AN thanks again for the continued support by way of reviews, follows and favs. A particular shout out to the Guests who review – while I can't acknowledge each one I do sincerely appreciate your views and input. Your questions and comments have really helped me flesh out some of the story.
Your response has made this journey so much fun for me. I hope you all continue to enjoy.
Usual disclaimers apply.
Regina made her way through the forest towards the well which was thankfully situated in the opposite direction to the Merry Men's camp. Her head saying she was relieved to be avoiding any possibility of a confrontation with the smelly forest dwellers, but her heart knowing an early morning trek in that direction would have been too reminiscent of another meeting in the forest the memory of which echoed painfully in her mind "Milady, I'm sorry, I let you down. Your heart was lost to Zelena on my watch. I promise you, I will get it back."
"Hello Regina"
At the sound of Maleficent's voice behind her Regina stopped walking. Shaking the memory from her mind she raised her head, painting her best Evil Queen smile on her face replying "Hello, Maleficent," as she turned around. "An early morning rendezvous in the forest, how original."
"Well I wasn't sure you would be eager to join me for breakfast at Granny's right now. And I wanted to say hello." Maleficent had a petulant tone to her voice that told Regina she was teasing, on hearing it she let her guard down a little with her old friend, though still wary as Maleficent had a number of reasons to be looking for a little revenge right now… 30 years trapped beneath the Library in dragon form being the first to spring to Regina's mind.
"I see," Regina gave a half smile. "How did you know I was in Storybrooke? Patrolling the town line in the middle of the night seems a little 'community spirited' for you." Regina queried, hoping the sarcasm in her voice would hide her worry. Had Maleficent seen them when they came into town? Does she know about Alayna? Had their carefully laid plans to keep her hidden been thwarted so soon?
Maleficent walked slowly towards Regina, stopping in front of her and raising a gentle hand to Regina's cheek. "You know I could always sense you," she said softly. "I would apologize for the theatrics with the raven and the woods," she chuckled a little, widening her eyes at the words 'raven' and 'woods'. "But I figured you earned yourself a little scare for my sojourn in the town library." She paused, looking deep into Regina's eyes before continuing sincerely, "I just wanted to thank you without the eyes of Storybrooke on us," Regina looked questioningly at Maleficent's. "For your help finding Lily, Emma said she couldn't have found her, or convinced her to come to Storybrooke, without you."
Regina patted the hand still on her cheek, gently removing it, taking it into her own and entwining their fingers. "You're welcome," she said softly. "I'm glad it all worked out – you and Lily."
"Yes – well," Maleficent began with a purse of her lips. "Things are still 'working out'. She is carrying a lot of guilt right now over Emma. But it's nice to be able to be here for her. And once Emma is found and restored to her usual heroic self, Lily will be able to heal." So that was Mal's angle – Regina thought, knowing that she would have one. The Maleficent she knew would not have been helping the Charming's purely out of the goodness of her heart. But her motives didn't negate the value of her assistance, at least not in Regina's eyes. Blue would likely have a different opinion, which may account for Tinkerbelle's comment about 'obvious tension' between the dragon and the Charmings.
"Of course she will," Regina said with a soft smile. "I'm going to meet with Mary Margaret and David later today, after I've had some sleep." She added pointedly to which Maleficent gave a dry laugh. "I need to understand what happened to Emma, and to see what the Charmings want to do about it. You have a seat at the table if you want it? I need to start working towards getting Emma back and for that we need a plan. I'd appreciate your view – and fire power, if it comes to that." She wanted to start off on the right foot with Maleficient, and that meant complete honesty. She would see through anything less – Regina had learned that years ago.
Maleficent scoffed. "Good luck getting the Charmings' and their pirate mascot to do anything but grieve the loss of their precious saviour." Maleficent said with annoyance.
"All the more reason I need you there. If we want to save her we are going to need their help and I need to save her," Maleficent was expecting Regina to say 'for Henry' and was surprised when instead Regina said, 'so I can get out of this place."
