AN We are drawing to a close so thank you once again for the reviews, follows and favs. The feedback means so much - truly. Special thank you to WoolGrillRegal for the twitter shout out – what a compliment! You really motivated me to get this chapter finished so thank you so much and I loved chatting with you this week. I hope you all enjoy.
Usual disclaimers apply.
Regina walked up the stairs with a straight spine and calm expression that revealed none of the exhaustion she felt inside. The evening's events had left her emotionally and physically drained and all she wanted to do was fall into bed with her soul mate and their children and not come out of her house for a solid month! As she came to the living area of the Saviour's new home her heart warmed as she saw Henry hugging Emma fiercely. Where once the sight would have led to a sharp pang of jealousy, now all she felt was love, remarkably for each of them.
Regina was not surprised to see Hook had come to the house - unable to stay away. He stood leaning against the wall at the entryway, tears shining in his eyes, tears Regina knew he would not allow to fall. He stared at Emma, drinking her in as she once again held Henry to her. As though feeling Hook's eyes on her Emma turned with a soft smile and a nod as he moved to embrace her and Henry. Kissing Emma's hair as he whispered to her.
Henry disentangled himself from his mother and her boyfriend, moving back to Regina looking lighter than she had seen him since he came to find her in California. "We're going to go back to Granny's to celebrate, will you come? I'll call Grandma and Grandpa – they can meet us there." Regina looked down to her watch, stalling really as she knew she really wanted to get back to Alayna. Now that her task was complete – they had saved the Saviour – she needed some time to process everything and she had decisions to make.
"Please!" Henry pleaded, "Just for a few minutes? It will be like old times." Regina internally cringed, old times for her involved feeling excluded, inadequate and unwelcome and this would be no different – yes it would be like 'old times' she just didn't carry the joy that Henry seemed to when thinking of the past. All she wanted was to return home, hug her daughter and feel at peace for a few moments. No icy glares or voices whispering behind her back… No threats hanging over their heads… But she could never deny her son anything and if he wanted his family all together for a few moments who was she to stand in the way?
"Of course I'll come, but not for long." She said taking his face in her palm. "I really need to get home and relieve Tinkerbelle." She didn't want him to feel like she was putting his sister before him but nor would she burden him with the feelings of exclusion that this town brought out in her.
"Thanks Mom," he said turning as Maleficent and Mac joined them from the basement. "You'll come to Granny's won't you Mac?"
"Sure Henry," the wizard smiled, taking Maleficent's hand in his own. "Who am I do break tradition?"
"I just need to change Henr-" before Emma could finish her sentence Regina had enveloped her in purple smoke and when she reappeared she was dressed in jeans and her signature red leather jacket. Her hair once more falling is soft waves down her back.
"Now love, I actually liked your new look," Hook said with a wink before kissing her cheek fondly.
"Too bad," she said taking his hand and moving towards the door to head into town.
Robin fell instep beside Regina, who had her arm around Henry's shoulder as they made their way towards Granny's.
As Robin's hand found her free one he said softly, "Well done, Milady."
"I didn't do anything Thief," she smiled, turning her face to look into his eyes. "Emma made her own choice, she saved herself."
"Ah yes," he agreed, "but Mac was there with you, it enabled us to follow your progress and there is no doubt it was your words that got through to her, that enabled her to open herself up to love and gave her the strength to let go of the curse. Your words and Henry's faith of course." As Robin and Henry exchanged warm smiles, Regina merely hummed in response, unable to accept any credit for this. In her heart she knew however much she helped, however many people she supposedly 'saved' it would never make up for what she did, who she used to be.
As they made their way into Granny's, her parents quickly enveloped Emma into a hug, the crowd already gathered there to hear the story of her rescue. The atmosphere was clearly celebratory and Regina tried to feel as though she belonged but her gut twisted when she caught sight of Leroy rolling his eyes as Henry told everyone how his Mom had talked Emma through saving Lily and had given the saviour the confidence to let go of the dark curse. She felt like an interloper – these people would never accept her… She would never be enough, do enough…
She had gotten used to the looks and whispers in her years in Storybrooke but after her time spent outside the town it suddenly hurt more than it used to. She had had a taste of life without the 'Evil Queen' hanging over her head and she liked it. Taking advantage of everyone's distraction while listening to Henry recounting the days events, Regina moved to the back of the diner, exiting into a hallway, through to the back rooms. Walking over to a window she pressed her forehead against the cool glass taking a deep breath. Now Emma was safe what would she do? She wanted to leave this cursed town and all its self-righteous judgmental people. To take Alayna and raise her in the Land Without Magic, to be free of her past… but then could she really leave Robin? She certainly couldn't ask him to come with her, to leave Roland and his Merry Men behind. Could she take Alayna from her father and brothers? Could she stay?
"Tired of your hero's welcome already?" Of all the people she thought might seek her out, Maleficent was not one of them, but Regina was glad that she had… She really couldn't handle a hope speech right now and she knew with certainty Maleficent wouldn't give her one.
"Just tired I guess," she replied, not bothering to turn around, just closing her eyes and feeling the cool glass against her skin, it was a surprising distraction from her thoughts.
"We won Regina, the Saviour has been saved, all's right in the world." Mal said, with her usual touch of sarcasm. "Why are you sulking back here by yourself?" she continued more seriously, coming to stand beside her friend, her back to the glass, watching Regina closely.
"These people will never accept me Maleficent. They won't let me move on from my past and I'm sick and tired of being seen as the Evil Queen. Sure they will begrudgingly accept my help when the Charmings or my son tell them too, but they won't ever trust me… How can I raise my daughter in this town?"
"The same way you do anything else in this life Regina: one day at a time… That is, if you want to raise her here? There are no rules. It is up to you whether you choose to stay in Storybrooke or not."
"I can't take her from her father Mal, or her brothers… it wouldn't be fair."
"Then stay," she said simply and Regina huffed. "Look Regina, essentially everything in life comes down to a choice – you get up in the morning or you stay in bed. Don't twist yourself up in knots over something that is relatively simple."
"Don't patronise me Maleficent. You know it's not that simple. Yes I want to go back to California – but to do that impacts on more people than just me and Alayna – Henry, Roland, Robin…" she paused before murmuring a soft, "Mac" as she side-eyed her her friend without changing her position resting against the cool surface of the glass.
"I'm not patronising you Regina." Maleficent said equally quietly. "But you can't make your choice based on what will please everyone else. You have to do what is right for you. Ultimately your decision is this: you go back to California or you stay in Storybrooke… At least you have a choice." At that Regina raised her head to look fully at her friend. Maleficent's eyes had turned sad and Regina's head swam with their conversations over the past week and images of her friend and Mac "I can't leave Storybrooke."
"I guess I'm not the only one with choices to make," Regina said softly, turning around so she was shoulder to shoulder with Maleficent. "So… you and Mac huh?"
Maleficent could not stop the pink tinge covering her cheeks or the small smile that curved her lips as she thought of the man who had so suddenly and unexpectedly claimed her heart. She turned her eyes skyward as the physical expression of her feelings overcame her, annoyed at her total inability to control it.
"Oh gods Maleficent, look at you!" Regina giggled, "You're blushing like a school girl."
"I am not!" Maleficent laughed, bumping shoulders with her friend.
"I thought you didn't like him – what happened?" Regina asked, curious.
"It's not that I didn't like him… you know me Regina, I find it hard to trust people and Mac… I just found him impossible to read… It scared me."
"Mm," Regina agreed. "He is one hell of a poker player." She said thinking of how he had hidden his true identity from her for two years whilst seeming the most open person she had even met. "Though I guess he's had centuries of practice." She conceded.
Maleficent rolled her eyes in agreement. "I don't know what happened… We were somehow drawn to each other and seeing him, as scared of what we were feeling as I was…" her voice trailed off and she shrugged her shoulders, "it was like we just clicked," she felt completely unable to put what she felt into words. "But I don't know what he wants. If he would stay in Storybrooke with me, if he even can stay – with this tie he has with Alayna… And if you go…" Maleficent raised her eyes to look at Regina .
