AN: In this chapter, I don't know when Henry's actual birthday is, but I'm throwing it in there anyway.

Enjoy.

Ch 2 – Missing Magic

Over the next couple of weeks Henry really started to get the hang of riding. The weather still seemed to be holding out, so on the days when there was no rain Regina would take him to the stables and help him practice. Sometimes Emma would join them, but after going a few times Emma learned just how much Regina loved horseback riding and how much she loved it even more to be able to share the experience with her son. Henry and Regina were closer than ever and Emma was genuinely happy about it.

When Emma and Henry were alone at Granny's or when she would pick him up from school he would still talk about Operation Cobra, but with less vigor. He wouldn't let it go completely she knew, but as she had asked him to, he did lighten up about his mom being the Evil Queen and while Regina was still her poised self, even she seemed warmer. She and Emma would still banter, but it seemed to be in more of a playful than hurtful way, and Emma certainly wasn't complaining.

She seemed to notice that (when they were getting along) Henry really brought out a different side to Regina; one that Emma hoped was there to stay. She had never really noticed before because it was such a rarity, but when the brunette was really happy she just got this certain look on her face. Her eyes would light up, frown lines would disappear, and she would flash this brilliant smile. It was the first day at the stables when Emma had seen it, that look of pure joy on Regina's face. It was in that fleeting moment where she had unconsciously cleared her head of any worries and focused on sharing the experience of horse riding with Henry.

She really does have a beautiful smile, Emma thought as she had watched them, making a somewhat surprising mental note to try and get Regina to smile like that more often.

So, the next time Henry and the mayor went out for a ride, Emma was happy when it was Regina who invited her to join them. The mayor explained that Henry had improved greatly since the last time Emma had accompanied them and Henry wanted to show her just how fast he could go. Emma accepted and agreed to meet them at the stables that afternoon.

XxXxX

It was again, a beautiful day, crisp air and clear skies. The three of them rode across the grassy hills beyond the stables, stretching their horse's legs. Just beyond a row of trees, a large clearing opened up around them. The field was surrounded by trees on all sides, their depths leading deep into the forest. The field was completely bare except for a few saplings sprouting up in random spots.

Emma and Henry stared at the field in wonder, having never seen anything this open in the small town of Storybrooke. Emma glanced at Regina who was also staring off with a contemplative look upon her features like this was nothing new to her and she was recalling a distant memory.

"This is great Regina, I didn't know the forest went this far past the stables."

"Yes, it's quite the sight, isn't it…" she trailed off turning towards Emma, a reserved smile on her face.

Their eyes locked and stared at each other for a moment, neither one speaking until Henry broke the silence, "You guys, let's go!"

Shaking her head slightly to clear it, Emma reluctantly looked away and smiled to Henry.

"Alright kid, let's see what you've got."

They all did a few laps in the field keeping a steady pace together, then slowing down to a trot, letting their horses catch their breath.

However, while both women were content in their leisurely pace, Henry was growing more impatient by the minute to show off his new skills.

"Mom, can I show Emma how fast I can go now?"

"Alright Henry, just be careful."

"Okay, I'm going to ride down to that tree," he pointed off into the distance, "turn around and come back, time me!"

Emma laughed but pulled out her phone getting the timer ready, "Go for it kid!"

Getting his horse in position, Henry raced off, going faster than Emma thought he would. Both she and Regina looked on, a little anxious, but also proud at how well Henry was doing.

Henry had almost reached the tree now and would soon do a wide arch to make his way back. Emma turned her gaze to Regina for only a moment to see the brunette watch Henry, but was confused when her features contorted into what could only be described as shock and fright.

At that moment Emma heard a yell as she snapped her attention back to Henry whose horse had gone wild. With Henry no longer in control he hung on for dear life as the horse rode faster, headed straight for Regina.

Regina was closer to Henry than Emma as his horse continued to head straight in the mayors direction. Panicking, Emma yelled, "Regina, help him!" but her plea fell on nearly deaf ears.

Regina barely heard the words directed at her. She looked on in shock as Henry's horse grew closer by the second as she was dragged back to a memory of a long time ago. How it looked so familiar to a scene where Regina had witnessed a scared little girl trapped on the back of a speeding horse holding on for dear life. She had chased the horse down and pulled the girl to safety, saving Snow White from any danger. Had she learned magic then, she would have just stopped the horse with a simple flick of her wrist. As Henry barreled towards her, the usually in control mayor panicked. She panicked because on this horse it wasn't the child turned her mortal enemy, it was her son.

Without a second thought, she threw out her arms, waiting for the old familiar feeling of magic coursing through her and reaching out to paralyze the horse in its place.

But nothing happened.