"You're not staying?" Maleficent asked. She noticed a look of – was that apprehension? Flit across her friends face before Regina schooled her expression into something neutral. Interesting, Maleficent thought but didn't comment on it, instead storing the information away for a later conversation.
"Of course not - and if you had seen the world beyond this town you wouldn't stay either."
At that Maleficent grimaced, "unfortunately I've no choice. Storybrooke is my prison. But I'm hoping it can be my home too." Regina squeezed Maleficent's hand, a hand she had forgotten she was still holding.
"I'm sorry you're stuck here," she said, somewhat chastised.
"Don't be. Lily has agreed to stay, for now. I'm happy," Maleficent gave a small but genuine smile and Regina realised that her friend really was happy.
"Well, I'd better go. I'll need to sleep if I'm to have enough patience not to throw fireballs at the Charming's in the morning." She gave a little tug on Maleficent's hand before withdrawing her own and walking back towards the town until Maleficent's voice stopped her.
"Regina!" and when Regina turned around it was into Maleficent's arms in a fierce but brief hug. A hug Regina returned. "I'm glad you're here." She whispered kissing Regina's cheek.
"Me too," she replied, knowing that for the first time since she crossed back into Storybrooke, she truly was.
Four hours later she was once again channelling her inner Evil Queen and it took all of her training to stifle the laugh that begged to be released at the shocked look on everyone's face as she and Henry walked i to Granny's diner. The ding of the bell, the drop of a plate of bacon and eggs right into Grumpy's lap as Ruby gaped, she could not have hoped for a more grand entrance.
"Regina," Granny had breathed, her shock overtaking her usual gruff demeanour.
Regina quickly scanned the room taking in the morning's patrons: A couple of the dwarves at the counter; Marco and the Cricket at a table; and a booth housing four of Robin's Merry Men. Perfect, word would spread before lunch that she was back in town.
She did not allow her eyes to linger on the table with Robin's men, focusing instead on Granny who was scowling at her. But she kept an eye on them in her periphery, she did not want a confrontation this morning and their presence set her on edge. Coming to Granny's was simply a way to let everyone know she was in town again so no one would come knocking on her front door, but, she reminded herself, she always did enjoy making an entrance.
This morning however, she was not feeling her usual confident self. Getting dressed she had felt like a fish out of water; unwilling to be seen walking around town in her clothes from the ranch but not yet comfortable in her old mayoral suits… She didn't want people to know how much she had changed, unable to silence the voice in her head telling her she had become weak. But she wasn't convinced she could pull off her full 'Madam Mayor' either… She just needed to make it through breakfast, keep everyone at a distance and hope they didn't see through her as easily as she feared they would.
In the end she had pulled her (now much longer) hair back into a sleek French twist and wore in a fitted grey suit dress and matching cuffed jacket (not quite ready to don the black), her string of pearls and matching earrings completing the look. Her makeup was flawless (but less, Granny was quick to notice) and instead of her signature red lipstick she wore a more natural pink. Yes, it was Regina, but she was changed. Of that Granny was certain. And from the pounding of Regina's heart, that Granny's old wolf ears could hear as loudly as drums, the girl was terrified that someone would notice.
Out of the corner of her eye Regina saw Tuck go to rise when she walked towards the counter, and forced herself not to react, listening instead to the rhythmic clacking of her patent black stilettos on the ground. She noticed Little John's arm immediately going to Tuck's shoulder, the slow shake of his head in a bid for the man to sit down – so much for no enemies in Robin's camp, she thought bitterly. But then she could also tell they were not surprised at her arrival. Clearly Robin had told them he was going to find her, to bring her back.
