Disclaimer: nothing's mine.
Emma could not believe she got roped into this now. She specifically remembered saying this morning that she wanted to have fun today. That was it. Just fun. It started out good at the stables and then everything went to hell. First, she had to go see Regina, and she groaned internally at the thought of the outcome of that meeting. Pushing that aside she now found herself sitting in town hall for a town meeting.
She hated town meetings. They were as boring as those lovely budget meetings she used to have to go to with Regina before the whole curse thing broke. It seemed the townspeople called a meeting wanting to know what Fairytale Land was like. How it had fared these past 28 years and if they could get back there.
She really didn't see why she had to be here, but Snow and Charming had insisted saying that it was expected of her. That was shit. She was no princess, which is what they were implying. She could be sheriff, sure, but a princess no thank you. In the end, Henry was the one that got her to go saying that they could point out who all the fairytale characters were. She indulged him like she usually did, but she really knew she had no choice. She had to go.
So now she was sitting here next to Snow and Charming like they were in a throne room and everyone was paying them court. She hated it. She at least convinced them to let Henry sit next to her since technically he was a part of the "Royal Family" too. The kid was having the time of his life. She did enjoy him pointing out to her who everyone really was. It was kind of fun hearing his commentary and how they changed once the curse broke.
She knew later she would have to tell him who she met in Fairytale Land. He would probably freak out when she mentioned Captain Hook and Lancelot. She would leave Cora out of course. He already knew about her and there was no need to bring her up again. Regina would probably get pissed at her if she did.
Charming gave them a look and she realized the meeting was starting. So she did what she normally did during town meetings and zoned out. She pretended to listen as Snow told them in the kindest way that she could that Fairytale Land was pretty much in ruin. Emma did like watching Snow being all regal and authoritative. It was just another side that Mary Margaret didn't show. Emma could also tell that the crowd loved her. She was their beloved Queen.
It wasn't long before someone in the crowd mentioned Regina. Emma sat up straighter and knew it was time to listen. She figured this would come up. After all no one had really punished her for her crimes. She gave a reassuring glance to Henry and he gave her a shaky smile in return.
"Regina is paying for her crimes. First off, she helped Emma and I get back home." Snow said placatingly. People still weren't happy with that answer, but Snow wasn't done. "She saved us and I know that doesn't take back everything that she's done but that's just one thing."
"What else has she done then?" Someone yelled from the back. Emma couldn't see who it was.
"She is also seeing Dr. Hopper and he's helping her work through her issues. She helped protect all of us from Cora coming into this world." There were murmurings at the mention of Cora.
"She still needs to pay for what she did to us!"
"Who's to say she isn't plotting against us now, something needs to be done!"
"She needs to be locked away!"
"Stripped of her powers!"
"She took away our happy endings!" This was getting out of hand now. She knew something needed to be done and with Henry squeezing her hand she rose to her feet.
"Enough!" She shouted and the room quieted instantly. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin as she looked through the crowd.
"All of you want her to pay for what she's done?" She asked them and the crowd nodded and some shouted their agreement.
"She should pay for what she's done? She took away your happy endings?" The crowd was really going now that they thought she was agreeing with them. Her family all just looked confused and wondered what she was up to.
"Who's going to do it? Huh? Who's going to stop her?" The crowd instantly quieted again as they thought about this. She had them right where she wanted them. No one wanted to be the one to actually go after the evil queen. They all wanted someone else to do it.
"No one? Interesting...you're all so eager to crucify her as long as you aren't the one to do it. Is that right?"
"We could all attack her together. She's only one person!"
"You forget she has magic. She could take all of us out easily with a flick of her wrist." The crowd got quiet as some gasped in fright.
"You're the savior! You should be able to stop her!" She wished she could see who shouted that one.
"I believe the 'savior' as you put was supposed to break the curse. I don't remember reading about the 'savior' having to kill the evil queen. Henry, what did your book say?" She turned to Henry and gave him a wink. He grinned at her.
"It says that the savior will break the curse and return all the happy endings. She would save us all." He said it clearly and it rang throughout the whole room. It was quiet again.
"Seems like my job is done." She shrugged and started walking back to her seat.
"But you're the Sheriff! You have to protect us."
"And she is." Snow finally took her spot at the center of the stage again giving Emma a proud smile. She turned to the crowd. "She is going to be living with Regina and keeping her under 24 hour surveillance. Making sure that she is actually redeeming herself. Regina will be researching a way to bring us all home to the Enchanted Forest and will continue her sessions with Dr. Hopper."
