Not much to say other than happy reading.

That - and I don't own OUAT.

:D

The next day saw Regina up early. She had only gotten half a night in terms of rest and as soon as the sun began to peek through the curtains she got up, seeing no point in staying in bed if she could not sleep, showering quickly she got changed and wandered from her room, going downstairs in the vain hopes that maybe breakfast would be soon served.

Pushing on the door, she wasn't surprised to see it empty – in fact she liked it better this way and ventured into the room just as noise from her left had her turning to see the closed door of the kitchen staring at her. So someone was up before her? Wondering who it was she went to move closer but stubbed her foot caught the leg of the chair and dragged it along.

She looked down when the chair scraped and then back to the door when the noise stopped. She winced a little when muttering could be heard, whoever it was seemed both busy and angry.

Taking a step back she looked behind her before nearing the counter and allowing her back to rest on the edge as she knew the person inside was coming closer. Waiting quietly she hoped whoever came out wasn't going to shout at her for being up – surely others had been up the same time during their stays to right.

What she didn't expect – at all, was on seeing the door swing open. She lifted her head to see the greyish brown hair and back of an old woman who had been scolding someone it seems as they turned to look at her.

"I swear if you are late one more time, I will put a lead around that thin little neck of yours and tie you to the back door!"

Regina's breath hitched as she looked into the annoyed face of Granny. The older woman stared back ready to chide some more but it fell on seeing that it wasn't the right person as she glanced around the diner and saw it empty save the young woman in front of her, she looked back to see her staring before speaking.

"Sorry dear – thought you were my waitress."

Not knowing what to say. Regina merely shook her head still feeling shocked, it was one thing to think about it but now that it was real and it was all coming together… it felt so overwhelming and she tried hard not to cry. She must have not as good a job as she thought as soon a handkerchief was placed in front of her and she lifted her head to find Granny staring at her kindly.

"Thank you." She took the offered token as the other woman came to sit by her. Waiting until she had wiped the tears away she turned to look at her, she could feel the scrutinizing gaze and resisted the urge to return to her room just as she spoke.

"Now – why the sad face my dear? If anyone has reason to cry in this place it's me…" Letting the hanky fall into her lap, she turned to look at her.

"Oh?" Agnes nodded. "Certainly, if you had the staff I have it would drive you to tears an all… terrible she is - never near a clock when she needs one and seems to be blind to time coincidently when morning shifts are in need of doing."

That had her laughing as she looked to her lap. The older woman gazed at her again in silence before speaking. "So, come on – what has a pretty lady like you crying so much."

Even cursed, she was never one for minding her business.

She shook her head lightly. It was ridiculous really, she had already done her crying years ago, had cried and then gone on with her task. But now finally being in touching distance of someone – it may not have been the first person she was hoping for but even she wasn't gullible enough to think that she would stroll into town and find either one or both of the people she had been searching for.

But still, she was rather very fond of Granny – even with the bodily harm she was accustomed to giving out.

"I… I don't know." She spoke finally. Still holding the cloth in her hands she fiddled with the edges as the older woman listened. "It's just… I've not been back here for so long, I never realised just how much the people meant to me untilthey weren't there anymore, but now seeing them again – I.."

She trailed off again with another shake of her head. Truth be told she had to lie, had to keep up the pretence – she just didn't know how to. So it was best if she tried to say as little as possible especially to those she knew so well, not until the curse was fully broken at least as Granny nodded sympathetically.

"Well, can't say I've ever left this good little town – born here and most likely die here… but if I was in your shoes and I had just come back… I figure that it's ok to cry, it's not to say crying makes us weak, it just shows how much how much we feel for those around us, those we haven't seen and have missed."

She nodded silently, she knew crying didn't make a person any less of a being. But she herself had only ever cried a few times in her life – from childhood right up until the curse separated them all. Mal had never vocally suggested crying as a weakness, but the younger woman truly had never seen her shed a tear before.

Which was why she tried to hold back her own, Regina had only ever wanted to be like the blonde growing up and if that meant showing nothing on the outside that suggested to how she was feeling… so be it.

If she wanted to finish her task sooner, she would have to take that mantra back up again… she couldn't have no distractions, not this far.

Wiping her eyes she took a deep breath, before giving the other woman a smile that was neither genuine nor entirely fake as she turned to her.

"Thank you."

Agnes gazed at her, studied her facial features but it seemed what emotions Regina had showed seconds before, were no longer there now and so she nodded.

"Seeing as you have a smile on that pretty little face of yours," Her words caused Regina to roll her eyes as she watched her stand. "And I'm still down a waitress."

She looks to the back door to the kitchen then to the clock, before cursing once more and turning back to her. "How handy are you with a coffee pot?"

It was around half ten when August made a show. He had taken his time in showering and making sure his beard was down to a suitable looking barely there trim as he changed and headed downstairs. He had knocked on Regina's door but she hadn't answered so decided to make a start on the day's plans by himself.

The sooner he cured himself of his condition the better.

