May 1st 2013
After inadvertently killing the man in the prison cell, Cora had poofed herself back to the pirate's ship. Unsurprisingly, the man had been nowhere to be found. Cora had paced the captain's cabin for hours, cursing his name and restraining herself from not killing everyone on board the damned vessel. She could be very patient but not with her ultimate goal within her reach. And that had made her quite impatient as of late. Why else would she have killed these two deputies?
After several agonizing hours, the man she was looking for stumbled in his cabin. She grimaced from the alcohol smell on his breath. "I should have known."
The man served himself another glass of rhum. "I thought I would do something productive while waiting on you."
Cora snorted. "Getting drunk at the local tavern?"
The man smiled. "Do you have any ideas of the things you can learn when people had a little too much to drink?"
She smirked. "I have a fair idea." She used to work in a tavern and she had perfected the art of trading secrets for money. She tried to appear uninterested in what the pirate may have learned. "I need your help with something else. I need to locate a hospital."
Hook downed the rhum. "You're not interested in what I've learned."
"Not as much as finding this hospital."
Hook smacked his lips together. The woman was infuriating. She had promised him he would get his revenge against the crocodile in this land but so far, she had been more concerned about her daughter than finding the man himself. And now, he was gone. "The crocodile left the town."
The statement got Cora's attention. Finding Rumplestiltskin in this town was easy but she did not want to have to explore an entire world. There was no magic beyond the borders of this sleepy little town, making the task almost impossible. She smirked. He knew. Somehow, Rumple had figured out she was in town.
"What's so amusing? The crocodile is gone."
"But he will come back. It's just a question to threaten or kill the right person."
Hook smashed his flask roughly on the table. "And he took his girlfriend with him. There is no one here the bloody Dark Once cares for."
Cora needed to think. She had not expected this turn of events. "When did he leave?"
"Shortly after your daughter was arrested for the crime you committed."
Cora was trying to control her rage. Rumplestilskin was gone and Regina was nowhere to be found. She took a few steadying breaths while the pirate kept ranting about his need for vengeance. Her first task would be to find Regina as her daughter probably knew the Dark One whereabouts. And if Regina was not willing to help, she was sure she could use some coercion.
EC
Regina waited a long time for David's breathing to even out before speaking. "You're ok?"
David nodded, nuzzling closer to Regina. "Yes… It was just unsettling."
She stroke his cheek, losing herself in his deep blue eyes. "I know." She leaned in to kiss him. She pressed her lips to his and ran her tongue against the entrance of his mouth. David moaned and parted his lips, inviting her in. But Regina took her time, she wanted to savor their time together. She ran her tongue over his lower lip before slowing teasing his. David moaned, enjoying this sweet torture. Not willing to wait any longer, Regina captured his mouth more fully, swirling her tongue with his. They only parted when the need for air became a pressing issue. She pecked his lips once more. "I love you."
David smiled against her lips. "I love you too." He traced her spine with his fingertips, sending waves after waves of pleasure through her body.
She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the sensations David's fingers were eliciting but the pain in her side prevented her from fully enjoying the moment. "David?"
"Mmhhh?" He was lost in the moment as well, their first quiet one since yesterday morning.
"I need the morphine."
David kissed her forehead and slipped out of bed. He kneeled by her side once again and took her hand. "I'll be gentle."
Regina gave him a soft smile. "I know." She trusted him not to hurt her. At least not on purpose. She closed her eyes and took deep steadying breaths. David whispered comforting nonsense the entire time. In the end, she had barely felt the needle, concentrating instead on the warmth of his fingers on her skin. Soon, the numbing sensation spread throughout her body. She reopened her eyes and smiled.
"Are you feeling better?" In lieu of a response, Regina reached for his chest. But when her fingers almost touched his skin, she seemed to think better of it. David stroke her arm gently. "Regina?"
