When they passed London she was already immersed in the last case that Major Crimes got. The case was an absurd mess and made absolute no sense. A young barman got killed in a dark isolate alley, no evidence, a lot of blood and no visible motive, but she is sure that her team is more than up to the job. She is checking the photos, gatherings ideas and adding notes, in the eventuality that the case is still open when she gets back.

In the meantime Sharon was peacefully asleep on her shoulder, her arm was stretched behind her nape, feeling auburn hair tickling her skin. She was tempted to observe the severe Captain Raydor asleep like a child on her, lose herself in the little sounds and the perfume of her hair, something flowery, sweet and surely expensive. Unfortunately she couldn't, she must stay focused, they had a dangerous mission to approach and her unrequited love wasn't going to help her. So she kept working on the case, it helped that it was quite interesting and challenging. Sending a few questions to the team she checked all the times and reports.

Sharon stirred lightly near her, making herself comfortable and closer. Brenda sighed internally, the world hated her, falling in love with her ex-nemesis, her very much straight and not interested ex-nemesis. They were nearing the airport and she prayed they won't never arrive, just so Sharon could keep clinging to her. But unfortunately the world truly despised her. The taxi found a parking spot and the round nosy man announced that they arrived.

Swan wake up with a jump growling at the noise. Brenda laughed out loud, what a stressed human being. Sharon opened slowly her sleepy eyes, curling her cute nose at the discomfort. Then she found out on what, or rather who, she was asleep on and jolted in her seat with wide dramatic eyes. "Sleep well honey?" Brenda is sure to hear a gulp before she shyly nods. "I wasn't aware of …well circumstances."Always so diplomatic her Captain, she managed not to laugh at her embarrassed expression, instead she smiled. "always a pleasure to help Captain." She can't help the flirtatious tone, watching the other woman turn red.

"If you two are finished with the courting, I'd like to remember you, we are at the airport, move your superior asses!" "Swan! Did you forget I am your Chief!" "Yeah, sure, but it's to early and well, I am the Savior and bla bla bla, just move." Snorting loudly they exit the car. Raydor had still her cheeks in a shade of pink but now her eyes were focused, following the line of the building they reached, looking at the sky with concern and then at her, before adverting fast her glance. It was going to be a long fly.

She did a quickly look over of her team, Swan was still growling, Regina had deep eye bags barely hidden by heavy make-up, Miss Hardbroom looked simply lost, glaring at the place like if it was about to inglobe her whole, but the pink one preoccupied her the most, too cheerful, she trusts Sharon word on her magic, but she simply didn't trust her, not right now anyway.

She ached to grip Sharon's hand, now that her warmth left her she was feeling less secure about everything. Funny thing love is, funny deadly thing. Sighing out loud she thanks the man and take her bag, reaching the airport under a grey sky.

Inside the building there was already chaos "people just can't sleep in the morning ah?" Brenda hoped to sleep on the fly, she really need her sleep, even so if at their arrive they would face a strange magic portal into the fucking sky. She scoffed at the thought, she hated magic, so unpredictable and out of her range. Sure by now she was accustomed in fighting strange beings, she had her special spear for that purpose. Abruptly she felt a heavy dark curtain around her, the unknown scared her the most, and if she wasn't prepared enough to help Sharon, and if Sharon got hurt, or worse? Eyeing the woman trying to find the boarding place she sighed, this was all a bad, terrible idea, but she will follow her inside Hell, never letting go of her hand. "That was disgusting cheesy ever in her head"

God, that terrible woman was ruining her.

As expected every pair of eyes were on the tall all in black witch, her black eyes wide open in discomfort, for the crowd, or maybe for everything. She couldn't judge her, it was unpleasant for everyone, imagine for someone who had never taken a plane in her live. They passed miraculously the several controls, few embarrassing question were asked, but apparently you don't mess with a sleep deprived Regina Mills, she was scary. At the question toward Hecate's dress she lunched herself on a rant about how she would report this respect less act, and the guards just let them pass, with confused and apprehensive looks.

