References to childhood issues here, nothing detailed. Largely establishing roles and dynamics in FTL this chapter.

Thanks to CS, Guru, and my partner for their assistance and encouragement.

Chapter 3: Shelter

While Snow searched for the shelter, Emma and Regina remained at the stream. They located a portion of bank where trees came almost to the waterline, providing both shade and easy access to water. Almost shyly, Emma asked Regina again if she could show her the "trick" with the water. Regina was quick to correct her. "It's not a trick, it's magic. This is not like pulling a quarter from someone's ear in your world, Miss Swan. It's very serious."

"Of course. I meant, will you teach me how to clean the water with magic?"

"Very well." Regina scooped up another bowl full of water and handed it to Emma. "Magic is merely a manipulation of the energy around us. For each practitioner it can be slightly different, especially in the beginning. Try closing your eyes and concentrating on what good, clean, pure water tastes like. If you're a visual person, try seeing the water passing through a filter of some sort. Hear the raw water hitting the filter, and the clean water flowing into the bowl. When you feel you've poured all of the water back into the bowl, open your eyes and taste the water you have."

Emma continued to sit with her eyes closed for a couple of minutes. Slowly, she opened first one eye and then the other and tentatively sipped at the water. "Hmm. It's not as good as yours was, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was to begin with."

"That's not surprising, dear. I've been using magic for a lot longer than you. Even with it being somewhat different now, the fundamentals appear to be the same. This is a good way for you to practice. We will need water no matter what happens, and knowing how to make clean water from dirty will be useful." With that, the two women eased into a comfortable silence while awaiting Snow's return.

When she did return, Snow was quick to share her excitement about the state of her shelter. "Emma! Emma, where are you?" She spotted the women seated in the shade and made her way to them. "Emma, I found the shelter, and it's still in great shape. I brought some containers to carry water back with us, and some hooks and vines for fishing. You wanna help me catch dinner?"

"Um, sure. You have to teach me, though." Granted, Emma had indulged in daydreams of going fishing with a loving parent; she just generally imagined it would be her father, not her mother and best friend. But, being a bail bonds-person herself, Emma was not one to insist on specific gender roles. Snow got right to teaching, talking so quickly in her excitement to be sharing this with her daughter that Emma quickly gave up on understanding what was said. Instead, she watched Snow carefully as she fed a length of vine through the hook, turned over some rocks and located creepy crawlies for bait, and stepped carefully to the stream. While preparing the fishing gear, Snow explained that, being a stream, they likely wouldn't catch any large fish. But, she went on, if they could catch several medium fish they could make a meal from that. Snow seemed to have forgotten about their third party, when Emma spoke up.

"Hey, Regina, you want to fish too?"

"Dear God, no. I'll search the tree line for edible greens." Regina once again applied her extensive knowledge of botany, although that wasn't a word she'd encountered until Storybrooke, to locate safe vegetation to go with their fish dinner.

Fishing with her best friend and mother, for Emma was slowly starting to come to terms with that fact, proved to be a lot of fun. Between the two of them, they managed to snag enough fish for a decent meal. As the afternoon waned and evening approached, Snow suggested they gather their catch and move on to the shelter. Emma spotted Regina lounging against a tree some yards away and called out to get her attention. "Regina, wake up! We're going to Snow's shelter now." A testament to how tired Regina was, she did not argue that she had been awake but simply rose and gathered her own contribution to dinner. As they approached the shelter, Snow removed both knives from her satchel and handed one to Emma, indicating that they should clear away more of the brush to make it easier to enter; just enough was left in place to continue to act as camouflage.

Emma followed Snow in, with Regina at the rear. As Regina stopped and looked around, Snow bustled about beginning preparations for dinner. She turned to ask Emma if she wanted to learn how to fillet the fish, only to find Emma passed out cold on the pile of furs in one corner. Snow took her in for several moments – her beautiful baby girl, the White Knight of Henry's book. Even Regina, she noticed, was eying Emma with something approaching compassion. They both recognized that the last two days had been incredibly long and difficult, especially for Emma. After all Emma had been through, from Henry's pastry-induced coma, to the dragon slaying; from her son's death to the breaking of the curse and his awakening; from the appearance of the Wraith to the moment when Regina and Emma first combined their magic to activate the Mad Hatter's hat, their last day in Storybrooke had certainly been a full one. Falling through the portal in a bid to save Regina, for at least the fourth time that day, landed them all in Fairytale Land. Within a short time of arriving in, literally, a whole new world, Emma had to work magic with Regina for the second time to defeat the Wraith. And to top it off, a lengthy hike, short magic lesson, fishing lesson, and brush clearing. Snow and Regina might not agree on much, but even they could agree that Emma had earned a nap.

