not to mention he had me actually killied by the Saviour."

Emma tensed at that. She found it interesting that Maleficent didn't hold a grudge for that one.

"Which I've had absolutely nothing to do with."

"All's fair, dear."

"Well, I know how to protect myself now so try anything and I will turn you into something a lot less threatening. How about a turtle?"

Mal snorted. "Now, now, dear, that will not be necessary. I'm on my best behavior. The Savior is keeping an eye on me."

Belle glared. "I-"

"Okay enough." Emma said exasperated. "I need your help."

Belle turned back to her and nodded. "What do you need?"

"There's a globe-y thingy that gold has that helps him find people..." Emma described it awkwardly. She could practically feel Maleficent mocking her.

Belle nodded. "I know what you're talking about. May I ask what you need it for?"

"That's none of your business." Mal snapped.

Emma sighed. "We're looking for Regina. I think Zelena can help us, if she let's us use her blood."

Belle looked at Emma sympathetically then nodded. "I'm sorry about what happened to Regina. But if she could come back from the darkness once before, she could do it again. She'll be okay." She covered Emma's hand that was rested on the counter with her own and squeezed. The blonde offered her a tired smile. "I'll go get it. I'll be right back." She announced before slipping into the back room.

"Wow, you and Regina have history with everyone in this town and none of its good." Emma said turning back to Maleficent. The dragon simply shrugged. "Why'd you kidnap Belle?"

"Rumpelstiltskin had something I wanted."

"And Belle was some kind of leverage?"

"Yes."

"Well, did you at least get what you wanted?"

"Of course, dear." The dragon smirked. "I always get what I want."

"What was it?"

Mal chuckled. "So curious. It was a Gauntlet. It revealed your enemy's weakness."

Emma nodded. She wasn't going to ask what she wanted or needed with that. "Alright."

"I wish you hadn't waited a week to inform me of Regina's condition." Maleficent said thoughtfully. She wasn't accusing Emma or blaming her.

Emma nodded. "My parents didn't think it was a good idea for me to ask you for help. But the fairies... I felt they didn't really care about Regina. They were more focused on destroying the darkness... well, except for Tinkerbell, she seems sincerely concerned for Regina."

Maleficent rolled her eyes. "That little blonde fairy?"

"You know her?"

"Unfortunately yes. I had a run in with her when she still had her wings and once after she'd lost them..."

"I'm assuming you don't like her."

Mal shrugged. "I dislike most people and creatures."

Emma snorted. "Got it." She started to ask Maleficent what she thought of her but Belle emerging from the back room stopped her. She was pretty sure she didn't want to know anyway.

Belle struggled for a moment with the heavy globe before it vanished from her hands. She gasped then she and Emma turned to see it in Mal's hands.

"You're welcome." The dragon said with a smug smirk. Belle just rolled her eyes and turned back to Emma.

"You know, you could be keeping better company." She whispered.

Emma sighed. "She's helping me find Regina. Since no one else wants to.

Belle frowned. "You could have come to me. I would have been happy to help. I still am."

Emma shook her head. "Nah, you were busy helping my parents and dealing with Gold's condition. It would have been too much." She frowned at Belle's disappointed expression. "But you can help by not saying anything to my parents."

Belle nodded. "Okay. How are you going to use it?" She gestured to the magical item in Mal's hand. "I doubt the Wicked Witch would just help you." All she received was Emma's frown deepening. Belle sighed and nodded again. "Just be careful."

"Thanks Belle." Emma tilted her head. "There's another item we need."

"No need." Maleficent said dryly. She balanced the globe with one hand then flicked her wrist and a silver hand mirror appeared in her hand. "I just needed to know if it was close by."

"A portal." Emma explained to Belle and the brunette squeezed her hand. Emma gave her a small smile and stepped back.

"Let's send these somewhere safe." The items disappeared from Mal's hands, being sent to her room.

Emma nodded. "Now what?"

