I cannot express how horrible I feel that I completely abandoned this story for months. I am sorry. So so sorry. I don't even have a good explanation. Life just kinda took over, so for that I am sorry. I'm going to finish it, probably one or two more chapters. I haven't watched this season yet... but I saw on tumblr that kiss between Robin and Regina and I was like OMG what am I doing! so yeah, hope the show's exciting. I'm gonna catch up sooner or later. Also I've been writing my own novel, which yeah, is kinda lame and all but it's just something for me.. but I really shouldn't have neglected fanfiction for so long. I feel so bad. I'm not normally this spacey. Anyway, here it goes. – and thank you all so much.
Everything was silent for a moment or so. The wind ceased to thrash against the window, the air warmed considerably. It was like, for just that moment, things seemed almost normal. All eyes gawked in confusion, everyone peeking into a private conversation.
Regina Mills had no clue what was going on, but she didn't like it all the same.
The Gaea's name was Ana. The Snow Queen knew her, well, from the looks of it.
Elsa's big blue eyes were watery, her cheeks pink and her mouth parted – Ana looking even more shocked.
"Would someone like to explain what's going on?" Emma asked, rubbing her elbow gingerly.
Gold smiled in a way only a snake could. "It appears we are witnessing a family reunion," he insisted, releasing the Gaea's shoulders and stepped back into Belle's arms.
"What?" Snow whispered, "The Gaea is Elsa's sister?"
Regina groaned, "The one you killed?" she glared at Rumpel.
"Not quite," he said. His eyes danced with mischief.
Elsa was sobbing, her arms thrown around the smaller girl whispering words no one could comprehend. Ana clung to her sister, her own cheeks wet, her fingers threaded in the glittering material of Elsa's dress.
"Rumpelstiltskin how could you?" Belle hissed, her face paler than Regina had ever seen it, her eyes wounded, small and beady.
The queen regretted that the sweet book lover needed to find out this way. She took a liking to Belle. She believed in the Dark One more than anyone, more than his own son ever did.
"Belle, this happened a long time ago," he started, his hands coming up, trying to calm her down.
"But you knew this whole time," David yelled, storming passed his daughter and wife. "You knew what Elsa was looking for and you were fine with letting us all die for your actions."
Grumpy and Hook flanked David. Spirit spiked, tempers heightened. Regina was almost excited to let things play out the way Charming wanted. She had no qualms about Gold paying for his mistakes. But, besides the look on Belle's face – the silent plea of unconditional and inexplicable love, Gold may of inadvertently saved Regina's happily ever after without meaning to.
And if they all acted rashly now, he might never give them the answers that they needed.
Sighing, and hating herself for what she was about to do, Regina stepped in front of Charming, arms crossed and a dull, bored look in her dark eyes. "Enough of this," she scoffed, ignoring the incredulous look that crossed David's face.
"We're all acting like children. Gold is a snake, we already knew this. He picks and chooses information to feed us when he feels like it." she explained, her arms held away from her body, palms flat in the air.
Regina was standing on the balls of her feet, waiting for an attack. None came. Considerably calmer, the mayor stood to her full height, giving a complacent and gentle smile to the people flocking the diner.
"Let's all take a breath and settle this like adults." she insisted, catching Gold's eye roll from the corner of her eye.
Even if Regina was being the bigger person, she still hated the man. With a quick looping motion of her index finger, Gold's body instantly locked down on a bar stool, her actions to quick for the man to counteract her.
Belle made a small yelping sound, and Regina looked at Rumpelstiltskin's wife with some remorse.
"Why not sit down too, you look a bit pale. How about some tea. Granny?" Regina asked, and the older woman muttered something crass before getting the kettle from under the counter.
Regina then turned to Emma and Snow. The blonde's arm was in Snow's hand as her mother inspected it. Emma rolled her eyes and gave Regina a curt nod.
"I want you to stay near the sisters. This can go dangerously wrong now that they have each other." she whispered. The savior nodded and removed her arm gently from her mother's grasp before walking over and standing near Elsa and Ana.
David was pacing at Gold's side. He had his hands deep in his pockets, a look of pure worry etched over his handsome face. Regina wanted to slap him, snap David out of his reverie, force him to focus and help her.
