Warning: Mentions of Regina's rape.
Chapter 27: The Press Conference
There weren't many people in the courtroom. Most, including Mary Margaret, were no doubt down the hall where both Gold and Leopold were to answer the charges of embezzlement. It left only two rows of people to support Regina. Robin sat in the front row next to Emma, Killian and Will, staring at the wooden door Regina was soon to walk through. Arthur Pendragon would petition the court to drop the charges, the judge would grant it and she would be a free woman—according to John's rundown of what was supposed to happen.
It was almost over.
And not a moment too soon.
Robin's nerves were still on edge. Anything could go wrong before Regina was exonerated and he wasn't going to relax until they were back home in Nottingham. Then he was going to hold her close and celebrate with her.
The door opened and his heart jumped into his throat as Regina entered. She wore a black sheath dress with a matching blazer, her growing baby bump just discernable to his eyes. Her heels clicked against the marble as she took her place at the defendant's table, John by her side.
"Docket number one-six-eight-seven-four-W-C-O, the People v Regina Angelica Mills, sole charge embezzlement," the clerk said, placing the clipboard down in front of the judge. It was not the same judge who had arraigned her and he took some time to review the case.
The judge glanced up at ADA Pendragon. "And what business do you have with the court over this matter today, Counselor?"
"The state is petitioning the court to drop the charges against Miss Mills. New evidence has come to light and others are being charged instead," Arthur said, though it sounded like it pained him. Robin figured it probably did, even if the man knew how wronged Regina was. She was still a big fish swimming away from him.
"Everything has been submitted and is there before Your Honor," the clerk explained, the court stenographer typing away.
Robin held his breath as the judge looked over the paperwork, nodding every so often. He set the folder down and sat up straighter. "Well, I'm satisfied. The charges against Miss Mills are dismissed and she is released with the court's apologies."
"Thank you, Your Honor," Regina said, echoing the thought in Robin's head. She hugged John before stepping past the bar. Robin stood and she threw her arms around him, holding him close. "It's almost over."
Emma then stepped forward, hugging Regina after Robin let her go. "I'm so proud of you," she said.
Relieved, Robin turned to John and held out his hand to his friend. "Thank you for all your help."
"Regina did most of the work," John insisted, shaking Robin's hand. "But I was glad to put it all together to help her get the truth out there."
"Now we just have to get through the press conference," Regina said, leaning against Robin. He held her close as she sighed.
John reached out and squeezed her arm. "Do you need a few minutes? They really can't start without us."
Robin glanced down at her, smiling. "Take your time, lovely. Relish this moment for now."
"I've relished it," she assured him. "Now I want to face the press and then go home. So let's go."
He took her hand and gave it a squeeze, proud of her strength and once again amazed that he was privileged to love her. "Then let's go."
Regina felt lighter than she had in weeks as she walked out of the courtroom into the marble hallway. The District Attorney had arranged for them to use a room at the courthouse for the press conference, so they didn't have far to go. Once that was done, they could all go home and she could sleep for a week.
Her hand was tucked in Robin's and she gave their arms a little swing. She heard him chuckle beside her and she did it again, feeling like a little girl again. Regina continued to swing their arms with every step as they got closer and closer to the elevator.
The doors to a nearby courtroom were thrown open and two court officers dragged a handcuffed Edgar Gold from it. A well-dressed man Regina assumed was his lawyer followed them, almost walking in step with Guinevere Leodegrance. Regina stopped in her tracks, drinking in the image of Gold powerless and at the mercy of someone else.
He caught her eyes and scowled, shaking his cuffed hands. "Take a good look, dearie. I'm sure this delights you."
"You don't have to answer him," Gwen told her, hurrying over to their small group. She glared at the court officers. "Get him out of here."
"Wait! I want to talk to him. I have some questions I think I deserve answers to," Regina said, staring right at Gold.
He met her gaze, smirking at her. "Do you now?"