"Now you take us to where we need to go." Mal gestured for Emma to come closer and Emma did. "I've never been to this place, so take me there. I'll do the actual magic, you just guide us."

Emma nodded, that seemed simple enough. Before she could say anything more they were engulfed in a cloud of black smoke and disappeared from the shop.


The dark gloomy palace was finally starting to take its toll on Regina. She was drifting through the halls from room to room being bombarded with horrible memories in whichever room she entered. She despised this place with every fiber of her being. It almost drove her completely insane at one time in her life. Memories of nothing but loneliness, depression and anger lurked within these walls.

It was the loneliness getting to her. She had gotten so used to having Henry around and Emma and even the older Charmings that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to be completely alone.

She wondered if Henry had been raised here or had ever been here, would she still hate the palace or would the memories of him within these walls chase away the dark shadows looming over this place? Would his presence alone shine through the darkness?

Or Emma? If she and Emma had shared moments in this castle would Emma's light remain?

Regina pushed those thoughts aside. There's no point even dwelling on that. She just hoped that they were doing better without her than she was without them.

The darkness was growing more and more persistent, feeding off of her stress. She often found herself wanting to go out and tear everyone and anyone's heart out. A few times she even wanted to murder Snow White. Behead her in front of all of Storybrooke, make her pay for what she had done but she fought it. She pushed it away with the good memories she shared with her former stepdaughter but those thoughts still scared her.

She was just glad that she was far away from all of them.

"You know... you can never have her." She heard a familiar voice say. One she hadn't heard in a long time. She sighed and turned away from her vanity. There stood little Snow White, the same age she was when they met. Before both of their innocence was stolen from them. "That woman you love. I will never let you be with her. Don't forget that I never want you to be happy. So if you find happiness with her, I'll snatch it away."

"Shut up." Regina screamed. She's had enough.

"You have to destroy me." Snow said in a sweet voice. "Before I destroy you. Take everything away from you!"

"No!" Regina screamed again.

"Think about what happened to your first love and then your mother."

"Stop."

"Then her daughter almost took your soulmate away from you."

"That wasn't her fault."

"Just like her breaking your curse? The curse that you had to kill your father to enact because of Snow White? If it wasn't for Snow White, you wouldn't have had to cast the curse and your father would be alive."

Regina's heart clenched at the mention of her father. He's dead. He's gone. She murdered him in this very room. She missed him so much and she would never forgive herself for murdering him in her pursuit of revenge. At the time she called it a sacrifice but now she knows it was nothing but a murder.

"Snow White ruined your life. The Charmings are trying to break you."

Regina growled. "No."

"Love is weakness, Regina." She opened her eyes and looked up into the face of her mother. "You're weak for falling in love with the woman destined to destroy you. She's trying to get you to trust her so you'll let your guard down so she can destroy you when you least expect it."

"She wouldn't."

"I bet she has the dagger. I bet she's planning on controlling you with it because you've always been her pet but now you definitely cannot resist."

The tears were falling. Emma would never. "No!"

"You'll see when she turns on you. When they all turn on you. After they've taken everything from you and leave you alone with nothing. You can only trust yourself and your inner darkness."

Then just like that it disappeared, leaving Regina alone to allow the rest of the tears to fall at some of the truths in its words.


Emma and Maleficent appeared in a plain white hallway, in front of a gray door. They looked around and saw only one person there, a man that Emma had come to know as mute. The employees give him small jobs such as sweeping and moping to keep him busy. She's never learned his name because he doesn't speak but she's familiar with his face. She was thankful that there was no one else in the hallway. They wouldn't question why the sheriff was there but they would question Mal's presence. They would also question why Emma was spending time in the presence of the dragon but Emma cared about none of those things. All she cared about was getting the woman she loved back.

"Is this it?" The dragon asked gesturing to the door. Emma nodded. "Well, let's get this over with. I despise her already."

Emma snorted. "Wait until you actually meet her. She's a huge bitch. Hot as hell but a bitch."

