AN: Thanks again to CS, who found time in a very busy week to go over this. These characters are not mine.

Chapter 12

On arriving at their shelter, Emma and Regina found Snow to be in conference with several birds and a few other forest creatures. Still not quite believing she wasn't imagining all of this, Emma approached her mother to find out if there was any news. As it turned out, the birds had just returned from their reconnaissance mission to the castle, and begun giving their report to Snow. Emma was grateful that she had arrived in time to hear most of the information first hand – er, first feather? She was only mildly surprised to learn that she didn't have to have Snow translate for her. It appeared that she had inherited her mother's ability to communicate with animals. Shortly after realizing this, Emma made a mental note to ask her mother and Regina about something that suddenly puzzled her. Returning her attention to the bird report, Emma realized her mother's feathered friends were almost finished.

Regina, who shared a mutual distrust with most of the animal kingdom, went directly inside and began preparing dinner. Once Snow and Emma were finished gathering intel, they dismissed the assemblage and joined Regina to further discuss plans. Over dinner, Snow filled in Regina and Emma (whose attention wandered more than once the first time) on what the birds had to say. Snow was visibly distressed as she explained that Cora had dismantled most of the nursery that had been intended for Emma. From what the birds reported, most of the furniture and all of the toys, clothes, and miscellaneous items had been removed. From the amount of dust gathered on the floor and what furniture did remain, it was obvious that nobody had visited the room in quite some time. This, the three women took as good news, because the enchanted wardrobe was one of the remaining pieces of furniture. The room being long abandoned meant easier and safer access than if it was currently in use. Now they had to figure out the best way for Emma to distract Cora, so the other two women could access the room.

Although there had not been much activity that day, it had been an emotionally draining one. For women not used to acknowledging those emotions, this made it an exhausting day. After clearing away the dishes and detritus from dinner, Emma stepped outside to have a few moments' peace. She was not surprised when Regina followed her shortly thereafter; their increasingly strong connection let Emma know that all was not resolved in Regina's mind. They sat in quiet contemplation for several minutes. When Emma felt an unusual, but somehow familiar, tug in her chest, she knew it was time to dig for the remainder. "So," Emma prompted Regina, "are you going to tell me what it is you're really afraid of?"

"I've already told you, I'm concerned about Henry."

"And?"

"And what? What are you getting at?" Although this was precisely why she had followed Emma outside, now that the moment was at hand Regina found herself defensive and distinctly uncomfortable. She was both Queen and Mayor, not some weak, simpering girl who talked about her feelings. She may need to talk about this, and Emma Swan may be the only person she would deign to discuss it with, but that didn't mean she had to make it easy on her. If Emma really wanted to know, she'd just have to prove it by working for it a little harder.

"There's something else bothering you. What is it?"

"Very well. If you must know, I find the idea of leaving anyone in my mother's care extremely distasteful." Okay, maybe not all that hard. It had been a very long time since Regina Mills had anything resembling a confidant; apparently, the need for one overrode her desire to maintain the upper hand. She struggled to speak, her thoughts feeling trapped by almost palpable layers of defenses perfected over several decades. Although she still held largely to the conviction that emotions are for reserved for the weak, the decreasingly-Evil Queen pushed through that barrier enough to quietly admit, "Especially someone for whom I've developed some regard." When there was no immediate consequence of this revelation, she continued, "And the idea of you learning magic from her does not sit well either. I know what she is capable of, and I assure you it will not be pleasant." It was the truth, as far as it went.

Quiet though it was, Emma had heard Regina's rare compliment. She was well aware that it had cost her greatly to reveal so much of herself, and knew that she had to choose her response carefully or risk spooking her into an emotional retreat. "I believe you, but there are major differences here. First, I'm not her child. I'm an adult who doesn't need her approval to know who I am. Experience tells me that she'll try to 'woo' me before she shows me her cruel side. That gives us some time." Regina looked away, appearing conflicted, as Emma continued, "I can handle her." Emma paused and studied Regina's profile. Her face was still drawn and tense, looking as though she was fighting with herself about continuing the conversation. Emma gently pushed, "But that's not what you're really worried about, is it?"

Regina briefly glared at Emma, but found she wasn't able to hold it for long, and her expression softened into something like compassion. "It's fine, Miss Swan."

"No. We have to rely on each other for this to work. It's the only way to keep Henry and everyone else safe. So you need to talk to me. You're worried about magic, but not mine. So what is it?"

Taking a deep, steadying breath, Regina revealed, "It's Storybrooke. I know magic is different there, but I don't yet know how. I've adjusted to the changes here, but Storybrooke is an unknown."

"And you're worried you won't have magic?" Emma ventured. Watching Regina closely through the heavy pause that followed, the pieces finally fell together. "No, you're worried that you will have magic, aren't you?"

"Yes, you twit! I am worried that I will have magic and it will further alienate my son!" Regina finally let loose.

"You're afraid you won't be able to resist using dark magic. Why? You've done well so far."

"I wish to be very clear about this," Regina replied tersely. "I am discussing this against my better judgment, and only for Henry's benefit."

"That's fine, as long as we discuss it."

"Understand, Miss Swan, that if you speak of this to anyone, not even Henry will be able to rein in my magic."

"Why do you do that, Regina?"

"I'm sure by now you have enough experience to know the appeal of using magic."

"No, not that. The 'Miss Swan' thing. Every time we have a serious talk or you get anywhere close to being vulnerable, you go back to calling me 'Miss Swan.' Why?"

"Fine, Emma," Regina ground out between clenched teeth, "if you speak of this there will be consequences."

