A/N - Aftermath of the trigger, some healing, but the road is still curved ahead. Last chapter was the bottom of the Snow barrel, time to climb out - for both of them. Happy ending for all at end of story still goal.

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Regina tapped her pen in annoyance as she listened to the repetitive drivel out of the mouth of the newest elected councilman. Brown eyes flicked to the clock and back to his slow mouth. Unlike the other returning members of the council since the most recent election, one she went unchallenged in yet again for her efficiency in running the town after so many years, he had yet to learn that she preferred concise and to the point updates on the departments he oversaw. She offered a patient nod as he wrapped up a particularly long point and the flash of her phone caught her eye. Before the spell she was never one to keep it on the table near a quick hand in meetings, but since returning home it had become a necessary habit. David's SOS text followed by Emma's name flashing across the screen had her jerking out of her chair while simultaneously adjourning the meeting, phone ringing before she could swipe to call him.

Words from the Deputy arrived jumbled in ear; strangling racing thoughts as the familiar wailing of a child, of Emma—her girl, cannoned in the background. Red lips asked, "Is she hurt?" As heels jogged.

The answer Regina received said not in that way, but in a way that still had a hand grabbing a purse and a rush to a car that wouldn't go fast enough. Thoughts of poofing came and left; she could, but would be in no condition physically to help Emma upon arrival from the strain of that complexity. Lights, cars, and people blocked her from one purpose. Too many; brake-beats, door-beats, running-beats, stair-beats to another little heart beating on the other side of a door her fist pounded on. One that David opened.

The man paled at what he saw in russet depths; well kept fire fueled by fear snapping to break a chain held by love. He had seen that look in Regina's eyes a few times, whenever she'd felt Henry had been threatened before and after the curse breaking. The Queen was riding the dark edge of her nature; for a brief moment it flashed teeth at him, assessing him as a threat before it was hidden away again. Anxious, but knowing eyes appeared after another blink and David immediately began sputtering.

"Emma came here to get a file I forgot about, shrank and locked herself in the bathroom. I broke the lock when I got here and heard her crying, but she only screamed louder when I tried to get near to help her, worse the closer I got so I backed off. She doesn't recognize me."

Regina slipped into the loft around David, clear now in his sincerity he had no role in whatever this was. Dark eyes brushed over, then through, assessing a very white Snow sitting well outside of the bathroom door on the floor and Regina turned sharply to move that way as another sob broke the second of quiet. Purse slipped a shoulder, landing at heels that paused at the door frame; a parking brake against a hammering heart at the sight. Emma lay curled up in the bottom of the tub in a fetal position, shaking with the signs of sickness clinging to clothing and hair. That tangled blonde hair puffed up and down over a little mouth. Much too quickly.

"Emma…" Her voice slipped in between the breath of little cries, soft verging on inaudible, but enough to break the spell that wet eyes opened. Green hidden by swelling red. Careful to move toward the girl slowly until full recognition took place, least the attack began anew.

"Ma-ma?" Small cracking in the middle of missed comfort as another wave of gasps came on without the sobs from before.

"I'm right here, baby." Title quickened Regina to kneel next to the tub, a hand reaching to smooth back damp curls and she turned halfway to David waiting restlessly in the door frame, though not breaking eye contact with the child when little hands took hers in a vice. "I need a cup of water and a wet cloth." Her eyes caught red streaks against white plaster and swallowed hard. "And a first aid kit."

Grateful for direction and anything to help calm down his daughter David hurried off. He returned with the items to see that in the half minute he was gone, the Queen had gotten Emma to sit up in the tub. The girl appeared to be choking on words as speech tried to come forth from stuttering lips.

"No words, just breathing baby." After a quick, but through assessment Regina noted where the blood was coming from and wound tissues from the counter top around the bleeding finger, applying pressure as she moved to remedy the hyperventilating. She was purposely slow in her speech. "Nod if you feel my hand." Placed over a little thundering chest. "Put yours on my heart." One step directions to distract and calm as blood stained her blouse. "We are going to breathe, just like we practiced. In for five and out for five." Modeling and encouraging the girl to mimic the pattern.

It took a few rounds for Emma to find her breath, the fist she held over her Keeper's steady rhythm slowly opened, returning color to white knuckles. Panic attacks were rare and she hadn't had once since early on in the spell of their other life. Regina insisted on practicing a calming routine the very first time, years ago when one had been witnessed, at the time the royal had been inexperienced on how to best help her. When Emma was an adult these were more easily managed, but one accompanied with a trigger was something else entirely. And at six the combined experience was damning.