Anyhow they were finally on the damn plane, finding her place she pumped a fist in the air, near the window, so she could sleep undisturbed. With a smile she noticed Sharon sitting next to her, making herself comfortable and chatting with Swan, who had the place next to her.

"Fancy seeing ya here ah?" Sharon just eyed her with fissured eyelids. "It is because I am a comfy pillow?" Now she scoffed out loud hitting her lightly on the shoulder. "It is my assigned place Brenda Leigh , do stop it." Swan exhaled loudly :"Oh my God! I want to change spot! Could you not flirt so early in the morning it is making me dizzy in the stomach." "We were absolutely not… not flirting!" The Captain tone was calm but her neck was burning red, a small victory. "This is the second warning Swan! Do remember your place!" Swan looked dead in the eyes:"Yea, whatever Chief, just let me sleep." Brenda rolled her eyes before glancing at the seat behind her, to see the situations.

Miss Hardbroom was squeezed in between Miss Pentangle and Regina, who was busy reading mails on her phone, maybe upgrades to the case. "Mills, any news on the new case?" Mills looked up surprised and shacked her head:"I was re-reading the report of the forensic but nothing new, we'll have to wait few more days for any scientific news."

Still a dead end than, she nodded briefly and turned to look at the grey sky from the window. "Tough new case?" Sharon was speaking with a soft curious voice. "It is strange and we have very little evidence, the team doesn't know how to start." She smiled a bit, biting the intern of her cheeks. "I am sure Provenza will guide them to the closing." Alright, they called her the Closer but Provenza was a spectacular detective. "I am sure of it, too." She smiled again and Brenda actually believed her. The Chief returned the smile and rested her heavy head on the window, praying for a safe fly so she could finally sleep. The calm presence on her side settled her nerves and she closed her eyes.

Hecate was stiff at her side, her hand closed in fists, restraining them from trembling. She looked around with masked terror in her dark eyes. Pippa's heart bleed for her friend, seeing her in this distress was a rare site, one she couldn't tolerate. Touching gently her shaking fist she reached her attention. "It's alright Hecate, everything will be fine, it's not like you never reached such altitude with a broom." She adverted eye contact immediately, like her stare was burning her from the inside, her eyelids were twitching. "I would feel much secure on my broom, if we fall in this horrendous machine we'll remain trapped inside." This was going to be so hard on her, but Pippa tried her best to reassure her:"Oh we will not fall Hecate! Even so there are security preparations, and we have magic, we'll be fine, don't worry!"

Hiccup eyed her closely, insecurities in all her features but finally exhaled and then nodded, multiple times, as if trying to convince herself.

"My first fly was an experience too Hecate, but you'll get used to it, it is even safer than a broom."That fastidious woman was at it again, but Hecate posture got a little less stiff, so she couldn't really protest. "Thank you, Miss Mills, but I'll continue to think that my broom is the safer option." Regina chuckled and returned to read the magazines on her lap. "Of course, whatever makes you feel better." The nerve of this woman, seriously.

Pippa felt the green monster biting her everywhere with rage, this Regina succeeded in what she failed. She kept Hecate close for so many years, and how they seemed to be close. Pippa had noticed the little glances between the two, like they shared a unique bond and were able to communicate with exchange of stares. They never achieved that, sure she understood little Hecate, but something was always out of knowledge, a kind of wall that separated them. It hurt then and it still hurts now. The wall was even higher, a protected castle was built in between. She sighed and turned briefly to look at the grey sky.

Then the motors started to rumble, the adrenaline started to pump in her veins, she always liked the departure, so exciting. But Hecate toughed her grip on the chair, her face paler than usual.

