A/N - I was able to get a lot of editing done today, so here is Saturday's post early. My longest chapter yet and there is a lot in it - feels, ups/downs, plot questions, etc. I'm also quite proud of it. Enjoy :-) Fan art on my tumblr, too.

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Emma slapped her hand on the alarm of the swan clock and sat up realizing she'd returned to her regular size over night and that meant being an adult on a Monday morning. She sighed and got up to check on Jasper, finger waving to the red and teal fish.

"Adulting sucks, little dude."

The fish let a bubble surface from his mouth as if agreeing and Emma went to her dresser opting for a sports bra in case any shrinking happened that day. Becoming small with an underwire on chaffed her skin like hell, a rude discovery at bath time last night, though the cream Regina had put on her had helped heal some of it overnight.

Feet went to the closet to dress in her typical skinny jeans and a red sweater. She was about to grab her tall boots when she noticed her purple Converse tucked in the back, melting at the fact that the Queen remembered them. A wave of her hand and white sparkles stretched the shoes to fit her big feet, tying them on with a grin and she added the adjustment spell to ensure they would shrink again if she did. Emma happily trotted down stairs to breakfast and took up her usual perch at the counter, cheesy eggs and cut apples waiting on a plate to be consumed.

"Good morning. I was just about to come wake you." Regina went to the Keurig to start a cup of coffee for the blonde, having waited to see which version would surface.

"Morning and thanks for my shoes." Emma lifted a heel up high showing off her Converse.

"You are most welcome." Sitting and ignoring the paper in favor of watching Emma enjoy the breakfast she'd made. "You seem hungrier than usual this morning and that is saying something."

"I know, huh? This shrinking and growing thing takes a lot out of me." Grinning at the Queen as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. "So are we still on for the park after work today? I want to go regardless of what size I am. Getting outside for a while will clear my head."

"Yes, if you are sure you are alright with going public if you happen to be small."

"Yep. Like I said yesterday the whole town knows by now. Snow would have made sure of that."

With a nod the brunette began to eat her own breakfast. "I will work on advertising the new position at the station for an assistant and hopefully we will be able to have interviews later this week."

"That doesn't give me much time to think of another option we both agree on. Can it be later?"

"Alright, I'll wait to advertise for a week." Consenting to the time extension and fingering her gold necklace in thought. "I've been thinking more about your shrinking. There are times when you seem to be able to will it and others that seem to be triggered or that prevent you from changing back, like yesterday at the loft. I'm concerned with it happening while you are alone and not being there to help you."

Emma nodded. "Me too." Somber again at facing the day by herself.

"There is a summoning spell I'd like you to put on our necklaces, if you are agreeable. Since we both wear them every day, if you shrink and touch the pendent and think of me with you it will trigger a response in mine."

"But you can't poof places anymore so what good will that spell do?"

"The necklace would act as a beacon and will guide me to you, I will just have to drive or go on foot." Hating that she did not have her full magical strength. Performing a spell of that magnitude would drain her as it had when she used magic to slow Snow's pregnancy in their other life. Emma didn't know it, but she had been nauseous and weak for days after.

"I don't like the idea of you not having your full powers. There's got to be a way to get that back." Pale knuckles rapped the counter in frustration.

"We will have to do some research on that, but I don't believe getting my magic back is a possibility. The spell should have absorbed it and it is no longer there to be taken back." She tapped the silver swan pendent and her own birthstone necklace to refocus them. "Do you remember how to do a summoning spell and how to tether it to objects?"

"Yeah, I can do it." Recalling her magic lessons from years ago, then scrunching her face. "Why can't I just poof to you if I shrink though?"

"Because your magic as a child has proven to be unstable, so you poofing to me or me to you is out. As well, we have a rule about you using magic when you're little until I can teach you. You will need to learn those skills again and teleporting is a complex one. It will take time, but we will work up to it."

"It sucks that when I'm small I still can't do stuff like I can when I'm bigger." Thinking back to last night when they had been reading in the rocker and she couldn't read the bigger words in the book. When the spell blended her two half's' fine motor skills were still the same in her child body as it had been in their other life.

