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Chapter one,

Regina Speaks:

Regina feels the too familiar burst of magical wind and finds almost everyone thrown upon the shore. Her eyes search out Henry as her feet are propelling her towards him. She feels immediate relief at seeing he is unscathed, releasing a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"Henry." She smiles warmly as her brow furrows with concern for her son as she and Robin help him up.

"I'm ok." Henry looks behind her caught up with Emma's conversation. Sometimes she feels no matter how hard she tries, Henry's un-daunting fascination will always lie with Emma. She felt loved by her son indubitably. But it seemed as though Emma would always be like a brand new bright penny in his life. Regina didn't enjoy giving this so much thought. It made her chest clench in pain whenever she noticed. She knew logically that a boy who finally got to share his life with his biological mother would always be intrigued by her. Never mind his mother happens to be Emma Swan; Savior to her curse, a white knight birthed of "fairytale characters." Emma, who allows him chocolate behind Regina's back. Emma, who lets him stay up late to finish his comic books or God knows what. Emma, who always did a fantastic job of incorporating fun into his life; into her life as well. She had to admit that before Emma came into this town her life felt black and white. Regina inwardly smiles and she thinks of how Emma Swan let the color back in. That would be a great way to describe her...messy and colorful. The truth was now that they were friends she was no longer jealous. a bit hurt at times but she understood. Emma brought life into an otherwise 'frozen in time' world. She made everyone including herself break the rules but mostly for the right reasons. She's happy the real Emma is back. She feared so much for her soul when she became the dark swan; which she became for her. But that was something else Regina didn't want to think about. All this had happened because Emma saved her. Saved her. She supposed that's what friends do for one another. And that's what they had become..friends. Yet still, it was another train of thought that clenched at Regina's chest like her heart was being squeezed.

"Regina. Are you alright?" It appears as though lately Robin only looks at her with worried eyes.

"Yes I'm fine and you?" 'Isn't it obvious? I'm not a china doll.' She wanted to shout, but she composed herself. ' I wasn't even thrown.' Regina didn't understand why she was angry. Perhaps because she understood she would have to go on another battle alone. Perhaps she was bracing herself for his wrath once he knew what she'd done.

"Regina I can't let you go without me." He holds her soft hands in his calloused ones so gently and looks pleadingly into her eyes. Regina decides not to tell him, almost. She's afraid of hurting the man she loves but he will find out and with her not around he will only assume the worst.

"Robin, listen. I need you to stay here and watch over Roland, Henry and your daughter."

"They'll be alright, we must find a way for me to go with you. Roland is safe with granny and the baby is with her mother."

"She's not. She's with Tinkerbell." Robin looks at her baffled.

"I opened a portal and sent Zelena back to Oz. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I just couldn't trust her here alone without us..."

"You had no right." Robin looks at her like a disapproving father. Disbelief dancing on his face. Regina never felt such disappointment directed at her from him. She see's something else in his stare...he feels betrayed.

"You don't understand."

He interrupts her as he lets go of her hands. Regina feels the loss of heat immediately.

"That is her mother Regina. We had agreed. I don't understand how you took it upon yourself to send her back to Oz without her daughter and without consulting me."

"Robin, I only meant to protect you and her and when I return I will..."

"I'm going with you mom. I can have magic. I'm the author." A child's timing is always inopportune.

"No Henry. You will do no such thing. You will stay here." Regina knows shes speaking to him like a young child but after her quarrel with Robin she's quickly losing her patience.

"But I can help you guys. I am the author." She is about to read him his rights when thankfully his other parent chimes in.

"Who turned in his pen and for a good reason." Emma looks eyes with her and Henry knows he has lost the battle.

"But Ma!"

"Henry I'm running out of time. I would love nothing more than to have you by my side but its just not possible." I see Emma's panting breath thicken with the nights fog. She looks tired. She's looks beaten.

"Besides, I feel much better knowing my son is amongst the living and not in the underworld with us." I give him my best smile. I know he is worried he will never see his mothers again. I don't know that I wouldn't be fighting any less if I were in his position. I'm so very proud of him. I see in him so much of what I hoped I instilled. I see the best of it. I also see the best of Emma. It's not a bad combination to have. My whole world is Henry. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for him. And now its time to help his other mother.

He turns to me giving me that pleading look he only reserves for desperate requests, "But when we went to the Enchanted Forest..."

"You were my hero! Without you we would have all been lost. That's why I'm leaving you in charge of the town." I realize I need to keep him occupied. He needs to feel like he has control over something. Henry is growing up and I perceive he needs to feel like a man. He truly is my hero and I can't think of a better person to take care of this town.

I lock eyes with Snow who seems to understand exactly what I am doing.

"Henry you have seen me run this place since you were born. Help your grandparents. Keep this place sane for me. Can you do that?"

He knows I believe in him, "Yes mom." He jumps into my arms and I choke back a sob that threatens to escape. I hold him to me like I'm never going to see him again.

"Take care of each other." My prince is no longer a little boy.

"I love you." I whisper to him as to not embarrass him.

"Me too mommy." He whispers back.

Emma embraces him and tells him that she loves him. I look at Robin who refuses to make eye contact with me. I may never see him again and he didn't even let me finish. And he's not taking me into his arms and proclaiming how much he loves me. My heart is broken but I'm also fuming.

"Stay safe." If thats all he has to offer then silence is all he's going to get. I don't have time for this.

I walk away; determined as ever to get this done. Except what the hell are we actually going to do and how am I going to do this?

"Regina you don't have to do this." Emma looks at me with fear in her eyes. Does the idiot think I'm actually going to abandon her? Emma needs me that's all I know. Right now we don't have room for insecurity.

"I know." I tell her. I hope this is enough to help her realize I'm here for the long haul.

The Charmings say their goodbyes and we follow Gold's lead towards the boat. The water is freezing and getting colder by the minute. I inwardly chuckle at the irony of literally having cold feet walking towards death. I'll have to magic my shoes dry once we get on that skiff... My train of thought stops as I stand bemused and incredulously shocked when it is upon me. It's not that this creature stands at least eight feat in the air. It's not the stench coming from death's essence, nor the creepy fog. I've seen so many horrid beings in my many years. It is the realization that dawns on me like the stars descend on the night that we are standing in front of death himself asking for passage to go with him. No sane person would ever attempt this.

I hear an eerie voice in my head. It's neither male nor female.

"I AM CHARON. TAKE MY HAND AND I SHALL TAKE THEE TO THE UNDERWORLD."