one down two to go.

*Disclaimer* I have no rights to the characters or the show.

So sorry it took so long hope I made it worth it.

This chapter its pretty obvious I think about who the villain is but one more chapter until you find out. Regina learns about Emma's true love magic and realizes one thing once Henry gets his memories back. Enjoy

The castle is highly guarded tonight so a wondering figure can only loom above waiting for the perfect time. Knowing the lost daughter is finally home her patience dwindles. Having heard much of true love magic in other worlds grew a deep passion to find it. She craves to find away to fix what her magic has done to her love.

In her world magic is taught but her magic is raw and mostly self taught. She failed to understand consequence and now so long of being safe she wants her love back but every bit of her magic does nothing. In her world true love magic does not exist she tried in this world but nothing came of it.

Soon she thought. Having hovered long enough she flew away into the night. She arrived at a small cottage cabin she had found far in the woods. Abandoned and slightly comfortable for herself and her companion.

She enters the cold cabin refusing to light a fire for warmth. She fears hurting him or leaving him alone he is completely clueless most times. Yet she expresses with each return that she must do what she does. Stalking, planning, and hurting people.

"This is going to be the last time, it will work I'm sure." She says Upon entry and setting her things down.

"H..how do you know?" He stutters. "you don't need to please it's ok like this." He refuses to approve of the actions.

"IT MUST!" She cries out almost shouting. Not that she meant to she just finds her patience fading faster with his resistance. "If I don't I will lose everything." She says balling up under her sheets next to his current form.

Henry let his birth mother engulf him in a hug since he knows she's scared. He hopes she knows he loves her as he takes a step back. He sees her eyes filled with a burning sting and knows her heart is aching.

"I remember. This is good I promise mom." He uses a specific title so she knows she's still his mother. "I just need mom to come with me really quick I promise things will start being better tomorrow."

"Me, why? I think your mother should put you to bed we can all talk in the morning."

"Yeah Henry let me put you to bed." Henry ponders this and decides.

"Can you both honestly mom I feel like I haven't see mom in so long it would be nice." His mother nods and his two parent each put a hand on cross shoulders. They follow him to bed. He takes his normal time getting to sleepy, and then he asks kindly Regina to stay a little longer till he falls asleep. He hears Regina say she won't be long and they can chat after. He grins maybe he can convince his mom to fix everything tonight.

"I know what your trying to do there Henry, you can talk with me and your mother in the morning. Now sleep." She feels close and comfortable with Henry just as if it's all natural. He leans on his elbows and looks at Regina.

"No this can't wait, you have to make mom remember." He pouts.

"I can't make her I haven't any idea how." She crosses her arms defensively.

"You had to reverse the curse because someone used your scroll to make another. Do you remember Neverland, Peter Pan, the shadow?" He lists off hoping he can register something. But Regina shakes her head. "You told Emma I couldn't come back here because I wasn't born here she was but someone had to watch me and you had to pay the price of not having me to reverse the curse. You paid it but I'm here she's here. You gave us new memories from yours because we'd lose ours when things went back..."

"I don't think you-" she starts even though to her it makes sense she doesn't understand why she would do that for anyone.

"Listen to me! Your her true love. She needs you to bring her memories back your the piece of our happiness that's been missing."

"How can I? Why would I?" Regina stutters her hands thrown out in frustration. Henry can see the fear in her eyes to love again. She isn't as close to knowing she's in love as Emma is. He could see that this whole time but he knows for sure she will resist any efforts at first.

"She loves you she's just not going to be easy to admit it. She's your true love if you to kiss her memories and yours will return." He stresses. That when he sees a flash anger and fear. Of course! She's afraid to remember. She took hers away because it hurt and all she knows is what she was left with when it was gone.

"Listen Henry. I don't want to remember nor do I believe I'm ready to love again. Maybe I care for your mother but love? It's to dangerous I can't remember what I forgot I was suffering from it."

"Don't you see! It was us you forgot no one else it's ok we won't leave you once everything is fixed." She heard it but sighed and leaned over leaving a kiss on Henry's head and left the room with a whispered good night and promising nothing.