"I know and we will continue to work on those skills when you are small." Nodding as she finished her coffee. "Now, the spell if you please. It is getting late and we both need to start our day."

Emma took hold of both necklaces and concentrated. Gold and silver began glowing milky white and warmed against their throats.

"Let's test it to be sure. Take your pendent and think about me with you." Regina instructed and when Emma followed her directions she felt her necklace heat up and a straight red line appeared in her vision and stopping at the swan pendent.

"Did it work?"

"Yes, well done. We are all set."

After breakfast and reluctant goodbyes Emma poofed to work, missing the idea of her yellow bug sitting in their driveway, but they'd both agreed that until the shrinking was under control, operating a motor vehicle was out. The last thing the town needed was a six year old who couldn't see over the steering wheel attempting to drive a car down Main Street.

The station was quiet most of the morning, but filled with self-conscious stares between her and David who kept finding excuses to come by her desk. After borrowing the third pen of the morning she'd about had it when he asked to use her stapler. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, boots on the desk as she regarded his question.

"Look, you don't need to ask to borrow stuff if you want to talk to me." Smiling softly. "I'm still me. That hasn't changed."

"Maybe not, but you are different Emma… I don't mean that in a bad way." He held up his hands in a pacifying gesture when the blonde frowned back. "You seem happier—"

The song melody of Mindy Gledhill's, Anchor, interrupted their conversation and Emma gave him an apologetic look and turned away to answer her cell.

"What's up Gina… Yep, doing great… Finally catching up on that paperwork… Yeah, I will… Love you… Bye."

She hung up and smiled down at her phone, the screen saver flashed back to a picture of them with Henry taken ages ago. The sound of a throat clearing jerked her back to reality and she spun around to see pacific blue staring at her.

"Did you just… say…?"

'Soooooo awkward.' Emma thought and rolled back onto her heels with a tight smile.

"Yep, I did."

Turning red and rubbing the back of his neck, David suddenly found the floor very interesting. "I'm just going to take my lunch break now."

"Good idea. Me too."

When David left she sank into her desk chair and slowly unwrapped her lunch, an amazing looking Italian sub Regina had packed for her. She contemplated what he had overheard and if she'd be getting a freaked out call from Snow later on. Sighing she tore into her food, groaning with pleasure at the taste of spicy mustard she loved.

By late afternoon Emma had made enough of a dent in the stack of files on her desk to call it a day. David had gone on patrol after lunch and Emma was glad of the quiet to get caught up. She was starting to think that having an assistant around wouldn't be such a bad idea. Ever since they had learned about her writing ability Regina had be adamant about providing accommodations and tools to ensure she could reach the potential she had; in both lives. Another grateful check on the long list of gratitude the blonde had going for the Queen.

With a text that she was on her way soon she poofed home fifteen minutes later, smiling to see that Regina had beaten her there. The second she was inside the safety of white walls shoulders dropped the weight of the day, glad to be home. That feeling brought a sudden and unexpected tingle rippling through her body. Heels came her way and she threw little arms around legs in greeting.

"I just walked in." At the questioning look she was getting. "And just shrunk like a sec ago. Don't worry I'll summon if I do and you're not with me." Nestling her cheek into a flat stomach. "I missed you."

Regina smiled as fingers ran through loose curls. "I missed you too. How was your day?"

"Boring, but I got a lot done and you know the best part?"

"What is that, sweet one?"

"No homework!"

Laughing at the little grin shining up. "Not tonight at least, but I was serious about practicing certain skills when you are this size. We have no idea how long this side effect will last and we need to make sure you continue to make progress in certain things in case it is longer than a few weeks." As she strongly suspected it would be.

"That's a royal buzz kill." Joy fading somewhat, but accepting that it was one of those things between them that wasn't up to her. "Can we please go to the park now?"

"We may. Go get the bread from the pantry for the ducks." Smiling as little feet dashed away, Regina slipped on her coat and scarf, grabbing Emma's and wrapped it around the child before heading to the Mercedes.

