A/n – Thanks to Shadowedkiss for your date idea. Wannabebarbie also requested something similar that will appear in the story after this. Thanks for your ideas and collaboration. :-)

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Thursday afternoon of that same week little Emma had had it with adults. All of them were bossy, made her do stuff she didn't want to do and didn't let her do the things she wanted. Right now she wanted to go to recess and play on the monkey bars, but had to sit out because she refused to do her reading assignment that morning. Never mind the fact she couldn't swing from them if she wanted to due to her wrist, but that was beside the point in her mind. She sat at a picnic table outside near the playground with her teacher Ms. Prince, book and assignment in front of her and scowled.

"I'm not gonna do it."

"Why not Emma?" Patient, Kathryn tried to get the girl to look at her.

"I don't want too." Resting a chin on the table. Footsteps nearby caught green eyes and Emma sat up pouting as the tall blonde Dragon approached.

"What seems to be the trouble?" Mal came to sit on the other side of the table with a nod to Emma. "Ms. Prince?"

"A little reluctance to try her assignment. She needs to at least attempt this before she can play." Kathryn tapped the open book.

"I see. This is your lunch hour. I'll sit with her and she will have the assignment for you by the end of recess. If you have not yet, there is no need to call Regina." Getting a negative on the call she nodded. Blue shifted and didn't miss the flash of curious fire in green eyes at the promise of the completed paper as the teacher left. "Emma?"

"What?" Biting with arms crossed.

"This isn't the cheerful girl I saw walking into school this morning holding Regina's hand."

Emma dropped her arms, nose wrinkling. "You saw us?"

"I did, from my office window. You looked so happy. What changed?" When she'd agreed to keep an eye on the child for the Queen she'd meant more than just for safety.

A little shrug and picking at a sleeve. "My head got too full of other stuff when we started reading class and I couldn't turn my mind off."

Mal put the assignment inside the book and closed it. That got the girl's full attention. "Maybe talking about some of it will help?"

"My Mama says that too."

Slow smile at the affectionate term. "Your Mama is a wise woman."

Curls nodded agreeing, but sad green eyes found sea blue. "It won't this time though."

"Try me." Ever a good listener, Mal leaned in and waited.

For a reason Emma couldn't yet pin point other than her adult side's friendship she trusted those eyes and their openness to hear her out. "The other parts of me are mad at Snow. Mama is upset with her too and I was supposta go play with Neal yesterday at the loft after school and couldn't cause Snow was there when Mama took me instead of David like he said he would be." Big sigh. "So Neal came over instead to our house, and then Snow came to get him later and she yelled at my Mama for something and Mama told me to go upstairs so I wouldn't hear stuff, but I listened at the top of the stairs instead."

Mal nodded along trying to keep up with the sequence of events. "That is a lot to have in your head."

"Uh-huh and there's more." On a roll, Emma threw out her arms to show how much. "I easy-dropped and Mama didn't like that, but I wasn't in trouble cause I was already upset. I don't want them to fight and I get why cause of what Snow did to other me, but I still don't like it." Blowing her hair out of her face, Emma sagged in some relief as if a great weight had just come off. "Mama says it will be okay in a little bit so it will be, but it's hard waiting until then."

"Sometimes adults disagree and that can be upsetting. Waiting for people to be ready to deal with their feelings is also not easy." Reflective. "But sometimes waiting is necessary for everyone involved to have time to sort themselves out. Time can be our friend that way. Try some patience and I bet your Mama is right. It will be okay."

Mal knew Regina well enough to gauge depth the dynamic had taken since their break up. A lot had been further entrusted to her as Emma's Principal when they had met before the child versions were enrolled. While she was closer to Regina than Emma and wished to be more so still, she greatly respected the Queen's primary relationship and would do what she could to support it. She realized with some comfort that maybe the words said hadn't just been for Emma. Her and Regina had their fair share of differences and epic fights in the past, but there had always been a deep connection either had been unable to explain. Regina was different now somehow, too. Had been in the years since Emma and even more so the last few weeks she'd observed them around town. Mal wondered if Queen has finally made peace with a broken part of heart.