Emma wasn't sure all of that was true. No way in hell was she watching Regina 24 hours a day and she was pretty sure Regina hadn't agreed to finding a way back to Fairytale Land either. Oh well, whatever got this crowd to calm down.
"We also need to consider that Cora is in the Enchanted Forest and we need a plan to deal with her before we go back there." Everyone agreed with that statement.
"We need to remember that we are the good guys and getting revenge won't help anyone. It won't change anything. I know more than most what Regina has done to us. But what's done is done and we need to move forward. We need to forgive and only then can we heal. If we seek revenge we are no better than her. We will have our happy endings again and we can get them together."
Snow's little speech seemed to inspire the crowd and everyone liked that Emma was going to be watching Regina. After that they just discussed ways that they might be able to get back home so Emma sat with Henry again and he quickly squeezed her hand in thanks. She smiled over at him and squeezed his hand back. The town meeting wasn't as boring as they usually were, that's for sure.
It was the next day and they were already moving into Regina Mills home. Former mayor of Storybrooke and former evil queen. She didn't even get a breather because the town wanted her to move in as soon as possible to keep an eye on the mayor. This was going to be fun. She was able to pack all of her stuff into five boxes. She was happy to say that since her stay in Storybrooke she had added another box.
"Are you sure about this?" Snow asked as she helped carry the boxes to the car with her. James and Henry were behind them carrying the other ones.
"Don't tell me you're getting cold feet now? Or do I need to remind you that you agreed to this too? You let that little runt talk you into this." Emma nodded in Henry's direction.
"Hey!" Henry called from behind them but Emma only laughed at him. Snow couldn't help but smile but then she turned serious again.
"I know but she's Regina. What if she tries to hurt you? I mean you're my daughter it would be the best way to hurt me. She's separated us before." Emma sighed.
"That's not going to happen. As much as it pains me to say, Regina is actually trying. She won't hurt me because she knows how much that would hurt Henry and he would never forgive her for something like that." Emma put a hand on Snow's shoulder trying to reassure her.
"She's right grandma." Henry piped up from right next to them. "She's changing I can tell. And trust me I've known her my whole life so I know when she's faking." He sounded so serious and Emma could only grin down at him proudly.
"All right, but any trouble and you two are back over here for good. Got it?" They both rolled their eyes and Snow couldn't help but smile at how similar they looked at that moment.
"Yeah, yeah, we got it. Now can we get going? I am just dying to ruin Regina's day by moving in with her." Emma smiled wickedly at Henry.
"Mom! You promised you'd be nice."
"I made no such promises." Emma ruffled his hair as he pouted. "Now come on kid, lets get a move on. We're burning daylight."
"Just be careful and call if you need anything." Snow bit her lip in concern and that's when James came up and wrapped an arm around her waist. She just melted into him and it always made Emma feel uncomfortable watching them. They were so in love.
"They'll be fine. Regina really is trying otherwise she wouldn't even have agreed to let Emma move in with her." Snow nodded at his words and smiled at them. She moved from his embrace and gave Emma and then Henry a hug. Charming quickly followed suit and even added a kiss to her temple. Emma stiffened but didn't say anything. Eventually she'd get used to this family stuff. At least she hoped so.
She walked over to the other side of her bug. She missed her car or just cars in general. Walking everywhere in forests and beanstalks got tiring after a while. "We'll see you guys later! We'll do dinner or lunch or something this week, ok?"
"Sounds great! See you!" Snow and Charming smiled and waved them off. They watched until the car turned a corner and they couldn't see it anymore.
"I hope this works out for the best." Snow leaned into his embrace as he brought his arm around her waist again.
"You know what the Blue Fairy said." He squeezed her waist tighter.
"Why does it always have to be her? Hasn't she been through enough?" Snow whispered as she buried her face in his chest.
"You remember what Henry said at the meeting last night?" Charming asked her.
"She will bring back the happy endings and save us all." Snow replied.
"Exactly. The Blue Fairy said the reason we weren't back in the Enchanted Forest was because she wasn't finished with her job yet. She hasn't brought back all the happy endings. She hasn't saved all of us yet." Snow sighed.
"The Blue Fairy better be right. Or else I'm going to show her my happy ending and it won't be so happy for her." He chuckled.
"And there's the Snow we all know and love." She smirked at him.
