I owe you all an apology for the late update, it's almost been a month I know! But I admit, besides my studies I was enthralled with Swan Queen and writing Swan Queen. I'm so sorry. But I'm back with this ship and will do my best to give you updates. This chapter, as suggested by the title is about Regina's fears. I promise more fluff will be given next chapter, but this one is necessary for the drama.

Also I looked over my previous update and wasn't too happy with it, so please I'm looking for a beta guys whose great with grammar. I tried my best to make this a good chapter so please comment on everything, oocness, grammar, if the writing was good or not, plot EVERYTHING. Thanks guys and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

XIV: Trepidation

" Henry…Henry please don't let them do this to me."

Desperation clung onto her voice, her last chance standing before her. Her coal eyes glistened with tears, reflecting the luminous, pearly moon and the sky, smothering the atmosphere like a black canvas. Pairs of eyes circled her, flaming with rage and pure and utter loathing as they penetrated into her skin. Regina's face fell completely when she met her son's hardened, stony glare.

" You did this to yourself."

Venom dripped from his voice, his words piercing her heart, grasping it until it froze to ice. Regina's eyes scanned passed the flickering torches and through the crowd before they fell on David, his hand clutched in Mary Margaret's, in Snow White's…his true love.

" David," the whisper fell from her lips, it wasn't hopeful nor desperate but of longing and defeat.

David released his hand and stepped towards Regina. Regina's head lent back onto the rough tree, cringing as his eyes slowly murdered her.

" I'm sorry," she whispered.

His bitter, incredulous laugh cut through the air. " You're sorry? After everything you've done to me, to all of us? I never loved you, it was an illusion, it was David Nolen tricked by the curse and blinded by lust. I love Snow White and you tore our love and ripped it apart, and now you're going to pay! So don't think that we're going to spare your life."

" Of course not," Regina whispered, having already accepted her fate.

Why bother living when she had nothing to live for? Even so, his words tore and slaughtered her heart, shattering what was left of it.

Regina's eyes grew with fear as they caught the glistening streak of Emma's sword.

Every second that went by brought her closer to death, and the anticipation was killing her. Her chest rose and fell heavily as the blade drew nearer, her throat tight, her heart thundering, her eyes shut. Emma Swan's murderous, piercing gaze was what she saw last before…

Regina's eyes flung open, shooting up from her covers as a scream dangerously rose in her throat. Beads of sweat moistened her forehead as she panted, her chest heaving and dark pupils smothering the whites of her wide, trepidacious eyes.

David's reassuring hand rested on her shoulder and she startled, her frightful gaze turning towards him.

" Bad dream?"

Regina just bit her lip and nodded, trying to calm herself down and reassure herself that it was just a dream. But it felt so real. Her eyes travelled to the window as her mind wandered.

Yes, for Henry's sake Regina and Emma had been polite to each other these past weeks, but she still had the bone-chilling fear that Emma wanted to take her son back. Her once ruby-red, glossy, crisp apples had now softened into mush, its outsides resembling a layer of tanned, wrinkled skin. And Regina knew it had to do with Emma.

Ever since Emma came to town her relationship with Henry deteriorated. Emma managed to amend Cinderella's failed life and save her child, find the ungrateful childrens' (Hansel and Gretel's) father and stole the Huntsman's heart-the only man who would fill Regina's lonely nights- and awoken him from the curse. Regina knew that if anyone could break the curse, it was Emma.

Then another fear plummeted on her like a sack of flour. David. Her mind drifted off to the dream, his spiteful glare mutilating her heart. She would lose him. He would awaken and find Snow White and she would lose him. Regina's teeth grazed her lower lip at the remembrance that for once her mother really was right: love is an illusion. Well at least for her. Because no matter how many times Regina tried to tell herself otherwise, the painful truth was that if David ever woke up from the curse, he would be back with Snow White, his 'true love' and would no doubt turn against Regina. His love for her was an illusion, an illusion created by the curse.

" Regina?"

She felt his warm breath brush against her skin before he kissed her forehead, his gentle fingers tracing the side of her face.

" Do you want to talk about it?"

Regina shook her head. " No, it was just a ridiculous nightmare."

David nodded, and settled himself into his pillow before Regina spoke uncertainly. " David you…love me right? And will no matter what? This isn't just an…illusion?"

