"Mother Superior," Mary Margaret's face was a mix of emotions as she addressed the fairy turned nun. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I've come to ask you about something that I feel is very important."

The other woman's face showed only concern. "Of course. What's happened?"

Mary Margaret glanced to David and then back to the nun. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors around town about Emma and Regina, and I'm sure you've read Emma's letter in the paper regarding today's town hall meeting." She swallowed down the lump in her throat. "We're concerned about Emma. We'd like to make sure that Regina isn't using magic to manipulate her in some way."

"And you want me to find out?" The nun frowned. "That's not something that can easily be done without being near the person and having some time to cast the appropriate spell." She paused for a beat in thought. "It would actually be best to do it when the person is alone."

David let out a heavy sigh. "I really don't think we're in a position to talk Emma into coming over for a friendly chat right now."

"I don't understand." Mother Superior looked between the couple. "From where is this concern coming? Has there been some kind of indication that Regina has turned back to dark magic? How do we know Emma's in danger?"

"We know she's not acting like herself," Mary Margaret offered, her voice pleading and earnest. "We also know that Regina has, in the past, done whatever she could in order to hurt me and my family." She made a motion with her hand as if to say the last comment wasn't as important as it had sounded coming from her. "I'm just very worried for Emma and Henry's safety. Regina hasn't earned the right to be trusted yet, and I'm afraid that Emma hasn't learned how important it is to be watchful of Regina and her changing moods."

"I see." The nun's face darkened as she considered the situation. "There's really no way to check on Emma in the way you're asking without her being near me, and I would really need to be alone with her. However, we could prevent Emma from being too near Regina, and, from there, we might be able to check her to see if she's being otherwise influenced by dark magic."

"How?" David's skepticism shown intensely on his face. "It's not like we can storm into Regina's house and drag Emma kicking and screaming out it." He shrugged. "Even if we did, we couldn't prevent her from going back there, and I think it's clear that the more we insist she leave Regina alone, the more she's going to keep doing what she's doing."

Mother Superior scowled. "I see your point. However, I still think I might be able to help if you truly feel your daughter might be in danger."

"We do," Mary Margaret cut in quickly.

"There's an enchantment I can perform which may be placed on a talisman. When worn by an individual, the enchantment prevents that person from having contact with a specific person, place, or thing." She actually chuckled, and it surprised the other two. "In fact, it's a common spell fairies use to prevent children from doing certain things."

David gave a little grunt. "It's the fairy equivalent of grounding someone?"

"Yes, that's a good description," the nun nodded. "It can last a few days or up to a few weeks. It's not permanent, but it should give you enough time to make certain Emma and Henry are both safe. We could place the enchanted item with them, have them go home, and I could then come over to see about possible influences Regina may have placed on them. Will that do?"

"Yes, anything to help with this situation," Mary Margaret nodded her head emphatically. "If it means protecting Emma and Henry and it won't hurt anyone, then I think it's worth a try."

"Wait a minute," David cut in again. "How, exactly, would it prevent Emma from having contact with Regina?"

"She would recognize the want to contact Regina," Mother Superior explained, "but, when she tried, she would find that she simply couldn't do it. It would be physically impossible for her to do so."

Mary Margaret tilted her head to the side in thought. "And what if she removes the talisman?"

"It only works so long as the person wears the talisman," the nun explained.

David shook his head. "Mary Margaret, this is a bad idea. You know this is only going upset Emma more. Maybe we should just try to talk to her again when she's not around Regina?"

"Maybe we should try both?" His wife was already digging in her purse for something. "I have just the thing to enchant for both Henry and Emma."

The former Blue Fairy nodded sagely. "For how long?"

Mary Margaret stopped digging in her purse for a brief moment as she said, "How long can you make it?"


"I can't remember the last time I was this nervous," Emma said as she ran a hand down her still crisply ironed shirt.

"It'll be okay, Ma," Henry said with a reassuring smile on his face. "Everyone in town likes you. I think they'll listen."

"Or they'll run me up a flagpole," she mumbled in response.