Maleficent shook her head with a small chuckle and reached for the door but was met with a force field. A containment spell. Mal nodded and stepped back. Pulling Emma back as well, she reached out and started pulling the spell from the door. She sighed at the effort, Regina's gotten extremely strong. She's come a long way from the young woman that could barely conjure a fireball all those years ago.

Mal concentrated a little longer, feeling it breaking. Then there was a flicker and sparks of purple then the force field fell away. Mal hesitantly touched it again. It was gone.

She looked back at Emma with a nod then with a flick of her wrist, the door flew open. She started to step inside but Emma's hand on her arm stopped her. She looked back at her quizzically.

"She's pregnant so we can't rough her up." Emma whispered.

Mal nodded with a small smirk and stepped inside. There seated on the small cot by the far wall sat the Wicked Witch. She stood when the blondes stepped over the threshold.

"Well, well.. If it isn't the Savior and the Dragon..." Zelena said with a wide smile. "To what do I owe this honor?"

"This isn't a social call," Maleficent said with a dismissive wave of her hand. She wanted to know how the woman knew who she was. Everyone knew of the Saviour of course and according to Emma they had history. But Maleficent? How did she know?

Zelena crossed her arms and pretended to pout. "Oh and here I thought my sister's pretty blondes wanted to play with me as well." Her eyes looked Maleficent up and down then she sighed. "I mean, evil can be fun but wicked is so much better."

Maleficent smirked and let her eyes check the other witch out as well. She was very beautiful, just as Emma had said. A little vain, then again so was Regina at times. Beneath all of that snark and sarcasm lie a sadness. She shared no resemblances with Regina but you could still tell they were sisters. Zelena obviously took after their mother more. Not only physically but her personality reeked of Cora 'The Queen of Hearts' as well. Mal was thankful that Regina hadn't taken after her mother because if she had, Mal wouldn't have been able to love her as easily. "I..." She put emphasis on the word as to make a point that she and Zelena didn't have any reasons why they couldn't make an arrangement. "Would like to ask for your assistance with something."

Zelena raised her brows but she looked interested. "Okay, dragon, what do you need?"

"Something has happened to your sister..." Mal began to explain. Emma listened and watched Zelena closely. She saw worry flit across the witch's face for a moment then it was gone. "...Long story short, she's the Dark One and we need to help her..."

"Is Rumpelstiltskin dead?" Mal found herself smirking at the hopefulness in Zelena's eyes.

"No." Emma said with a shrug. Zelena frowned in disappointment.

"But what's important is that Regina is now the Dark One. Your little sister, from what I hear, had quite the dislike for you which means that if she gives in to her inner darkness there's nothing stopping her from ending you." Mal pointed out. "I want to get to her before she becomes a danger to herself and others."

Zelena looked between the two blondes. She loathed Regina but she didn't want her to actually be in any danger... unless it was caused by her own hands. She cocked her head to the side and looked at Mal curiously. "What do you need me to do?"

"We need help finding her..." Mal replied.

"Oh I can't." Zelena held up her hand and pointed to the leather strap on her wrist. "This cuff, prevents me from using magic. I can't do anything."

"Oh, you don't have to use magic but we do need you to make a donation, if you will." With a flick of Mal's wrist the globe appeared in her hands. "With this, we can track down Regina. Find out what world she's in so that we can go retrieve her and bring her home."

Zelena nodded. "Okay."

Mal walked over to the bed and set the item down onto it. "I need you to prick your finger on this." She pointed to the point on top of its axis.

Zelena held up a hand. "Wait a minute, Maleficent is asking me to prick my finger on something?" She crossed her arms. "I know your story. What you did to that poor girl."

"Aurora?" Maleficent asked amused. "Was a pawn in an age old feud between myself and her mother."

"Who you've also cursed."

"I cursed the entire kingdom the first time..." The dragon said dismissively. She waved it off. "But I have no reason to harm you... yet." She smirked.

