DISCLAIMER:: do not own. just borrowing for purpose of creative expression. no profit obtained.

A/N:: another update. the next one is also ready to go. the muse is blessedly still delivering. keep waiting for her to throw in the towel, but so far she's taking it all in stride. thank you for all the favouriting and reviews. the support has been great. enjoy and review.

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-Chapter 26: My Destination Makes It Worth The While-

Emma awoke to an empty bed, the covers piled over her as they had been tossed away by the bed's other occupants when they had awoken earlier. She sat up and stretched, climbing out of the bed and heading for the door.

She heard the laughter before she reached the common room. She paused at the end of the hall to look into the room, where Regina and James were both playing with Savya. The little girl was sitting on James's chest, growling at him while he was laying flat on his back on the rug pretending to be terrified. Regina snuck up behind the unsuspecting girl and scooped her up to a chorus of squeals of delight. She swung the girl in a circle as they both laughed. Emma felt tears sting her eyes. This was how life was supposed to be. This was what she deserved to have. But this would be short lived. Today, tomorrow, in a week, it didn't matter the time, they would have to leave this place. Her father would have to be captured by her husband, who was only growing crueler by the minute. Savya would not know this happiness on the road, not where they were going.

James stood and grabbed the girl from Regina's arms and began tickling her. She squealed and squirmed but didn't truly fight his hold.

It was then that the blonde's presence caught Regina's eye. She turned and, noticing the wetness in the blonde's eyes, she signaled to James to keep the little girl busy and she came to Emma, grabbing her hand and pulling her back down the hall to their bed chamber. "What's troubling you?"

Emma just shook her head and stepped into the woman's arms, burying her face against a strong shoulder. "I like it here."

Regina pressed her lips against soft blonde locks before stroking them soothingly. "It feels safe. But it is not home, and I think you know that."

Emma pulled away, shaking her head. "What is home Regina? It is not a place. Home is you. And you are here, are you not?" She frowned. "I want a family. I want to give that little girl what I couldn't give Henry; I want to be the mother she deserves. I want to marry you, the person I truly love rather than the person who my people see fit for me to love. I want my father to be a part of my life not just a presence in it. Tell me, do I want too much?"

Regina grabbed her face with both hands. "Never. You deserve all that and so much more Emma. And you shall have it! We shall have it! I promise you. It will be ours one day. But not today." She leaned in and pressed her lips softly to the blonde's. "Hate and anger seem formidable foes. They are terrible, ugly things that suck everything in their path into darkness. But their power is nothing compared to love. True love is the most powerful magic of all. True love weathers all things, time, distance, even death. It is the only thing in this world, or any other, that is truly immortal. And this Emma, this love we have… it is the truest thing I have ever known."

Emma didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Regina's words. No one had ever loved her so much. She felt as if her heart were full to bursting, its seams stretched to the absolute limit of what they could handle. It strengthened her resolve that she would choose this world when the time came. Her time to be the mother Henry needed had already past, as had the time to have a mother of her own. It would be hard, but she would never choose to give Regina up.

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Velia waved at another guard as he trekked past, smiling and batting her eyelashes for good measure. She had yet to have one approach, but there were three who went out of their way to conveniently stroll down the lane that ran by Madam Zolta's cart every ten minutes or so. She recognized all three. Two of them were just regular guards, but the third was Radley, another one of Hadrian's personal guard. Unlike Killian, Radley had always been kind to her. He remained close to Hadrian because he had saved the King once as a boy from an arrow. Radley had a nasty scar across his right arm for his trouble as well as Hadrian's friendship. He was her ticket in.

Madam Zolta leaned in close to her ear. "If they don't stop doing such unspeakable things to you with their eyes, I may not be able to maintain my composure much longer. You are mine and they want to trespass."

Velia smiled to herself. She had learned quickly not to focus on the outward appearance of the woman with her, but to picture the brunette instead. If not, it just got too weird. "Don't worry my love. I belong to you alone."

She stepped away from the older woman as she saw Radley round the corner and make his way towards their cart. Time for action. If he wasn't going to approach her, she'd just have to make the first move. She was a gypsy after all, a race known for their boldness. She stepped directly into his path a moment before he reached their cart. "Greetings sir. I was wondering if you might help settle an argument between two stubborn gypsies?"

