"What is it?" David asked, placing down one of the maps he was engrossed in.
Tinkerbell started to pull off her coat, excitement in her blue gaze. She dropped into a chair at the bar and took a deep sigh through her nose.
"Well," she started, trying to catch her breath, "The Gaea is in Storybrooke, that's for sure."
"Where?" Hook demanded, coming from the hallway, where he must have called Emma on a land line."
"Just outside, talking to Rumpel," Belle added quietly. "She's scared and confused. She's seemed to be in containment for a long time."
Belle sounded regretful. Like she hated admitting Gold's true colors out loud.
Regina refused to waste time. They needed to confront Elsa in just a few hours. They needed this woman on their side and Regina feared that if Gold was in charge of persuading her, then they were all screwed.
Once outside, Regina noticed the sun was hiding behind some dark clouds again. They didn't look dangerous, and the snow that lead up to the diner's door was soft enough to stomp through.
Regina crossed the lot and towards the street where Rumpelstiltskin was facing a lithe woman cloaked in green.
From behind her, Regina could hear the rest of the group rushing outside, small chatter and crunching snow followed. Gold and the Gaea didn't seem to hear them, and Regina was able to successfully enter their conversation off guard.
"Hello," she started pleasantly with a flattering smile.
It took a lot for Regina's smiles to look genuine and not vindictive. She had always learned that the hard way. But, the woman before her didn't seem apprehensive. Curious – but not afraid.
Gold sighed irritably at Regina's side, his coat was turned up, he collar masking part of his face.
"Hi," the woman – who was really no more than a girl answered.
Regina was surprised by her youth. She couldn't be more than eighteen. She was every bit as beautiful as Queen Elsa, but whereas the Snow Queens features were all soft and angled, The Gaea was round and smooth.
She had auburn hair, rich with bronze and dark blonde strains. The dullness of day didn't diminish the brilliance of it, and the long mane glittered in the minimal light – all of her seemed to shine, like the sun itself was leaking out of her.
"I'm Regina, you're in Storybrooke. I released you." she spoke slowly.
There was a crowd forming behind Regina, she could feel their breaths and whispers. She just hoped that they didn't scare the girl off.
Realization ignited in her crystal blue eyes, and then, the timidness was gone, replaced with a formal, almost regal air that Regina knew well. Whoever this girl was, she was powerful. Gold only stole from the best, after all.
"You saved me?" she asked quietly, pensive.
Her bright eyes flickered over to Gold. He stood slack, quiet.
"I suppose you can say that, but I'm going to be honest with you," Regina admitted, trying to stay gentle and friendly, "I had my own interests when I did so."
The girl nodded, she didn't look crossed or upset.
"Can you tell me your name? Where you come from? I have only heard stories of your great magic."
"Magic?" the Gaea scoffed with a small smile.
Regina was taken aback. She heard the melodramatic sigh of Hook behind her, and although she was right there with him, feeling as if they were going backwards, she remained stoic.
"Yes, you are a great power,"
The Gaea looked down at her cloak, "I can't remember much after the accident." she shook her head. "Where did you say we are?"
Snow stepped up next to Regina, she was always better with people and the mayor felt relieved that she wasn't going to do this alone.
"You're in Storybrooke, it's a great place. Full of magic, though none like yours, that's why we need your help."
The Gaea smiled at Snow, gravitated to her warmth and welcoming persona, like everyone before her.
"My name's Snow White,"
The girl gasped, "I've heard of you! My sister told me stories when I was young. You have one of the most beautiful love stories there is." she had a dreamy look in her eye as she said so.
Snow smiled. She turned behind her to see Charming grinning back at her.
"This is David, my husband."
"Hi!" she exclaimed excitedly.
Hook stepped up as well, at Regina's other side. The Queen wished it was Robin but she wasn't brave enough to turn and see if he followed.
"You really can't remember how you got in there, Love? Or who put you there?" his eyes burned a whole through Rumpelstiltskin, who remained the same impassive block from the moment they got there.
The Gaea frowned with a slow shake of her head. "I remember pieces, I know my home was in danger and that I was in danger. My sister died to save me, and I've been trapped in that darkness for so long it seems."
Though she was a prisoner, and her story was tragic, the girl was upbeat, friendly. She was nothing like their other guest, who wanted revenge and justice. Regina could learn a lot from this girl.
"Well, come inside, you must be starving." Belle said. Regina hadn't realized she found her way to Gold's side, and with a graceful hand, she offered the Gaea assistance.
The girl took it, walking ahead of the crowd who didn't phase her, back into Granny's.
Regina remained behind, and as she turned, she caught Robins' eye, he had followed them outside still in that loose undershirt. She frowned at him, but he rolled his eyes and headed indoors for warmth.
"What's wrong with her?" she demanded Gold once everyone was out of earshot.
He shook his head, "She doesn't recognize me."
"Well of course she doesn't, you almost look normal." Regina sneered.
Gold hummed his annoyance but remained wary. "Elsa did," he reminded her.
"What do we do now?" she asked as the last of movement ceased outside.
It was just the two of them, out in the cold desperate to ward off another catastrophe.
It had been two hour. The Gaea remained quiet about her life, her name. She was either truthful, and she didn't remember, or she was smart and she was keeping quiet, no matter how kind these foreign people were.