The park was nearly empty and Emma had the entire playground to herself after they had fed the few ducks left in town before the winter cold snap hit. There were some people who stopped to stare at them, but none who approached. On their way back to the car an hour later they spotted Archie and Pongo coming their way on the path that merged with the pier. The Cricket paused with a curious yet thoughtful look on his face before Pongo jetted towards Emma, tail wagging.

"Hey, Pongo! How are ya buddy?" Emma caught the dog in a hug, scratching the Dalmatian behind his ears.

"So it's true then." Archie took in the little blonde grinning up at him and then the Queen who watched the exchange with her own smile. "Snow said something about a spell and side effects?" A question for the brunette.

"I'm sure she did Dr. Hopper." Regina didn't choose to elaborate.

"And Emma's staying with you?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "We live together Archie. The whole town already knows that."

"Right, sorry. I just wondered… with the spell and you being a kid…"

Emma bristled and stepped defensively in front of the Queen. "That doesn't change where I live or who I chose to be with. I'm still an adult and I'm sick of everyone not thinking I am capable of making my own choices!" Hands resting on her shoulders held back the next biting remark.

"Tone, Emma."

"Sorry… Look Archie, I didn't mean to snap at you." Giving the cricket the benefit of her doubt. "It's just been a long few days and we just came to the park to forget about it for a while."

"It's alright. I didn't mean to pry. And I hope that whatever happened to cause this works out the way you want it to." He smiled softy, a glitter in his eye and tipped his hat. "You two have a good evening."

As they watched him go, Emma bent her head straight back to look up. "What did he mean by that Gina?"

"He is smarter than he lets on half the time and I think he may just be someone we can rely on, if need be."

"If need be for what?"

"Nothing to worry your pretty little head about. How does Chinese sound for dinner?"

A toothy grin answered back.

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Tuesday brought another day at the station when Emma woke up big again, though less awkward than Monday. David had apparently kept the love comment he heard Emma make to himself because the blonde didn't get a call from Snow having a heart attack. But several text messages chimes from the Princess wanting to talk more about their last conversation interrupted her day enough that she silenced her phone.

Halfway through the day with David taking all the patrol time she had about enough with writing reports and texted the Queen that she'd be home around 2:00 and to go ahead with posting the job for the assistant at the station. That would free her up to take back over some patrolling duties and she could poof places instead of drive and ease the file work that never seemed to end. Thoughts drifted back to the issue of magic and the Queen's lack of full power. She hated the thought of Regina feeling vulnerable, even though it was well hidden by the refined exterior.

A particular idea tickled her brain and she wondered at the possibility of it. She felt a debt she was still desperate to repay, if she could just find the right spell to do it. Thoughts of asking for help in searching, as she knew she should, were drowned by her desire to do this on her own, as a surprise in repayment. Grabbing her red leather jacket, beanie, and gloves she shoved her phone in her pocket and disappeared in white smoke.

Standing outside the vault in the graveyard stirred memories of working on ingredients for the spell and Emma grew nostalgic as she approached the ominous doors leading to private chambers she knew she needed permission to be in. Memories of accidentally blowing up a caldron last year when she'd attempted mixing a potion that when sprinkled on something broken fixed what was wrong with it came flooding back. This was after she'd blown up their stove and in her panic of trying to fix her mistake her magic wouldn't work right. Instead of telling the Queen, she'd taken a trip to the vault and ended up doing the same thing to the caldron. That hadn't gone over so well for her. But she'd learned a valuable lesson she wouldn't trade for not being able to sit; that she could always ask Regina for help and that request would be willingly honored without a second thought.

Pausing at the door, she brushed her finger tips across the metal flower work, knowing she'd be in some trouble if caught inside unaccompanied, but the idea of gifting the Queen with an answer to restoring the sacrifice made on her behalf outweighed that thought. The tingle came then and the blonde slammed her memories of their other life shut, fighting to stay in her adult body to complete the task she came to do.

A green eye popped open a moment later and she sighed, staring at her little feet.

'Great. Just great.'

Closing them again she tried her hardest to grow.

Nothing.

"Rats!"

A hand reached for her swan pendent to summon Regina, but hesitated and dropped. She was already in trouble by being at the vault without the Queen. Summoning could wait and maybe presenting her findings would smooth over any mess she'd be in. Maybe.

