Chapter 19
"Coraline, you there?" Will asked because she hadn't gotten a response.
"Yeah, I'm here," Coraline answered.
"Sorry. I didn't think that you would actually talk to me. I thought once you realized it was me that you would block it or hang up. I guess I should thank you answering," Will replied.
"I should hang up on you. I know you lied to me. Why did you run away from me?"
"It is a long story. And, yes, I lied. I did have a job. It just didn't fall through the way that I'd hoped. Which is how I ended up in Maine. I know that you said you lived in Storybrooke, where Emma was now Sheriff, but I can't find it on any map. Will you meet me somewhere? I really want to talk to you. I want to explain why I reacted the way I did. If you'll let me."
"Where are you now?"
Will was quiet for a minute. She had spent time since she'd come to Storybrooke looking for somewhere to meet Coraline that wasn't in town, but it was close enough that she wouldn't be questioned about it. She'd even scouted a place to stay.
"I'm in Camden."
"That's not far from where I am. I could meet you there, but I need to talk to Ma first. I need to let her know where I am going so she doesn't send the Sheriff after me again," she stated.
"I'm in a hotel," she lied.
"I'll call you in a little over an hour. I'll talk to Ma and then head that way. You can give me directions to the hotel then. How does that sound?" Coraline asked her.
"Sounds perfect. Tell Emma, I'm sorry. I promise that I'll explain everything to you when you get here. Tell Emma that I might come back with you, too," she replied.
"I will. I'll call you soon. I need to go," Coraline stated, and hung up not waiting for a reply.
She was pacing in front of the diner. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to talk to Will, but she was hurt at the same time. She couldn't explain the draw to her, but she knew that she had to go. There was something about Will being part of Emma's past and her future that she didn't understand. She couldn't quite fathom it, but she knew that it existed.
She entered the diner and stopped. She let her eyes focus on Snow, Regina, Emma, Red and Belle all together. She sighed and this time Ruby realized that she was there.
"Emms…" Red said nodding towards the door.
Emma stood first and put her hand on Regina, letting her know that she would deal with whatever was bothering Coraline. Ruby stood next and got two cocoas with cinnamon. Emma was across the room faster than Coraline could predict. She smiled at her mother.
"What is it?"
"I need to talk to you," Coraline stated.
Emma moved them to a front booth near the door and they sat. No sooner had they sat down then Ruby was giving them their drinks. Emma thanked her and Ruby went back to the other table with the rest of them.
"Well, what is it?"
"I need you to be Ma for a minute."
"Whoa, okay, Kiddo, what's up?" Emma asked her.
"I don't know…. Well, Will called me."
"Again?"
"Yeah."
"Have you been talking to her since we got back?" Emma asked her.
"No, I haven't. She called me to try to apologize again. I didn't even think. I answered the phone," Coraline told her.
"And?"
"She wants to meet up."
"Okay? And, what do you want to do? Better yet, where does she want to meet?"
"She is in Camden," Coraline answered.
"You want to go, don't you?"
"I do."
"Then, go, Coraline. There is obviously something between the two of you, and honestly, you could do worse. I know Will. I know she's loyal. And, I also know that if she is willing to meet with you that she means her apology. She probably had to deal with something and now, she wants you to know. She isn't one to hide things, at least not very long. Go. I'll deal with your Mom and the rest. If she makes you happy, that is all I care about," Emma told her.
"Why?"
"Because you deserve to be happy, Coraline. Everyone does. Now go. I'll deal with everything here. We may have found a way to help you get your things back from Belle's house."
"I'm not worried about that. You'll get my things for me, Ma. Just don't forget the cloak. That is going to come in real handy. That is the only thing there I want or need. Oh, and Mom's journals, she might want those back," Coraline answered.
"You're acting like you aren't coming home. You are coming back, right? You can't go to her and not come back. We'll come after you again. You know that we will," Emma stated.
"I know. And, no, I will be back. I just don't know when."
