Chapter 2:

Regina tapped her fingers on the desk. Grasping a pen, she wrote in one fluid movement. Her eyebrows pulled together. Frustration filling her features. Those words weren't right. She took the paper and scrunched it up into a ball tossing it to the side. Why could she grasp what to say?

Her door opened. Regina quickly looked up. It was Henry.

She relaxed into a smile. "Hey, how was school?"

He shrugged, "It was good, I guess."

Regina stood, straightening her skirt. "Let's go home. I have a surprise for you."

Henry frowned. "What do you mean? You never have surprises."

She picked up her purse. "Well I do now. I think you'll like this, in fact I'm sure of it."

Henry stopped to look at his mother.

Regina kept walking, pausing at the door. "Henry it would do best not to dawdle. It would be rude to keep our guest waiting."

Blinking Henry ran after her.

….

Keys at hand Regina opened the door. Henry slowly walked past her and smiled.

"Emma!"

He ran forward tackling the blonde in a hug.

Emma found her balance and hugged him back. "Hey yourself."

"What are you doing here?" He asked quickly.

Regina couldn't help but notice how his face really did light up around Emma. He really did love her, more than he would ever love her.

Emma's lips tugged up in a lazy grin. "I thought I'd come over, see how your were, your mum thought it would be a good idea."

Henry turned to look at Regina. "Really?"

Regina face softened. "Yes. Now go and do you homework."

He rolled his eyes, "Yes mum." Henry quickly grabbed Emma's hand. "Come on, my room's upstairs."

Regina watched them walk up the stairs and her smile broke. How could she ever be loved, when her own son didn't even care about her?

….

Regina picked up the plates. Henry was in bed, sleeping soundly. She set them down in the sink with a clunk.

She gripped the counter. A flash of pain struck. She leaned forward until as the pain passed.

There was a soft clink. Regina looked up to see Emma as she placed the glasses down.

"You did a good thing," Emma took in a deep breath. "I know that wasn't easy for you, but I think I miss judged you. Your not all that bad."

Regina looked down at the plates, twisting the tap. "Henry would say otherwise. You don't have apologise Miss Swan. It would appear I was rather hasty in my opinion of you. Your not completely terrible. You can come over more often. Henry really seems to look up to you."

Emma paused. "He's a good kid you know. I can't believe your all that bad. I mean, you did raise him. I was wondering though, how did you name him?"

Regina took the sponge, "It was the name of my father. He passed away a long time ago. He was the only person that loved me, he had stood by me no matter what."

Emma faltered. "I'm sorry...how did he die?"

Regina dropped the glass, a flash of pain reeled into her mind. Falling forward she grabbed the counter.

"I don't know Miss Swan."

It was after those words Regina slumped, her legs giving out. Emma reached forward and grabbed her. Regina had completely blacked out.

Emma quickly felt for the woman's pulse. It was racing. Her eyes widened. She grabbed for her mobile and dialled quickly.

"Hello, it's an emergency. At the Mill's residence. Regina has collapsed."

….

The ambulance came, sirens blazing with lights flashing.

Henry rushed down the stairs, still in his pyjamas, with hair ruffled. He jumped down the last of steps and quickly opened the door.

He stood froze. Regina was in a stretcher.

Emma turned to see him at the door. Henry's face contorted into a frown. He just stood there watching. This wasn't supposed to happen, not like this. She was meant to be The Evil Queen. So why was she the one in a stretcher on her way to hospital?

Something just didn't add up.

Emma took off her jacket and put it around Henry's shoulders. "Your mum's going to fine."

Henry looked up at her. "What's wrong with her? She was fine a few minutes ago."

Emma spoke softly. "We were just talking and she collapsed. No one actually knows what's wrong with her, but everyone is doing their best Henry."

Henry watched as the ambulance doors shut. "This isn't suppose to just happen. She's meant to be evil."

Emma knelt down next to him, "Your mum isn't evil Henry and she does care about you. Don't say that about her, okay."

….

Regina's eyes flickered open. She was in a white room filled with sunlight. She was in a bed wearing hospital gown.

Sighing she leaned back. Her head was killing her.

How did her father die? She had no idea...but how was that possible? He was her farther. What type of daughter doesn't know how their father died?

There was a knock at her door. She looked up. It was Emma.

Closing the door the blonde pulled up a chair. "Hey."

"Hello," Regina replied in an unsuccessful attempt to keep the sleep out of her voice. "Where is Henry?"

Emma fingers ran through her hair. "He's at school. He spent the night at Granny's with me. They had an extra room."

Regina nodded, her fingers slowly taming her hair. "Thank you."

Another knock at the door. It was the doctor.

Emma quickly stood to leave, giving the doctor a sharp nod.

She paused at the door. "Regina, if you need any help, I'm here to talk to."

Regina gave her a small grateful smile. "Thank you but you've done enough. It would appear I don't have much of a choice. Could you please take care of Henry, until I've recovered?"

Emma just stood there. She wasn't expecting that smile. "Sure thing, Henry's a great kid. I like spending time with him."

Regina sunk into her pillow, her smile disappeared. "Why wouldn't you? You are his mother after all."

Emma left the room and leaned against the wall. Confusion filled her features. Regina looked so tired, as if she were giving up.

….

The doctor closed the door. "I've run all sorts of tests. The standard and any other I can think of. There doesn't appear to be anything physically wrong with you. What sorts of symptoms have you been experiencing lately?"

Regina rubbed her forehead. "Terrible headaches. They've been coming and going. Disorientation. Memory loss."

He paused. "What kind of memory loss? Could you elaborate?"

She stared at the bland ceiling. "I once found myself it the most odd place without any recollection how I got there and I can't remember things that happened years ago. Like how my father died, but how is that possible?"

He looked down at his clipboard. "Maybe it's physiological. Perhaps you should book an appointment with Mr Hopper. I'm sure a consultation could help. Have you been overworked? Are you getting enough sleep?

She replied seriously. "I'm working just as I always have. I'm hardly working any more than I have in the past."

The man spoke seriously. "Then please consider Mr Hopper as an option. I can't stress just how important your mental health is."

She replied offhandedly, "I'll consider it. When will I be able to leave?"

He checked the clipboard, "We'd like to keep you overnight for observation. You'll be free to go in the morning."

Regina leaned into the bed. She had no intention to meet Mr Hopper, or any physiologist for that matter. That was final. With that final thought Regina drifted off to sleep.