'Might as well make it worth it by looking for what I came for.'

That little rash voice made her stomach roll, but she found she had an increase in impulsivity that being small magnified. She removed a loose brick at the base of the small building where a hidden key was still resting, one of the old skeleton ones belonging to the Queen that Henry had swiped and stored here when he was ten.

The heavy stone coffin in the middle of the room presented another challenge entirely and biting her lip that she was about to break another rule, she used both hands to try and wave it aside. Stomping a foot when nothing happened, she recalled Regina's voice telling her magic was emotion and concentrating used her frustration to magically nudge the coffin enough that she could squeeze down the opening.

Emma made her way into the main chamber, candles lighting automatically as she went, where the old books were kept and decided to start with the one used for their very spell. Setting her phone on the work table, she lost herself in the old pages, struggling to read more than half of what was there, but used the pictures and looked instead for key words like lost, powers, regain, and take back. At one point she was squinting at a page and realized she was having a hard time seeing it. Twilight seeped through the tiny green glass windows lining the back wall near the ceiling.

A glance at her phone showed the time to be nearing 5 pm and her gut tightened as the screen flashed with three missed calls from Regina, one from David and eighteen texts from Snow.

'I am so dead. Like dig my own grave dead.' Panic took over her thoughts as little fingers found the return call button, chewing her lip as a strained voice answered.

"Emma—Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I lost track of time." Emma slapped her hand to a forehead at the high pitch her voice took. There was no hiding that she was in kid form.

A long pause and upon hearing the small voice, a clipped response came. "Where are you?"

Wincing at what she was about to say. "At the vaaulllt."

"Stay right there. I mean it Emma. You are not to move. I'm on my way."

Gulping she mumbled. "Yes Ma'am." Ending the call with a foot stomp. "Shi—shoot!"

She ripped her beanie off in frustration and stomped on it. With a mournful look at spell book, she trudged up the stairs and outside to her doom. Sitting on the steps of the mausoleum, she shredded leaves nervously as she waited. A few minutes passed before she spotted David's truck along the road and it swerved suddenly her way. She groaned into her hands as the man exited, hurrying towards her.

"Are you okay?" He slowed his approach as narrowed green eyes took him in.

"I'm fine. Gina's on her way to get me."

David pulled out his phone, seeing a text from the Mayor that she'd heard from Emma. With a sigh he sank onto the step next to his daughter, being sure to give her the space she seemed to need.

"You look kind of bummed at that idea." Wondering why Emma would be upset with the obvious affection between the two women he'd observed yesterday and come to think of it for a while now.

"I'm not really, but she's gonna be kinda irritated I was here without her." Rubbing her hands nervously over her jeans, surprised she was sharing with him at all. "We have an agreement that I'm supposed to summon her if I shrink and I didn't because I was trying to figure something out and that just blew up in my face when I forgot about the time."

The man nodded, but still puzzled over that response. "That happens to everyone sometimes. Just tell her that."

Purple converse ground a pebble into the dirt. "It doesn't work like that for us. I don't expect you to get that and I don't want to talk about it right now."

"Alright. Is it okay if I wait with you then?"

Emma shrugged, not agreeing or disagreeing, but silently grateful for the company. A few minutes later the Benz rolled up and the girl felt her heart sink at the obvious worry gracing the regal features. She knew that look and that her actions had caused pain instead of the surprise her failed goal of the day had been. The child stood and was wrapped up in strong arms, apples and vanilla filling her nose for a moment before she was set on her feet. A swift hand made firm contact once with the seat of her jeans, echoing around them.

Amid David shouting the Queen's name and Emma's plea to him that all was okay, the brunette began to scold the girl she was eye level with.

"You are not allowed in there by yourself." A glance at the open door and the moved coffin said it all. "Using magic when you're small and not summoning me when you shrank takes the cake on irresponsible behavior. You know better don't you?"

"Yeah, but…"

"I was expecting you by two o'clock and when you didn't answer my calls I was worried something had happened, especially with your random shrinking. I had no idea where you were for three hours Emma. Many people were put on alert looking for you and we agreed that you would summon me to avoid this exact situation we are in."

