April 30th 2013
David checked on Regina as soon as he returned home. He had been gone for only half an hour but he had been worried Regina had tried to get up on her own and fell. He had imagined all the possible horrible scenarios in which she had injured herself. The memories of her bleeding to death in her bathroom thinking that no one would come to help her still haunted him. He had blamed himself multiple times since the surgery. How could he have been so blind? The nausea, the instinctive gesture of protecting her womb, her new obsession on caffeine-free drinks, and the weird cravings she had tried to justify. But he also had tried to forget the night this baby had been conceived. He was not proud of what happened. Regina may have encouraged him verbally but her body had been telling him to stop. He should have stopped. And he still blamed himself for everything that happened that night.
David stood in the doorway, watching Regina sleep peacefully. She hadn't moved from the position he had left her in. He didn't want to raise her from her much needed rest but she had an appointment with Archie at eleven o'clock and he needed to get her ready. He left as quietly as possible and headed back to the kitchen.
David brewed a fresh pot of coffee and squeezed a couple of oranges. He also made sausages, eggs, bacon, hash browns, apple pancakes, French toasts, and a fresh fruit salad. He didn't know what Regina liked for breakfast so he covered the basics. As he climbed the stairs leading to the second floor, he realized how much they didn't know about each other still.
David carefully set the tray on the bedroom floor. Regina was facing toward him, favoring her injured side. He hated to wake her up and almost considered calling Archie to cancel her appointment. But she needed to deal with what happened and right now, she was avoiding the subject all-together. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. "Good morning!"
Regina groaned before her eyes fluttered open. She wasn't ready to get up. David was rubbing her back affectionately and she was still somewhat numb from the medication she had taken a few hours earlier. "No."
David moved the loose strands of hair hiding her face from him. "I know… but you have an appointment with Archie in an hour and half and I do need to clean your wound."
Regina groaned. She didn't want to be touched; the wound was still tender no matter how much pain medication they gave her. And she also didn't want to talk to Archie. She didn't want to talk about losing her baby… again. She didn't want to talk about her relationship with David, afraid that the mere acknowledgement that he had chosen her would make it less real. She didn't want to talk about Leopold either. "No."
David sighed. "I'll call Archie and ask him to reschedule. But I AM cleaning that wound and you ARE having breakfast." Regina groaned one more time. David chuckled, knowing that he had already won. "This is not open to discussion."
Regina bit her lower lip playfully. His words hadn't sounded like an order; he was genuinely worried about her well-being. She tried to suppress the smirk that was slowly spreading across her face. "No."
David knew she was teasing him. He leaned and whispered in her ear. "If you don't get up, how are you going to pick Henry up from school?" Her breath caught slightly at the mention of her son. David laughed softly. "I promised him we would be at school when it lets out."
"What's for breakfast?"
David laughed and helped her into a half-seated position against the pillows. She hissed when he moved her but she eventually settled back. "Do you need you pain medication?"
She shook her head. "It only hurts when I move."
David interpreted her answer as a yes and grab the bottle of painkillers. He handed her two tablets and the glass of orange juice. She took them gratefully and gave him a soft smile. She loved the way he was taking care of her and seemed to know what she needed before she had to voice it. David moved the breakfast tray across her lap and smiled as her eyes widened. "I didn't know what you usually take for breakfast, so I covered the basics."
She cupped his face and gently rubbed his cheek. "Thank you." She had never been brought breakfast in bed before. Actually, she had never been asked what she wanted for breakfast. It had usually been decided for her or she had made her own. But David was the first to take her wishes into account.
Regina's smile grew wider when she saw the cup of coffee. She had stopped drinking it when she had learned that she was pregnant but had missed the beverage dearly. She grabbed the mug and gulped half of it, moaning softly. David chuckled. "I see you've missed it."
"This is one of the best things this world has to offer."
"No argument on my part."
