Disclaimer: Once Upon a Time does not belong to me! All characters and references to the show belong to ABC and Channel 5

Once Upon a Time: School's Out! The Third One-Chapter 16

Regina burst out of the building, Daniel hot on her heels "Hey! Wait minute!" he called after her "What's the problem? I thought you and your Mom were O.k now?!"

Stopping in her steps, Regina turned to face him, clearly a little disturbed "We are, but...I don't know, I just can't help but feel a little nervous" she ducked her head lightly, smoothing a strand of dark brunette hair back behind her ear "I suppose old habits die hard" she lifted her head, planting a hand on her hip defensively and jutting out her chin.

Daniel was about to reassure her, to tell her that he was certain that Cora had changed, but then he remembered (not that he'd actually forgotten) the way her cold brown eyes had skewered him last semester, the way her red lips had split into a feral grin that threatened to eat him alive. That look had scared the living crap out of him and was now making it impossible to say what he really wanted.

So instead, he stepped forward and took one of his love's hands in his own, looking deep into her eyes as he kissed it gently "I get it, Regina. Really, I do" his lips curved in a sweet smile "It's just gonna take a little time, that's all"

"You think?" a beautifully plucked eyebrow lifted into the air, and Daniel's smile turned into a grin.

"Hey, it's just Visitation. What's the worst that could happen?"

OUAT

"Yes Papa, I miss you, too" Belle said, talking in hushed tones on her cell phone in her favourite spot in the Library so as not to piss off the librarian (again) "Yeah, I can't wait for tomorrow either!" she beamed "It's gonna be so good to see you. I can't wait to hear how you've been getting on with the shop!"

"...the shop?" came Mr French's confused tone, and Belle knew instantly that she'd made a grievous error.

"You never ask about the flower shop"

"Uh..."

"Belle. What's going on?" her father's voice was thick with suspicion. Belle blanched.

"Um..."

"What're you hiding?"

"Um..." Belle squeaked again "I, uh-oh, wow, Papa, is that the librarian?!"

"Belle French-"

"PapaIloveyougottagobye!" she hung up before he could respond, staring down at the phone with a weary sigh.

Well, she thought with false glee, operation Butter-Up-Papa-For-Parent-Visitation worked like a dream!

Sighing again, she put her phone back in her pocket, returning the glare Ms Krone sent her way (ever since her supposed multiple make-out sessions in the library, the two hadn't really been getting along)

O.k, so her Papa might not react well to her renewed relationship. At least there was the hope that Rumplestiltskin would act like a civilised gentleman in front of her father for a couple of hours!

She groaned. Yep, she was pretty darn screwed.

OUAT

On the night before Parent Visitation, when the clock struck precisely Midnight, an eerie presence slid through the College, leaking though their assigned dorm house, sliding across the concrete campus, and dissolving through the Mills House door. The lights were off, meaning everyone was either hanging out in their rooms or sleeping.

Good.

The presence stalked up the stairs, their footfalls barely touching the stairs as they swept to the second floor, gently moving across the carpet until they came to one particular, faintly marker-pen stained door, the swirly gold lettering spelling out two words:

Regina Mills.

Carefully, the presence pulled a couple of thin, crooked iron bars out of it's pocket and slid them into the lock. It tweaked the bars, working the lock. It was of good structure, and had clearly been made with care, but it wasn't good enough for the lock-pick.

Within seconds, there was a click, and the door popped open. Like the hall below, the room was dark, meaning that whoever was inside it was asleep. This would be just too easy!

The presence slipped inside, carrying out it's work swiftly and silently. The door barely had time to close before it was being opened again, and the mysterious stranger was out, making sure to re-lock the door behind them before leaving the dorm.

Its work was completed. Now, there was nothing to do, but wait.

OUAT

At 8:50am on Saturday morning, Daniel watched from her bedroom doorway as Regina rushed around her carpet in bare feet, her black heels thrown on the bed as she buttoned up her dark grey blouse, not stopping for a second as she checked each and every nook and cranny to make sure that everything in her immaculate bedroom was in it's place. She grabbed a brush and ran it through her dark hair, sweeping it behind her back and pulling it into a braid before jerking on the shoes. The whole scene told Daniel one thing: Regina was nervous.