"Oh." Emma rolled her lips inward at the reminder that others were always affected by her choices and tried to look away, but her chin was caught.

Brows rose as the Queen returned to her full height. "Oh? That is all you have to say for your misbehavior? Just wait until I get you home." Taking the girl's hand and with a wave at the vault the coffin slid back into place and the door closed, re-locking.

They could feel the heat of David's eyes watching their exchange and that's when reality hit for both of them that they were not in their other life. Regina gave the man a brief nod in acknowledgement, finally taking in the fullness of fact that he was there. She sighed, knowing wheels were spinning in that Shepherd head, but getting Emma home and getting to the why behind the girl's actions took priority over his gaping mouth.

Emma gave a halfhearted wave as she was led to the car and sat passively as Regina buckled her in, giving into the Queen's need to make sure she was safe. Her embarrassment over the public swat never came as it used to on the rare occasion she'd been corrected in front of anyone. Guilt sank that bubble like a rock.

Once at mansion, Emma quietly put her things away as the brunette did the same and started to go towards the stairs.

"Do not even entertain the idea of escaping to your room."

The girl's shoulders slumped as she turned around. "I was just going to…" At the stern expression Emma stopped.

"You are going to your corner in the study. Six minutes to think about your actions and then we will be having a lengthy conversation about the choices you made today."

Emma was quick to obey that tone, leaving the room and missing the knock on the front door.

Shaking her head at the interruption, Regina opened the door and came face to face with a not so Charming couple. Snow aimed an arrow at her chest from the safety of the walkway as David tried to pacify his irate wife on the porch nearby. Rolling her eyes at the primitive weapon she stepped out, crossed her arms scoffing.

"Put the toy away Snow."

"David told me what you did." Snow's lip curled, pulling the arrow back farther. "Where is our daughter?"

"Inside our home thinking about her actions."

Without missing a beat, the Queen snapped her fingers. The arrow disappeared from the quiver along with all the remaining ones in the tube on Snow's shoulder. Snow's cold glare came fast. Unable to help herself at the very déjà 'vu moment Regina decided to point a very different kind of arrow of her own, hoping to trigger a memory of many years past for the Princess.

"I recall teaching you not to point or stare at people. It's quite rude." And was pleased it had the desired effect of a lowered bow complete with full recognition.

"Stop it both of you." David stepped between them.

Moving her eyes to the gallant voice. "No, you don't get to play hero David. You knocked on our door and she pointed a weapon at me. You both need to wrap your heads around the fact that I am not a villain anymore." Then with some hurt at what he seemed to be ignoring. "You know I put Emma's safety first. Or have you forgotten all we've been through and what it nearly cost when I didn't step in."

As the memory of Emma bleeding on a stretcher flashed through his brain, one his wife didn't share, David took a full step back trying to recover at that reminder. "We just want to see that she's is okay. She seemed upset with your exchange at the vault and—"

Snow interrupted. "You hit our daughter."

'Not this again.' Regina thought lips pursed and placed a hand on her hip, recalling a similar conversation with the Princess on this very porch in their other life. There was a big difference between that word and what she and Emma consented to engage in. That phrase coming from Snow, who had hit Emma, was a loaded one. She turned from the couple to the open door and called to Emma. There was no way these two would give them peace until they saw the Savior.

The little blonde came promptly. "That was the fastest time out I ever…" She trailed off and came to stand next to heels as two pale faces stared at her. Emma shivered at the wind starting to pick up around them as it registered what must have happened. "I know what you saw at the grave yard looked one way, but it is so not what you are thinking—"

"I don't know what this is and you," Snow's eyes flicked to Regina, then snapped back to her daughter as hands went up. "Is this some kind of fetish you have?"

Red to the roots of her blonde hair Emma covered her face, thoroughly embarrassed at the prospect of this conversation. She leaned against Regina, seeking the comfort she knew had her back.

"Snow, you are out of line. You've seen that Emma is, indeed, alright and this is not the time or place for this conversation, which frankly is none of your business." Regina's royal tone carried a definite end to their meeting.