Regina shook herself from her reverie of the last days, aware that she had been through a lot herself. Knowing they all had to eat, she turned to a favorite coping mechanism from Storybrooke – cooking. "If you will kindly show me where the utensils are, I will start on dinner," she both commanded and offered. Snow snapped to attention and looked at Regina with obvious concern in her gaze, prompting Regina to continue, "Are we going to have this argument at every meal? I don't hunt, I don't fish, I'm not yet certain how magic has changed, and we all want to get back to the same place. So, if you would be so kind as to show me where the necessary items are, I will do my part by preparing meals." Snow acquiesced and pointed out the various kitchen items Regina might need; she couldn't help but be a little nervous. If Regina were paying attention, she might realize that most of the nice kitchen utensils, and in truth the majority of the items in the shelter, were in fact stolen from the Evil Queen during Snow's exile. Based on glances shot her way, Snow thought Regina did in fact recognize a few items. Nothing was said, though, and Snow dared to sit next to Emma and rest for a few minutes.

Snow took the opportunity to watch Emma as she slept. She'd had so little time to hold her baby before they had to send her away. Her only solace lay in knowing that she didn't have twenty-eight years' worth of memories of missing her daughter. Even that was small comfort though; as Mary Margaret, Snow had learned a fair amount about Emma and knew that her abandonment had left deep wounds. She noticed, both before and after the curse, that Emma did not sleep peacefully. Deeply, perhaps, but not calmly. It was as though her body remained alert, ready to spring into action at any moment. Snow was saddened to think of what conditions Emma must have survived to be so hyper-vigilant, even in sleep.

She reached out and ran a hand through Emma's curls, something she had inexplicably longed to do as Mary Margaret. As she gently pet her daughter for the first time in twenty-eight years, she was gratified when Emma seemed to relax under her tender touch. Regina bustled about in the kitchen area while Snow reveled. For the first time, she was able to knowingly watch over her baby girl, without the fear of what lay beyond the campfires. Regina spoke in to the quiet. "Dinner is almost ready."

"Thank you, Regina. I'll wake Emma." Still petting Emma, Snow slightly increased the pressure, then moved to stroke her shoulder. "Emma. Emma, wake up sweetie."

Emma jolted into a seated position, mumbling, "Wha? I'm awake. Huh?" As usual, her body and her mind didn't wake up at quite the same pace.

Snow gentled her, "Emma, it's okay. Calm down. I just wanted you to know dinner's ready."

"Oh. Yeah, okay. Thanks. What can I do to help?" Emma offered, slightly more alert now.

"Nothing, sweetie, we'll take care of it."

"Actually, Miss Swan," Regina interjected, "why don't you practice what I taught you earlier so we have something to drink."

Snow jumped in defensively. "Wait, you're already teaching her magic? What about our agreement? I'm supposed to be here any time-"

"It's okay, Snow. I asked her to show me how she made the water clean, that's all. But you're right, we agreed that Regina and I would only do magic while you're here. Won't happen again."

Dryly, Regina continued. "Now that that's settled; Miss Swan, if you please?" Regina motioned to the water jug sitting on the table. "When you think you have it, pour some and taste it."

Emma did as instructed, thinking back to Regina's lesson at the stream. She thought about clean, filtered water from her own fridge. After a minute or so of concentration, she opened her eyes and tasted the water. "Yeah, I think I got it! Cool. Snow, you want some?" She held out her cup, which Snow accepted.

"Now, Miss Swan, if you think you can take what I taught you and figure out how to heat the water, I have some leaves we can brew into a tea. Perfectly safe, I assure you," she anticipated. "I'll drink it first if you have doubts." Emma closed her eyes and concentrated. Soon, steam began to rise from the pitcher. As Regina noted a few bubbles forming, she stopped Emma. "I think that's plenty hot enough. We'll work on fine tuning your control another time." As she spoke, Regina placed the leaves in the pitcher. She then turned to the freshly prepared fish and greens, pulling out plates – which she certainly recognized as being from her castle – and dished out equal portions for the three of them. She handed them out, then checked on the tea. Declaring that it looked finished, she reached to pour a cup. In a show of faith, Emma grabbed the jug, poured, and sampled the first taste. She immediately began spluttering.

