LOVE IS STRENGTH

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: Once Upon a Time, Regina Mills, Captain Hook, and everyone else appearing in this story belong to Disney, ABC, Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis. Sadly I don't own Lana Parrilla or Colin O'Donoghue either.

Thanks everyone for the reviews. I really appreciate them. Keep 'em coming. :)

The Rescue Mission

Regina's eyes fluttered open the next morning; the sun shone a bit through the waterfall into the cave. She was pleasantly surprised to find herself still wrapped in Killian's arms. She thought about what he'd said the night before. I want you to be what I'm living for. She felt a flutter in her stomach just thinking about those words. He wanted to make her happy. He understood her pain more than anyone, and he'd lost his love the same way. He wasn't going to judge her for being the Evil Queen, and she certainly couldn't judge him for being a roguish pirate. Maybe Captain Hook was exactly what she needed. And he seemed to care about Henry, and since losing Neal, Henry certainly needed a father figure…

"Good morning, beautiful," he said, kissing her cheek. "What might Her Majesty be thinking of?"

"You…me…Henry…and how we all fit together," she said with a smile.

"I think we fit together like a family, love. I've always wanted a son."

She kissed him full on the lips. That was the moment Regina Mills was sure about Killian Jones, and so sure that she was in love with him too. "Let's go find him."

The group packed up the camp and agreed to split up to find Henry faster. Emma and Rumple went off together in one direction, Snow and Charming in another, and they left Hook and Regina to go together another way.

"That seemed to go well, my lady," Hook said, as he took her hand to walk with her through the forest.

"It did; I'm surprised."

"Maybe they're happy for you," he said, kissing her temple. "And maybe they have more faith in you – in us – than we thought. Snow White and Prince Charming have to have a soft spot for true love – if that's what this is."

"I truly love you, you know."

"I love you too, Regina."

They walked together through the rainforest, and after a few hours, discovered a camp of Lost Boys. Regina gasped.

"What is it, love?" he asked, and then he saw. The Lost Boys had Henry. His hands were bound in front of him, and they had him tied to a tree. "If we attack, they'll call for backup, and we're outnumbered. And Pan won't be far. We'll need a fast escape from Neverland, and we'll need to get in touch with the others…"

Regina nodded. "And if we wait, and they get to him first, who knows what they'll do to him. If we sneak in and set him free, they'll find out he's gone sooner and they'll send out a search party in all directions."

Greg Mendell and Tamara stepped into the clearing.

"Regina, I think things just got worse."

Regina's face turned pale. Memories of her torture session with Greg filled her mind. "If they have him, they'll show him no mercy," she said, her voice breaking in panic. "And Tamara was the one who shot Neal…"

Just then, Rumplestiltskin and Emma appeared in the clearing. Gold conjured some magic and Emma attacked Tamara. Snow and Charming followed and battled the Lost Boys. Without hesitation, Regina and Hook joined the fight. Hook went immediately for Greg, and the rest was a blur. Regina was immediately kneeling in front of Henry.

"Mom, you're all here. You all came to save me," Henry asked as she cut him free.

"Of course, sweetheart, we couldn't let them have you." She wrapped him in a tight hug. "Did they hurt you?"

"Not yet, but they were going to, I think," Henry said and hugged her back. "I'm glad you saved me."

"Me too, sweetheart, now let's get out of here." She took his hand and they ran out of the clearing. Everything happening around her was still a blur, but she noticed Greg Mendell laying on the ground, dead or unconscious – probably dead. Emma threw a punch at Tamara and knocked her out.

"Miss Swan – Emma – let's go!" Regina called.

Emma signaled to Snow and Charming and they all followed.

"Killian?" Regina called.

"Right here, love," he said. He was already ahead of them all. Rumple held off further attacks with his magic, and followed behind.

They all found their way back to the Jolly Roger and immediately set sail. A band of Lost Boys appeared on the beach, shaking their spears at them. That was close. Regina didn't want to let go, but Henry needed to hug the rest of his family.

"You all worked together to save me," he said happily. "You're all heroes now." He smiled brightly at Gold, Hook, and his mother especially.

Regina pulled him back into a tight hug. "You were so brave. I'm so glad you're okay."

"I'm glad you're okay too."

Hook placed his hand on Regina's back. "Why don't you tuck the lad into my bed in the Captain's quarters, my lady? He probably could use some rest."

Regina smiled up at him. "Thank you, but where will you sleep?"

"Don't worry about me, Regina," he said. "I can't imagine I'll sleep much anyway. Go rest, love, and we can talk later."

She smiled, nodded, and carried Henry below deck to Hook's room. She tucked him into the bed and kissed his forehead.

"Stay with me, okay?" he asked.

"Of course, sweetheart." She sat next to him on the bed, and he snuggled into her, his head on her lap. Soon he fell asleep, and Regina thought of times when Henry was small and just wanted to be held – if he wasn't feeling well, if he was afraid of a thunderstorm. Simpler times during the curse before Henry knew the truth. When he was innocent and just her baby, and she was just his mom.

She realized she liked things better now. Henry loved her again and he knew everything. She'd grown tired of plotting, lying, hiding things. And while Miss Swan and her parents seemed weary of her, they didn't hate her anymore. She wouldn't hurt them, not anymore. An uneasy calm had settled between them all. She was relieved not to be at war anymore, and to have Henry back. And she wasn't so lonely now that she had Killian. Regina smiled to herself as she stroked the soft brown hair on Henry's head. Perhaps a broken, former Evil Queen could have her happy ending after all.

Author's Note: Apparently I can only write fluff. This is ALL FLUFF and HAPPY ENDINGS. One more chapter. Stay tuned. :)