'Damn.' David thought as he marveled at their exchange, how quickly Emma calmed under those hands. He startled when Snow's arm carefully, almost in question of being wanted, brushed against his. Quick to tuck his wife under his free arm in answer, he pulled her close. Together they continued to watch, transfixed.

"Slower for this last set, in through your nose and out through your mouth."

After another minute of focused breath work, Regina lifted Emma out of the tub to stand, wobbly legged in front of where she knelt. Brown eyes flicked over the couple. Finding blue she gestured for the cloth with one hand, keeping the other firmly on Emma to give the girl an anchor. Taking the washcloth, she turned back to wipe the snot, tears, and traces of sickness from the pink little face. Reaching again for the water, she held it to wanting lips.

"Small sips… Good girl."

Water dribbled down the girl's chin after several swallows. Regina set the cup aside to open the first aid kit at her feet where David had set it. She shifted, kneeling up on one knee and used the other as a makeshift bench for Emma to lean against. Her arm was a steady support behind a little back as she used both hands to begin cleaning a little hand. Concern grew when green eyes watched passively as dried blood was wiped away revealing a pale palm and when the child didn't pull away from the alcohol wipe that followed. A clear look at the cut on a finger had her heart sinking. It would need a few stitches, but the child in her arms could not handle that idea at all. Emma hated hospitals and doctors on a good day. Taking her now would only induce trauma.

A fine stream of purple sparkles closed the deep cut enough so stitches wouldn't be needed as a wave of nausea ebbed at her gut, use of healing magic surely the cause of that and a headache that would rip at her skull later. Wonder and a quick look around the space gave no indication as to exactly what the cut came from, metal of some kind to be sure. Regina made a mental note to check Emma's medical file for the last time a Tetanus shot had been had, hoping that wasn't needed, and even so that could wait a day or two. As a band-aid was applied, Emma immediately put the freshly wrapped finger near red lips, which kissed in return before moving to a now very pale cheek to match the affection. The little girl fell quiet and exhausted into the Queen, hiding in dark hair. The room was too full of eyes watching. Emma was simply held; hair stroked, ears listening, spirit feeling the murmuring of reassurances.

"How did you know what to do, at first I mean?" David whispered, loud in the calm suddenly engulfing them all. His mind swirled with the transformation from hysterical child to passive one in awe. He had experience with Neal's nightmares, tears, and tantrums, but nothing even close to this, to this level of pain coming from his daughter.

"I didn't at first, when they used to happen, but instinct and experience made me a quick study and I know a panic attack caused by a trigger when I see one. They are poles apart from her just being upset or a panic attack by itself."

Hesitating to say more as Emma pushed heavy against her chest to snuggle in, a clear indication the child was done with engaging. Regina realized too, Emma was unaware of words passing and only of the heart beating against an ear. David needed to fully understand the connection; theirs. Maybe then he could help Snow comprehend what was refusing to be seen so this wouldn't happen again. Keeping her promise from a few days ago, she took the reins from little hands that could not hold them at the moment. Speaking for Emma was not something she took lightly and she was careful with her next words.

"The trigger is also why she did not recognize you, both of you at a point. She couldn't, not when she is this size and was so deeply lost in it." The Queen answered just as quiet and stood with the little girl nested against her hip.

Dawning in mind broke the horizon for David. "But she recognized you." Not a question when the answer why was in eyes looking at him.

Those dark orbs swept over the Princess who had yet to say anything. "How did this happen? Snow?" Name crisp.

Regina adjusted her arms when the little body in them went ridged at that name. Wanting nothing more than to just take Emma home, but the child Emma was fully now could not verbalize just yet. More details, a few missing ones that seemed to be hiding anyway, were needed before they could leave and she could even approach the idea of giving this experience words with her girl.

A pixie head shook in fret as tears rolled. "We were talking and she started crying. Her necklace broke and I didn't know it would upset her this much…I didn't break it on purpose, it just came apart when her jacket came off and I…" Faltering under the eyes studying her, feeling for just a moment, like a young girl again when she'd done something wrong under them. Regina had held her a few times early on in their relationship, the same way that those arms now held Emma in another world before things, people, and choices fractured them. Then something else was looking at her, into her and she stumbled with the recognition. "I was wrong, I just wanted to talk to her and I'm trying to reconnect with her… I didn't know she... I'm so sorry, I had no idea what I did would cause this until it was too late. I never would…" Snow wrung her hands.

Emma's accusing hiccup broke in unexpectedly. "S-hhe m-my neck… w-wouldn't let… give it or let m-me g-go... Wanna g-go hooome."