"I think she does too," Robin replied, squeezing her hand. She felt Emma step closer to her, arms crossed as he said: "I think we all do."
"You know what? I think that's reasonable. Guards, hold for a moment. Mr. Gold still has some questions to answer," Gwen said, urging Regina to step forward with a reassuring smile.
Regina stood right in front of Gold, staring him right in the eyes. "I want to know why you did all of this. Why did you come back to the States, why did you dredge up a ten years old crime?"
"I told you. Your boyfriend's minion was poking around, asking questions he shouldn't have been," Gold replied.
She nodded. "Yes, but there had to be more. Why did you join forces with my mother? Why did you help her try to blackmail me?"
"I answered all of that in court," he replied. "Read the transcript."
"I want to hear it from you," Regina countered as Gwen stepped closer to her. She seemed to throw her power behind Regina.
He glanced back at his lawyer, who had developed an intense fascination with the tiled floor. Realizing the man would give him no help, Gold turned back to Regina. "Fine. Your mother offered me money."
"Don't you have money?" she asked, confused.
"I did," he replied, looking pained. "It ran out."
Emma snorted. "Did Neal bleed you dry at last?"
Gold's eyes widened as he looked at her. "You know Neal? How?"
"It doesn't matter. You had millions you embezzled plus a rather generous pension from Blanchard Financials. How did you blow all of that?" Regina asked, trying to puzzle it out in her head. So far, it wasn't making much sense to her.
"Well, the recession hit me harder than I thought," he admitted. "And I may not have made the wisest investment choices."
She almost snorted with laughter, amused that a man who had spent his career working in finance had then made such mistakes while investing his money. Regina managed to catch herself at the last minute and school her features into something more neutral. "So you came here with the intention of blackmailing me?"
"Well, I had the intention of blackmailing your boyfriend but your mother got to me before I could meet him," Gold told her, motioning to Robin behind her.
"And she made you an offer you couldn't refuse," Regina supplied.
He shrugged. "I guess you could put it that way. She promised me a lot of money annually if I managed to blackmail you into doing her bidding. Obviously, that backfired."
"Spectacularly," Emma interjected smugly.
"Is that it?" Gold asked, motioning to his cuffed hands. "I apparently have a date in central booking and then need to put my affairs in order before moving into Storybrooke Penitentiary."
Regina shook her head, her anger rising as she gained the confidence to ask the one question she had always wanted to ask: "You knew. You knew what Leopold was doing to me every time that door closed. Why didn't you try to stop it? Why didn't you protect me?"
He looked at her and his eyes were so cold, she started to shiver. Gold then smirked. "When have I done anything that wasn't in my best interest? You kept Leopold happy. A happy Leopold meant more money for me."
"You are a pathetic excuse for a human being," Regina spat as Robin stepped closer to her, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Gold didn't respond except to turn to Gwen. "Can I go now?"
"Of course," Gwen said, disdain dripping from every word. She kept her cold eyes on him as she said: "You can take this piece of garbage away now. Thank you."
The court officers took Gold's arms and led him toward the elevator. Regina watched him board and held his eyes until the elevator's doors closed. It took him away from her life for good. She wished she felt better about it, but her heart still felt broken. Even after all the years cursing him, she guessed she had always hoped that Gold had cared about her. That perhaps he had tried to get Leo to stop raping her but that Leo had threatened him the same way he had threatened her.
She was such a fool.
As he continued to rock her, Robin turned to Gwen. "What did he mean when he said that he told everything in court? I thought he was here for an arraignment?"
She sighed. "There was a change of plans early this morning. We had offered both Mr. Gold and Mr. Blanchard plea deals and we were notified by their respective attorneys that they had accepted."
"So wait, does that mean it's over?" Regina asked Gwen, lifting her head from Robin's chest as hope filled her. "Over for good?"
"It looks like it, yes. Once the press conference is over, you can put this all behind you," Gwen assured her.