"Such negativity, Sheriff," Regina said with an air of amusement as she pulled on her well-tailored suit jacket.

"You're one to talk," Emma fired back, shooting a hard look at the other woman. "A couple of minutes ago you were telling me how hopeless my case was."

"I haven't changed my mind," the former mayor said as she dug through her coat closet to pick out the perfect coat to go with her outfit. "But, if you insist on going through with this plan of yours, then I think the least you could do is sound positive about it."

"Regina," the blonde's voice was tired and her frustration shown through, "I'm a realist at heart. I'm going to try because I believe in what I'm saying, but we both know that my parents are on the other side of this issue. It's not going to be easy."

Henry grabbed her by the hand. "But you'll still try, right?"

"Well, yeah, kid, of course. That's why we're going." She gave him a slight smile.

"Henry," Regina tilted her head to the side to consider the young boy, "do you want me to be mayor again?"

His face turned serious. "Well yeah. I mean, I think Emma's right, and it always looked like you liked your job. You were good at it, and," his little face scrunched up for a moment as he glanced down at the floor and his voice became a twinge sadder, "you were happier when you were the mayor."

The brunette held her breath as she squatted down to be eyelevel with her son. "You want me to be happy," she asked, her voice breathy from the flood of emotions she was holding back.

He gave her a quizzical look. "Of course I want you to be happy. You're my mom." He glanced up quickly to Emma for approval, who offered him a proud look and a nod of her head.

Regina gave Henry one of her rare, genuine smiles as she reached out to place a hand on his cheek. "Thank you."

The young blonde cleared her throat to break up the emotional tension in the room. "Regina," she said gently, "we really need to get going. We probably shouldn't be late."

The older woman nodded as she stood up again. "I'll drive."

"Of course you will," Emma grumbled but the slight smile on her face remained. "You know, there's nothing wrong with my car. You could at least give it a chance."

"It's a deathtrap," Regina replied in a flat tone. They stepped outside, and she locked the door. "Besides, that car is entirely too small for a family to comfortably ride in."

"Oh, so we're a family now?" The sheriff teased as they all slid into their respective places in the car.

Regina gave Emma a sideways glare. "Don't put words in my mouth, Ms. Swan."

"We're not a family?" Henry called from the backseat, and Emma glanced back to see the same mischievous grin on his face that often graced her own.

"Of course we're a family, Henry," the brunette said, clearly getting flustered. "But I don't recall inviting the sheriff to join us."

"Too bad," Emma said as she turned back around in her seat. "I'm joining in anyway." Her smirk mirrored her son's. "You have better food here."

Regina rolled her eyes and sighed. "I should have expected as much, Ms. Swan. When have you ever stayed out of something that I've wanted you to?"

Henry spoke up over the sound of the car in motion. "I like it." His voice was chirpy and full of humor. "I get two moms, grandparents, and a really cool title."

"A title?" The younger woman looked to the driver, who shrugged. "What do you mean, kid?"

"Well," he said in a thoughtful voice. "If Mom is a queen, then that makes me a prince, right? And, if you're the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, and they were king and queen, then that makes you a princess, which also makes me a prince." He sat up, proud of himself for making all those logical leaps. "So that means, I'm a prince twice!"

Regina's eyebrows rose in acknowledgement. "He does have a point."

"I am not a princess!" Emma's shriek only served to amuse both of the other people in the car.

"No," the brunette countered calmly. "Henry is technically correct. You are a princess based on those facts, and those facts are accurate." She smirked. "Perhaps I should start calling you Princess Swan?"

"That's not even funny, Regina." The sheriff crossed her arms and huffed in her seat. "Besides, since when did you get comfortable enough to tease me? What happened to, 'We're not friends. We're not allies'?"

"Since you decided to make yourself comfortable as part of my family," Regina responded smoothly as the car came to a stop in front of City Hall.

Emma rolled her eyes. "Right. Whatever, just don't call me Princess."

"I make no promises," Regina answered in her coolest of tones as they all climbed out of the car and began to make their way to toward the building.


Things are about to get really complicated.