Regina didn't tell Emma about her dream. She didn't want to cause any more alarm, didn't want to set off any more panic. She'd had nightmares before, remnants of the life she once led. If she told Emma about every bad dream, she was sure the sheriff would never let her out of her sight.

But Emma knew something was off with her partner. It was as plain as day; the distant look in Regina's eyes, the grimace on her face as they prepared for their day. Sure, Regina had been quiet the last few mornings, but that was because of her migraines. This was different. Something wasn't right.

"What do you think about going to the beach today?" Emma asked after brushing her teeth, her hair still damp from her shower. Standing in jeans and a tank top, shoved her hands in her back pockets. Her biceps flexed briefly, though just long enough for Regina to notice. "Just you, me, and the kid?"

Still in her pajamas, Regina rummaged through her drawers for something comfortable, yet stylish. She'd outgrown most of her favorite clothes, much to her dismay. "Are you sure that's wise?" Regina asked without looking back. "Being out in the open?"

If Emma hadn't known better, she would have sworn there was hint of fear in Regina's voice. "You mean because of Cora?" Emma prompted. "Do you think she'd try something with all three of us?"

"She gave up her own daughter for power," Regina pointed out. Stealing a glimpse over her shoulder, she watched as Emma chewed on her bottom lip, somewhat guilty for her quick refusal. "I'm sorry," she relented. "I suppose I'm still… Perhaps we could try something else, hm? Maybe drive to Portland for the day, somewhere less… obvious."

"That's safer than staying in Storybrooke?" Emma countered dubiously.

"If she's on her way here, I highly doubt she'll think to search surrounding towns."

Soon, the corners of Emma's mouth twitched and her eyes lit up ever-so-slightly. "Portland it is," she said before kissing Regina.

Falling into the woman's arms, Regina breathed deeply. "Why don't you and Henry get everything ready to go? Make sure we're set to cross the line, double check our things," Regina said. "There's someone I need to see before we leave."

If Zelena had learned anything in the six years of having a sister, it was that asking to meet in person was never a good sign. The moment she read Regina's text message, her carefree morning took a turn. Instead of sipping on a hot cup of tea, as she normally did, Zelena poured herself enough coffee to survive the next three days.

When Regina arrived, Zelena stayed standing, just several feet away from Regina. The younger woman looked a bit tired, the glow she'd been emitting the past few weeks somewhat faded. Zelena would have written it off as the strain of the pregnancy. But judging by the way Regina wrung her hands, she had a feeling it was something else.

"I wanted you to hear it from me first," Regina began. Trying not to trip over her words. Disbelief that she was actually about to say it. "Cora, apparently, is alive." Zelena's green eyes stayed glued to Regina. "In fact, she may be coming to Storybrooke."

Shaking her head, Zelena scoffed. "I thought Cora—"

"Died. Mhm, that's been everyone else's response so far." With a helpless shrug, Regina said, "I've told you everything I know. I thought… well, I thought you'd want to know. To be warned."

Zelena cocked her head to the side, her shock now mixed with confusion. "Warn me? You don't think she's coming in peace?"

"I don't know," Regina said honestly. "Until 24 hours ago, I believed she was dead, just like everyone else."

Finally, Zelena fell into a chair and dropped her hands into her face. Her despair didn't last long before she snapped he head up and clapped her hands together. "Right, what's the plan then? I take it you've strengthened the protection of the border? Put up defenses around your home?"

With an accusatory scowl, Regina piped, "Why does everyone seem to think I'm a target?"

"Well, you are her daughter."

"So are you."

"Only by blood. We both know family is more than genetics." Zelena stared pointedly at Regina, as if daring her to continue. It was no use, though. Zelena always won, much to Regina's displeasure. Moving away from their staring contest, Zelena pointed to Regina's growing midsection. "Whatever you're planning, you just make sure my niece is safe. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

With a small nod of gratitude, Regina gestured towards the door. "I should be going."

She was halfway gone when she felt a hand tug at her sleeve. "You'll call me if you need to?"

Offering a half-hug, Regina replied, "Of course."