Red. The Queen's eyes flashed red. At Snow's words. At the pain within whimpering ones uttered at her neck. Room buzzed with one vibrating color. Red she bathed in for a few hot beats as the straining chain holding the door shut within her mind cracked. Closing her eyes to the room painted with her anger, nose filled with blonde melon and cinnamon, giving the chain enough slack so she could close the door to clear thinking.

At one point she would have done anything she could to get close to her son again after their rift before and after the curse broke. She had done selfish, hurtful things, blinded by desire for her son, her child to want, even need her again. Fortunately, the woman she was at the time had realized what she'd been doing to Henry, but not without great cost to that relationship and years of a hot and cold ache between them. Emma had been their bridge to healing as she now was between Princess and Savior. There was only so much she could help them though, both had to take the walk across the planks she set down. Willing to walk and with little feet dangling from a board of trust ripped away by Snow's hand, the bridge would break with the next.

Regina knew this incident was the final line before Emma would pull completely away from Snow's attempts; the thread between mother and daughter, the last trusted one of white spider silk on what was now a black poisoned web would dissolve beyond repair. Opening her eyes to the Princess was like looking into a mirror of the past. Snow's eyes screamed understanding, screamed promises to do better, and for one more chance to do so. Red lips parted to breath, to center, and settle. Instead of ripping out the bobbing throat in front of her, as a dark but primal instinct to protect the one in her arms was pushing her to do, Regina forced calm into her veins. Waiting for it to reach her heart, and frame her voice before speaking. The child whimpered in her arms, seeming to sense the tension in the room, but once again was lost to the words about to fill it.

"Not your best move, Snow, and one of many you seem to keep making." A pause of grit in a royal throat. "But ones I all too well understand as you now seem to and for that, I will walk away. This one last time." Appraising the Princess. "I promise you I will not walk away, however, if there is another and I will have words with you." The little girl wiggled in her arms and she ran a hand down golden curls stilling the child. "She is everything and there can be no more selfish or self righteous attempts like this. You will lose her, not David or Neal, you. By her choice and there will be nothing more I can do or say to change her mind… and I will not try to again if that comes to be. Am I clear?"

A gift.

White lips parted. A sniff and a knowing shudder. "Yes. It won't ever happen again. I promise." A deserved line and a boundary Snow wouldn't cross, not again, and not just for who and what would be waiting on the other side to consume her. She understood there was no further room for errors, none that would be forgiven.

The Queen nodded once. "We are leaving right now." She shifted Emma into one arm and held out her hand expectantly to Snow. A few moments later the broken silver chain and pendent rested in her palm. She pocketed it and summoned her purse to shoulder.

"Let me know if I can do anything." David reached out passively, processing the Queen's promise and his wife's.

"You called me and that is enough for the present moment." Regina rested eyes once more on the cracking face of the Princess.

A decade ago she had been swallowed by the same pain she saw in those eyes and there had been no one to help pull her out of the throat of darkness after she'd lost Henry's trust, until Emma stepped up. For Emma and Snow to have a chance at healing the melting mess in the pot of past and present, the breaking woman against the wall needed glue quickly. Regina gave David thankful eyes, seeing him torn between wife and daughter.

"Snow needs you. Take care of her." When he shifted in his wife's direction she added. "I know you will take careful care of her just as I will of Emma." The Queen promised, stopping at the loft door to wrap a red leather jacket around little shoulders and giving a small gift to the man on behalf of the child in her arms that couldn't for his help today. "She will not be at the station in the morning regardless of what size she wakes up to be. There are the weekly files she was supposed to bring home today I still need to look over. Bring them by my office sometime tomorrow and I'll give you an update on how Emma is doing."

Emma squeezed heels into her Keeper's hips at her name as one would a horse to urge it along. "Hooome n-now!" The demand gained gentle pats to her bottom under the Queen's hand. Emma tucked her face deeper into the warmth of a neck at that soft comfort as they moved out to the car. More tears fell at the loss of contact during the ride home, but the humming from the front seat settled nerves enough to get them both through the drive and into the safety of the mansion.

Regina carried the little Savior right upstairs into the bathroom and managed to get Emma washed up from being sick and dressed in a swan print PJ set. After a quick change of her blouse with the wave of a hand and she led the girl into the lavender room. Coaxing of liquid Tylenol into a pink mouth came next without the usual fuss it used to have, further indication of how tired Emma was, to ease the ache in strained muscles and in small red hands. They lay together on the white bed with Emma's back nestled against her chest as sleep took the child to rest and a new pain settled behind dark brows.

With the girl in dreams, good ones she hoped, Regina allowed her mind to begin processing what had happened with Snow, the triggered panic attack, and what may yet come from it in the blooming headache at her brow. The little girl the Savior was emotionally had taken over that day in the trigger. They had much to talk about when Emma awoke, but for now she let her mind wander amid thoughts. It was an hour long wandering and close to six o'clock when little green eyes finally cracked.

