Snow was finally able to move.

When she'd entered the palace, she had intended to make her way to her room unseen. Unfortunately, when she reached the threshold to the kitchen, she noticed her father perched in a chair by the door, eyes bloodshot, and empty wine chalice in hand. She tried to sneak around him, but in the dark she mistakenly stepped on an uprooted floorboard and tripped. The thud her body made when it hit the floor was just enough to jolt her father out of his stupor. Profanities were exclaimed and glass objects flew. Snow couldn't get away fast enough. The King yanked her back by her hair and turned her to face him.

"Well, look who finally came back," he spat. "I'll show you what happens when you abandon your husband!"

Snow gasped sharply. He thought she was Eva! That would only make the punishment worse. Snow scrambled away quickly as she could. Leopold lumbered after her, tossing plates haphazardly. The alcohol disoriented his depth perception and luckily most of the glass missed her. Only a few shards grazed her arms and legs. Father and daughter continued to play a terrifying game of cat and mouse well into the morning. All the while, Leopold shouting at Snow, saying if she were a good wife, she would've never let in the first place let alone have the gall to return. When the first rays of sunlight came through the kitchen windows, the King's shouts and hostility finally ceased before he fell into a deep, intoxicated sleep from entirely too much alcohol. She inched out slowly from her tiny nook between the China cabinet and the bay window seat, the one place where her father could not reach her. She cringed as her muscles ached with each moment. She bit down hard on her lower lip to keep from crying out. Once she was upstairs, Johanna would know what to do to take care of her. She covered her father, who was slumped over in a dining chair, with a warm wool blanket and gingerly made her way up the staircase, trying hard not to disturb the servants.

When Snow reached her chambers, she paused. She was in a lot of pain, but felt bad for rousing Johanna whenever she needed help. Snow paddled to the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom instead, deciding this time to tend to the injuries herself. She tugged open the ornately carved medicine cabinet and carefully studied it's contents. As she pulled out what she believed to be the correct concoction of herbs to treat her current injuries, she once again became lost in her thoughts. Where were Regina and Daniel now? It had been hours since she had left them in the woods. She wondered if they were gone yet. Snow had no worries of her father finding Regina in his present state. The last time he had been this drunk, he'd slept the rest of the day. Maybe, if she were lucky, Snow could see Regina one more time before-

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes and she shook her head, trying not to cry again. She knew seeing Regina would only make it harder to know she was gone. Snow would've given anything to have such a woman be her mother, but she knew in her heart that nothing could've been done to prevent her from running. Even if the princess hadn't gone to the stables, if Cora had succeeded in her attempt on Daniel's life-Snow shivered as the image flooded her mind, but quickly pushed it back. Even if the treacherous plan had come to pass, Regina would've never been happy as Queen. Snow hated to think of what Regina may have become if Daniel died. The pain of losing her mother was still fresh in Snow's heart. It hurt like nothing she'd ever felt before. She couldn't imagine what it would've felt like for Regina to lose her True Love. The day she met Regina, Snow wasn't sure how long she could hang on, living life as it was. It was hard to imagine that it had only been nearly a week ago that Regina had come into her life and reminded her what it felt like to be cared for…to be loved.

To distract herself from the steadily growing lump in her throat, she returned her attention to the herbs sitting idly on the counter. As she begin to sort through the plants, the queasy feeling returned. She tried to think, she hadn't eaten anything strange for dinner that night-or rather last night. Her stomach had been bothering her more and more frequently and her appetite had changed. Sometimes she wanted the first thing she saw, and other days, she felt like she could tolerate only apple-favored foods. It was strange to her. She had no idea what was going on, but figured she must be ill. After she tended to her bruises and cuts, Snow would make some mint tea to soothe the nausea. As she opened the small canister of cayenne, Johanna's go-to herb to relieve Snow's pain, she reeled back as the smell wafted up her nose, before she knew it, she'd dropped the bottle and was retching violently all over the bathroom floor.

After witnessing Snow's mistreatments by Leopold, Regina and her fiancée had gone directly to her father's cottage by the outskirts of the woods, still shaken. Her father used to live with her and Cora, but said he was more comfortable staying in what used to be the family's vacation spot. Father and daughter both agreed that the small lodge felt much more homey, but Cora would not hear of the future Queen staying in such a "withered old shack". Regina did not wish to return to the mansion she had shared with Cora; it was too big and filled with far too many feeling and memories she was not yet ready to face. She still was not sure how she felt about the Blue Fairy essentially banishing her mother. The bigger part of her was relived. She was finally free. No longer having to worry about putting herself or Daniel in danger if and when she decided to reveal her relationship with him. Which, Regina mused; she guessed she would have to do tonight. Her father would inevitably have question when he saw the two of them on his porch, asking for a place to stay. The other side of her, well, Cora was her mother-an awful one-but the only one she'd ever had. She missed her, insane as it was after what she'd nearly done to Daniel. Thinking of her mother made her thought come full circle, drifting back to little Snow. Regina was more grateful to have the child in her life than she would ever be able to describe. Although she had only known her for a short while, Snow White managed to fill a space inside her that she didn't even know had been missing. Regina was quite certain it would be a while before she and Daniel talked of having a family, but in her heart, Snow was already a part of it. That was the other reason she wanted to see her father. Regina was bound and determined to get her little princess out of that wretched castle as soon as possible. But how to do it? She knew her father had always been good had making sense of impossible situations and she knew, despite having been passive when Regina had been on the receiving end of Cora's wrath, seeing her in pain had hurt him. She could only hope he would know the best way to help Snow, because if not, she was at a standstill.