Green studied blue, a habit copied from the Queen. "You and Mama are still friends, huh?"

Dragon smiled softly. "I like to think so."

"Do you still like-like her?"

Blonde brows shot up briefly. "Emma, I don't think that's approp—"

"S'ok Ms. Mal." Emma patted the hand resting on the table between them. "I think she likes you too. You should ask her on a date with romance candles and spaghetti like in the movies! That's what grownups who like each other do." Whispering as if a great secret had been shared. Little cheeky grin changed the subject as a blonde brow was arched in return. "I think I'm ready to try my work now." Pulling the book over and opening it to the story she was supposed to read. Willing and a wave to move closer. "Help me?"

Letting Emma's suggestion go for the moment Mal shifted over to the other side of the table and leaned in. "Let's take a look." But mind long lingered on the idea of reconnecting.

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The rest of the school day turned around for Emma and she'd even gotten to play for the last ten minutes of recess for finishing her assignment quickly. At the bell she scurried out of the classroom and ran right to her Mama with a huge grin. Squealing as she was picked up and swung into a big hug.

"Look at this beaming girl of mine. How was your day sweet one?" Kissing hello as the child gave one back.

"Great and guess what?"

"Hmmmm. You made a new friend?" Setting Emma down and taking a hand to go to the car.

She skipped alongside heels. "Nope! But Gabe and I did play today. Try again!"

"Did you get a reward or make something fun in art?"

Curls shook. "Mama you're not good at this game so I'll help you. Ms. Mal sat with me to do my reading assignment and I got a sticker when I gave it to Ms. Prince."

Heels stopped walking and looked down in question. "That's wonderful about your sticker. Why was Ms. Mal helping you?"

Emma lost a bit of her grin. "I kinda wouldn't do it for Ms. Prince in class and so at recess outside she sat with me to work, but I couldn't, so Ms. Mal talked to me and I felt better to try again."

Puzzled at why Kathryn hadn't called her or Mal for that matter she turned the other way and moved toward the building. She was not in any way upset with the child, just concerned that the method for lines of communication may have been flubbed today and with Gold a threat that would not do.

"Mama?" Worried she might be in trouble for her earlier defiance.

"It's alright Emma. Mama is not upset with you. I need to ask your Principal something quickly and then we will go home." She led Emma into the front office asking the secretary to keep a close eye on the girl and giving instructions for Emma to stay put. Going down the short hallway she knocked on the door of Mal's office. A silky tenor answered inviting entrance.

"Regina, I'd expected you at some point." Mal stood from her desk and rounded it as the Queen shut the door, giving her calculating eyes.

"I'm sure you did." Crossing arms and regarding the Dragon. "Emma said you talked to her today?"

Head tilting at the hint of anger rising in brown eyes. "I did."

"And why did I not get a call from Kathryn that Emma was upset?"

"I asked her not to call you." Leaning against her desk in classic teacher pose her arms crossed matching the Queen.

"We have an established system for communication in regards to Emma for a reason. I trust you and Kathryn to uphold that." Fuming and dropping her arms in exasperation at how calm the Dragon was. Old defenses came roaring back. There had been a reason in the do over spell in their other life that she had not had Mal as the Principal of Emma's school. There was too much tender history between them to make that working relationship purely what it needed to be—professional. "What are you getting at Mal? Is this some way to get close to me again through Emma?"

Scoffing at the accusation, but understanding of the roots Mal answered in the only way she knew to get Regina's divided attention back into focus. Curt and direct. "Regina drop the defenses and listen to me." Brown flashed back, but opened just wide enough to invite an explanation. "I am doing nothing other than exactly what you asked me to do. I am looking out for Emma. She was upset. I talked to her and called you."

"You did?" Regina pulled out her phone to check her call feed.

Yielding for a softer tone. "I left you a voicemail right after I talked with her."

