AN: Thanks to contrite shadow for taking the time to review this before leaving town. You are seriously awesome. Any of you who haven't read her stuff yet, go and read. To the Guest reviewer and anyone else confused or wondering, yes this is SwanQueen. Eventually. I'm taking a circuitous route to get there, but it will get there. Thanks again for all the reviews etc. I'm curious if anyone knows who Edgewood Dirk is and what that exchange in the previous chapter referenced, aside from the obvious Alice in Wonderland.

*For anyone not familiar with the term, LMFT stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. It seemed appropriate as these three are increasingly interacting like a family in order to do what needs done.

Chapter 11

Snow intercepted Emma before she could leave, and placed her hands on Emma's shoulders. "Please, Emma, we need to talk about this."

"Yes, we do. I was hoping if I gave you time to think, maybe we could talk more in a few minutes."

"No, let's talk about it now. I need to understand why you think this is a good idea. You don't know what this world is like. You don't know what Cora is like. At this point, not even Regina and I really know what this world is like. And if Cora is someone Regina's afraid of, how can you ask me to just turn you over to her and leave? Emma, how can I possibly leave you in Cora's care?"

"I think this much is something best left between you two. I'll be by the stream," Regina stated as she moved to leave the shelter. Emma could tell she was clearly uncomfortable, and not just about the conversation between her and Snow, but decided to leave it for the time being and deal with Snow's concerns first. Maintaining eye contact with Regina, Emma nodded her acknowledgement, then turned back to her mother.

"I know it sounds crazy," Emma started.

"You're darn right it does! Why would you possibly want to stay here, alone, with Cora? Emma, we just found each other again. Why do you want to separate us already?"

"It's not that. I promise, it's not that I want to."

"Then what is it? Even if I agreed that someone has to stay and someone has to go, why this way? What makes you think Regina and I should both go back? I understand someone needs to look out for Henry, but both of us? And don't you think you'd be better protected if one of us stayed with you?"

Emma took a deep breath. She knew this would be a hard sell from the moment she thought of it, so she had carefully considered her points. "Okay, here's the thing. As far as Storybrooke, it's not just about Henry. It's everyone. If we send just Regina back, I'd bet there's a good chance someone will try to kill her right away. I can't let that happen, for Henry. Also, I know you've seen the changes in her." Snow nodded; despite their lingering tension, she had noticed. At this silent acknowledgment, Emma continued, "If we send just you back, you don't have magic, right?"

"No, but what does that matter? That's nothing new."

"Perhaps not, but the balance is. Think about this. Right now, with the three of us here, Gold, aka Rumpelstiltskin is on his own in Storybrooke without Regina to counterbalance him. From what I understand, it seems like their constant scheming managed to, somewhat, keep each other in check. And now Regina is increasingly on our side, especially for Henry's benefit. Gold seems pretty clearly to be only on his own side. So if you go back, without magic, who offsets Rumpelstiltskin?"

"What about Mother Superior?" At Emma's confused look, Snow clarified, "The Blue Fairy?"

"Well, you know more about that then I would. Is her magic inherent?"

Snow shook her head. "No, actually. It's dependent on fairy dust."

"Okay. We have no idea if they've found any, or if there even is any in Storybrooke. So she may or may not be able to help." Emma moved to her next point. "Regina can't stay and help from here, if I am working with Cora."

"Which I still don't understand," Snow reiterated.

"I'm getting there, Mom, I'm getting there." Placated by the endearment, Snow nodded. "Regina's already explained the magic link. If she stays, she will be found out by Cora, and so will I. For this to work, I have to be able to fool Cora."

"But wouldn't the link that you've established with Regina help you?"

"Absolutely. I'm counting on it, in fact. I believe that, if for no other reason than our bond through Henry, that link is strong enough to work between realms. I'm counting on being able to use that bond to keep in communication with all of you once you return to Storybrooke, and to bring you back here when the time is right."

"So you do plan on us coming back here, then."