David stayed with her while Regina sampled the food. She still wasn't very hungry and David had cooked enough food to feed an entire army. But she ate as much as her stomach would allow and it was more than David had expected. He placed the tray back on the floor and sat next to her on the bed. "Feeling up to a shower?"
Regina sighed. "Not really. But I really have to use the bathroom."
"Do you want to walk?"
Regina nodded. It was important for her recovery and she felt well enough to walk the few steps that separated her bed from the bathroom. David helped her up and she leaned heavily on him as they made their way to the bathroom. "I'll get the new dressings downstairs." Regina groaned in response.
David kissed her cheek. "Until you can heal yourself, I'm afraid you'll have to follow doctor's orders."
Regina smirked at him. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. "No. I don't like to see you in pain."
She smiled softly at him and rested her forehead on his. "I'm ok. It doesn't hurt as much anymore. And I like my nurse." She kissed him one more time.
"Then let's make sure your wound stays clean. Nurse's order." She smiled as he exited the bathroom.
David came back a few minutes later, with the dressings and clothes comfortable enough to move around. Regina was brushing her teeth so she could only roll her eyes when she saw the yoga pants and large t-shirt. She knew she would have to wear loose clothing for a while but she had hoped for something more fashionable nonetheless. However, fashion and comfort never went hand-in-hand, in either realm. This would have to do until she was strong enough to heal herself properly.
David moved past Regina to fill the bottom of the bathtub so she could wash herself. She hated being dependent on him for everything but loved the way he was catering to her every need. "Thank you."
He smiled and helped her closer to the tub. "I'll be right outside if you need me."
But Regina didn't release him. She wanted him to stay; she felt safe with him and it was difficult for her to undress on her own. Besides he had already seen her naked, and even more, he had seen her heart…. he had held her heart. And he hadn't abused the power he had held over her. Instead, he had actively tried to make her feel better. And right now, she wanted the safety he represented. "Can… can you.. help me?"
David kissed her softly. "Of course." When she didn't release her grip on his arm, David gently unbuttoned her pajama top, making sure that the bandage was still covering her wound. They needed to keep it as dry as possible and the dressing would provide some protection. He sensed Regina tense when he tried to slide the top off her shoulders, a gesture that would have exposed her completely to his eyes. David stopped and gave her some time, rubbing the skin of her shoulder with his thumb. He smiled at her, trying to make her feel more comfortable. "You're ok?"
His voice brought her back to the present, away from the castle that had been her prison for so long. She gave him a shy smile and released him, letting her top slide off her shoulders. She immediately brought her arms around to cover herself and looked away. Her heart was racing in her chest from the conflicting emotions. She had craved the kind of love David was offering her but had given up on it a long time ago. Over the past few months, her body had been yearning for the promise of intimacy the Prince represented, her mind reassured by the knowledge that he would never leave Snow. The situation was different now and her mind was ringing all alarm bells at David's proximity to her half-naked body. He could turn out to be like Leopold; he would take without giving, leaving her broken and alone. And this time she wasn't sure she would be able to pick up the pieces of what would be left of her soul. She felt David wrap his arms around her and pull her to his chest. She relaxed in his embrace; his scent was a promise for a better future.
David softly caressed her hair as he whispered in her ear. "I will never hurt you. I won't do anything you don't want me to."
She wrapped her own arms around his chest, nodding against him. David held her for a few more minutes before moving his hands down her back, caressing her skin. What he was doing to her sent shivers throughout her body. Regina moaned softly, relaxing completely into his embrace. David smiled. "Want me to wash your back?"
Her body reacted before her mind could protest. "Yes." His hands on her bare skin felt wonderful and she wished for this moment to never end.
David lowered his hands to rest on her hips. When Regina didn't protest, he started sliding off her pajama pants and panties. He kneeled down to help her remove them completely. Regina grabbed David's shoulders for support. David tried to focus on the task but his mind kept wandering to the perfect curves of her body, her flawless skin, and her delicious smell. He wanted to make love to her, but he had to be better. It had to happen on her own terms.
