A/N: Final chapter. I hope you all enjoyed reading this one. It was fun to write.
Regina entered the sheriff's station, going directly to Emma's office. Emma got to her feet immediately.
"What are you doing here?" Emma said. "You should be resting."
Regina waved her off from coming closer and took a seat. "I have had my fair share of resting," she said. "I am tired from resting. I am feeling fine – even with this," she said holding up her wrist which was now in a cast from where it had broken.
"So does that mean you came here to visit?" Emma smiled.
"Not with you," she said. "I want to speak to him."
"Absolutely not."
"He is entitled to visitors I believe, and I want to speak to him."
"In my mind he isn't entitled to anything."
"I understand why you feel that way, but Emma I need to do this."
Emma looked down at her desk finally shaking her head. "I think you should go home and rest. If you have some desire to face him let it be in court."
"Emma …"
"Regina, he was going to let you die!"
"I know which is why I need to speak to him. There are things I want to say to him."
"Like what? What could you possibly have to say to him?"
"The same thing I would like to say to all of them – all of the others who helped him – and that is that I forgive him."
"What!" this time Emma did get up and come around the desk to face Regina. "How can you even consider forgiving him? He was experimenting on you. He made you sick again. He admitted that he would have done it over and over again given the chance all in the name of research. What he did was unforgivable."
"No it isn't. Things I have done are unforgivable yet people have forgiven me. Your mother, your father, people in this town, even you have forgiven me for things I have done. Whether you like it or not, I do understand Victor. I know what it is like to turn blinders on to everything else in pursuit of a goal you believe to be just. I need to forgive him for this so I don't fall back into the trap of being the woman who would do anything for vengeance."
"You aren't that person anymore."
"And perhaps I was never meant to be," she said looking away. Emma knelt down in front of her, putting a hand on Regina's knee.
"I know all of this has been more than a little crazy, and if you really want to speak to him, you know I am going to let you, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"Thank you."
"Oh, don't think I won't be standing there right beside you when you speak to him," she said standing. "Wait here, I will bring him to one of the interview rooms."
Regina stayed there as Emma left thinking about how things had changed so much in such a short amount of time. She could still feel where Emma had put a hand on her. When she had woken in the hospital Emma had been there at her bedside with Henry. She had smiled at both of them, especially when Henry asked if Emma was going to be moving in with them. Regina had laughed but she knew there were serious topics that Emma and her would need to talk about. It was clear from Henry's remark that others now knew that Emma and she were true loves.
When Emma leaned over and kissed her she thought about how right it felt.
Emma explained to her what she had pieced together about Regina's disappearance, her illness, and then she seemed uncomfortable discussing how she had tried finding Regina – using their connection. There was still a lot Emma didn't know about magic, but even Regina didn't have a definitive explanation for why her magic was now intertwined with Emma's.
And while Emma hadn't moved in, there hadn't been a day that they hadn't seen each other – mostly Emma coming over to her place as she continued to insist that Regina needed to take it easy.
She continued her musings until Emma came and got her. She asked Regina one last time if she was sure she wanted to do this. Regina nodded yes.
Still as she entered the room she took a deeper breath as Dr. Whale sneered at her. Emma had kept the handcuffs on him, which were now attached to the table. Regina sat down across from him while Emma stood behind her.
"Come to gloat?" he said when she remained silent.
"No," she said softly. "I came hoping we could talk and maybe come to an understanding. I don't hate you Victor. I don't hate you for what you tried to do. I have spent too much of my life torn up by hate and I am done with it. I hope you can believe that."
"I wouldn't believe there was a sun if you told me there was one."
"You have no reason to believe it I guess, but it doesn't make it any less true. You were right before when you said we were a lot a like. I know now you were just saying it to get on my good side in order to keep me near so you could experiment on me but it doesn't make it less true. You lost someone Victor, just like I did. And just like I did you were willing to do anything to bring that person back." She paused. "I never really thanked you properly for trying with Daniel, but let me say it now. Thank you. You tried your best even as I took you from your world – took you from the one you were trying to bring back. For that I am sorry."
"I can do it. I can bring my brother back, I can bring Daniel back. The things I have learned from how your brain activated during the fever, the way your magic interacts with your cells, with enough time I can do it."
"I don't want you to do it," she said. "Daniel is dead. I had to see him die twice and the last time he told … he told me I need to find love again." She looked back at Emma. "It's taken me decades to realize that Daniel shouldn't be here, shouldn't be alive. He died and nothing I can do can change that nor should it. I loved him with all my heart but I had no right to take that love for him and corrupt it with hate. He wouldn't have liked who I became and I don't like who I became. If I have to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to people, I will, even you. So this is what I am going to say to you. I forgive you. Whether you want to accept that is your decision, but know that when I walk out of here, as long as you never try and harm me or those I care about ever again I have no quarrel with you. I intend to tell the judge the same thing. You are skillful doctor – one which is needed here in Storybrooke. I am going to ask the judge that he give you and your co-conspirators nothing more than community service."
