"Have you seen this woman?" A boy shoved a picture into Tamsin's face just as she walked into the station. "The other police officer told me to ask you."
"What?" Tamsin asked; her head still lost in a Regina induced fog.
"Have you seen her?" Tamsin took a step back. A boy about 13 with sandy brown hair and dark hazel eyes stood in front of her flashing a picture of Regina. Tamsin froze for a second trying to remember if this was the child from the photo album she had found in Regina's car. The same kid Regina thought was dead.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Henry Mills and I am looking for my mother. Can you help me?" Tamsin could not believe Regina had left her son. It seemed so unlike her. Granted Tamsin had kept her distance but a woman who risks her own life to save a stranger would not just up and abandon her son, would she? Tamsin's brain kept going over the last few months. Everything inside Tamsin screamed that Regina would never leave her kid. Her brain went back to the day she and Regina spent with Bo's son. She learned two things that day. Regina loved children and Regina has no concept of personal space.
Tamsin was sprawled out on the sofa. It had been a horribly hectic week. The blonde was just happy for the peace and quiet. Tamsin did not even bother getting dressed; she was wearing her oldest t-shirt and sweats. It was her weekend off and she had every intention of veg'ing out. Kenzi left for some stupid punk music festival with Vex. Meanwhile Regina was busy in her room all weekend, something about an anniversary. Regina never liked to talk about her past, which suited the Valkyrie just fine. Tamsin knew how much the sins of a former life could haunt you in the present. All the blonde knew was that the Witch had lit at least 20 candles and dressed all in black. Regina looked like she mourning the death of a love one, for all Tamsin knew Regina probably was.
Lauran stood outside of Kenzi and Tamsin's apartment banging on the door. When Tamsin opened it, Lauran pushed past her. Junior, her and Bo's son in her arms, Lauran was frazzled. She looked like she had not sleep in a week her skin was paler than usual, and large dark circles under her eyes.
"I need a favor."
Tamsin crossed her arm and raised an eyebrow "Why should I help you."
"Because you care about Bo, and by proxy her offspring." Lauren looked at her son. "He is in danger. Bo and I are going to stop them but I need to keep him safe until we do. Please."
"No, I am not any good with Kids and Kenzi isn't here. No way in h…" Tamsin paused not wanting to swear in front of a child. "I am not I going to watch him." Tamsin shook her head. "He is safer with anyone else but me." Tamsin's arms still firmly crossed over her chest. Regina walked into the room leaning on the doorjamb watching the two blondes.
"Please, I have to go with Bo."
"Who is after the child?" Regina walked over putting out her arms and taking the small boy.
"There called Oro Spinners."
"Oro Spinners?" Regina questioned.
"No, still not going to watch him, I am no babysitter. I do not care if some Steal Skin is after him. Trust me he is in way more danger with me. I have no idea what that thing even eats." Tamsin growled and pointed to Junior.
"HE is a baby and HE drinks milk." Lauren rolled her eyes.
"Oro is Spanish for gold." Regina smiled at the baby, playing with the child's curly blonde hair. "Gold Spinners are after your son?"
"Yes." Regina looked up and her expression changed. Her smile faded a look replaced it that was a mixture of understanding and resentment.
"Oro Spinners are an arachnid-humanoid race of fae that go after young fae children. They actually create gold like compounds, and use them to take control of the child and steal their fae powers."
Regina expression hardened and she nodded "We will defiantly keep him safe. I will even place wards all over the apartment nothing is getting in." Regina looked over to Tamsin who started to protest but Regina gave her an Evil Queen glare and she closed her mouth. Surprised she had never seen Regina so adamant about something.
"Guess we are watching him." Tamsin gave Lauren her signature fake smile. Regina spent the whole afternoon cuddling and playing with the boy. Tamsin had never seen her so happy, as when she played with the small boy. Regina laid the boy down for a nap and sat on the couch next to Tamsin.
"You're a natural."