Regina nodded, holding her head high. "That sounds perfect. So why don't we get this show on the road?"
The press conference was held in a rather large room filled with several gray cushioned chairs lined up and facing a podium with several microphones attached to it. Behind the podium were several other gray cushioned chairs and Regina was guided toward one by Gwen when they entered. Robin was allowed to sit next to her but Emma, Will and Killian had to make due with seats in the back.
Regina sat there, staring out at the sea of empty seats. She knew in a few minutes the doors would open and a sea of reporters would flock in for the conference. It was summer and so the news had gone national, various markets picking up on the scandal and wanting to do a story on it. She wasn't sure she could face the entire country and her stomach twisted in knots at that thought.
"Are you okay?" Robin asked in a low voice. "You've suddenly gone pale. Do I need to get you a garbage can?"
She shook her head before considering the way her stomach was rolling. "Actually, maybe that would be a good idea…"
He nodded, jumping up from his chair. Robin approached Gwen, speaking to her in a low tone. She pointed across the room and he thanked her. Regina watched as he crossed to where Gwen had pointed and picked up a gray garbage can, bringing it back over and placing it by her chair. "There you go."
"Thank you," she said. "Though I hope I'm not sick in front of the press. That's definitely not a headline I want."
"Don't worry. We can always do something to hide you if you do get sick. Just get our attention and we can hurry you off," Gwen told her.
Regina thanked her as another petite brunette hurried over to them. Her hair was a lighter shade of brown than Gwen and her skin was creamy white. She wore a dark blue skirt suit and her heels clicked against the tiles. The woman smiled as she held out her hand. "I'm District Attorney Iris Bleu. Pleased to meet you."
"You too," Robin said, shaking her hand. "Will you be participating in the press conference?"
She nodded. "Just at the start, to make the introductions. Miss McQueen and Miss Agra should be handling the rest of the conference."
"And Regina won't have to speak?" Robin asked, confirming their one caveat for participating in the press conference.
DA Bleu paused and then said: "You would have to confirm that with Miss McQueen. This isn't my show."
"What is going on?" Anastasia asked, approaching the two. She wore a red sleeveless dress with a wide black buckle around her middle. Once again, her blonde hair was pulled into a tight bun and she wore a string of pearls around her neck.
Regina greeted her before saying: "Robin and I were just confirming I wouldn't have to speak today."
"You don't have to speak if you don't want to," Anastasia told her. "Jasmine and I can handle everything."
"That sounds preferable right now," Regina replied. "And Leopold won't be anywhere near here?"
Anastasia shook her head. "Mary Margaret Blanchard is making sure he stays far away. And we have security on the lookout for Nat Cole as well."
She hadn't even thought that Nat would show up and her stomach twisted again. "You think he'll come?"
"I'm not sure," Anastasia admitted. "I would hope not but he's been acting so erratically when it comes to you…"
"Wonderful," Regina muttered, leaning on Robin. "I think I need to sit down."
He nodded, guiding her back to her chair. "Can we get some water too?" he asked someone.
Someone hurried away and when Regina looked up, she saw Gwen coming toward her with a water bottle. She also held a plate of fruit in her hand as well. "This should hold Regina over," she said.
"Thank you," Regina replied, taking the plate and the water. "How long do you think this will take?"
"Not too long," Anastasia said. "We'll limit the amount of questions we take and try to end this as soon as possible."
"Speaking of which, we need to let the press in. They're getting antsy out there. Are you ready?" Gwen asked Anastasia.
Anastasia glanced over at Jasmine, who nodded. The lawyer turned back to Gwen. "Let them in then."
Gwen walked toward the back of the room as Jasmine sat down next to Regina. She gave her a shaky smile before sighing. "It will be fine."
"Are you reassuring me or yourself?" Regina asked her.
Jasmine paused before replying: "I'm not sure. Maybe myself."