Seeing a number she didn't recognize on her screen Regina had dismissed it as a spam call. Apologetic eyes looked up into the Dragon's knowing ones.

Lips twitched upward in slight amusement. "You deleted my cell number didn't you?"

"Of course I did… and of course you didn't delete mine." Regina sighed at being read so easily. "I would have picked up had I known it was your cell or the school." Losing her annoyance, she sank into a nearby chair as Mal did the same. "I'm sorry I doubted you. There's a lot going on right now and I'm just trying to stay on top of it all."

"I get it." Crossing long legs and tugging suit jacket cuffs down. "You are quite a stunning Mama bear when you get riled up, but you always are and have been stunning."

Rolling dark eyes she felt her cheeks warm. "Mal, now is not the time for compliments. What was Emma upset about?" She listened; heart sinking that the child's day was affected by the events of yesterday evening. Little Emma and her had talked at length about what had happened leading up to her decision to put a hold on visits with Snow and she had thought she had left it in a good place with the child. Just because the teen version understood did not meant the six year old one did.

Mal gently touched a forearm. "Do I need to break out my wings and flames to have a chat with the charming Princess?" Jesting in only part with a ready grin.

Chuckling. "Do not even think about it. I have got it handled. The last thing I need is a puddle of Snow on my porch and David showing up with a sword to slay you…. Again. Emma is rather fond of him too." Smiling. At least that sweet relationship hadn't been affected.

Mal snorted at the visual. "He can try. Speaking of the little darling where is she?"

"Waiting in the front office." Standing and opening the door to leave. The genuine inquiry from Dragon gave her pause. "Would you like to say good bye to her?"

"I would." She brushed a hand at the small of the Queen's back and followed heels, quicker once they saw the empty lobby and it was clear the child was no longer in the room. As Queen bristled, she stayed close.

"Where is she?" Regina snarled at the secretary, losing some heat to replace with worry as Mal came to stand near in comforting support, that affect on her instant.

The poor girl shrunk under two strong gazes and pointed a shaking finger down the hall. "She went willingly with Snow and since... I thought…" Trailing off as two sets of heels stormed out of the office.

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Emma wrinkled her nose as Snow paced in front of her. When the pixie haired woman had seen her in the office and said hello, Emma hadn't hesitated to say it back. She had not expected the offer a sucker and coloring while she waited for her Keeper to finish with Mal. Her tummy flipped at the idea, but candy was a rare treat and she rationalized that she wasn't going with a stranger. Snow had told her Regina had said it was okay. That the Queen had called last night and they had talked everything out. Now that she was sucking on the grape ball the sweetness was quickly becoming lost in the obvious nerves riding the edges of the room. She regretted leaving and wondered why her Mama hadn't said anything to her about the phone call.

Snow kept checking the door waiting for the Queen. She had no doubt a very pissed Regina would find her and she only hoped she could be convincing enough to get the woman to sit down long enough for a drink. She fingered the small bottle in her pocket, palms sweating made it slick against skin. It had been risky involving her daughter and she hadn't wanted to, but knew Regina just might hear her out for Emma's sake if she played her cards right.

If Regina drank the potion she planned to put into a cup of water then Emma would be coming home with her today. Gold had been clear it would not cause any physical harm to the Queen, but a protection spell to keep the body that consumed it far away from what the potion had been warded against. A single blonde hair taken in the diner during a hug from over her Friday breakfast date with daughter last week had been enough for the Imp to craft such a potion. The door opening made her jump and she yanked hands out of her pockets.

"Emma…" Regina's worried tone laced with relief that her hunch had been right echoed in the quiet. She went straight for the child, lifting the girl up to her hip in a tight hug. Pulling back and seeing the sucker, she gently took it by the stick from little lips and threw it away, putting two and two together as she set Emma down.

"Are you alright?" Getting a nod her worry began to leave. "I had no idea where you were. Here, you feel my heart, feel how it's racing?" Regina quickly took Emma's hand and placed it to her chest.

