Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Spoilers: Same as before

A/N: I know what everyone's thinking. No way Neal's getting off so easily.

"When karma comes back to punch you in the face, I wanna be there…just in case it needs help."

-Unknown

Chapter 10: Vengeance

She'd told Emma she'd let it go. She told her that she wouldn't bother Neal, promised that she'd leave the sperm donor alone, but as she watched the man exit Granny's, watching from the side of the building, in the alley, she wondered if she could keep her promise. He was walking around her town like he hadn't done anything wrong. How could the fool act like nothing had happened? How could he forget that he'd made unwanted advances on Emma and had sent the blonde into two flashbacks in the span of 3 days? She wasn't too keen on having the Savior thrown into another one. Besides that, who knew what he might accidentally do to Henry if he got angry. Her anger flared at the thought of a hand being laid on her little prince.

She had to keep her family safe, even if that meant they would hate her. And she didn't doubt they would. Henry wouldn't understand why she would hurt his father, thinking she was in the wrong and would see her as who she would always be: The Evil Queen. And Emma…Gods, Emma…would see it of a betrayal of her trust. She didn't want that. She wanted their love, but keeping them safe was what mattered. With those thoughts still fresh in her mind, Regina reached out and grabbed the man as he was walking by the alley. She didn't hear his coffee cup drop, the liquid pouring onto the ground, didn't hear his surprised gasp, didn't hear anything except the sound of his body colliding with the wall as she roughly shoved him against it. Her name came out in a surprised, choked voice, and she felt a malicious smirk slip onto her face.

Her voice came out with a mix of anger and enthrallment, "We need to have a little chat, Mr. Cassidy." He wasn't going anywhere near her family, consequences be damned.

Emma let out a sigh as she stepped under the shower's warm spray. She'd been pleasantly surprised when Regina had told her about the shower stalls in the basement of the Sheriff's station, though if she was honest with herself, she was shocked that she hadn't about them. How long had she been Sheriff and not known?

Mentally shaking her head, she attempted to focus back on her shower; she stood under the spray, gazing hard at the wall in front of her. Her cheek stung, and if she looked in a mirror, she wouldn't be surprised to see a red mark. She wanted to be angry at Neal, she truly did, but what Regina said made sense: her anger at Neal would influence Henry's willingness to want to get to know his father. And as much as she disliked her ex for what he did, Henry deserved to know his father if he wanted to. It wasn't like he needed to.

She frowned softly at that thought. Henry did need to know his father. He had every right to. Yes, she'd lied to him about Neal being dead, but it had been to protect both of them: her because the betrayal had still been fresh in her mind and Henry because…well, she wanted him to think of his father as a hero and not a con-artist who betrayed her. Had she been wrong?

As she pondered that thought, she reached down to grab her shampoo bottle, but stopped short, shooting a hand out to steady herself while her other tenderly cradled her stomach as a sharp pain shot through it. She drew in a breath through her nose, trying to regulate her breathing. With everything that was going on, she could almost forget about her sexual assault. Hell, had it not been for the flashbacks, she could almost imagine it hadn't. Though, she grit her teeth harshly as she looked down at herself, seeing the small trickle of blood that was starting to slide down her thighs, this was unexpected.

She slipped to her knees, shuddering under the warm spray, watching as the traces of blood mixed with water, creating a watery pink as it ran into the drain. Briefly, she wondered why she hadn't noticed the lingering pain down there, but with the amount of time she'd been either asleep or with her family, she hadn't had time to feel pain.

She looked down at herself, feeling like a failure. I should've fought back. Cora shouldn't have been able to get near her. If she had done something different, had gone through the portal with Snow when she had the chance, this wouldn't have happened…

Dimly, she was aware of her magic spiking. Her fingers dug into her thighs, trying to calm down.

Magic is emotion. Isn't that was Regina had said?

Breathe. Breathe. Slowly she began to calm down; she rose shakily to her feet, her hand in front of her for balance.

"Should you really be showering so early in the day, Sheriff?"

She'd never been more glad for a shower curtain. She very nearly screamed, and had it not been for the hand she clapped over her mouth, she would have. Her surprise quickly gave way to annoyance.

"I'm on lunch break, Gold," she was glad her voice didn't shake, "Whatever you need will have to wait."

"Bae came into the shop looking…well, let's just say I want Regina arrested for assault and leave it at that."

She rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but feel angry at Regina, "I'm sure whatever happened, it doesn't warrant Regina being arrested."

