* Hey guys! So since much of what makes Emma the BA girl we all know and love, is the hurt she experienced in her past, you can understand that writing this story has been a little difficult. I've tried to make her as much like her old self as I could, so that we know that part of who she is, she was born with. I'm trying to do her justice, and I hope she seems semi-like herself!

Also, I love Regina! And in the show, I am definitely rooting for her to get her happy ending. However, in this universe, she has not met Robin or Henry, and therefore has no reason to not be 'evil.' For this story, it makes sense for her to be the 'villain' given her and Snow's history. Please don't hate me too much for it! I really really do love her character!

Thanks again for reading, and for all the feedback! You guys are absolutely amazing! ~Author

After a while of thinking by the fire, curiosity took hold of Emma. She marched with purpose into the cabin. Regina was sleeping in her room when Emma sneaked in. Quietly opening drawers, and searching coat pockets, the Princess worked quickly. On the vanity there sat a simple box with a lone heart crest on his face. She found it locked, but with a wave of her hand, it opened. Inside were multiple viles of pink mixture.

Curious, she popped the lid off of one and took a sip. It had a subtle sweetness to it, one she realized was similar to what was in her water earlier that day. Panic swept over her as she wondered if Killian was right.

"What are you doing Emma?" The Princess spun around, hiding the vile behind her back to face Regina. The woman looked at her in a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.

Emma raises her hand to shoot the candle in the room with a fireball like the Queen taught her. She is frightened when nothing happens. She stares at her hand in disbelief before glaring back up at the Queen, who has risen from bed. Confidence rises inside Emma's chest, and she holds out the vile to Regina. "Killian was right." She says more to herself than to Regina. "You're trying to steal my magic."

Regina rolls her eyes and starts walking towards Emma. She raises her hand, and lights the candles. Rage burns within Emma's heart. "Did you honestly think I would help you, after what your parents did to me?" Regina's laugh fills the room, and she turns her evil stare down on Emma. "Then you are dumber than I thought Princess."

"It's not dumb to believe the best in someone Regina." Emma stands taller, and her voice commands the room. "It's dumb to think they could actually move on after decades; it's dumb to believe that you could help anyone when you can't even help yourself."

A growl emanates from the back of Regina's throat and she held up her hand, producing a fire ball. "You should have thought about that before you gave me your power."

She throws the fireball, and Emma just barley dives to miss it. The Princess picks up a chair with her mind, and throws it at the Queen. Regina is not used to having limited powers, and is unable to stop the chair. The fury in her eyes grows intensifies as she picks herself off the ground. She holds out her hand and pushes a force towards Emma. In the blink of an eye, the Princess is gone. Regina looks around the room in confusion, and gasps when she feels Emma behind her, arm around her neck. The Princess dumps the contents of the vile down the Queens throat before she can fight back. Regina falls to the ground as she loses the only power she had.

"I never wanted to hurt you Regina." Emma pleas as she watches the woman seething with anger at another lost opportunity. "I just wanted to learn from you. I thought we could mend the problems of the past, and you could get a second chance." Emma looks down and sighs. "Everyone deserves a second chance." Her mind flashes to Killian, and how she had pushed him away. He was telling the truth about the potion, and she felt terrible for ignoring his warnings.

"Well not all of us are lucky enough for a second change Princess." Regina rolls her eyes as she slowly sits up. "Some of us will always be villains, and there is nothing we can do to change that."

"You're wrong." Emma grins. "Evil isn't born, it's made." Again, Killian's dashing smile enters Emma's mind, and an unsettling feeling washes over her.

"Heroes aren't born either Charming. They are just the ones who actually get their happy ending." She groans, and looks away from Emma. The Princess feels an overwhelming sense of guilt, and leans beside the Queen.

"Anyone can get their happy ending Regina, as long as their happy ending is actually a happy ending. You are looking at magic, power, and revenge as your happy ending. But those things won't make you happy. They will just leave you feeling empty."

"Then what do you suppose is my happy ending?" She deadpans.

"The same as everyone else," Emma says with a small grin. "Love." Realization hits Emma hard, and she knows she must leave urgently. "Killian." His name drips off her tongue softly.

"So you love the Pirate?" Regina asks somewhat surprised. "I thought the whole doe-eyed thing was just a flirtatious act."

"He's my new dream Regina!" Emma stands, full of excitement. And looks down at the Queen. "I was so concerned with learning magic, and taking over the kingdom, I couldn't even see what was right before my eyes!" She starts pacing the room as her powerless adversary watches her. "Oh no." She stops, and thinks about where Killian would have gone if she pushed him away.

She starts towards the door, and turns around to Regina. "I know you wanted to hurt me, but I want to thank you for opening my eyes."

Regina stares at her, mouth agape. "That's it? You're just going to leave me? What about a fight? Shouldn't you kill me or something?"

Emma smiles slightly and shakes her head. "Of course not. You have a lot to think about."

She opens the door and starts to leave. "Like what?" Regina yells.

"Like what your new dream is!" Emma yells back.