A frown creased his features as he sat up again, turning towards her. " An illusion? No, of course not, I love you Regina, you know that." A small smile touched his lips as he tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. " And nothing would ever stop me from loving you."

Regina nodded as she slowly sunk back into her pillow, repeating his words over and over in her head, trying to convince herself that they were true. But she knew deep in her heart that she was only fooling herself.

A sudden wave of nausea hit Regina, her stomach squeezing unpleasantly, the moment's pain making her cringe. Her stomach gurgled and her eyes rounded as she quickly bolted to the bathroom, her head bent over the toilet-bowl as she hurled last night's Tai chicken and vegetables. Something was urging her in the back of her mind, as if she had forgotten about something important, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Regina breathed out a sigh of relief as she leant over the bathroom sink, the dizziness passing. She was relieved that David had fallen asleep and didn't hear her. Stress. She was stressing over loosing David, her son and the curse. And it was driving her insane to the point where she was literally throwing up. Regina closed her eyes as another wave of dizziness hit her and she wobbled slightly, cramps aching her stomach.

No, the curse couldn't break. It wouldn't break. She couldn't lose everything, the submission of Storybrook, her son…the man she loved. And she was scared. She had to get rid of Emma Swan.

…

Regina raised her hand against Mary Margaret's apartment door and hesitated.

It had been a week since Mary Margaret confronted them, a week since David told her about their affair and a week before they officially started dating. Yes, Mary Margaret took the news horribly as did the people of Storybrook. Eyebrows raised when they saw the couple walking down the street, gasps resounded when they saw them share a kiss and spiteful whispers were uttered when they dinned out together. Yet no one dared to question the Mayor about it and gradually the people grew used to Regina's new partner.

Henry was extremely confused about the idea of them together. At first he was furious that David had broke Snow White's heart and that his mother was behind all of this. But she was changing; Regina was growing warmer to Henry, scolded less and even remained silent when he brought up the curse. And Henry knew it was because of David, so perhaps if they made each other happy that was all that mattered? Even so, he had grown colder towards her because of it, the sight of his teacher saddening him. But Regina believed he would grow warmer towards her and the idea as time progressed.

But Mary Margaret hadn't mentioned anything about her unborn child to David ever since their official breakup. And although David had tried apologized to her again the other day before he brought up the subject, she had quickly changed topics before excusing herself to leave.

Regina saw the pain in his eyes and knew that he desperately wanted to be the father for her child and knew it was completely unfair for her to deprive him of his own baby. If anyone knew about the pain and fear of losing a child, it was Regina Mills.

So here she was, in front of her house to try and convince Mary Margaret, though Regina knew inside it was hopeless. She knocked.

Mary Margaret swung the door open, her eyes rounding with surprise at first then fury at the Mayor's presence.

" What do you want?" she asked, venom lacing her voice.

Regina stood firm under her enraged gaze as she said softly, " Ms. Blanchard, I understand that I'm the last person you wish to speak to-"

" Dam right," Mary seethed.

Regina took a deep breath, trying to compose herself at the interruption. " But I was hoping that we could discuss a matter."

The teacher stifled a disbelieving laugh. After everything this woman had done to her, she seriously wanted to talk?

" Regina, just leave," she muttered, turning to close the door.

Quickly Regina smacked her hand on the door, preventing her from closing it. " It's about your child."

Mary took a deep breath, trying to remain calm and resisting the urge to lose control. " Regina, leave now."

Regina's eyes creased with desperation as she quickly spoke. " I know your angry at me and David and you have every right to be, but please don't deprive David of seeing his first child. He'd be a terrific father and is everything this child, your child, needs as a father."

Mary Margaret froze, her eyes moistening into glassy pools from the biting tears before she turned back to the Mayor, glaring at her. " Regina, I have no child," she whispered, her voice shaking. " I used a home pregnancy test, and the results were inaccurate."

Regina's eyes widened with shock, realizing why Mary had been avoiding the subject when David brought it up. " Oh…I see."

" Now leave!"

Mary Margaret slammed the door in her face, her heavy footsteps dying as a small sob escaped her lips. Regina blinked and turned around, walking off.

