Title: Part 3

Series: The Unknown

Author: Affinity/Mel

Archive: None but willing to share if you ask ^.^

Pairing: Some implications, slowly working my way there (eventually SQ and others)

Rating: R for mild violence and language

Disclaimers: Don't own Once or anything like that, just borrowing their characters.

Comments: I'm a feedback whore so if you want more of this, you'll have to let me know that ^.^ Also, I don't have a beta so all mistakes are mine and will be fixed as I find them.

Part 3

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

"David, calm down."

"We talked about this Snow! We deci-"

"STOP!" Emma interrupted. "I think mom's right. This isn't about the three of you and a kingdom anymore. It's about Henry and I believe Regina really loves him. We have to give her a chance. She gave us the bean, right?"

Throwing his hands up in defeat, David stormed out muttering something about having a chat with Anton concerning the condition of the fields. If they were going to grow another crop, they'd have to determine how much damage was done to the ground they'd used before. Storybrooke wasn't small however, so if they had to they'd find another location it wouldn't be a challenge and realistically that was a smarter solution.

"Hey mom," Henry called, poking his head into the room the women occupied. "Can we talk?"

"Sure kid, what's on your mind?" Emma replied, brows furrowing with mild concern.

"No, I mean," he hesitated, then pulled the door fully open and gestured inside. "In here."

Emma gave Snow a confused glance but shrugged and wandered into the room, her worry growing when the door shut behind her. What was so important Henry didn't want anyone else hearing?

Meanwhile. . .

"You have my gratitude for your help with those. . .urchins," Regina said with a satisfied smirk as she crossed the room.

"Well, you were so generous when I arrived I simply felt I had to repay you. Though I'm curious, why not keep the bean for yourself?"

Sighing, her head turned in the direction of the voice, "because I have to be honest with the Two Idiots if I plan on having a life with Henry. He's the only thing that matters to me and I won't do ANYTHING to jeopardize that. I hope you understand what this means, Captain."

He nodded, "of course. I respect your decision but if you change your mind you know where to find me."

There was something beneath the surface of this conversation and Regina responded in an uncharacteristically encouraging tone, "the odds may not be in your favor but if anyone can find him, it's you. With a little help. I'll meet you when I have what you need."

"Right then," Hook replied, pulling himself out of the soft, comfy chair and making his way toward the door. Pausing, he warned, "this Fey, be cautious Regina. There are tales of her that frighten children and warriors alike which spread across many lands."

Before she could question him further he'd up and vanished in a fashion that almost reminded her of mother. A heavy sigh then fell but her moment of nostalgia was stolen by a presence that sent a chill slithering up her spine. Why did this woman have such an effect on her? Regaining her composure, she inquired, "were the accommodations to your liking?"

"Your world. . ." Fey began, tussling wet hair with a towel, "certainly has a comfort to it. Far. . .easier than mine." Without warning her stomach made an angry, bestial howl in an obvious demand and she glared at it. How dare it betray her like that.

Regina smiled internally. Regardless of all the warnings being thrown her way she couldn't deny the small bits of humanity shining through in her acquaintance. Turning to face the other woman, she suddenly felt uncomfortable at the nakedness before her, "Uh. . .and what, may I ask, was wrong with the clothes I set out for you?"

"They're poorly crafted. Do you have chainmail? Leather will do if I must," she concluded, continuing to dry herself off completely unaware of how awkward the situation was for the other woman. Fey was very quick to figure practical things out but stunted in the social and emotional aspects of this new world. Or so it would appear. The concept of clothing with such a lack of protection was worthless to her now, though she had to admit they did feel nice to the touch and an inward smirk arose. Perhaps they could be of use at a later time but for now she sought whatever protective gear this realm had.

Regina immediately turned her back to the woman and stalked toward the phone. She didn't wanna have to do this but she had no choice. Fey wouldn't be convinced to wear normal clothes and she couldn't very well go about au natural either. Not that anyone in town would complain, she was a very attractive woman. 'About the same build and frame as Miss Swan I would say,' Regina mused before shaking away the thought in a slight panic. Where had that come from? Why was she thinking about Emma naked? Picking up the phone, she grimaced and dialed.

"Regina?"

"Hello Miss Swan," the former Mayor replied in a tone that said how unhappy she was to be making this call. "This may be the only time you ever hear me say these words but I have a favor to ask you."

One hour later. . .

