AN: Thank you all for the reviews etc, I truly appreciate them all. Thanks as always to contrite shadow and to my wife. I've struggled a bit with where to wrap this chapter up and with getting the next one underway. I hope to have the next one up in the next few days, as I've finally got some pieces fitting together in my mind (so many jokes, so few appropriate).
To the Guest reviewer Cora'sHeart, who asked about SwanThief in either this fic or another, with all due respect, never gonna happen in my 'verse. Maybe as a flashback plot point, since Nealfire is Henry's father and Emma's ex, but it will never be endgame for me. That would be like breaking up Rizzles, Caskett, or God forbid Xena and Gabriel. Long live SwanQueen! On with the show...
Chapter 10
Emma knew her plan would not be popular. She was convinced, however, that it was the only chance they had of achieving all their goals. She decided she would try to get as many questions answered as possible before presenting her plan, so she could make an ironclad case. It would take nothing less to persuade Snow and Regina to hear her out, much less agree. The fact that it was in her nature to be tenaciously curious, and that both Snow and Regina had been instructing her, worked in her favor. Unwittingly, Snow herself provided the perfect opening when she asked a question of Regina. "Regina, how did you recognize Cora if she didn't look like herself?"
"You remember Emma's explanation of how our magic is now somewhat connected?"
"Yes."
"In much the same way, I recognize the feel of my mother's magic. It's like recognizing someone's scent or voice. Each person's magic is unique to them. Since I have been around my mother's until I...sent her away, I am very familiar with it."
This was good, Emma needed to know this. She asked, "Do we need to worry that she recognized yours as well?"
"It's possible, but unlikely. First, she's not expecting me to be here. Also, I believe she was thoroughly distracted by Emma the Cat and may not have even noticed she had company. I identified her magical 'scent' right away, because I was already concentrating on taking in everything we experienced in feline form."
"If our magic is linked, could she have sensed you through me?"
"No. Theoretically, yes, it would be possible to link magics through a third party, but it would require deliberate intention by at least two of those involved. For someone as powerful and experienced as my mother, she could search one person for traces of foreign energy but it would require greater concentration. She might notice that something felt peculiar or even familiar, but from the interaction I observed she did not recognize it as me."
"You're certain?"
"She's my mother. I am quite certain."
"What about hiding your energy from her, is that possible?" Emma continued.
"Again, not likely. For short periods such as our encounter, the element of surprise makes it possible. But magic is not like a perfume you can just not put on, it is an integral part of who we are."
"How near her could you get without being at risk?"
"It depends. There are things that can be done to camouflage for short periods, but again she is very powerful. It would not be easy for me to fool her for long." Left unspoken was the fact that, for many reasons, Cora was Regina's weakness, second only to Henry. Deceiving the woman who had raised and molded the Evil Queen was not just difficult; it was terrifying. Having any interaction with her, for any reason, was one of the few things left that could intimidate Regina Mills. Regina felt that she had been on the wrong end of questioning for long enough, now, and it was time to reassert her authority. "Why the interrogation, Miss Swan?"
"'Miss Swan?' Really? It's still just 'Emma,' ok. And it's not an interrogation, just...information gathering."
"Very well, Emma, why the 'information gathering' then?"
"In a minute, Regina. I'm still working something out. Snow, you mentioned the wardrobe is in the old nursery. Assuming we can get into your castle, how long would it take to get there?"
"Well," Snow began, "that depends, Emma. We don't know what changes Cora's made, if it's even still there or not. Oh, God, Cora's living in my castle! We have to get her out, but how can we get past her?"
Knowing that they would almost certainly be resistant to her plan, Emma took a deep breath before continuing, "Just...work with me, okay? Regina, is there a way to check inside the castle for the wardrobe?"
"Again, Emma, it's risky or I would have done it sooner. If my magic touches the castle, if any magic does, Cora likely has wards set to alert her. She will know immediately, and probably will know our location as well."
"Damn. Okay. How else," Emma muttered to herself, trailing off before turning back to her other companion. "Snow! What about the animals, could you ask them to look for you?" Shaking her head a little, she muttered, "I can't believe that sentence just came from my mouth."
Snow chuckled but confirmed, "Yes, I can ask them. The birds especially should be able to check freely and report back."
"Good. Regina, do you think you and I have enough of a grasp on magic here, now, to activate the wardrobe? Or do we need more time?"
Her manner wary, Regina replied, "No, I think we are nearly ready. Do you intend to share your plan with us?"
"Not yet. I'm sorry, I really just need you both to trust me. I'm still working it out."
"Emma, honey, we should work it out together."
Turning her apprehensive glance to Snow, Emma assured her, "We will, once I have just a little more information. I promise."
"Emma, as much as this entire sentence pains me, your mother is right," Regina visibly, perhaps exaggeratedly, winced, "we should discuss any plans together."
"I know. I know. Just, please, for Henry's sake, trust me just a little further. Please." Reluctantly, both Regina and Snow nodded their assent. "Thank you. Really."
"All right, so what other information do you need before you can fill us in, here?" Snow asked.
"Let's start with finding out about that wardrobe. You don't think it will be difficult to find a bird willing to help us, do you?"
"No, not at all. The birds and animals were trapped in stasis too, and the older ones still remember me. I've already met with some who said they weren't fooled but didn't know how to find me. I think they'll be happy to help," Snow assured.
"Cool. See if you can get some of them to check out the castle. Find out where the wardrobe is, if it's easy to get to, anything else strategic that we may need to know. How long do you think that will take?"
Snow pondered that for a second. "Not long, a few hours at most. What will you be doing?"
"There's a couple of things I want to work on with Regina. Go do your Dr. Dolittle thing and just have them meet you back here with the reports. Once they leave for the castle, come back and I should be ready to fill you in."
