Chapter 12

A/N: Thanks for everyone's patience. Between finishing up my latest novel, Bittersweet Homecoming, and a few out-of-town trips, time for writing fan fiction has been limited.

The remainder of this story will be loosely based on what happened with Zalena and the second curse in season 3B, but I won't be doing an episode rewrite. I've got other plans for these two. Canon will sneak in when it suits the story.

Emma held her breath as she drove over the town line and entered Storybrooke, Maine. She pulled her Bug to a stop just on the other side of the magically-enforced boundary and waited to make sure Regina's Mercedes wouldn't have any problems crossing over either.

Her car idled, and she watched in her rearview mirror as the black sedan drove unencumbered and passed her stalled vehicle. She and Regina shared a grim, determined look as they passed each other on the road. They were back.

Emma flexed her fingers around the steering wheel. She didn't feel any different. It shouldn't have surprised her though; she'd felt no magical tingling the very first time she and Henry had driven into the small seaside town, but this time should have been different: she was the Savior. Unlike when Henry had brought her here from Boston, she knew what she was getting herself into this time—fairytales and magic, princesses and Evil Queens.

"Is everything okay, Ma?" Henry asked from the backseat.

Emma regarded her teenaged son with the aid of the rearview mirror. "Yeah, kid."

She glanced in Walsh's direction. The man had been silent for the remainder of the trip from the roadside motel until now, staring out the passenger side window and ignoring Emma's attempts to make light conversation. It was becoming more clear that inviting her boyfriend along had been a mistake, but it was too late to do anything about that now.

Emma shifted her vehicle into drive and followed the red taillights of Regina's car into town.

"It's small," Henry remarked.

Emma grunted in agreement. Storybrooke was no metropolis, especially to a young boy who only had memories of living in Boston and then New York City. She hoped it wouldn't become a problem, but even more so she hoped she and Regina would be able to find a way to return Henry's memories. The truth was uncommonly messy and complicated, but the last thing she wanted to do was deny Henry of his family—his entire family.

"What now?"

Emma nearly slammed on the breaks; Walsh had spoken to her for the first time that day.

"There's some people I have to see before we get settled." Emma sucked in a deep breath, letting the air inflate her lungs. "This isn't my first time in Storybrooke."

Without looking, she knew two sets of inquisitive eyes were on her.

"When?" Henry asked. "Was it before I was born?"

"I'm gonna drop you guys off at Granny's diner," Emma announced, ignoring her son's question. "You can get something to eat while I'm gone."

"What's with all the secrets, Emma?" Walsh bristled in his seat. "You're being unusually vague about this place. You can't keep us in the dark forever."

"I know," Emma agreed. "And I promise I'll explain everything soon."

The Bug squeaked to a jerky stop in front of the Main Street eatery. "Wait here a second, okay? I'll be right back."

Not waiting for a response, Emma hopped out of the idling vehicle and hustled inside of the diner before either Walsh or Henry could follow.

A tiny bell above her head rang when Emma pushed open the door. It was late in the afternoon—well after the lunch rush and too early for the dinner crowd. Granny was nowhere in sight, but the sound of glass shattering jerked Emma's attention towards the back of the restaurant.

Ruby's red-painted mouth was agape. Around her wedge heels were shards of ceramic from a coffee cup she'd dropped upon seeing Emma. "You're back!"

Long, gangly arms were instantly thrown around Emma's neck and shoulders.

"Hey, Ruby." The show of emotion took Emma by surprise. She momentarily stiffened before patting her hand in the center of Ruby's back.

Ruby pulled back and held Emma at arm's length. "How?" she asked, eyes still wide with wonder.

"Hook. And Regina." Emma puffed out a breath. "I hear ya'll got cursed again."

"You heard right," Ruby sighed. She stooped and began to pick up the pieces of the broken coffee cup and Emma crouched down to help. "Talk about annoying. I got used to memory loss when I couldn't control my wolf, but I never lost an entire year." She looked up suddenly. "Wait. Where's Henry?"

"Outside in the car. We just got into town, and I came here because I've got a favor to ask."

Ruby stood and brushed and the front of her short skirt. "Anything."

"Henry doesn't have his memories back. Hook had only enough memory potion for me. Henry's not going to know who any of you are."

"Not even Regina?"

Emma nodded grimly. "Yeah. Not even her."

Ruby clucked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "If it weren't for bad luck, that poor woman would have no luck at all."

"I have to go see my parents, but I need to prepare them about Henry. I don't need Snow freaking out about seeing her grandson again when he has no idea who she is." Emma bit her lower lip. She hated asking for help, even now. "Would you mind keeping an eye on Henry until I get back?"