Emma apologized as Regina hugged her again tightly for a long moment and tried to explain. "Mama… she said you said okay… That you called her last night…"

Regina snapped upright, sharp eyes on the Princess at that blatant lie. "Mal… Take Emma to your office please."

She released the girl and moved Emma behind her, fighting the welling anger inside. She swallowed it down along with the passion to rip the woman in front of her to shreds for disappearing with the child.

Emma's hand was taken and she was led out of the room. It was becoming clear to her that a phone call had not been made and she struggled with her own hurt, wondering why Snow would lie.

Offering some caution. "Regina."

Mal's voice a soothing balm, Regina nodded once and waited until the door was closed and took a deep breath to keep her temper in check. "What were you thinking Snow?"

"I just wanted some time with her."

"Lying to your daughter to get her to come with you because you knew I would follow is a new low." Pacing. "And for what? So you would get a chance to beg me to reconsider the line I drew." Hands on hips as the face across from her paled. "You forget how well I know you dear. Did you see Emma's face when she left? She knows you lied to her. I told you yesterday I was willing to talk to you, but on my terms when I was ready and here we are on your manipulative ones, yet again." She pulled out a chair from the desk and sat. "So let's have at it. Say what you need to say."

Under that stern glare Snow faltered, but moved to sit across from the Queen. "I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes. I saw Emma in the office and…" She cleared her throat and gestured to the pitcher of water and glasses across the room. "I need some water… Would you like some?"

Head tilting, darkening brown eyes eclipsed briefly in consideration. Regina simply dipped a chin once.

Snow crossed the room and with her back to the Queen emptied the potion from her pocket into one of the glasses and poured from the pitcher to fill each halfway. Returning, she set them both on the desk, the spelled one close to a royal hand.

"You were saying?" Regina flicked her gaze to the water then back to Snow.

Keeping her eyes carefully masked. "It was a stupid move on my part. I just want to clear the air between us so we can move on for Emma. She's upset that we are at odds. I know you're aware of that and I hate seeing her that way. I saw her and took a chance you might let me talk to you and maybe her." Licking lips as Gold dust glittered behind her eyes forcing words from her mouth. "I've been so wrong about things. What do I need to do to get us all back on track?"

Regina leaned forward, hand lifting her glass to bring the rim to her mouth just as Snow's lips parted. She gave pause, lowering the glass back to the table. 'She would not dare… would she?' The questionable thought made her blood simmer. Trusting her gut she slid glass away with one word in return.

"Drink."

Snow forced a confused smile. "What?"

Folding her hands on her lap, Regina crossed her legs and leaned back merely observing. "If you want to prove to me that you are ready to respect Emma's boundaries along with our relationship and you won't cross the line again… Drink."

Feigning misunderstanding Snow took her own un-spelled cup and took a sip as red lips tsked.

"No, no dear." A nod of her head magically shifted the other one to rest against pale knuckles. "From my glass."

Cheeks going pink, Snow picked up the spelled cup. Bringing it to her mouth, she allowed the liquid to almost touch her lips and pretended to swallow. "There. Happy?"

"Yes, actually." Regina stood mind clear in her quelled outrage. "Because you just made this conversation so much easier." A wave of her hand over the glass cast a simple separation spell and the magical fluid floated up from the water in a perfect ball. Summoning a small vile, she caught the orb, sealing the top and dropped it in her purse. "I suspected you had gone to Gold, but I didn't actually think you would try to drug me with something to get to Emma. I'll be speaking to Mal about your little party trick on school grounds and we will see if a few days suspension from campus for falsely luring a student and an attempt to drug me clears your head enough for us to actually have the conversation we need to have." Remembering the sucker and rising to a dark edge. "And Hades help you if you did anything to the sucker you gave Emma."

"It—I didn't… It was just candy." Inside a Golden spell broke in half under the weight of those midnight eyes and Snow jerked forward. "Regina please… I'm sorry! I was desperate. I can't get his words out of my head. I won't listen to him anymore. You have to believe me!" Snow stood, blocking the Queen's path. "You have to understand how hard this is for me. Please I know you do!"

