Chapter 5

Enchanted Forest

As Snow and Charming prepared for Emma's departure yet again, they could not help but feel relieved that unlike before, Emma is not a baby and is not leaving to the unknown. She is leaving to be with her family.

Blue returned to the table holding a bottle of ash for Emma to use to create a portal. Henry decided during that time and the preparation he would make the most of being in the forest before leaving.

Emma paced near the table with the feeling of panic setting in. Snow walks over standing in front of her to stop her walk. "It's ready when you are"

Emma nods slowly and looks to her father. "Can you get Henry please?"

Charming smiles and leaves the women too it to find his grandson. Emma turns to Snow hugging her, shocking her mother. "You will see me again okay? All I ever wanted was to find my parents and now I have..sure it's a little strange but what family is normal"

Snow chuckles hugging her back squeezing slightly. "I know you are going to be just fine. Just remember you might not see us but we do love you and Henry"

Emma smiles rubbing her back. "Yeah I know.."

Pulling back they see Charming come back with his arm round Henry's shoulders. Henry smiles heading over to Emma. "Ma! Grandpa gave me a sword to take with me"

Emma frowns and looks to Charming like 'really?' . Charming shrugs. "How else can I treat my grandson?" Giving her a look he then mouths that it's not a real one.

Sighing Emma smiles a little not having the heart to say no to her son. "Okay kid let's see if we can do this"

Henry nods and hugs Snow quickly while Charming makes he's way over to Emma placing a kiss on her head. Emma takes hold of Henry's hand as Snow step back now getting teary. Charming takes the bottle from Blue and empties the ash into a circle before also stepping back taking his wife's hand.

Emma looks over to them sadly. "See you soon...mom.. dad.."

Snow smiles a little letting a tear go as Emma turns to the circle, closing her eyes to concentrate. Feeling a sudden breeze, Emma opens her eyes seeing a portal has opened. Henry grins up at her as she smiles back. Probably the first proper smile since Storybrooke. "Ready kid?"

Henry nods gripping her hand as they both jump in.

Snow looks away not wanting to see them go. Charming rubs her shoulder, kissing the side of her head as the room darkens again with the portal closing.

New York

Regina pushed her way through her apartment as quick as she could, practically throwing her jacket and shoes in a panic over the fact she is late for her date due to work issues. Two things that never happen, her stuff around the apartment and 2. Being late.

Showering and changing as fast as she could she was back out the door and to the restaurant to meet this Graham her friend set her up with. Sitting at the table with an attempted smile, Regina looks to the guy thinking please let this be over quick. Graham smiles noticing her tension. "You too huh?"

Regina frowns. "I'm sorry?"

Graham sits back. "You really don't want to be here do you?"

Regina bites her lip speechless at the forwardness. "I..well..it's just"

Graham nods. "I get it, it's written all over your face"

Regina leans forward curious. "Get what exactly?"

Graham chuckles. "You're in love with someone else...but its either you can't admit or they are not available..am I right?"

Regina raises an eyebrow. "No...I am not in love with anyone"

Graham shrugs. "You could of fooled me. Why don't we just finish this drink and depart ways?"

Regina looks at him a little gobsmacked. "...okay"

Walking through the door a lot earlier than expected, Regina changes into her pjs and grabs her phone informing her 'lovely' friend that it was officially over and she was no longer going to be taking any dates from her. Big mistake, within twenty minutes there was a knock at her door. Sighing, Regina goes and opens the door automatically letting Kate in. Shutting the door, the brunette rolls her eyes at how Kate immediately makes herself at home by sitting on the couch and drinking the wine from Regina's glass. Grabbing another glass as this is becoming a habit, Regina sits next to her pouting friend. "You can look at me like that all you like dear that is it, I mean it!"

Kate crosses her arms and glares drinking more wine. "Seriously what happened.."

Regina shrugs. "He..got the vibe that I didn't want to be there and came up with this whole concoction of I'm in love with someone else"

Kate raises an eyebrow. "Really?...spill?"

Regina takes her glass frowning. "There is nothing to spill"

Kate bites her lip. "Larry?"

Regina pulls a face causing Kate to laugh. "Il take that as a no"

Regina rubs her head. "It's me...it's got to be"

"Your just fussy"

Regina shakes her head drinking her wine hearing a knock at the door. "Who else did you bring?"

Kate frowns. "No one, you must be popular"

Regina also looks confused putting her glass down and grabbing her robe not wanting to answer in her pjs. Opening the door, she looks between the pair standing in the hallway with a smile. "Hi..can I help you?"

Henry looks at her frowning at the question then looks to Emma who is looking pretty shell shocked nudging her. "Ma..."

Emma blinks then frowns. "...Regina?"

Regina looks at her raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Emma notices by the look in the brunette's eyes that the woman has no clue who she is. "Sorry...I..I thought I knew someone..who lived here.." Giving a weak smile, Emma goes to walk away. "Henry come on"

Regina thinks how it's strange she was only thinking of the name Henry yesterday. "Wait..you said my name?"

Emma bites her lip. "Yeah well I saw your name on the number list downstairs but clearly..who I'm looking for isn't here as its just you.."

Kate appears next to her wondering what is taking so long. "Regina who is it?"

Emma steps back realizing and looks down. "Sorry..to disturb you"

Henry shakes her head. "Ma!"

Emma gives him a look taking his hand. "Henry not now come on"

Regina watches them walk down the corridor feeling a little sad. Kate glances over at Regina. "Oh my god seriously? It's her! Why do I not know about this?!"

Regina looks to her. "What?"

Kate crosses her arm with a raises eyebrow. "You are totally into that blonde!"

Regina shakes her head walking back inside. "Kate have some more wine.."

Author's note: they are in the same world! Now what?...