"You got everything you need kid?" she shouted across the apartment hoping he wasn't too invested in his breakfast to hear her, she still had no idea where the term of endearment had come from, she had never used it until around a year ago and it had simply stuck. There were times when she would allow herself to think about its strange appearance, she would become lost in a strange sensation, an aching feeling would settle within her yet she still couldn't figure out why…there were a few things that brought it on but right now she had absolutely no time to dwell on the reasons for that.

He mumbled out a sleep laden 'yes' before finishing the remnants of his scrambled eggs, it was one of the only things he could eat in the morning. Pancakes and waffles brought on a feeling of sickness and unease if he was even in the vicinity of the foods, cereal was okay…sometimes. It was weird; it had never bothered him until around a year ago…a lot of things didn't happen until around a year ago but with his mother shooting daggers from the other side of the room, he had no time to dwell on that fact.

The ride to school was quiet, both lost in their own thoughts of the day ahead amongst other things, things that never seemed to be far from the front of their minds…things like dream catchers, diners and apples…weird.

"Okay so you want me to pick you up after school?" Emma asked as she pulled up the bug before the building, she narrowed her eyes at the place still not sure about why the place always gave her some sense of suspicion, her son had been coming here for a while now yet some days it felt as though he had never really attended this place…stupid though, she had memories of bringing him here, of watching his soccer matches on the field out back whilst cheering like a lunatic.

Henry noticed the glazed over look in his mother's eyes, it had been happening more and more recently yet he never commented, she didn't seem any different, just maybe a little sad when she zoned out. "No it's fine, I've got soccer practice, so I'll get the bus home" he smiled before moving to climb out when he heard the school bell ring.

"If you're sure?" she asked as he leaned in through the open window simply to roll his eyes at her and as always when he made the gesture, her heart fluttered for reasons completely unknown to her, it always did.

He smiled warmly at her before nodding, "I'm sure"

"Got your cell phone?" she raised her eyebrows in question as she watched his impatience grow, he hated being late for school, he hated being late for anything, something he had certainly not gotten from her or from his idiot of a father…but he must have, where else would he have gotten it from?

Sighing deeply he pulled the device from his coat pocket and waved it in her line of sight before returning it there, "can I go now?"

She laughed lightly before leaning over to muss his hair, earning a groan from her son as she did, "yep, go learn things boy!"

He gave one last smile before barrelling towards the entrance of his school; she could only laugh at his eagerness before pulling away from the pavement and back into the road. She had been left a lot of money by some unknown relative a while back; she had received the letter around 11 months ago and had been nothing if not completely shocked. She hadn't known of any other living people after her parents had died in her childhood leaving her orphaned. It was strange but not unwelcomed; it allowed her and Henry to have a comfortable living.

Her days were filled with running errands in the city, taking cooking classes in order to improve her limited cooking skills, lasagne had become her favourite dish to make and Henry's favourite to eat. She found it strange when he had suggested that it needed some sort of kick to it, looking in her cupboard she had found a shaker of red pepper flakes instantly knowing they would work. Both had moaned at the taste, it felt welcoming, comforting…it felt like home.

She would volunteer at the children's rec centre on Wednesdays and Fridays in order to allow them the same kind of memories that she had of her time spent at a children's home. She remembered laughing, remembered happiness but never felt it when she thought back. The images were there, the faces of those she had known yet she didn't feel anything. It was strange, the emptiness she felt accompanied by the constant ache of missing something yet she didn't know what.

The blonde would then spend the rest of the time she had alone cleaning the apartment and relaxing before Henry came home. He would usually be back around 5pm when he had soccer practice.

As 5:30pm rolled by Emma's stress levels increased slightly, she had tried his cell phone and it had gone without an answer…he always answered. She had always been reluctant about letting him take the bus home from school, she knew of the dangers of the city but also knew her son needed some level of responsibility and trust for her, she was regretting that now.

6pm neared and she had almost worn a hole in her floor with her relentless pacing before she moved to the kitchen counter and grabbed at her keys.

It was winter now meaning that the nights were drawing in; the air was icy as she left her building and practically ran to her bug. Her heart was pounding as she attempted to calm herself, he was fine, he probably just lost track of time playing. She had left a note on the door telling Henry where she was and to call her should they miss each other.

Her heart almost stopped as she approached the school building 15 minutes after leaving the warmth of her place, the building was in complete darkness, no sign of life there at all. From her place she could see the field flood lights had also been turned off meaning that soccer practice had most definitely ended, where the hell was her son?

Pulling out her phone she attempted to call again, only this time it went straight to voicemail, her blood ran cold. Henry always knew to have his phone fully charged and left on at all times. Emma's breathing was erratic as she pulled out and made her way back home praying to whatever higher power existed that her son would be there when she returned.

He wasn't…but someone else was. She had bounded up the stairs only stopping when she found a figure to be standing in front of her door, their hand raised to knock.

"Who are you?"

She was sure the woman would be suffering some form of whiplash judging by the speed at which her head snapped around. Emma's brow furrowed as a soft gasp escaped from full red lips, dark eyes scanning her face as though in recognition. Deep brown locks fell just below the woman's shoulders, her heels clicked against the tiles that made up the buildings floor, the sound was familiar, a heat ignited within her as her heart began fluttering in her heaving chest. She studied the face before her looking for answers…she didn't recognise this woman and from the sheer beauty of her, Emma knew she would have if she did in fact know her.

The brunette stopped an arms-length away from her, a gloved hand reached out to touch Emma's arm before retreating, obviously thinking better of it. Her grey coat fit the woman well, it hugged every delicious curve of her body and had the blonde not been too panicked about her son's whereabouts she would have taken the time to appreciate the slim form before her.

As it was though she simply moved past her to place her key in the lock, "look I'm really sorry, but I don't have time for this"

She didn't leave though, Emma's blood ran cold when she spoke, her voice low and sultry, it reverberated through every cell in the blonde's body. "He's not in there"

She turned abruptly and made to move towards the brunette, "what do you know?" her tone was deadly, obviously this stranger knew something about where Henry was and she was going to find out.

"You need to come with me," her tone was grave yet there was some urgency there.

"Not until you tell me where my son is!" she was shouting now, her voice unsteady with fear, what the hell was going on?!

The brunette held her hands out in a sign of surrender yet she didn't make to move away from Emma as she stalked towards her, "I will but right now there is no time, you need to come with me Emma!"

"How the hell do you know my name?" she was taken aback by the warmth that filled every syllable of her name spoken by this person before her.

"Oh, I know a lot more than just your name Emma Swan but right now I need you to come with me, our so- your son" she hoped the blonde didn't hear the slip up, now wouldn't do to explain everything that needed saying, "Henry is in danger and I need you to come with me right away"

At hearing the last sentence the blonde was instantly ready, "do I at least get to know your name?"

She nodded as she took Emma's arm and pulled the confused woman towards her, "you're going to have a lot of questions when you awaken," before the blonde's brow could even furrow in confusion at the words, a syringe had been pushed into her arm. Haziness instantly took over as she felt her legs weaken, the brunette caught her easily and led her body towards the ground, "but know this Emma Swan, we will find Henry and we will win"

Emma could only nod as she focused dumbly on the face inches away from her own, in her drugged state she could only slur the one word floating around her addled brain. Her hand threading through dark locks as she allowed sleep to take her, she could feel the woman's breath on her face and couldn't help but feel safe in her arms as she spoke a word of remembrance, a word of familiarity, a word allowing the brunette to keep faith that she could in fact do this…

"Regina…"