Emma sat behind the steering wheel of the yellow Bug, her most faithful companion next to Henry and Regina. Her car had been with her through the toughest of times, had seen her through her lowest of lows. But it had also been there for her when her life changed forever, stayed by her side as she grew into the hero everyone knew her to be.

Blankets and a picnic basket packed away into the trunk, the Swan-Mills family had everything they needed for a day by the water. Henry even remembered to pack extra sunscreen and, not one, but two extra towels. Just to be safe. A skill he'd inherited from his brunette mother. Something Emma was still working on developing.

"Right. Everyone got their ticket out?" Emma asked before pulling out of the driveway. Henry held two thumbs up, the baseball hat that once belong to Neal placed firmly on top of his head. Regina, meanwhile, answered with a silent nod, the necklace Emma had given her for her birthday tucked beneath the collar of her shirt. And Emma, well, her leather jacket was her most treasured item. Of course.

It'd been some time since they last took a family trip. Though they knew they could cross the border, Emma and Regina had grown fond of Storybrooke. Small as the town was, it had become their home, for better or worse. The idea of leaving it, even if just for a day, rarely occurred to them. But today, with David and Snow filling in for Emma and Regina as the town's protectors, the women looked forward to the time they were about to spend together.

As faithful as the Bug had been to Emma, the blonde hadn't exactly maintained her end of the deal. She'd gone a few months too long since the last tune-up and she could hear the engine struggling to heed her commands. They nearly made it to the town line when the car sputtered to a sad halt.

"I knew it," Regina sighed. "I told you it was running on fumes."

"Shh, don't say that. It'll hear you," Emma admonished. Checking the road behind her, scanning for any oncoming cars (which there wouldn't be this close to the border) Emma opened her door, and popped the hood. Disappeared behind the yellow cover.

"Five dollars says she thinks she can fix it," Henry chuckled.

Regina couldn't help but smile at her son and shake her head. "Let's say… the dishes, hm? For a week?"

"You're on," the teenager said eagerly.

There was a squeaking sound. And then a clanking sound. Followed by Emma stifling a few choice words.

Peeking her head out from behind the hood, the Savior gave Henry and Regina a reassuring smile. "No biggie! Just a quick fix! Gimme five minutes!" And just like that, she disappeared once again, elbows deep in car grease.

"So the dishes, huh?" Henry teased with a devilish smirk.

Regina just rolled her eyes and leaned back against her seat. That's when she saw it. Or rather, saw her. Standing off at the end of the road. Her hair draped over her shoulders. Black suit over a purple shirt. Red lips pressed in a tight smile.

Before she knew it, Regina was getting out of the car. "Henry, stay here," she murmured absentmindedly. She found herself walking towards the woman at the end of the road. She heard Emma behind her, but Regina couldn't stop. It was as though she'd lost all control.

When she a mere five inches away, Regina found her voice. Heard herself speak. "Mother?"

Cora Mills, in all her glory, stood planted before Regina. Looked just as she had the last time they were together. Smiled over at her daughter with the same twinkle in her eye Regina had seen before she died.

Conjuring her gun and holster, Emma reached for it just in case, even though she knew it was not match for magic. "Careful, Regina," she warned.

Her arms hung at her sides, afraid to reach out, to find it that it was all a dream. Regina could hear Cora breathing, though. She could smell her perfume. "It's really you," she let out in a strangled whisper. Cora smiled at her daughter and nodded, her arms outstretched for Regina. But Regina stood still. "How…?"

Cora lifted a hand and paused. She could see the outline of a charm beneath Regina's shirt, a bit of silver peeking through the collar. "So beautiful," was all she managed to say.

"What do you want?" Emma asked none-to-gently.

But Cora ignored her, fixated on the jewelry Regina had clearly meant to hide away. "May I?"

Looking down at her chest, Regina uncovered the chain and held it between her finger and thumb; the silver feather heavier than right then. Emma kept a careful eye on Cora as she reached to touch it, unsure whether or not to call for backup. But then it happened. It was all too fast.

A cringe-worthy sizzling erupted from the necklace as Cora ripped the chain free. Regina's hand flew to her neck, but she wasn't fast enough. "Mother?"

Something in Cora's eyes changed. A flicker of sadness. Or something closely resembling it. "Forgive me," she rasped before shoving Regina across the line.