He eyed her warily before finally giving a quick nod. "I suppose."

She gave him a bright smile. "Wonderful." She turned to the cart and grabbed two jars. She had no idea what was actually in them, but she knew it wasn't harmful, so she was willing to risk it. "My grandmother and I were debating which one of these oils is better on the skin. You see, this one is hers, she made it from nettleberry juice, abolt root, and rekcarc seed." She gestured for him to hold out his hand, which he did cautiously. She poured some of the mysterious liquid and rubbed it on top of his right hand quickly. "But this…" She picked up the other bottle. "This is of my own invention. It's made from Ixis stone, ground into a fine powder, kaltok plant oil, and a…" She leaned in conspiratorially. "Secret ingredient." She grabbed his left hand and poured some of the oil into his hand and slowly massaged it, taking her time to rub it in to every inch of skin, all the while batting her eyelashes and blushing flirtatiously at him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Madam Zolta grip the edge of the cart so hard, her knuckles turned white. It sent a race of pleasure through her to see the subtle display of jealousy. She knew that under the disguise the brunette was seething.

"This one is, um, quite preferable."

She smiled, cheekily looking over her shoulder. "See grandmother, I told you." She turned back to Radley. "She never trusts my skills. It's why she won't let me come here on my own yet."

He inclined his head in a sign of respect to Madam Zolta. "Well, pardon me for saying so mi'lady, but I do believe you're mistaken in not trusting Miss…"

"Velia." The violet-eyed gypsy grinned.

"Miss Velia." The grin he gave her and the soft way he said her name let her know she'd caught him hook, line, and sinker.

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"Can I get you a drink mi'lady?" Radley sat her down at a bench at one of the empty tables, of which there were many, in the inn. Hadrian had paid the owner to clear most of the riff raff out while him and his men boarded there. A few regulars were still allowed inside on the recommendation of the owner that they wouldn't be bothersome, but all others were turned away until such time as the King vacated the city. It was this that had caused her need for seducing one of Hadrian's men. The lower officers and guards, since there was but limited room at the inn, camped at the edge of the city. But Hadrian and his personal guard had the run of the establishment.

She nodded. "Many thanks."

As soon as he disappeared, she surveyed the nearly empty room. There were several officers sitting in small groups here and there. A couple regulars had taken a far table. And then there was the man she was looking for, the only one sitting by himself. He was tucked away into a far corner of the room, barely visible behind some stacked barrels of mead. Perfect.

She checked to make sure the guards weren't paying attention to her and she got up, approaching the man's table. She slid onto the bench across from him.

He didn't look up from his tankard. "You seem to have found yourself at the wrong table."

"Quite the opposite, Huntsman."

He finally looked up at her, but his expression was one of boredom and annoyance. "I frequent the encampments. The fact that you know me gypsy, surprises me not. I am intrigued as to why I've never seen you before." He didn't really look intrigued.

She placed her index and middle fingers of her right hand to her lips and then placed them over her heart.

He didn't repeat the gesture, merely smirked in amusement. "A loyalist are you? I thought your kind had long since faded out or gone underground. It matters not. I haven't been in the Evil Queen's employment in twenty eight years. Move on and bother me no longer."

"She had a feeling you'd be reluctant." Velia shrugged as if it meant little to her whether he cooperated or not. "She said, if you were less than cooperative, to give you this." She placed a vial on the table.

He reached for it, picking up the small bottle and uncorking it. He held it under his nose and immediately drew back from it, holding it away as if it meant him harm. A thin line of smoke drew out from the vial, dark purple in hue. It slithered to the Huntsman, sliding into his nostrils. A second later he winced in pain, clutching at his chest. His eyes grew wide and for a second Velia thought his heart had stopped beating, but he was breathing just fine. He stared at her with those wide eyes. "She's truly back?"

Velia nodded. "She is."

The Huntsman paled. "Gods save us all."

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The outdoor market was long closed by the time Velia left the inn, so she set out for the safe house. Radley had offered to accompany her back but she'd politely declined him with a kiss on the cheek. The last thing she needed to do was lead the Royal Army right to their position.