She would have just went to her room, closed the doors and slept away the tense night if it wasn't for passing Emma's room. Her light still on and a soft whimper from within. She curses at the boys words and her heart for feeling on them. Her knuckles wrap on the door and she hears Emma splash her face quickly and then shuffle to the door.

"Hey?" Emma says sheepishly.

"Hey" Regina says with pause waiting for Emma to invite her in or exit the room. She steps back and lets Regina in.

"He get to sleep ok?" She curious since she feels she knows Henry and her probably tried to talk in privacy just like he wanted anyways.

"Eventually he seemed to have a lot on his mind. Remembering and all." Moving to her basin she rinsed her face sure it had stress lines written all over it. Her head still spinning with every word.

"What was it that he ended up trying to talk about?"

"Just getting me to make you remember." Region confessed turning towards Emma. Her face still showed her previous actions. It cracked a piece of Regina's wall and she let it crumble as she moved closer. "I promise though he is your son not mine and I won't extend farther than you wish to let me but a son is something I've always wanted and he... He has my fathers name. He .. reminds me of him." Surprise washed over Emma hearing this.

Regina let a moment pass where she connected with Emma. It was strong, sweet, and too addicting. She forced her walls back up and made to exit the room. Give one last turn to Emma.

"Now get some rest we seem to have quite a morning ahead." She left and closed the door gentle as to not wake anyone. Drifting into her provided room making a hard effort which she never had to to keep her walls up and strong. She isn't your true love! Daniel was your true love! She told herself chanting like a mantra. All this time she was sure she could never love again, let alone care yet all these past months she has. How is it possible! Was her last thought before collapsing in bed.

"Grandma! Grandpa!" Henry shouted leaving his mothers hands. Having only woken up she just let him race off because clearly he was better off now. Her mouth hung and them clenched shut at the fierce hug they gave him. Surprisingly Regina swiftly stood beside Emma. Her face as sullen as Emma's mood felt. She had managed to sleep feeling tight faced from her tears the night before. Emma looked at her for a moment wondering why she was so distraught but kept silent not wishing to know just in case it gave her anger.

"Don't worry he's just excited with his memories, surely soon you will join him." Regina assured her still unsure how without giving in to silly ideas.

"Not before helping you" she smiles. Just like the rest of her stubborn family Regina noticed

"Only wanted answers and Henry gave me enough I will keep my promise to help you though."

"Oh but we didn't technically promise that though I promised you remember." Emma said pointedly

"I'm making my promise now." Emma searched Regina's eyes for truth. She found it but before she could reply Henry started bursting with idea. Talking about getting the two to remember. All they heard was snows agreement and they look up questioning what they had missed. Snow noticed and repeated for them.

"You two need to focus on remembering. Why don't you spend one more day here and return to the castle tonight?" Let Henry stay here, we have missed him and that way you can hopefully speed up the process." Snow assumed correctly both women objected Emma louder than Regina. She laughed to herself about how reversed and extremely close they were to being who they use to be. It took almost more than an hour to convince them it was best to leave Henry with them because they remembered everything and Henry wouldn't be able to make the memories come back by staying. They need to spend time alone needed to gain those feeling again. Of course she hadn't give to much info away on why they should be alone.

Emma hovered hoping she wasn't going to make a mistake by leaving Henry with her supposed parents. Henry was sure and she had to trust him. Regina not entirely to her surprise had asked her if she was sure about letting Henry stay because that was the side of her she saw. She was and thanked her for the concern. Henry spent the day in complete amazement his whole demeanor had changed he was quite about his excitement like before. He was taking in his first time experience in the enchanted forest like would have before. He couldn't understand how he had not been as interested before without his memories but right now he was.

Every now and again he managed to have a moment with his mom Regina. He spoke about her getting Emma's memory back but endlessly she refused to hear his kiss idea. He know she couldn't just kiss her it had to be love he could tell they liked each other even like they were and he know they could if they tried. But even he became unsure remembering how Regina didn't want to remember. She would kiss Emma until she wanted to remember. He sighed deeply before hurrying off to see more in and out of the castle.

Snow had made it necessary to talk to Regina taking her away for a few hours. This left Emma wondering rapidly behind Henry and James. Regina entered a circle room, she assumed the counsel room. Hovering in the far end of the room was blue the fairy.