"I do." Assessing those eyes for the Imp's manipulations she saw none in that moment, resting a bit easier at the apparent truth about the candy. He had done something to influence the Princess' motives, but the choice to act on it had been Snow's, of that she was sure. "And as I told you before I am done understanding if Emma's heart will be hurt in the process." Side stepping the teary woman and adding more softly. "Being desperate or hurt doesn't make you right and it is a poor excuse for your actions when your daughter is involved. If I can own that lesson and learn from it, surely you can as well. We will try again in a few days after you have had time to clear your head of these false notions you have about me."

Shutting the door to the classroom, she leaned against it for a deep breath before she left to find Mal and Emma in the main office. They were sitting side by side with a library book she recognized from Emma's school bag. Dragon and little Savior were so absorbed that she was able to observe them quietly for a few moments. Her heart fluttered seeing two blonde heads bent over a book. Emma's finger tracing the words on a page as Mal read aloud. Those translucent sea blue eyes looked up and she wondered for just a moment if she had been missing something, perhaps someone she didn't remember she needed.

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Two crystal glasses of cider sat side by side in the Study of the mansion later that same night. The women each enjoying the crisp taste sat across from each other on matching sofas. Fire in hearth gave the room a warm glow. A little bottle of liquid was set on the table between Dragon and Queen.

"She has guts… That much I'll give her." Mal reached for the vial, holding it up to the light.

"Guts or a death wish." Shaking her head and tone bordering bitter, Regina took up her glass and sipped as Mal gave her a questioning look. "I would never hurt her. I just thought we were beyond trying to manipulate and poison one another." Finger traced the rim of the glass in thought. "We were close at one time, friends even and I would like to get back to that, but it has been hard since the do over spell and coming home."

"What does Emma want?" Wondering if that had changed in the years past.

"A friendship with Snow. I pushed for that. I never wanted them to be like this. Emma has been trying so hard to make things right between them and it kills me that Snow keeps throwing that away. I don't think she could entirely help it this time and that's why I will try to help fix this mess she's caused. But there are things at play I cannot share with you or anyone and I'm just…" Setting her glass down, she hugged herself.

Thoughtful over the royal. "One person."

"Pardon?"

Mal set down the vial and stood going to sit on the other end of the couch Regina was on. "You are one person trying to do and be everything for your girl. From what you've told me about your life in the spell, you two grew incredibly close within that relationship, and outside of that world you have been Emma's support for years now and that is a beautiful thing."

"But." Regina waited, there almost always was one with Mal.

"No but." Blonde eyebrow flexed. "I'm just validating you."

Half a grin spread on red lips. "When did you learn therapy vernacular?"

"I do enjoy learning about humans and their how their minds work. Though, I have made it a priority to do some work on myself since our last go around." The Dragon sat back, sipping her drink. "I surprised you didn't I."

"Humph." Dark brows rose at that truth and fell in hesitating, but left little choice. "Do me a favor please and distill the ingredients in that potion."

Mal did as requested. Levitating the vial it glowed blue as the spell filtered through the ingredients. She hissed when two in particular crossed her senses. Vial floated down to the table and a small square of parchment appeared next to it. She stood and crossed the room to the decanter with her glass to refill. Returning she nodded to the one already in the Queen's hand and to the paper. "Trust me you are going to need a sip first before reading that."

Regina obliged and then snatched up the page. She skimmed the ingredients, fist closing around the tumbler hard enough to crack it. Cider leaked down her wrist and she vanished the mess away to take the paper in both hands.

"Dragon's blood and Emma's DNA in a protection potion… How did he even get…" Hands lowered as purple mist swirled around her irises. "Snow."

Mal summoned a new crystal tumbler and gave it to Regina. "Maybe for that ingredient, but the dragon's blood is a few hundred years old and no one I recognize. This has the Imp's magical signature all over it." Nose wrinkling delicately, nearly sick with distaste. "It positively reeks of oil and nightshade."