Regina watched as Robin fought with Roland over his dinner. He didn't want to eat, and she saw him sneak a few glances her way. The queen wanted to remain in the blistering, vague conversation, but her impatience was testing her and at the moment, she was better use elsewhere.
Emma walked in pulling off her gloves and laying her gun down next to her discarded coat. She had questions and Regina didn't want to be the one to answer. So she slid off the bar stool, ignored the guilt that crept into her at the thought of her son all alone, and walked towards the Locksley's.
Roland's tiny face lit up when he saw her. "Finally," he drawled, his small mouth puckering.
"I'm sorry I didn't see you sooner, dear. There was a conversation I couldn't miss." Regina dropped down in the booth opposite the father and son.
Robin had amusement in his eyes, seeing clearly, Regina was sure, how unsatisfied she was.
"Hope all is going well," he commented cheerily. Regina snorted but kept her attention on Roland.
"Are Granny's carrots not the greatest?" she asked with intense interest.
Roland shook his head, scowling at his half eaten plate.
"Roland," Robin warned. "You cannot leave this table until you finish them. How will your mother feel when she sees you're not growing strong because you refuse to eat vegetables?"
At the mention of Marian, Regina became acutely aware that this wasn't her life. The queen looked down, picking at some fuzz on the topside of her coat.
"Regina, a little help?" Robin begged, exasperated.
Something warm fluttered in her chest. It was hard to get used to the idea, that Robin Hood would chose to love her. She wouldn't even let the reality, that maybe it wasn't really a choice, and that destiny was going over their heads, enter her mind.
Regina smiled slyly at Robin before leaning over the counter top. "Tell you what, Roland," she waited until she had his attention. "You finish those tasty carrots and your father will let you have this," she finished by making a chocolate sundae appear on the table. It glittered as the last of magic dwindling away, a soft hazy purple that belonged strictly to Regina Mills.
The outlaw shook his head, not impressed by her tactics, but seeing his son begin piling steamed carrots into his mouth kept him from vocalizing his thoughts.
Grumpy and several others dwarfs stormed into the diner letting in a gust of cold hair and plenty of pessimism.
The room turned its attention to the intruders. Grumpy, a grim line in place of his mouth, stepped forward, and without needing to say anything, everyone knew time was up.
"Elsa is coming," he said with a clipped tone. He threw a threatening look at Gold who was sitting at the bar with Belle.
"At last," Hook sighed, also staring at The Dark One. He received an elbow to the gut by Emma.
Regina turned back to Robin, "Maybe you should take Roland upstairs to finish desert."
It wasn't a question and Robin grew noticeably tense. Regina knew he wanted to be there, but his son's safety was always first.
The nameless Gaea stood up, there was confusion clear on her face.
"Or, better yet, why don't I bring you to the hospital. I'm sure Roland would love to say goodnight to his mother."
Robin's jaw tightened. He was looking at Regina incredulously. She wasn't discussing it with him, and the two had an intense conversation with just their eyes as Roland sat blissfully unaware, ice cream smearing across his cherub face.
"I'll bring Roland and then come back," he insisted, scooping up the boy who protested.
Regina threw a glare at him. "You will not. Roland can't have to parents in the hospital." her voice remained kind as she ran her fingers through his curly hard hair.
That stung Robin and Regina mouthed a sincere I love you, before making the two disappear in a puff of airy, purple smoke.
"Did he just say, Elsa?" The Gaea asked, her face grew pale and it was effortless to see her mind racing behind her curious blue eyes.
"Yes, The Snow Queen. That's what we need your help with." Snow tried to remain calm, but her hands were shaking, Regina could see the younger woman fumbling with them.
"Wait, you don't understand," the girl said, breathlessly.
The lights above flickered. Granny started to grumble, her shotgun in hand.
Belle was holding Gold's wrists so tightly, it was easy to see him straining from the force. He was whispering to his wife – most likely calming words no one knew him capable of.
Killian and Emma stood by the front door, David at his daughters rear.
The room was silent, except for one of the dwarfs wheezing.
A gust of wind hit the window, cracking the front glass – but didn't shatter it.
The air escaped the room, and from a tiny, clear spot above the door, it was easy to see that snow started to fall.
The doorknob rattled. The wind howled. Everyone was cowering, sans for the Gaea who only looked mildly alarmed.
The knob rattled more, shaking the open sign like chattering teeth.
Then, before anyone was ready for it, the door burst open, knocking back Hook. Emma fell into her father's arms.
Tinkerbell screamed – or maybe it was Belle. Regina drew up a fireball, waiting for The Queen to show herself.
Like a glowing, glittering, ice-blue angel, Elsa strolled in, her hips swaying with the power beneath her skin. Her face was alight with fury, her eyes scanned the room, glaring at each one of them, sending chills down Regina's spine when the deadly blue gaze fell on her.
She spotted Gold, Belle locked on his arm. He went to stand, his wife refusing to let him go. She charged for him, but Gold was quick. He stood in her way, letting the beautiful woman crash into his body, making her gasp.
"I don't think you want to do that, Dearie." he grinned, his face a maddening, vindictive scowl.
The Snow Queen stood tall, her dress sparkled beneath the flickering lights.
Letting his arm stretch out, he grabbed the immobile, shocked girl at his side, without breaking eye contact with the woman in front of him.
He pulled the girl in front of him, like a shield. Elsa gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
"Ana?" she whispered, hysterical.
Regina groaned.
I am so sorry that this took so long...