Zelena watched Maleficent for another moment as if trying to read her before nodding. "Fine." She started to reach for the point but Emma stopped them.

"Stop!" The younger blonde said. Both witches turned to her. She glared at Zelena. "So you're just going to help us save your sister? Just like that?"

Zelena shrugged. "Yes."

Emma crossed her arms and hardened her expression. "I don't believe you. Why?"

Zelena huffed. "Because, I despise my sister, I do. Her entire existence irks me..." She rolled her eyes. "But I don't want her to suffer, unless I'm the one causing it."

Emma's eyes zoned in on Zelena's but her lie detector wasn't going off. She was telling the truth. "Fine. Just hurry up so we can get Regina back and save her. Then the two of you can go back to trying to destroy each other."

Zelena and Maleficent both smirked at that and there was a sparkle in the Wicked Witch's eyes at the thought of tormenting her baby sister. She turned serious. "But there is something that I want."

"Of course there is." Emma sighed. "What?"

"I don't want my child to be taken from me. I know that's what Robin is planning and I don't want to lose my child."

"Okay, I'll talk to-" Emma started but Mal cut her off.

"Done." The dragon said pulling Zelena's attention to her. When their eyes met she added, "Your child will not be taken from you."

"You can't promise that!" Emma argued. "If Regina and Robin are planning to take the baby from her it's because she's dangerous. Regina will not like that you're-"

"Indeed, I can promise that. I just did." Mal said without looking over at Emma. "I'm dangerous and so is Regina but she has never harmed your son and I never would have harmed Lily. Us, Villains." She put emphasis on the last word. "Are dangerous, that's true. We harm people and destroy lives but if anyone is safe with us, it's our children." Mal looked into Zelena's eyes. "I promise you. No one will take your child from you. I'll see to it."

Zelena offered the other woman a small smile. "Okay."

Mal returned the smile. No woman should have their child taken from them. No one should go through what she did. The constant mourning of Lily. Her heart breaking more and more each day she longed for her child. If she could prevent another woman deemed as 'wicked' by others and who was most likely made that way by others as well, she would.

It saddened her that Cora ruined another daughter. She has two beautiful daughters, both with lots of love to give and they were both denied that from her. Leaving them damaged. Such powerful women using their strength for evil, having darkness in their hearts, passed down from their mother. Mal could practically feel the powerful magic coming off of Zelena in waves. This woman was no monster. She was in pain and angry just like Mal and Regina had been not too long ago. She needed a chance and maybe even an ally. Maleficent was prepared to be that.

"Fine." Emma huffed. "But Regina will not like this."

"Savior, the more time you spend with me the more you'll see that I don't particularly care what Regina dislikes." Maleficent said turning back to the globe. "Regina's happiness matters a great deal to me, yes, but if she's doing the wrong thing, or has a plan that isn't in her best interest, I will veto it because her wellbeing is also very important to me. It's imperative that she continues to do the right thing."

Emma nodded. "Okay."

Mal cleared her throat in acknowledgment. She looked over at Zelena. "Ready?"

"Yes," Zelena said with a nod. Without hesitation she pricked her finger. She winced at the sting.

"Just drop the blood on there and..." Maleficent explained.

Zelena did what she was told. Her blood dropped on to it and the red droplet traveled around for a moment before sliding down and off to a far side. It formed a red map. Mal leaned in closer and nodded.

"That looks like..." Zelena trailed off.

"I was right..." Mal said with another nod.

"Where's she?" Emma asked anxiously.

"The Enchanted Forest." Both witches said at the same time.

Emma winced. She hated that place. If she never saw it again, it would be too soon. The bugs, the dirt, the ogres, someone trying to kill them every five minutes... but Emma would crawl through the flames of hell for the woman she loved. She looked up at the witches and nodded. "Okay, when do we leave?"

"Well..." Mal said waving her hand and sending the globe back to Belle. "I'd like to leave immediately but I'm sure you have some things to take care of."