Ruby smiled brightly, her white teeth flashing. "I'll do better than that. I'll even feed him. And who knows—maybe eating his favorite burger will jog his memory."

Emma could feel the corners of her mouth lift in return. "Thanks, Ruby. You're a lifesaver."

The dark-haired woman curtsied. "Anything for the Savior."

Emma ran her fingers through her hair. They got tangled halfway thanks to the all-in-one shampoo-conditioner that had been in their motel bathroom. Her thick mane required a little more than the complimentary toiletries could offer.

She raised her right hand and knocked on the door. On the other side of the barrier, she could hear the squeak of footsteps on the wooden flooring. A few locks unfastened before the door was thrown open.

"Emma!" David grabbed his daughter out of the hallway and pulled her in for a tight embrace. Emma could feel her ribs constrict beneath the intensity of the hug.

"Hey, Dad," she wheezed. "How's it going?"

"David?" Emma hear her mother's disembodied voice float through the air. "Who is it?"

A moment later, Snow appeared around the corner. Her eyes locked with the watery emerald of her daughter's irises.

Snow pressed her fist to her mouth and tears sprung to her eyes. "You're really here. Regina called and said you were back in town, but I wouldn't let myself believe it until I saw you for myself."

Emma's eyes took in the sight of her mother's round face—the short pixie haircut she'd maintained even after they'd regained their memories the first time, the visible glow of her apple cheeks on pale white skin, and the distended stomach beneath her cable-knit sweater.

Emma's mouth dropped open. "Y-You're pregnant."

Snow looked down at her stomach and placed her palm flat against the protruding bump. "You noticed that, huh?" she quietly chuckled.

"It's how we knew this new curse had made us forget the past year," David's voice reached Emma's ears while she continued to stare, unblinking, at her mother and her stomach. "Besides a few new citizens, it's about the only thing different about Storybrooke."

It was only then that Emma noticed the white wooden crib near the kitchen island and the carefully folded onesies stacked on the dining room table. This was really happening.

Emma swallowed down the rising lump in her throat. "I have to go."

Snow's features crumpled. "But you just got here."

"Henry's waiting for me at Granny's," Emma explained.

"Henry." Snow's frown grew in size.

Emma gestured around the room. "He doesn't remember any of this."

Snow nodded. "I know. Regina told us. Is there anything we can do to help?"

Emma licked at her dry lips. "I, uh, we can catch up later, I guess."

Snow's chin trembled slightly, but she kept herself composed. "Okay."

Regina stared at the crackling fire in the stone fireplace in her den. The hardwood popped and sang as the blaze built momentum. She took a small, measured sip of cider from her well glass and sighed. Except for the noises emitted from the fireplace, the rest of the mansion was silent. There were no sneakers to trip over in the front foyer, no errant comic books on the dining room table, no toothpaste residue in the sink of the second bedroom upstairs. As much as the sound of Henry's heavy footsteps used to put her on edge after a long day, she'd give up all the magic in the realms to have him remember her again.

She took a second, larger drink of cider and wiped at the drops that clung to her upper lip. She'd even offered to let Ursula stay with her until she got back on her feet—or tentacles—but the sea witch had politely declined the offer. She had no idea where Ursula was planning on staying, but a quick consultation to any of her mirrors would show her the location of the semi-reformed villain.

The knock at the front door was unexpected. Most visitors—as rare as they were—used the doorbell. She was in no mood to entertain and thought about letting the unannounced visitor stand all night on her front stoop. She closed her eyes and sighed again.

A second knock, followed by a familiar voice calling her name caused her eyes to flutter open: "Regina!"

It was Emma.

Regina rose from the couch, elegantly unfolding her long legs, and traveled the short distance to the front door. She stopped in front of an oval mirror on the wall and visually took inventory of herself. She swept her fingers through her hair. She looked fine. Presentable for the late hour—certainly presentable enough for Emma Swan, she decided.

She opened the door, just as Emma had raised her closed fist to knock for a third time.

"That's a new look for you," Emma remarked.

Regina looked down at her silk pajamas with their matching top and bottom. It was more conservative than what she'd been wearing lately, but the mansion could be cold and drafty this time of year. "Do you have a problem with the way I'm dressed in my own home, Miss Swan?"

"No, it's just more than I'm used to seeing you in."

Region's hand went to the collar of her beige pajama top. "I do hope there's a reason for this visit beyond you wanting to see me in my pajamas again."

The teasing smirk fell away from Emma's features as she recalled what had brought her to Regina's house at this hour. "Why didn't you tell me about my mom?"

"Tell you what?"

"That she's pregnant."

Regina sighed. "Come in, Miss Swan."

Without waiting to see if Emma would accept her invitation, Regina turned away from the door and began walking in the direction of the den.