Once she entered the house the first thing she was greeted by was Regina's voice, speaking softly. The brunette sat in the armchair with Savya on her lap, reading to her from a book. Both looked up as she closed the door. Regina waved a hand and Emma felt that familiar tingle that indicated she was returning to her true form.

"How did it go?"

Emma shrugged. "As you predicted, I had to resort to the vial. But that did the trick."

Regina nodded. She leaned down to Savya. "Why don't you go wash up for supper my sweet?"

Savya nodded, kissed Regina's cheek and slid down from Regina's lap. She ran over and gave Emma a quick hug before disappearing to go wash up.

Emma crossed the room and stole the position on Regina's lap that the little girl had just vacated. "Motherhood suits you."

Regina smiled. "I almost had a daughter once."

Emma hadn't heard anything about this. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What happened to her?"

Regina smirked. "I fell into a deep sleep, she grew older, and one day, she came for me."

Emma frowned, trying to piece it together, and then the realization hit her. "Surely you can't mean me?"

Regina nodded. "I knew I wanted you from the moment I saw you in that crib. I wanted to enfold you in my arms and protect you from everything bad in the world. I loved you even then, though I didn't realize what that meant at the time. I had long thought myself unable to ever love again. I couldn't see past me, until I saw you."

Emma leaned in and captured the older woman's lips, her hand cupping the woman's cheek and drawing her face closer to prolong the kiss.

When they finally broke apart, Regina's eyes were closed. She sucked her full lower lip into her mouth and let out a contented sigh before opening them. "I could live an eternity and never tire of that."

Emma smiled. "When I'm with you, I don't know how I survive each night without you. You are all I want." She was about to lean in for another kiss when a throat cleared behind them.

The women looked up to see James standing awkwardly at the far side of the room. "Supper is served."

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"You don't have to wait with me. It's late." Regina rubbed her arms to ward of the night's chill. They had a fire going but the hearth was on the far side of the room and they were glued next to the window, waiting for him to arrive.

"If I grow weary, I will retire." Emma wrapped her arms around Regina from behind, pressing her body against the brunette's back, trying to act as a personal space heater.

Regina leaned back into the embrace for a moment before she stiffened and pulled from the the younger woman's arms. "He's here. I can sense him. For now, you are not the Queen." She waved her hand and Emma became Velia. "Until we're sure he can help us, I will not have him know your true identity."

The was a soft knock at the door.

Regina moved to answer it but Velia held up a tan hand. "I'm the servant here, let me." She moved to the door and opened it, ushering the hooded man in.

"We're you followed?" Regina glanced suspiciously out the window.

"Come now Your Majesty, you know me better than that. Besides, I have a feeling the protection spell you have around this place would have alerted you to anyone with malicious intent."

The Evil Queen, for that's the air Regina had adopted like a second skin, stared at him in amusement. "I am pleased to see you remember so well even after all these years."

"How could I forget my enslaver?" He looked at Velia and her protective stance, at the ready to jump between him and the Evil Queen should he try anything. "I see you're still bedding the help."

The Evil Queen pulled Velia close, kissing her roughly and then pushing her away. "Servants have their purposes, don't you, my pet?"

She saw that Regina risked letting the apology fill her eyes before they clouded over to blackness, her only proof that this was all part of the show.

"I live to serve, My Queen." She downcast her eyes, like slave girls are taught.

The Evil Queen brushed her aside. "There's a good pet."

The Huntsman frowned. "I see twenty eight years has changed you not."

"Quite the contrary dear. It has changed me. It has made me hunger more for the vengeance that was denied me."

The Huntsman frowned. "But Snow White is dead or haven't you heard? Your vengeance was completed long ago."

The Evil Queen acquiesced with a small nod of her head. "It is true that the object of my loathing has been destroyed, but it has never just been about taking her life, has it? I wanted her happiness. My revenge is not complete yet. The former King… her beloved Charming is long since succumbed to the madness of his memories. Killing him would be to do him a service. No, I will leave him as he is… but there is a daughter."

The Huntsman frowned, his eyes widening. "You wish to kill the Queen?"

The Evil Queen laughed coldly. "I wish to complete what I set out to do decades ago." She looked thoughtful. "But first, I must take back what is mine. I hear dear old Rumpel has made himself at home for far too long. I think it's time I dropped in."