"Seems you are back to being a fly again." Regina said with distain making the fairy's cheeks shake in anger. Clearing her throat snow asks the two to act civil.

"I asked to talk to both of you because you are the only two I trust that have magic and know a lot. There has been a recent discovery with a few kidnapping in town. Something that would seem normal now and again has been witnessed as magical. At least one we have looked into a witness has told us the kidnaping was done by someone with magic not of this world." She paused suddenly it became clear the importance of this meeting. "A person had attempted to snatch this person a few times but nobody thought anything of it high importance because at the time there was no sign of magic. She flew away with the victim somehow still not sure."

"And your sure that it was not of this world?" Regina asked

"Do we know what the kidnapping was for?" Blue asked right after.

"We are certain, and it's just a guess since there is no other witnesses but it seems each person taken May have magic in them. Not just any magic though." Snow looked at blue and the deeply at Regina as if sorry she had to say what she was next. It perplexed her but she waited. "True love magic."

Blue gasped and Regina stayed unfazed. Why was that anything to be hurt about she wondered. Blue and Snow kept looked at her as if expecting an epiphany. Then slowly looked at one another before Blue spoke up.

"Just like Emma?" Instantly Regina's heart clenched. Had she heard that right or maybe it was a different Emma. They looked at her again as if she should know this. Finally a gasp had escaped her. It was Emma the only Emma she knew. She cursed to herself.

"What do you mean? Is she at risk?" Regina asked almost with a beg.

"She'll be just fine with you I trust you."

"Why?!" Both Regina and Blue asked in unison.

"Because I know you and her I know you will protect her better than I can. I know that you can't remember but to you... she was safe with you." What was meant to be a good gesture caused Regina to scoff but she nodded her head to snow and agreed to protect Emma.

Nothing was clear even after talking just settled to keep an eye on Emma and to find out if there was ways to tract them down, trap them, or anything but without more info it was hard. So they eventually went back to partaking in the family things. Blue was requested to locate the source of portal but if it was gone for over months it wasn't likely to be found.

Between the three they all swore to not tell Emma do to her memory and having Henry away. Regina personally just didn't want to worry her. She would rather care for her guest without stressing her danger or her sons. Regina was sure it was best that Henry stay away then. With that Blue left and Snow and Regina rejoined with James, Henry, and Emma.

At dinner henry retold his day to his moms and they listened even at the part they had been there for. Asking his mom to show him how to ride a horse had been the best. Sword fighting with Prince Charming was great even if he had done it once before. The only thing he hadn't managed to do was convince Emma to do anything with him. She was to closed off, not with him but with the idea of enjoy time with a family in their home. He knew she wasn't happy about it but he saw she was trying. That was enough for him it gave him hope in fixing things.

"Is there anyway we can talk to him or keep an eye in him?" Emma asked Regina just moments of finding her alone after dinner. She had said we why we? No we, he's mine! Her mothering concern evident Regina calmly led her to private room. It had a mirror much like any room in the house.

"Yes there is it will be just between us. Come here." Guiding her over facing a mirror. With light gestured wave of her hand she let an image in the mirror grow stronger. Henry talking to snow unable to hear them she's curious but she wants to show Emma she can be trusted. "This is a little thing I picked up, we can see him he can't see us but if you were more curious," another movement of her hand. "You can hear as well." She listened to the conversation.

"And what if Regina and Emma don't find out they have to-" she turn it off quickly but then kept up her examples.

"And if say you want to check on Henry and talk." One final wave and snow gasped at the reflection behind Henry.

"Oh Henry your moms!" Regina gave a smile and just stated she was showing Emma she can contact Henry if she wants. She let the image fade and the reflections stood normal just the two of them. Regina slightly red from the words that almost Emma almost heard. If she had Emma would run surely. Emma on the other hand bright red as if she had been caught snooping.

Emma looks at Regina's reflection and looks away quickly. If possible she grew redder. Seeing Regina had a slight blush as well was unexpected.

"Thank you I'd like to do that tomorrow just to check on him." Her voice low thankful. kind, and hinting something else.

"Of course I will be free anytime you want to. Let's say our goodbyes."