She knocked twice on the oak wooden door to her father's house and stepped back beside Daniel.

"Regina!" Henry smiled at his daughter, and then glanced to her right. "And, Daniel?" He cleared his throat, "Well, this is quite a surprise. What can I do for you?" Regina noticed the slight look of panic in her father's gaze and had to laugh.

"Don't worry daddy." she assured him, "I'm not pregnant."

Henry chuckled, "Well, I would certainly hope not. It was only a few days ago that Daniel came to make wanting advice about the-" he suddenly clamped his mouth shut and looked panic-stricken at Daniel, who only smiled. "It's all right sir. I asked her." Henry raised an eyebrow and Daniel's grin grew. "She said yes."

"That's wonderful sweetheart!" Henry exclaimed and came out into the night to wrap his arms around Regina, who stood there, bewildered.

"Wait a minute," she sputtered in disbelief, glancing incredulously between her father and Daniel. "You told him?" she asked her fiancée.

Daniel shrugged sheepishly, "You didn't actually think I would propose to you without getting Henry's permission, did you?"

Regina stared at her father, "You knew?" she wondered aloud. "You approve?"

Henry smirked gently. "Dear, I knew before you did. The first time I'd seen you happy in years was after you'd met Daniel. Of course I approve Regina. I-I know I wasn't always the best at showing it, but I love you darling. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy."

Regina embraced her father tightly, "Thank you Daddy," she murmured blissfully.

"Oh baby. I'd do anything for you." He squeezed her back.

"I know that now," Regina whispered quietly, "I'm sorry I doubted you."

Henry smiled, "You have nothing to be sorry for." Henry softly placed a kiss on her forehead before separating from her embrace. "So," he asked, "when is the wedding?"

Regina looked at the ground nervously. "I'm afraid that's not all we came to talk about," she admitted hesitantly. "May we come in?"

Henry looked at her, puzzled, but obliged.

Regina explained everything then; about her mother's growing distaste for Daniel, their hidden relationship, saving Snow from the runaway horse, her death and resurrection after saving Daniel, and finally, what they had witnessed at the White castle. "We have to save her Daddy!" Regina implored, "I won't leave without her. She isn't safe there!"

Henry was deeply troubled and still trying to process all the new information, but he placed a reassuring hand atop his daughter's. "Don't worry dear," his eyes were ablaze with determination. He'd made the mistake of standing idly by while his wife tortured their daughter; he would not make the same mistake again.

"But how?" Regina asked frantically. "I can't just go in there and take her. Guards are everywhere!"

"True, but I have an idea…" he glanced at Regina hesitantly, reluctant to reveal his plan.

Regina squeezed Daniel's hand in anticipation. "What is it Daddy? I'll do anything!"

"I believe there's a way we can get you to her without raising any suspicion. You said the Blue Fairy pledged her service to this girl yes?"

Regina shook her head, "Yes, but I don't think Sapphire can…Can she?"

"She could," Henry mused, "but Blue wouldn't be able to stay with Snow and protect her all the time. Fairies must go where they're summoned. Nor would she be able to teach her the appropriate skills for survival. No, you must go get her."

"I know that Daddy, but if Blue can't help her, why did you bring her up?" Regina was getting far too anxious. She wanted Snow with her, safe and sound. And she wanted her now.

"Patience Gina," Henry told her. "This plan will work, but it will take time. I mentioned Sapphire not because she can help Snow, but because she can help you."

"Me?"

"Yes, you. The king knows you. If you are to get to Snow, you must go in disguise. And the only disguise guaranteed to hold up under and circumstance are those made by magic."

Regina gasped, clutching Daniel's hand. She knew what was coming next.

"You must ask Sapphire to teach you magic." he said, certifying her speculations. "Just a simple cloaking spell," he said, seeming to sense his daughter's fear, "Nothing dangerous."

"But," Regina gaped, "Magic?"

"Not all magic is evil sweetheart. And Fairy magic is the purest form of all."

Regina was still tense. Henry hugged her close to him. "We-" he said, looking pointedly at Daniel, "will never let you turn into Cora."

Regina shivered at the mention of her mother's name. But seeing both Daniel and her father smile encouragingly at her, she realized they really believed in her. And Snow. Sweet, innocent, Snow. Regina was her last hope. She couldn't, wouldn'tlet her down. She took a deep breath. This was her chance. Regina was not going to let fear rule her any longer, Snow meant too much to her. Her mother had been wrong. Love wasn't weakness, fear was. Love, well, for love she would overcome any obstacle, face any fear. Because love, her love for her family and their love for her, it gave her courage she didn't know she had. It made her strong. That's what love was; Love was strength.