"Uh...everything O.k in here?"

With a wild gasp, she turned on one foot to face him, her mouth agape and her eyes wide, but when she saw who it was her face immediately became calm with relief. And then she glared at him "Daniel! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" she shrieked, looking ready to spontaneously combust right on the spot.

Yep, definitely nervous. So much for their talk on Monday...

"No" he took a step into the bedroom "I just came to make sure that you were O.k, and that you weren't...you know..." he gestured to her immaculate-yet-panic-stricken state "Nervous"

"Of course I'm nervous!" Regina snapped "My mother is coming to my College! This is practically routine for me!" her eyes widened, and she grasped her neck "Oh God, where's my necklace?!"

"Y-your what?"

"The necklace I was gonna wear with this outfit!" Regina yelled, rapidly (but carefully) searching through the crystal jewellery box on her vanity "Where is it?!"

"Hey, calm down!" said Daniel uselessly, walking into the room and searching himself "It's probably in here somewhere. What does it look like?"

"It's an opal pendant on a black ribbon" said Regina, and then she cursed "Oh crap, I think I left it in the bathroom!" she hurriedly strode out of the room, calling out a dire warning to anyone who might have dared touch her jewellery.

Daniel rolled his eyes, continuing to search the room for the necklace. Regina sometimes got a little...scary, when she was nervous. But hey, it was one of the reasons he loved her.

After searching through the slim drawers in her work desk, he went to the little table next to her bed, a wooden, white and silver contraption with three drawers under the surface, he searched through the first two, finding nothing except for some school-notes, tissues, a diary (the kind with dates) and some...uh...feminine stuff.

"Oh jeeze..." he quickly shut the second drawer and moved on to the third, sliding it open and looking inside.

And then, he completely forgot about the stupid necklace.

Daniel stared inside the drawer, his blue eyed gaze fixed on the contents, and it was like his brain had screeched to a halt and collapsed in on itself, rendering him frozen, incapable of doing anything except stare at the contents of this drawer.

No...it can't be...how could anyone...but she couldn't have...could she?...oh my God...

"Daniel!" he heard Regina calling him from the Mills House bathroom and he robotically lifted his head at the sound of her voice.

"Yeah?" he answered, his voice flat.

"Good news, I found the necklace!" she sounded extremely relieved "Now, I've gotta go and meet my parents. Shall I meet you and your uncle in an hour?"

"Uh...yeah, sure" he replied, sliding the terrible drawer shut as Regina came back into the room, a medium-sized opal pendant dangling from her neck and a red-lipsticked smile on her face before they puckered when she bent down to kiss him gently.

"I'll see you later" she smiled, walking confidently out of the room.

For two long, long minuets, Daniel stayed knelt on the floor, trying to avoid looking at the terrible drawer while a thousand and one thoughts ran through his head, the worst one repeating itself over and over in his mind. Even as he got up to go and get ready for his uncle, the dark thought wouldn't leave him alone. He tried to fight it back, but the doubt had already entered his mind, leaking like poison into his thoughts as the image of what was in that drawer kept appearing in his mind.

Because if what he was thinking was true, then it meant that Regina had been lying to him...and Snow White Blanchard was in terrible danger...

OUAT

After Regina had welcomed the doting parents into the College, they each headed to their child's dorm house, eager to visit their prospering offspring. As Maurice French came to the Dame house, he smiled widely at the sight of his daughter standing a few feet away from the door and waved to her.

Smiling back, Belle returned the wave while trying desperately to ignore the butterflies in her stomach. Rumplestiltskin was inside the Dame house, waiting for the moment when Belle would announce to her father that they were back together. They had talked about it the previous night, and decided that the best course of action would be to let Belle talk to Maurice alone first, and then bring him to Rumplestiltskin, who would (hopefully) be on his best behaviour.