"Madam Mayor," Granny growled. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company this morning?" Granny barked and bit back a smile as she felt Regina's relief as strongly as if it was her own. Granny had always been able to read Regina, knowledge she kept to herself, and she could tell how important it was for Regina to be seen as her 'old' self on her return to Storybrooke, something Granny was happy to allow her to believe she had succeeded in. What did it matter to Granny? And while she had no idea why, she had always had a soft spot for Regina. While she had never approved of the atrocities Regina committed as the Evil Queen, the old wolf had certainly seen enough in her years to understand why Regina did what she did – as if being the only child of the Queen of Hearts wasn't enough, she had been married off to an old man and forced to live a life of solitude, the Dark One her only companion. Being a product of redemption herself, Granny had always believed it could be achieved by others and in Granny's mind Regina was no exception. Regina the old woman believed in – the Evil Queen not so much, but she knew Regina hadn't been the Evil Queen for a long time.
As Regina's heart rate returned to normal she said, "Well it's a diner, Mrs Lucas, one could imagine I was here to dine with my son. I'll have coffee and eggs please." She sat in her usual spot at the counter, placing her purse on the counter, pointedly ignoring Grumpy who had managed to clean off most of the mess of his spilled breakfast. "Henry?" As she looked over to her son she realised everyone was looking at her, bewildered. Confusion filled her eyes before she could clamp it down. What had she done? Damn it! The 'please' had just slipped out! A lifetime of rudeness swept away by just two years with Mac in California.
Hearing her heart rate pick up again, Granny intervened, "Come on boy, I've not got all day? You want your usual?" Regina's shot a glance of appreciation Granny's way before she replaced her mask. Turning again to look at Henry, eye's raised in question as to his choice for breakfast. He gave her a knowing smile before ordering and she sighed in relief. She was going to have to get better at this.
Ruby had barely place Regina's eggs in front of her when Grumpy, apparently having recovered from his shock at having seen her enter the diner, began to taunt her.
"Didn't think banishment had an expiry date? What are you doing here, Madam Mayor?"
Great – so Mary Margaret had decided not to tell anyone she had sent for her. Regina had prepared herself for a possible interrogation and was about to respond when Henry intervened.
"My Grandparents asked her to come back and save Emma. If you have a problem with that, take it up with them," he said, a dismissive tone to his voice.
Regina turned surprised eyes to her son who was staring down the dwarf.
"They asked her to come back when we were facing the Snow Queen too. And the Queens of Darkness, she left us to fend for ourselves then, why come back now? Seems to me your real Mom disappears and she's suddenly back playing happy families with you. I don't buy it's out of the goodness of her heart, Henry." Grumpy retorted.
Beside her Regina could feel Henry seethe and she put a gentle hand on his arm to calm him down. Didn't seem to work much though as he stood up, having grown enough to tower over the seated dwarf.
"My real Mom, is right here having breakfast with me. She didn't have to come back here at all and she did; to help me, to help Mary Margaret and David and to help us bring Emma back home. Let me rephrase what I said before – you have problem with that, you can take it up with me. Anyone else have anything to say?" Henry looked around the diner, taking in the surprised faces – though Archie looked a little proud, and Ruby looked amused by his display.
"Henry," Regina gently admonished. She got to her feet to stand beside him, putting her arm around Henry's shoulders. "I apologise for my son's words." She said calmly addressing the diner. She was unable to hide her pride in having him stand up for her but did not lose sight of the fact that she needed to address these accusations without aggression – if that was possible. "Leroy" she sneered, side-eyeing the dwarf, "is correct." At that Grumpy looked up, a surprised look on his face that quickly turned to suspicion. "Emma did ask me to come back to Storybrooke to help with the Snow Queen, and again when Maleficent, Cruella and Ursula came to town. At the time you had Emma, Gold and the fairies here and I did not see that contravening the terms of my banishment was warranted. My son also had his other mother to care for him." She glanced at Henry with a soft smile.
"The situation is different now. Emma is gone, Gold, from what can be ascertained in his current condition, is likely to be powerless, Maleficent is unable to leave Storybrooke to help in the search for Emma and Lily, while powerful, is untrained, not yet able to fully control her magic. This leaves your protection, and Emma's rescue, in the hands of the fairies.