"No pressure…" Regina said, only half joking… another person to add to the list of those affected by her decision to stay or leave the town. Maleficent took Regina's hand and entwined their fingers.
"Sorry," Maleficent said quirking her lips. "The point is I know I can't leave… I don't know if I even want to…"
"Have you told him? Does Mac know about the curse?" Something told Regina that he didn't. Mac would have eased Maleficent's mind if he knew she was sure of it. She could see the love in Mac's eyes for her friend and he certainly wasn't trying to hide his feelings for her from anyone. Her thoughts were confirmed as Maleficent steadfastly refused to meet her gaze.
"It's all moved so fast Regina, there hasn't been time. Besides, I don't want him to feel like he's trapped here because of me… All I know is I don't want what we have to end… I just have to hope he feels the same way …" She squeezed Regina's hand, "and convince you to stay."
Regina nodded, "Again with the pressure…" she said sarcastically as she saw Robin pop his head through the doorway.
"I wondered where you had disappeared to," Robin said smiling.
"Former villains only in this corner Thief," Maleficent said with her usual bored tone, though the sparkle in her eye told Robin he had earned her trust, if not her forgiveness yet.
"Why then I'm welcome!" he said magnanimously. "Reformed thief you know!" He moved next to Regina whispering, "Whisky Milady? I hear it's magical", pressing the glass into her hand with a wink.
"Yes but you gave all your spoils to the poor – hardly villainous," Maleficent scoffed, pushing herself away from the window and moving back to the diner. "I'll see you in there?" she said, her eyebrow raised in question and Regina nodded as she watched her friend leave.
Maleficent made her way to the counter, a discreet nod to Ruby had a tumbler of whisky placed before her which she raised to her lips in a smooth motion that held Mac captive as he watched her from across the room. His eyes followed the subtle bobbing of her throat as she swallowed, then continued down her long neck stopping at the hollow of her throat. As he moved to the counter next to her it took all his self-control not to press a kiss to the soft skin there.
"Sorcerer," she said softly, her eyes not moving from the glass.
"Enchantress," he said, moving to sit and resting his hand on her lower back. Maleficent rolled her eyes at his flirting but instinctively moved away from his hold, her conversation with Regina having left her vulnerable and feeling more than a little raw. "Everything alright?" He had his back to the counter, their faces only centimetres apart but she kept her gaze on her glass, swirling the amber liquid left and right. "Maleficent?" He whispered and brought his hand up to stroke her cheek. She met his eyes and the turmoil he saw there had Mac furrowing his brow a little.
"We should talk," she said, finally tearing her gaze from his and he nodded, allowing her to lead him from the diner to sit at a table out front. "I spoke with Regina," she began taking a seat opposite him, rather than next to him and Mac felt his stomach tighten at the distance she insisted on putting between them. What was this all about? "She hasn't decided yet whether she will stay in Storybrooke. I think if it was up to her she would prefer to return to her life on that farm of yours." Mac nodded, he knew of the inner struggle Regina was facing, but he also knew her life was here, that she would ultimately always return to Storybrooke. "But obviously there are other considerations." She continued, her voice was matter of fact but the way her eyes flickered from the table, to the diner, to the fence told Mac that Maleficent was anything but comfortable. "You haven't said it in so many words but I have gathered that your life is with Alayna." She finally brought her eyes to his, but continued to turn the glass of whisky in her hands. "You will go where she goes?" Maleficent watched as Mac gave a short nod, his eyes clearly confused and gods why was she doing this? They hadn't talked about the future at all and while part of her felt sure of what they felt for each other – it was almost as though the words weren't needed – another part of her wondered if she was right about his feelings or if this was all something she had dreamed up in her head? How could she feel so strongly for him in just a few days? And how crazy was it to imagine the depth of those feelings could be reciprocated?
Mac could see the warring emotions in her eyes. Never in his life had he wished to be able to read someone's thoughts as much as he wished he could read hers – if just to be able to address her worries and ease her mind. "Maleficent, please what is it?"
"Do you have to go with Alayna or not?" She asked tonelessly.
"Yes, I am tethered to the Gray, I go where she goes." Maleficent closed her eyes and for once Mac ignored her desire for distance. He rose from his seat to take the one next to her, his hands gently removing hers from her glass and holding them. "I don't understand. Please, what is this all about? Is this about Lily?"
Maleficent opened her eyes. A blank stare and a short smile that made Mac's heart beat wildly in fear. She was pulling away from him again; he could see the walls beginning to rise right before his eyes. "No, it's not about Lily. It's nothing. I just needed to understand."
"Understand what? Maleficent please just tell me what is wrong!"
"Nothing is wrong Mac. You are bound to the Gray and I am bound to Storybrooke. I guess our fate is in the hands of Regina." She moved to stand but Mac stopped her.
"What do you mean you are bound to Storybrooke?" His voice was calm but held an edge to it.
"When Regina brought me to Storybrooke with the first curse I was in my dragon form," Maleficent began.
"Yes," Mac nodded, he had been following Regina and Robin for years by then. "I remember."
"When Emma killed me in my dragon form Ilived on, in my human form. Well," she grimaced remembering that short period of time when she was essentially little more than a monster. "Of sorts…"
"Yes you were of the 'undead'." Mac contributed, "Until Hook and Pan's henchmen turned you to dust." Maleficent nodded.
"There was a spell on that cave that kept me there in any form. Even dust. When the blood of Mary Margaret and David was used upon my ashes to resurrect me in this form, that transpired the magic of the cave – I could leave and was essentially human again. But it was magic."
Mac nodded with a chuckle, "That it was."
"Magic that does not exist over the town line." She finished softly as Mac's smile fell and he realised the consequences Maleficent was alluding to. "It's why I didn't go and retrieve Lily myself when I discovered she was in this realm. Why I can never leave Storybrooke" she ended on a whisper.
Sudden understanding washed over Mac and he stood, pulling Maleficent to her feet and to his chest as he enveloped her in a warm and somewhat frantic embrace. "Oh my love," he breathed, closing his eyes as her perfume and the smell of her hair filled his nostrils. "We will find a way Maleficent," he whispered into her hair. She had gone to his arms willingly, and at his words she all but clung to him, wanting the comfort of his embrace, wanting to believe his words. "If Regina decides to leave – and I don't think she will – but if she does, we will find a way to be together." Maleficent turned her head burying her face into his chest.
"I can't lose you," she whispered.
"I can't lose you either," he said pulling away just enough to enable him to turn her face up so she would meet his gaze. "Maleficent I have never felt this way about anyone before. I know it's soon – but I love you." Maleficent's eyes widened. She had felt his love for her, in every kiss, every touch, every caress. She had seen it in his eyes but she hadn't dared to dream that he would give voice to those feelings so soon. "I have been alone for so long," he said softly as he raised a hand to stroke the soft skin of her cheek. "I will not be without you now that I've found you. If Regina leaves I will find a way to beat this curse… for us to be together. I promise you!" Maleficent nodded and moved back into his arms. Her cheek pressed against his chest. "Just don't push me away again, please." Mac begged and she closed her eyes, a watery smile on her face.
"I won't." She whispered.
"Good!" Mac said with a smile before taking her chin between his thumb and forefinger, raising her face to his as he took her lips in a soft kiss that carried passionate undertones at the uncertainty they both felt toward the future.
"Come on, let's take our leave," Maleficent said pulling back with a shy but enticing smile. "I want you to myself for a while." Mac kissed her again before nodding with a chuckle.
"As you wish my love." He said as they ducked back into Granny's to say goodnight.
"Everything alright Milady?" Robin whispered as Maleficent left them to walk back into the diner. He could always tell when she was out of sorts. During the missing year she would often escape gatherings. Choosing to spend her time near her apple tree or in her chambers instead of enjoying the frivolity that would often accompany a shared meal or some victory against Zelena's flying monkeys.