As her father approached, Belle took in a deep, calming breath; here we go...

"Belle!" Mr French eagerly wrapped his arms around his daughter and pulled her in for a tight hug. Belle smiled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and trying to breathe.

"Hi Papa" she wheezed "You're crushing me..."

"Oh, sorry" he released her, and Belle took in a grateful breath as her Papa pointed towards her dorm house "So, shall we head inside so you can tell me how you've been getting on at College?"

"No!" Belle all but shrieked, making Mr French jump back and stare at her oddly, but Belle was already talking before he could say anything.

"I mean, um...not yet. Why don't we just talk out here for now?" she tried a carefree smile "It's such a nice day!"

"Uh...alright" said Mr French "So, what've you been doing? Have you seen much of Gaston lately?"

Belle narrowed her gaze "No, Papa" she said, her voice like steel "He's probably been to busy making out with his boyfriend!" she emphasised the last word heavily but Mr French looked no more discouraged.

"Well, that's a real shame, Belle, he's been a good friend to you!"

"He's also a friend who I'm never going to be interested in-and who's never going to be interested in me-no matter how much I hang out with him!"

Mr French looked shocked "Belle, what on earth would make you think something like that? All I want is for you to be happy, and if you just so happen to be happy with an all-star footballer then who am I to-"

Belle couldn't take this anymore. "Papa, I'm seeing someone!" Belle burst out, and Mr French blinked, caught off guard. Then he smiled

"Belle! That's great!"

Belle stared at him in surprise "...really?"

Mr French nodded, placing his hands on her shoulders "Of course it is! Do you have any clue how much I wanted this to happen? For you to finally move on from that...Gold boy?" he said the name like a curse word, and Belle knew instantly that she was doomed.

"I mean, sure, I know you said that you were in love with him, but let's be honest, girl, that lad was trouble, and the last thing I wanted was for you to pine for the likes of him" he shuddered, and Belle felt a twinge of both anger and guilt. He was gonna be so pissed...

"Father" Belle cut off his slandering of her boyfriend in a way that silenced him immediately. She took a deep breath, deciding to just...go for it "...R-Rumple's the boy I'm seeing. We got back together two weeks ago"

After those words had been spoken, Belle wondered if she should get a doctor, because her father seemed to be having an aneurysm. He was frozen in his position, his hands stiffening on her shoulders and his face fixed in it's original expression, but he wasn't blinking. Belle wondered if he was even breathing.

"Uh...Papa?"

"Gold?" he whispered, much to Belle's relief, even if he did sound horrified "You...got back with him?!" his hands dropped from her shoulders and the young woman stood up straighter, unflinchingly meeting his gaze.

"Yes, Papa, I did!"

"Why the hell did you do that?!"

"Because I love him!"

"He doesn't love you!"

"Yes he does!"

"He cheated on you!"

"He's sorry!"

"Oh, trust me, he's gonna be because I'm gonna beat that little shit black and blue!"

"No you are not!" Belle yelled at him, stamping her foot on the ground and practically spitting with intense emotion "Father, I know you don't trust him-"

"Damn right I don't!" Mr French yelled, just as pissed off as his daughter "Honestly, Belle, how can you be so naive?"

"I'm not being naive!" Belle cried, feeling her insides twist with desperation as they argued "Papa, he knows what he did was wrong, and he's sworn to me that it will never happen again-"

"I bet he has" Mr French snarled.

"-And I believe him!" Belle finished in a yell, and Mr French scoffed, his arms folding across his torso and he stubbornly shook his head. Belle took a few moments to calm herself down, taking in deep breaths until felt enough at peace to reach out and touch her fathers arm. Her father's eyes glanced at her hand, avoiding her gaze as she looked up at him with her big blue eyes.

"I believe him, Papa" she repeated, her voice soft and brimming with conviction "And I know you might not trust him, but can't you trust me?"

Mr French sighed heavily, his chest heaving and his eyes closing. When he opened them again, he looked down at Belle, who was still staring up at him pleadingly, but he could also see that glimmer of determination in her face that told him, in no uncertain terms, that she would not be swaying on this matter.