"I came back to ensure the town is protected and Henry has the support he needs until you have your Saviour back. Once this task is complete I will be on my way. If anyone has anything further they would like to discuss you can raise it at the next town meeting. By which time, hopefully, I will no longer be in town and your comments will be largely redundant. In the meantime, perhaps you would kindly leave my son and I to our breakfast, we have a lot of catching up to do." She gave one of her old political smiles before turning back to her seat.
She couldn't help but overhear Grumpy talking to the other dwarves, "I don't buy it."
"What does it matter? She brings Emma back and she leaves, just let it alone" Happy replied.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment, finding Granny staring at her when she opened them, at Granny's subtle nod of solidarity Regina gave a tense smile before she began to eat her (now cold) eggs, purposefully unhurried – she wouldn't let a dwarf chase her from her breakfast with Henry. She glanced across at her son who looked noticeably glum and when she caught his gaze with her eyebrows raised in question he said softly, so only she could hear, "I thought it would be different – you coming back to help. I thought they would be happy you were back, that they would know that you've changed."
Regina smiled softly, "I gave up that dream a long time ago Henry. If Neverland, Pan's Curse and defeating Zelena weren't enough to have people believe in me then nothing ever will be. And that's ok. I made my bed a long time ago… I can't begrudge being made to lay in it now." Her tone was wistful – something about it triggered something in Ruby who had been drying coffee cups at the counter, her wolf hearing enabling her to listen in on the private conversation between mother and son. She too had 'made her bed' once upon a time, when she unknowingly killed so many. Why is it that everyone can see past her mistakes but not Regina's?
"Well Regina," she said loudly enough to ensure the majority of people in the diner could hear her, "I for one am glad you're back. We can use all the help we can get finding Emma, and besides, no one else quite has your firepower." She smiled her wide smile at the former mayor.
Regina looked up, hiding her shock at the words of Mary Margaret's best friend. Ruby had never been an ally and Regina's eyes narrowed as she thought back over the girl's words, wondering if she had misheard her.
"So welcome home Madam Mayor." She said with a nod of her head in salute before taking Regina's cup to top up her coffee.
At that Archie rose from his seat and approached the mother and son at the counter. "I second that Regina," Archie said in his usual softly spoken way. "Some of us have missed you around here. If you need anything please let me know." He gave her a nod before turning to leave the diner with Marco in tow, the older man choosing merely to nod at Regina, giving her a brief yet genuine smile. Regina thought back over what Tinkerbelle had said the night before "you need to fortify your relationships." Swallowing her pride, and shaking off the last remnants of the stoic Madam Mayor she had once been she said 'Thank you,' giving Ruby, Archie and Marco a genuine smile before the two men left the diner.
Regina heard Grumpy harrumph beside her, obviously not impressed at the unexpected show of support for the Evil Queen.
As she caught site of the Merry Men rising to leave Regina inwardly groaned, though carefully kept her expression neutral. Two men she recognised (but couldn't put a name to) walked past her and Henry without a glance. Little John and Tuck trailing behind them until they were in line with Regina and Henry when they paused. Regina glanced at Henry who was smiling at the two men, which surprised her given his aggression earlier. Her face expressionless Regina turned in her seat, but did not get up, that is until Little John engulfed her in a bear hug that drew her to her feet.
"Your Majesty," he said into her ear. "It is good to see you." He released her to her feet and Regina could not hide her expression of surprise. "I – we" he corrected looking pointedly at Tuck who all but squirmed in discomfort, "are glad you agreed to return."
"You knew Henry was coming to ask me to come back?" Regina enquired, unable to let the opportunity to test Robin's veracity pass.
"Aye," Little John said giving Henry a nod. "Robin told us all before he left with the lad. We weren't sure you would agree given how you… parted…" John let his voice trail off. "But we're glad you did."
Regina hummed her response, obviously not convinced. John looked pointedly at Tuck who cleared his throat.
"If I may Your Majesty," Tuck began.
"I'd rather you didn't, Friar." Regina said, her expression cold, her voice even colder. "And it is Regina. I have never been a Queen in this realm, and am no longer Mayor. Regina is fine, Ms Mills if you insist on formalities."