Snow was at Regina's side along with Tinkerbell and Hook. David was still pacing but, his movements seemed to follow a purpose. He watched the door. The only exit. Nodding at Prince Charming, Regina tried to think.
"We should try to calm them down," Snow nodded towards the sisters. Elsa and Ana were still quietly sobbing. Their reunion sweet and bitter.
Regina pressed her lips together. "We have to keep them calm. It seems Ana is our only hope to stop this storm." Snow winked at Regina and walked to her daughter's side, a hand rubbing soothing circles on Elsa's back.
Tinkerbell looked around the diner. "I think Gold needs to explain to them why he did what he did."
The Mayor frowned. "I'm not sure full disclosure will help things, Tink."
Shaking her head, Tinkerbell moved closer to Regina. "Look around," she insisted. "Emotions are high, Belle looks ready to pass out." the fairy explained. "Elsa wanted answers about her sister. You did one better, you found her. I think that gives us some compromise."
Tinkerbell was serene, not worried or anxious like the others, not like Regina. The fairy spent so much of her life in Neverland, frightened and alone, all thanks to Regina. Tinkerbell was conditioned for high risk situations.
"You take the lead," Regina nodded, her arms wrapped tight around her torso. She shivered once, before winking at Tink.
Regina relished the look Tinkerbell gave her. It was gratitude and promise. Regina, against the greater good, found a friend in Tinkerbell and it was about time she started honoring it. Leaning against the bar, Regina watched Granny finish up the tea, and Regina helped the old woman hand it out.
Belle's hand shook when Regina offered the woman a cup. Her blue eyes wet, the laugh lines around her mouth worn, she accepted with a small thanks, her shoulder brushed Gold's.
"Tinkerbell thinks that you owe the Sisters the truth." Regina whispered to Gold.
"Does she?" the man smirked. "I'm not up for a Q&A, sorry."
"Rumpel," Belle hissed. "You do owe them an explanation."
The man smiled, his face contorted into a pained expression. His eyes hard. "Fine," he said evenly through gritted teeth.
Regina winked at Tinkerbell who forced herself into Ana and Elsa's conversation. The fairy nodded, and Regina looked away, seeing David still close to the door, Hook near the window and Leroy at the back, making sure none of the Merry Men paid the diner a visit.
"We are so happy you two found each other." Snow smiled, with Tinkerbell's encouragement.
Elsa wiped her eyes, once hand still on Ana's cheek. "As are we," she whispered back.
"Is there anything you'd like to ask, The Dark One?" Tinkerbell shifted her weight. "He promised to be honest,"
Elsa's blue eyes hardened, "I have plenty to say," she said darkly.
"Elsa," Ana warned, both her hands grabbing her sister's.
The Snow Queen sighed, her smile reappeared. "Oh, Ana." she laughed, "You're too good." she nodded.
"I want to help," Ana said, "I can't remember how I got into that urn, and I know I should be angry that he put me in there," Ana smiled, squeezing her sister's hand, "But I found Elsa, and I can forgive."
Tinkerbell clapped her hands together, "Great!" the fairy exclaimed, linking her arm through Ana and walking off towards Gold. Elsa followed behind, Snow and Emma at her side.
Regina admired Ana's resolve. The raven-haired woman grew accustom to acting in a way similar, if not worse than the Snow Queen, and it was refreshing to see a different take on the same situation. It filled Regina with hope, that she too could be better – stay better.
She thought briefly of Robin, how angry he looked when she sent him away. Regina hoped he understood. His safety and that of his son was more important than staying, being gallant and stubborn. A foolishly righteous man with dreams of heroism. Regina smiled, hoping this would all pass soon and they could talk about what they were falling into.
"I saw great potential in you." Gold sighed, locked in place by Regina's spell and the diner's glare. "I knew you weren't ready but I couldn't have your power wasted, so, I led you to believe that your sister died, and once your guard was down, I locked you away."
The man looked down, feigning remorse. Regina rolled her eyes and cleared her throat to mask a snort.
"Elsa, on the other hand is unmatched in her power, no one can do what you can, Dearie." he looked up at the blonde, she glared at him but didn't speak. She didn't trust herself like Ana did.