No heat or tingling in her fingertips and certainly no magic. Regina was petrified. In her moment of panic she had foolishly forgotten that in this land she was once again without magic.

"What are you doing?!" she heard Emma yell just as Henry raced past her, still holding on by a thread. Regina's horse reared back with fright as she tried to calm him. Emma raced past and finally caught up to Henry, pulling on his horses rains and effectively managed to slow them both down.

Regina was still frozen in place when Emma made her way back with Henry at her side.

"What the hell was that Regina?" Emma was furious and confused. She thought Regina knew a lot about horses, yet the woman had just sat there while their son was in trouble. She just didn't get it.

"Why didn't you chase after him? You were closer to him, but all you did was throw your hands up as if magic would stop him!"

Regina flinched and Emma used all her patience to push back her anger and take a moment to really look at her. To put it simply, Regina looked horror stricken as if she had just spilled a secret she had been trying very hard to keep. Her eyes turned glassy from building tears that she was attempting to keep at bay.

Emma was still staring at her when it clicked and she let out a gasp. Why on earth would Regina just throw out her arms to stop the horse? It wasn't a natural reaction, not unless she had done it before, and at one point, it was normal.

"I knew it!"

Both women looked to Henry who was pointing an accusatory finger at Regina. He looked triumphant and scared all at the same time.

"I knew it! You just tried to use magic, didn't you! You are the Evil Queen!"

Emma didn't want to believe it, she couldn't actually believe in a fairy tale. Sure Regina could be a pretty big bitch sometimes, but an actual Evil Queen? However, when she looked back to Regina her not believing was starting to be very difficult.

Regina opened and closed her mouth a few times, trying to back pedal but not getting any words out, she knew she could not simply throw out some excuse after what happened.

But in that moment, no words were needed Emma thought, Regina's actions spoke much louder than any words ever could.

XxXxX

Over the next few weeks the gnawing idea of Regina actually being the Evil Queen ate at Emma until she was almost pulling hair out. But the idea was just so impossible. Damn that book. Damn fairytales and magic. And damn that woman! After that little situation had happened in the field Emma just could not get Regina off her mind no matter how hard she tried.

When Emma would pick Henry up to spend time with him the mayor would act her usual self, calm, collected, and formal. She would be quick with her words, say good bye to Henry, and close the door before Emma had a chance to say much of anything. However, there were a few differences she did notice. The snide remarks Emma was so used to receiving from the brunette no longer happened, as if Regina was trying to avoid talking to Emma altogether. Not even the playful banter was there.

Another thing Emma noticed was that Regina would avoid eye contact with her, which was very unlike the mayor. Regina was known for her looks that could kill in one blink.

Emma had asked Henry if his mom had said anything about that day, but the boy had told her no matter how many times he tried to get her to talk about it, she always shot down the idea of her trying to use magic as being absurd and she simply was in a state of shock due to her fear for him. She had apologized to him that she hadn't acted more appropriately and then ceased to discuss the topic further.

"I heard her crying in her room the other night."

Emma looked down at Henry who took a sip from his hot chocolate as they walked back to his house.

"She thought I was asleep but I got up for a glass of water. I can't even remember the last time she cried." Staring intently at his hot chocolate he fell silent as they continued down the road.

Emma didn't know what to say, she had no idea why the woman who was tough as nails would be crying in the middle of the night. Perhaps she was feeling guilty for not being able to rescue Henry herself or perhaps it was a completely different reason.

"I'm sure your mom is fine Henry, maybe she had a bad day at work."

Henry just shrugged and took another sip of his cocoa.

"Come on kid, cheer up, today is your birthday! Your mom is making dinner for you and I bet she even baked a cake. Plus she's letting me join the celebration, so she can't be too upset or you know she wouldn't even let me in the house." She gave him a light nudge with her elbow that earned her a small grin.

Finally looking up, Henry's smile grew, "Yeah, I guess you're right. I hope it's a chocolate cake."

Emma laughed and ruffled his hair, "I just bought you a piece of chocolate cake at Granny's!"

"I know but it's my favourite." Henry shot back, swatting at her hand. "Mom never lets me have sweets, so I'll take all the chocolate I can get."

Rolling her eyes, Emma pulled Henry closer as they both took a swig from their hot chocolate, turning the corner and heading down Mifflin St.

XxXxX

Regina had prepared a wonderful meal, cooking Henry's favourite; Lasagna. Like mother like son, Henry and Emma went back for seconds, in turn receiving a gratified smile from the lady of the house.

Henry had excused himself to use the restroom leaving the two women alone in the kitchen, both of them knowing he did so to get out of washing any more dishes.

Emma stepped forward and took over Henry's spot drying the plate that Regina handed to her. The room was filled with silence, which wasn't uncomfortable, but Emma just had a sudden urge to have a conversation with the brunette.