"I get it. Now stop stalling." It was not lost on Emma that there was, quite literally, no one else who could get away with speaking this way to the former Evil Queen.

"It has been easier for me to stay grounded here than it used to be. Something about the connection our magic has established has kept me more...balanced. Perhaps it is also the benefit of years gone by, but the pull to dark magic is minimal. I am concerned that returning to Storybrooke without you will interrupt that balance. Here I have had your training to focus on, as well as looking for a way back. Secluded as we are, there has been relatively little danger to contend with. But we both know that there are some very angry people in Storybrooke who would like nothing more than to exact their revenge on me. Without a counterbalance, it is much more likely that I will protect myself or retaliate using dark magic, and permanently lose Henry in the process."

The last few words brought an uncharacteristic fear to Regina's eyes, before she blinked it away. If Emma hadn't been so intent on her companion, she'd have missed it, but it was there; further confirmation that Regina was the right person to watch over Henry. After a moment deciding how much to share, Emma quietly but confidently assured, "I know a bit about addiction, Regina. I understand your fear. But I think you underestimate yourself, and us. Like it or not, we make a good team." Emma gently nudged Regina with her elbow, a quiet emphasis that they now shared a near-inescapable connection. "We have the daggers. We'll talk as often as we need to. Snow already agreed to talk to Henry about our time here so he knows how much you've changed. With the daggers, I'll be able to talk to him too. We can talk to him together. He's angry and confused, but you're his mom. You won't lose him."

Although her stiff posture and worried countenance eased somewhat, Regina only responded with, "Hmmm." As if suddenly making a decision, she then said, "Well, it is late and we have much to do tomorrow in preparation for this insane plan of yours. I'll be retiring now. Good night."

Emma watched Regina reenter the shelter and sat outside for a few more minutes, pondering. Movement to one side caught her attention, and she looked up to see Graham's wolf watching her. She had seen brief glimpses through the trees before now, but this was the first time she could fully see the creature. It stood watching her with interest, before taking a few steps away. It the paused and looked back over its shoulder, again catching her eye. Several times it repeated this process, until Emma got the message – it wanted her to follow. As she rose and approached, the wolf trotted away, fast enough to maintain a distance it was comfortable with, but slow enough for Emma to follow. Several minutes later, it stopped, looked at her again, and disappeared into the forest. As Emma tried to figure out where it had gone, Graham stepped out and greeted her. "Emma, hi."

"Graham! How are you?"

"I'm well. How are you? Regina hasn't harmed you?"

Slightly annoyed, but understanding of his continued mistrust, Emma said, "No, she's actually trying very hard to change. She doesn't want to lose Henry, and she knows she will if she goes back to being the Evil Queen."

Clearly disbelieving, Graham asked only, "And how is that going?"

"Surprisingly well. She and Snow will never be BFFs, but they are working together as well as can be expected. We have a plan to get them back to Storybrooke, and..."

"Whoa, wait. What do you mean 'get them back to Storybrooke?' Aren't you going too?"

"Eventually, yes. But there's something I have to take care of here first."

"What could be so important that you would stay here alone?"

"Cora." At Graham's confused look, she explained, "Regina's mother. She is the one who created the Evil Queen. She's also the one now going by Snow White. I have to stay here to deal with her. And before you try to warn me," she cut off the inevitable protest, "I know. I know what I'm getting into here. But I have to do it. And I'm not as alone as they think I am. I know if I need help I can count on you."

"Of course you can, Emma, but be careful. The reason I met you here tonight, there's been talk in the village. The old widow Millie has been asking about you. She wants to know if anyone's seen you or knows where to find you."

"Okay, that's good actually. I can make that work in our favor. Graham, Millie is Cora. We think that's how she keeps on top of the local gossip, by visiting settlements in disguise. Look, don't tell her anything. I'll figure out how to use that to help us. Hey, I'd better get back before they start to worry. Snow's already upset enough about having to separate again, and Regina's kinda freaking out about having to deal with her mother."

"Okay Emma. Can you find your way back?"

"Um, eventually. Maybe. I suppose I could use magic, I've been working on using it to track wildlife. Maybe I could use the same idea to track our prints in reverse." The last bit trailed off, as Emma was clearly thinking out loud. The two friends said their goodbyes, and Emma did indeed apply her magic to find her way back. As she approached their temporary home, she noticed Snow standing outside, looking around. She appeared to be nearly frantic, until Emma called out, "Mom, I'm right here!"

Snow let out a relieved breath and hurried to Emma, asking, "Where have you been? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I promise. I've been...I met with someone." Emma paused, looking around to ensure that there was no one to overhear her revelation. "Okay, he doesn't want me to tell Regina, which I guess I can understand, but I think you'd like to know." At Snow's impatient look Emma confessed, "I won't be as alone here as you think. Graham is here, alive."

"Graham? You mean Sheriff Graham, the Huntsman?"

"That's the one. He said Regina did something to his heart that sent him back here in an altered state. When the curse broke, he remembered himself and has been living as he did before. He told me that Millie has been asking about me in the village, I thought maybe we could use that. He also gave me a whistle, like the one he made for you, in case I ever need him."

"Thank you for telling me. I still don't like this idea, but I do feel better knowing you won't be completely alone." Snow and Emma had arrived back at the shelter by this time, and decided it was time to turn in for the night. Regina was sound asleep on the makeshift bed, and Snow volunteered for door duty. Emma made her way to the bed and settled herself next to Regina, who shifted slightly. As Regina's forearm came into contact with Emma's back, something inside both women eased and allowed them a peaceful sleep.