Reporters filed in, taking seats as close to the podium as they could get. Sidney Glass managed to snag one front and center, his brown eyes fixed on Regina as he smiled, no doubt imagining a great story. Her stomach turned to think of what he would write.
"I would've thought only legitimate reporters would be allowed in this conference," Robin said, motioning to Sidney.
Jasmine shrugged. "He has a press badge and as much as we might not like it, the Daily Mirror is considered a legitimate newspaper. So he gets to stay."
"Wonderful," Regina sighed as District Attorney Bleu stepped up to the podium, calling for order. It was time for the press conference to begin.
District Attorney Bleu welcomed the reporters to the courthouse and introduced herself, though Regina figured that was unnecessary. They had to know her from her election campaigns and the work her office did. She guessed it was just standard practice—she didn't participate in press conferences, after all.
"At the beginning of the month, my office charged Regina Mills with embezzling funds from Blanchard Financials ten years ago," DA Bleu continued. "New evidence has come to light both through our own investigation as well as an internal one conducted by Blanchard Financials that proved Ms. Mills had been blackmailed and coerced into stealing the funds for two officials at the organization—the then-CFO Edgar Gold and the then-CEO Leopold Blanchard."
The room erupted with noise as the reporters jumped up, each trying to ask a question at the same time. DA Bleu scowled at them, motioning for them to sit down. "Do not ask me to go borrow a judge's gavel," she threatened them. "There will be order in this room."
Most of the reporters sat down with the exception of Sidney Glass. Regina bit back her groan as he stared down DA Bleu. "Will you take any of our questions?" he asked.
"Of course, Mr. Glass," she assured him. "However, I'm sure you know that there's a time for asking questions. We haven't reached it yet. So please sit down."
He nodded, looking disappointed as he sat back down in his seat. DA Bleu watched him with barely hidden disdain and Regina had to look away so no one saw how much that delighted her. Sidney Glass deserved it.
"After discussions with Blanchard Financials, my office petitioned the court to drop the charges against Ms. Mills. We then met with Mr. Gold and Mr. Blanchard and their respective lawyers, working out plea deals with both men.
"Both have agreed to pay restitution and Mr. Gold was sentenced to two years in prison and three years on probation," DA Bleu continued, reading from a piece of paper she had placed on the podium. "Mr. Blanchard has been sentenced to two years house arrest."
One reporter raised his hand and stood when acknowledged. "We know Leopold Blanchard doesn't even live in Maine let alone Storybrooke. Where will he be doing his house arrest?"
"That is yet to be determined between Mr. Blanchard, his daughter and the Department of Corrections," DA Bleu replied.
Regina took Robin's hand and he gave her a comforting squeeze. It didn't stop her stomach from flipping as she processed that there were no answers as to where Leopold would be serving his sentence. Would he have to stay in Storybrooke or would an agreement be made to let him go back to wherever he was living? Could he once again be so close to her?
"Breathe, Regina," Robin whispered. "It's okay. You're safe."
She nodded, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. He's never coming back into your life. He can't get you. You're safe at Nottingham with Robin.
The reporters were now raising their hands, so Regina guessed she had missed DA Bleu's call for questions during her almost panic attack. DA Bleu called on a reporter in the front, two seats from Sidney Glass, who introduced himself from Storybrooke Evening News. "Why did Mr. Gold and Mr. Blanchard embezzle the money?"
"I believe that is a question best answered by Ms. Agra, who is here, or Ms. McQueen, who has called the press conference," DA Bleu demurred.
"May we speak with one of them, then?" the reporter asked as others around him nodded in agreement.
DA Bleu nodded. "It is my pleasure to introduce and turn the microphone over to Anastasia McQueen, legal counsel for Blanchard Financials."
Regina and Robin clapped as DA Bleu stepped down and shook hands with Anastasia. They heard the clicking of cameras taking pictures and a few flashes went off as the reporters captured the moment. Anastasia then took to the podium, smiling at the journalists gathered there.