"Take a few days. See what Will has to say. Forgive her if you want, but listen to this: keeping that much anger and hate in your heart bad things will happen to you. We'll be fine here. Go. "
"Ma?"
"Yeah, Coraline."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being you."
"Can't help that, Kiddo."
"I know."
"What is it?"
"Will might come back with me."
"And, if she does?"
"I don't want you to put the fear of whatever into her."
"You aren't going to have to worry about me doing that, Kiddo. Your mother will do that on her own. I need to talk to Will anyway, but I won't give her any crazy parental speech."
"Thank you."
"Quit thanking me and go. Call me when you get there and let me know how to get in touch with you besides your cell. Also, you might want to run home and get some extra clothes. But, go already. If you don't, I know that you won't," Emma told her.
"I'm going. I'm going. You're sure about Mom, though."
"I'll deal with Regina. You do deal with Will. Just call us tonight, okay?"
"Okay, Ma," Coraline answered, finished her cocoa and left the diner.
Emma sat there for a minute and smiled. She realized that her daughter would come to her when it came to relationships. She believed enough in Emma to see her as someone to come to and for Emma that would be enough for her to know.
She stood up and watched Coraline as she ran down the street back towards the mansion on Mifflin Street. She couldn't help her smile. Coraline was so much like her and Regina that she was glad that she could have this opportunity with her. She loved her daughter and she would be whatever she needed: friend, mother, sister, or savior.
"Hey," Regina stated coming up behind her.
"Hey," Emma replied.
"So, what was that about?"
"Our daughter has a crush."
"A crush?"
"Well, I think it is more than a crush," Emma replied.
"On your old bail bonds friend?" Regina asked.
"She could do a lot worse," Emma stated.
"Do you trust her?"
"Trust who? Coraline? Of course, Regina, I trust our daughter."
"No, do you trust Will?"
"I do. There is something off in the way that Will acted back in Boston, but she's trying to apologize for it. I need to give her the benefit of the doubt. I owe her that much. We had each other's back way back then. I need believe that she isn't up to something dastardly."
"And you think that she cares for our daughter?"
"I do."
"And Coraline cares for her?"
"Yes, she does, more than she wants to admit."
"So, what is Coraline doing about it?"
"She is going to see Will," Emma stated.
"Where?" Regina asked suddenly worried.
"Will has been looking for Storybrooke, but couldn't find it. That cloaking spell is still active. At least it won't wipe our memories if we leave. But, she is in Camden. She called Coraline."
"And?" Regina asked, pushing Emma for more.
"Coraline wants to go see her."
"You told her to go?"
"I did," Emma stated.
"Why?"
"Because she deserves her happiness."
"And, what if she finds it here?"
"Then, she finds it here."
"But, she needs to go back to the future to live her own life. She can't stay here, Emma. It could upset things. It could have already altered the timeline in a way that it can't be repaired."
"I know that."
"Then, why would you tell her to go see Will?" Regina asked.
"I don't think that she wants to go back. She's realized that there won't be anything there for her. Her future changed as soon as she came here. If we find a way to defeat the Blackness, then there won't be a need for her to come back. She has everything here that she wants Regina. And, like me, she gets to watch her parents fall in love. That truly is a magical thing."
"Yes, but if she doesn't go back, we won't know if it worked."
"Maybe it was her destiny to rewrite our future," Emma stated turning around to face her.
"Emma…time isn't something that you want to play with."
"I know, remember? I have first-hand experience with it. I finally got to meet the Evil Queen. I've got to say one thing for that, though," Emma started.
"And what's that, Swan?"
"She was hot," Emma whispered leaning closer to Regina as she said it.
"Emma!"
"What? She was. She was sexy, intimidating, but sexy as hell."
"I can't take you anywhere," Regina stated, starting to move away.
"Are you done talking with Belle?"
"I guess, why?"
"Henry is at school."
"I know."
"Charming is at the station."
"I know."
"Everyone else that would bother us is here."
"I know that," Regina replied.