Emma took a breath and dropped her hands to show a unified front. "We are not going to do this right now. I'm willing to explain some of it to you, another time, but this is what I mean by respecting my choices. And no this is not what you said and even if it was, there's nothing wrong with it." Looking up at the Queen, then back to Snow. "I'm safe with Regina, like really, really safe. This is where I want to be. It's not the spell or a side effect. I'm a consenting adult here." Squirming. "I just don't look like it right now."

The Princess softened slightly. "Emma she is—"

"She is the person I choose to be with. Go now. Please… I'll call you later."

Faltering and taking a step back Snow glared at the Queen. "We are not done yet."

"Yeah you are." Emma crossed her arms.

As his wife stalked back to the waiting truck David stalled, seemingly wanting to say something else. He eyed his daughter and lifted his brows in askance at the Queen.

Regina got the hint and turned the irritated child around. "Go wait for me in the study. I'll be right in."

"But…" Green eyes trailed over the man that was her father, not wanting to leave the Queen to fight her battle.

"It's alright. He just wants to speak with me for a moment."

Emma nodded and gave David a tight smile.

Regina cracked the door behind the blonde and took in the quiet man. "I owe you a thank you for keeping her safe until I could get to her and perhaps some insight for the shock you felt at the grave yard that caused all of this." Eyes found a thoughtful blue. "Ten months have passed for us in a moment that it took for you to blink and our relationship is something that is constantly evolving. I am not going to speak for Emma, but know that her happiness in addition to her safety have been my top priorities for the last several years, Henry aside and I will not apologize for how we operate to make it easy for you or Snow."

David processed those words. After everything they had all been through, Regina had more than earned his respect and he wondered at his blind eye the last few days. He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You know something? She reminds me of me at that age, always charging into things, trying to save the world, defending people she loves."

"She does that well."

"My mother would have done what you did at the vault today and she was the best thing in my life until I met Snow or my children."

"And she is the best thing in mine, our son included."

"I think I am starting to understand this… And I don't get it all the way, but I'm starting to see what this may do for her. And I'm sorry for earlier. I haven't forgotten and Snow… She never saw the way Emma came in to the hospital and she just isn't there yet, it's different for her." Remembering he'd been on patrol that night and the state he had found them in.

Red lips parted and eyes misted briefly at that willing bridge, hope for Emma to have at least one willing ear from the couple, as a start. Grateful too that he seemed to remember the promise she'd made him.

Catching the unreadable look he was getting, he needed to hear the answer he thought was there. "Do you love her?"

"Beyond words." Voice carried a love mixed in layers of beautiful complexity that left no room for her affection to be questioned further.

David dropped his chin and full of his own grateful stew, nodded and left them to their evening.

Regina watched him go and waited until the truck drove away until she went back inside, closing the door and resting her head against it. Maybe one of the idiots wasn't such an idiot after all, that thought kind in meaning. With a sigh she pulled away from the support of the door and headed into the study where Emma was sitting on the couch, hugging a pillow. Sinking down near the child, the Queen waited for the question she knew would come.

"What did he tell you?"

"That he is beginning to understand what our relationship may do for you and he thanked me, for a few things."

Swallowing that double meaning. "That's a lot for him to say." Emma acknowledged that gift.

"It is."

"I messed up big time, huh?"

"Messed up are not the words I would use to describe your behavior, but we will get to that in a bit. Let's begin with why you didn't answer my calls." Taking the pillow Emma was using as a shield and setting it aside so nothing was between them.

"I didn't hear it. My ringer was off cause Snow was blowing up my phone."

"There is a setting to mute individual calls or messages. I expect you to keep the volume on otherwise, at least until you have a better handle on your shrinking."

Emma licked her lips needing to admit something. "I can't grow right now. I tried while you were on the porch with David. Since I decided to go to the vault when I was big does that mean we have to wait until I grow again to deal with this?"

A pause. "How do you feel about the idea of waiting?"

Ignoring the question, the girl continued. "But then there's the fact that I didn't tell you I shrunk when I was small and I used magic then too."

