Chapter 3

Regina took her time driving to her vault. She wanted to be seen, her head held up, not giving a fuck of whatever people were saying about her.

Once at destination, she stayed in her car until she was sure there was someone who could spot her entering the vault. It was now of common knowledge what she kept in it; dark magic objects, potions, spells and a bunch of other things most of the people didn't even want to hear about or knew existed.

It was a bit childish to be waiting to get caught when she would habitually do anything to keep people out of her life. But Regina Mills' power resided in appearances. And control. For now, that was how she was dealing with the situation. That was her plan.

Once inside, she prepared the box that would receive her heart. She needed many layers of protection, learning through experience that blood barriers weren't enough. She put on a spell blocking the sound and smell, making sure a certain someone with heightened senses couldn't easily find the box. She also made a realistic duplicate of her heart that would be found more easily than the actual one, to buy some time if someone succeeded in entering the place.

With a big inspiration, she plunged her hand into her own chest to retrieve the organ. Its darkening had slowed down a bit since the curse that brought them back to the Enchanted Forest. It was still beating fiercely, though Regina didn't relate that to its health but more to its desire to survive, which, in the Mills family, was something very strong.

After performing a few other spells she could think of, and retrieving some ingredients that could become handy in a near future, Regina exited the vault, a smirk crossing her face. The desired effect of getting rid of her heart wasn't as big as she thought it would be, but she felt more at peace than early on, which was a good start.

Emma was sipping her morning coffee at Granny's in an absentminded way. She put David in charge of driving Henry to school, but said she'd be able to pick him up in the afternoon.

She couldn't really believe it when she woke up; she thought she'd be dead by now. It made her think that what was coming was probably worse than death.

Ruby was trying to understand what was going on in her friend's head. The morning was slow so she had time to take into account most of her little gestures and heard all her quiet sighs.

″Ruby, are you scaring the customers again?″ asked Granny in a severe way, one hand on a hip, holding a towel, and the other hand showing the empty room around.

Before she could reply anything, Grumpy spoke, having heard Granny's question while entering the place.

″Sorry girls, I'll take my coffee to go this morning. And I guess no one wants to be crossing Regina's path today, hence the desert place. Words spread fast in this town.″

At Regina's name, Emma broke out of her daydreaming.

″Is she here?″ Emma asked, spinning on her stool.

Ruby said nothing, but her raised eyebrow showed that she hadn't missed Emma's small outburst.

Regina was back to her house. She thought about dropping at Granny's in an attempt to show she was still strong, maybe just in appearances, but that they didn't need to know, but it seemed rather empty when she passed in front of it, making it a little bit useless. She headed directly to her study to find her mother's spell book. As she was looking through it for some inspiration for her Swan-revenge, she was also thinking of ways to make her suffer that didn't necessarily imply magic.

The easiest thing to do that was sure to make Emma rage was forbidding her to see Henry, or taking actions that would prevent her from seeing him. That plan had proven itself to work many times.

Emma was at the Sheriff's station, but nothing productive had come out of her the whole day. How was she supposed to protect the town when the very thing threatening it was aimed directly at her, and wouldn't back down easily? Was she supposed to skip town like Regina had asked her on their first fight, way back then? Would it prevent anything bad from happening to her loved ones? She wasn't even sure Regina would accept to talk to her, so negotiating wasn't really her strongest option.

″Shit, Henry!″ She ran out of the office when she saw it was almost time for her to join him at school.

He had nothing to do with this fight, but she had the feeling he would somehow be once again trapped in the middle of his two mothers' argument. She was already putting his needs after hers, which was a big parenting no-no, as she learned it in the past year. She pulled over in front of the school, only two minutes before the clock rang. A sigh of relief escaped her lungs.

Her relief was only short-lived though as she saw Regina's car coming right in her direction. She got out and leaned on the characteristic yellow bug. Arms crossed, she gathered every ounce of courage she had after swallowing heavily.

Regina parked beside her and got out as well. She looked at the school's door, not even bothering to acknowledge Emma's presence.

Emma was starting to boil inside. She was prepared to be yelled at, or magically tossed across the street. She even had the thought she would be killed right there, in the open, before innocent children's eyes.

Children started to run out of the school. It was indeed a beautiful day and most of them must have been eager to go outside to play. Once they saw who was at the foot of the stairs though, any excitement disappeared and eyes wouldn't leave the ground. They rapidly reached their parents, who, at their turn, rushed away while shielding their kids with their bodies.

Emma noticed the strange behavior right away, which no sheriff's badge was necessary to comprehend. The last time she saw people acting like that, it was right after the first curse broke.

They were clearly scared of Regina. Of the Evil Queen.

″See what you are doing?″ Emma hissed at Regina. ″Everyone in town is uncomfortable around you.″

She waited for a sharp reply, which were always fired quickly with the former Queen.