"Which means, I want to take you home. We can deal with the blood lock and Coraline's things later. Belle upheld her end of the bargain and I will do the same."
"Emma…"
"I want you. Now. No buts, Regina. I want you," Emma told her.
"I'll meet you at the house."
"Don't be long. I need you, Regina. Don't deny me that," Emma said.
"Go. I'll be along shortly. I have some things to wrap up with Belle first. I'll meet you there."
"Twenty minutes," Emma told her, kissed and left.
Regina reached up and touched her lips. There was a tingle there that she had to admit she would never want to give up. Her face lit up because she realized that not only did Emma love her, want her, and need her, but she desired all of her. She turned and walked back over to the other table.
"Everything okay?" Ruby asked her with a smirk.
"Perfect," Regina said sitting down.
"Well?"
"I need to go clarify something with Emma and make sure that she doesn't go after Rumple anyway. Thank you for your help, Belle, and your continued support. Can you please start researching everything you can on Pyroxes, Wilhelmina and the land of Vulcannon. Call my secretary. I'll block tomorrow for you. And, Snow, don't worry. We'll figure it out."
"But…"
"Not, now. If it is Wilhelmina, she isn't going to cause us any harm and we both know that. I only want to know why she is here, more than that, I don't care."
"You should care, Regina. She could have helped you. She could have…" Snow stated.
"She could have what? Fallen prey to one of Rumple's schemes? I am pretty sure that it what happened. She is probably ashamed of her behavior. I don't blame her for running. We found out too late that Rumple had decimated the islands. There was nothing she could have done to save her family, her people. I will not fault her for hiding," Regina stated.
"I'll see what I can find," Belle stated.
"Thank you."
"I'll help," Snow added.
"If you want," Belle replied.
"What about the house?" Ruby asked looking straight at Regina.
"I'll talk with Emma and see what she wants to do. She talked with Coraline. I don't know what Coraline wants and I don't want to pressure her into thinking that she has to have anything. I want to her be who she wants to be, however she wants to be it. I owe her that much."
"Call me before you head over to the house. There is some research that I want to do about the blood lock. There may be a way to break it, but I'm not sure," Belle told her.
"Nothing can break blood magic, Belle. It doesn't matter how strong the practitioner. Trust me on that. I would know," Regina stated.
"I have a hunch on something, though."
"Do what you want then, Bookworm. I need to go. I'll call you later, Red. I'll see you tomorrow, Belle. Good day," Regina told them leaving them at the table and heading home.
"Wonder what got into her all the sudden," Snow stated.
"Emma," Ruby replied without thought.
Snow's gasp was enough for her to realize that she'd said it out loud. But, it was Belle's hand on her thigh that made her realize it was out of place. She looked at Belle and then Snow.
"Sorry," Red stated, hanging her head.
Belle squeezed her leg and then absent-mindedly began to rub it. Ruby's whole body tensed, but she didn't stop it. Snow gave her a strange face.
"You're right, though," Snow answered.
"How is that?" Ruby asked.
"Emma has changed her. I can see that they are good together and even I'll admit that Coraline brings the best out of them while bringing them closer together. I guess I don't to want to think about them together. She is still my daughter even if she is almost my age," Snow stated.
"Well, she's my best friend and my God-daughter. And, well, Regina has become more than ally for me. I wish them the best, Snow. They seem to make each other happy. Let them be."
"I will. Shall we head to the library, Belle? We have some histories to read," Snow stood up and gathered Neal.
"I'll watch him here at the diner. We aren't that busy. You can pick him up when Charming gets off work," Ruby told her taking him from Snow. "Cause your Aunty Red is going to teach you how to make pancakes and other things."
"You are going to spoil him," Belle told her.
"That's the idea. We all are. He is the prince. Now, go on, the both of you," Ruby stated.
Regina entered her house and made her way upstairs. Emma was already there she could tell. When she made her way into her room, she stopped when she saw Emma waiting for her.