Concerned, Snow cried "Regina! What did you do?"

Emma caught her breath and calmed her mother. "Easy, Snow. It's okay. I just need to learn how to conjure up some sugar. It's good, just stronger than I expected." Stung by Snow's accusation, but somewhat mollified by Emma's quick defense, Regina took her plate and a cup of tea and retreated to one side of the little shelter. Although she was somewhat chagrined, Snow couldn't bring herself to apologize to the Evil Queen. Instead, she took her portion of food and some tea. With Emma in tow, she returned to the sleeping furs and took a seat. All three dug into the first real meal they'd had since leaving Storybrooke some time the day before. After several bites, Emma looked between Regina and Snow. She swallowed and commented "This is really good. I don't know which of you cooked, but it's delicious."

"Yes, Regina," Snow allowed. "It is very good. Thank you for cooking." It wasn't an apology, but it was all Snow could allow herself for the moment.

"You're welcome. I found in Storybrooke that I quite enjoy cooking. As I explained earlier, I haven't many survivalist skills aside from magic. But, I can cook as my contribution."

"Hey, if this is how good your food usually is, count me in," Emma praised. Regina was startled; gone were the days of Henry telling her how wonderful everything she did was. She looked up and met Emma's gaze. After a few moments, a small smile crept onto her face, almost as though it was afraid it might be unwelcome. They returned to their meals, sitting in silence until they were all done. Emma was again the first to speak, addressing the encroaching night. "So, um, how're we sleeping? Are we taking watches again, or what?

Snow had thought about this already, and posed, "We're a lot safer here than we were last night. There's only one way in, and that's camouflaged pretty well. I don't know how long we'll be here, but how about this? Instead of taking watch in shifts each night, let's just have one of us sleep near the entrance every night. We'll rotate each day so we can all sleep well, but someone is there just in case."

Emma shrugged her approval. "Works for me."

Never one to compliment easily, Regina said, "Try as I might, I can't fault that plan. I can work on setting up a barrier spell as well, but it may be a day or two before I have my magic back under control."

"That's cool Regina. I'll sleep there tonight," Emma offered.

"No, Emma," Snow countered. "Let me. I'm the most acclimated to night sounds in the forest. I'll know better what to be worried about."

"And I'll take tomorrow, since Miss Swan was so kind as to take my watch this morning."

Emma wanted to argue; after all, she took care of others, not the reverse. "I," she started, before seeing the stern looks on both women's faces "...don't really have a choice, do I?"

Almost as though it was rehearsed, Snow and Regina answered in unison. "No."

"Okay." Emma put her hands up in defeat. "Well, thank you. I could definitely use some more sleep. First, though, do I have to use a bush again, or is there a bathroom somewhere?"

"You can use the chamberpot," Snow offered.

"Chamberpot?"

"Well," Regina replied, "lovely though the Enchanted Forest is, it is lacking some of the finer things in life. Like indoor plumbing."

Emma couldn't resign herself to using a chamberpot. "Great. Okay, bush it is. I'll be back."

While Emma was gone, Snow approached a bench and lifted the lid. "I, um, have some spare clothes if you want to borrow some, Regina. There should be enough for you and Emma here."

"I can't help but recognize several items here, Snow. I simply can't imagine how you acquired them," Regina replied, voice heavy with sarcasm.

"I had to survive somehow," Snow retorted.

Regina's only reply was a condescending, "Mm hmm."

"And, I was only reclaiming what was rightfully mine," Snow further defended.

"How do you figure that, dear?"

Snow's voice raised incrementally as she laid out each point. "You banished me from my father's castle! Everything I stole came from his castle and once belonged to him."

"Hey," a quiet voice said.

"Everything I took should have been mine after his death!"

"Hey," slightly louder.

"I know you killed my father!" Snow finished at a yell.

"Your father," Regina responded in kind, "got just what he deserv-"

"HEY!" Emma hollered as loud as she could. "What the hell's going on here?" After a moment of quiet, Snow and Regina started talking over each other. "Shut! Up!" Emma again interrupted. Pointing first to Regina, she continued, "You, go do whatever you do to get ready for bed." With a cold glare and a huff, Regina swept out of the shelter. "You, Snow, come help me clean the dishes from dinner."