So, he unfolded his arms, and reluctantly nodded "Of course I trust you, Belle"

His daughter beamed at him, and then flung her arms around his waist in a tight hug "Thank-you, Papa!"

"It's just him I don't trust"

Belle sighed. Well, that was the best she could hope for "Will you at least come and talk to him?"

Mr French blanched, and then groaned "Why?"

"Please? For me?" she wouldn't go as far as to say she wanted her father and her boyfriend to get along (she was pretty sure that was going to happen only when Hell froze over) but she wanted them to at least be able to be civil, in the same room together, for more than five seconds. Her first attempt at this during the Christmas holidays, where Rumplestiltskin had made endless innuendoey jokes and nearly made her fathers head explode, had gone down in flames, but that didn't mean she shouldn't try again. Right?

Mr French looked at her pleadingly, but when that failed to change her mind, he nodded"Fine!"

Belle beamed a radiant,grateful smile, and then led her father into the Dame House, bringing him into the lounge where Rumplestiltskin himself was sat on the plush and empty sofa awaiting them.

When Belle entered the room, the bored expression left his face and he sat up a little straighter, his lips lifting in a reassuring look.

Then, Mr French walked in, and Rumplestiltskin's smile vanished as soon as he met the older mans vicious glare, apparently trying to intimidate the boy.

Rumplestiltskin grinned, his teeth showing through his thin lips.

"Ah, Mr French!" he said in mock delight, throwing an arm over the headrest of the couch, continuing in a tone of sincere sarcasm "Pleasure to see you-"

"O.k, let's get something straight, Gold" Mr French interrupted, and Rumplestiltskin cocked an eyebrow "I don't like you. You're dark, you're weird, you're scrawny and you cheated on my daughter with some dumbass bimbo, which makes you nothing but a steaming pile of crap"

Belle stared at her father, her mouth falling open in horror. WHAT THE HELL?!

"But for some reason" he continued "My daughter has chosen to take you back, and until she comes to her senses and dumps your arse I'm going to make sure you treat her with the proper respect she deserves, or else I will kick your sorry arse all the way back to Ireland, or wherever it is you're from"

Rumplestiltskin and Belle stared at her father, clear looks of genuine surprise or shock on both of their faces, unable to move as Mr French sat down on the opposite chair, his hands laying on the armrests. He looked at the two astounded teenagers, and exhaled heavily "Alright. Let's get it over with"

OUAT

Elsewhere in the College, Snow White heaved herself off of her bed and went to answer a knock at the door. Pulling it open, she gasped in delight when she saw her short, tufty haired father Leopold Blanchard standing in the corridor with a huge smile on his face.

"Father!" Snow White exclaimed, laughing happily and hugging her father.

"Snow!" he responded with joy, giving her back a squeeze "It's so good to see you, my child"

"It's good to see you too, father" Snow White smiled, pulling away from him "But I thought you weren't coming for another hour? I would've come to meet you!"

"Well, I was anxious to see you, Snow" Mr Blanchard kept up his warm smile, but when he looked down at her protruding belly his eyes widened "My...she's growing really fast!" he laughed nervously, and inwardly Snow White sighed, because despite his kind support and tolerance of James (he no longer glared at the boy whenever he saw him, and during Spring Break he'd even gone as far as having a civil conversation with him. Sure, it hadn't lasted longer than two minutes but still, progress was progress) she knew he was still having trouble accustoming himself to her teenage pregnancy.

"Yeah, she is" she trailed a hand over her stomach "I can't believe she's almost eight months!"

"Indeed" said Mr Blanchard briskly, apparently not wanting to stay on the subject "So, how's College? Anything interesting happening?"

Snow White's smile stiffened. Interesting? She wouldn't quite go that far: Scary, suspicious and possibly life threatening, sure, but she couldn't tell her father that. What was she supposed to say? Oh, Dad, you have no idea! You remember the crazy girl who pretty much rules this school AND landed me in hospital last year? Well, she might be getting ready to give it another shot!