Emma yawned, rosebud mouth stretched, and turned over to snuggle into the arms holding her. "Hi Mama." Small and sleepy.

"Hi baby." Smiling in welcome. "How are you feeling?"

A tummy growled. "Hungry, but I'm comfy."

"I see that. How about I make your favorite for dinner and some of that soup you like so much?"

Emma licked her lips. "Tomato basil?"

"With the cream topping, too."

A small grin. Then Emma blinked.

Grin stolen by a bigger frown as the fullness of self awareness came back. She twitched as if waking again as the day ran through her mind and the realization that she'd lost time in the bathroom loft up until this point. A memory she should have, wasn't there. Her finger hurt, all of her nail beds pulsed. Her throat felt raw like she'd screamed at some point… The rough morning they'd had also knocked against her teeth and it was there her thoughts sat when she didn't have words for anything else.

Regina leaned up, using her elbow as a brace when she saw clarity mixed with confusion in Emma's full return to the present. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Green blurred. "I was awful to you this morning. I'm sorry for being a brat. For sassing. I did what you said though and taught Will how to do some of the reports." Biting her lip, hoping that was enough to be forgiven.

Of all the places Emma could have started, this was the furthest from Regina's mind, but it mattered to Emma in this moment, so she joined her. "You were not brat. Cheeky, but not a brat." Sitting up fully and pulling the small girl up with her. "I think the stress of the last week and a half since being home had something to do with it, yes?"

"Yeah. The back and forth is hard." More than just the shifts she realized, but the sudden polarities of her parents, mainly of Snow. Agreeing as her feet found the floor and her hand was taken, Emma followed her Keeper downstairs and into the kitchen.

"What would make it easier on you?" Running a thumb over a small hand.

Emma shrugged as she hopped up onto a stool and watched as ingredients for their meal were pulled out of the fridge. "Being able to control the shrinking, but that doesn't seem possible anymore." A hand went longingly to her throat, seeking the comfort of her necklace.

"I have it here." Regina rounded the counter, fishing the silver out of her pocket. Purple mist surrounded the chain, repairing the clasp and she fastened it on the child. She added a small protection spell so it would not ever break again, doing the same to the charm bracelet in the same breath. More ache at the base of her skull and her stomach, for her effort. Eating would not be ease tonight.

"Thanks." Whispering as little hands caught the Queen's before they left her shoulders. "I blacked out Gina… back at the loft. I panicked when she wouldn't let me leave."

"What happened exactly?" Massaging the tension away as Emma told her about David forgetting the files and going to the loft, shrinking and going to summon, but getting distracted. Then the feeling of a trigger starting, then nothing, but black.

"I remember going into the bathroom and locking myself in, and then just flashes."

"Are you able to give any of those flashes words, something you saw or heard, maybe smelled." Any clue to what memory sent the little one spiraling would be the tool to start putting the girl back together.

Curls shook, eyes dropping to hands and then her nostrils flared. "Wood polish. Maybe."

Regina moved her hands down little arms and cupped Emma's pink ones, the child suddenly fixated on them. "And these? Do you know how your hands got this way?" Little finger tips had started to bruise.

"I… I felt trapped so maybe I tried to get out?" Uncertain, brain hurting. "I cried for you." Knowing that much. "Then I don't… Then you were there and we were leaving and then we were talking about the soup." Emma shook her head, dipping her chin to wipe her cheek against her sleeve. "I should have summoned you right away and none of this would have happened. I'm sorry..."

Shaking her head at where that blonde head went. "I'm not mad Emma or upset with you in anyway." Regina stood and turned the stool to face her, catching a wobbling chin. "Not one little bit, do you hear me?"

Emma sniffed, chewing her lip. "But I was mean this morning and at the loft I didn't listen to summon right away. I wanted to and…" Words got lost.

"You meant to listen and I know that Snow can be off-putting when you are upset, especially when you are small and your emotions are harder to control. You can not help triggers or a panic attack, baby."

"But…"

"No buts. You did nothing wrong, my sweet girl. You are not in any kind of trouble." The Queen accepted little arms around her waist and after a long moment gently redirected, sensing understanding was close to the surface. "You said you felt trapped, wood polish, crying for me. Your hands look like you were… Emma?" Questioning as she watched a tear of clarity fall, one that cut her heart for the pain it held.

"I was in the… cabinet or thought I was… I think. I wanted to get out and I tried to." Looking at her hands and fisting them.