Regina was looking at his perfect skin and her fingers hovering next to him. Leopold had not allowed her to touch him during their couplings. Not that she had wanted to anyway. But she did not know if David would allow it. And the potential rejection bothered her. She wanted to touch him the same way he was touching her.
David sensed her internal struggle. He slowly wrapped his fingers over her hand and closed the gap between her and his chest. As soon as her hand rested on his bare skin, he let go of her hand. Regina traced the contours of his muscles with her fingertips. She admired the softness of his skin, learned the lines defining his chest, and traced invisible lines along his collarbones. David watched her concentrated expression and his heart broke. He had no doubts this was the first time she had been allowed to touch another without any expectations. So he would give her all the time she needed and let her explore his body. After a long moment, she settled her hand over his heart and smiled.
David stroke her cheek and he smiled when she leaned into the touch. "How about I run you a hot shower?"
Regina's smile widened, remembering her bath yesterday. Before the thoughts completely formed in her mind, her body made the request. "Will you rub my back?" She blushed as soon as the words escaped her mouth.
David chuckled softly. "I'll see what I can do." He gathered the Queen in his arms and headed to the bathroom. Regina rested her head over his shoulder, tracing invisible patterns over his chest with her index finger.
David smiled once he figured out the drawing over his heart. He stopped in his track and looked down at her. "An apple?" She blushed, not expecting him to figure out the pattern. "Are you trying to brand me, Ms Mills?"
His teasing tone brought out her playful side. "What if I am, Mr. Nolan?" She was grinning at him.
David laughed. "Please continue." And Regina went back to her work.
David lowered her on the edge of the tub. He ran some hot water at the bottom of the tub before helping Regina out of the scrubs. Once more, she was sitting fully naked against him. However, this time she could feel his warm skin on hers. She tried her best to quiet her mind. She trusted David and she knew he was not going to hurt her but her mind kept bringing her back to her marital bed. She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into him, deeply inhaling his scent. Eventually, she managed to keep her mind in the present.
Once he felt her relax in his arms, David rubbed her shoulders and the back of her head. "You're ok, sweetheart?" Regina nodded against him. Once David was convinced she was telling him the truth, he helped her into the tub. "Want to wash your hair?"
Regina nodded. She was not in pain and she desperately wanted to get rid of the hospital smell clinging to every pore. The smell was overpowering and reminded her of what the doctor had done to her. She shivered slightly.
"Is the water too cold?"
She shook her head. "No, it's ok."
David grabbed the shower head and helped her wet her hair, careful not to splash her bandage in the process. He then lathered her hair with shampoo, working it to her roots with his fingers. Regina closed her eyes and let small moans out as his expert fingers were gently massaging her head. The Prince smiled as he watched the beautiful brunette. After helping her rinse the shampoo, he grabbed a cloth and started washing her back.
Regina's body was on fire; each touch of his fingers on her skin rekindling sensations she had not felt since she had been a teenager. Although her mind had forgotten the pleasure she had derived from Daniel's caresses, her body seemed to remember. But where Daniel had been just a boy, David was definitely a man and her body seemed to want more from him. She squeezed her thighs shut when she felt the new yet somewhat familiar pulsing in her core. She moaned loudly when David hit a particular tense spot.
Her moans were coming in rapid successions as he worked the knots out of her back. David kissed her flushed cheeks, all the while smiling at the effect the massage had on her. Without thinking, he moved the cloth to his other hand to wash her front. Regina tensed when he touched her breast. "Please, don't please." She placed her arms across her chest and turned away from him, bringing her knees up against her abdomen. "Please."
David chastised himself. After what she had just told him about physical intimacy, he had touched her. Regina was trembling in fear and it was his fault. He moved his hands to his sides slowly, careful not to panic her further. "Regina?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…." She started rocking herself back and forth, recoiling further away from him.