"Thank you for being here," she greeted, her head turning slightly. Regina knew she was taking in the room and trying to make eye contact—or appear to do so—with everyone there. "I understand you have many questions regarding this matter and we hope to answer them today."
The reporter stood again, clearing his throat. "Ms. McQueen, can you tell us why Mr. Gold and Mr. Blanchard were embezzling from Blanchard Financials?"
"It appears on Mr. Gold's part, it was just plain old greed. He wanted more and more money, hoping it would buy someone's love," she explained. "As for Mr. Blanchard, it seemed pride was his deadly sin in this case."
"How so?" a reporter in the back asked.
Regina listened as Anastasia explained everything she already knew. Eva's medical bills and Mary Margaret's tuition put a financial strain on Leopold. Rather than admitting he needed help and turning to legitimate means, he decided to steal from his own company. He thought he would be able to pay the company back once everything wasn't so tight.
"Instead, he blackmailed a subordinate who trusted him and thought him a mentor before violating her in the worst way and scaring her into silence upon firing her. He sent another subordinate to jail before he was forced into retirement," Anastasia finished.
It felt like the reporters were staring at Regina and she shifted in her seat, wondering if they were trying to figure out if she was the subordinate who Leopold had "violated in the worst possible way," to use Anastasia's words. She knew they had to work out what that meant and she could almost see them salivating over her story. It made her stomach turn again.
"Do you need to step outside for a moment?" Robin whispered into her ear. "We can get you out if you need…"
She shook her head, refusing to retreat from the prying eyes no matter how uncomfortable she got. Regina Mills wasn't going to hide anymore.
Another reporter raised her hand and stood. "You mentioned that Mr. Blanchard sent a former employee to jail. May we ask who that was?"
Gwen stepped forward, conferring with Anastasia. She nodded before turning back to the reporters. "That information will be disclosed by the District Attorney's office at a later date."
The reporters groaned but didn't press the question further. Regina figured the District Attorney had some sort of deal with Michael Tillman or perhaps a lawsuit pending. She knew if she were him, she would probably sue the District Attorney's office as well.
"How did the true embezzlers come to light?" Sidney Glass asked, his eyes flitting over to Regina. She met his gaze and stared him down, forcing him to look away.
It made her feel triumphant.
Anastasia glanced behind her and Jasmine nodded. The blonde lawyer turned back to the microphone. "I am going to turn this over to Jasmine Agra, interim CEO for Blanchard Financials."
Once again, Regina and Robin clapped as Jasmine flushed a bit. She shook Anastasia's hand before taking her place at the podium. "Good afternoon. I know you have many questions and I hope to answer them for you."
"Can you tell us how the true embezzlers came to light?" Sidney asked again.
Jasmine nodded. "After her arraignment, Regina Mills' lawyer turned over a vast amount of evidence to the District Attorney's office. They then shared it with us and an investigation was ordered by our current board of directors. It appears the company and several board members knew who the real embezzlers were for the past ten years and let an innocent man go to prison while punishing an employee they should've protected, an employee who had been blackmailed into doing their dirty work."
Sidney eyed Regina and she knew he was putting the pieces in his mind. "Are we certain Miss Mills was being blackmailed?"
"Yes," Jasmine said, voice firm. "There is a paper trail proving both Mr. Gold and Mr. Blanchard blackmailed her and the District Attorney's office has recordings made by Ms. Mills that also prove it."
"Will we be able to hear some of those recordings?" he asked, eyes lighting up. Regina shifted in her seat, unnerved by even the thought that anyone would listen to those recordings and hear what Leopold did to her.
Jasmine shook her head. "Those are remaining with the District Attorney and there are no plans to release them."
"You can wipe that drool from your chin then, Glass," another reporter told him, smirking. "You won't be getting that juicy bite."