Regina remembered when Emma had shared that memory in their other life just as she was sure Emma did now when their eyes met. She'd just taken Emma from a bath and they had been sitting in the rocker getting ready to read when it just came spilling out, no reason or prompt to cause the story but a simple trusting moment to share a memory. There had been no preparing for it, but Regina, mistress of masks, had kept hers in place that day much like she did now as little lips spoke and little eyes cried.

Her first response upon hearing about the cabinet several months ago in their spelled life and the foster mother who had put Emma in that confined space as a punishment for a day, was to use her influence and physical strength to find the fiend that had done that. Visions of bones breaking came to her mind, but they would oh so slowly and with calculated precision to cause the most pain. Tools she would have used; a hammer and a knife, tar to stop one from bleeding out, and a few days would be enough to extract the price of pain from that beast who called herself a mother, foster or not. Her darkness that led to violence, to cause harm to someone who had hurt the one she loved, was not a door she closed easily that day or now as the memory resurfaced. It was something she would always fight to push down; it was in her nature and the balance of light, her ability to love and be loved, kept her from going hunting that day.

Regina revealed nothing in her eyes but that love, darkness at full bay. "That must have been terrifying for you to re-experience."

A nod. "It was, but I don't remember all of it. Just the pieces I said."

'That is perhaps a gift.' The brunette thought and now they could move away from it together now knowing what had started the trigger within panic.

"Mama?"

"Yes baby?"

After a deep breath, nose filling with apple vanilla. "I had hot chocolate without asking." Green met brown, needing something light and done with the harder talk for now. One she knew would continue another time.

Small knowing smile. "You did?" Then feigning shock. "Was it good?"

"Not as good as when you make it?" Question with a willing grin.

"We will have to test that theory after dinner." Red lips found a damp cheek.

"Yes please." Finding peace in that kiss for now.

Later that night after Regina put Emma to bed, not an easy task nor one not fought after the stress of the day, the Queen spent several hours combing through what magical books she kept in the study. They were mostly factual ones about the inner workings of magic and its properties rather than spells. Desire to give her swan some sense of stability and control over the shifts that, while welcome for the experience Emma wasn't ready to let go of, put the girl in uncomfortable situations and potentially harmful ones. That outweighed the one she had for sleep at the moment. The random shifts also further delayed their progress to get back into a much needed routine. One Emma had come to rely on in their other life to manage her emotions and stress. She didn't want anything like today to happen again, sensing that there would be a setback they were likely to experience in the morning for the intensity the trigger caused today.

Swirling the shot of cider in a low ball crystal, her mind wandered briefly to the people who had been helpful upon their return. Archie, Ruby and Granny along with Ashley had been kind and considerate of Emma. David too, in his own thoughtful way and Snow… Snow was starting to try, but failed today, though she didn't think the Princess would so drastically again. That situation needed her attention as well as this one. She sighed at that monumental task. Taking a small sip to clear her head, she continued moving through the musty pages.

It was near midnight when Regina promised herself she would turn in that one page in particular about caught her eye. She read it twice and then summoned the Storybook that Henry had left in his room and one that hadn't been touched in years. Running her fingers across that dusty leather cover brought a mix of memories. Rather than sit in them, she thumbed through the book looking for one particular story and after reading it had a theory on a way for Emma to have some control over her own shifts. Tabbing the page with a book mark and after making a few notes, she closed the book and rubbed her face briskly.

An appointment with Gold was in order. She'd have to try and time it right with Emma's shifts, hoping to be able to do it while Emma was an adult, but that might not be able to be helped. Now that she had a promising theory to work towards to help her girl it was time to let the Imp know she was on to his game while she continued to play one of her own behind his back.

Much more research, crafting, and testing would have to be done before she was certain, but her theory just might work. Emma would be elated when she heard, but that thought quickly left, some doubt about how accurate her thought was crept in. If she was wrong that dashed hope would wreck the blonde, especially now, yet she knew Emma held on to hope like a toddler did a security blanket. It was an endearing strength, but sometimes a devastating one to have. She decided to keep her theory quiet for now, like she had done with the do over spell until she was 100% certain it could be done before she had shared that with the Savior.

Also, more so now since their journey, to protect the little heart she was responsible for beating upstairs. One that belonged to a pair of wet green eyes apparently not in bed and instead watching her from the doorway of the study, a fist clenched Stitchy's blue fur and another dragged a blanket behind little feet coming her way. Emma crawled up into her lap, sitting breath to breath, and sleep soon found the little one in her arms. Save for the Keeper and Mother now one, framed within the glow from the hearth and shadows cast by the master of night that was far away from her closing eyes.

