Regina-
The clearing was filled with pretty much everyone she wanted to avoid, just the sounds of their breathing was irritating, every question and bemused expression grated on her. They been here for over half an hour now, accomplished no more in the last twenty five minutes than in the first five, when both she and Rumple had confirmed magic had brought down the tree and was the cause of the snow and ice. The cold was seeping into her bones, making her head ache, she shivered, her coat doing nothing to ward off the chill emanating from the ground under her feet. She casted a heat spell on herself which helped a little, noticing Emma rubbing her hands together, Rumple didn't seem bothered, probably had cast the same spell she had, Hook in his ridiculous leather jacket and pants didn't seem affected nor Robin who was probably used to the cold, living outdoors. The thought almost made her laugh, he lived in a tent, she had lost her heart figuratively and physically over a man who lived in a tent, what the hell had she been thinking.
David was talking, asking Robin to keep an eye on the area, be on the look out for visitors lest the person or persons responsible returned, he was asking again the possible whys and who's, she herself snap "we've been through this, how many times are going to ask the same questions?, do you expect the answers to be different from five seconds ago? you starting to sound as dull as the flannel you are so fond of ". She bit back a smirk at the look of confusion on his face, they were all looking at her now with the exception of David who had turned his head away from her, he wasn't expecting her anger to be directed at him she realised, it had been a while since she had spoken to him in that tone and he hadn't deserved it, she would speak to him later in private and apologise she decided.
Rumple was smirking at her making her fingers itch, she longed to wipe that smirk from his face permanently. He opened his mouth to speak, she tensed knowing his next words would be for her, to tear into her open wound just like he had that night outside the diner, his taunting words running through her head for the hundredth time.
It had hurt then and it hurt now, worst still, she didn't understand why he had taunted her at all, what was his angle? she couldn't see one, except out right cruelty, she had apologised to Belle, given him her condolences over Neal's death, had he hoped to play her again? or was he just twisting the knife for his own amusement "what did you expect dearie?" "Do you recognise her? his real true love? you should do" "he will never forgive you" "no true love for you, out in the cold again, doesn't bother you though, does it?" She wouldn't let him see just how he'd upset her, not again, schooling her features into a expressionless mask, she looked him in the eye, he didn't disappoint "there is nothing more to be gained from standing out in the cold, I for one would like to get back to my wife and I'm sure you all would like to get back to your families" his tone was mild but his gaze on Robin and emphasive on family, deliberate, his words for her only, with that parting shot, he turned leaving the clearing. "David" pulling him to one side, she didn't want to walk back alone, didn't want Robin to accompany her, his intention to do so clear as he turned towards her, trying to catch her eye. Emma was watching Gold's retreat with a puzzled look on her face, turning to Regina with a question in her lips, she had caught Gold 's meaning and didn't look happy about it. This concern of Emma's should be a good thing but the thought of another chat was turning her stomach, she would take her chances with David, she grasped at David's elbow "I apologize for snapping at you".
David nodded his acceptance she could read the understanding in his eyes and she turned away from it, not waiting his compassion just his presence. Robin walked behind them, with Hook and Emma, she heard his low mummer in response to a question from Emma but she couldn't quite catch the words, the thick woods soaking up noise. David didn't talk to her, just held her arm as they tracked over the uneven ground, she was grateful to him for this. Her irritability of earlier had dissipated leaving behind a dull hollowness and a growing weariness.
Emma -
Killian had wanted to accompany her to Gold's but she had managed to talk him out of it, something was definitely up between Rumple and Regina and adding Hook into the mix would not help. Spotting Belle behind the counter, she broke onto a easy grin, "how's married life?" She smiled.
Belle returned the smile "rather wonderful actually" dipping her head and blushing a little, "what can I do for you Emma?" "Well actually, I wondered if Mr Gold had discussed the anomaly in the woods with you?" Belle nodded yes and immediately offered her help with research.
Belle directed Emma to the back of the shop to Gold, Emma was sure he would not be so helpful.
"Emma" he greeted "twice in one day, how lovely" "I'm here about Regina" Emma waited deliberately, wanting to gage his reaction.
"What is it you are after? poison, a sleeping curse or something a little darker?" Emma rolled her eyes "what's up with you two? Belle told me Regina apologised to her and she has accepted it"
"My wife has a kind and forgiving nature, I do not".
"So this is about the past?"
Rumple laughed "if only life was so simple and we could just live in the moment" he mused.
Emma frowned, the man was talking in riddles again she was beginning to suspect Gold was just enjoying tormenting Regina and she was about to give him more fuel for whatever fire he was lighting. Not gonna happen she thought, "do you have a spell to find something that is lost? Like a tracking spell but for a object rather than a person?" She asked.
"Regina is missing something?" he asked all narrowed eyes and suspicion.
"No" Emma denied "this is for me"
"What have you lost?"
"Not important, what's the price?"
Smiling Gold said "The price is Miss Swan is the truth".
Emma weighed her options, Regina had agreed to this but something was holding her back perhaps she should talk to her again but then how much time did they really have? Regina had been missing her heart for three days now and she hadn't looked good in the clearing, Emma had seen her shivering, she looked pale and tired, she would tell Gold she decided. She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, fishing it out, she apologised to Gold without looking at him, she had five missed calls from Henry and six texts asking her to call him. Worried she punched in his number "Henry?"
Her heart broke at the sound of his voice "Mom please, can you come to Regina's now" he begged.
Emma immediately started running out of the door, "Later" she told Gold, turning back to the phone "Henry what's wrong?"
She reached the house in record time, car door left open, she ran up the path to the white mansion, the door was open and the place was a mess. Henry stood motionless in the hall staring at the broken mirror on the floor, dustpan and brush hanging limply in his hands. She pulled him into a hug, "Henry tell me again what happened"? As she spoke she took the pan and brush from him and led him into the living room, eyes sweeping the room, the room was worst than the hall, the frames on the wall smashed, large slash through the strange horse painting above the fireplace, various ornaments shattered and broken on the floor.
Rubbing her son's shoulders she urged him again.
"We were supposed to go for lunch but when I got here, mom was asleep upstairs on her bed, I didn't want to wake her so I came back downstairs and thought I would make lunch instead. I thought maybe she was sick and" Emma's heart constricted at the hitch in his voice, poor Henry he didn't deserve this "I burnt the baguette a little, there was some smoke but it was fine but mom came downstairs and she just started shouting about the bread and how loud I was and how I had woken her up". He fell silent for a bit "she was really mad, I've never seen her that mad ever and then she was trying not to cry and said she was sorry and that she was just tired and I should go to Grandma and Grandpa's for lunch instead but I didn't want to go but she said she'd be fine, so I went and then I came back after lunch with some of that flowery tea that she likes but she wasn't here and the place was like this" "And you have phoned her?" Emma pushed a little.
Henry nodded "loads but her phone was in her room on silent".
"Henry" Emma paused "do you think that Regina did this?" gesturing at the room.
"It's the whole house" he said "even my room".