Thoughtful at the blonde's predicament and obvious need for a decision, she responded with the unexpected. "I'll leave that choice up to you."

Emma grabbed the brunette's hands in a plea. "But I don't want to decide that. Please Gina!"

"Yet, you made plenty of decisions without me today, ones you know better than to make regardless of what size you are, and so you will need to choose Emma. Either way your consequence from me will be the same."

Emma pouted, already knowing that last bit, but hearing it from red lips made it real.

"I expect your decision when we are finished our talk, until then there is the issue of using magic when you are small a few times today."

Green eyes narrowed in confusion. "A few times? I used it once for the coffin."

"Then how did you get into the vault?" Curious at how Emma accomplished that feat without it and her brows rose in shock as the child reached into a jean pocket and produced an old skeleton key. "Where did you get that?"

"Henry hid one when he was ten, behind a loose brick of the mausoleum. I just remembered him showing me once and..." A shrug and she promptly handed over the key to the expectant hand. "So am I only in trouble for the magic and not the key or other stuff?" Hopeful to a fault.

Regina vanished the key to the safety of her lock box. "You are in trouble with me for a few reasons. I understand not having the volume up on your phone was unintentional and that is not something you have done before so you are not for that. Though, there is going to the vault without me and not summoning me when you shrank." Two fingers shot up beginning to count. "Using magic while small and lastly, not communicating where you were for three hours when I expected you home at a certain time, a time you set. Though, I realize that last one was also unintentional, it still could have been helped and is one we have talked about before."

Emma swallowed hard at three damn fingers for what had been said before her lateness, each a big enough deal on their own without being on the same hand. "I didn't mean to though, not on everything."

A dark head nodded once while asking her final question. "Why were you at my vault to begin with?"

"I was researching a way to get your magic back, or trying to. I wanted to find a spell that would and show you as a surprise, as a way to pay you back for everything."

"Come here." Regina patted her lap and settled Emma into her arms so they could still see each other. "You don't owe me anything. We have talked about this before and I have made that clear. I appreciate your sweet thought and we will look into that idea, but together. Alright?"

"Yes Mama." Emma dropped her head at how fluidly she exchanged the Queen's name for that endearment when she was this size, staring at her hands.

Fingers caught a little chin quickly. "You asked me if you messed up earlier. My answer is no, you have been more than just non compliant today. Being willfully disobedient is something completely different than acting out of fear or without thought. And that is the reason I am upset with your choices."

The girl bit her lip as those fingers left. "So am I like in drunk staircase night kind of trouble or blow up the stove slash caldron trouble?" Asking to try and gauge the level of hot mess she was in due to her actions, the stove and caldron being up there on the scale, though not at the top.

"Definitely blowing up my stove and caldron trouble, though a bit more for being willful."

Wincing. "But isn't it more like drunk staircase trouble cause…" Dropping her lack of reason as a dark brow rose. "I'm just going to put myself back in the corner now."

"That is probably in your best interest, but before you do I need a decision from you on if you would like to wait until you grow for your consequence as this concludes our talk."

"I don't wanna decide." Arms crossed and a heel kicked the sofa in a pout.

"I know and having to decide is part of your consequence." She kissed a stubborn cheek. "Of course you may use our agreed upon word at any time, however until then there is not a question about which one of us is in charge in this relationship, dear heart." Reminding Emma that she always had a choice.

"I don't think I should have the choice of our word when I'm small." There she said it, her decision and what she needed from the Queen.

A long pause. "Explain that please."

"When I'm little, you're Mama and it shouldn't be my choice. It wasn't in our other life and I know it was only because we negotiated that ahead of time cause of the memory thing, but… I need that consistency here. Besides it's just different than when I'm big."

"We will revisit that thought further another time." Accepting the girl's decision, but sensing there was more there to uncover. "For now you need to finish your original timeout." She stood the child up and sent her towards the corner with a soft pat, a silent agreement to give Emma what she needed.

The girl relaxed at that willing answer and stood quietly where she was sent, grateful for a chance to process their conversation. She hadn't always been so willing and there had been plenty of times in the past, in this life and their other one, where she'd fought what became termed a chance to reflect. Through experience Emma had grown to accept the need she had for this requirement of her Keepers, one she didn't know she even had, but the Queen assured was there.