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Regina knew the moment her eyes opened to wide green ones staring at her in the master suite the next morning what kind of day it was going to be. The six year old body Emma was in lay right on top of her, a little knee pressed uncomfortably into her stomach, and she noticed a thumb firmly in mouth. She expected it due to the trauma of yesterday and still she wondered at the shift in her girl, realizing again this wasn't one Emma had control of. One thought they would be talking about at length when Emma was able to be an adult again, in mind if not when her body grew. The Savior appeared to be deep inside that blonde head and this child version looking at her was not playing, nor acting. For now Regina went with what her girl needed and little body or not, that was Mama.

"Good morning, sweet one." Kissing a little nose and gently pulling the thumb from a puckered mouth. She didn't mind the habit Emma sought for comfort on occasion, but could tell by the cramped hand that it had been in place far too long. "How does an apple cinnamon pancake for breakfast sound?"

Quietly. "In my tummy."

"This tummy?" Brief tickling hands earned a watery grin that didn't reach green eyes, but little arms did reach around her neck as she sat up.

Emma was clingy, edging on disagreeable, and quiet the rest of the morning during breakfast, but Regina was patient and thoughtful with her words and expectations. The girl was fully gone in her experience; no sign of the adult mind she still possessed even in the little body was present. It reminded Regina of the shifts that used to occur between little and big Emma when the two halfs had epic battles for dominance in their other life and she wondered if something similar was happening now.

The girl attempted to eat the pancake and berries as Regina summoned and skimmed Emma's medical file, grateful that Tetanus was up to date and shot for the cut wouldn't be needed. A wave of her hand sent the file away and she sipped her coffee as the child mashed the pancake with a fork. After yesterday the girl had eaten very little at dinner and though worried, the Queen understood why, but when hands pushed a full plate away now she set down her mug with growing concern.

"Would you like me to make you something else?"

Curls shook and a chin dropped to the counter.

"How about some of the coco-puffs you love so much?" A brow wrinkled when the offer of Emma's favorite sugary cereal was met with another head shake. "You need something in your stomach baby."

"Not hungry."

Those words never came from that mouth and worry filled her all over again. A hand grazed a brow automatically for a fever that didn't exist. "Are you feeling sick to your stomach?"

A shrug."

"How about a smoothie?" Regina's offer earned a considerate head tilt, then nothing. A sigh. "A popsicle, at least?" There were some of the Pedialyte ones that would give some electrolytes and a few calories Emma needed. She'd insisted on getting those along with the children's Tylenol at the grocery store a few days ago when they had went just in case.

Emma lifted her chin up an inch in thought. "Grape?"

Hopeful. "Whatever flavor you want."

A sniff. "I'll try."

Regina quickly prepped the frozen treat, pulling the wrapper aside to give to Emma. The child sucked on it and the Queen went to clear the breakfast plates, happier when five minutes later another was requested. As the second one was consumed she went to mix a berry smoothie in one of Emma's travel cups for later along with a few more popsicles in a small cooler to take with them to Town Hall. When she suggested Emma go up to dress a few minutes later the only answer was two arms shooting up in her direction. She carried the girl upstairs, offering choices on clothing that were met with blinking green eyes without words. So she chose a red sweater and legging combo she knew Emma liked, hands tying last purple converse on feet. Something seemed to snap in Emma when those shoes found the floor.

"I don't wanna go anywhere please Mama."

The longest sentence said that morning was the most cutting. "I know baby, but it can't be helped. I have to go to the office today. Tomorrow we can stay home, just you and me." Several deadlines rested in her hands this morning before the looming of winter break ahead when Town Hall would be shut down. As expected tearful whining ensued.

"But I want you and home!" A stomping demand. "Now Mama!

Patient, but firm. "None of that tone and still those feet." Softer. "You will have me baby and we will bring some of home with us today; your blanket, Stitchy and Wonder Woman, too."

Emma seemed to warm to that idea and lost most of her pout. "You'll stay with me?"

"You can play right by my side at the desk."

Thoughtful. "You'll play with me, too?"

"Some, yes. Mama has to get a few things done though so we can have the whole day together tomorrow. Let's pack up those things I mentioned."

She summoned a red tote they had been using to carry items when Emma had been small and the girl helped gather the things she wanted to take. At the promise of proximity and of tomorrow the girl relaxed enough to accept the smoothie to drink in the car on the way. Stomach full and happier than she had been Emma sat on her blanket and played next to the desk Regina occupied.

The Queen decided to forgo requiring Emma to practice in the workbook like she usually did when the Savior was this size, enjoying the closeness of the child as she handled the calls and paperwork of the town. Near noon, she took a break to color with Emma and a half hour later just after she was redirecting the girl's attention to a basket of blocks so she could order in lunch, Ashley's voice came over the intercom, announcing the Deputy's arrival. A glance at Emma, who was now beginning to build a block town, seemed unfazed by the interruption and she stood from her desk to meet him at the door of the office.