She was searching everywhere she knew they where still in the castle having a family reunion. She wanted just one moment to get the daughter alone long enough to swoop down and get her. But she was just hearing all day things with to much joy reminding her of what she didn't have. She left and came back and sought out the blonde again. Finally the daughter left into a room with another woman. She was lucky no one could see her snooping this close. She waited and was so tempted to best the woman before they reached the queen and king. Then again she had felt what felt to be the magic of this land and she thought best to not tempt things.

Giving up on her chase just one more night certain there would not be an opportunity tonight she took flight just as they reached the great hall. They will be there tomorrow and then she would have her way. Making her way back to the cabin deep in the forest she could feel the distance removing the magic feeling. Until the reached so far a then it instantly vanished it. The magic in this world was stronger. If this daughter was the strongest then her magic had to enough when it would be only hers to control.

Arriving at the cabin she decided she needed room. It would be long company but she needed to clear out the remains from the other attempts. The cellar beneath the cabin was useful but now it smelled. Her latest victim sprawled on the floor. She knew he was strong enough either. She heaved his form from the ground and carried in outside. Another disposal, the others had been successful but her options were limited and her lay out of the land not yet solid was becoming a problem.

Thankfully she found a river and hoped that letting the body travel in it even if it did get found it might not trace back to her. The river was a mile or so away from the cabin and it seemed safer than going into town. Making her way back she hoped that tomorrow would be her last day to live like this.

Emma and Regina had made it back to her castle. She wanted to offer her gift to see Henry but she know she was to strong of a person to cave so soon. The worry was more than visible to Regina that she made Emma a glass of her cider rum. The glass iced at Regina's heated nervous hold. Holding it out for Emma to take she wondered if she was afraid to be alone, alone with a stranger, but still alone without Henry.

Emma sheepishly laced her fingers around the glass. For the first time that they remembered or noticed the slightest touch between fingers sent sparks burrowing straight to their hearts. Their movements lingered because secretly they already knew it was part something they both had wanted. Finally they finger slipped apart as Emma brought the glass to her lips and sipped.

"Hope you like apples." The words felt like and echo leaving her mouth. She received a smile with a flash of sparkle in Emma's eyes.

"Not normally but this taste Devine."

"Best poison I've ever served." She said with a smirk. Emma eyes bugged and yet she gulped the remaining liquid in her mouth. Regina simply laughed relieving the poor woman of her slight worry. "Or maybe it's better at make people forget. Either way poisonous."

Emma let a relieved grin break out. She clutched her chest and stared into Regina's eyes. Knowing those eyes so well from her dreams she could see the flare of teasing. She subconsciously patted herself on the back to soothe the ridiculous thought. The woman before her wasn't cruel and seriously in need of learning a real joke.

"Not funny!" She said actually unable to not express her of chuckle.

"You still laughed." Regina said matter of factly.

"Well in my world that kind of statement is terrifying and I happen to laugh with nerves." She stated hoping to play her own hand.

"Well I suppose it's not the first time I've made people nervous." Emma blushed even aside from her own idea. She was slipping trying to remember how was it she bantered in her dreams. But the only dream that came forth was the only one Emma had to push back down to think clearly.

"What's not to be nervous about. Your powerful and you look like a goddess I'm sure half the men her have been stuttering at your feet to please you."

"Ah," Regina saw the blush appear and noted the words Emma used. "My dear men have tried and failed to please me. I find myself just unable to enjoy a man on his knees." And just like that both women burned, silently burned down to the core. Emma sharply inhaled and briskly brought her glass to her lips and gulped down more than half the glass.

"I believe we should get some idea of what I can do to help you. Tell me have you had any new dreams." Regina sat down beside Emma and placed her own glass down and latched her hands together in her lap. Absolutely certain she saw Emma's eye shout a fearful yes but her lips didn't.

"N-no I can't remember." Emma being a terrible liar an all hoped Regina couldn't tell. Then a hand grabbed hers and squeezed. She looked down and beyond all of her doubt there was Regina's hand.

"You can tell me it can only help you." Emma gulped.