Regina leaned into him, "Emma has been saved from the curse, my work here is done." She said softly, bringing her gaze to his and searching for answers to questions she hadn't given voice to. Even in her own mind.
"What does that mean?" Robin asked confused.
"I don't belong here Robin… Alayna doesn't belong here. People are scared of her, of me…"
"You can't be serious?" Robin said incredulous, fighting to keep his voice even. "Regina you were asked to come back to town – hell I begged you! You have just saved Lily, brought back the Saviour! If that is not redemption, I don't know what is." Anger laced Robin's voice, frustration. Why can't she see how good she is?
"Robin two years ago I protected this town with white magic against my sister – my only living family! And that was not enough for these people. Blue, Leroy and his band of munchkins, they will never let me be me. I will never be able to escape my past here… and I don't want Alayna growing up in the shadow of a villain that will never be forgiven for things that happened a lifetime ago. I want her to grow up loved… living in peace."
"Regina, running away with Alayna is no guarantee of peace!"
"I'm not running away!" Regina said, too quickly, the voice of her sister in her head telling her she had 'cast the curse as a fancy way of running away'. She closed her eyes, defeated and Robin could see that she had heard him. "I just hate feeling like this Robin! I hate being constantly reminded of my past, of my mistakes. All I've ever wanted was to be free… if leaving town to obtain that is running away so be it." She moved to leave but he stopped her with a gentle grip on her arm.
"What kind of message is that sending to our daughter? Regina," he gently turned her head so that she would look at him. "I love you. I will stand by you and our daughter. I don't give a damn what Blue or Leroy or his 'band of munchkins' says," at that they both chuckled, "I love you, and together we will teach Alayna that we aren't defined by our past, that we aren't defined by the mistakes we make in our life. That we define ourselves by choosing every day to do better, try harder, we define ourselves in our forgiveness of others," he paused for effect. Waiting for her to meet his gaze, "and forgiveness of ourselves. That is how she will reach her destiny."
Regina nodded as she closed her eyes and allowed the tears that had welled in her eyes at his beautiful words to fall. She pressed her forehead to his and whispered, "I've been isolated my whole life Robin. First by my mother, then by my anger, and later by my past… These last two years I finally found a place where I could be me. Where being Regina was enough… I don't want to lose that." She shook her head, begging him to understand.
Robin sighed, "Regina you are enough: for me, for Henry and Roland and for Alayna. Mac, Maleficent, Emma and Hook. Hell even to Ruby, Granny and Archie have shown support for you… Even Snow and Charming have come around. The list of people who believe in you far outweighs the list of those who doubt you. You may need to put up with a few people here who are yet to be convinced that you have changed – but what is that compared to all of those who love you? We can get through this, we can get through anything together my love."
Regina pressed herself closer to him. Feeling the warmth of his embrace and she knew in her heart she could never leave him again – no matter how tempting life outside of Storybrooke could be. She pressed her forehead to his and whispered, "Together?"
"Together," he confirmed, as he pressed his lips to hers.
She allowed Robin to lead her back into the diner and Regina gave a soft smile as she looked around the room. It seemed all of Storybrooke was there, the dwarves, the Charmings, the Merry Men – and Regina knew Robin was right. She had more friends than enemies in this room. Her eyes fell on Marian and Michael in a booth facing her and her smile wavered a little as her gaze locked with Marian's. Regina saw the woman's eyes widen a little – in surprise or fear she wasn't sure. Unable to stomach the look in the woman's eyes, Regina turned away, though not before she saw Roland's dark curls moving around in the seat in front of Marian, his back to Regina as he sat between his step brother and step sister. She had missed that little boy so much…
Wanting to hold onto the warm feeling her conversation with Robin had enveloped her in and not feeling up to a confrontation with his ex-wife she leaned into Robin, whispering, "I'm going to head home, I want to check on Alayna." Robin frowned as his gaze followed where Regina had been looking. Seeing Marian and Michael whispering together, Michael's arm protectively around Marian's shoulders Robin's shoulders slumped a little. It seemed like he and Regina couldn't catch a break. This town needed a new meeting place; this damn diner had too many ugly memories. The bell above the diner chimed as Mac and Maleficent walked into the room from outside and Regina couldn't help but notice that her friend seemed lighter.
"I was just on my way out," Regina began as she took in the flush of Maleficent's cheeks but chose not to comment on it, instead discretely raising an eyebrow at her in question.
"We are going to leave to," Mac began. "But we need to make one quick toast" Mac's eyes twinkled and she could see the pride and love that shone there.
"All work and no play Regina," Maleficent joined in, silencing Regina's protest as she tucked herself into Mac's side. Regina smiled at the two of them and sighed. This was a victory and she should be celebrating, she couldn't avoid Maid Marian forever, but maybe if it was just one quick toast she could avoid her for tonight.
She smiled at her friend and raised her glass to toast, "Well what are we toasting?" she queried as Robin and Mac gently clinked glasses with Maleficent and Regina.
"To a well-executed plan," Mac said with faux smugness.
"To villainous heroes!" Maleficent said with an uncharacteristic giggle that Regina hoped to hear more often.
"To – " As Robin began to speak Regina suddenly heard her name called across the diner, silencing the room.
"Regina!" She heard again as Roland threw himself against her. His arms wrapped around her legs as he grinned up at her. "Daddy said you were back! But you never commed to see me?" Regina's heart broke at his words. She should have gone to see him – but she hadn't been sure he would want to see her and his rejection would have crushed her when she was already so raw, so she had allowed herself to get caught up in rescuing Emma… now looking at his sad, curious eyes she couldn't help the guilt that flooded her.
Kneeling down to his level she ran her hand through his hair. Seeing him for the first time she could not believe how he had changed, grown. His cheeks a little thinner and his hair shorter, but he was still her Roland, and she had hurt him. Something she had sworn to herself never to do. "I'm sorry Roland. I came back to Storybrooke to help Emma and we all had to work so hard to find her. But I should have come to see you, I'm so sorry."
Roland wrapped his arms around her neck and leaned in, pressing his face into her neck as he whispered, "You're here now," he whispered and Regina could hear the smile in his voice. "I missed you." Regina closed her eyes to keep the tears at bay as he whispered the last three words so that only she could here. She pulled him impossibly closer to her.
"I missed you too Roland, so much," Regina opened her eyes and saw that Marian and Michael had now joined them, his children peeking over the top of the diner booth, eyes wide in surprise at the sight of their little step brother in the arms of the Evil Queen.
Regina rose to her feet with Roland still in her arms and nodded at Marian and Michael, attempting to put Roland down but he wrapped his legs around her waist, as he often had during their time in the Enchanted Forest when he wanted to be held. Regina groaned as she shifted his weight. He continued to speak, oblivious to the tension between the adults that was obvious to everyone else in the diner. "Daddy said I have a new baby sister. When can I meet her? I got a present for her!" He looked so excited and Regina couldn't help the small smile that rose on her face.
Unsure of how this confrontation would go Henry and Emma moved to stand with Regina, wanting to show their support. They were quickly followed by Hook, Mary Margaret and David while Robin's Merry Men had also moved closer, but to where Marian stood with Michael and Regina's stomach turned to knots. She was never going to be able to stay in this town... she thought and instantly she heard Mac's calming voice in her mind, filling her with warmth and soothing her nerves. He told her to hold her ground, this was her family too and her town. She needed to hear Marian out, let the woman speak, she held no animosity to Regina but was perhaps still fearful of the Evil Queen. Regina saw Blue out of the corner of her eye approach Mac, some whispered words that had Mac nodding curiously before Blue moved to door, her eyes full of merriment, obviously enjoying the thought of some kind of confrontation between Regina and Marian taking place before the whole town Regina thought internally shaking her head at that woman. She raised an eyebrow at Regina as she turned to leave, the bell jingling in her wake and Regina couldn't help the feeling of surprise that washed over her. She would have thought Blue would have loved to stay for this.
"Your Majesty," Marian said her voice a little cold but that was more her attempt to hide the fear that was sitting like a heavy stone in her stomach.