"Come on. We have the apartment all to ourselves. No kids or grandkids." She smiled mischievously as she took his hand and they raced back up to the apartment locking the door behind them.
Henry and Emma walked up to the house carrying her boxes. When they got to the door Emma just kicked the door to knock since her hands were full. Henry gave her a look but she just smirked and shrugged. That's when Regina opened the door looking annoyed.
"We should really get me a key since I'll be living here now and everything." Emma walked in not even waiting to be invited and Henry followed in behind her.
"Hi mom!" Henry smiled at her distracting her from Emma before they could start fighting.
"Hello Henry, I wasn't expecting you so soon." Regina looked between the two.
"Yeah, funny story. We had a town meeting yesterday and the towns people wanted to punish you for cursing them so we kinda spun it in a way where I am now living here to make sure you stay in line." Emma shrugged as she explained and Regina rose one eyebrow.
"Yeah Emma pretty much scared them out of attacking you and then they wanted her to move in here as soon as possible to make sure you weren't plotting anything evil." He laughed as if the idea was absurd.
"So that's why we're here so soon." Emma finished the story. Regina was actually a little impressed that Emma would come up with something like that. Scaring the townspeople into thinking she was doing this for them even though she was already going to move in. Very clever. Probably something she herself would have come up with.
"Well, in that case why don't I show you where you'll be staying while you keep your watch on me." Regina led the way up the stairs and Emma and Henry shared a look as they followed.
Emma just finished putting everything away in her new room. It was the biggest and nicest room she had ever had in her entire life. And she was pretty sure it was the smallest in the house. No way Regina would give her the best guest room. Why did she need so many rooms anyway? It was just her and Henry. Emma pushed the thought away as she made her way into the kitchen where Henry was working on some homework and Regina was cooking dinner.
"Hey kid, need any help?" She ruffled his hair as she sat next to him to see what he was working on. He smiled at her.
"Not yet, but can you look over this paper when I'm done."
"Yeah, sure." She nodded in agreement. Now that she was done with her room she really didn't know what else to do. Henry was doing his homework. Regina was ignoring her while making dinner. Maybe she would take a look around. See where everything was. She got up again.
"Where are you going?" Henry asked her.
"Just thought I'd take a look around. You know since I'm going to be here for a while." She shrugged and made her way towards the living room.
"Ms. Swan just because you live here now doesn't mean you can snoop around wherever you want."
"Gee, thanks for making me feel so welcome Regina. And it's not like I was going to go look through your bedroom or anything I just wanted to see where everything was, like the laundry room. Unless you're going to be doing my laundry for me." Regina narrowed her eyes as Emma smirked.
"I most certainly will not be doing your laundry Ms. Swan." Regina rounded on her and placed one hand on her hip while the other waved a spatula at her threateningly. "Maybe we should set some ground rules."
Emma groaned, "rules already. Can't we wait until after dinner."
"No, now is as good a time as any." Regina continued ignoring Emma's protests. "First off, I won't be picking up after you. You are no longer a child no matter how much you continue to act like one." Emma was about to interrupt but Regina spoke over her. "Second, you will never go snooping in my bedroom or bathroom or in anything else that doesn't concern you."
"Haven't you already locked away anything that I could possible find incriminating for you?" Emma mocked as she crossed her arms over her chest. Regina raised an eyebrow but didn't deny it. "That rule goes to you too. No snooping in my things either."
Regina laughed and it set Emma's blood boiling. "Like you would have anything I would want to see anyway."
"Ok anything else?" Emma wanted to get out of this room now. It felt suffocating.
"Anything else we can discuss as it comes up. If you dirty anything in your tour of the house you will clean it up." Regina reiterated.
"I'm not going to dirty anything. I promise." Emma rolled her eyes and turned to walk out of the kitchen. "By the way, dinner smells great." She smirked over her shoulder as Regina turned back to the stove to continue cooking.
It was maybe two minutes later when Regina and Henry both jumped at the sound of something crashing.
"Whoops! Hey Regina that vase in the foyer wasn't important was it?" Emma yelled. Henry watched as Regina's shoulders tensed and knew this was not going to be pretty.
"Ms. Swan!" Henry winced from his spot at the table and Regina bolted out of the kitchen. Henry had never seen her move so fast. It was almost like she was looking forward to this fight. He shook his head and went back to his homework as he heard his moms start arguing. "And so it begins." He murmured to himself.