"What!" Emma said. Regina turned to look at her but Emma pulled her up from the chair and out of the door.
"You don't need to manhandle me," Regina said.
"Sorry," she said. "But I must have been hearing you wrong in there. Community service? You can't be serious."
"I am very serious," she said.
"Why?"
"I'm tired …"
"Which is why I said you needed to be at home resting."
"No. Not tired in that sense," Regina sighed. "I am tired of being the Evil Queen. No, don't interrupt. If this whole ordeal has taught me anything it is that despite what was done to me by Gold and my mother, I made bad choices. I am tired of being the one who makes bad choices. I need to start looking at the world differently. I need to stop being at odds with everyone around me. I need to start forging a path that I can happy on, and I hope you are going to be with me on that path."
Regina stepped closer and placed a chaste kiss on Emma's lips.
"Please, tell me I have your support,"
Emma pulled in her closer and gave her a deeper kiss. "I will support you, but it doesn't mean I have to like it and if the judge does let them off with just community service then I will be keeping my eye on them and my eyes on you. I will keep you safe this time."
"You kept me safe this time."
"Hardly."
"No, you did. When I was hallucinating … I think I felt you when you searching for me and I reacted to it. Without that you would probably not have been able to catch that glimpse of the hospital through my eyes. You are the reason I am alive Emma, and I am never going to take that for granted."
They shared one more kiss before returning to the room. Dr. Whale was still giving her a look that told her that he didn't appreciate her presence. She knew it was a lost cause, but she had to try.
"Like I said community service is what I am going to tell the judge to give you. Don't think I am doing you some magnanimous favor because if the judge allows it and you are allowed back in the hospital you have a long way to go. If you don't want people to think of you as Dr. Frankenstein then you need to give them a reason not to think that. You may never look at me and see anyone but the Evil Queen and I accept that. But I hope there comes a time when I can look at you and see only you Victor."
He didn't respond and she indicated to Emma that she was done and Emma took Dr. Whale back to his cell. When she returned Regina was still sitting there staring at the wall.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes," Regina said, standing up. "I just … I hope he does change. It's possible."
"I know," Emma smiled.
Regina moved closer to her, placing a hand on her arm. "Do you think that you and I would have ended up like this if …"
"What does it matter how we ended up this way?" Emma said. "We are here, together and I may be overstepping my bounds a bit, but I think you are pretty ok with that."
Regina smiled at her, "You have an odd mixture of ego and cuteness, do you know that?"
"I am not sure anyone has ever described me like that."
"Doesn't make me wrong."
This time Emma smiled. "You better go home and rest," she said. "I will be by later."
"I fully expect you to be," she said walking past her. "Oh and Miss Swan, bring something beside pizza or cheeseburgers for dinner, unless of course you want to lift my cooking ban."
"I can do tacos," Emma said.
…
Later that night, Emma, Henry and Regina sat around the table eating dinner – Emma having picked up some lasagna from a local Italian eatery.
"I can't wait to cook again," Regina said.
"I thought you liked the lasagna from this place," Emma said.
"I do and I am grateful for you bringing it, but cooking is more than just having a good meal. I actually enjoy it. Frankly there is no reason why I can't do it now."
"I know, but maybe I like having the excuse of food to come over here and spend time with you and Henry."
"You don't need an excuse," Regina said putting her hand on top of Emma's. "You are welcome here any time."
"Are you two going to be like this all the time?" Henry asked.
"Like what?" Emma said.
"All nice and whatever with each other."
"You don't want us to be nice to each other?"
"It's not that. I want you to be happy and I think it's really cool that you two are like each other's true loves, but it's going to be strange if you two never argue."
Regina laughed, "I am sure there are more than a few arguments in our future."
"Hey," Emma protested.
"Seriously Miss Swan, the first time you try to take me on a date in that yellow monstrosity or pick me up wearing that red think you call a jacket, there will be an argument."
Emma knew Regina was joking – maybe half joking – but she wasn't going to back down either. "You know true love means being more accepting of the other person."
"I don't accept that you can't afford a nicer car or a better jacket."
"Oh, I could. But why get rid of things I like and things that have the potential to annoy you," she smiled.
"I don't suppose it really matter since you haven't actually asked me on a date."
"Why do I need to be the one to ask?"
"I am mayor my dear, I don't ask people on dates, I get asked."
"Well maybe I have no plans on asking you out. Maybe since you kissed me first you should ask me out."
"You kissed her first?" Henry asked.
"Technically. But I was also sick with a temperature of more than a 100. I could have kissed a horse and not known it."
"Oh, I guarantee you I kiss better than a horse," Emma said getting up and clearing the plates. "You won't be experiencing it again unless you ask me out."
"I not asking you out," Regina said.
"I am not asking you out either," Emma said.
"Why not?"
"The principle of the matter."
"What principle is that?"
"I don't know but I am sticking to it."
"You are highly aggravating."