"Please, it's Regina." Regina said, softly as she looked down to Roland, feeling Robin at her back supporting her while giving her space to make her peace with Marian on her own, something Regina appreciated. "Roland, here, go to your Mama." She went to move him from her arms but Roland protested and Marian held up her hand.
"No, that's fine. He has missed you Your Maj- Regina," Marian corrected, the tension dissipated somewhat and soft murmurings began around the diner again as people returned to their previous conversations, realising the confrontation they had anticipated wasn't going to take place. "I came only to say hello – I realise we haven't been, ah – introduced, and I wanted to – " she paused and Regina couldn't help but notice how nervous the woman was, "Well, open the lines of communication. I understand it is likely we will be seeing more of each other." She smiled at Regina who nodded in turn. The smile was stiff but Regina was appreciative of the effort Marian was making. "This is my husband, Michael." Regina nodded at the man and tried to smile but it came out as more of a grimace. The last time she had seen this man she had sent him into the Infinite Forest – he and his children. Michael smiled stiffly as he too recalled their last interaction. Gods talk about awkward!
"It has been a long time, Your Majesty." He murmured. He couldn't help but enjoy her discomfort a little but the past was the past and he was not one to hold grudges. Certainly not against a woman who was so clearly determined to make up for her past mistakes. He held out his hand in peace offering, "We are going to head home, but I imagine Roland would like to spend some time with you – meet his sister perhaps?" Emma smiled, as she watched the interaction, this hadn't gone too badly after all!
"Please Regina? Can I?" Roland asked, Regina looked down at his pleading face and then back to Marian, her eyebrow raised in question.
Marian nodded, "If you are happy to have him, he would truly love it." Marian reached over to lace her fingers with Michael's, smiling at Robin as they prepared to take their leave.
Regina gave a nod and opened her mouth to agree when she felt a flash of cold shudder through her as though someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her. "Regina?" Maleficent looked at Mac with a worried gaze and Robin frowned, moving from his position behind Regina so he could look at her fully. She was pale, almost gray and she looked like she might be sick. Robin quickly took Roland from her trembling arms.
"Just one moment my boy," he said, placing him on the floor in front of Marian, despite Roland's protestations. Robin turned back to Regina, his hands going to her face. "She's like ice!" He screamed and the diner was once again silenced. Looking past Robin, Regina clapped eyes on Mac, knowing he knew what she did.
"Alayna," she croaked.
"Someone has broken through the blood lock," Mac called, leaning forward to grab Regina's hands, "We have no time to lose." With barely a nod of his hands the group was transported to Alayna's room in Regina's mansion, leaving Roland behind in the diner calling out for Regina and his father as Marian and Michael looked at each other and the remaining patrons in confusion.
Blue was shocked when Alayna's room was suddenly full of people, preventing the quick exit she had planned.
Blue knew she needed to move swiftly. Once the blood lock was broken Regina and that oh so disappointing Merlin would know instantly and she needed to be long gone before that happened. Knocking on the door to Regina's mansion she began to deliberately increase her breathing in preparation for this performance.
Tinkerbelle looked doubtful as she opened the door to Blue, suspicious. This wasn't the same Green that Blue had known in the Enchanted Forest. Tinkerbelle was savy, street smart and could easily detect a lie after years of practice with the Lost Boys in Neverland so Blue had to rely on the one thing that hadn't changed in Tinkerbelle – her soft heart and love for that wretched Evil Queen!
"Tinkerbelle, come quickly! It's Regina! She was trying to save Emma and she has been injured! Dr Whale thinks she doesn't have long and she wants to see the child." Tinkerbelle was not fooled, even had Robin not called thirty minutes prior to tell them the plan to save Emma had been a success Tink knew there was no way Regina would send Blue to get Alayna – not even if the nun was the last breathing person in the town! Blue was up to something and Tinkerbelle needed to at best find out what it was and at worst delay her plans.
"Alayna's not here Blue… Ah, Regina had her taken to Mary Margaret and David's loft before she left to get Emma," Tinkerbelle's eyes flitted to the trees around Regina's property desperately searching for a Merry Man.
Blue chuckled coldly and Tinkerbelle felt her heartbeat quicken. "You were always such a poor liar Green," Blue said, with a disappointed look in her eyes and a patronising shake of her head. "Robin's little guard patrol were no match for this," she said revealing the dark fairies wand… " and neither are you!" With the slightest flick of her wrist a flash of light shot from the wand and moved to Tinkerbelle who barely managed to escape its path as leaped backwards before turning to run up the stairs to Alayna's room.
Muttering under her breath, Blue followed behind her, face scrunched into a frown. "You can't save her Green. You are no match for the power of this wand," she called, her voice cold.
"No," Tinkerbelle said. "I'm not. But hopefully I can talk some sense into you Blue! What are you doing attacking a defenceless child? She's a baby for crying out loud!" Tinkerbelle yelled as she stood in front of Alayna's cot in a defensive stance. All she wanted to do was buy time. Tinkerbelle knew she couldn't stop Blue and knew she wouldn't get through this unscathed but maybe she could hold Blue off long enough for Regina to make it home.
Blue's eyes snapped to Tinkerbelle's at her words, "she is no defenceless baby any more than that witch was an innocent girl once upon a time you fool! What is it with you people?" She began muttering as her hands reached out to test the boundary of the blood lock. Well, she had done all the research she could – she just had to hope her theories were correct and she could break through the damn thing. Tinkerbelle watched as Blue slipped one hand under the collar her habit, obviously holding onto something but Tinkerbelle could not see what it was. Blue's other hand raised the wand. With a powerful flash of light the blood lock collapsed but there was no gust of wind or pulse of light that accompanied the breaking of curses. It was as though the shield of protection shattered and a thousand shards of light exploded outwards. Tinkerbelle was knocked to the ground and there was a penetrating silence as the explosion resonated in waves. There was a sudden and intense pressure in the room as though all of the air had been sucked out of it for a moment before sound and air returned with a rush and Tinkerbelle felt her lungs once again expanding and the pressure against her skull ease. She reached a noticeably trembling hand to her nose as she felt blood begin to drip down over her mouth and pulled herself up from the floor using the bars of Alayna's cot to look on the beautiful baby she had come to love, wanting to ensure she was unscathed by the strange magic they had experienced.
Now Regina would know – they would be on their way. She thought as she took in Alayna's steady breathing, the child oblivious to the danger she was in. Tinkerbelle rested her head against the bars for a moment. Trying to calm her racing heart. She had to keep Blue talking, it was the only hope Alayna had.
"Why Blue? Why do you hate Regina so much?" She asked, in breathy gasps, as she once again collapsed on the floor resting her back and head against Alayna's cot.
"Oh Green, you are so predictable. You're not going to distract me and you're not going to save her." Blue crossed the threshold, pointed the wand at Tinkerbelle and with a flick of her wrist Tinkerbelle's world went black.
Blue clutched the sleeping child closer to her with one hand and held onto the dark fairies wand tightly with the other as she took in her 'competition'. Henry, a mere child and Robin, who was no threat to her, especially while both had their hands full with Regina who was shaking violently as she tried desperately to fight the pull on her magic caused by the breaking of the blood lock. Mary Margaret and David were easily manipulated and certainly not stupid enough to confront her while she wielded the dark fairy's wand and held the child. Emma and Hook were bent over Tinkerbelle who was unconscious but breathing on the floor of the nursery. Blue would have to keep an eye on Emma, while she was not as practiced in magic as Regina, she was certainly powerful and more than likely to put up a fight. Completing the group were Maleficent and Merlin – with Regina essentially out of action they were certainly the two most likely to be a threat here. Blue would focus on them, she needed to ensure they didn't interrupt her – nobody was going to thwart her plans!
Regina struggled to focus as she felt her knees give out on her. She had never felt so drained, so powerless, so weak before. Her mind was screaming as she felt her magic flowing out of her as though through a physical hole in her chest.