"Well, I see you've made yourself comfortable," Regina told her.
"You were taking too long," Emma replied.
"I can't help your mother doesn't know when to stop talking."
"Can we not talk about her, right now?"
"Sorry, Dear, but I really wasn't that late," Regina replied.
"Yeah, you are," Emma replied coming over to where Regina was standing in the doorway.
"I guess you think so since you've already removed your boots, socks, and jacket."
"I told you what I wanted," Emma stated.
"Emma, you promised that we would wait until we knew how we made Coraline."
"Look at me and honestly tell me that you don't want me," Emma commanded.
"I can't."
"Then, let's not worry about it. She's created magically, right? We know that much. What I want to do doesn't need magic, just us and your bed," Emma stated.
Regina sighed. Emma circled her arms around her and pulled her close. Regina melted into her.
"Emma…"
"You wouldn't've come if you didn't want this as well, Regina, and we both know it. Now, let me show you how much I desire you. I need you, Regina. Will you let me?"
Emma punctuated her question with a kiss. She found the spot just below Regina's ear that caused her to lose all sense of decorum. She moaned as Emma continued down her throat.
"Emma…"
"Yes?" she asked, backing away from her a neck and looking into her eyes.
Regina's eyes were expressive as always and Emma's were full of life and love. There was always something in them that Regina could hold on to when she thought she was going to lose it all. Emma grounded her in a way that she couldn't understand fully and she knew why.
"I love you," Regina told her.
"I love you, too."
It was enough to break down her barriers again. She knew that Emma wanted her and she wanted Emma. It was enough. It would always be enough. Emma wasn't just made of True Love, she was True Love, and she made True Love in her relationships. Regina then answered her declaration in the only way that she could. She kissed Emma, passionately.
"But, Emma, how is Coraline supposed to call us if she doesn't have her phone?"
"She does have it."
"How? She told me that it was left in the house when Rumple kicked her out. What did you do? Get her a new one?"
"Nope," Emma told her kissing her neck.
"Then, how does she have her phone?"
"Belle gave it to her a few days ago. She got it and some of your journals. She figured that Coraline would need it. She gave Coraline her wallet, phone and car keys. She was trying to figure out spell. I guess Belle thought that I wasn't paying attention to her that much, but I was. She really wants to help us and save Coraline. And, she is still mad at Rumple."
"And, you didn't bother to tell me this sooner?" Regina said, pulling her closer.
"It didn't really seem to matter at the time."
"And it does now?"
"I just wanted you to know that I didn't send our grown daughter out into the world without some sort of communication back to us. I might not always think things through, but I wasn't going to let her go without it. She asked for permission. I gave her permission," Emma stated.
"Without asking me first?" Regina asked.
"I wanted you and I know how to get you to agree. Besides, I thought that you already knew that she had her phone back. How was I to know you didn't? You have been working with Belle at the library looking for something about the Blackness. I am starting to feel left out."
"Do you now, Dear?"
"Yeah, I do."
"I am sorry, Emma. I am worried about the future. You know that."
"I do. But, right now, I don't care about that. I only care about you. And, I planning make you forget all that for a while," Emma told her.
"And, how do you plan on doing that?"
"Like this," Emma said, picking her up and placing her on the bed.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, because I think we both need this now," Emma stated as she kissed her way down Regina's neck.
"But, Emma…"
"Nope, not today. We deserve to be happy Regina. Nothing should keep us from that or each other. We are going to find a way and we are going to have a family."
"I know that," Regina told her.
"Then, for once stop thinking and starting feeling," Emma replied, kissing her fiercely.
Snow and Belle had been in the library for hours looking over books when Ruby found them. She wanted to laugh at the sight. Snow and Belle were both hunkered down over some old books. Ruby had come over with some coffee for them. She knew that they would need it.
"Hey, guys," Ruby said as she sat down with them.
"Hey, Ruby," Snow replied.
Belle looked up from her book and smiled at them. She took the coffee, but she didn't say anything more. She looked back down at the book and started reading again.