Emma nodded. "My family but that shouldn't..." She trailed off and sighed. "Ugh, my family." She groaned.

Maleficent and Zelena shared a look and Zelena smirked. Maleficent cleared her throat. "Anyway, thank you, dear. You've been quite helpful."

Zelena nodded. "Good luck." She watched as both blondes headed for the door. "Be sure to tell my baby sister that even though I helped her I'm still just as wicked and wicked always wins."

Mal looked over her shoulder at the other witch and chuckled. "I most definitely will. Do take it easy." She said as she pulled Emma out of the door.

Mal shut the door back and magically locked it then put another containment spell on it. She'll discuss it with Regina later. She turned to Emma. "That's the Wicked Witch of the West?" She shook her head. "She's not exactly wicked."

Emma's jaw tightened. "She is. She kidnapped my brother and tried to use him for a spell." She shook her head and waved it off when the sorceress looked at her curiously. "She's certainly a wicked bitch and now you've made a deal with her."

Maleficent shrugged. "She deserves a chance. I've done horrible things in the past and so has your love."

"Did you miss the part when I said she kidnapped my little brother?"

Mal looked amused and slightly annoyed. "You are in no position to judge anyone for kidnapping. Are you forgetting what your parents did to my child?"

"I know and I'm sorry for that." Emma said sincerely. "But she's hurt so many people." She argued. "She's even hurt Regina."

Mal poofed them back to her room without a word. Regardless of what Emma said, a deal is a deal. She may be a villain but she does have a slight bit of honor.

"What has she done to Regina specifically?" She asked as she walked over to the bedside table and picked up the looking glass. She looked at her reflection as she felt the magic working inside the mirror.

"She stole her heart and used it for a spell. She tried to go back in time and wipe her from history."

"But time traveling spells are only a myth so no harm done." Mal said simply. She sat on the bed, crooked a finger at Emma and patted the spot next to her.

"Actually they're not." Emma said as she walked over to Mal and sat beside her. "Hook and I got sucked into the spell... we went into the past."

Mal had to suppress an eye roll at the mention of the pirate that Emma insists on spending her time with. She was impressed by the story though. "That's actually interesting and very dangerous."

Emma nodded. "I know but anyway, she murdered Robin's wife, impersonated her-"

"He should know his wife..."

"She used magic." Emma said in way of explanation. "She... anyway... she stole him away from her, they left. Regina was devastated. Oh... and that baby is Robin's."

"I figured." Mal said with a nod. "When she said Robin wanted to take it."

Emma nodded. "Yeah well... "

"Just give her a chance, she might surprise you. Regina is still here, well not here but you know what I mean, and she's not so heartbroken over it anymore."

"I just want to protect her... and I failed." Emma said softly. "She wouldn't let me save her." She inhaled to keep from breaking down in front of this woman. She didn't want to look weak but this whole situation has been weighing on her. Regina should be home with her and Henry. Not alone in the Enchanted Forest with raging darkness inside of her.

"I know the feeling..." Mal said gently. "Regina is not the type to allow herself to be rescued especially if you're putting yourself in danger to do so."

"She's so damn stubborn."

"Oh yeah." The dragon agreed with a light chuckle. "She's extremely hardheaded, it used to drive me insane. It still does."

Emma smiled at that. "But she expects everyone to listen to her."

"And we do because we want so badly to please her."

Emma nodded. "And we don't listen when we want to rile her up."

Mal snorted. "Indeed." She watched as a shadow cast across Emma's beautiful fair features. She looked so tired and miserable. Without thinking she placed a hand on the sheriff's thigh. The first thing she noticed was the firmness and the muscles. The other thing she noticed was the way her body responded when the younger woman looked up into her eyes. The curious gaze locked on her caused her to feel a tightening in her stomach that she tried to push away. So she inhaled. "We'll find her. She'll be fine."