"I hope so, Emma. I'd really like to know what you're thinking. Ok. I'll be back soon."
As Snow left and prepared to consult her forest friends, Regina spoke. "And what did you have in mind for us while your mother is off talking to the animals?"
"We need a way to communicate. If we were still in my world, we'd each have cell phones or at least radios in case we need to separate for any reason. I know you don't exactly have iPhones here, but is there something we can use? Also, protection. I need a weapon. I have my gun, but I only have so many bullets and no way to buy more. Of course I have the magic, but I'd rather have a weapon as well," Emma explained.
"That's easy enough, actually. We can take care of both things pretty easily, and it wouldn't hurt us all to have a small, easily concealed weapon just in case. You say you have your gun and some bullets; do you have at least three?" When Emma confirmed that she did, Regina continued. "Good. Then it is time to teach you a new magical skill. We will take the bullets and the gun itself, and we will make them into something else. We will then enchant each one so that it may be used to communicate with the others."
"Cool!" Emma carefully pulled out the weapon and ammunition, setting them separately on the table in the shelter. She listened closely as Regina explained how they would use the properties of the metal the ammunition was composed of. Using magic they would modify those properties until they had a strong, durable metal. They would do the same with the gun. At the same time, they would elongate and flatten both ammunition and weapon, reshaping as desired, eliminating the open spaces so that it was one solid piece. When finished, they would have a selection of daggers and one sword. They started with the bullet-daggers, since they were smaller and less complex. From there, Regina guided Emma on how to create the sword she would carry. Once the new weapons were made, Regina taught Emma how to enchant them, much as she once did to her many mirrors. Emma asked if just anyone would be able to use them. One advantage, Regina explained, to magic over cellphones was the ability to be extremely specific. Each blade would be enchanted to only recognize the other blades they had created, and if they chose they could further specify that each blade respond only to the person who would be carrying it.
Since the sword would clearly be Emma's, they began the enchantment process with it, and linked it only to Emma. For the other blades, after some discussion they determined it would be best to bind the enchantment to the three women but not to specify each blade to one person. Having come to that conclusion, they had to await Snow's return before they could finish the enchantment. While they waited, Emma had a question for Regina. "You mentioned earlier that you haven't seen your mother since you sent her away. What did you mean by that?"
"Just what I said. I sent her away." Regina could tell by Emma's stubborn expression that she was clearly not going to drop this, so she elaborated. "Fine. Rumpelstiltskin gave me a gift just before I married King Leopold. He told me it would solve my problems with my mother, but not what it was. It was wrapped up, and Mother ripped the paper off of it, revealing a looking glass, what your world calls a mirror. At Rumpel's direction, I pushed Mother towards it. It was a portal, and she passed through it into another realm, called Wonderland."
"Wonderland?" Emma was incredulous but tried not to laugh. She really should be getting used to this by now. "Your mother is the Queen of Hearts? Let me guess, her favorite pet is a sometimes-invisible cat."
"How do you know about Edgewood Dirk?"
"Edgewood who?"
"Dirk. My mother's prism cat."
"What the hell's a prism cat? I'm talking about the Cheshire cat."
"What is a Cheshire cat?"
"It's, well, it disappears sometimes and all you can see is a big smile."
"Yes, Mother's prism cat, Edgewood Dirk."
"My head hurts."
"Well, then, perhaps you should stop straining it by trying to think." Just as Emma went to respond with a no-doubt sharp retort, Snow returned from her task.
"Okay, Emma, a contingent of birds is on the way to do reconnaissance for us. Now, will you please fill us in?"
"Almost, one last thing. Regina showed me how to turn my weapon and ammo into a sword and daggers. We're going to enchant them so we can talk to each other in case we get separated. Once that's done, I'll tell you what I'm thinking." Emma could see clearly that both Regina and Snow were increasingly suspicious, but so far they hadn't pushed her. She knew that she was running out of slack, though, and would have to present her case very soon. Again under Regina's guidance, Emma carried out the necessary enchantment. Once that was done, she took a deep breath and prepared to be soundly shot down. "Okay, let me just tell you first, you will not like this plan. I know you won't. But I've thought about it from all angles. Regina, as much as you give me a hard time, I think even you have to acknowledge that I'm not a complete idiot." Regina readily nodded, because it was true that Emma had more than proven herself. Accepting the compliment with a quiet smile, Emma continued, "So, while I know the first thing you're both going to say is 'no', I need you to hear me out. This is the only way to protect Storybrooke, and Fairytale Land, and get back to our families and friends." Her heart beating faster at the enormity of what she was planning to do, Emma concluded, "You have to leave me here. Let Cora think she's got a new trainee to take on, while you two go back home."
The first to recover from the hushed aftershock of this declaration, Snow exclaimed, "No! Absolutely not, Emma, I will not leave my daughter again!"
"Miss Swan that is ridiculous and dangerous. There is no way I am going to tell Henry, or anyone else in Storybrooke, that I just handed you over to my mother."
"Is that all?" Emma asked. Both of her companions spluttered, until Snow spoke again.
"What do you mean 'is that all?' Emma, this is crazy."
"I mean, go ahead and get your objections out now, so we can discuss this. Because this is going to happen. We can plan it together, or I can do it alone, but this is what has to happen. Snow, Regina, you both tend to forget that I did have a life before Storybrooke. I took care of myself for many years, and in many settings. So don't dismiss my experience just because I'm not from Fairytale Land. Now, either we discuss this together, or I go to the village by myself and stand around until 'Millie' wanders along and finds me. Your choice." With that ultimatum set, Emma turned and prepared to exit to allow each woman time to process what had been said.