"R-Regina," Tuck stammered, his neck red with embarrassment or nerves Regina wasn't sure. But given his treatment of her the last time she saw him she didn't really care. She went to return to her seat, ignoring the Friar when John's gaze and Henry's pleading Mom stopped her. Rolling her eyes she turned back, crossing her arms across her chest and staring the man down.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice still cold. She might listen to him but she wasn't going to roll over while she was at it.
"I wanted to… That is I," he seemed to be at a loss for words, looking everywhere but her and Regina's eyes narrowed. This was a far cry from the chauvinistic asshole who dragged a screaming Henry from her and dumped her across the town line. Her magic flared in anger at the thought of how he had grabbed her; that he dared to touch her. This was not a good idea – he needed to stay the hell away from her or she'd set him alight and that would not be a good way to rebuild relationships.
"Friar I have no use for insincere apologies. Whatever Robin has asked you to say to me, means nothing to me. I am here for one purpose, and one purpose only and that is to find my son's other mother and return her to her previous form. I'm not here to make peace or to somehow prove myself to you people. I have no desire to stay in this cursed town any longer than is strictly necessary. So please, you stay out of my way and I – " she paused for effect, knowing he was expecting her to say 'will stay out of yours' but with her best Evil Queen smile she said instead, "will try not to kill you for what you did to me, deal?" With that she returned to her seat. Giving up on her eggs, which were stone cold, she simply picked up her coffee cup and took a sip – damn it was cold to. She signalled to Ruby, ignoring the sigh of defeat behind her. Really? Did the man seriously think a simple 'I'm sorry' would make up for what he did? Sacrificing her own happiness to save the town thrice over and she wasn't forgiven but one forced 'I'm sorry,' makes up for separating her from her son? Her life? Tossing her away like garbage? What was Robin thinking making him apologise?
Still, at least Robin had been honest about telling them he was coming for her… And in his defence an apology probably would cut it for Robin. Hell she's never actually apologised for killing Marian and he has forgiven her… Shaking off her thoughts with a literal shake of her head she sipped her fresh coffee mulling over the conversation with Little John and Tuck. Did she have enemies in the Merry Men's camp? That was something she would only ever be able to determine when the chips were down. And while she may or may not have 'enemies' there, as far as she was concerned there were no friends in that camp either, and if she needed to go near that forest again she would be watching her back.
Now, sitting in the Charming's loft she was not only channelling the Evil Queen, she was the Evil Queen. If the Council meetings in the Enchanted Forest were painful this here was pure torture. Mary Margaret and David were too stressed to think clearly, Blue steadfastly refused to even acknowledge Regina (which to be honest suited her fine), while Maleficent was enjoying herself a little too much watching Regina seethe as the conversation went around and around in circles, achieving nothing.
"Where could Emma be?"
"Has Belle checked all these places for any links to the Dark One's dagger or Merlin?"
"What are our options to rid her of the curse if ("WHEN!" Mary Margaret and Henry chorused) we find her?"
" Where could she be?"
And away they went again, spinning in faster and faster circles and getting nowhere.
When Hook got up from his place at the table to walk to the living area and summon Emma using the dagger for the umpteenth time Regina finally cracked.
"You idiot! Would you stop that?" She cried, storming over to Hook and snatching the dagger away from him, while he stood momentarily frozen in shock. "How long has he been doing this?" She asked no one in particular.
Maleficent ruefully replied, "Since she disappeared… what is it up to now Hook? Half hourly? It was every five minutes for a while there, when she first disappeared. Consider yourself lucky you didn't have to endure that."
"And you haven't killed him yet?" Regina asked before turning back to Hook. "She is not in this realm. Holding onto this dagger? Your useless attempts to summon her? Are doing nothing but driving yourself and everyone else crazy."
"Give me the dagger Your Majesty, or I'll take it by force." Hook said, his voice calm, which was unnerving given the storm in his eyes. At this Robin stood, stepping between Hook and Regina. He knew she didn't need him to rescue her but he also knew her nerves were raw and she did not need to have a confrontation right now in front of these people.