Regina's breath caught in her throat. He was so close and yet so gentle. She forced her mind to relax, to let her body enjoy his soft touches. She tightened her grip on his shoulders as he removed the rest of her clothing.
David helped her into the bathtub, supporting her weight as she lowered herself at the bottom of the tub. The water was soothing and she enjoyed the feeling of being home. Maybe the bath would help getting rid of the awful hospital smell. David grabbed the sponge bath and soap and started lathering her back, eliciting soft moans from Regina. Once finished, he handed her the cloth so she could watch her front. Regina smiled at him as David placed his hand over the bandage, offering an added protection from the water. "Want me to help you wash your hair?"
Regina shook her head. "No. They helped me yesterday and it still hurts when I have to lean."
David rubbed her shoulder affectionately. She leaned toward him and captured his lips in a kiss. He deepened the kiss, cupping her head to bring her impossibly closer to him. However, their kiss was interrupted by his cell phone. David groaned as he reached for the damned device. The caller ID was for the station. Frowning, he answered the call. "Hello?"
"You need to bring Regina down to the station."
David could tell his daughter had been crying. "Emma? What's wrong?"
"David, please." She hung up before he could ask another question.
EC
It took David and Regina another hour to reach the station. The breakfast and shower had taken a lot of her energy and he wished he had insisted on Emma coming to the mansion instead. As they walked into the station, Regina froze. David had told her about the changes the new mayor of Storybrooke had implemented, but seeing them with her own eyes still shocked her. The man himself was sitting on one of the desks in the common area, a smile on his face. His changes were occupying the two usually empty desks.
After his election, George had insisted on restructuring the sheriff's office. David had tried to protest but George had been quick to remind him that he had not actually been elected and his ongoing support to the Evil Queen as well as his failure to bring the people's beloved Princess and their Savior back from the Enchanted Forest had been making him very unpopular. So David had compromised. He had agreed to work with the two appointed deputies. He had known the men in his short time in George's castle, and they weren't the worst the new mayor could have imposed on him. David was being spied on and he hated the feeling. But the men had actually proven useful. But David was still cautious, he knew they were trigger-happy. The smiles on their faces sent chills throughout his body. "Where is Emma?"
His daughter answered him weakly. "Over here."
Regina and David made their way to the small inner office. They were quickly followed by the mayor and the two deputies. David gasped when he saw his daughter. Her skin was pale and her eyes bloodshot from the crying. Her hands were shaking, trying to hold a hot mug of tea. David was by her side in an instant. "Emma! Emma, what's wrong?"
The concern in his voice made what she had to do even harder. Emma stood and walked toward Regina. "Regina Mills, you are under arrest for the murder of Mary-Margaret Blanchard."
The two deputies handcuffed the brunette and led her out of the office toward their interrogation room. David was too shocked to react at first. His entire world crumbled under his feet. "What?.. How?... NO!" When the reality of the situation finally hit him, David tried to follow Regina.
But Emma blocked his path, her hand raised against his chest. "David, please…"
"Emma, she didn't do this… She was with me this morning and all night."
Emma shook her head. "Not when you took Henry to school."
David gasped. "I was gone for maybe half an hour… You've seen her. She wouldn't have been able to get to the loft, kill Snow, and come back home in that short amount of time. Not to mention she probably wouldn't have made it that far anyway. Not by herself!" His voice had been rising steadily. He didn't like the thought of Regina alone with those men.
But Emma didn't bulge. "How about magic? She could have healed herself and poof herself to Mary-Margaret." She wanted to provoke David, to get a gut reaction out of him. And so far he was confirming what she had suspected all along. Regina didn't do it.
"She is too weak to use magic. Even simple spells." David waved his arms around. "And then what? Cut herself open and stitched the wound back up so I wouldn't know. I changed her bandages myself today! I can tell you she still has the surgical wound and it's hurting her." David paced the small office, getting angrier by the minute. "If you don't believe, ask her!"