"If I had drank this I wouldn't be able to be anywhere within fifty yards of Emma. It wouldn't have hurt me physically or her, but…" When they had made the blood oath Gold had promised them no physical harm. This was an entirely new war he was playing. She picked up the vial thinking. Perhaps it might still be of some use. Powerful enough, she sensed a drop on skin or tongue would do and wondered why Snow hadn't just thrown it at her. If she could get Imp to touch or drink it…

"In the office I did hear part of the commotion with the dark rat, you know how sensitive my hearing is. You said before that you couldn't explain and I respect that. I would like to offer my help though, if you want it?

Regina levitated the vial over to her desk to sort out later and took a long sip. Setting her glass aside, she smoothed a crease in her slacks. "With Snow suspended for a few days and this latest stunt I can not trust her right now. I don't think it's all her, but I need time to work that out." Not to mention Emma. The little girl had been hard to console over being lied to by someone she'd been building trust with. "I need you to keep looking after her on campus please. Like I said, she is not to be near Gold."

"You have my word." The Dragon swirled ice in crystal considering her next words carefully. Regina could be sensitive in a way not many knew and she did not want to step where she was not wanted. "I am unable to detect your usual magical energy and I know you well enough that you wouldn't have allowed him to threaten you like that if you could have stopped him. I am guessing something is not right with your magic." When the Queen did not speak she confirmed her theory and stretched her arm out along the back of the couch, a flexible offer of comfort. "I can ward the school campus to alert me and you if he comes on the grounds, but I can not stop him from entering since it is not personal territory, but public. I can also ward the house entirely against his entrance since this is your personal space."

Regina leaned forward resting her face in her hands with relief as tears started. She never would have asked on her own, that was not something she did well. Being vulnerable without her full powers was one thing. To admit to her ex-girlfriend that she needed help was a whole other level of exposure. That extra defense would help ease her worry immensely and with a quiet affirmative and a 'please' she felt the air fill with Dragon magic of the strongest kind as an invisible shield coated the mansion. The blanket of security brought her upright a few minutes later when a rustling sounded outside of the door. Eye on the clock showed it was nearing midnight. They had been talking since she'd put the child to bed at 8:00.

Calling for Emma to come in she beckoned. Sleepy eyed and dragging a blanket the girl crawled up onto her lap, sitting to rest heart to heart. She rubbed a little back soothingly. "Are you alright baby?"

"Felt something funny and gots scared and you weren't in your room." Voice thick with sleep.

"I'm sorry you were frightened. Mal was just securing the house for us."

Murmuring into a neck. "Magic?"

"Yes sweet one." She kissed a fuzzy braid as the girl fell back asleep with thumb firmly planted in mouth. Once comfort came Emma was never long for this world.

"She is too precious." Grin adorning a face with a nod to Emma.

"Do not let her hear you call her that." Regina whispered and smirked. "She will tell you off right quick, but yes… she is." Clearing her throat. "Thank you for your help. I feel much more at ease." Standing with Emma and needing to put a little space between intimacies of the discussion. "I did not realize how late it is."

"Just like old times." Mal joined Queen in the foyer. "I missed this Regina." Donning her coat and scarf. "Our talks."

Brown elastic fitted around blue. "Mal I…" Stopping when those eyes gave reassurance.

"You don't have to say anything. This or not, is entirely on your timeline. Regardless I will support and protect you both. Just let me know what you need." Mal's fingers gently touched the end of a blonde braid and down the back of the Queen's hand before seeing herself out.

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A/N - About 3-4 chapters left of this journey then epilogue. I am busy writing the new story, the last part of this trilogy, now. Posts for that will begin within a week of final chapter here. Much shorter spin off... though this story wraps up well, I couldn't leave our girls incomplete...

Next time - Emma struggles with Snow's dishonesty. Dragon and Queen connect via text message. Regina and Snow talk about the potion and next steps going forward.