"No you won't." Robin said gentle but firm, reminding Regina that he was, at his core, a leader. "It won't come to that. Stand down Hook, and I will return the dagger to your possession." When Hook took a mere half step back, his gaze never leaving Regina, who was still holding Emma's dagger, Robin gently led Regina to one side. "If he wants to call for her there is no harm. She might return to this realm independently of our efforts and he will bring her to us."
"If she returned to this realm on her own she would come straight to Henry – Robin it's not helping and it's getting on my nerves." The slight whine to her tone made Robin inwardly chuckle. That tone reminiscent of another, easier, time when she was his Queen and he was her Thief.
"It's helping him," Robin said softly and Regina looked at the pirate over Robin's shoulder. She took in the dark shadows under his eyes, his dishevelled appearance…
"Fine," she said with a roll of her eyes passing the dagger to Robin. "But only if he takes a damn shower and cleans himself up, he's a mess."
She addressed the group as Robin gave the dagger back to Hook. "This is getting us nowhere. We know nothing of where Emma is but we do know Merlin can find her and give us the tools we need to help free her from the curse of the Dark One. We need to focus our attention on finding Merlin."
"Regina –" Mary Margaret began, in obvious distress at the change of focus from Emma to Merlin.
"Mom?" Henry queried.
"If you need to keep focused on Emma," she said, looking from Henry to Mary Margaret and then to David, "I understand. But the rest of us need to focus on Merlin. He is the key to finding Emma and freeing her. Of that I am sure." Regina could have sworn she heard Blue give a snort and turned her eyes to her. "Where is the Apprentice? I thought he would be here?"
For the first time all morning Blue met her gaze, her eyes cold. "Perhaps he thought better of taking advice from the Evil Queen on ridding the Saviour of her." She said with barely concealed distain and Regina felt Robin rise to her defence before a voice stopped him.
"That is not true, not true at all." The Apprentice stepped through the front door and into the loft. "I apologise for my tardiness, I noticed a disturbance to the town's magical field on my way here and I needed to investigate right away." Mary Margaret rose to give the Apprentice her seat, pouring him a cup of tea as he nodded his appreciation. Robin and Regina eyed each other instantly wary.
"When was this disturbance?" Blue asked.
"Late last night, early this morning, from what I could tell," the Apprentice began.
"What kind of disturbance? Could it be Emma?" David asked. Robin put his hand on Hooks arm shaking his head as Hook went to raise the dagger and try to summon Emma again.
"Could it have been the return of the Evil Queen?" Blue asked with fake sweetness. "The timing seems to match," she said when Mary Margaret sent her a subtle, reprimanding glance.
"No and no," the Apprentice replied with a shake of his head. "It was stronger magic." Regina unconsciously held her breath as Robin's hand wet to her lower back, gently rubbing soothing circles. How could this be? She hadn't been able to sense Alayna's magic at all and she knew that Alayna was here, had focused on sensing her. How could the Apprentice be able to sense her magic when her own mother couldn't?
"I traced the disturbance back to the town line but lost it soon after." Regina closed her eyes, "it was Merlin," and she opened them suddenly, in total confusion.
"You're certain," Robin asked, finding it hard to hide his relief and hoping the others would assume it was due to such an unexpected and significant breakthrough.
"I have been Merlin's Apprentice for hundreds of years. I know his magic. It is definitely he."
"He's in Storybrooke? That's wonderful!" Mary Margaret exclaimed. "But how? Why?" Yes, how and why indeed. Had Merlin come for Alayna?
"Why has he not made himself known?" David added – and we have another good question from the Charmings, Regina thought, the voice in her mind taking on the tone of one of the sporting commentators from the programs Mac would listen to daily on the ranch. She held in her chuckle at the thought – not the time Regina."That, I don't know but –" Regina moved to return to the table and as she walked past the Apprentice he got to his feet stepping directly in front of her, hands raised as he exclaimed, "You!" He went to move towards her but Robin was moved like lightning to intervene, his expression fierce while his voice remained calm.