Blue could not help the smile that filled her face, the sparkle in her eye as she looked at this witch who had inflicted so much pain on her people. The breaking of a blood lock had not ever been achieved before, at least not in any of the tomes Blue had researched but the theory was that it should debilitate the caster – something that held true if Regina's reaction was anything to go by. Blue had relied on the fact that Regina would be rendered useless, had hoped it would give her time to hide the child. She had not expected the entourage that accompanied Regina, Blue thought as her eyes once again flicked over the group. Oh well, she was not one to attempt something like this without a backup plan.
As her gaze fell on Regina again she could not contain the soft giggle that escaped her at the sight of the Evil Queen struggling to remain on her feet or even keep her eyes open. The infamous sorceress, the ruler of the Enchanted Forest was unable to conjure a cup of water let a long stop a fairy wielding the dark wand.
"H- how?" Regina whispered, confused and Blue smiled.
"How did I break your blood lock?" The fairy asked, raising one hand to the collar of her habit she slipped it inside and pulled out a familiar pendant. "With this."
"Zelena's pendant?" Emma asked confused and Blue nodded.
"Of course. Trapping the dark curse in there filled it with powerful magic and reawakened the pendant's core elements."
"Zelena's essence," Maleficent said with no small touch of admiration. It was quite the feat to break a blood lock and she could respect the magic if not the wielder or their motives.
"Exactly. You were right Merlin," she said his name with such distain… "The dark magic is contained – it cannot be wielded, but with the Dark Fairy's wand and a little bit of pixie dust, awakening Zelena's essence enabled me to not only cross the boundary of the blood lock, but to break it completely. You really should be more careful where you put powerful totem's Sorcerer. Your pocket is hardly the best place to keep such an important item," she said with false regret, recalling how she took advantage of his distraction at the diner to pick-pocket the totem.
"Blue?" Mary Margaret said, confusion marring her features. "What are you doing?"
"What you are too naïve to see is necessary," the Blue Fairy said, her tone holding the same guiding and protective tone it always did when she spoke to the former princess. "I am taking the child Mary Margaret. I will not let the Evil Queen raise a powerful sorceress capable of destroying us all."
"You know that is not true Mother Superior," Mac began. "Alayna is no mere sorceress, she is the Gray. And once born in the light she will remain in the light."
"NO!" Blue bellowed. "That woman did not bear the Gray! She cannot be the Mother of the Gray. That is not possible. She is evil. Her destiny was to destroy us, nothing more." Blue's eyes were like steel.
"Why?" Henry was steadfast at his mother's side. "Why have you always been so determined not to see the good in my mother." Regina had been leaning heavily on Robin but her knees gave out from under her causing him to call out. Mac was instantly by her side, raising his hands one going to her head and one to her chest he poured his silver magic into her.
"There is much you do not know Henry… much your storybook could not convey." Blue spoke quietly, for some reason unable to meet Henry's eyes as she recalled for a moment a young Regina calling on the fairies for help, protection, not unlike Snow did years later. Glancing again at Regina and seeing her as a child once more, Blue shook the memories from her thoughts and moved to take advantage of the distraction of Regina's collapse to leave. She had barely taken a step to pass by Mac and Robin when Maleficent was suddenly in front of her shaking her head. "Nah-ah, moth," Maleficent's eye's flashed a fiery red and she emitted a low growl that seemed to come from deep within her chest that had the Blue Fairy taking an instinctive step back.
Blue raised her chin; "I wouldn't get in my way if I were you Maleficent." She spat out the name as though it were distasteful to her and Maleficent merely smirked, leaning her hand against the frame of the doorway, essentially blocking the exit as Mac continued to poor his magic into Regina, shaking with the effort of helping her.
"What is happening to her?" Robin said through teeth clenched with worry as he held her trembling form.
"The breaking of the blood lock seems to be draining her – she is the caster, she must pay the price." Mac said grimly as he focused his magic on stopping the flow of Regina's magic and restoring some energy but it was difficult as he was dealing with an injury that had never been inflicted quite like this before. "It's like she is haemorrhaging magic. I don't believe it will be permanent but it will leave her drained for some time." Robin lifted Regina into his arms as Mac's magic withdrew and she blinked opened her eyes. "That should help Regina," Mac said softly as he stroked her brow. She nodded and turned her face into Robin's chest. Her colour had returned and her breathing was more even but the cold was painful. She instinctively sought out the warmth of Robin's embrace as she tried to pull together enough energy to stop Blue from taking her daughter.
"It hurts," she whispered. Emma moved towards her from where she sat with a newly conscious Tinkerbelle who was now holding her head in her hands as she sat propped against Alayna's cot once more.
"Let me help," she said, her voice back to its usual no-nonsense timber. She raised her hands and flooded Regina with light and magic, pouring what she could into her as she focused on her love for this woman who risked everything to come back here and save her. Who wouldn't even be in this position if not for Emma… Emma shook her head thinking this saviour business came with a truck load of guilt. "Is that better?" She whispered.
Regina turned and took a deep breath, shuddering a little but feeling much better. " Thank you," she moved to stand again though she wobbled some on her feet and Robin kept an arm around her holding her steady.
"What do you want Blue," Regina said, her voice firm though obviously drained.
Blue's eyes were cold, but her voice still held the melodic sweet timber that grated on Regina so. "Like I said Regina, you will not be raising this child. I will leave with her and raise her with my sisters" Blue looked down at Alayna as she began to stir, and gave her a small cold smile, her jaw tense and her teeth gritted. It was a look that chilled Regina to the bone. "You can visit with her, I suppose, in time. But you will not have prolonged contact. I will ensure she is healthy and looked after, and that she is raised to work for the greater good." Blue raised her eyes to give them all a beaming smile, seemingly oblivious to the shocked and disgusted faces of those around her.
"You will not be taking our daughter," Robin said forcefully and in these moments Regina could clearly see the leader of the Merry Men who managed to thwart every attempt she made to capture them.
"Yes I will Robin, and Regina will let me, won't you Regina? Because you know I am right." The fairy smiled at the former queen. Her eyes twinkling with something Regina couldn't quite place. Had the fairy gone crazy?
"I don't know what you think is going to happen here Blue, but you are out of your mind if you think I am going to let you leave this room with my daughter in your arms," Regina said, her voice quiet but threatening. "Give Alayna to me and I might let you leave with your life."
"Now, now Regina, I thought you were changed?" Blue clucked. "You sound remarkably like the Evil Queen to me." Blue began pacing as Alayna awoke in earnest and began to sit up.
"Says the woman trying to kidnap my child," Regina kept her voice even, not wanting to scare Alayna.
"You're insane fairy if you think we are just going to let you walk out of here," Maleficent said, her usual bored tone, no love-lost between her and Blue.
"You're out numbered here lass, no need to go down with the ship," Hook said, distractedly as he helped Tinkerbelle to her feet.
"Mother Superior, what you are doing is wrong. We can't allow it." David contributed while Emma put her hand on Regina's arm, seeing the woman begin to falter again in fatigue. Regina had never felt so debilitated.
"Oh David, you certainly will allow it."
"Why?" Mac began. "What is your plan Mother Superior?" Enough games, she obviously had something up her sleeve, she was too confident and even with the dark fairy's wand her magic was no match for his, let alone their combined forces.
"You will let me go," Blue said, stopping her pacing and turning to face them, her eyes steely. "Or I will kill the child." Mary Margaret gasped, holding onto David's arms for support.
"No!" She said shocked. "Blue you – you… can't. You fight on the side of good – you couldn't possibly kill an innocent child!" Mary Margaret felt as though the earth had titled. Her beloved fairy godmother – a woman who had been the one constant her entire life was threatening to kill a small child? It was as though the world had gone crazy.
