Henry had stayed the night and Regina had even managed to resist the temptation to watch him sleep, she had gotten up once in the middle of the night to make sure he was there, her nightmares about losing him had so dominated her sleep of late that it was nice for at least one night to be able to get up and see him peaceful in his bed. Especially as he wouldn't be there the next night. He let her make him waffles and they talked about the day he was going to have.

David was teaching him to ride, and a part of Regina was jealous and angry because that should have been something she shared with her son. But that was her fault she knew. She hadn't ridden since the curse. Rumple might have mocked her first sacrifice, but it had been a real one to her.

Henry ran out the door a little too fast, and without a hug or a kiss goodbye, and Regina tried not to be hurt by that. She was cleaning the kitchen in her usual Saturday routine when there was a knock at the door. Grumbling at being put upon she washed her hands and straightened her hair before facing what could certainly be another angry mob for whatever of her sins they decided to call to account today.

After all, no one else came to her door but angry mobs.

And Snow.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hello Regina."

"Go away."

Of course she didn't. Because Snow White never does what others wish.

"Emma told me about what happened last night."

"Well, it's good to know that she shared some of it. One hopes that Mr. Cassidy learns to keep his lips to himself."

Snow looked confused, and Regina realized that was not what Emma had told her mother.

"The fireball was an inevitable result of her growing magic and your daughter's anger management issues."

Snow raised an eyebrow. "You are going to judge someone else's anger issues?"

"Shouldn't I know better than most? Now, what do you want?"

"I wanted to talk."

"We're doing that, and soon we won't be when you go away."

"Please, Regina, can you just let me come in and talk about the magic?"

"Why?"

"Because Emma told me she thinks you saved her life last night."

"An exaggeration. I just stopped her from setting herself on fire."

"Close enough for horse shoes. Please, Regina. We could talk once."

"And look what talking to you did for me."

Snow gave her a desperate look and she sighed, stepping aside to let the younger woman in. "You said that her magic has been growing?"

"You haven't noticed the sparking between her finger tips I take it? Or the increased numbers of maintenance requests for things in the Sheriff's office?"

"I figured that was Emma being ... well Emma... she once destroyed my toaster while failing to make toast."

"And this is the woman feeding my son. Lovely."

"Regina."

"What do you want?"

"Her magic... is it like yours?"

Regina bristled. "In what way?"

"Well, she made a fireball when she was angry..."

"Emma's magic is elemental. A part of her as much as her stupid bravery and her innate ability to trip over things. Once she started to use it, it was inevitable that it would manifest more and more. I told her she needed to find some training."

"But it's not dark."

"Like mine?"

Snow looked down and then back at Regina.

"Dark magic is all I know. Perhaps Emma will learn something different."

"I was going to speak to the Mother Superior after I spoke to you."

Regina let out a bitter laugh. "Pardon me Snow, I think I need a drink if we're going to continue this conversation."

"What...?" Snow followed, of course she did, as Regina went to her sideboard and made herself scotch and rocks.

"Magic is not interchangeable. Asking a fairy to teach a sorceress magic is like buying a beautiful half million dollar Lamborghini and then asking your friend Billy Bob to teach you to drive it because he's got a big rig. After all they both have wheels."

"But the Blue Fairy is ..."

"Got her own agenda, one I'd love to know given her interest in your life, but my point is that fairy magic requires wands and dust. All she can do is teach theory and honestly probably not that very well given her ridged moral judgments."

"Having a moral code is not a failing."

"How's that black spot feeling lately, Snow?" Regina was satisfied when Snow had the good grace to at least look embarrassed. Still, she did see the problem, "The fairy may be able to at least stop her from being a danger to herself. Just keep her away from Gold."

"He taught you."

"And that alone should keep you from letting your loved ones anywhere near him."

Snow's head tilted slightly to the side and Regina took the opportunity to take a large gulp of her drink. She wouldn't get drunk today, she promised herself, unless Snow stayed much longer.

"Your hand..."

"Yes?"

"It's bandaged."

"Yes..." Regina raised an eyebrow.

"Emma said she hurt you... but that you could heal it."

There was almost an accusation in her voice.

"It's a magical wound. It'll have to heal on its own."

"You lied to her." There was less of an accusation in that strangely...

"She was in a very dangerous state, it was better to get her calmed down rather than to make her feel guilty."

Snow tilted her head again.

"You are staring at me."

"Oh... right. I should be going."

"You should have been going when you first showed up."

"It's good to see you too Regina."

"Em... please let me in?"

Neal had been knocking on the door for five minutes.

"I take it not answering the phone wasn't a hint?"

He startled and turned to see the Evil Queen standing there with a bag of groceries in her arms.

"It's really none of your business."

"Only in that you are standing in the way of me stocking her refrigerator. Move, Mr. Cassidy."

"She's not answering the door."

"She's not home you idiot."

When he did move from the door she waved her hand and the lock opened.

"You know walking into her apartment uninvited is creepy Regina."

"Miss. Mills or Mayor Mills."

He rolled his eyes.

"Careful, you make that face too often it will stick that way."

"Do mothers really say that?"

"Evil Queen's do."

She walked into the apartment knowing he'd follow. She ignored him and began to put vegetables in Emma's refrigerator.

"What is your game?"

"Game?"

"With Henry."

"He's my son."

"Yeah, okay, I accept that." He knew enough about this woman not to challenge her on that if he liked his life, "But what are you trying to get out of it?"

"What?"

"What's the power game?"

To his surprise she just started laughing and it didn't sound like a canned evil laugh of evil. "Your father's son aren't you."

He stiffened. "At least I'm not an Evil Queen."

"And I'm not Rumplestiltskin," she was actually smiling.

"You were his student."

"I was."

"So what's the power game..."

She just smiled. "Your father didn't pick me as a student because I was just like him, Mr. Cassidy. He picked me as a student because he needed me to be a monster so he could find you. Thank you for that."

"Wait... what?"

"No one explained to you the lengths he went to get to you?"

"Well... there is this town..."

"He wrote the curse and gave it to me to cast. I cast it so it's my curse, but his plan." She gave him a sweet smile that this time didn't reach her eyes. "I'm sure I'm not the first woman whose life your father has destroyed in order to get what he wants. It's no wonder he's so taken with the library mouse of a girlfriend."

Neal looked away. He didn't want to give this woman the satisfaction of seeing him think about his mother. "Belle seems to be a good influence on him."

Regina chuckled. "On the Dark One? She's pretty I'll grant you, but your father doesn't like strong people in his life..."

"... because it reminds him of how big a coward he is."

"Ah, not as stupid as I thought."

"Thanks..."

Neal shook his head and part of him wondered what had gone on between his father and his son's other mother. And part of him never wanted to know.