"Find anything good?" Ruby asked, trying to get a conversation going.
"Not really. I've been looking of the limited histories of Vulcannon while Belle has been working on finding a way to break the blood luck. She seems obsessed with finding a way to let Coraline back into the house. I just figured that we would go get whatever she needs."
"We could, you know?" Ruby told her.
"I know that, Ruby. I am still mad with him. I want to make sure that he can't do it again. I want to find a way to reverse it. I don't need the house, so I don't know why he threw her out. It doesn't make sense. Why is he so upset? What did Coraline actually do to him? Nothing, she lied because she had to. It just doesn't seem like he should be that upset about it," Belle said.
"Have you asked him?" Snow asked.
"Several times, actually. He just keeps telling me it is because she lied. He even got made when I went over there earlier in the week and got her phone and wallet. I was just trying to help Coraline. He knew that I would, but I don't understand why he would be so upset with me getting her things for her. It is almost like he wants her to have nothing," Belle stated.
"But, why?" Snow asked.
"Does he hate Regina that much?" Ruby asked.
"I don't know. I really don't. And, I'm beginning to wonder if I really know him anymore."
"What are you saying, Belle?" Snow asked.
"I beginning to think that I don't know my own husband anymore," Belle replied with an exasperated sigh and a flourish of her hands before they hit the book in front of her.
"Oh, Belle," Snow stated.
"It is like he would rather be angry then really try," Belle added.
"Have you tried talking to him about it?" Ruby questioned.
"Every time I try, he pushes back. I know that he is the Dark One, but he has a good side. I've seen it. I've felt it. But, I'm starting to think that his personal quest for power and magic is clouding his rational judgment more so than normal. It is like he can't function without trying to find more. I…I don't know that I can help him."
"Belle…"
"It's likes he's reverting back into the Dark One a little more each day. I have the dagger. I can control him, but I shouldn't have to have that kind of power to get something from him, right? He should want to do it on his own," Belle stated.
She lay down on the book in front of her. Snow and Ruby looked at each other and didn't know what to say. Belle had been always been quiet about her issues with Rumple. She'd kept her personal issues to herself because she thought she had to. She didn't want to be a burden on anyone else. She always sought a way to find a solution.
"Belle?"
"Yes, Ruby," she answered still with her face in the book.
"Do you want to take a break?"
"No, I don't. I need to figure this out. It isn't just for me, Ruby. If it was, I might give up. But, it isn't. It doesn't just affect me," she answered.
"So what do you want to do?" Snow asked.
"I don't know."
"Well, we're here if you need us," Snow told her reaching across the table and grabbing her hand, squeezing it to reiterate her point.
Belle looked up from the book, with a watery smile, and told them, "Thank you."
"Hey, we're friends. We take care of each other. Are you sure that you don't need anything? I mean it, anything at all?" Snow asked.
"Can I stay with one of you tonight? I don't want to go home. I need some time away."
"Of course, Belle," Ruby stated.
"Thank you."
"It's no problem," Ruby replied.
Belle looked down at the books again with a smile on her face. She seemed lighter, happier, now. She felt better knowing that Snow and Ruby didn't judge her for her relationship with Rumple. They supported her and they were willing to help her. When she looked back up to face them again, her smile grew.
"What?" Ruby asked, noticing the change.
"I found a way to break the lock!" she shouted.
"How?" Snow asked.
"I have to talk to Midas. He has all the property records and bank levies. I need to see if he can rework some of the details for the property," Belle stated.
"I am sure that we can get Katherine to help us with that," Snow added.
"Should we call Regina?" Ruby asked.
"No, I think that I can handle this on my own. Are you going to stay and keep researching, Snow? Because, if you are, I'll make sure to come back here after I am done at the bank with Midas. If not, I'm going to lock up now," Belle stated.
"I'll wait here for you," Snow told her.
