I don't own anything.
Thank you for everyone who took the time to review or favorite this story!
Please read and review!
The next morning started exactly as Regina had predicted the night before. When the people of Storybrook woke up and finally remembered the lost year and who was responsible for their misery they were turning the whole town upside down to find the wicked witch.
The thought that Regina was involved in all of that hadn't yet crossed their minds so they were not aware of the fact that Regina and Zelena were still sleeping in Henry's bed in his old room. Surprisingly not the chaos on the streets woke them up but the sun shining through the window. It was a beautiful morning.
Regina was the first one to open her eyes. Quickly she realized that she was not alone and she looked over to her sister who still held her in her arms. She had kept her promise not to leave her. This was a good start and today she would also keep her promise to her sister to support her.
"Hey" she whispered into her sister's ear and shook her gently.
"No" Zelena groaned and tried to turn around which only resulting in her falling out of the tiny bed. "Ouch!"
Regina laughed out loudly. Then she reached out to help Zelena back up. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, Regina, and you can stop smiling now. This was not funny." Zelena said pretending to be annoyed.
Regina decided to play along. "Oh, your highness, did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?"
"Haha" Zelena answered and pulled the blanket from the bed. Regina whined due to the loss of the pleasant heat under the blanket.
"What? I thought you wanted me to stand up?" Zelena said and then offered her hand to Regina to help her up. Regina accepted gratefully.
In less than one hour the two of them were ready for the day. Actually just in time to respond to someone pounding against the door as if he wanted to tear it down. As Regina opened the door (Zelena was watching from the study) it was no surprise to see that Leroy was the first to confront the former Evil Queen. Although no one could possibly know that the Wicked Witch of the West was the Evil Queen's sister because she hadn't told a soul back in the Enchanted Forest the townspeople did notice the constant conflict between the two of them. It was only natural for them to come to her for information.
Regina stepped out on the porch.
Leroy was not alone. It seemed like the whole town had gathered in her front yard.
'Like last time' Regina thought.
"What do you want?" She asked giving her best impression of the Evil Queen which still was only a shadow of the former almighty Queen.
"Where is she?" Leroy asked sounding even more aggressive than on normal days.
"Who?" Regina asked and raised an eyebrow.
"The wicked witch." Dr. Whale stormed forward. His eyes were sparkling angrily.
"Why do you think she would be here?" Regina answered calmly. In her head she was deliberating whether it would be a good idea to tell the plain truth or if it would be better to lie and maybe win some time.
"We cannot find her anywhere and she's a witch and you are a witch…" Leroy started. Regina rolled her eyes. Typical. She decided not to comment on that.
"May I ask what you intend to do with her if you would manage to arrest her? Or don't you plan to arrest her at all and this is simply a witch hunt like in good old times?" Regina asked mockingly.
If looks could kill Leroy's look would have killed Regina instantly.
"What are you hiding? Is she with you? I should have known. It truly seems like old habits die hard." Leroy scoffed. Regina could almost feel her blood boiling from anger. How dared he?!
"What are you implying? Do you now blame me?" Regina asked with a voice as cold as ice. Slowly the mob crept closer and closer. Unconsciously, she stepped a step back causing her back to collide with a white column.
"I don't know, your Majesty. There might be ways to make you talk." Whale said and tried to grab her arm but with a swift motion of her hand she threw him across her yard. This caused the people to murmur angrily but still they were not able to gather enough courage to attack her.
"Are you threatening me? How dare you?" Regina hissed. She took one step towards the people in her front yard. "I did not enact the curse. This was not my fault."
"This might be true but who can guarantee us that you don't work together with the Wicked Witch." Leroy answered. Dr. Whale who had picked himself up again had obviously learned his lesson. He remained in the background.
Now the time had come to make a decision. There was no way that Regina would betray the trust Zelena had in her by revealing her to the public but on the other hand lying to the people might backfire as well.
Obviously Regina had taken too long considering her options because Leroy suddenly had a knowing but also angry facial expression.
"So it's true. You know who enacted the curse and you cover up for that person. I knew it, you can't be trusted. You are incapable of change! You will always be the Evil Queen!"
Regina swallowed audibly. This was getting out of control.
Suddenly Dr. Whale stepped forward again. "Maybe we should take Regina with us. There is a high chance that the Wicked Witch will come looking for her."
"Get her!" Leroy screamed and the people stormed towards her.