"Thanks again for dinner Regina, it was really good."

Regina kept her attention focused on the soapy water as she handed Emma a glass to dry, "Thank you Miss Swan, I've tweaked the recipe many times to get it just right."

"Well I would say you've nailed it, best lasagna I've ever had."

Regina looked up slightly, an eyebrow raised before giving Emma a gentle smile.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." She spoke before taking off her dish gloves and headed towards the fridge.

Opening the door she leaned down to retrieve the cake she had made while Henry was at school. It was chocolate with chocolate frosting. While she didn't encourage sweets by any means, she could make an exception for Henry on his birthday. They had been getting along so well recently after bonding over the horses she was almost willing to give him all the sweets he wanted if it would keep her in his good graces, especially after the horse fiasco. But she quickly tossed that idea out the window. She'd be damned if she raised some couch potato who ate chips and cookies all day. No, that was definitely out of the question.

During the time of Regina's inner monologue, Emma had a hard time looking away when Regina had bent over in her skin tight pencil skirt to take out the cake.

What the hell Swan! It's Regina for Christ's sake.

Forcing herself to avert her gaze, Emma hurriedly dried the remaining glass she had completely forgotten about in her hand and placed it in the rack, hanging the towel to dry.

When she looked around Regina had the cake on the table and was now striding back with a gleaming knife in one hand and candles in the other.

"Miss Swan…"

Emma found Regina's eyes, "Yes?" she replied, irritated at herself that her voice was a little too low.

Fortunately Regina didn't think anything of it.

"While I prepare the cake would you mind going upstairs and grabbing Henry's gift? Last room down the hall, it's in my closet. Top shelf."

Slightly shocked that Regina would allow Emma to wander the house unaccompanied, let alone her room; she simply nodded her head and cleared her throat, "Sure."

She turned to head up the stairs when Regina spoke, "I trust you'll keep your eyes to the task at hand of finding Henry's gift…"

"Don't worry Regina, I'm not going to go snooping through your stuff… god knows what I'd find in there."

Regina gave her a pointed look but didn't say anything as Emma continued up the stairwell to the mayor's room.

She reached the door at the end of the hall and slowly pushed it open. Greeting her was a room made up almost entirely of black and white, it screamed Regina. Everything was neat and organized, the bed was made, and not a speck of dust in sight. How does she do it? Emma thought, shaking her head.

Turning to her left, she made her way to the walk-in closet, suit after suit hung neatly on hangers. Emma couldn't help but wonder if the mayor even owned a pair of sweatpants or jeans.

Focusing back on finding Henry's gift, she scanned the top shelf until her eyes landed on a neatly wrapped package at the very back. As she began to pull it down she accidently bumped a shoe box off onto the floor.

Grumbling, she reached down to pick it up when her eyes caught a glimpse of shiny fabric. Why she felt the need to look closer she didn't know but her curiosity got the best of her and she reached out to inspect the article of clothing. Pushing aside a few sweaters to get a better look, her breath caught.

It was a dress, but not just any dress. The fabric looked to have been made of the finest quality, what felt like silk and covered with intricate designs of lace. It was floor length, swooping in many layers, and the colour was a deep royal purple. Covering the corset waist was black and silver lace, reaching all the way up to the high collar. It was the most beautifully made dress Emma had ever seen, anywhere.

It certainly didn't look like something one would wear in this day and age, and Emma had certainly never seen Regina wear it, yet she felt like she had seen it before, she just couldn't remember for the life of her where.

There was just something off about the dress she thought, too royal, too grand, she had no idea where Regina would have ever worn this to, but she didn't have time to dwell on it.

Hurriedly she put the shoe box back on the shelf and left the mayor's room before she came upstairs to see what was taking so long.

She entered the kitchen to see Henry impatiently waiting to blow out his candles.

Placing the gift on the table she looked up when she heard Regina's voice.

"About time Miss Swan, did you get lost?"

Emma merely let out a quiet laugh in response, not trusting her voice as an uncomfortable feeling started to spread through her.

Forcing a smile on her face, she watched on as Henry made a wish and blew out his candles. She stayed to have cake and see Henry unwrap his gifts, but she was becoming more uncomfortable by the second and she couldn't figure out why. It had to do with that dress but she didn't understand why it was bothering her so much.

After another Happy Birthday to Henry and a rushed goodbye to them both she left the house and practically ran to her car, taking in much needed breaths of fresh air. Once she made it back to Mary Margaret's apartment, she stayed in her car and stared at nothing in particular lost in thought.

As her eyes wandered to the passenger seat, the memory of a fairytale book once sitting there struck her.

Her eyes widened as she realized where she had seen a very similar dress to Regina's before, she just hoped she was wrong.