"She is no innocent," Blue began her voice cutting, the hatred clear in her tone. "She is like a baby tiger Mary Margaret – soft, cute perhaps, sweet… now, but she will grow. And if left with her Mother, " she all but spat the word, "she will grow to become a predator. I. Have. No. Choice!" She punctuated every word with a step forward. "You are all blinded with your 'it's not black and white' nonsense. Your naivety Mary Margaret was endearing as a child but it is dangerous to leave unchecked in a leader. You are incapable of making the tough decisions. The fact you are even contemplating allowing this monster to raise any child let alone a child destined to wield great power shows how ridiculously incapable you are." She turned to face Regina. "Look at me, Your Majesty. How strong do you feel Regina? How strong does your Sorcerer feel after coming to your aid? The Saviour? They have drained themselves to keep you on your feet… so now you have your dragon pet –" Maleficent's eyes burned once more at the careless taunt. Not failing to notice Mac bristle at the insult. "but is she fast enough to stop me running this wand through your daughters pretty little heart?" Blue's eyes flashed with madness and Regina's hope faltered. She didn't even notice the tears that fell from her eyes as she desperately tried to come up with a plan. "You know I mean every word. Let me pass and your child will live, you will be able to watch her grow into a good person, capable of greatness. You will see her become a great leader under my tutelage... Or you will watch her die – now. The choice is yours."
Regina didn't even try to hold back her sobs, for the second time in her life she could not keep up her mask. Her body shook from fatigue and the knowledge of what was inevitable. She knew it would come to this – had always known it would come to this. Love was always destined to break her heart. She felt Robin's arms around her, felt him shaking and she didn't need to turn her face to see that he too was crying. She looked at Mac, questioning, could they move swiftly enough to ensure that Alayna was safe? Get her back and unarm the fairy? Blue knew – she knew they could not be certain to succeed and that Regina would not risk it. Not while she was in this state, she had little power and to succeed she and Mac would need to move as one, get Alayna and the wand in one swift move. Regina's eyes flicked to Emma and she heard Blue chuckle a little – a tinkling melody that made Regina wish she had the power to crush the bug's voice box.
"Are you going to wager the life of your daughter on your ability to disarm me Regina? In the state you're in? I don't think so. Tell the Sorcerer and his Dragon mistress to stand down. You can read my thoughts Merlin… am I bluffing?" The coldness in Mac's eyes was all Regina needed to see to confirm that Blue was deadly serious. She will kill Alayna rather than let Regina raise her.
Robin stared at Mac his eyes full of desperation and as Mac caught his gaze somehow Robin knew – this strange mind communication that Mac was capable off filled him with an empty feeling. Mac could do nothing – his sole purpose was to protect the Gray and attempting to rescue her, to take her from the Blue Fairy in this moment put her in grave danger. Robin could feel the powerlessness that filled Mac, the despair and Robin closed his eyes disbelieving. After everything they had been through was it to end like this?
"You were supposed to be a great Sorcerer," Blue continued, "a champion for goodness and light, and you were bewitched into protecting the Evil Queen and laying with that thing." She said indicating toward Maleficent with her chin.
"Watch yourself Mother Superior. Unless you plan on carrying that baby around indefinitely," Mac's words were cold and his gaze furious at the slight Blue had made towards his love. "I will not stand idly by while you insult my love." Maleficent looked at Mac like he was crazy. This moth was threatening Regina's baby and he was worrying about protecting her virtue? Before she could get her mind around his actions Mac continued, "You're wrong Blue and you know you are wrong. You have been driven by jealousy; have let hatred for Regina's mother and then Regina blacken your heart. You knew Regina was destined to be Mother of the Gray and you let your own prejudices lead you down this path. Abandoning her when you should have protected her, punishing Green for doing what you should have done yourself. And now you are threatening a mere babe to complete a self-made quest to take all light from the woman you will only ever see as the Evil Queen."
"This thing" she said holding out Alayna for a moment, roughly shaking her and making the child begin to whimper and Regina move forward before Blue brought the child back to her chest, "is not the GRAY!" she bellowed and Alayna began to cry in earnest, wriggling to get out of Blue's arms. Mary Margaret took a step towards the fairy, wanting to soothe the toddler.
"Blue you're scaring her," Mary Margaret began.
"She is a powerful sorceress yes, because she is the granddaughter of the Queen of Hearts and the daughter of the Evil Queen, two of the most evil magical practitioners of our time. But she will not be evil. I will raise her to be good, I will protect our people and you will see that I am right." Blue let her gaze fall on each member of the group. Looking each one in the eyes before turning her gaze briefly to Alayna. "Now, we are done here."
"Please," Regina begged, falling to her knees and Emma's eyes widened. She never would have believed that she would see Regina beg – not for anything. "Please don't do this – you can bind my powers, keep me in your convent, I'll do anything, just don't take my baby." Blue stepped past her, ignoring her plea and Regina sobbed, too exhausted to rise she merely hung her head. "Please," she whispered. As Blue moved past Regina, Alayna began to scream for her mother, thrashing herself about in protest.
"At least allow us to say goodbye!" Robin called, having dropped to sit by Regina, taking her in his arms, trying to comfort her in any way he knew how.
"You will see her again Robin Hood." The Fairy said dismissively, " Storybrooke is a small place."
"It's will not be the same and you know that," Robin said his voice ice cold as he gazed on the being responsible for destroying his family, breaking the heart of the woman he loved, his soul mate.
"Fine," Blue huffed. "You may say your goodbyes – from where you are." Blue said looking at the metre that was between them as Robin looked to rise and approach. "That is close enough."
Robin helped Regina to her feet and he saw the difficultly the Blue fairy had containing their child who was sobbing and wriggling. Her cries pierced his heart and he could only imagine what Regina was feeling.
"Shh baby, it's alright," Regina tried to smile but her mouth wobbled through her tears. "Lainey you're going to go with Mother Superior for a while ok?" Alayna's sobs quieted at the sound of her mother's voice and she took in shuddering breaths as she looked up at the woman who's arms were around her.
"We love you Alayna," Robin said his voice wavering slightly, then he said more strongly, "We will fight every day to have you come home to us." Alayna hiccoughed as she looked between her parents, confusion clear on her face.
"I love you Alayna, I will always love you. Remember that no matter what, ok? Mommy loves you!" Regina said as Alayna looked back at her mother. Regina's hand moved instinctively in an attempt to touch her daughter but Blue roughly jerked Alayna back out of reach causing small child to cry once more and put her arms out for her mother.
"Enough." Blue said and began to leave. A commotion erupted as Emma, Hook, Henry, Maleficent and the Charmings all began to loudly protest. Regina stumbled back into Robin's arms, feeling her heart ripped from her chest, a loud rushing in her ears but she kept her eyes on her daughter. Not wanting to miss a moment.
Mac was strangely silent, staring in Alayna's eyes. "Do something!" Robin screamed at Merlin.
"Please!" Emma begged turning to the Sorcerer she had only just met but knew to be the most powerful being in the room right now – black fairy stick or no!
"No!" Regina cried out. "Robin! Emma! No! She is not bluffing. She will kill Alayna with that wand and we can't get to her in time. I'd rather her alive and out there without us than dead." Robin nodded, trying to find comforting words but nothing could console her from this loss so instead he pulled Regina impossibly closer to him and cried with her.
Mac's eyes went from the couple embracing on the floor to the baby held firmly in the Blue Fairy's arms. He held Alayna's gaze and as Blue went to pass through the doorway, confident in her victory, Mac called, "Alayna!" The Blue fairy stopped confused and looked down to see Alayna's eyes locked with Mac's.
The little girl nodded before looking up to the Blue Fairy. Smiling softly the baby slowly shook her head. She took both of her tiny hands and pressed them lightly to the fairy's chest over her heart, as she whispered a soft but firm, "No!" before looking over to her mother sobbing in her father's arms. Putting out her hands toward Regina once more Alayna wiggled her fingers and called "Mommy!"