Emma furrowed her brows. She was lost in those eyes again but she didn't care this time. They were beautiful and they glowed for a moment, then returned to normal. She had no idea what the other woman was thinking but she certainly hoped she couldn't tell what Emma was feeling. For some reason she was feeling a pull to the other blonde. Maybe it was the fact that they were both missing Regina or maybe the fact that they were both in love with her. It couldn't be because the older woman was extremely beautiful, wise and confident. It couldn't be the danger of her being a villainous sorceress. It couldn't be the way she was touching Emma's thigh with her thumb stroking it softly.

Because it would be inappropriate to be attracted to her.

Maleficent stared into Emma's eyes a moment. She saw a series of emotions play across them. She looked so unsure. Of what, Maleficent had no idea.

"But what would she be like when we find her?" Emma sounded breathless and Mal was unsure if it was due to their close proximity or the question. She hoped it was the latter.

Mal cleared her throat and looked away. "She's Regina. She'll always be Regina. No dagger could change that. We'll keep reminding her of who she is."

"But-"

"Shhh." Mal removed her hand from Emma's thigh and looked at her for a moment. So young. She thought. Mal usually preferred darker women. Dark eyes and dark hair always turned her on but Emma's soft green eyes were drawing her in and her golden hair looked so soft, she wanted know what it'd be like to run her fingers through it. Before she could catch herself, Mal reached over and tucked some of it behind Emma's ear. It was as soft as she expected. She let her knuckles gently stroke Emma's soft cheek. The younger woman gasped softly at the contact but didn't seem in distress so Mal continued to let her hand caress the warm skin. "What you need to worry about is... telling Mommy and Daddy that you're going to the Enchanted Forest to get your love."

Emma sighed. "I know and I don't even know why I'm worried. It's not like they can stop me." She tried to focus on their conversation but Mal's gentle touches were distracting... in the best way.

Maleficent smirked. "There you go, talking like a future queen."

Emma smiled at that. She really had no intention of ruling. Ever. But that didn't matter because she would never have to.

She just wanted to get into the Enchanted Forest, grab the woman she loved and bring her home so she could take care of her. It irked her that her parents weren't trying harder after all Regina has done for them and after they've heard their confessions. They should understand how much they mean to each other or what the separation was doing to Emma.

At this point she could care less about what her parents thought.

She's going to save Regina and god help anyone that tried to stand in her way.

"When are we leaving?" Emma repeated her question from earlier.

Mal looked over at the clock. "Well it's late. I personally have no problem traveling at night but the Enchanted Forest can be dangerous after night fall. You're safe with me so you don't have to worry but we could wait-"

"Lets do it tonight." Emma cut in. "I'll meet you back here in a few hours." She didn't want to waste another second.

Maleficent let her fingers trail down Emma's gorgeous jawline one last time then lowered her hand to the bed. "I have a few things to take care of as well. So that's reasonable."

Emma nodded."Okay well I have to go have a horrible conversation with my parents." She groaned as she stood.

The dragon chuckled. "Good luck. Tell Mommy and Daddy I said hello." She smirked at the other blonde's eye roll.


Thanks so much for reading.

So I wanted to make Zelena into a human being but I love Zelena even though she gives Regina a hard time. I also could see Mal feeling for her because out of all the villains Mal is the most sensitive imo.

And I know, I know, the magical globe thing hasn't been seen since season 2 lol but I had to.

Oh and the thoughts about Emma as a parent were strictly Emma's thoughts. I personally think Emma's a great mother as well as Regina. Also the comment that Mal started in the diner but didn't finish. I'm gonna have Em ask about it but I have two different ideas as to where the sentence was going.

Anyway this chapter was a little Mal / Em (Dragon Swan) development. They need to get to know and be comfortable with each other if they're going to be working so closely together. I wanted that to go a little slower but Mal was having none of that so here we are. lol. Honestly writing this chapter I saw the chemistry. :)

Regina, hang in there, your ladies are coming for you!

Anyway, my rambling is over. Please leave a review. Let me know what you think. See you at the next update. :)