Uuuh...no.

So instead, she smiled demurely and shrugged "Nothing much"

OUAT

Belles steps were agitated as she walked with Rumplestitlskin to the outside of Fairytale College. Her stomach was churning, and she was constantly smoothing back her hair. It was an hour after her father had left and now she was preparing to meet someone very special to Rumplestiltskin. Her stomach clenched every time she thought about it, and her fingers brushed her hair back once more.

Chuckling fondly, Rumplestiltskin caught her hand, pulling it down to lace it with his own as they walked "Sweetheart, stop, you look lovely"

Belle whimpered "It's not my looks I'm worried about, Rumple!" she bit her lip, nerves churning more than ever as they approached the school gates. From here, she could see a black Jaguar parked against the pavement "What if she doesn't like me?!"

It took all the strength Rumplestiltskin had not to laugh out loud at that. He was probably biased (though he doubted it) but if there was anyone out there who didn't simply adore his lovely Belle, then they were probably severely deranged. And he knew for a fact that his mother was not.

"Belle, she'll love you!" he told her with absolute certainty, and then he smirked "Even if she doesn't, you'll probably still get along better than your father and I!"

"Oh God..." Belle cringed, remembering the whole embarrassing affair "I am so, sorry about that! I honestly thought he would be more mature!"

"'Kick my sorry arse all the way back to Ireland?'" he quoted with a raised eyebrow. If Belle knew how hard it had been not to clock him in the face for that remark...

"I know, I know!" Belle groaned, her father's idiocy making her burn with embarrassment. Releasing an agonised breath, she looked up at Rumplestiltskin "Thank-you for not rising to it, Rumple. I can only imagine how badly you wanted to hit him!"

"Well, I promised, didn't I?" Rumplestiltskin grinned, dipping his head to gently kiss her on the cheek and causing Belle to giggle.

But that giggle quickly vanished when they came to the edge of the gates, where a small woman with Rumplestiltskin's brown hair and a six year old boy with his brown eyes were waiting.

"Mum!" Rumplestiltskin called to her, leading a terrified Belle to the woman she knew to be Katrina Gold. She was petite, and couldn't be more than two inches taller than Belle, and yet with her impeccable state of dress (she was wearing a smart, white cotton blouse and black suit pants) and self-assured posture, she seemed to tower over the beauty.

As soon as she saw Rumplestiltskin, a warm smile that made her look twenty years younger broke across Mrs Golds face, and Rumplestiltskin momentarily left Belle to wrap her into a hug "Rumple!" she said in a joyful Scottish accent "It's wonderful to see you, my son!"

"It's good to see you too, Mum" Rumplestiltskin pulled back with a smile, and immediately his attention was taken by the little boy with thick dark hair and huge brown eyes.

"Hi Rumple!" said Baelfire, and Rumplestiltskin knelt down so that the boy could hug him. Belle watched the sweet exchange, not realising she was smiling softly until she caught Katrina Gold staring at her. A shock of fear went through her and she fought to keep her features composed while her imagination sprung to life, wondering what Mrs Gold would think of her. Despite Rumplestiltskin's reassurances, she was terrified that his mother wouldn't like her. What if she didn't think she was good enough to date her son? What if she tried to undermine her at every turn? What if she sent another one of Rumplestiltskins crazy ex-girlfriends to break them up? What if-

"Mum, Bae" she heard Rumplestiltskin say "I would like to introduce you to someone very, very special" he was standing up straight, and was stretching out a hand towards her. Belle felt her stomach drop to the soles of her feet as she hesitantly walked forwards until his arm wrapped around her waist. When she turned her face up to him, she saw a look of complete and utter devotion that almost made all of her fears disappear. Almost "This, is Belle French" she nearly blushed at the way he said her name, like he was describing a beautiful work of art "Belle, this is my mother, Katrina Gold, and my little brother Baelfire"

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Belle" said Mrs Gold, extending a hand that Belle took.