"But," Gold sighed.
"But I couldn't be trusted to control my gift." Elsa snarled. "So you locked me away, lied and pretended to save my kingdom and be forever in their debt when in reality, Princess Ana saved her own people."
"Elsa," Ana whispered, wrapping her arm around the Queens back.
Gold nodded solemnly. "What I did was wrong and for selfish reasons. I wanted an arsenal, the best of the best. But I assure you both, that is not me anymore."
Hook didn't try to hide his amusement. He snickered next to Emma who nudged him in the gut. The pirate groaned, not expecting the blow. Regina smirked, feeling the same way.
"It isn't?" Ana asked, her voice soft but her beautiful face skeptical.
Gold shook his head, "No." he even smiled at the sisters before glancing over at Belle. The woman didn't leave his side, despite the man he was, she loved him through it.
"I found something more important, lost some important things too," he muttered hoarsely.
Emma looked down, Hook's hand found hers.
"Belle – " he said, looking at the curly-haired woman, "This is my wife, Belle and she has made me a better person than I ever believed possible. I owe everything I am to her." he said.
Regina almost believed it. Ana and Elsa seemed to. Which really was all that mattered. And Belle, poor, innocent Belle French who loved the Dark One with senseless ferocity. Regina wanted to warn the girl, tell her to snatch her heart back. There was so much Rumpelstiltskin didn't say, didn't have to because no one was asking.
But Regina held her tongue. She needed to save her home, her son, the ones she loved. Belle would learn, one day. But it wouldn't be that evening and it wouldn't be from Regina. She looked down after seeing Ana nod once at her older sister.
"I forgive you, Dark One." Ana said bravely.
Rumpelstiltskin smiled sharply, "I prefer Mr. Gold, in this land." he said cheekily.
Elsa cleared her throat, turning from Gold, looking at each face in the diner. "I am so sorry that I caused so much trouble." she whispered. "All I wanted was my sister back, and you," she held back tears, "You wonderful people found her for me. I am forever in your debt."
"Not necessary, Love." Hook grinned, "Just make it warmer."
Elsa laughed, turning away to grab her sister's hand. "Are you ready?" she asked the younger girl.
Ana winked at Elsa. "Completely." she grinned as the two walked out of the small diner and into the heart of Main Street.
The flock followed, interested and desperate. Elsa quickly pulled her gloves back on, sighing once the warm, silk material made contact with her skin. She gave her fingers a quick wiggle, no sparks shot from her fingertips and she grinned, watching her sister in awe – like everyone else.
Ana stood away from the lot, her eyes closed and her hands outstretched, palms facing the sky. She hummed to herself, as a gust of wind filtered around her, causing her matching braids to flutter, her bangs pushed off her forehead.
Her beautiful face remained concentrated, her mouth slightly upturned, her eyes remained gently closed.
Since Elsa's promise was not broken, there wasn't much snow on the streets. The sun did it's job in the short amount of time it was given. The chill clung to Storybrooke, letting the townspeople know it was always a possibility it would return.
The sun poked through the thick gray clouds slowly. It started as a dull light and became a brilliant force. Those who watched Ana work winced from the brightness. Then, like a curtain making the sky, the clouds flew out of view, and the vast, cloudless blue hue dominated the sky once more.
Mary-Margret grinned, David kissed her cheek as the sun shined on the pair.
Water started to collect on the black top street, a small stream drained into the sewer system on the corner. Snow was hard to find after that. Emma was the first to remove her scarf, the sun beat down on Storybrooke, and a satisfied sigh erupted from the saviors throat.
Ana let her hands drop slowly. Her eyes opened up to the sun with a small smile. Elsa was at her side immediately. "That was wonderful, Ana. You're extraordinaire!"
The younger of the two shook her head with a soft eye roll. "As are you," she hugged her sister.
"I'm calling the hospital," Emma explained to Killian as she walked through the small crowd towards Regina.
"Hello?" she yelled, excitedly. "Whale? It's Emma. How is Henry?" she pressed her hand to her free ear, straining to hear the doctor.
The blonde's face fell and Regina snatched the phone from Emma, a hand on her hip. "Whale. What's wrong?"