Today was the day. Regina had finally earned enough points with Archie to get out of this basement they call a mental hospital.
Just as Regina stepped out into the hall, she saw Robin charging towards her. "What? What is it?" she alarmingly asked, mentally tracing the creases in his face from his lines of worry.
Robin breathlessly spoke, "It's Zelena. She escaped." And her stomach fell to the floor. They ran up to meet with Emma and the Charmings.
"Let's split up and cover more ground," Emma suggested. Somehow, Regina and Snow ended up headed in the same direction and decided to search the woods together.
In the distance, they heard screams of agony. As Regina rounded the large tree down the path, she saw a mop of red hair thrashing on the ground.
Upon further inspection, they realized she had gone into labor during her Houdini act.
"Zelena!" Regina screamed, frightened by the unnatural cries from her elder sister. "Get away from me!" Zelena grunted through gritted teeth. "Oh give it a rest, it's not like you can really stop me right now," Regina pointed out.
With the largest eye roll, Zelena wordlessly accepted the help of her sister and the precious Snow White. Snow moved to her end, while Regina stayed by her side. She couldn't believe she was in this position, helping her sister give birth to her soulmate's baby, but Zelena was screaming and digging her nails into Regina's hands. This was very much real.
"I need you to keep pushing Zelena!" Snow pleaded. "I can't!" Zelena cried.
"Yes you can!" Regina said as she tighten her grip on Zelena's hand and supported her back. "Now push!"
After Zelena's earth shattering scream penetrated the tranquility of the forest, a small cry rose above. All of the air in Zelena's lungs was forced out. "You did it," Regina whispered lovingly into Zelena's ear, her lip pressed against sweaty ginger curls.
But something was right. Regina felt increasing weight in her arms. Zelena's skin turned into a pale sickly blue, like all the warmth was drained out of her. "Zelena?" Regina frantically ran her hands over her sister's face.
Snow watched the strange encounter. You wouldn't even guess these two hated each other, but Regina, even with the Dark One inside of her has changed, and has always wanted a sister, a family.
"We have to get her to the hospital," Snow urged, holding the infant in her arms. "We can't carry her, and if we wait for the others it'll take too long."
Snow's face contorted with realization, "No. Regina no. You can't use magic, you awaken the Dark One!"
"She's going to die if I don't" Regina pressed. The two former enemies exchanged a long sorrowful look. This may be the last time Regina is free of the darkness waiting to pounce inside of her. All of her progress, about to shatter.
"Okay."