David grew concerned that she would hurt herself in this position but he did not know what to do. She was lost in her thoughts and he had no experience with bringing her back to the present. He had seen her like this twice before in Archie's office. But she had been asking for him and had immediately curled into his safe embrace. He took a deep breath and tried to remember what Archie had done. The psychiatrist had just talked to her. "Regina?"
"Please, don't hurt me."
His heart broke at the sound of her fearful, innocent voice. "I'm sorry. I should have asked before touching you." He placed one hand on her upper arm. Regina jumped but did not try to shy further away from him, not that she could anyway. He rubbed her arm gently and kept talking in a calm, soothing voice. Tears were streaming down her face but she had stopped trembling. He tried again. "Regina?"
Regina slowly turned her face toward him, her eyes still wide in fear. "I'm sorry."
David set his chin on the the edge of the tub in a gesture that he hoped conveyed that he was no threat to her. "You shouldn't be apologizing, honey. I'm the one who overstepped my boundaries. I should have asked you if it was ok."
"I just… I don't like my breast to be touched." She blushed and turned to face the other way.
David sighed. What had Leopold done to her? He tried to control his rising anger. She was already terrified and he did not want to add to her fears. "Regina, sweetheart?" He waited for her to turn her face toward him again although her eyes were still avoiding his. "You don't have to apologize. You should never apologize if you don't like something." He lowered his hand to take hers, his thumb stroking the skin between her thumb and forefingers. "All you have to do is say no and I will stop, Regina. I promise you that."
Regina nodded slowly and answered him in a small voice. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to let you touch me."
David frowned. "Do you want me to?"
"I don't know." She paused. "I don't want to lose you."
David squeezed her hand. "You won't lose me, honey. I love you. I love spending time with you. I love going riding with you. I love the way you smile. I love to hear you laugh. I want to share my life with you."
She finally looked him in the eyes and gave him a small smile. "Thank you."
He cupped her face in his hand and wiped the stray tears from her cheek. "I love you. I will never do something you don't want me to."
Regina leaned into the touch. She looked into his eyes and tried to give him a soft smile. She could say 'no' and this was the best gift he could have ever given her. For the first time, she believed that she would be able to overcome her fears. Regina started trembling again. David moved his hand away from her and she whimpered at the loss of contact. "I'm ok. Just cold."
David smiled. "Let's get you dry. And I'll cook you breakfast." Regina's face lit up. She was hungry and she liked the way he was taking care of her. "After I take care of your wound."
Her face fell. She bit her lower lip playfully. "No."
David laughed. He knew she was joking. "Sorry, sweetheart. I'll be gentle."
She leaned in and pecked his lips. "I know."
After changing her dressing and helping her with clothes, David went to the kitchen to prepare some brunch. He came back into the bedroom half an hour later with two cups of coffee and two plates of bacon, eggs, and apple pancakes. Regina smiled and licked her lips. Her stomach growled in anticipation. David laughed as he set the plates on the bed besides her and helped her into a sitting position. "I'm glad to see your appetite is coming back."
Regina devoured her plate. David was not exactly the best cook in the world but she loved the breakfast nonetheless. She loved the care he had taken in preparing her a meal. She loved that he remembered she liked apple pancakes.
Once she was finished, he went to clean the dishes. Regina settled herself more comfortably on the bed. She was already exhausted. She placed her hand on her wound and tried to summon her magic. When nothing happened, she sighed heavily. She knew it was not safe for them out there. Surely, Frank, Joe, and the rest of Storybrooke would be looking for her.
Regina looked up as David entered the room. Her troubled expression worried him. "Are you ok?"
She nodded. "Just thinking… about us… the town…. Snow."
He sat down at the foot of the bed and started massaging her ankles. "We will stay here as long as you need to heal."
"And after that David?"
"You will cross the townline."
Regina gasped. "I meant what I said… I won't leave. Not without you or Henry."
David nodded. "And I want you safe. I'll figure out who killed Snow. And once I do, you'll be able to come back with Emma and Henry."