"Likewise, Mrs Gold"

"Oh, please, call me Katrina!" she laughed, and the young beauty started to feel something relax in her chest. This wasn't so bad, she seemed nice.

"So. Belle" Mrs Gold repeated her name "That's the French term for 'Beauty', isn't it?"

Oh my God does she expect me to answer?! Belle thought frantically, Well, she's staring at you like she is, so you'd better answer her! And for Gods sake try not to sound stupid!

"I, uh, um, well, I, uh...Y-yes. Yes I think so!" she blurted out desperately.

What the HELL was THAT?!

She felt a chuckle trap itself in Rumplestiltskin's chest, and even Katrina looked amused before she put a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Try not to be so timid, dear! I promise, I won't bite you" she said kindly, and she glanced at Rumplestiltskin "Besides, judging from everything my son has told me, you're hardly one to be shy"

Everything? Hm..."Really?" said Belle, and she too glanced up at her boyfriend, who's grip had suddenly tightened around her waist "He talks about me?"

"Oh, all the time!" Katrina exclaimed, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture "Honestly, it's like every time I phone it's all 'Belle this' and 'Belle that' God, I'm lucky if I can get a word in most of the time! It was just like when he was seven and he went through that wool-spinning phase-"

"Mum!" said Rumplestiltskin warningly, but Katrina paid him no heed, grinning at a much more at ease Belle:

"-He would never stop talking about how he was going to spin straw into gold one day!" she shook her head, making an amused sound "Let me tell you, Belle, it was no fun cleaning up all that mess from his bedroom floor, that straw would get everywhere!"

"Thank-you Mother!" Rumplestiltskin said sternly, his cheeks tinted with pink. Belle was giggling at the image of seven-year-old Rumple, making a huge mess as he tried to spin straw on a spindle. She felt a gentle tugging on her skirt, and looked down to see young Baelfire staring up at her, a look of awe on his face. Belle spread her lips in a kind smile.

"Uh...hello there"

"You're really pretty" said Baelfire, his own accent young and lilting, and Belle's smile became slightly embarrassed. This was not what she'd been expecting!

"Um, thank-you"

"Come now, Baelfire" said Katrina chidingly "Don't bother the young lady"

"Um, I don't mind" said Belle honestly. The lad seemed as nice as his mother, and every bit as sweet at Rumplestiltskin had described.

Baelfire tilted his head slightly, as though considering something important. After a few moments, he asked her: "Do you fancy my brother?"

"Bae!" Rumplestiltskin hissed, looking extremely embarrassed. Mrs Gold clucked at her younger son, but Belle only continued to smile, taking Rumplestiltskins hand as she nodded.

"Yes Baelfire, very much" she said, and Baelfire grinned.

"That's good" he pointed at Rumplestiltskin "He doesn't think so. He thinks you're to good for him, and eventually you're gonna dump him"

"BAELFIRE!" Rumplestiltskin cried in agony while Katrina burst out laughing. He glared at her "You swore you wouldn't embarrass me!" he hissed.

Belle was laughing too, feeling her earlier fears disappear as she squeezed Rumplestiltskin's hand in sympathy. He looked down at her, the apology clear on his face.

Belle simply smiled back radiantly. This was all so easy, and she wondered why she'd even been so scared in the first place. There was truly nothing to fear.

OUAT

The day was coming to a close, and Regina Mills breathed out a small sigh of relief as she walked back into her bedroom after seeing her parents off. Her meeting with her parents had gone exceedingly well, better than it had in...God knew how long! Her father had been his usual sweet self, asking about how College and her work as Student Body President was going, basically the same as usual, but with one small difference.

It had astounded Regina how...different her mother had been. Instead of being her usual, snarky, soul crushing self, she had been...nice, almost kind. She'd let her and her father talk without any snide comments, didn't so much as hint at the B she'd gotten in Maths, and she'd even asked about her relationship with Daniel, seemingly delighted when Regina had told her it was going very well.