Pushing on the door that led to the diner he stepped out and looked around. The place was already filled with people sitting along the rows of booths – chatting, eating, smiling… he knew somewhere in this town Emma was lurking, but the blonde wasn't the first target on his list.

Looking over he saw a free booth and so made his way over before sliding into the empty seat. He looked at his wrist before fixing the catch on his watch just as shuffling had him looking up idly before the sight made him double back and look twice.

His eyes landed on Regina who was standing just at the table up from his.

But she was wearing an apron.

And serving people coffee.

He watched, completely transfixed and bewildered as she smiled at the customers before setting about filling their cups with the much preferred choice of drink. He waited until she had finished before catching her eyes, he was pleased to see the slight look of horror cross her face for the slightest second, before it fell into annoyance as she made her way to him.

"Say anything and I will smash this glass and carve rude picture's into that semi wooden body of yours."

He held up his hands in a showing of surrender, but the humour never left his eyes as he gave her a once over. "Can't even think of any words to describe this sudden but somehow… fitting life calling you've taken up."

She glared at him with thinly veiled loathing as he mocked her, with her tolerance levels steadily decreasing with her jesting word.

He chuckled at his last sentence and sat back in his seat, fully enjoying how much she seemed to be vexed as she smiled tight lipped, nodding as if to humour him before looking down.

"Was that funny? Enjoy it did you… well keep laughing now you irritating piece of pine and I'll make sure once you turn back into a block of wood, the next home you'll have is sitting in a shop window for Manikins!"

Still smiling even in spite of her threat, he chuckled lowly under his breath before finally letting it go, "So why are you playing waitress if you don't mind me asking."

Giving him another little irked look she is about to speak but is stopped when he taps the empty cup that is placed in front of him, he smiles closed lipped at the look on her face – how her jaw is clenched and can almost hear her sound of her teeth cracking but saying nothing, she simply tips the coffee into his cup, making sure to get some at least on his jeans before pulling it away.

"Agnes asked me if you really must know." She spied his blank look before shaking her head and nodding in the direction of the kitchen. "The owner of this fine little establishment, she was down a waitress… actually still is, when she asked if I had any experience with waitressing."

Lifting his hand he coughed slightly before putting it back down. "And do you." She shrugged.

"Told her I've eaten in a few during my time… Said it was good enough and." She lifted the coffee mug as the result. "Voila."

Nothing more was said after that, how could he argue with such sound logic and so with a little toast of his first cup of the day, she turned and got back to serving the people who entered and was now sitting down to order.

It was around dinner time when Agnes came back and told Regina she could leave if she wanted to. Smiling she put down the plate she had been carrying and took off the apron, waving away any of the tips the older woman was trying to give her- knowing a stubborn soul when she saw one the older woman titled her head and placed them back in her apron pocket.

What she did say instead was that the first two dinners were free as goodwill since she wasn't taking what she earned. That pleased her more since when was she ever one to say no to free food. Now that she was free and August had waited around… for what she didn't know – was it to see what her plans were or just to laugh some more.

Either way when she finished he followed her out. It was the start of a new day, and though it was a little later then they would have liked, they could still find their way around town with the hours they had left as they descended the steps.

Zipping up her jacket she turns to him. "If Emma is in town already, how do we know how to find her?"

He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around the long strip of road before sighing. "I've seen her before. I'll know who she is, but I don't want her to know I'm here just yet."

She cocked her brow at his answer; she'd have thought him rushing off to find the saviour straight away. "Oh?"

He nodded. In the beginning he wasn't going to say anything about his plans. He had his own reasoning for being here, but now that he knew she wasn't bothered either way, he figured that it might be better if he did, that way if something did go wrong then he knew that could rely on her to help him.

.. Maybe …

"No there is something else I have to do first, something I'd rather not have her knowing if it's all the same." He knew his question was pointless as proved when she scoffed seconds later.

"Do you think I'm going to want to speak to her if I see her?" It was rhetorical he knew so didn't reply. "Besides it's not like I'm going to know who she is, last time I saw her she couldn't even hold her head up right… I doubt much will have changed but I still won't see her in the street and know who she will be."

So he had his answer – she wouldn't speak. It was good enough for him and so with their goals firmly in place they split up, one to get a better feel of the town, to work out who was who and then go from there.

Walking down the street, Regina got a sense of normalcy about the place as she took in the neat little rows of shops, how the crossroad was painted absolutely perfect, the fact that everyone – if they didn't gaze at her for being a newcomer, smiled and waved as they went… it was all far to perfect.

"Cursed town indefinitely" She muttered coming to a stop at the traffic lights. Looking at the lights as they flashed overhead, even they seemed to work in synchronized orders… them – the lowly government issued pieces of machinery.

Everything about the place just screamed ideal, if she hadn't of already known this was a town created completely by a dark curse then she seriously would have been getting Stepford wife's vibes by now.

It occurred to her halfway down that she didn't actually know where she was going. All she was doing was just walking. With August off doing whatever it was he was doing, she needed to start being productive.

But before she could even think of the next part of her plan, a shooting pain had her stopping mid step and doubling over as the intense agony ripped through her stomach.