"Of course. I know how important this land is to you, I've seen how much it means to you to be back here. We will take it back from Cora, and defeat her." Usually one to act before thinking, Emma found that all of this talking was giving her time to question herself. She didn't like it. Putting as much conviction in her voice as she could, which was considerably more than she actually felt, Emma summed up her points. "I need to know more about Cora, as she is now, in order to do that. You can't do it. And it isn't safe for Regina to try. I'm the only one that has even a small chance."

Snow still looked concerned, but the tension showing in her features eased somewhat. "Emma, I'm really proud of you. I know talking through things hasn't always been your way. Opening up like you have can't be easy for you. Thank you for taking time to explain what you're thinking."

"So you agree?"

"Honestly, I guess I have to. I don't have to like it, though I see your points. But you must stay in touch with me." Her tone almost a plea, Snow added, "I cannot lose you again."

"No, you won't. I know you and Regina aren't exactly used to being on the same side, but I believe we can do this if we all do it together." Emma moved in to hug her mother. After a moment she took a step back and said, "I'm going to go check on Regina. She has to be at least as upset about this as you are."

Her concern deepening, Snow cautioned, "Emma, Cora is the reason Regina is who she is. You have to be careful."

"I know. I know." Emma gave a small wave and headed towards the nearby stream, where Regina would be waiting.

Several minutes later, Emma found her other companion sitting on a large stone in the shade near the stream. Sitting next to her, she prompted, "So tell me, Regina, what are your objections?"

Barely acknowledging her presence, Regina said, her voice devoid of emotion, "What would it matter if I had any? You've made it quite clear that our input is unwelcome."

"No, that's not what I said Regina. I do want your input. I have a much better chance of succeeding with your help than without. What I meant was that I will do it without if I have to. I hope I don't have to though. So, what is it you have a problem with?"

Finally looking at her, Regina's face twisted in scorn as she said, "Aside from the fact that the whole plan is certifiably insane? Nothing whatsoever."

Frustrated with her – could she be called friend, yet? – companion's childish attitude, Emma said, Look, we've talked about this over and over. There isn't another plan. This is the only way I see to take on Cora, and protect both Fairytale Land and Storybrooke. But I don't know how to blend in here. I need you, both of you, to teach me how to do that. And I need to know that you guys can take care of things back in Storybrooke so I can do my part here." Emma knew enough to be well aware that there was more at play here, and that it would take some work to get it all out in the open finally. She pushed for the next level. "What else?"

Resorting to her usual snark, Regina snapped, "Since when did you become a therapist? What's with all the talking lately?"

Emma took it in stride, having just heard a similar comment from Snow. "Well, Regina, you're right. It is different for me. Usually I just jump in and hope for the best. But look where that's gotten me. My son born in jail, his father abandoning me to take the rap, the whole of last year in Storybrooke. Here we are now in a completely different world. I figure maybe it's time to try something new."

Regina glanced around, seeming uncommonly hesitant. "I'm worried about Henry. He already hates me and thinks I'm evil. And he's right. How will I ever face him if I return to Storybrooke without you? What do I tell him? I will have no chance of winning him back."

"Ok, first of all he's not right. I know you were the Evil Queen, but you're not now." As Regina prepared to protest, Emma pushed on. "Just the fact that you worry about this shows me that much. That foster mom I told you guys about? She never worried what anyone actually thought of her, not in the same way. She worried about her image and reputation, but never about anyone else's actual emotions towards her. Second, Henry's a great kid. I love him dearly, and I know you love him more than anything. But he's also kind of a little shit."

Regina's maternal instincts proved themselves intact when she immediately yelled back, "How dare you?"

"No, let me finish," Emma insisted. "It's not a reflection on you, or really even on him. It's mostly circumstantial. He's preteen, so he's just going into the know-it-all, parents are idiots phase. He's adopted, and no matter how wonderful the adoptive parent may be, that has its own set of identity issues built in. And to top it off, he's incredibly smart as well as stubborn. He must have got his smarts from you," she grinned and nudged Regina with her elbow, "but I think he got a double dose of stubborn from us both."