Regina shook her head. "I won't leave you here. Not without knowing that you're ok. You don't know what they'll do once they figure out you helped me."
David laid down besides her on the bed. He wrapped one arm around her waist holding her close. "I want you to be safe."
Regina did not argue further. She was not strong enough to win this fight. Not yet anyway. Besides, he was still here, holding her. She curled into him, inhaling his scent. "I'm safe right here. With you."
David watched as Regina's eyes were closing despite her best efforts. He kissed her forehead. "Get some sleep. You need to get some exercise when you wake up."
EC
Cora's fury reached a new level when she saw her daughter with this peasant. She was leaning against him, walking slowly on the trail surrounding the house. She couldn't hear what they were saying but they had made a lot of stops. Apparently her daughter was too weak to even walk by herself. Cora could only feel disgust and contempt toward the woman.
After what had seemed like an eternity, the couple went back inside. The sun was setting over the horizon and she needed to act fast if she wanted her plan to succeed. She had spent the better part of the day convincing Hook that their plan to kill Rumplestiltskin was still in motion. They would just need to give him a reason to go back to Storybrooke. And she reminded him that they needed Regina to complete their task.
The pirate had eventually relented and gave her directions to the hospital. She had glamoured herself as one of the deputies in order to ask her questions. The doctor and nurse that had taken care of Regina had been more than forthcoming. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that she had brutally attacked them once they had taken care of her. Cora frowned. In retrospect, their story did not add up. Regina was barely able to stand on her own. She would be unable to use any magic. Why did these people lie to protect her? She mentally filed this question for later.
Once she had left the hospital, Cora had spent the majority of the day gathering the ingredients for her locator spell. Since Regina was no longer bleeding, the spell had worked as it was supposed to.
Cora was surprised when she saw David run toward the back of the house. She had not expected him to leave Regina's side. She smirked. This was an opportunity she could not pass. Cora flicked her wrist and reappeared a few seconds later in the small bedroom.
Regina jumped when she saw the smoke dissipate around her mother. She let out a loud gasp and looked desperately toward the door. She had no magic and she was not strong enough to attempt to make a run for the door. "Mother." Her breath was quavering. "You…. I thought we stopped you. How did you get through?"
Cora looked at her daughter trembling on the bed. "Determination. I had to see you. I needed to tell you I know why you sent me through the looking glass. And I know why you tried to have me killed." Cora swallowed hard. Regina had always had a big heart and she hoped she would accept her somewhat fake apology. "And it's … it's alright."
"I think it's not alright."
Cora advanced toward the bed as Regina slid further away from her and, to the Queen's utmost despair, the door. Cora sat on the edge of the bed. "I love you." Regina did not look convinced by her words. But it was difficult for her to feel anything without her heart. She remembered what love should feel like but she had never been able to love Regina the way a mother should. "I just… I've always shown it in all the wrong ways. And I never should have made you marry the King." Regina's tense reaction did not escape Cora's prying eyes. Cora tried to keep her expression from showing her disappointment at her daughter's reaction. Regina had subconsciously curled into herself, wrapping her arms against her middle. She looked down and away from her mother. Cora swallowed hard and continued with her apology. "I'm so sorry." Regina's eyes were filling with tears and Cora had to use the last ounce of self-control she possessed to continue on an even tone. She had work so hard to get Regina in a position of power and the woman cried for it? Cora did not understand her daughter. But she tried her best to seem contrite. "When you cried over my coffin, it … it all changed." Cora stayed silent for a minute. She had carefully rehearsed the speech with the pirate and she waited for the desired effect. Unfortunately, Regina had learned to make her expression unreadable over the years. Perhaps Cora had taught her daughter something after all.
"You framed me for Snow."
"Temporarily, so you could see what these people really think of you."
Regina shook her head. "You wanted me broken."
"Receptive… I didn't want you to reject me. Not again."
