Chapter Three

Regina paced back and forward in her office trying to focus on the tasks for the day; however, she could not keep that conversation from earlier out of her head. She just couldn't understand why she still struggled with Robin's death. There was nothing anyone can do it about so she just needed to accept that. After Daniel, she would have thought that accepting death would be easier.

"Maybe the Evil Queen is right," she thought to herself. "Maybe I am the weaker one of the two of us…"

"Mom!" shouted Henry as he ran into her room.

"Oh! Henry! You startled me…what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Sorry mom. I didn't mean to startle you. I came here because I wanted to talk to you about what you said earlier at Granny's," Henry replied.

"Oh. That, well, Henry, please know that I didn't mean what I said. I am happy for many reasons but mostly because I have you in my life. I hope you know that."

"I do know that mom; however, I think we should go find your happy ending. I believe there is someone else out there for you, and we have to find him."

"Henry, that's crazy! How can you possibly believe that there is someone else out there for me? I have experienced love twice already and I lost them both. Fate is against me when it comes to that kind of happiness. I seriously believe that I am not meant to have anyone to grow old with."

"Mom, I refuse to believe that. You have overcome so much, and you are a hero now. Heroes always get their happy endings."

"And how exactly are we going to achieve my happy ending?" she asked incredulously.

"Mom, I think we need to prove Fate that you more than deserve your happiness. I think we can do that by going back and righting some of the wrongs in your past. Let's help some of the people you hurt. Let's return some of those hearts that you still have stored and things like that," he replied.

Regina couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You really want to go find the people I hurt? Do you know how dangerous that will be for you Henry?"

"It will be worth it if we can find someone for you. We can do this together, I know we can. I even have a name for this mission. We are going to name it Operation Constantine."

"Operation Constantine…how did you come up with a name like that?" she asked.

"Constantine is a fictional character who has been damned from Heaven, so he tries to earn his way back by destroying demons and ridding the world of evil. We are going to destroy your demons and make things right," Henry replied.

Regina laid a hand on Henry's shoulder and smiled at him. "I am going to be honest and say that I think this is a fruitless effort. I also have to say that I am the luckiest mom in all the realms to have a son like you. You really care about how I spend the rest of my life. I have never had anyone care like you have Henry, so thank you."

"Of course, mom," he replied as he smiled back at her.

"Now, how are we going to figure out who we are going to help? I have to say that the list of people I have had…dealings with is quite long."

"Grandpa has some items for us to use to help but he told me for us to meet him at your vault."

"Wait, what kind of deal did you make with Gold to receive these items? I don't want you getting mixed up in things you don't understand with him," she replied worriedly.

"I didn't make a deal with him. He is giving me these items," said Henry.

Regina's mouth dropped opened in a perplexed manner. "And how did you manage to do that?" she asked.

"I reminded him that we are family and that he should want to help because of that."

"You must have given him quite the argument for him to agree to that," Regina replied still looking surprised.

"Yes, I gave quite the convincing argument. Now, let's get going mom. We can't just stand here all day talking when we have lots to do," said Henry.

"Alight, let's get on with it then," Regina replied. With a wave of her hand and a puff of purple smoke, they disappeared from her office.