'Not now' she thought as her hands started to shake. Biting her lip she looked around quickly to see if anyone had been passing by – she was lucky and so cast her gaze again over the street before moving over the road and down a small ally she spied as she rounded the corner to find it a small, dead end path.

She didn't care if it led anywhere as she felt her back hit the wall and her body slide down. Crouching low, she closed her eyes as the stabbing pains grew in their intensity as soon her stomach started to boil. Gritting her teeth she tried to get the shaking under control and clenched her fists tight in a bid to stop them from jolting harshly.

Letting her head rest on her chest, she drew in as many evenly paced breaths as she could without wanting to scream. She hated when this happened, the fact that her Dragon was trapped in a mortal body and had been for so long didn't go without its consequences. Sheer agony and headaches so bad they felt like they would split her head in half.

In the quietness of the ally she waited out the trembling, forcing herself to bit on her lip until at last they gave way. Once they had subsided she allowed herself to open her eyes only to find two pairs of eyes peering down at her.

She jumped a little at the sight of the ginger haired man who was looking concerned from behind his rimmed glasses. She stared back before a small whine had her looking to see the second pair – belonging to his dog, as the Dalmatian moved and placed his head on her knee.

"Are you alright?"

It took her a few seconds to register his question before slowly nodding. Using her returning energy she pushed herself back up the wall, not letting go from it just yet as she still kept her eyes on him.

"How did you know I was here?" She asks her eyes flicker from him to the corner back where the path leads to the main street just as he rubs his chin.

"I err… I was walking Pongo here and I saw you stop and well you seemed to be in pain. I saw you come down here and thought that maybe you needed help."

He stopped talking and looked her over. Not in a lecherous sense but more in the 'I only want to help' kind of way. He seems like a nice man, the kind that went out of his way to make sure someone – anyone was alright, so instead of shooting off scorn like she would have she smile lightly and nods.

"I'm fine now thank you, I just felt a little sick that was all." He nods at her response but still looks a little quizzical; he's merely looking out for her and so refrains from snapping once again. Just keep's the smile on her lips as he finally looks up to her with a bigger, relieved look on his face.

"Well I'm glad to hear it... I'm Archie by the way." He stops now – his expression changing from the concerned to the curious as he licks his lips and speaks. "I don't think I have seen you around town before."

Nodding at his statement she finally moves away from the wall. "Yes, I've only just arrived… I'm visiting family and a few old friends."

"Oh that's nice, anyone I might know?"

She pauses at his question. Now that he has offered, maybe it would be best just to outright ask him; on the off chance he might know the blonde then it would make her search a hell of a lot more easier. But as she looks at him more closely, it comes to her that she has no idea who this man is.

She's never once seen him in the enchanted forest or any clue as to his name, the fact that he means he along with everyone else would have been given new identities and new names… even if he did tell her his name now still wouldn't make a dam bit of difference as it wouldn't be the one from their land.

She sighs heavily knowing his help would be useless but she tries anyway. "She's quiet tall, blonde hair… rather – very serious face about her, one that says 'Do not disturb or die if you do' that kind of expression."

He laughs at her description but shakes his head. His face thoughtful as he does so before it turns into regret when he comes to his conclusion. "No, sorry I don't think I do… does your friend have a name?"

It occurs to her that he hasn't actually found it the least bit suspicious that as it was her friend, she should know her name already but replies to his second question.

"It's family and her name is Mal."

It's the only name that sounds the tiniest bit non magical as she very well couldn't give him the blonde's full name, she waits as he looks up once more in thought before again shaking his head.

"I'm sorry I must admit I don't have any clue… which is weird as I pretty much know everyone in this town." His remark filled the younger woman with a sense of dread.

"You know… everyone?" He didn't seem to note the slight quake in her voice as he smiles and nods. "It is rather a small town. One where everyone knows each other really… so it is odd that I haven't heard of your…"

"Adopted Mother,"

Maleficent had been all kinds growing up to her – but the one she had been - even if she denied it to Tartarus and Hades himself – was a Mother figure.

His smile faded a little replaced by a slightly sadder one as he looks down. "Well I' am sorry… but if I do hear or see anyone fitting that description I'll tell her you were looking."

He waits still smiling for her reply. Which she gives him minutes later with a half arsed smile of her own. "That would be appreciated, thank you."

They round the corner together. Though she had insisted she was fine – he wouldn't be the gentleman he was called if he just left her and so waited until they got to the path before going their separate ways, him leaving her now with a deep rooted feeling of worry, dread and an sudden emptiness that stayed with her as she walked down the street.

If he really knew everyone in this little backwater drop but hadn't heard of the blonde… did that mean she didn't arrive with them?

Getting to the end of the street and noticing the little port on the edge of the sea. She shook her head. No, she was here… this was the only place she could be, the only place with magic. She just wasn't detailed enough in describing her.

But it didn't matter. She didn't need anyone's help. She worked better on her own anyway, and so determined not to give up at the very start just because of one man's largely unhelpful comment. She turned and walked down the path again.

She would find the blonde again. Even if she had to go through everyone in this town to do so.