"She accosted my son!" Gold growled out, angrily, and she had to resist the urge to flinch.

"I'm in the shower," She tried her best to keep her voice from shaking. Purple smoke, a shade darker than Regina's, surrounded her suddenly. When it cleared, she's standing in front of Gold, wrapped in the towel she had set out for herself, water dripping off her. She clutched the towel against her, stepping back. The shower continued behind her, and she wanted nothing more than to get back under it, "What the hell?"

Gold speaks, his voice softer, "And now you're not."

"I'm not arresting Regina," He watched, a frown on his lips as she held the towel tighter, a self-conscious look in her eyes, "She didn't hurt him or you'd be calling for her execution."

He sighed softly, turning away, "Very well. I'll go talk to her myself."

"Gold…" Emma began, her eyes hardening as she took a step forward.

"Careful Rumple," a smirk slipped onto his face, turning to watch as Regina stepped away from the wall from where she no doubt watched the scene play out, a warning tone in her voice, "Don't allow my punishment for your son get in the way of what really matters."

He regarded her, taking in her slightly bloody knuckles, and felt conflicted. If he let this go, he would be letting down Bae. His son was as important to him as Belle. But Regina really was like a daughter to him, a woman who had been hurt and abused by her mother, and as much as he hated to admit it, he'd taken advantage of her too, by corrupting and twisting her into the Evil Queen. He took in the harsh red blemish on the Savior's cheek.

I may have hurt Emma, Papa. I slapped her…just once Papa, I swear…but Regina…Regina went overboard.

At the time, taking in his son's black eye and swollen face, he'd been enraged. But now, he was starting to see the better picture.

"Very well, Regina." He nodded to both of them before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Regina turned the blonde, trying to keep her expression neutral, but the look that Emma gave her, her face clouded with anger and hurt, made her heart clench.

"You said that you would let it go."

"He needed to be taught a lesson." She said, voice strong despite the pain she felt.

"No, he didn't."

"Yes," she hissed out, taking a step forward, "he did. He struck you. He could do the same to Henry, and I know you know it."

Emma's voice softened with her expression, "You're the one who said Henry should decide for himself. You said it was his choice whether or not he wanted to see Neal," Emma stepped closer, a sad smile on her lips, "God, Regina, look what you did to your hand."

"I changed my mind."

"Damn it, Regina," Emma examined her hand carefully, "can't just…I…Henry should decide for himself. You can't go beating up people."

She shook her head softly, pressing a finger to Emma's lips to keep her from talking, "Emma, it wasn't just for Henry. It was for you too," she took a step back, lowering her hand, "It's best that he stays away. From Henry. From you. I want to keep the two of you safe, my dear."

"Regina…"

"I know you don't want to let me," She replied softly, "I know you're used to taking care of yourself. So am I, but we have to start relying on each other. For Henry. For each other. It's going to be hard, but you and I, Emma, we can do anything."

"I…I get what you're saying, Regina, but…"

She felt her heart drop into her stomach, "But?"

"I'd really rather have this conversation after my shower."

She took in the blonde's stance, one hand wrapped around her stomach while the other held the towel tighter, and took a step away, "Of course, Emma," her smile felt strained, but her voice was devoid of emotion, of vulnerability. Foolish, she thought with a frown, trying to have a heart-to-heart when the person she wants to talk to is traumatized by multiple assaults by a sadistic woman, "I'll be…"

"Regina," Warmth shot into her hand from where Emma held it tightly. Green eyes met sepia, "don't go. I'll be done in a few minutes."

She nodded, "I'll wait upstairs."

It's hours later when Emma gets the call about a disturbance in the nunnery. It was barely four, and even though she had a sinking feeling, she grabbed her gun and badge and headed out. When she entered the nunnery, her gut…when was she going to learn to ignore it…led her down into the basement. The super-charge of magic energy was immense, but the moment she laid eyes on the large supply of fairy dust, she froze, "What the hell?"

She pulled out her phone, her hand hovering over her speed dial. Before she had a chance to hit send,she felt something solid hit her in the back of her head and then there was nothing but darkness.

She came to slowly, and the first thing she saw (the only thing if she was honest with herself) was the magic well. The glowing magic well. No, her mind was fuzzy, but she knew that the well should not be glowing.

.

"What the hell?"

A/N: I am soooooo soooo sorry this took so long! Please forgive me! College hates me, I swear. Tell me your thoughts on the premiere and what you thought with this chapter.

Hime no Kowai Shumi