"I plan to." Emma closed her eyes. This was the moment of truth. "We have an eyewitness. Someone who can place Regina at the scene."
David laughed. "Half of the town would lie if it meant hanging her for murder. You know that."
"The witness is Red, David. She isn't half the town."
That revelation stopped him cold. There was no lost love between the two women but David couldn't believe she would frame Regina. But he had no response to give his daughter. "She didn't do this. She had no reasons to."
"She had wanted revenge for forty years, David. Sometimes you can't turn away from that."
"You and I both know that if Regina had wanted Snow dead, she would have been a long time ago."
Emma closed her eyes. After believing in Henry's storybook, Emma had thought about all the ways the story didn't add up. And how a powerful witch who could destroy entire armies with the flick of her wrist hadn't captured one bandit was at the top of that list. "She is our prime suspect David. So for now, she is staying at the station. But I promise you I'll do a thorough investigation."
"WE will do a thorough investigation."
Emma shook her head. After George had learned about the incident, he had insisted on keeping David off the case and Emma had agreed. Her father wouldn't be thinking straight and with the other two goons breathing down her neck, she didn't want the added burden. "And leave her here alone with George's men?" David deflated. Emma was right. Someone needed to stay at the station with Regina. "I'm going to talk to her. As soon as she is processed you can stay with her."
David sighed. He knew his daughter was right. But he didn't like to stand aside. When she was convinced that David would remain in her office, Emma walked to the interrogation room. George was sitting in front of a cuffed Regina. "... I have made several new implementations to the justice system in this town. I never understood why innocent people were put on trials… you have to be guilty of something to end up on that side of the tribunal… So I'm bringing back the old laws. And I can't wait to watch you burn..." He punctuated the last three words with his index finger on the table.
"Enough!" Emma slapped her hand on the open door, making George jump. "Let me talk to her." George eyed the sheriff suspiciously before exiting the room.
As soon as Emma closed the door, Regina slumped forward on the table. She was exhausted and the sitting position wasn't helping with the pain. "I didn't kill Snow."
Emma said nothing. Her superpower hadn't detected the lie. But it didn't explain what Red had seen. "Red saw you enter Archie's office."
Emma didn't miss the look of confusion on the former mayor's face when she responded. "Archie?"
"I don't know why she went to see him. He's shaken up but holding onto doctor-patient confidentiality. But he said she came to talk to him about a journal. One that belonged to you. It's missing."
Regina shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't kill her. I haven't seen Archie since I left the hospital… What journal?"
Emma believed Regina. She was as confused by all of this as the rest of them had been. She nodded once. "I want you to stay here until I can investigate further."
Regina hated to beg but her abdomen was killing her. "I need to lay down." She was looking at her hands, too ashamed to admit her weakness to Emma.
The blonde sighed. "I'll get you processed so you can lay down in one of the cells." Regina nodded one more time as Emma exited the room. She was surprised to find her father standing behind the one-way window.
David tried to keep the tears at bay. Regina was clearly in pain and she didn't deserve to be treated this way, not after every effort she had made to redeem herself. "She didn't do it."
Emma's next words filled him with hope. "I know."
ECECEC
February 28th 2013
The last couple of weeks had been fairly quiet and Henry was at a sleepover. This meant that David finally had some time to put together notes on the few bits of information he had been able to gather. After leaving Regina's mansion with Henry, he had tried to talk to Blue about the curse and what it may have done to their land. But the fairy had been unable - or unwilling, David wasn't sure which - to help. Her oath as a fairy prevented her from dealing in Dark Magic and Blue had insisted she knew nothing about this curse besides its existence. Blue had suggested talking to the Dark One himself and David had soon realized that a wall may be more talkative… and less dangerous. His only hope was Regina herself but he hadn't seen her since he took Henry from her. She had kept her promise of not using magic and had cooperated with every reasonable request the town has made. He knew she must be lonely but he wasn't sure how to deal with their unique situation. She was his stepmother-in-law but also the mother of his grandson. David placed his face into his hands and rubbed his eyes. The more he was thinking about his family tree, the less it made sense.