David knocked twice before opening the door and held up the files in his hand. "I brought these by like you asked." His eyes caught a brief glimpse of the child's body his daughter still appeared to be in over the Mayor's shoulder. "How is she?"

"Quiet and still processing, but she will be alright in another day or so." Regina accepted the files and followed the Deputy's eyes to the little girl.

"Can I say hi to her?" Hesitant when the Queen's eyes assessed him thoroughly.

When she'd made the offer yesterday for him to ask after Emma, Regina had not meant it as an invitation to engage, right away at least, given the extremes of yesterday and the girl's current emotional state. Still, he was trying. Maybe Emma needed him too now. She saw the surprise she caused in his face by walking over to the child.

"Emma would you like to say hello to David?"

Green eyes leapt up from a fantasy and with a tight arm around Stitchy, she in turn surprised them all by accepting her Keeper's hand and following heels toward the man. She waved shyly, leaning heavily into the hip next to her cheek as David knelt down.

"Hi Emma…" Unsure for a moment at how to talk to the child his daughter clearly was in that moment. He hesitated, but went with it after an encouraging nod from the Queen. "Who is your friend?"

"Stitchy."

"Like Lilo and Stitch?" His signature half grin appearing when the barest hint of a nod came from the little chin.

He knew the movie from when Neal had been this age and marveled at how both his children had found affection for it. That feeling welled in his throat and heart. He stood up, watching as Emma scampered back to a block town with toy in hand.

"She is still herself, just much younger at the moment." Regina explained when his eyes questioned. "It is difficult to describe the exact intricacies of the side effect and how it affects her mind at times. We are still trying to figure it out, but it is becoming clear that she cannot control it all the time, like now."

"I gathered that… I just never imagined seeing her this way. She's so..."

"Free?"

"Yeah. That's what she is." His hand found the back of his neck, as it often did when he was thinking deeply. "That's what it is isn't it?"

Regina tilted her head. "What is that?

"What she gets out of this… with you."

"That is a question you'll have to ask her." Turning when she heard a little voice across the room. "What is it Emma?"

"Mama, I'm hungry." Then unexpectedly. "Can David have lunch with us?"

Both brows rose with a smile, glad of the return of appetite and of speech. "If you would like, sweet one, and he is able to of course." Returning her eyes to the stunned man in front of her.

David stumbled taking in the invitation and the word his daughter called the Queen. He remembered thinking he'd heard it yesterday in the loft, but in the commotion it never processed.

He swallowed. "I'd like that."

Regina stepped back, allowing him into the office. Watching as he slowly approached the girl and sat on the carpet a good distance away, but close enough for Emma to shove her block basket his way. A clear, but silent offer for him to join in play. A small smile spread across full lips watching father and daughter interact, knowing this was a big step for both of them, and hopefully another towards healing the gap still between them. She called in lunch and by the time it arrived Emma lost her shyness and talked both their ears off between bites of food and a verbal prompt to not speak with her mouth full.

David was in a kind of heaven he never thought possible, precious and willing time with his daughter as a child. He took moments to note the tenderness in which the Queen cared for the girl, preparing the food for little hands to eat, the brush of a hand on a cheek, and the gentle correction of the girl's manners; the fluid affection between them. It fully clicked what this was and what his daughter gained from the love and attention, longing to be a part of it, grateful that he was for the hour that included him that day.

He stood to clean up their lunch plates when he noticed Emma yawn and eye the couch with want, surprised when the girl offered no argument at the suggestion of a nap as Neal had often done at this age. Keeping himself occupied as his daughter was tucked in and kissed, he wondered if he or even Snow would be allowed the same opportunity one day. Brown eyes found his and flicked towards the door. He gathered his things and stepped out of the office with the Mayor.

"I didn't think you'd say yes to her request for a moment there." David's grin though tight, held hope.

"For a moment neither did I." Honest since he had been.

"Thank you and for more than just lunch."

"Emma wanted it and I will not stand in the way of her desire to spend time with you or Snow when she is ready. It just surprised me, especially after the events of yesterday."

"Still you could have said no."

"I could have." Not a threat, but simple fact when Emma was this size.

"So you are… I mean she called you…?"

"That was her choice of terms in our other life, yes and one that transferred here, especially on days like today."

David licked his lips. "I'd like to spend more time with her regardless of her size, if she wants and when she is like this with your approval." Starting to understand he may need just that and surprised to find he was grateful to the Queen for protecting his daughter at her most vulnerable.