Emma stared at the door long and hard. This. . .ok, honestly she felt kinda giddy about the situation and she couldn't quite understand why considering she didn't like Fey in the slightest. Maybe it was the fact Regina had asked for her help. That was certainly new territory considering their recent history. On top of that, Emma felt elated about Henry's new operation which included this visit to the former Evil Queen's house for recon on their visitor. Inhaling deeply, she didn't even have time to knock before the door swung open and she was yanked inside. Balancing the bag in her left hand and a box in her right while the door slammed behind her via magic, she gave the brunette a baffled look, "What the h-"

Regina pointed into the living room. "My furniture and I thank you Miss Swan," the brunette grumbled, taking the pack off Emma's shoulder before marching into the aforementioned room. Unzipping it, she neatly arranged the items and glowered at Fey, "put them on from left to right. This is the best we have access to." There was something in Regina's voice that also implied 'and you're not getting any weapons, so deal with it.'

Emma's eyes wandered the direction of the other woman's gesture, features contorting in a little eye, big eye anime-style face. Why was the other blonde wearing nothing more than a robe? Didn't they have common decency where she came from? She felt a drastic shift in mood which only added to her state of confusion. Why was she suddenly feeling threatened by the stranger? Eyes followed Regina as she returned. Wait, what did furniture have to do with anything? "Huh?"

Regina motioned toward the kitchen, leading as she explained flatly, "she was threatening to stitch her own armor then hunt game for the evening feast." She stifled a small laugh at the mental image of Fey hunting Red all over Storybrooke in this comical sort of cartoon bit. Oh the things that entertained her these days. Pulling a few paper plates apart for herself and her guest, she gave Emma a look. "Will you be staying for dinner Miss Swan?"

She REALLY didn't want to but this was for Henry. And herself. Something wasn't right about this newcomer and Emma was making it her mission to find out what. Giving a smile, she replied, "Sure, I'm starved."

The next day. . .

"What is this place?" Fey asked, eyes wandering curiously as she followed the sharply dressed brunette.

"Would you keep your voice down," Regina growled with a glare. "It's a hospital where doctors save people's lives. Now shall we?" she sneered, pointing down a flight of stairs that led them to a special wing the Queen still had access to. Not everyone she brought over hated her after all, just the majority. An oversight on her part really but nothing could be done about it now. Hopefully the women Fey was searching for hadn't escaped after the curse broke. That would prove more of a challenge to deal with and quite unfortunate.

Fey appeared pleasantly accustomed to the Queen's hostility, shuffling down the steps hurriedly like a child on Christmas morning. If she was here then everything the blonde has sacrificed, all the torment she'd endured would be well worth it. As the end of the stairwell grew near she could sense a familiar energy and the edges of her mouth formed a very slight smile. "She's here," Fey announced in a hushed tone, eyes sliding from one side of the long corridor to the next before focusing on Regina for guidance.

The brunette let out a sigh of relief and the tension in her muscles began to dissipate. That was the first bit of good news all week but she had a feeling it wouldn't be that easy. Strutting over to her favorite nurse, the former Mayor slipped her a handful of chocolates and they shared a glance of acknowledgement. Turning to Fey, she motioned for her to follow and headed to the far reaches of the hall where she opened a door. She gave the nurse another look that provided all the instruction she needed while nonchalantly lifting the chart, then entered the room behind the blonde.

Fey rushed to the bedside, taking the motionless woman's hand between her own and her demeanor completely changed. There was a warmth radiating from the normally frozen soldier and a deeply buried sorrow that went unspoken. Without turning her eyes, she demanded, "what's wrong with her?"

Regina skimmed over the chart, expression analytical yet pensive. Combining what the chart said and her own knowledge of this individual, a theory formed. Now to explain it to Fey in terms she might understand. "She's in what we call a coma which is a deep sleep she hasn't been able to awaken from because of her injuries before the curse. I should also warn you that I have no idea what effect my magic has had on someone like her. It's not the same, as you may be aware."

Lightly stroking the flesh beneath her fingertips, Fey murmured to herself, "a sleeping curse." One could almost hear the wheels turning in her head as she considered the differences in their types of magic. From what she'd seen this world had the same brand of magic as the Enchanted Forest which meant perhaps their powers carried over too. Closing her eyes, she focused on the sleeping woman's form and chanted in foreign tongues under her breath. When nothing happened, she sighed. "Leave us."

"Fine," Regina agreed, exiting the room and locking it behind her. At least she wouldn't have to worry about them for a couple hours while she ran a few errands. She didn't make it far before something occurred to her. The energy about Fey the moment they laid eyes on the comatose woman and every second after was. . . atypical of the blonde. Her touches were gentle, she refused to look away and she couldn't mask the concern spilling from her mouth in every word. 'She loves her,' Regina concluded with a smile. At the back of her mind a spark of hope was born. Here was a woman who made the Evil Queen look tame yet was still capable of so much love in her heart. 'Maybe it is possible to love again.'

~tbc~