Pippa acted on a instinct and took her hand in hers, gripping it gently, there was a flash of dark big scared eyes in her direction, a second after they were gone. The hand below hers was cold, ice-cold, with worried eyes she squeezed tighter on the long fingers, Hiccup didn't utter a single puff of air while they departed. She held on the pink hand with pink nails, like it was her only anchor. It hurt for a bit, then they were in the clouds and her was released, a blush insinuating on the taller witch at her display of weakness. Pippa just smiled at her and kept her hand close, for any eventuality.

Her heart was beating faster and only because of that tiny intimate touch, it was more than that though. It was the show of needing help, of a scared Hecate reaching for her help, like when they were little witches, friends to death.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" She tried to keep her voice down, almost a whisper to not alert the others, it was a moment just for them. "Well I suppose… not." Her voice was low too, cracking a bit at the end, her cheeks still a shade of pink. For the moon she was adorable. "The landscape look better on a broom, this for sure." Pippa nodded glancing outside, it was only a tiny window, nothing compared to the wind in your hair and the all world skipping around you. But when she turned again to look at her friend, she found Hecate staring right at her, a burning stare that made her glow.

"Why does she keep staring at me this way, melting me with her eyes, then pretend it's nothing."

It was intense, like a flame lambing your skin, turning up all your cells. The stare lasted mere seconds, but it was full of meaning, of hidden craving, little buried secrets. The moment was interrupted by chats.

"Miss Swan! Are you already asleep?" The answer was only a grumble. "Swan!" Again the same answer. A snorting Regina reached to hit the others shoulder with a slap. "What? Who? R-Regina what do you want? I was sleeping!" "Tsk such a child" "How you fall asleep so easily? Anyway if you'd stop being such a child.." A blonde head made a slight appearance from her spot, sporting deep eye bags and a frown. "Fine, what do you want woman?"

Pippa flinched in sympathy at the intake of air taken by Mills. "Could you gently not transform in a caveman right now. It is too much to ask?"

"How are we supposed to save the world as a team while even the two of them couldn't talk without bickering?"

Meanwhile Hecate had a lopsided grin plastered on her face, well they were a bit funny.

"Erg, if you just tell me Regina, so I can go back to sleep." The dark eyed woman scoffed at her rolling her eyes dramatically. "I was imply wondering what we'll do when we arrive?" Emma eyed her closely, scrunching her nose. "What? You want a suggestion?" Regina stared at her with death in her eyes. Pippa was impressed, that was a serious death stare.

"Alright, sorry, I think we should go and take our stuff, like my sword, and then we… I don't know how we are going to get in the fucking sky!" Hecate jumped a little at the swear and Pippa chuckled, sweet Hecate.

Regina was regarding the question, a frown on her features. "I was thinking it too, Hecate what do you think? We could go with brooms? I have a few, and Sharon surely does too. It is years that I don't use it, though."

Hecate barely tsked. "I brought mine and Pippa did too, right?" Pippa nodded. "We could take them with us, if you and Miss Raydor aren't sure for the fly." She sounded so sure, so confident that Pippa didn't have the courage to utter a word, voice stuck in her throat, so this is the warrior Hecate. "Oh, then it's a relief. I'll bring things that may be able to help us, but we don't know what to expect."

It was all pick black and it was a serious enormous problem, knowing what you are up against and you'll be prepared. But not this time, no they were completely in the dark. Her little finger lingered near Hecate's for a moment, to reach some comfort, something to put her mind at ease. The other witch was still focused, a blank expression on her pretty face, staring straight ahead of her. "I brought some potions too, empowering and curative ones, but I am preoccupied that all of this won't be nearly enough. We are measuring ourselves with a whole new universe." Her tone was calm but heavy, every word was measured and used carefully. Even Miss Swan was staring at her with some sort of expectation.

"Well we are a powerful group of wit ehm people and I am sure we'll figure something out Hecate." Pippa tapped lightly her bony hand with lopsided grin on her plump lips. "This is not the type of… mission you,"- she took a deep breath- "I simply prefer to have a solid plane and strategy." Everyone wanted that, but this is real life, wasn't it? No joke.

