So I decided I needed to look at Regina's relationship with Snow a bit more, and how Snow is taking the loss of her sister. Let me know if there are any other relationships you would like me to explore. Reviews really help me to know if there is interest in the story for me to continue, and also to know what is liked and dislikes, so please let me know what you think. Thanks!


A knock on the door pulled Regina back to the world that she was living in. She hated things like that, things that interrupted her connection with the disturbed state of mind that she had been living in, isolated in her chambers. It had been two weeks since she had made her necessary regal appearance at her daughter's funeral but since then she had been content to live within her mind. Trying to sort out her daughter's death, her mother's sudden disappearance, and the strange visitor and the vial that he gave her. Swimming in the grief for her lost children, guilt of the loss of her mother and confusion at the strange imp had left her sleepless and without much of an appetite.

The knock came again, "Mother"

Mother? She was no longer that, she had lost the title when she lost her children. Snow, the thought came to her…perhaps there was still hope for something.

"Come in" Regina said, surprised by the hoarseness in her voice as she pushed herself up to sit up in bed.

Snow open the door slowly and walked in, almost as though she was walking on glass, pausing once she was close enough for the lamp light to illuminate Regina's face. It was so much more hollow that she remembered it. Dark circles seemed to hang under her eyes as if they were mirrors, marks showing her inner-turmoil clearly on her face. But through it all her breathtaking beauty still showed, Snow focused on that as she spoke.

"I came to ask if you will be joining us for dinner." She asked in her sing song voice, although the question came out hesitantly, as if each word had to be carefully chosen.

"No dear, not tonight, I'm not quite feeling up to it yet." Regina replied.

"I can have the cook send something up for you."

"I'm really not hungry, but thank you for asking dear, that was very thoughtful."

Snow smiled, it was the longest sentence she had heard Regina speak since before her miscarriage.

"Was there something else dear?" Regina asked, hoping that Snow would just leave.

"I'm sorry." Snow said quickly.

"Thank you dear, I know you miss her too."

At that a tear came into Snow's eyes. "Yes I really do…but, I'm sorry about your mother as well. And well, I think I might be the reason that she left, and I see how you could really use your mother at a time like this and for that I am so sorry, I just wish I could say something to her."

Regina shook her head, not quite understanding what Snow was telling her, "what do you mean?"

"I think…I think Cora blamed herself for Danielle's" Snow paused for a moment, not quite sure of what the appropriate next word would be, "…accident."

"Oh Snow, no one is to blame, my mother knew nothing about horseback riding I know that." Every word that came out of Regina's mouth felt labored.

"But Danielle was my responsibility I know that, she told me that you told her to listen to me, so she even promised me she would while we were walking out the stables. She held my hand and told me that she wanted to ride like me so she would follow all my instructions." As she said this she held out her hand, and tears started to fall more freely.

Regina looked down at her own hand, remembering the way it felt when Danielle's hand was in her's. Like she had all of Danielle's trust and understanding; Danielle gave it to her so readily and without question…and she gave it to Snow too before going to ride.

"But I became bored of watching her, I don't know why I never got bored of watching her. But I did and I wanted to ride around fast, testing my limits. Far faster than Danielle could, so I did and I told her to wait. And I don't know what happened, I think she wanted to try running fast too, and then she…I'm so sorry. But it wasn't Cora's fault." By now Snow was in hysterics.

Regina just closed her eyes, trying to take in the news that was being passed on to her. It wasn't a freak accident, the horse wasn't spooked, Danielle was trying to be like her older sister. Who was only thinking of herself…

"Where was Fredrick" Regina asked.

"What?" Snow asked, trying to calm herself down.

"Where was Fredrick, I remember Danielle said he would be there as well."

Snow paused, trying to remember the events of the day. "One of the horses started making a lot of noise in the stables, he went to check what was wrong."

"And left you all alone?" Regina asked.

"He told us to stay put." Snow answered

"But you didn't?" Regina asked, still trying to comprehend everything.

"No I didn't" Snow answered as she hung her head.

"Snow, dear?" Regina simply said after she took a moment to compose herself.

"Yes."

"I need to rest now, why don't you go clean yourself up before dinner."

Snow nodded, "I'm so sorry."

"I know you are dear" Regina said with her best smile as Snow left the room again.

Regina lay down, her head swimming with thoughts. Snow was responsible once again for the loss of the thing, the person closest to her. Her mother was gone, and a vial still sat on her bedside table.


So like I said earlier, are there any other relationships you would like me to look at.