"I told you, I had son, once upon a time."
Tamsin realized what she had done and silently cursed herself. Feeling guilty Tamsin regretted opening her big mouth. Tamsin rubbed the back of her neck. "Yeah, sorry I didn't mean…"
"It's alright."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"He was my happy ending." Regina frowned tears started to form around her eyes.
"What happened?"
"My life is no fairy tale and I don't deserve a happy ending."
'I could be your fairy tale,' Tamsin thought but did not dare say.
Junior started to cry and Regina rushed to him picking him up. Instantly the boy clamed in the brunette's arms. Walking over to Tamsin, Regina placed the boy in the Valkyrie's arms. "Here hold him until I can make him a bottle. Tamsin held the child out, awkwardly trying not to drop him but touching him as little as possible. Regina smiled and frowned at her, but walked into the kitchen to prepare a bottle. As soon as Regina was out of the room, the baby started crying.
"Hay can you hurry, this thing is making noise." Tamsin yelled getting increasingly uncomfortable with the baby in her arms. Regina came into the room bottle in hand smiling. Walking over to the blonde, she lightly push the blonde down and repositioned the baby in Tamsin's arms. Junior was resting on the Valkyrie's chest and an arm securely wrapped around the boy. The baby stopped crying and even started to coo up at the blonde.
"See, I am not the only natural in this house," Regina smiled and sat behind the Valkyrie. Regina handed the bottle to Tamsin who started to protest. Regina just ignored her and took Tamsin's hand guiding it to the baby and showing Tamsin how to feed the child. Regina's front was pressed into the blonde's back, Regina arm wrapped around Tamsin's body holding her hand in place as the feed the baby. Tamsin would never admit how nice it felt. 'If happily ever after did exist, it would feel like this.' Tamsin thought, looking back into Regina deep brown eyes.
"Hello," Henry said a little loader trying to get the blonde's attention. Tamsin shook her head trying to clear her mind. "Are you, ok you look like you have seen a ghost?"
"I am ok," Tamsin finally looked the boy in the eyes. "I know your Mom."
"You do? Henry smile, "How?"
"Long story," Tamsin had no idea how much the child knew about the fae of this world. Tamsin leaned down to look the boy in the eye, "Why aren't you with your Mother?" She asked unsure of any other way to phrase her real question. The boy smile faded and he dropped his head.
"If you know how to find her just tell me." His words were surprisingly stern for a 13-year-old boy. He averted his eyes, clearly avoiding the question.
Tamsin took a deep breath, "Come on," she started to walk and opened the door for the boy to follow. The only way she would get answer is take the boy right to the source. Henry followed her, to her truck. Opening the door for him, he climbed in quietly. He sat straight up and starred directly in front of himself his eyes focused on the road ahead.
Tamsin climbed in and they drove in silence. Tamsin was reminded her of the first night she met Regina. When she met the boy, she could not see Regina in him at all. Sitting there watching him, Tamsin realized he had her eyes, sad, lost, tiny pools of anger. Searching for a place in this world, he and Regina were both lost.
"So where are you from?" Tamsin asked even though she knew the answer, anything to break the deafening silence.
"A land far away."
"You're a long way from home then?"
"That place isn't my home." He said sadly. "Your right, I am a long way from home."
Tamsin smiled at the boys words. "You really are her kid huh." Henry stiffened even more if that was possible and shook his head.
"I am not anyone's kid; I am Regina Mill's son." He stated as if it was the most logical thing in the world. Tamsin had no idea what the boy meant by that, so she just nodded ok. Yep the kid was just as weird as she was the first night.
"So you like comics." Tamsin asked remembering the slight sparkle in Regina eyes when she mentioned Henry was a Marvel fan.
"Yeah."
"So who is your favorite super hero." He sat for a moment, deep in through and shrugged.