The sky was getting only greyer and angrier, that prospect nothing good, Pippa growled internally hoping for the best and for her lives at stake. A turbulence bit them gently, Hecate almost jumped out of her skin, her forehead full of worried lines and her teeth tight behind closed lips. Pippa intertwined their fingers slowly, smiling gently. Her fearless Hecate squeezed her fingers and looked outside with a form of determination. Had she been on a broom in this storm the secure Hardbroom would've avoided it elegantly without a flinch. Now this was new, but her black poles were open, filled with courage, that was overcoming the fear swimming in them before.

Pippa stares and stares and stares some more. This is what strong people do, they overcome their fears facing them, not closing their eyes. She always wanted to be like her friend, but the truth is that she is a unique nature work of art. So she just continued to stare, hoping that Hecate would stare back.

The turbulences passed quickly, Regina was still fake reading some useless gossip magazines, in her mind she was trying to come up with a solid plane. She could see Swan's head resting on her seat heavenly, she was no doubt asleep. Brenda Leigh was sleeping too, her face almost smashed on the window, but she could see that Sharon was wide awake, fidgeting with her hands in her auburn hair, restless. The older woman was doing this a lot, she'd space out sometimes looking at nothing with reclusive eyes, Regina had already seen that kind of stare, looking right in the mirror.

She tried to help, but the other woman was stoic and stubborn, rejecting her visible feelings for Brenda Leigh, just as she had done with hers for Emma idiotic Charming Swan. Now in her dark chocolate eyes there was unfortunate used fondness.

Shaking her head Regina tried again to focus on the task ahead. Her hand grabbed hard on her legs, the material of her pants wrinkling under her nervous fingers. She must be able to protect her little prince, the world, her princess Charming.

She scoffed at the mere thought, she wasn't hers.

Hecate near her was now calm, the fear conquered, she smirked softly. With Hardbroom with them, there was at least the double of the chances to came back alive. The witch was resolute on the field, unstoppable, courageous and most important extremely careful. Something they desperately needed with characters like Swan and Chief Johnson. They would face everything with few sticks in their hands, she know this to well.

- That was a tough case, dangerous one, a truly major crime. Brenda and Miss Swan were in a building of an important cosmetic agency, they needed to interrogate the CEO, just one of the suspects for a double murder. Regina was with them to collect some DNA samples. Things escalated quickly and the CEO took few hostages in his office, a gun pointed on a young girl trembling with fear. Regina could see his hands shaking, the gun going up and down fast, his forehead pearled with sweat and gulped.

The three of them were trapped in his office, Brenda's and Emma's gun dropped far from their hands. Emma had immediately post herself in front of her, blocking her movements with a hard grip on her waist. Regina kept looking at that hand hoping it would cause a bruise, so she could kill the other woman after. "She is no damsel in distress, thank you very much."

"He is unstable Emma, I could use my magic." She whispered in the lieutenant ear. "Can't take that risk, we'll figure out something, Chief!" Swan was just above whispering. "I know Swan, let me think!" Answered Brenda with clenched teeth.

The gun kept shaking and Regina prepared herself to use a fireball, just in case.

"Mister surely you know that soon you'll be surrounded, there is help on the way, you are a smart man, you clearly know how these things go." Brenda's voice was calm, sweet but deep and firm at the same time. The man was trembling more, screaming things with no sense. "Drop the gun and I promise you'll go out here alive and with your dignity intact." She kept trying but the mister was so over the line, gone insane with fear, the poor girl was crying, her baby blues eyes red and open in panic.

They needed to do something.

Subtly Swan was moving the both of them, drawing a circle around Mr. King, so unstable he was he didn't' even notice. Regina was staring at the blond curls in front of her. "What Emma was doing?" They were now close to the luxury couch, Brenda kept talking with him, calming him down. But with the tail of the eye she was following their movements. Swan's gun was now a few feet away, perched on a little table.