A small smirk crept tugged the corner of her lips. Yes, it was indeed satisfying to see the woman who had caused her years of pain and misery suffer…yet although Regina was partially satisfied, at the same time she found that she didn't care. Her vendetta against Snow White was truly done and over with now that she had David and her son. And honestly, even if Snow White did find someone else to love and happiness again, Regina couldn't care less. She didn't need her revenge, she had David…she had love.

The fear squeezed her stomach again. And she would lose him and everything if this curse broke: she had to get rid of Emma now. She had to find Jefferson.

…

The bell dinged to life, catching Regina's attention. She put on her baking mittens and opened the oven; breathing in the delicious smell of cinnamon, warm apples and pastry of her apple turnover. She placed the mouthwatering dessert onto an ivory plate and took of her mittens, admiring the golden, flaky pastry yet crunchy sides.

It hadn't been easy retrieving the apple from her land, but she had done it. One message to Jefferson, a little magic and a hat and she had it. Regina's chest tightened, it hadn't been easy surrendering the last reminderof Daniel. But she couldn't lose David; yes it was a heavy price to pay, her old lover's sentimental token for her second chance at love and happiness.

Regina reached for her phone, her finger lingering over the keypad as she contemplated the idea of calling the Sheriff. Murdering wasn't something she intended to do when she arrived here: she wanted a second chance at happiness and received that with Henry and she wanted to stop her evil doings. After all, as far as Regina could remember she never wanted any of this to happen. But she had no choice. No, Emma had to go. Besides, she wasn't technically killing the girl.

Regina shut her eyes as a rush of nausea swept over her and she lent back against the bench, her hand resting on the edge for support. Again the nagging feeling burned in the back of her mind, pestering her as if something was missing. Perhaps she was going insane? Even the very thought of losing Henry or David due to Emma made her sick.

Regina shook her head, eradicating the dizziness and dialed Emma's number.

" Ms. Swan," Regina greeted when she answered.

Emma's deep frown and suspicious eyes played out in her mind as she slowly responded. " Regina?"

" I have a certain…matter to discuss. Could you come down to my office later today?"

She could imagine Emma's raised eyebrows as she spoke. " Come down to your office? What's this about? Look, do seriously believe that I always have a free schedule? I'm busy, I have…Sheriff duties to do."

Regina seethed over the other end, knowing that her 'Sheriff duties' consisted of seeing the new mysterious man who recently drove into town and went by the name of 'August'. And by the sounds of the other, deep voice in the background, she was already with him.

" It's urgent," Regina gritted, wincing when she heard Emma munch on her lunch through her muffled voice.

" I'm sorry Regina, but I have-"

" It concerns our son."

Her last response stopped Emma from eating, and knew that worry was growing inside her.

" Henry?"

Regina sighed. " Sheriff, if you can't make it this evening then perhaps tomorrow would be more suitable?" She knew it couldn't be during the day as Henry would be home, but he would be at his friend's house tomorrow night.

" I can't make tomorrow evening, but I can swing by after my shift at ten thirty, if that's alright?" Her voice grew anxiously and Regina knew her thoughts were on Henry. "Regina just tell me what this is-"

" Ten thirty tomorrow night it is then," Regina's voice cut her off. " I'll see you then Ms. Swan and do enjoy the rest of your evening."

Regina hung up and stared at the apple turnover, which sat invitingly back at her. She glad wrapped the dessert and placed it in the fridge. Regina would create some story about how they should stop the bitterness and be cordial towards each other then no doubt Emma would insist on still seeing her son. Regina would agree and establish a truce with the Sheriff before she gave her the dessert.

A smirk crept its way onto her lips, Regina's eyes glinting maliciously. Yes, the curse would survive and she would still have her love with Emma's downfall.

Because trepidation was consuming her. Regina Mills was fearful, fearful that her nightmare would become a reality, awakening from a broken curse and fearful of losing her son, David and dare she say it, fearful of death. Then again, she had always believed that she had endured worst than death. Even so, the blond had to go, because she would not let Emma Swan take away her happy ending.

Thanks for reading! Ooooo Drama. Please tell me what you think. Has my grammar proven at all since the previous update? I need criticism people and also if anyones interested in betaing my next update I'd greatly appreciated. I'm also interested to see if anyone picked up on a bit of foreshadowing and can predict what's gonna happen next chapter. And as I promised, more fluff and evil charming moments' next chapter! Please leave a review, their my fuel for writing.

Lydia :)