Before the word had fully left Alayna's lips the baby disappeared in the brightest of light, a flash that was white and silver and illuminated the room. It's impossible to say what happened first but there was an eruption of noises – Regina and Robin cried out in horror, shocked gasps came from the Charming's, and the Blue Fairy let out a scream of anger as Alayna disappeared from her arms that quickly turned to pain when the material of her habit singed where the child's hands had been and two bright patches of raw skin appeared on her chest. The exposed skin began to blister as if burned by fire when there was another flash and the dark fairies wand was snapped in two. Blue collapsed to the floor holding her head and screaming uncontrollably as she felt a lance of pain through her temples as though someone had their hand in her brain and was squeezing repeatedly.
Alayna reappeared in her mother's arms, cuddling deeper into her and enveloping Regina and Robin in a sparkling silver sphere which illuminated the room in a soft glow. Emma, Henry, David and Mary Margaret tried to cross through to no avail. They beat on the protection shield unsure as to what had caused it and if their friends, their family were alright. Tears streamed down Regina's cheeks as she held Alayna to her and sobbed in relief, Robin embraced them both in a fierce hug as they rocked together on the floor whispering calming words of love and thanks, oblivious to the bubble of protection that surrounded them as they focused only on the fact that their baby girl was back in their arms.
Mac too fell to his knees in relief. "It's alright," he said raising his hands to gain the attention of those not in the safety of shiny sphere. "It is Alayna, she is protecting them. She needs the comfort of her parents. She is confused and exhausted, scared. Calm down, they are fine and she will release the protection spell when she feels safe once more." On hearing Mac's words the rest of the group relaxed, a soft smile forming on Mary Margaret's face as she watched the family reunited.
"She saved herself," she whispered.
"That she did," Mac said moving to the Blue Fairy whose screams continued as she held her head and threw herself around on the floor, crying. "Emma!" Mac called. Looking from the fairy to the saviour. "She needs help."
"I'm not so sure I want to give it," Emma said, moving regardless to sit beside Mac and examine the fairy's wounds.
"Did Alayna do this?" Emma asked, her voice soft as she looked at the burns on Blue's chest, trying to pull the fairy's hands from her eyes to get a better look at her.
"She did." Mac said his voice calm. Emma looked at him, her eyebrows raised. "It's not what you think Emma."
"She was scared Mom," Henry said. " She didn't mean to do it."
"She did mean to do it Henry," Mac began. "But she was helping Blue, she didn't want to hurt her." Emma looked skeptical. As much as she didn't approve of what the Blue Fairy had tried to do, she also didn't like the fact a baby could inflict such an injury. She was also a little wary given how Blue was convinced the child was dangerous. If Alayna did this with just the lightest of touches, what else was she capable of?
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"Alayna didn't burn Blue-"
"Of course she did!" Emma interrupted. "Look at her. Those marks are exactly where she laid her hands" Blue's chest was charred, her skin bubbling and Emma raised her hands to pulse magic onto the wounds to heal them and give Blue some relief.
"Alayna didn't burn her Emma, that was Blue's hatred, her jealousy, her prejudice. Alayna drew it from her. She absorbed it! She wanted to help Blue see her mother as Alayna does. She could only do that by removing the hatred."
"What about her head?" Mary Margaret asked, having sat down next to Blue and was softly stroking her hair as the fairy shook. "It's like something is disturbing her mind?" No matter what Blue had done, Mary Margaret couldn't hate the fairy that had been her constant guide through life.
"To bring balance to Blue, Alayna had to take away her hatred, of Regina but of others too that Blue has had this innate dislike of. Alayna did that physically to cleanse her heart – that's what caused the burns - but the mind is different. To truly cleanse the mind one must have truth. Alayna is showing Blue that truth…"
"What does that mean?" Henry asked looking at the Fairy. While he no longer liked or respected her, he didn't like to see anyone suffering.
"Blue is revisiting memories. She is being shown the choices she made, the reasons behind them and the consequences of her actions. It's not easy to face our own flaws and to see the damage we have caused even when we have had the best of intentions."
Emma could relate to that… "Is there anything we can do?" Emma asked having healed the burns but not wanting to play around with the fairy's mind or with her memories. "It's like she's being tormented by these memories."
"No, this must simply take its course I'm afraid. But Blue will be better for it."
"Let me take her home," Tinkerbelle said softly. "If there is nothing we can do to help her at least we can make her comfortable."
"How long will this take," Mary Margaret asked.
"I can't be sure," Mac said meeting Mary Margaret's eyes. "It depends on how many memories she needs to relive. How many times she hurt someone because of her own bigotry, her personal feelings of dislike. But I imagine we will be talking hours, not days."
Maleficent huffed, "then you don't know her so well. She was a meddling, manipulating, self-righteous bug. She'll have a few days' worth of memories to be tormented with."
"Alayna isn't trying to hurt her Maleficent. The pain comes because now that her heart is pure she can see the error of her ways. Remember Blue's mistake was not being able to see past her own prejudices. To see how she could have helped others but didn't, how she punished those like Tinkerbelle who dared to challenge her all out of spite and jealousy, not to mention her behaviour today. It will all be difficult for her to bear."
"It's as though it is causing her physical pain," David said incredulous.
"It is," Mac's voice was grave. "I will send you both home." Mac said addressing Tinkerbelle and with a wave of his hands the two fairies disappeared in silver smoke.
"Will they be ok in there?" Emma asked. She was exhausted but she didn't want to leave if Regina still needed her. Emma owed her former nemesis that much.
"They will be fine. In fact I think Alayna will feel more comfortable without so many people here. She has been through an ordeal and really just needs her parents." Mac rubbed a hand over his face.
"You want to come home with us kid?" Emma asked and Henry looked torn. He could see his mom and Robin in the sphere and wanted to make sure they were ok but he also hadn't seen Emma in so long.
"Regina will understand Henry," Mac said softly. "Go with Emma, we can all meet at Granny's tomorrow." Henry nodded, grateful and left with Emma and Hook.
"Thank you," Mary Margaret began, "for everything." She was teary and tired and really just wanted to go home too. "Please, call if you need us." At Mac's nod she took David's hand and moved down the stairs.
Mac hung his head from where he was situated on the floor. Exhausted. He hadn't been so tested in many years. Not since his own mother was alive. He had nearly lost her! Lost her! His soul purpose in being was to protect Alayna and yet his devotion to her had rendered him powerless. He would need to come up with a plan to ensure that never happened again!
He watched the family in Alayna's little 'bubble' and could not help but smile at her choice of protection given her love for the things. They were together, and judging by the fierceness with which Robin held the two to him, they would not soon be parted and the thought made Mac's heart soar. Regina would finally get her happily ever after.
He felt rather than saw Maleficent approach. Always so careful – not wanting to intrude, or be obvious about her feelings when all he wanted was to take her in his arms and never let go. She gave him a strength, certainty and confidence unlike anything he had ever felt before. With Maleficent beside him he felt unstoppable, indestructible, and he hoped he filled her with the same confidence.
Looking up he smiled warmly and the wariness left her eyes as she held out a hand to help him to his feet. He put the hand to his lips as he stood and allowed his other hand to move around her tiny waste, pulling her to him and in the blink of an eye they were gone.
Inside Alayna's sphere Regina could not stop her tears. "I'm so sorry baby," she whispered. "I should have been here with you. I should never have left you." She bent to kiss Alayna's forehead, guilt flooding her system at her child having been in such danger.
"Don't," Robin gently chided as he softly stroked Alayna's hair, her cheek, her back and he bent down to kiss Regina's temple. "This is certainly not your doing Milady. You came here to save your friend; your son's other mother and you have worked tirelessly for more than a week to achieve that goal. I will not allow you to feel guilty for what the Blue Fairy has done."
"How can you say that Robin? Our daughter was in danger because of me, because of who I am," she paused, looking down to Alayna. "She always will be, and you and Henry and Roland. You will always be in danger because of me." Regina whispered and Robin could hear the heartbreak in her voice.
"No Regina, Alayna will always be safe because of you. We will always be safe because of you." Regina knew he meant himself, Henry and Roland. Robin didn't need to specify who 'we' was. "You will never let anything happen to her – to us – even if it tears you apart. You showed that tonight." Robin felt his frustration rise as she shook her head 'no' but he pushed that frustration down deeply so he could give her the support she needed right now. "Besides, I have a feeling our little girl is more than capable of taking care of herself – of all of us." He tried to lighten to mood but while Regina gave a small smile she was still shaking her head unconvinced.