She felt Emma inhale deeply and it all happened in a blink of an eye. She was pushed hard belong the couch and landed with a grunt on the marble floor, then she heard Mr. King screaming, a shout perched the thick air of the office. Her heart stopped from beating, the blood was pumping in her ears, the loud bang was echoing in her brain in a loop.

Without thinking she stood up, fearing a sight she couldn't tolerate. Behind her eyelids she saw Emma on the ground losing blood from a hole in her chest, her green eyes open, lifeless.

Then she opened her eyes and looked, Mr. King was on the floor, a hole in his skull, the girl on her knees, Brenda comforting her with an arm around her trembling shoulder. Finally Emma Swan standing tall and very much alive, the fuming gun between firm fingers. Her heart remembered how to function again and she exhaled a breath of relief.

Without her control she found herself with her arms tight around Emma's neck, her face hidden in blond curls, breathing deeply. Then she felt a leather covered arm circling her waist and a warm cheek pressed on her hair.

Brenda's voice waked her from the trance :" Swan you took a big risk there, but well done, he was going to snap, it was a good shout, IA will clear you, don't worry." She felt Emma nod on her head, tightening the hold on her hips. Regina raised her head, arms firm around the other neck. She stared in those green beautiful eyes, she could swim in them. "Chief…" , "It's ok Swan, I'll call everyone."

Emma turned to focus on her. Fear and doubt swirling on her features and Regina remembered everything with a unexpected rage. She let go of her and took few steps back. The other woman noticed the rage on her face and held a hand up. "Regina it was the only way." She pinned her with a death glare. "It was not! You could have been shout! You can't leave me alone with Henry mourning you, you heard me Miss Swan?" Emma shacked her head in disbelieve. "But…" "I don't want hear another word!" She was fuming, how dare she to be so stupid, so impulsive! Regina gave her another glare and stumped off, hells clicking repeatedly on the marble floor, like a war march. Leaving a shocked Emma Swan behind her, and a tired Brenda Leigh. Sharon was going to kill the both of them anyway. -

The memory still haunted her, that stupid brave princess. She was grateful she was still alive and beside her. And indeed she discovered the next morning two matching bruises on both her hips, she didn't talk to the other for maybe a week, ignoring her puppies eyes for as long as she could. Useless, at the end she gave in, threatening to end her sufferance herself if she had such a death wish. Swan smiled with all her teeth in display :" You'd miss me, I remember you launching on me immediately, you know." She smirked in that charming way and Regina barely restrained herself from burning her on the spot.

Or worse, actual kiss her to shut her up.

The plane landed on perfect time, the Sun was shining on L.A., making Emma smile briefly, then fear eat her guts fast, looking at the clear sky, trying to see the portal and failing. Her head hurt, like there was an hammer inside, destroying her brain cells. She growled exiting the airport, just a fantastic time for a migraine.

Regina at her side had a dark stare deep inside the red tired eyes. She was frantically searching the sky and biting her lower lip. "Don't do that queenie, it's distracting."

Her fucking asleep mind couldn't keep up with her mouth, and that was a fact.

The other woman stared at her with confusion written all over the sun-kissed face. "I beg you pardon?" Honestly she just wanted to sleep for a hundred years. "Ignore me, let's go. First we go, faster we came back." Regina was still eyeing her strangely but shacked her pretty head and keep walking. Emma started to breath again.

The rest of the company wasn't in a better shape, Brenda was sleep walking as she was, Hecate had just recovered from the landing and Sharon looked tired.

God, how are they going to survive this.

The tension was swirling between them like a deep fog. "Regina." "Yes, Miss Swan?" Warm amber eyes glanced at her over a relaxed shoulder. She wanted to kiss her like that, in that specific position.

Emma growled out loud again.