Anger rose up in Regina. How dare they banter about recordings of her pain? This wasn't some video of a celebrity who had one too many or a politician caught doing something wrong. She wanted to yell at them but she bit the inside of her cheek, knowing it wouldn't help.
Sidney scowled at his colleague before raising his pencil. "One more question, please, Miss Agra?"
"Only one, Mr. Glass. I'm sure your colleagues would appreciate it if you didn't monopolize this press conference," Jasmine replied to appreciative snickers from the others.
His scowl grew deeper but he nodded. "Fine. You mentioned that one employee was violated in the worst possible way. Were you referring to the employee who was jailed or to the blackmailing of Miss Mills?"
"I was referring to Miss Mills, but not to the blackmail," Jasmine said. "We'll get to that in a little bit. Please sit."
Sidney looked ready to protest but he did as Jasmine asked, still scowling the entire time. Regina worried what he would do when he learned the entire truth and wondered if she could throw him out herself.
Another reporter raised his hand and stood, looking confused. "If the board knew who the real embezzlers were, why did they allow Miss Mills to be charged? And why didn't they free the former employee wrongly imprisoned for it?"
"Nathaniel Cole, the longtime Chairman of the Board, is a very good friend of Leopold Blanchard," Jasmine explained, though Regina figured most of the reporters there knew that. "He used his power to protect his friend, publicly punishing two other employees and letting Mr. Blanchard and Mr. Gold retire quietly with little punishment."
"Will Mr. Cole face any repercussions for his role in this?" the reporter asked. Several others looked intrigued as well.
Regina, though, knew he wouldn't face any other consequences beside the one already doled to him. He was wealthy and established. People were more willing to overlook such crimes for men like him.
"He has been removed as Chairman of the Board," Jasmine confirmed. "Beyond that, I cannot say."
"Who is the new Chairman of the Board then?" the reporter asked, ready to write down the name.
She glanced over her shoulder before answering the question. "We're pleased to announce that it is Neal Cassidy, founder and president of the Milah Cassidy Foundation. Mr. Cassidy, will you please stand?"
Regina glanced over to her right, wondering when Neal got there. He stood and waved at the reporters. They paused for a second before shouting questions at him, sounding like nonsensical roar.
Jasmine raised her hands. "Quiet, please. Please, we need quiet. Mr. Cassidy will not be speaking at this press conference. We promise another one soon where he will answer all your questions."
Neal sat back down and Regina noticed he kept his eyes trained on Emma, sitting in the back of the room. She, though, purposefully didn't look at him. If Neal thought he was going to have any conversation with her, Regina hoped she could set him straight before he made a fool of himself.
"Ms. Agra, you've yet to explain why the board allowed the prosecution of Miss Mills even though most knew she was not the guilty party," a female reporter in the back asked.
"Right," Jasmine said, shuffling her papers. "From what I understand, Mr. Blanchard and Mr. Gold forced Miss Mills to sign a nondisclosure agreement before firing her. Unbeknownst to Mr. Gold, this agreement had not been vetted by legal and contained so many errors, it was easily considered void when properly reviewed. In conjunction with Cora Ozgreene, Miss Mills' mother, Mr. Gold tried to blackmail Miss Mills again. This time, she didn't give in and so Mr. Gold made good on his threat, convincing former CEO Isaac Heller to press charges against her."
"That certainly backfired," Robin muttered. Regina elbowed him, even though she agreed with him.
Jasmine took a deep breath before saying: "That is why we're here. On behalf of Blanchard Financials, I want to extend an apology to Miss Mills. Regina?"
Regina stood, approaching the podium as the photojournalists snapped picture after picture of her. She could feel Sidney Glass' eyes on her but she kept hers trained on Jasmine, waiting for this to end.
"Regina Mills," Jasmine said, giving her a soft smile, "please accept Blanchard Financials' apologies for the fear, pain and wrongdoings you suffered at the hands of Leopold Blanchard and Edgar Gold. We apologize that the company did not do enough to keep you safe, leaving you no place to turn to for help and in cases turning a blind eye to the rapes you endured at the hands of Mr. Blanchard."
