I got this one written pretty fast! Yay me! It's short, but a lot happens. Enjoy!

They dressed quietly, the tension of the truth hanging in the air between them. When she was clothed, she walked over to David and wrapped her arms around his bare torso. His skin was starting to cool, but he didn't care-just wrapped his arms around Regina and kissed her hair. It was only a short moment before he felt water droplets trickling down his chest.

A year ago, he might have asked her what was wrong, but now that question had far too many answers. It was wrong that the only way they could see each other was to sneak away. It was wrong that she was married to a man she didn't love. It was wrong that her mother, the woman who created her, who was supposed to love her unconditionally, never took into account what would make her happy. Everything about their lives was wrong. The only moment anything felt right was when they were together, and even then the happiness was tainted by their circumstances.

So instead of asking what was wrong, he just held her a little tighter.

Regina turned her head to look up at him, her face slightly tear-stained. She moved to stand on her toes and he met her in a gentle kiss, the taste of tears fresh on her lips. When they parted, he smoothed her hair with one hand, the other remaining at her hip. David gently thumbed a tear from her cheekbone and smiled softly. It hadn't been a time for words, but now it was. "We'll figure it out, Regina," he assured her.

"How do you know?" Her voice was meeker than he'd ever heard it, and it broke his heart to hear, but he needed to stay strong.

So he smiled brightly. "Because this is True Love," he said, resting his forehead against hers. "And True Love always conquers."

A soft laugh escaped her lips, his words making the world a bit brighter again. She connected her lips to his again before wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly.

Unfortunately their time together had to end. Agreeing to meet in the same place in a week, they reluctantly parted ways, she leaving for the palace and him making the journey home.

"Hello, darling." The King met his wife as she walked in the corridor of the castle. She'd used magic to change her clothing back to her royal garb, and her hair hung in loose curls in front of her shoulders. Daniel leaned in to kiss her and she reciprocated as she always did. "How was your day?" He asked.

Regina smiled falsely. "Uneventful," she lied. "How was yours?"

Daniel sighed. "Unfortunately eventful. I had to cut off trade with King George," he admitted.

Regina furrowed her brow. "What do you mean had to?" She asked.

"I was forced to end our trading in favor of a better deal," he said.

"A better deal? What would that be?"

"It's none of your concern," he said, kissing her on the forehead.

"Of course it is. I am Queen. Should anything happen to you, I would have to understand how to run the kingdom."

"If anything should happen to me, our kingdom would crumble thanks to your inability to produce an heir," he bit.

She was taken aback. She may not have loved Daniel, but he'd always been kind to her. He'd claimed to love her. So that comment struck her hard. "Is that really what you think?" She asked, clenching her jaw. "You think that because I haven't given you a child that I'm worthless?"

Daniel hung his head. "Of course not," he breathed, stroking her arms with his hands. "I apologize. I'm just under so much pressure right now," he said. "I'm sorry." He took her hands in his and kissed them.

Regina nodded reluctantly. it would have been so much easier if Daniel was evil. If he hit her or lied to her or made her feel worthless. Anything would have been easier than being treated kindly by the man she didn't love. That she could never love because her heart was already someone else's.

She felt selfish.

She was lying to a man who truly cared for her. She pretended to love him because it was convenient. It was easier to stay married to him than leave.

"I'm going to take a bath," she said abruptly.

He furrowed his brow as she retracted her hand, actively recoiling from him. "Is everything alright, my love?" He said.

"Yes. I just need a bath." She then turned and walked to her bathroom.

"Mother, what's going on?"

The man that stood by the gate made him nervous. His skin wasn't human. Is glittered like a combination of copper and fool's gold. And the grin he wore on his face was unsettling. He was the same man from that night at Regina's castle, but instead of helping him, this time he was using the shepherd. Ruth held tears back as she told the story of her husband's deal with Rumplestiltskin. Her son listened quietly. The Dark One remained by the fence, bored by the amount of time this was taking.

David stalked over to him. "What happens if I don't do it?"

Rumple smiled sadistically. "You lose everything. Your home, your land...your love."

David clenched his jaw. "You don't lay a hand on her," he threatened.

"Too late, dearie!" Rumplestiltskin taunted. "She's been learning dark magic."

"No," David said. "Not after everything her mother-"

An unnerving laugh sent shivers up David's spine, effectively stopping his words.

"Her mother was the reason she needed magic, dearie!"

The younger man shook his head. "No," he protested. "She would never." He began to walk away.

"She's been married for a year," Rumple called, stopping David. "Why is it she isn't with child yet?" David furrowed his brow but didn't turn around. "Perhaps she's barren, yes, but I know the real reason."

David hated the way this man was talking about Regina. "She wouldn't."

Rumple squinted his eyes as if trying to understand the shepherd. "You see," he said, "You keep saying that she wouldn't, that she couldn't, but I know the truth, dearie, and no matter how many times you deny it, it won't change the truth."

He was shocked. Their entire lives, Regina had refused to learn magic. She hated it. And now she was learning it from this man?

"Let's make a deal," Rumple said. "I do love making deals." He hopped forward a bit to where the shepherd was standing. "You complete this task; I'll stop teaching her magic."

"Rumplestiltskin!"

Regina couldn't pinpoint her emotions. But at the moment, she was livid. When he appeared, she didn't even give him a chance to speak. "You liar!" She shouted. "You said this wouldn't happen!"

"Well dearie, every curse can be broken," he countered.

"But you knew I couldn't afford for that to happen!" She shouted, tears stinging her eyes.

"It's not really my problem what you can afford," he reasoned. "I gave you a solution to the problem you presented." She tried to protest, but Rumple was a step ahead. "You see, your majesty, when you ask for a favor like that, perhaps you should pay a bit more attention to the fine print." The Queen furrowed her brow and the Dark One continued. "What, dearie, has the ability to break any curse and transcend realms?"

Regina's hand flew to her mouth. "You mean...?"

"That child growing inside of you is the product of True Love."

Please let me know what you think! :)