"Miss Swan.." "Ehm, do you think Henry will be already at school?" Regina checked the time, it was past 8 am. "Sadly yes, wanted to say goodbye?" Emma nodded and received a comprehensive smile. "We'll see him when we came back, don't ' worry." A small smile appeared on the Savior, of course they'll came back to their little prince.

"Come on Swan! I want to wrap this up as fast as possible!" Brenda ruining the moment. "Sure boss." She spent another few seconds to look at the queen ass in these sensible pantsuits, before hurrying.

They retrieved her sword, Brenda's spear and all the items Regina wanted to bring, then they were ready.

"And if there is no air and we die on the spot?" Regina turned to look at her with wide eyes. "We'll jump right back, and maybe your mind just catch up but there could be anything, anything at the other end." Right, stupid question. "Just saying, so behind who I hook up?" Four identical stares darted at her and she raised her arms in defeat.

Hecate and still giddy Pippa had already their brooms hovering. All of them were out on the roof of Regina apartment. Regina and Sharon had their brooms at hand trying to look confident, but failing a bit. "We are going to go this way, Miss Swan will go with Miss Pentangle and the Chief with Miss Hardbroom, Sharon and I will follow you right behind. When we reach the portal we try to close it from afar, if it doesn't work we go in. All clear?" Everyone nodded with determination.

Swan was simply happy that she doesn't need to fly with Miss Black soul over there.

The two witches took a seat on their vehicle. Emma approached Pippa slowly observing Regina closely, their eyes meet for what seemed ages but were mere seconds. Maybe it was lack of sleep, the nerve-cracking situation, hell the jet-lag but Emma Swan couldn't help herself, her heart was aching staring in those dark worried poles. Passing by, trying to act casual she reached with a stretched arm to squeeze Regina's hip, receiving a gulp and a flustered stare. Emma smiled and winked before hopping with difficulty on that damn broom. The other woman was following her with her eyes, cheeks still pink.

Brenda was already behind a uncomfortable looking Hecate Hardbroom. The Chief was smirking at her, the lieutenant scoffed and tried to not grip too hard onto the pink witch.

"I will not make you fall, Miss Swan, you can relax." "Yeah, I believe it when we go back on the ground." Pippa snorted, side-eyeing her friend in black, they exchanged a nod and then they were flying. Emma felt the wind in her hair, saw the street getting smaller and smaller. "See completely safe right?" Her breath was caught in her throat, she gripped harder on pink (plump) hips and swallowed hard.

Pippa laughed bubbly and got faster, now they were going up, towards the portal. It seemed that there were invisible waves disturbing the air. Emma turned for a moment behind her to see Regina and Sharon slowly reaching them. Gulping badly Emma stared at the portal ahead of them floating in a semi-circle.

She could see the four witches concentrating in unison. The low but firm tone of Sharon broke the tense filled silence. "We need raw energy here, alright? Nothing to articulate just distinctive raw magic, ready?" She received three nods.

Brenda was staring at her, drafted, pure terror in those big eyes, the same reflected in the lieutenant ones.

The blast of their powers mixing was hard and almost made Emma fell from the broom. Raw magic was hitting the portal with precision. "Start slow!" The Captain suggested, one palm in the air, blast emerging from it. It wasn't working, the shocked expression on Regina's face made it clear. "More now, it isn't even quivering!" The flow became thicker and Pippa started to sway a bit.

Hecate 's dark stare immediately caught it. Raising both hands the blast that followed broke some windows and scared the hell out of her. The portal didn't even flinch.

"Enough this isn't working!" The voice of Hardbroom stopped the attack. They were lightly painting, sweat pearling on their foreheads.

"We have to go inside, I fear." Regina tone was still determinate but tired and slacking. Emma took the pommel of her sword tight in her fist, ready at everything it could be on the other side. A beat of an eye, a moment lost in the wind and then they were inside.

And, oh fuck.