A/N Could be some triggers in this. This was my favorite chapter even if it's angsty.
*Flashback*
Regina was always late. Her mother hated it. She would scold her daughter and punish her time and time again but it never helped. Regina hopes her mother won't notice her tardiness to tea time. But, she wasn't so lucky.
"Regina Maria Mills!" Cora calls viciously to her fifteen year old daughter. "Where have you been?"
"Daddy and I were-" Cora cuts her off harshly.
"I did not tell you to speak!" The woman exclaims. She reaches out and slaps her daughter on the cheek. Regina knows better than to cry, but she can still feel her lip quiver. "Stop that or I'll give you a scar to match that one." Cora gestures to the scar on Regina's lip she'd had since she was ten years old. Cora had been pretty proud of it.
"I-I am sorry, mother." Regina manages when she realizes Cora is waiting for her to respond.
"Sorry is not going to cut it this time." Cora says flicking her wrist. Regina flies to the room and is held to the walls by what appears to be tree branches. "You will stay here until I come back." Not that Regina had a choice.
Regina had been left there for two days. When Cora released her she was hungry and in pain but Cora had sent her to bed without food. Regina's father had managed to sneak her some biscuits and tea but Cora had found out and Regina knew he'd paid the price. It was the first time Regina felt hate for her mother. She could feel the anger build inside her. She vowed to herself that she would never become her mother.
6: The Queen of Hearts watches as her daughter enters the vault. From her hiding place Cora could tell that her daughter was on the edge. She looked like she was walking on eggshells. It was now or never. Cora poofs herself right beside her daugher who, in return, lets out a startled yelp.
"Hello my darling." The elder women smiles. "It's been a long time."
"Mother." Regina gasps. She was really here. "What are you doing in Storybrooke? How is this even possible?" Regina is rambling and shaking. "What do you want?"
"Isn't it obvious? I came to see my daughter." Cora announces sounding proud. "I missed you, Regina."
"You can't be here." Regina begins to back away from her mother.
"Why? Is it because of Emma...or maybe Henry?" Cora grins, causing Regina's heart to sink.
"You stay away from them!" Regina commands with much more strength than she felt. "If you lay so much as a finger on either of-"
"I'm not here to hurt them or you, my dear." Cora takes the opportunity to reach for her daughter and grasp her hands. "I'm here to help you with the one thing you've always wanted-to destroy Snow White." Regina yanks her hands away.
"No!" She exclaims. "I won't let you! Henry and Emma would be so hurt!"
"Oh don't tell me you've grown fond of your step-daughter after all this time." Cora laughs a cold and throaty chuckle. "Tell me, dear, do you really think she'll ever let you and Emma be happy?"
"I just have to prove to her that I've changed-"
"Regina dear, you and Snow have too much past together. You'll never get another chance. Now, the princess took one love from you...are you honestly willing to risk her taking another?"
Emma just couldn't fall asleep. She'd been awake for hours in her room at Snow and David's loft. She was far too worried about Regina and sleep felt impossible. She closes her eyes again, hoping to maybe fall into a light slumber. Suddenly there's a thud at her window. A bird? It wouldn't surprise her considering who her mother is.
Emma opens the window to see a dove with a note around its neck. Her heart nearly explodes when she recognizes Regina's familiar scribble.
Emma, I am fine. Tell Henry I love him and will see you both soon. Also, keep an eye on Snow, Don't let her out of your sight!
-Love, Regina.
Emma sets the letter down and slowly sinks onto the mattress. Something was definitely wrong. Regina may have said she was fine but Emma knew better. Cora must have something planned. Emma needed to get to Regina before it was too late.
Regina was trying to come up with a plan to stop her mother without anyone getting hurt. Despite everything, Cora was still her mother and she loved her. There had to be something she could to protect everyone involved.
Meanwhile Snow was also trying to protect her family. Emma and Henry could never truly be safe with Cora around. Snow never believed they were safe with Regina in the first place; now the danger had doubled. There was only one person who could help her.
"Gold, I need your help." Snow announces, entering the old pawn shop.
"Ah yes, with the Queen of Hearts I presume. I hear she has reunited with her daughter." Gold replies looking rather smug.
"I think we want the same thing here, Gold." Snow takes a deep breathe. "And that's to get rid of Cora."
"Are you willing to pay the price?" The imp asks mischievously. Snow nods.
"I have to protect my family." Snow answers firmly. Gold reaches into the glass cabinet and pulls out an item.
"I believe you know how this works." The candle in Gold's hands brings back memories of her mother's untimely death. Yes, Snow knew all too well of the power's this weapon possessed.
"Her heart rests in Regina's vault." Gold adds. "Now, get to it, Dearie.
Snow feels a chill run down her spine as she whispers Cora's name. She had done it, now all that was for the heart to be returned to its owner. Footsteps are suddenly heard in the crypt. Snow whips around and is faced to face with her step-mother.
"What are you doing here?" Regina demands before she realizes what Snow is holding. "Is-is that my mother's heart?" Snow has to think quickly.
"She can never love you fully without it. Please Regina, take it and do what's right." Snow begs. Regina knew this was the key to everything. Cora wouldn't kill anyone if she had her heart in and Regina would finally have the family she'd always wanted.
"Thank you." Regina says accepting the heart into her own hands.
Emma enters the vault from the opposite side just as Regina disappears up the steps. The blonde knows from the look on her mother's face that she'd just done something horrible. Emma had a very bad feeling about this.
"Mary Margaret, what did you do?" Emma asks coldly. In a trembling voice Snow tells Emma about the candle and explains how Cora would did once Regina placed her heart back in her chest. "How could you do that to her!? She's going to kill her own mother and she has no idea!"
"Emma you need to get used to the fact that you your safety is my number one priority." Snow's reply is patronizing and it pisses Emma off.
"No! She was trying to protect you! Regina was trying to stop Cora from hurting you! I….I can't even look at you right now!"
"Emma-" Snow doesn't even get the word out before her daughter bolts from the bolt. With a sigh, the princess follows. Emma's full on sprinting toward Mifflin street. She just hoped she wasn't too late.
Regina calls out to her mother, who is currently coming up with ways to get to Snow. Honestly, Regina was surprised Snow had helped her, Maybe they really could mend things. This could be the first step in building a new relationship with Emma's family.
"Regina I think I know how we can-" Regina cuts Cora off.
"Mother I have a new plan." Just as Regina shoves the organ back into Cora's chest, Emma and Snow bust in.
"Stop!" Snow exclaims. Before Regina can question her, Cora collapses.
"Mother!" Regina cries. "I-I don't understand! What-What's happening?" She sinks the floor clutching her mother. Cora reaches out and cups her daughter's cheek.
"This would have been enough….you...would have been enough." Cora manages. Her eyes close for the final time and Regina lets out a sob.
"Regina I-" Emma shushes her mother. Whatever she was about to say would do absolutely no good. It would only hurt Regina more and Emma was not going to let that happen.
"You should go." Emma says before moving to pull Regina from Cora's lifeless body. She holds Regina close as if she's a small child.
"My...my mother's dead." Regina sobs against her girlfriend. "I killed her."
"No." Emma says glaring a frozen-in-place Snow. "She did."
A/N So there it is. I hope you guys liked it. Chapter 7 is a bit longer so it may be a little while before I type it up. :) -Kaila