And I thought it was your fashion sense that scared them. Or maybe they think you will take away the thing they love most, thought Regina. She really wanted to answer back, but found out that giving the silent treatment to the mouthed Emma Swan was just as satisfying, if not even more.

″If you are not here to yell at me or you know, kill me or something, you can leave now.″

Regina didn't even bat an eye. Oh no Miss Swan, I gave it a thought, but killing you would be way too easy.

It was so predictable that the Sheriff would think that her death would be satisfying.

Henry finally made his way out of the school. He had always been slower than everybody to gather his things, though this time it has been particularly long.

″Hey kid,″ said Emma while stepping towards him.

Regina didn't move but gave Henry a severe look and he knew it meant he'd be in trouble, no matter his next move.

″Hum, hi Emma,″ he answered his eyes still locked on Regina. His voice missed its usual intonation.

″C'mon, we'll go take a walk to take advantage of this beautiful day. Maybe we could stop for an ice cream before going back home, but only if you don't tell your grandparents.″ She exaggeratedly winked.

Bribing the kid, Miss Swan? That is so you.

When nobody moved or talked, Emma lost patience. She turned back to face Regina, stepping closer to her, where she knew she'd be in Regina's personal space.

″You've got to stop torturing the kid, Regina. Let him make his own choices.″

Their two sets of eyes weren't letting go of one another. Emma blinked first after what felt like hours.

Her heart was beating fast. She was angry; at Regina, yes, but also at herself. She felt like her stomach had been continually doing backflips since she woke up that morning. She didn't know how to deal with the situation. Well, she never really knew how to deal with any situation. It was always luck or someone else that took her out of trouble. Since a very young age, her decisions were most of the time making things worse.

She was indeed scared for her life, but what scared her more at the moment was living. Having the person she had complicated but yet actual feelings for hating her was unbearable. She couldn't imagine crossing Regina almost every day and being faced to the same coldness. Sure, things have never been all bright between them, but even at their worst, Emma knew Regina didn't hate her but more what she represented. Regina hated the fact that Henry wanted to be with her. She hated that she was the Savior, supposed to break the curse. She hated that she was the daughter of Snow White. But hating Emma Swan for being Emma Swan? It was the first time Emma knew for sure that it was the case.

″Regina…″ Emma breathed out, softly. She had no clue of what to say. An apology was necessary, but chances were that it wouldn't be enough. ″I'm sorry. I know I should have started with that.″

She paused intentionally, giving Regina some time to react. The former Queen stayed still, but was internally greatly annoyed by the Savior's poor attempt.

Henry had yet to make a move or say anything. The silent fight between his moms was very difficult to watch, even more than their usual loud or physical ones. He had noticed how they had been working together since they came back to Storybrooke. They all were like one family, his moms and grandparents, helping each other in their difficulties or, well, saving the town once more. He dreamt of this his whole life and wasn't about to let it go.

″Please Regina,″ continued Emma, ″at least tell me what you want me to do. I can go talk to Robin-″

I fail to see how this could go wrong, thought Regina, fighting the urge to do the biggest of eye-rolls.

″-or I can become a sort of slave to you, doing whatever you'd ask.″

She really doesn't understand that the less I see her, the better I will feel.

Emma's voice got trapped in her throat. The thought of what she was about to say made her stomach hurt. Her heartbeat accelerated and her eyes became wet. She cleared her throat and looked over Regina's shoulder, unable to maintain connection with the dark-brown eyes.

″Or I could leave.″

That's a good idea Miss Swan. Except for the fact that I will be blamed for it by everyone, including Henry, and I can't have him hate me again.

″Henry!″ Regina said sharply.

Without adding a word, she turned and made her way to her car, expecting Henry to follow her. With a quick look over her shoulder, she was relieved to see that he did.

Henry looked at Emma with big eyes, mouthing 'I'm sorry', but didn't hesitate to follow his mom.

Emma was left there, unsure that anything happened at all. Regina had been so cold, so emotionless, never reacting to anything that was said. Emma's mind was dizzy. It was as if she'd just woke up from a dream, and the more she tried to remember what it was about, the more it faded away.

Emma made her way back to the loft. When her parents saw her shocked face and that she was alone, they started to panic.

″What is going on?″ said Mary Margaret, ″and where is Henry?″

″Regina's,″ was all Emma could answer, making her way to the couch.

″What will she be doing next? Is there another curse coming? Are you in danger? We are there for you, we won't let anything happen.″

Emma lied face down on the couch. Her body and mind were numb. Mary Margaret and David exchanged a concerned look. They had no idea what they would be fighting, but knew that it wouldn't be simple.

Throughout the town, the word had spread that Regina was probably working on another curse. Every resident had a different idea of what would happen, but all of them knew, having seen what she was capable of, that it wouldn't be a fun ride. The one question that was on everyone's lips was 'When?'