"I don't think you are ready to handle what I might say." Emma admits

"I'm a queen of a world you never believed in, your a lost princess I have magic I use to be good, then evil, and now I feel like I may actually be capable of letting go and being me again. Dear I think I was born ready for anything absurd or anything insanely simply possible. Tell me." Her tone never wavered it was gentle and she carefully used all her power to not stroke Emma hand with her thumb out of some natural comfortable instinct. It took Emma a moment to find a sense if grounding. She was so close just the other day and wondered if it could be just easier to say it and see what happened.

What if the feel isn't mutual. Emma thought but instantly an image of her latest dream hovered over her heart. That could have just been a dream from wanting her not a memory.

Regina could see Emma's internal battle. Her eyes shouting something secret but her face expressed her need to drag it back down and lock it up tight. Before Emma got to that point Regina made a decision for her. She squeezed Emma's hand gentle and then lightened her touch waiting for her beautiful eyes to reach hers.

"It's ok then we'll let it be for now but you will need to tell me." It seemed that was all Emma wanted was the comfort that it was her choice when. To Emma it was just she knew she had to do it now.

"I felt like it could be just a dream. But it feels so real." Emma sighed. "I don't know but if it's not real then I'm crazy. If it is I'm still crazy."

"Well tell me and maybe you can figure it out slowly." Even still Emma played with her glass. Without warning she pulled her hand from Regina's and look as though she was afraid it would offend with what she had to say. Emma took a deep breath.

"It's just that all my dreams, or memories, have been just of you. I feel emotions from them but I don't know why they are there since I don't know you enough to have them. At times I'm angry but underneath I'm longing for one thing." Her face flushed and Regina started to set a piece in place. From Regina's silence Emma continued. "We fought and were bitter but deep down I felt I cared about you, then the emotions got stronger. I didn't think you were real but it felt real and I had no body but Henry I let myself enjoy waking up with my heart pounding. It wasn't right to fall for someone in a dream but.. If it's not a dream and it's real..then the feelings I have... being in front of you.. It's crazy because I don't know you that well." An Emma gasped for breath leaving pause for Regina to respond. Nothing came just a stunned look and twiddling fingers. Regina for the first time in a long time even more so than she had ever been was nervous.

It dawned on her that Emma blushing and hiding her dreams wasn't about be just embarrassed. Then it hit her even harder why Emma could only remember her but she had to be sure.

"That was the older dreams, since last night you have seemed more... Shy. What did you dream last night." Her face soft but her voice regal and in control.

"Yes it was more mental the attraction before but I dreamed" more emphasis on dream for her own sake. "Something intense and physical. Being together, and.." Her face burned her heart raced and she stuttered. "I w-wonder i-if it's real or just.. myattractiontoyou in my dreams."

Oh my god! Regina's mind races her heart skips a best and flutters out of control. Henry was right for what it was worth she had almost believed him but still much didn't make sense. The only reason Emma remembered, the reason Henry remembers, an the only reason she herself can't. Emma is made of true love magic, what should have been take was saved and restored because of... A kiss her mind chants like it's just that easy. She always wanted a second chance at love. Never found it even with men she dragged along the way. Even with the prettiest woman she'd known before the curse she never found it.

Belle had tried and for some reason she pushed her away. She knew she told her to look elsewhere but really all this time she wondered what she did that for. Now it made sense- sort of. Emma was a part of that town from what she was told a good two years. Regina couldn't imagine herself being with anyone so soon.

There had been Graham but that didn't last the ass disobeyed and started having memories return so she killed him. He wasn't very good but it was useful. Well in fact he hadn't been very useful ever which is why she took his heart to control him. Since and before him she could honestly say no one had ever cared for her except Daniel. This was good because for the first time since Daniel she has felt ready to care for someone else. Maybe let someone in and maybe it was Emma but she was unsure and her heart still locked up tight.

Unless she got her memories back she wouldn't know and more importantly Emma's memories needed to return. If Henry was right about this then he must be right about the kiss. Regina couldn't possible decide to right now she felt herself tense to stop her emotions. She told herself she'd have to think it over.

It had been a long pause causing very thick air since Emma spoke. Regina's scrunched eyebrows seemed to hold a ton of confusion so Emma repeated what she said with more heart. Emma's sweet voice dragged regina back from her thoughts. She smiled it was meant to be internal but once she did it felt too natural to stop.