"You need to state your intention friend, or stand down – " he said.
"It's her – she is carrying Merlin's magic," the Apprentice said.
"You've seen Merlin?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Why keep that from us Regina?" Blue accused. "Where is he? What have you done with him?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Regina said. "I arrived here less than 12 hours ago and apart from meeting Maleficent last night and having breakfast with Henry at Granny's this morning I've been with no one – I've certainly not managed to track down and imprison a powerful sorcerer between breakfast and coming here. Though as always, I appreciate your confidence in my abilities Madam Superior."
"I was with Mom the whole time, we didn't see any wizards," Henry added.
"Thank you Henry," Regina said warmly.
Robin had immediately taken her hand at Blue's accusation and despite her moving to walk away from him and return to her seat at the table he kept a firm grip and walked with her, sitting beside her and stroking the back of her hand with his thumb under the table. He certainly was persistent. Not wavering once through those accusations, she thought.
"You and Maleficent met last night?" Mary Margaret enquired, curiosity but not accusation in her voice as she looked between the two women.
"Yes," Regina said, her tone clipped.
"But why?"
At this Robin intervened, "Regina came back here to help you – she didn't have to but she did. These kinds of accusations are uncalled for."
Maleficent could not contain her scoff and as all eyes turned her way she held up her hands in surrender, "Sorry" she said with a smile and no small amount of sarcasm, her meaning clear. She did not trust the Thief, or his pretty words. But Robin's actions did give Regina pause. She hadn't told Robin about meeting up with Maleficent, he was dead to the world last night, she could have held a séance in her living room and he'd not have stirred. He had no way of knowing what she had done last night, where she had been and with whom and yet here he was, still beside her, wanting everyone to see his belief in her. That had to count for something, right?
"You may not have seen him, it's possible you would not have known he was even there, but there he was," the Apprentice explained, his tone even. "He would only have to have been in close enough proximity to you to have imparted his magical print on you, a signature of sorts. Or he could have been right before your eyes and you simply did not recognise him."
"For what purpose?" Regina asked. "To start a game of tag?"
The Apprentice chuckled to himself at her sass. "More likely to send a message. At the very least we now know he is here, nearby, and when the time comes that he will assist. It could have been simply to bring you and me together. We won't know unless…" he let his voice trail off and raised his hands to silently complete his question. "I'll need to...?" At Regina's slight nod the Apprentice passed his hands in front of her, a thin dark grey plume of smoke streamed from her chest into the Apprentice's hands for but a moment before returning to Regina.
"This is not a message for me." The Apprentice concluded solemnly, a glint in his eyes as he looked at Regina that Robin did not like, not one bit. Regina shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, waiting. "It is a message for you," he continued, with a note of mischief in his tone.
"What does it say Regna?" Mary Margaret asked with excitement.
"I don't – " Regina began before the Apprentice interrupted.
"She will know – when the time is right," he said.
Sensing Regina's discomfort Robin interrupted, "Right, well let's deal with the message when the 'right' time arises. I think we're losing sight of something important."
"What?" David asked.
"Regina, knowingly or not, has had contact with Merlin. We should check over the places she has been and see if we can sense him. Now that we know he is here we might be able to track him somehow."
"Yes!" Mary Margaret enthused. "Regina, make a list of everywhere you have been since you crossed the town line."
Regina inwardly groaned. "Mary Margaret it's been barely half a day, I don't need to 'make a list'," she snapped. "Robin and I stepped out at the town line for a moment after we crossed. We went to my house which has been magically protected – no one could have gotten in there." Regina didn't miss the look of comprehension that crossed the Apprentices' face when she said that and she could have kicked herself. Robin noticed too if the sudden hand around her waist was anything to go by. She couldn't help but draw strength from him as she continued. "I met Maleficent in the woods, not far from the well. I went to Granny's with Henry this morning and we walked down by the docks before coming here."