Regina smiled at the memory, unclasping her necklace from around her neck and heading towards her bed. She felt relieved, certainly a lot better than she'd been for a few weeks now.

Her smile faltered, foul memories popping into her mind. She'd chosen not to tell her parents about the...incidents, she didn't want them thinking that they needed to send her back to the mad house. Just the thought of going back behind those periwinkle blue doors...

No. Never again.

Pulling her necklace away from her, she leaned over to her bedside table and promptly opened the last drawer, throwing the necklace carelessly into the empty chamber.

The warm glow of relief still fresh in her, she tried to call Daniel to tell him to come to her room. But for some reason, all she got was his answering machine.

Regina frowned; that was odd, she couldn't remember an occasion where she'd called] and her boyfriend hadn't answered. Well, except for when they'd had a fight.

But they hadn't had a fight, everything had been fine that morning, which bade the question: What was going on?

OUAT

From next to him, Daniel Hay's little silver cell phone rang. He went to answer it, but when he saw that it was Regina, something made him pull his hand back. He felt terrible about it, but...he just couldn't talk to her. Not right now. The hour with his uncle had been hard enough, having to pretend that everything was fine and dandy...

On his bed were the items he'd taken from Regina's bedroom drawer, his hands shaking when he'd put his hands on them and shoved them under his shirt, running out of the place and hoping no-one saw him. Especially Regina.

Before him lay a book of pins, an injection needle, and a bottle of Propofol which, as Daniel well knew, was a drug used to induce coma's.

Daniel stared at these instruments of harm, wanting to smash and shatter them until they crumbled into dust so that they just...just...didn't exist anymore!

What did these mean? There was no way anyone could've gotten into Regina's room. It was locked up like Fort Knox 24/7, which only left one option...

"Oh God..." Daniel groaned, turning away from the instruments in despair. Did this mean that James...was right? Could Regina be a risk? They had been dating for almost eight months, and she had never shown any hospitalising tendencies. She could never do something like this. He knew her.

"Maybe you don't!"

Daniel closed his eyes, shaking his head as though trying to rid himself of James' words. When he opened his eyes, he looked at the instruments again, his inner-turmoil only strengthening. He loved Regina, he wanted to protect her, but if she was truly planning something awful...

Then what did he do?

OUAT

Darkness had broken on Fairytale College again, and Cora Mills walked in her thin heeled, black stiletto's to the gates of the school and stood underneath a streetlight. Waiting.

"And here I was thinking you weren't coming"

Cora rolled her eyes at the sound of a familiar voice, and turned as a nineteen year old boy stepped out of the shadows. He hair was dark, he was was dark eyed, and upon his face he wore a grin to rival the Cheshire Cat.

Cora, however, was focusing on his head "A top hat? Interesting fashion statement" she said critically.

Jefferson widened his grin, lifting the hat off his head in dipping in a graceful bow "Why thank-you, Milady"

"Did you do what I asked?"

Jefferson straightened up, replacing his hat "Of course I did"

"The apple?"

"Planted"

"The drugs?"

"Prescribed! I put them somewhere she'll never miss"

"Hm" Cora regarded him with something that was almost respect "You have...done well, Hatter" the corner of her lips lifted, and she reached into her bag "You deserve a reward"

"Oh no" Jefferson stopped her, backing away with a hand outstretched "I don't want your money"

Now Cora was confused. What teenager didn't want money? What human being didn't want money? She took her hand out of her bag, letting it hang at her side "Then what do you want?"

"Nothing that you can give me" said Jefferson, and he started to walk back towards the College, leaving Cora in his wake as he called back "Lets just say your daughter...is going to help me do something that I can't"

My fingers are BLEEDING! I've written so much and it took me forevah! I am so sorry for the late update but writers block kept hitting me and I couldn't get the Maurice-meeting right (I hope the end result was O.k)

Oh, and for those of you who are wondering about the Gold custody hearing, don't worry, I'm gonna expand on that in the next chapter.

So, please review, tell me what you thought, and I'll update as soon as I see a doctor about my poor fingers.