Gasps filled the room and Regina could feel how the room changed. It was filled with the possibility of an amazing story, of juicy gossip pieces and the fact that her private hell was going to be front page fodder for the rest of the week.
Wonderful.
"Ms. Agra!" a reporter called out. "Are you saying that in addition to blackmailing Miss Mills, Mr. Blanchard also raped her?"
Regina resisted the urge to glare at the idiot reporter. That was exactly what Jasmine had said and she had to know it. Why ask such a stupid question?
"Yes," Jasmine said, hesitantly. She also appeared confused by the question. "That's exactly what I said."
"If life was such a living hell at Blanchard Financials, Miss Mills, why didn't you just quit?" Sidney asked, eyes boring into her.
Jasmine shook her head. "Miss Mills will not be speaking today."
"Why not?" he pressed.
The question echoed around Regina's head as Jasmine told the reporters the carefully worded explanation Anastasia had written, about how this was more about the company apologizing to Regina than the press interrogating her. "We're here to heal her wounds, not let you poke your fingers in them," Jasmine finished.
It made sense to Regina but as she thought about it, she realized she didn't want to just stand there. Yes, Jasmine was apologizing to her and was going to make a donation to an organization that helped victims of sexual assault. Regina, though, wanted to do more to help other women who were going through what she had. She wanted to give them the strength she had been unable to find back then—the strength to tell someone what was going on, to fight back.
Resolved, Regina cleared her throat. It caught Jasmine's attention and she leaned closer to Regina. "Yes?"
"I want to make a statement," she said.
"Are you sure?" Jasmine asked as Anastasia stepped up to join them. "We agreed you didn't have to."
Anastasia nodded. "You don't owe these reporters anything. Especially Sidney Glass."
"I agree. But I owe it to other women in my situation. Please, let me just say something," Regina requested, hoping they could see how much she needed to do this in her eyes and hear it in her voice.
Jasmine and Anastasia exchanged looks before nodding. "The podium is yours," Jasmine told Regina.
"We'll be right behind you if you need any help," Anastasia assured her, stepping back. "Good luck."
Regina stepped up to the podium, looking out at the crowd of eager journalists staring back out at her. "Good afternoon. My name is Regina Mills."
"Miss Mills!" Sidney interrupted, raising his hand. "If I may repeat my question…"
Annoyed, she responded: "No, you don't have to, Mr. Glass. My hearing and memory are just fine. You asked me why I stayed and just didn't quit. In fact, I tendered my resignation when I realized Mr. Gold and Mr. Blanchard had arrested one of my subordinates rather than just having him fired like they told me they were going to. Mr. Blanchard responded by raping me and then tearing up my letter."
"Oh," Sidney said, suddenly uncomfortable as he shifted in his chair. "But why keep going in? Why didn't you just…not show up?"
"I considered it. Yet I had watched them arrest an innocent man and knew he was sentenced for a crime he didn't commit. I feared that if I just stopped coming, police would show up at my door. And I feared that they wouldn't just take me, they would take my father. I felt I had to keep going into work, even knowing what horrors waited for me," she continued.
Looking straight at the reporters, the right words came to her and she grew more confident. "I know everyone always asks the same questions. Why did she go back? Why didn't she tell anyone? Let me tell you that it's a lot easier from the outside looking in. You can sit there now and say you would do things differently, but trust me when I say that once you find yourself in that situation, you find all your decisions aren't so cut and dry. You do what you think you have to do. The last thing any of us need is more judgment.
"I would like to say something to anyone, no matter their gender, who is going through the same thing I am," she said, looking right into one of the cameras. "You are not alone. I know it feels like it but there are people around you who want to help you. All you have to do is find them and reach out. They will take your hand and be there for you, to help you through this. I also know you may not think it but you are strong. You will overcome this. Thank you."