David was shaken out of his thoughts by the station's phone. He sighed. It better not be Archie… David didn't have the patience to look for Pongo tonight. "Sheriff's station."
The panicked voice on the other side of the line propelled him out of his chair. "They are attacking her! Please …. help!"
David could hear the shouts on the other side of the line. The woman's voice was familiar but he couldn't quite place it. "Where are you?" He heard the sound of skin hitting skin and a loud crash. The woman shrieked. "Are you alright? Where are you?" When he heard the second voice, David knew exactly where the emergency was.
EC
David's heart was hammering in his chest when he finally parked in front of City Hall. He rushed inside to hear grunts and raised voices from what he imagined to be a fairly large-sized crowd. When he rounded the corner to Regina's office, he saw her secretary desperately trying to open the door. The woman was on the verge of hysteria. For some unknown reasons, she had been faithful to the former Queen and had stayed in her employ after the curse had broken. David had been surprised to find people who actually cared about Regina. "What happened?"
The woman turned to face him. "They… they asked her to step… to step down as mayor." Sobs were shaking her entire body and David was straining to hear her. "She accepted… and asked them for some time… to...to… clear the office. D.A. Spencer…. he ….he said yes… and that … they… they could ….help her." David heard the venom in her voice when she said 'help'. "He grabbed… a framed picture of Henry...and threw...threw it on the ground… Regina …. she tried to take it… and they thought… they thought she was attacking them…."
David stopped her. He got enough information but not the one he needed. "How many?"
"Ten."
David sighed. He wouldn't be able to fight ten of them and protect Regina. He hoped that either they would listen to reason or that Regina would use her magic to help him… if she was in any conditions to do so. Why didn't she fight back in the first place? He suddenly remembered her promise to Henry. She wouldn't use magic, even if her own life was on the line. "Step back."
He crashed through the door and gasped at the scene in front of him. The mayor's office was in shambles, glass everywhere from the shattered table and frames. Most of the furniture was broken on the floor. The men were standing in a circle centered on what he guessed would be Regina. He couldn't see her and most frighteningly, he couldn't hear her. "Step aside."
George walked toward him with a grin on his face. "I'm just helping you keep the order in this town, Sheriff."
David caught a glimpse of Regina when George stepped away from the circle. She was unmoving and he could see blood trickling down her legs from the numerous cuts she must have gotten from the broken glass. David swallowed hard, his hand hovering over his gun. "You call that order?"
"The witch should be punished." George pointed toward Regina and his guards stepped aside, revealing the frighteningly still form of the mayor. David tried to hide his concern but he didn't like the sight of the blood and torn clothing.
David looked at the man. "She is already being punished… now step down. Go home." Regina had lost her son. This was punishment enough. But George didn't need the details.
"Or what?"
David knew he wouldn't be able to take all of them. "Or I'll lift her punishment so she can use magic." He hoped that George wouldn't call his bluff or that Regina wouldn't contradict him. This was the only leverage David had. "Blue suppressed her magic. But I can restore it." David moved toward the man that was responsible for so much of his grief. "How do you think you were able to get this close to her?"
George seemed to hesitate. He looked toward his men and the woman on the ground. George thought she was still having troubles with magic despite her recent display at City Hall. The trick had been impressive but George had recognized it for what it was: a parlor trick and nothing more. However, the Prince's stance forced him to rethink his position on the subject. What if Regina had her magic back? He may be able to escape but not with all of his men. He needed them to take control of the town. Forcing Regina to step down was only the first bullet point on his list. He hadn't expected it to be so easy but again, she didn't have magic. George nodded at his men and they slowly filed out of the mayor's office.
David rushed to Regina's side as soon as he heard the men wish the secretary a good evening. Regina was curled up on herself, trying to protect her abdomen from the blow that she was sure was coming. Her mind was muddled from the attack and she hadn't realized George and his men had left. She whimpered when David put a hand on her shoulder. "Shh… Regina. It's me. It's David. Where are you hurt?"