"Heroes are kind of overrated." Tamsin was surprised to hear Henry say that, she distinctly remembered Regina saying he loved heroes. Henry turned to look up at the blonde. "Take superman, the most powerful of them all. He's a goody two shoes who can destroy the planet with a sneeze. When I was a kid I thought he was the coolest ever."
"Cause you're so old." Henry smiled and rolled his eyes something Tamsin had seen Regina do numerous times by now.
"I know I am still a kid, but you will be surprised at my maturity level."
"Sorry, anyway you were saying Superman is lame."
"Yeah he's lame, he's over powered and not realistic."
"Right, because the X-Men are realistic, claws and flying women." Henry started to laugh.
"No, I mean Superman doesn't have any flaws. When I was younger, I always thought Superman was better than Batman. Superman had powers, and wasn't from this world. He always did what was right. Batman may never kill anyone but he isn't a nice guy. Frist Batman isn't some great chosen one placed in a box like Superman. Superman was sent here, from Krypton. His parents did it to save him from total destruction. Batman is just a normal guy. He may be rich but he is still normal. Well except for his messed up childhood." Henry waved his arms wildly as he talked. "Anyway he is dark, moody, and constantly one-steps ahead of everyone. At the time, I never saw how cool he was. Batman has a tortured soul, he is complex, and he is out for vengeance. Superman is just good because… " Henry finally paused, his longwinded ramble. Tamsin swore the boy said everything in one breath. "It's the right thing to do. Superman really has no reason to be good he just is. How boring is that."
"You think Batman is cool now." Tamsin nodded this kid defiantly spent way too much time reading comics. For some reason the blonde didn't think that Regina would approve of him spending so much time in a fantasy world.
"Yeah, Batman is way cool. If Batman wanted Superman dead, then Superman would be dead. That is how cool Batman is." Tamsin just sat there staring at the road thinking and worrying about how strange the conversation had gotten. Henry continued noticing the strange look in Tamsin's eyes. "Batman wouldn't kill Superman, but if he wanted to he could. That's my point, everyone thinks in a fight, hands down, Superman would win, not true. "
"Ok kid, I will bite how can a normal human possible kill a god like being."
"Batman is smarter than Superman; he keeps kryptonite in his utility belt. Batman believes ultimate power will corrupt Superman and he is just wanting for the day when he will have to put him down. "
"Wow you put a lot of thought into your comics."
"Yeah, I guess," Henry shrugged.
Tamsin nodded "Yeah I am not really a big fan of hero's ether." Tamsin tried to change the subject. More of the ant-hero type myself." He nodded.
"That's cool, who is your favorite?"
"I guess I don't really have one." Tamsin thought for a moment, "Ghost Rider."
"Ghost Rider? Really?"
"Yeah," Tamsin shrugged "His face is a flaming skull and he is a bounty hunter from hell. Before I was a cop, I was a bounty hunter. So I have a soft spot for him." Tamsin confessed, though she had no idea why. Henry sat very quiet, his eyes glazed over and he was clearly thinking.
"My mom used to be a Bail Bonds person before she was sheriff." Tamsin started to laugh she couldn't image Regina in her designer heals chasing bad guys. "What is so funny?"
"I am sorry I just can't see Regina doing that." Henry smiled realizing what he had said then shook his head no.
"No not Regina, my other Mom. Regina used to be the Mayor of Story Brooke and Emma my bio mom, was the sheriff. My Mom's don't get along at all." Henry said sadly. "I wish they did." 'Great divorced' Tamsin assumed.
"So you live with Emma?"
"Yeah and my grandparents."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I haven't known Regina all that long but she doesn't seem like the type to abandon her son."
"She didn't abandon me; she isn't allowed to see me. My other Mom and Grandparents took me far away. A place she can't go, it's complicated."
"Is it because she is a witch?"
"Something like that." Tamsin let out a breath she did not know she was holding. Tamsin was relieved that the woman she had come to care about did not just abandon her son. Her relief soon turned to rage. What kind of people, ban a mother from her child.