"You like me?" Regina's voice shook despite her current belief that Henry was right she still couldn't believe someone liked her. A tear slipped down her face unintentionally.

"Yes, Regina why are you crying? I'm sorry if that was out of line." Emma rushed over to Regina a swiped her padded thumb over Regina's cheek.

"Oh." She grew shocked at the touch but something about it pulled her closer. Emma pulled her into a quick hug. It was warm and comforting then she pulled away resting her hands on Regina's shoulders. "No just no one has ever liked me except.." She couldn't admit how alone she has felt even now when reality is crushing her into this small room into this moment with Emma holding her.

"Daniel." Emma finished with certainty as though she knew. An that she did seeing as if a clip or picture in her head she saw a boys face with Regina. A young happy Regina not like this Regina that look lonely, hurt, but she did look young still. She knew it wasn't her imagination but she didn't want to ruin the woman by saying something so far fetched crazy.

"Yes. How did you?"

"It so clear you loved him and how much pain you had to have been in and a lifetime of things going crazy I assumed it was the last time you were happy." Awestruck and shock played over Regina's face. Her lips slightly parted with surprise. "I'm sorry I assumed."

"It's alright you're not wrong it was the last time I remember being happy." It was then she let herself go. She leaned into Emma finding Emma wrapping her arms around her. She cried deeply not about her pain or even her loss though after all this time she knew she could. No this was full blown loneliness she couldn't hold back a tear for the life of her.

Emma guided her to the couch and there they sat as Regina fell deeper and deeper into her hold. Her tears burning streams faster than Emma could swipe them away. She ran her finger through Regina's hair. Like silk running through her fingers it soothed both women. Emma heard every bit of Regina's choked up words. It made her shiver how broken Regina felt and how similar she felt most times but she focused on soothing Regina.

"Shhh. Your ok. I promise your not alone, you're gonna find happiness if it's the last thing I do." Her words sounded reassuring but still Regina shook her head. "Yes I promise I swear, I may not know why I care for you but I do and I dare say it's stronger than I feel I can admit. I'd do anything to make you happy. Even if you don't like how I feel."

A sob sounded from Regina who now laid in her lap an then a nod agreeing or saying she believed her. She shook a little more but then nothing. Emma never stopped her strokes through her hair brushing her finger tips over her forehead, her neck, and her ears. Eventually she could feel light normal breathing. Waiting on the couch for almost an hour for her to truly be asleep.

Emma eased herself just right so she could wrap a hold around Regina's body and legs. Leaving Regina with an instinct even in sleep to hold on to Emma tightly. Emma lifted her with absolute ease and found her way to Regina's room. Fortunately a guard stood by her door to hold it open after she explained the queen had simply fallen asleep in the fireplace room and she just wanted to lay her down in her own bed.

The guard look at her curiously noticed the queen breathing and holding on to Emma. The most unexpected thing was the groaning noises Regina made in her sleep. Emma raised a challenging eyebrow and the man opened the door and closed it behind her. Leaving men to walk to the bed.

Her attempt to lay Regina down hadn't gone as eloquent and fluid as she had hoped. She laid Regina on the bed with a light flop but the hold around her neck pulled her down as well. Next thing she knew she opened her eyes hovering over Regina in bed. Her whole face flushed at how close they were. Then as if just to make the situation worse Regina's eyes scrunched closed and then open. Her brown eyes shimmering sleepily before she realized her position and the green eyes staring down at her. Emma's red face darkened and she tugged herself out of the hold.

"I'm sorry queen, I-you fell asleep- bring you to bed- fell. I'm sorry!" She squeaked and bolted of the bed. "Goodnight sorry I woke you." Emma shook her mind clear of her thoughts because she just couldn't go there with Regina. She couldn't expect anything because of her own feelings. She wasn't ready anyways.

"It ok Emma I will see you tomorrow." Emma nodded and went to leave the room. "Oh and Emma? I like you too." redder than she believed she'd ever been. She slipped into her own room and forced her own sleep if only to go to the one place like Regina was ok.

Review

Whew I love this chapter I hope it shows with reviews.

Next chapter the villain make her move, hopefully Emma is still safe with Regina.