"I am sure you will learn to love that side of me," Emma said winking at Henry, who looked on in amusement.
"I am not going to love any part of you unless you ask me out."
"Too late you already love me,"
"That's a matter of opinion."
"No it's not," Emma said crossing her arms and facing her. "Just ask me out. You will feel better for it, I promise."
"Absolutely not."
…
Tink waited for Regina to get to Granny's a week later for breakfast. Regina entered and slipped into the booth across from her.
"How was the date?" Tink asked.
"Amazing," she beamed.
"Details, I want details."
Regina told her how Emma had taken her out of town to a fancy restaurant on the coast where they had a dance floor and a live band played all night – mostly music for an older generation to slow dance to, but the first time they danced together it was more than Regina could have dreamed of. Afterward they had returned home to Regina's – having the house to themselves as Henry stayed with the Charmings – and they spent the rest of the evening talking.
"Just talking?" Tink inquired.
"Yes. It was the first date after all," Regina responded. "Although there was certainly kissing."
Tink clapped her hand. "Aren't you glad you asked her out?"
"I still maintain that she should have asked, but yet I am glad."
"It is so good to you smiling so much"
"I owe a lot of that to you," Regina said. "You've been such a good friend to me Tink and I want you to know I appreciate it. I appreciate that you are willing to give me another chance."
"Does this make me your best friend?"
"Yes, if you want to be,"
"Yay!" Tink said clapping her hands again.
…
Weeks passed by and Regina fully recovered from her second bout of fever and her bones had healed up. She was back to work and things had gotten back to normal – well as normal as things could be in Storybrooke.
Things with Emma had been progressing as they were now officially dating, an announcement that had Tink jumping up and down for joy. They were walking hand-in-hand after having dinner out when they saw another couple headed in their direction – Gold and Belle. Regina hadn't had contact with Gold since that day in her office.
"Are you ok?" Emma said noticing Regina tense up as they approached.
"As long as you are here, I am fine."
The two couples ended up stopping in front of each other.
"Hi Emma, hi Regina," Belle said.
They both exchanged hellos back to her although Regina immediately turned her attention to Gold after saying it. "I see you are back on you feet as always," Gold said to her.
"Yes," she said. "Mostly due to the support of Emma, Henry and Tink."
"You see sheriff that I had nothing to do with her disappearance," he said, taking a tone of authority.
"You're right. I apologize," Emma said.
"We're just glad it all worked out, that you are ok," Belle said, even though the Regina could tell that wasn't what Gold was thinking.
"Well, we should get going," Emma said.
"Yes, we should. Have a good evening," Regina said to them, and they moved past them but then Regina stopped to turn back toward them.
"Oh Rumpelstiltskin," Regina said causing him and Belle to turn. "Since you are the foremost expert in magic around, I thought it might interest you to know that ever since I woke up in the hospital my ability to access my light magic has increased a hundred-fold. It's almost as if I've been using it all my life."
"Is there a point Regina," he said acting bored.
"Actually there is," she said stepping closer to him and staring at him. "My light magic is also a hundred times stronger than my dark magic ever was. There is no doubt in my mind if that if anyone were to try and cross paths with me at this point in my life that my magic and determination are more than a match for it."
"Is that some sort of veiled threat?"
"Not at all. I have no reason to threaten you or Belle or anyone else. You see I am finally on the way to being the person I should have been all along. You and my mother cast a curse on me to steal my destiny and your manipulations along the way helped me make more than my fair share of poor decisions – including what I did to Belle," she turned to Belle a moment. "Again which I am eternally sorry for the hurt I caused you. My point Rumple is that I am done with whatever this has been between us. I am done being hurt by you and hurting you. I wish to move past it and I hope you can too. My point is if you don't want to move past it, that is your choice. Again not a threat, but this is promise to you – if you make a move against me, against Henry, against Emma or anyone else for that matter, I will show you just how strong my magic has become."
"You think you are a match for me now?"
"No, I am better than you because I have embraced my real life and this woman here beside me, who has magic just as strong as mine, I have faith that she will have my back. And more importantly I am no longer afraid of you," she smiled. "After all, I had dinner with Emma's parents the other night, and if I could face them well there is nothing I could possibly be afraid of when it comes to you."
She put her hand out for a handshake, "let's call an end to it. All of it. Here and now."
He looked down at her hand put his arm around Belle, "Let's go." Belle gave one last look at Regina and Emma and let Rumple lead her away.
Emma her own arm around Regina.
"You faced him."
"I did," Regina smiled. "It felt good."
Emma gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I am proud of you. Not just for facing him, but for all of it. For choosing to be this person and choosing to accept me in your life."
"I am not sure either of us had much choice after that kiss in the stables, but for once I am ok with letting destiny dictate something for me."
"Good, now let's finish our walk," Emma said.
They continued their walk and were quiet for a few moments.
"By the way, dinner with my parents was not that scary."
"Easy for you to say my dear. I am pretty sure if your parents knew we've had sex that they would have burned me at the stake in the town square."