"When she grows again, I will discuss it with her. Thank you for the files."

He nodded, and with one more longing look at his daughter's sleeping form, turned to go.

:::::::::::::::::

It was Friday night and the adult Emma was returned in size and mind upon waking that morning. They had both taken the day off work to rest and reconnect, cooking together, reading, watching movies and just talking. Emma was reminded of their life before the spell and was grateful for the closeness the day had brought them.

"Gina, I still can't believe I did that!"

Emma hid pink face in her knees as she tightened her arms around them. The chuckle behind her and the brush running through her curls helped distract from her embarrassment. She nearly purred again as the bristles of the brush scratched her head as they sat in the master suite on the bed.

"You were quite adamant about him using, and I quote 'the monster voice that Mama does' when you gave him Stitchy to attack your block town." A pillow was thrown over Emma's shoulder, nearly catching the top of her head. "Almost, but not quite Miss Swan."

Emma turned around, a smug look on her face. "I never miss twice."

Wiggling fingers had every pillow on the bed magically soaring at the Queen, drowning the brunette against the headboard. Bravely she crawled up to the mountain of pillows and pulled one down to catch a tan flushed face.

"See I told ya."

"Brat." A breath blew dark hair off her face as Regina sat up, pushing the pillows away.

"Your brat." Green eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Yes, always my brat." Pulling the blonde close.

Emma sobered as she thought more about yesterday. "Gina, do you think he understood or that he thinks I'm weird for… you know."

"I think he is trying to make sense of things and no, I do not sense that he finds your behavior strange, just not something he was prepared for. I also made it clear to him it was something you are not able to help." Remembering the man's request, Regina decided to open that door for discussion. "He is trying and expressed that he wants to spend time with you, if you want, no matter your size."

Emma looked up through lashes. "What'd you say?"

"That I would talk to you about it when you grew. That is also your decision to make up to a point if you are small and I see a reason to postpone that request."

Nodding in agreement. "I might want to try that again… spending time with him, but not by myself when I shrink. Not yet and not with Snow just now, anyway."

"We will move at your pace. You just let me know when."

Emma reached a hand up to play with the fine gold chain at her Keeper's throat. "I didn't mean to disappear yesterday. I was completely present mentally, but I couldn't keep hold of my adult thoughts and emotions. I wasn't pretending either, like I used to when we first got to our old life in the spell just to blend in. This was different. More like when the shifts between my two halfs used to happen, expect now there is no internal voice from mini me I can talk to."

Regina adjusted them both so she could see the pale face better. "You needed time in that the freedom that space allows you to get to." Recalling how rapid the shifts used to be and when they finally go to the point where the little girl inside of Emma had control.

Emma blushed and sat up, crossing her legs with her back to the Queen. "Do you remember the first time I willingly went there, to that space and allowed mini me to completely take over?"

Full lips cracked a smile. "You had taken Jasper on a field trip from his tank and he nearly lost his head in the disposal."

Green eyes peered back. "You didn't even get upset at me."

"How could I?" Leaning forward and resting her chin on the Savior's shoulder. "Your face and the 'he jumped ship' comment when I asked you what happened when you didn't follow my instructions were priceless; the perfect combinations of mischief, hope, and need."

"I don't mind the shrinking, but I fight it when it's so sudden. Maybe if I stop trying to fight it so much it will help stop the randomness of it or give me better control over it." Yawning with a shrug, she turned to curl up against the pile of pillows.

"Perhaps." Though Regina suspected differently. "We will talk more about that another time. For now it is time for sleep. I have a few early morning appointments in town." She kissed the blonde's cheek and moved across the room to the ensuite.

By the time she had completed her nightly routine, Emma was passed out on the far side of the bed. Shaking her head at the sweet sight, she draped a blanket over the slumbering form before climbing into bed. She summoned the magic book and notes she was using to work out her theory for Emma to be able to control some aspect of the shifts and worked for an hour before she came to a good stopping point.

Magic filled the air suddenly and she looked over seeing that the Savior was now six, sleep once again brought a shift. She made another note before closing the book. That meant a change of plans in the morning. Grabbing her phone off the nightstand she sent a text with a request to a mutual friend of theirs. As much as little eyes would plead with her in the morning Emma could not be with her, in either size, for the appointment she had in mind with Gold.

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A/N - I tried to get this chapter right, so much to convey. Thoughts?

Next time - Emma's upset upon waking the next morning. Regina has a much needed chat with Gold and several things come to light. Twists and turns ensue. A flashback gives clarity on one of them and begs another question entirely. Emma gets a welcomed surprise and realizes the possibility of something she's been missing.