She could see the intrigue on Snow and Ruby's faces, but she didn't do anything to answer their unasked questions. She didn't even know if this would work, but she had to try. She wanted to prove to Regina and Emma that just because she was married to Rumple that she didn't subscribe to his mentality. Deep down, she knew that they knew that, but she still felt the constant need to remind herself that she was good. It gave her hope and the more hope that she had for better days and a better, more fulfilling life, the more she could spread that hope to others.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ruby asked her.
"No, you can stay here with Snow. I'll be fine. But, thank you for offering. I'll see you both in a little while. Thank you for your help," Belle told them as she left the table and then the library.
"Why do I get the feeling that Rumple is going to be very angry with us when she is done?"
"Because he will probably be," Snow stated.
"Should we warn Regina and Emma about it?"
"Not yet. Let's wait and see if what she is trying is going to work. I don't want to get anyone riled up if we don't have to, yet. It is bad enough that Emma wants to fight him. I don't want to add fuel to that fire until we have to. I just hope that Rumple doesn't try to do anything further."
"Why is that?" Ruby asked her.
"Because he'll end up taking on the entire town. He really doesn't have that many friends and those that he does have aren't stupid enough to go against the former Evil Queen and the Savior. Too many people will support Emma just because she is my daughter and they support me. They'll look to us to see what we will do. And, I will support Emma no matter what."
"I really hope that Gold isn't that stupid," Ruby added.
"Me, too," Snow stated.
It was late in the evening when Belle went to Regina's house. She'd found a way to break the spell and it was surely a way that Rumple wasn't ever going to think would happen. All she needed now was a signature or two and the lock would break. She had figured out what blood lock Rumple cast earlier in the week, but she wasn't sure that she could find a way to break it. When she figured that out, she knew that she would have to act quickly. She had to do it before Rumple got word of what she was really doing in the library so late all the time.
She knocked on the door a few times gently, hoping that Regina was actually home. She sighed and then smiled as she heard footsteps approaching the door. She mentally prepared herself for Regina's coming questions and possible wrath, but when she knew that she would make her smile instead, Belle's fears disappeared.
The door opened and it wasn't Regina who opened it. Emma stood there surprised to see Belle and likewise Belle was surprised to see her. Emma moved back to let her in and Belle took a few tentative steps into the house. She could hear Regina in the kitchen.
"Follow me," Emma told her taking her to the kitchen.
Regina was sautéing something on the stove. Belle sniffed as she sat on a bar stool at the bar overlooking the stove. Whatever it was, it smelt wonderful. Regina continued to move food around the skillet, while Emma got a beer out of the fridge.
Belle smiled at the sudden domesticity of it all. She knew that the beer had to be a recent purchase for Emma's benefit because Belle knew that Regina only drank her cider. Regina looked up from her cooking at smiled at her.
"Good evening, Bookworm. To what to do we owe this honor? Did you find out something more from this afternoon?" Regina asked her.
"I have."
"So, what is it?" Emma asked, setting her beer on the bar and leaning against it.
"I found a way to break the lock."
"And?" Regina questioned, arching an eyebrow and pushing the skillet to an unlit burner.
"All I need is your signature," Belle told them.
"Wait a minute here. You came here to tell us that you found a way to break the blood lock spell on the house and now, you're asking Regina for her signature. Forgive me if this doesn't stink of something Rumple would have come up with to get Regina back into his debt somehow."
"There is no way I will ever sign a deal with him," Regina stated pushing back from the stove to lean on the other counter in the middle of the cooking area of the kitchen.
"No, no, it isn't a contract. Well, it is, but it isn't from Rumple. It is from the bank. Midas himself has already signed it. So have I. All we need is Regina's signature and it will make it legally binding. Rumple can't go against the law with the magic he used," Belle told them.
"Belle, dear, I think you better explain in further detail," Regina suggested.
"Oh, yes, sorry. I found the spell that he cast. It was relatively simple actually. I mean it was elementary even for Rumple. He had to have some piece of you somehow, hair or blood. I know that you said you didn't give it to him, but that doesn't mean that someone else didn't."