"I would offer you a drink," she tossed over her shoulder as she retreated farther into the house, "but I'm pretty sure you've already drank this town dry."

She heard Emma's dismissive snort, followed by the sound of the front door whisking shut. "Whatever."

"I could smell the alcohol the moment I opened the door, dear."

"Oh."

Regina returned to the den and retrieved her abandoned glass of cider. There were other places to sit in the formal room, so she was slightly taken aback when Emma decided to sit next to her on the same couch.

"Why didn't you tell me about my mom?" Emma repeated her question from before.

"You know that's not my place. "

"I wish I could tell you the pregnancy was a mistake or that she at a bad mushroom in the Enchanted Forest, Emma, but like everyone else, I have no idea what Snow's motivations were. No one knows what happened when we were back there."

"Have you asked her about it?"

"No." Emma hung her head. "I saw her belly and I ran."

Regina made a noise. "Very mature."

"I got blindsided! I thought I was going to have this awesome reunion with my parents, but instead I find out that they've moved on."

Regina frowned. "That's not fair, Emma, and you know it."

"I get it. They want a baby. They never really got to be parents. I showed up fully formed."

"Which is my fault," Regina gently pointed out. "Not theirs."

"I can't be mad at you."

Regina arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"You … you're not her." Emma stared straight ahead."I can compartmentalize the two of you–the Evil Queen and Regina. The Evil Queen did all of those things. Not you."

Regina's gaze dropped to her hands, hoping Emma wouldn't notice how they shook around her well glass.

"It's how Henry can love you despite what his storybook says."

"Except he has no idea who I am," Regina muttered softly.

Emma's hand fell to Regina's knee. "We'll figure it out. It's what we do, right?"

Regina stared at Emma's hand. It was a friendly gesture—innocuous. But she couldn't deny how the simple, friendly touch affected her. The heat radiating from Emma's palm traveled up Regina's right thigh and straight to her core.

Regina wiggled out from beneath the hand as unobtrusively as possible. "So how would you like to proceed?" she asked.

"Proceed?" Emma echoed.

"Finding out who's behind this new curse," Regina clarified. "Your parents and I have hit every dead end imaginable since we've been back."

"Right. Well, I suppose we should powwow with my parents. And anyone else we trust. There's got to be something—some clue that you guys missed."

"Sure you'll be able to be in the same room as your mother?" Regina asked without malice or taunting.

Emma sucked in a breath. "I suppose I'm going to have to. Are they sure it's only one baby in there? She's huge!"

Regina chuckled. "Only time will tell. Which, from the looks of how big her stomach's gotten, shouldn't be very long at all."

"Do they know if it's a boy or a girl?"

Regina shook her head. "Your parents are very traditional. Even with all of the technology available in Storybrooke, they want to stick to the old ways. They probably won't even have Dr. Whale deliver the baby."

"Rumor has it, one of the Seven Dwarves delivered you," Regina chuckled.

"As long as it wasn't Dopey," Emma returned.

Regina bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smiling. This was too easy, too fun. She shouldn't be having such a good time bantering with Emma Swan. But even when they'd despised each other, Regina had looked forward to their brief interactions. She'd programmed everyone in this town to respect or at least fear her. Emma had been the first person in decades to challenge her. As much as the other woman had a habit of annoying her, she'd also sparked something within Regina that she hadn't felt in a very long time.

Emma stood up and stretched her legs. "I suppose I should get going. Henry's waiting."

"And your paramour," Regina unnecessarily added. "Where are you staying, by the way? I'm assuming not your parents' loft like the original plan."

"The loft seemed a little crowded."

"No more so than the three of you staying in a room at Granny's," Regina countered.

"Yeah, uh, Walsh is bunking with Hook."

Regina raised a manicured eyebrow. "Oh really?"

Emma raked her fingers through her hair, only to have her fingers get tangled in the unruly curls once again. "Yeah, the rooms at Granny's aren't exactly spacious, so, uh, Henry's with me and Walsh is staying across the hallway with Hook."

Regina pursed her lips. "And here I am in a mansion all by myself."

"We'll figure out the living situation. It's just temporary," Emma reasoned.

Regina silently nodded. She wasn't going to ask what Emma meant by temporary, afraid that the other woman had already decided that Storybrooke was her past, not her and Henry's future.

She saw Emma to the front door. "Have a good night, Miss Swan. Try to take it easy on your liver, okay?"

"Okay," Emma agreed. "Powwow tomorrow morning at the police station?"

Regina lifted her half-finished drink and inclined her head. "Tomorrow morning it is, Sheriff."

Emma flashed a quick smile. "Sweet dreams, Madam Mayor."

TBC