Her attitude finally softening a little, Regina said, "Surely his father had some impact as well."

Emma's face clouded over slightly as she responded, "Let's not go there." At Regina's raised eyebrow, she conceded, "another time maybe. Anyway, back to my point, he's naturally smart, curious and stubborn. He's at the age to start rebelling, and, frankly, you're used to being in control. When's the last time there was someone you couldn't control, Regina?"

"Other than you?" They both chuckled, but Regina didn't have to think very long to answer that. "It has been a long time since anyone tried to defy me and lived to tell about it. It's also been a long time since I cared enough about someone to allow that. Anyone who dared defy me was soon brought to heel in one way or another. With the possible exception of Rumpelstiltskin – I'm not sure anyone can control him but himself."

"Exactly. But even with Rumpelstiltskin, it seems like you have a sort of uneasy truce where you willfully and knowingly use each other. Henry's the first to try to defy you without it being some kind of twisted game, right?"

"You may have a point." Regina acknowledged, "Well, even if that's all true..."

"Which it is," Emma insisted quietly, ignoring Regina's attempted glare at the interruption.

"It doesn't solve the problem. What do I tell Henry? How do I convince him I've changed? I have lied to him, consistently and for a long time. Why should he believe anything I tell him? I have no credibility left with him, I know that."

"Well, Regina, I think the answer's pretty simple really. You don't do it alone." Regina gave a guarded, but inquisitive, look so Emma went on. "We've established that Henry may not trust you right now, but I told you before, he does love you." Regina looked away to hide the doubt in her eyes. "And as much as you don't like it, he does also love and trust Snow."

"Yes," Regina sneered, "I'm sure she and Charming will be quite happy to step in and take my place."

"No one can take your place Regina. You're his Mom. And he knows that, somewhere. In time, he'll remember. But for now, you may have to accept their help."

"Assuming I would accept any help from them, what makes you think Snow would help me?"

"Because I'll tell her to. I'll still be here, but Snow will be going back with you. She will support your story, both to Henry and to the town, and I'll make sure she keeps you safe."

"Keeps me safe? Why would you make that promise?"

"Well, for Henry obviously. But also because we will need you to defeat Cora, and if we have any chance of taking on Gold."

"What? We've never discussed that!"

"Never mind, I'm getting ahead of myself. One certifiably insane plan at a time, right? Anyway, you're changing Regina. I see it and, even though you probably don't care, Snow sees it as well. I'll make sure she knows that I expect her to help you and Henry reconnect. Trust me, as a mother who left her child I can promise you that she feels enough guilt over me to do this for me, even if she doesn't like it."

"You're going to play on her emotions?" Regina was simultaneously impressed and abashed. "It wasn't her doing, you know. I enacted the curse."

"That you did, and believe me you and I have our share of issues about that. But it wasn't you that chose to put me in a magic tree, by myself, minutes after I was born, and send me alone to a world no one knew anything about. That was all her and Charming. But that's between me and Snow." Regina simply acknowledged her words with a slight nod before Emma continued. "And, you will have me, in a sense. Those daggers we enchanted, won't they work between realms? That's what all the stories say; that you watched other realms through your mirrors."

"Well, they should, but we can't know that for sure. Remember, magic is different there and we haven't had time to learn how different yet. But, theoretically yes, they should work."

"So, I'll be able to talk to Henry and let him know I'm okay. I'll be able to stay in contact with you and let you know what's going on with Cora, and talk to Snow about her kingdom. You won't be doing it alone anymore, Regina." Emma had sensed a shift as she spoke her last comments, and suspected she had touched on a deeper reason for Regina's dislike of her plan. She was unsure, though, whether to pursue it yet or whether to back off for a bit. Regina provided the answer for her.

"Well, it is getting late in the day. We should return so I can start on dinner. Shall we?" With that, Regina rose and turned back towards the path to the shelter, leaving no doubt that, at least for now, their conversation was over.