"You made an airtight case. Anyone would believe it." Regina took a deep breath and finally faced her mother. "But David didn't." Cora's eyes narrowed. "He believed me. Despite all the evidence, he believed me." Regina pointed her index finger toward her chest. She was openly crying now but she did not care. For once in a long time, she was feeling loved and desired. For once, she was not just a pawn in someone's game. "He is ready to protect me, mother. You framed me for murder. The town is ready to burn me to stake and David is ready to fight to prevent it." Regina snorted. "You are the most manipulative…"
"Regina, enough!"
The familiar harsh tone was back and in that instant, Regina realized that her mother's apology was all an act. "What do you want, mother?" Fear had turned to anger.
"I want us to start again."
Regina snorted. "And why would I do that? Do you really think you deserve a second chance?"
Cora frowned. Her rehearsed speech did not produce the desired outcome. Perhaps it was time for a tactic she was most familiar with. "Because you need me. You need me to tell them that you did not kill Snow."
Regina snorted. "And now you're going to give me your price."
"I just want you by my side."
Regia frowned. She did not believe her mother. But she also knew that it was not safe for David to hide with her here. Eventually, they would find them and if David tried to protect her, she had no doubts that they would kill him. She could not lose the man she loved… again. "And you'll tell them that you murdered Snow if I follow you?"
Cora nodded. "Yes." She let out the fact that George already knew of Regina's innocence.
Regina nodded once. She did not want to leave David here. But it was the safest option. And she would protect him, even if it was the last thing she did. Cora smiled and waved her hand, engulfing both women into a cloud of purple magic.
ECECEC
April 20th 2013
David was working late at the Sheriff's station, filing all the necessary paperwork George had requested. The man was looking for a reason to fire David and the Prince would not give it to him. David could not let a man as morally depraved as George all the power in this town.
It was past 1am when David finally finished with his tasks. He made the short drive home in a zombie-like state. The small loft was plunged in darkness, the only light coming from the moon. He could make out Henry's form in his bed. He looked around quickly for Regina. She was sleeping in a chair next to the bed, her head and shoulders bent at a painful angle. He grabbed the blanket from the couch and laid it on top of her careful not to wake her. David took a minute to admire her beauty. The Evil Queen had had sex appeal and like most men, he had not been indifferent to her choice of outfits. But Regina possessed a natural beauty, especially apparent in her sleep. He carefully tucked her hair behind her ear. She grumbled in her sleep and repositioned herself on the uncomfortable chair.
David sat at the small table in the center of the room. He rubbed his hands across his face trying to keep his thoughts from drifting toward Regina. But he could not concentrate on anything but the gorgeous brunette asleep a few feet away from him. He sighed. He could not go on pretending that there was nothing going on. He would be faithful to Snow and he would not allow himself to entertain any future with Regina without trying to work on his marriage. But Snow had been gone for so long and deep down, he had lost hope to see her again.
David groaned and kicked his feet up on the table. He leaned down on the chair and closed his eyes, trying to organize his thoughts. His mind filled with images of Regina during their time together. He pictured her smile, the way her hips swayed when she was riding, the habit she had to bite her lower lip. He tried to redirect his thoughts toward Snow but sleep claimed him before he had a chance to remember his wife's face.
EC
Henry gasped and woke up suddenly. He was panting hard on the bed. "T-They're alive!"
David woke in the next instant and rushed to his grandson's side. "Who? Who's alive?"
David was at his side, high-fiving him while his mother was slowly waking up. She uncurled and managed to swallow a gasp from the pain in her side. It felt like a knife had gone through her. At first, she had ignored the pain but as these episodes became more frequent she knew that something was really wrong. She needed to get to a doctor soon. But she could not leave Henry, not after the progress they had been making.
"My mom and Snow." Regina's heart broke when Henry referred to Emma as mom.
David grabbed Henry's hands excitedly. "I told you, kid. I told ya." David was ecstatic. They finally had proof that his family was alive.