Regina stepped down from the podium as the reporters shouted dozens of follow up questions. She had said her piece, though, and felt that was enough. Head high, she stopped in front of Robin and held out her hand to him. "Let's go," she whispered.
He nodded, standing as he took her hand. She didn't need to be there as Jasmine talked about restitution and the donations to charity. All of that she knew, just like she knew she would rather be at home with Robin and Roland. She walked off the stage area with Robin, happy when no one stopped her.
Killian and Emma met them in the hallway outside the conference room. Emma rushed forward, hugging Regina. "You were amazing."
"Thank you," she replied, hugging Emma back. "I'm not sure where those words came from but I knew I had to say them."
"They came from your heart. Anyone who watches those recordings or even reads them will be able to tell that," Robin said, placing his hand on her back as she pulled away from Emma.
Killian nodded. "I think you're going to help a lot of people, Regina."
"I hope so," she replied, leaning against Robin. She glanced around the room and frowned. "Where's Will?"
"He went to bring the limo around," Emma said. "We all figured you wanted to leave and not wait around for the debriefing I'm sure is going to follow."
Regina nodded, knowing she was going to fall asleep the moment she climbed into the limo. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing. "Home sounds really, really great right now."
"Then let's head downstairs and go meet Will. Then I suggest a lazy Sunday on a Wednesday," Robin said, kissing the side of her head.
She smiled at the idea of lounging on the couch in her pajamas with Robin and Roland for the rest of the day. It seemed like heaven on earth and she took his hand. "Then let's go meet Will. I can't wait for lazy Sunday."
The door behind them opened and Regina glanced over her shoulder, afraid someone was coming to get her. Neal stumbled out and his wide brown eyes focused on one person. "Emma!"
"Neal," she said, voice tense and teeth gritted. "What are you doing?"
"I just wanted to talk to you," he said, panting as if he had just sprinted a marathon.
Killian stepped forward, glaring at Neal. "She doesn't want to talk to you, mate. So why don't you just run back to your press conference."
Emma pushed Killian aside, giving him a glare before turning it on Neal. "I don't think we have anything to talk about, Neal. I'm glad that you've straightened out your life and are doing good things, but I'm not going to let you back into my life."
"I know," he said. "I'm not here to ask you to do that. I just want to apologize, Emma."
"Because it's step eight in Alcoholics Anonymous? To make amends?" she asked, scowling at him.
He nodded. "It is step eight. But I'm not here because of that. I'm here to apologize because you deserve one. I put you through a lot of shit, Emma, shit you didn't deserve. All you did was love me and I betrayed. I am so sorry that I risked your nursing license, your career, your life for my own selfish desires. You deserve so much better."
"Thank you for that," Emma said, her stance softening as she stopped scowling. "I appreciate it. I don't know if I can forgive you…"
"I'm not asking for that," he said softly.
She nodded, stepping closer to Killian. "I may not be able to forgive you, but I hope you have a good life, Neal."
"Thank you, Emma," he replied. With a sad smile and one last look, Neal turned and headed back into the conference room.
Regina stepped away from Robin's arms and hugged her friend from behind. "That was generous of you," she told Emma.
Emma leaned against her, sighing. "I'm not sure. I think I was a bit selfish—letting him go so I could move on and get closure."
Looking around the courthouse and glancing back at Robin with a smile, Regina hugged Emma tighter as she announced: "Closure is a very good thing."
A/N: Well, it looks like we can finally close this section of "The Nanny." The charges have been dropped against Regina, Gold and Leo are getting punished and she's gotten her apology. It's time to focus on the upcoming Outlaw Queen babies and moving her closer to feeling comfortable having sex again with Robin.
Though Regina may have made herself a minor celebrity without realizing it…
Once again, thanks for all your amazing support and love for this story. You are all wonderful.
-Mac