In the beginning, she didn't understand it and said such with plenty of head butting, even when it had been explained, but Regina confirmed she would in time. Now, timeouts served as a moment to take personal inventory, clean up thoughts inside, and prepare to take action to change behavior. For Emma, being still and mindful of her thoughts wasn't something that came naturally. She was a doer, action oriented, often without thought beforehand as to what her plan actually was. Time to reflect forced her to stop and become still inside, to think carefully before proceeding.

It amazed Emma how still her Keeper could be at times. While Regina had intensity in everything she did, that also applied to the times she was simply deep in thought, still in body, almost appearing not to breathe. Sometimes the stillness would startle Emma and she learned early on not to interrupt those quiet times of thoughts. Most occurred at night, after a stressful day or a very emotional one; Regina would retreat to her bedroom or study for a short pocket of time to just think. Asking why that was so when they began living together had caused the brunette to explain it was a learned behavior from that past that helped her process emotions without anyone knowing what she was feeling. A skill that had helped her once rule an empire, battle darkness, learn to love, and had saved her life because no matter who was watching or in some cases judging, it ensured her private thoughts. With Emma she was learning not to keep her emotions so tightly controlled or hidden.

Emma's thoughts returned to her current predicament and she confirmed why she was facing the wall and how not to get here again. That completed her reflection time and she was called back over to the sofa. Her jean snap was undone and denim drawn down her short legs. She was guided across a firm lap, feeling the Queen's right knee raise under her stomach, forcing her bottom up.

"Why have you earned this reminder Emma?" Regina wrapped an arm securely around that small waist.

A blonde head tried to hide in a pillow, but turned her face to reply as was expected. "I did stuff I knew better than to do on purpose like magic, going to the vault, and not summoning you."

"Yes, and what is that called?"

The wait was torture and Emma couldn't help the whine. "Maaammma."

"Try once more." A hand rested where it would soon teach.

"Being willfully disobedient."

"And that is something I will not allow from you."

Redirection followed, at a measured strength and pace suitable for the little body over her lap. Tears and wiggles started from her charge immediately and there was a pause halfway offered as reprieve, though brief. Mind certain a tough lesson was needed to ensure the misbehavior did not become a pattern as the Savior was prone to do when past consequences hadn't been thoroughly absorbed.

Emma let go and bawled. Emotions magnified in her small form and more still as the usual dozen she expected became fifteen; one in firm addition, she was sure, for each willful display that day. With the sting of skin and heat from crying came the cleansing of her faults and forgiveness in arms she trusted to always be there to hold her after.

And those arms did for a long time once she was sat up as she gave herself over fully to her Keeper's care; that was the point after all, letting go of the walls she didn't need any more. Amid apologies, kisses, and soothing reassurances Emma vowed to make right her choices of the day and with the Queen's help and permission, find a way to restore the power sacrificed on her behalf and maybe even the memories of true love lost.

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Anchor Lyrics-

When all the world is spinning 'round
Like a red balloon way up in the clouds
And my feet will not stay on the ground
You anchor me back down

I am nearly world renowned
As a restless soul who always skips town
But I look for you to come around
And anchor me back down

There are those who think that I'm strange
They would box me up and tell me to change
But you hold me close and softly say
That you wouldn't have me any other way

When people pin me as a clown
You behave as though I'm wearing a crown
When I'm lost, I feel so very found
When you anchor me back down

There are those who think that I'm strange
They would box me up and tell me to change
But you hold me close and softly say
That you wouldn't have me any other way

When all the world is spinning 'round
Like a red balloon way up in the clouds
And my feet will not stay on the ground
You anchor me back down

Songwriters: Mindy Patrice Gledhill

Anchor lyrics © Blue Morph Music

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A/N - I'd appreciate your thoughts or questions. Have a wonderful weekend!

Next time - A shorter chapter. An appearance by Granny and Ruby gives Emma some confidence. Emma and Regina learn who wrote the spell. The Queen begins to piece together the puzzle of the spell's price.