Mary Margaret gave a beaming smile. "We'll split up and each search an area. Henry, Blue and I will take Granny's, I can leave Neil there with Ruby if we need to explore further afield and Henry can have some lunch… David, you and the Apprentice go back to the town line, Hook, you go with Maleficent to the docks – "
"I think I can search the docks without assistance," he said firmly.
"You need someone magical pirate if you want to sense him. He's not going to jump out at you saying 'Oh Captain; my Captain!'" Regina said with annoyance that only grew at Hooks look of confusion at her quote from Dead Poets Society. She shook her head as Mary Margaret continued.
"Regina and Robin, you take the forest – you're best placed to navigate it, should you sense anything off the main tracks," at Regina and Robin's slight nod Mary Margaret continued. "We will each return here when we're done." Mary Margaret had more enthusiasm than she had shown in the last week and Regina couldn't help but roll her eyes. They had a lead, a very weak lead at that. But she just couldn't bring herself to crush her stepdaughter's hope. She quickly glanced at Robin who was staring across at the Apprentice. She was relieved to have been paired up with the Thief. She needed to check on Alayna and after the events of this morning they were in dire need of a debrief.
"Let's go. I need to stop in at home and quickly change my shoes." She said, using the first excuse that came to mind.
Maleficent snorted, "Life on the farm made you soft, dear?" She questioned sardonically. Regina tossed her hair as she raised her chin in defiance.
"Not at all, but there's no need to ruin a perfectly good pair of Louboutin's by traipsing around in the forest in them like I have something to prove." Maleficent merely raised an eyebrow in response.
"Really," Regina's heart pounded in her chest at Maleficent's knowing look, Mal was looking at her like she was prey. The dragon obviously had a point to make and was not one to back down. But what had she figured out through this little exchange with the Apprentice? Robin's grip on Regina's waist tightened. "You and your Thief are making a pit stop at your place so you can change your shoes." She gave a knowing laugh before turning to Hook in victory as she saw Regina's cheek's flush. "No guesses as to who will be last back to the loft!" She sing-songed, obviously pleased with herself, getting the former Evil Queen to blush was no small victory. "Come on pirate. Let's check out these docks before all trace of Merlin is gone. Robin, Regina." She said in goodbye, raising her eyebrows as she passed them, leaving the loft.
Regina looked back to the table reaching to get her purse and at Mary Margaret's glowing smile and Blue's look of disgust she realised she would have to thank Maleficent for this. She had given Robin and herself the perfect excuse, enabling them to check in on Alayna without needing to rush nearly as much as she had thought they would.
"I'm going to change my shoes," she said with some finality. While Mary Margaret just nodded, that smile on her face.
"Just don't take too long ah – changing your shoes," Mary Margaret giggled as she rose to put on her coat. "We'll meet you back here by three at the latest."
Regina rolled her eyes as she hung her purse over her shoulder. She chanced a look at Robin who had a smirk on his face that made her heart ache as she realised she hadn't seen that look in a long, long time. "Come on Thief," she chastised walking out the door and into the hallway as Robin pulled the door closed behind them. "We need to get going; we have a lot of ground to cover and not much time to do it. Don't you dare get in my way."
She turned back to him at that, looking into his eyes. She couldn't believe that phrase had come out of her mouth. The support Robin gave her during the discussion in the Charming's loft had been unwavering and was so reminiscent of their time together fighting her sister that she couldn't help but get caught up in the feelings those memories evoked. Robin was a little in shock at what she had just said. His hand moved from the doorknob to her waist as he pulled her to him, the other reaching up to stroke her cheek before carding through her hair. His eyes were nostalgic and his heart leapt in happiness at the return of their banter, her use of a phrase that had become theirs. He felt a twinge of sadness as her eyes filled with apprehension, fear of rejection and so he said the only thing he could in the circumstances:
I wouldn't dream of it." And he would swear he heard a small sigh of relief escape her before he took her mouth in a soft kiss.
AN This chapter is a lot longer than I originally intended as I wanted to include the meeting with the Charmings before the season premier. I hope this was not too long/too much for one chapter. Thanks so much and can't wait for Sunday :D