Tasks completed and tempers quelled, Emma helped Snow move one of the furs from the pile to the entryway for her bed. Emma sat with Snow for a bit, knowing the woman needed some time to talk and decompress before going to sleep. Mostly, Emma listened as Snow shared memories of her childhood in the castle. Snow didn't notice Regina's stilted, almost pained movement as she spoke, but Emma did. Notably, Regina cringed each time Snow said "Daddy" or "King Leopold." Just as Emma was preparing to change the subject, Snow noted her hesitance. Mistaking the cause, Snow quickly cut herself off and began to apologize – to Emma. "Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. You probably don't want to hear me go on about how great things were, do you? You know I would have given you the same, and more, if I could have, right?"

"No, it's fine," Emma responded. "It's not that. I want to hear your stories, I really do. It's just, we still have a lot to figure out. Maybe, if you're ready to sleep, we should all just go to bed and start fresh in the morning."

"You're right," Snow agreed. "Sleep well. Tomorrow we can start planning."

"Sounds good. G'night, um, Snow. Mom. That still sounds weird."

Snow chuckled fondly. "You call me whichever you prefer. Just not Mary Margaret. I mean, no wonder you used to tease me about acting like a nun." They shared a smile and a hug, which lasted longer than Emma usually allowed. Rising, Emma noticed Regina sitting on the bench, deliberately not looking in their direction. She inquired, "Regina, are you ready to go to bed?"

"Why, Miss Swan, are you propositioning me?" Regina mocked.

"Fine. Whatever. I'm too tired to argue. Take the furs, I'll be over here."

Regina backtracked. She needed to build some kind of trust with this woman if she were to get back to Henry. Even if he never wanted to see her again, she needed to know he was all right. "Miss Swan, Henry would hate me even more than he already does if he found out I made you sleep on the ground."

"Well, I guess we could pull one out a bit to make more room, and share them. I've got my jacket, you use whatever's left to cover up with."

"Very well," Regina agreed.

As they adjusted the furs, Emma quietly said, "He doesn't hate you, Regina. He's just a kid. He's still making sense of the world."

In response, Regina muttered , "Here's some irony for you. A child abused still loves her mother, while a child treasured and adored detests his." Her muttering, though, wasn't quite as quiet as she thought, and Regina became aware that she had slipped up.

"Who are you talking about?" Emma asked.

"Henry, of course," Regina tried to cover, but Emma was too good at catching details.

"No, you said 'a child abused loves her mother.' I know you didn't abuse Henry, and I'm pretty confident he's not a she, too."

Through her teeth, Regina ground out, "Let it go, Miss Swan."

"Come on, Regina. In the last twenty-four hours or so, we've made some pretty powerful magic together, shared meals, and now we're about to sleep together." At this, Emma got the desired reaction – Regina's head snapped up to look at her. Emma chuckled and winked at her, before finishing. "Think you could at least consider calling me Emma?"

That was not what Regina was expecting, and once again Emma Swan had managed to weaken her defenses by throwing out something unexpectedly friendly. "I'll sleep on it," she granted.

The women all settled into their respective "beds," and Emma exchanged good-nights with the others, although they pointedly ignored each other. Regina and Emma lay facing away from each other, Emma closest to Snow of course, with several inches between their backs. After a few minutes, Emma rolled just slightly towards Regina and spoke softly. "He loves you. You know what he said to me when he thought you were in danger? He said 'Even if she is the Evil Queen, she's still my mom.' He wanted to know you'd be protected." A few beats of silence passed, and Emma turned back to her side.

Before long, she heard a quiet voice come from behind her. "How do you know? That I didn't abuse him, I mean. I never have, of course, but you've only been here a few months. So how did you know?"

"Survivors recognize each other. It's just something we learn to sense. If we live long enough, have enough run-ins, we learn to recognize perps, too. I recognize you, Regina, but not as a perp. At least, not where Henry's concerned." Emma felt Regina stiffen at her implications, but there was no denial. Silence again descended over the women as they settled in for rest. Just at the edge of consciousness, Regina thought she felt Emma's sock-clad foot rest briefly against her own heel. Were she not a world-class cynic, Regina might have thought Emma was trying to comfort her; and she couldn't deny that it did ease her fears for the moment.