It took her some time to process the Prince's words. Where was she hurt? Everywhere. She knew he was an idiot but not this blind. "Leave."
David sighed. "I'll take that as a 'I've just been beaten up and can barely move but I'm too proud to ask for help' order?"
Regina groaned. She wanted him gone. "Go. Away."
"Not until I make sure you're ok."
"Why?"
David frowned. That was a good question actually. Why should he care? But the truth was that he did. "Because Henry wouldn't forgive me." Regina groaned. "He doesn't want you hurt." The words seemed to have an effect on the former Queen as she slowly uncurled and attempted to sit up. David tried to stop her from moving. "Careful! There is glass everywhere." He moved around her to support her weight. "Here… let me help you."
As much as she hated it, Regina let David help her to her feet. Her entire body was sore but she didn't think anything was broken. She had also managed to protect her womb and unborn child. David guided her toward one of the remaining intact chairs. "I'm ok."
Her voice was weak and David could detect the slight tremble. She was also shaking and he knew it wasn't from cold. He took his leather jacket off and wrapped it around her. "I need to take you to a hospital."
Her heart was hammering in her chest. She couldn't go there. He would insist on coming with her and it wouldn't take long until Dr. Whale figured out she was pregnant. The doctor may be a manipulative bastard but he was no fool. And David would also certainly come to the most dreaded conclusion. "No. Nobody would take care of me anyway… I'll be ok. I just need to go home and get some rest."
David didn't argue further. She had a point. He didn't think he would find a doctor willing to help her in this town. Although she could cross the town line, he wouldn't be able to follow her. And in her present state, he wouldn't let her drive. "Let me take you home…. I'll have a look at your cuts."
"I can take care of myself."
"Yes, I'm sure you can. But as sheriff, I'm not letting you drive in your current state. I don't need more injured people tonight."
Regina just wanted to be left alone. "David. I'm fine. I just want to go home."
David knew there was no point to argue with her. He stepped aside and motioned toward the door. "Be my guest." Regina sighed and stood up on shaky legs. But as soon as she tried to take a step forward, the room started spinning uncontrollably. Before she could realize what was happening, she felt two strong arms around her waist, supporting her. David's breath was hot against her neck but she was to weak to care. "Please, Regina. Let me take you home."
She was too tired to argue. Besides, she wouldn't make it far in her present condition and she didn't want to wait for the dizziness to subside. "Fine."
David realized this was as much of a thank you as he was going to get. He lifted her up in his arms and walked toward the patrol car, reassuring Regina's assistant on their way out. The poor woman was still shaken up by the incident but she hadn't sustained any injuries.
Regina had almost fallen asleep by the time they arrived at 108 Mifflin Street. The warm and relative safety the car had provided had lulled her to a state of semi-sleep and she jumped when David spoke to her. "We're here. I'll carry you inside. Where are your keys?"
Her head was pounding. "My purse."
David groaned. He had left it at City Hall. "Any spare?"
Regina nodded. "For Henry, there is a hide-a-key along the garage door."
"I'll be right back."
By the time David had found the key, opened the front door, and came back to the car, Regina was sound asleep. He carefully lifted her out of the car and carried her toward the house. He climbed the stairs slowly, trying not to raise the injured woman from her peaceful slumber. She needed to clean those cuts but it could wait until morning. For now, she needed to get some rest. David laid her down carefully on the bed and removed her boots. He wrapped the blankets around her and watched her sleep, making certain she wouldn't wake from her change of position. David couldn't help but notice that Regina almost looked innocent in her sleep. He knew first hand what the woman was capable of, but in this instance he could see the young woman Snow had talked to him so much about. Regina murmured something in her sleep but David couldn't make out her words. Without thinking about it, David leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Goodnight, Regina."
Thank you for the reviews and messages on Twitter. Hope you're enjoying where this story is going. And I'm sorry if there was any Snow fans out there.