"But Robin," Regina began and as she raised her head to look into her soul mate's eyes she felt her daughter's hand on her cheek. Turning her gaze back to Alayna, Regina suddenly felt a sensation of peace and a glow of warmth erupt within her and she knew in a flash exactly what Alayna was feeling and while the child had been terrified of the angry fairy she had not doubted that her mother would do everything she could to protect her. Tears continued to flow down Regina's cheeks as the love of her daughter flowed into her, restoring her strength and her peace.
"What is it?" Robin asked his voice filled with awe and love as he watched the glow emanating from Alayna's hands to completely cover Regina before shimmering away like a rainbow.
Regina laughed through her tears as she said simply, "she trusts me." Looking up at Robin she smiled as he pressed a warm kiss to her temple and looking back at her incredible daughter she breathed incredulously, "she loves me."
Mac and Maleficent reappeared across town. Maleficent had taken a house shortly after Lily returned – the two of them needing some place they could meet and talk without the skeptical looks and accusing gazes of Storybrooke's inhabitants and Maleficent was not interested in keeping a room at Granny's. She had transported them into her entryway, still wrapped in Mac's embrace.
"Where are we?" Mac asked curiously and Maleficent smiled.
"This is my home," she said softly. "I hope you don't mind I –" she began, moving from his arms as she took off her coat and walked through to the kitchen.
Mac smiled even as he cut her off, "not at all. I was just curious," he said and followed her.
"Drink?" she asked, eyebrow raised and at Mac's nod she drew two tumblers from the cupboard over the sink and put them on the table in the middle of the room. Turning to get a bottle of whisky she felt Mac's arms surround her, pulling her to him, her back to his front as he pressed kisses to her neck. She turned in his arms and she knew instantly there was nowhere else she would ever want to be. "I love you," she whispered as she nuzzled his nose with her own and Mac let out a groan at her words, drinks long forgotten as he moved his mouth to cover hers. He took her lips in a fierce kiss as the tension of the day finally overcame him and pulled her flush against him as his arms encircled her. He tongue swept over the seam of her lips begging for entrance and he sighed into her mouth as she opened it to him, her tongue entwining with his.
Her hands had gently tugged his shirt from his trousers and had made their way underneath to stroke the soft skin of his back. Making their way to his front as Mac walked her backwards until her thighs bumped into the kitchen table, Maleficent quickly worked open the buttons of his shirt before pushing it back from his shoulders. She was filled with a desperate need to be skin to skin with this man and heat pooled at the apex of her thighs and she felt her hips start to gently rock against his, instinctively searching for friction.
Without words Mac broke the kiss and swiftly turned her around so that her back was to his front. Her hands found purchase on the table in front of her and she couldn't stifle the giggle that passed her lips as she looked back over her shoulder and took in his swollen lips and dazed expression. He moved to capture her mouth again as he slowly pulled down the zip of her dress. Letting it fall forward over her shoulders as he moved his mouth to the newly revealed skin of her back and his hands to her breasts, covered only in the silky material of her slip.
"Gods you are a vision Maleficent. So strong and yet so, so soft," he whispered as he lightly stroked her nipples through the silky slip she wore. Desperate to feel his hands on her skin Maleficent maneuvered her arms from her dress and reached up to lower the thin straps of her slip from her shoulders. Standing still with her back to him, now in only her silk panties. A soft gasp escaped through her parted lips as Mac continued to stroke and pull gently on her nipples and as the sound of her voice reached his ears Mac turned her again to face him replacing his hands with his mouth as he suckled her soft mounds.
Maleficent let out a groan as she held his head firmly to her breast and Mac lifted her so she was sitting on the table as he continued to flick his tongue over her.
"Mac, please," she whispered. Taking his hand and slowly moving it between her legs. He chuckled at her impatience before groaning himself at how wet she was. "I need you." She whispered, her voice tight with desire. Mac deftly moved her panties to the side and manoeuvred his hands to feel her wetness. Parting her folds to enter her with two fingers as his thumb sought out her clit, rubbing tight circles as she moaned. She rocked into his hand as he raised his head from her breast to watch her come undone on he fingers.
"You are so beautiful my love," he whispered as he bent his head to kiss her neck. His free hand moving behind her to support her weight while he continued to pump his fingers in and out of her as he worked her clit. Moving his head to her breast once more he suckled at her nipples, flicking his tongue over her to finally push her over the edge. She moaned as she came, moving forward to lean against him as he released her pink nipple with a wet pop, his fingers moving to gently stroke her folds as he released her.
"By the gods you are good at that," she whispered breathlessly as she placed soft kisses on his chest before looking up to capture his gaze with her own and pressed a lingering kiss to his lips.
As her breathing returned to normal she slipped off the table and moved her hands to undo his belt as she continued kissing him. Lowering the zipper and freeing his straining member, she took him in hand to firmly stroke him making him groan against her lips.
"Turn around love," he whispered. She smiled seductively at him as she turned around, her head over her shoulder as he replaced her hand with his own. He firmly stroked himself with one hand as he lowered her panties with the other, his hand coming up to gently stroke the cheek of her ass. Gods she was gorgeous. Especially like this, no walls, looking over her shoulder at him, her expression both cheeky and shy as his hand moved up her back to gently push her upper body towards the table. She was such a contradiction, so strong and confident but then so soft and delicate. "Is this alright lovely?" He whispered as he continued to stroke himself, looking at her amazing ass.
"More than alright," she said nodding and he let his hand slide down her back between the cheeks of her ass, gently encouraging her thighs apart as he moved towards her. His hand found her folds and he guided himself into her as he bent over her to press wet, open-mouthed kisses to the soft skin of her spine as he slowly entered her.
"Gods you feel amazing," he said as he felt her tight walls flutter around him as he guided himself deeper and deeper. She was tight and warm and gods nothing felt better than being inside her. He stilled, allowing his hands to sweep over her soft skin, shoulder to ass and back up to her shoulder as her walls stretched to accommodate him. When she moaned and finally began to rock against him to indicate she was ready he slowly withdrew before entering her again. He continued the slow steady thrusts, teasing her and as she began to moan and whimper, begging him for more, to go faster, he moved his hands to her hips and began to enter her with more force, more speed on each thrust.
"Gods Mac you feel amazing," Maleficent moaned as she moved from leaning on her elbows, her head rested on her arms to lean on her hands so she could turn to look at him over her shoulder. Mac leaned forward without slowing his thrusts to kiss her, a messy combination of tongue and teeth. He moved one hand from her hip to massage her breast possessively, before moving down to stroke and rub at her clit. He increased the depth of his thrust as he worked that tight bundle of nerves to have her coming around him again. The cry she released as she came undone had him tumbling after her as he continued to rub her through her climax. He moved his member inside her until he felt himself began to soften at which point he stilled but could not quite bring himself to break the most beautiful of connections.
Maleficent fell forward to lean on the table as she caught her breath and Mac moved to lean over her. Pressing kisses to the skin of her shoulders, her back. Stroking her firm ass as he did. Gods this woman was beautiful.
Without even raising her head Maleficent waved her hand and they were transported to bed, still joined and Mac couldn't help but laugh at the cheeky smile she threw over her shoulder at her manoeuvre. Finally slipping out of her Mac rolled onto his back, bringing her with him with the hand that was still firmly wound around her waist. She moved to pillow her head on his chest, warm and sated and happy in his embrace.
"Goodnight my love," he whispered still stroking her back, mesmerised by the feel of her skin. Maleficent smiled softly at his words and the sudden realisation that there was nothing in this world that she would rather be than his love.
Hope you enjoyed this - always my end game with this story. One chapter to go after this – just to tie up a few loose ends so please let me know if there is anything you are wondering about or would like to see – no guarantees but I'll do my best to accommodate.