"Go on," Regina urged her as her anger grew, because she was pondering who had betrayed her.
"Anyway, he cast's the blood lock banning you and your kin. This won't affect Henry or Emma. I wonder why he didn't want to affect them. Then, I figured it out. He was going to leave the property to family. If he blocked Coraline thru Emma's side, he would effectively block his only legacy," Belle stated.
"Henry!" Emma shouted.
"Exactly."
"By going after Regina, he still leaves the house open for Henry. He is your son in name, but not blood so the spell wouldn't affect him. However, Coraline is not of Rumple's line. He can block her by blocking you. The spell is actually very easy to counteract which is why I am surprised that he cast it to begin with. But then again, I don't think that he thought we would dig into it this quickly and this hard," Belle explained.
"Okay, so what have you done?" Regina asked her.
"I found a loop hole," Belle told her all smiles.
"Which is?" Emma asked.
"The lock only works if all parties who own the property still own it."
"I don't understand," Emma stated.
"You didn't," Regina replied.
"Sign here and I have."
"He gave you that property as a wedding present, and your father's house and shop," Regina said as she picked up the papers that Belle handed her.
"I know. I've already been to Father's. He's signed the papers. He's safe. Sign the papers, Regina. Please."
"Someone explain this to me, cause I think I missed something in the translation."
"It seems that our Bookworm found a glaring miscalculation in Rumple's spell."
"Which is what exactly?" Emma asked.
"He cast the spell on property that he continued to own through his marriage to Belle. As a present to Belle and to show he turned over a leaf in life, he gave Belle the primary ownership of the properties. Which, if I am to understand what Mrs. Gold has done, is signed the house over to me, thus negating his spell and allowing Coraline free access. Gold will no longer have any claim to the property as soon as I sign the papers and neither with Belle. I will own the house. And, since I will own the house, the spell will dissipate because it will no longer have purpose."
"Cool," Emma replied.
"Yes, Sheriff, that is indeed cool."
"Will you sign the papers?" Belle asked her.
"Why are you doing this?" Regina asked her, pen in hand, poised and ready.
"I've already told you this. I am tired of him ruining lives. I've taken all the properties that he has put my name on and given them to the residents or business owners. The house, however, I am giving to you because I know that it is the only way I can give it to Coraline," Belle stated.
"What about Rumple?" Emma asked.
"I'll deal with him later."
"Belle, you can't go back to him after this. He'll be furious. He might hurt you."
"I'm already prepared for that, Regina. I'll stay with Snow or Red. They've already agreed to help me. I will not burden myself upon this town. I'll live at the library if I have to," Belle said.
"Nonsense, dear, you will stay at the house with Coraline if she so wishes. She can protect you. Or, you can stay here. Rumple won't dare enter my home. We have an understanding."
"Which didn't seem to matter when it came to our daughter," Emma added.
"I know that. And, I am sure that he is wondering why I haven't retaliated for that yet. I will get my revenge on him, but it will wait. I will not start a war in this town. It is my town and I mean to make sure that it survives. I may have built this town out of hatred, but I have come to love it and will not see it burn because of some old squabble between us. That goes for you, too, Emma. I do not want you to provoke him," Regina told them.
"What if he provokes me?" Emma questioned, taking another pull of her beer.
"Then, you walk away. Find me, and together we will find a way to deal with it. You cannot go against him on your own. I will not lose you to him. If he is seeking revenge, he will go after you or Coraline. He's shown his hand, but I'm still holding my cards," Regina replied.
"She's a beast at poker," Emma added.
"I'm sure. I've seen her queenly face. She can betray nothing when she needs to, Emma. Rumple taught her many things, but her mother schooled her on emotion."
"That she did, dear. That she did. And, Rumple knows that. I am sure that he wondering why I didn't take the normal Cora approach to my misery. Why haven't I leveled the town looking for him? The answer is simple. He wants that and for that reason, he will not get it," Regina said.