Regina tried to catch Henry's attention, ignoring the strong feeling of rejection. Once Emma and Snow were back in Storybrooke, Regina would have no place in their lives. She would be alone… again. She slipped her mask on. "Was it that woman you saw? Did she tell you this?"
Henry nodded at his adoptive mother. He had noticed the way her body had tensed and he chastised himself for calling Emma mom. But he had two moms and he loved them both. He focused on his task. He had to deliver the message. "Her name is Aurora. She said they have a way home. But there's someone in their way… someone only Mr. Gold knows how to defeat."
Regina placed her hand on Henry's. "Who?"
Henry looked uncertain. "Your mother."
David watched as the woman fought to keep her composure. He turned toward Henry who was also aware of Regina's struggle. "Henry, go get showered and dressed. We need to talk to Mr. Gold."
Henry did not argue. He got up from the bed and stood in front of his mother. He hesitated before hugging her tight. Regina returned the hug, her heart skipping a beat at Henry's attention. Reluctantly, Henry let go of his mother and walked to the bathroom.
As soon as Regina heard the shower running, she cried out in despair. Her son's rejection, the loss of David's friendship, and her mother's plan to come to Storybrooke was too much to handle at once. She wrapped her arms around her middle and sobbed. David kneeled in front of her, worry etched across his feature. "Regina?" He did not know how to reassure her. He had a fair idea of the thoughts passing through her head but there was nothing he could say to appease her fears. "Regina?" He pulled her to him. She collapsed on the floor in his arms, too tired to fight. She let the tears flow freely. David rubbed her back. "Shhh… everything is going to be ok."
Regina's crying intensified. She tried to talk in-between her sobs. "How… how can… you...say that? You… you don't know… my mother." David did not know what Cora was capable of and Regina wished she could make him feel the way she did. She was terrified as he should be.
"Mr. Gold can defeat her, right? This is what Aurora said."
Regina did not answer right away. "I… I don't know." Her mother was powerful and Gold had been as much out of practice as she had. Well, not exactly. He had spent the last few months practicing magic and after the curse broke, he had seemed more in control of his powers than she had been. Regina let herself hope. Perhaps her mother would have the same problem with the magic here as she had. Magic was different here. Rumple had used true love as the basis and it had taken her some time to harness its power. Her mother would need the same time, perhaps even more since she was incapable of understanding love. They had a shot at stopping her mother.
Regina quieted in David's arms. He took the opportunity to continue. "Henry is not going to give up on you once Emma is back. He loves you, Regina."
Regina took a shaky breath. "I'm not good enough for him. We both know that. Once Emma is back, I won't have a place in his life."
"You'll always have a place in his life… in our lives. You're family." David broke their embrace and cupped her face, resting his forehead on hers. "He needs you in his life."
Regina grabbed his wrist, rubbing his forearms. "What about you David? What will happen to us once Snow is back?"
David swallowed. "I don't know."
Regina laughed. "That's what I thought. You may have promised me that nothing would change but you and I both know it will. Once your precious, perfect wife is back, you'll want nothing to do with me." Regina's tears fell down her cheeks, pooling on his hands. "I saw how excited you were."
David closed his eyes. "I want them back. They are my family. Emma is my daughter. I love her. I want to have a future with her." Regina felt her cheeks grow hot. The man had lost his daughter twice because of her. David took a steadying breath, gathering his courage for what he needed to do next. "And yes, I want Snow back. I want to know she is safe. I …. care for her deeply." The choice of words was not lost on Regina. She gasped and looked at David carefully, as if she was seeing him for the very first time. "I will always care for her but… but things have changed but I…. I don't want to betray her." He swallowed, holding back the tears. "I … I don't know what will happen to us, Regina, because… because it's up to you." David leaned in slowly and kissed her gently on the lips. It was a chaste kiss, but one full of promises.