Chapter 8
Emma texted the main core of people she thought could contribute the most to this little 'affection elixer' as Zelena called it. The number of people that carried any sort of affection towards Regina was already limited, but as it was she didn't want to go getting too many people involved, lest the plan not work. She sent out a mass text to Snow, Charming (whom she knew would bring Henry), Archie and Granny. The message read as follows:
"Friends. I need your help with something urgent. Please meet me at Regina's family vault in one hour. This is CONFIDENTIAL."
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Emma stood in Whale's office with her arms crossed, waiting rather impatiently for him to arrive. When he did he tweaked a smile before walking around and sitting at his desk. "What can I do for you Sheriff?"
"I need to take Regina's body," she stated.
Whale just looked up at her, fingers pressed together. He smiled and scoffed. "No."
Emma raised both eyebrows and shifted her weight. "Excuse me?"
Whale lifted his arms defensively. "I can't just go releasing dead bodies to anyone who asks, its...unethical."
Emma scoffed. "This coming from the guy who collected hearts to put into his dead brother's chest?"
Whale gritted his teeth and released a breath. "Regardless. I'm afraid the answer is no."
"You saw her, the body is still warm! There is something else going on here, and we need to bring her to her vault so we can fix it."
"Bring whatever you need here," he said quickly.
"That's a waste of time. It's much easier to bring her to it, rather than the other way around."
Whale considered for a moment before shaking his head. "I'm afraid I can't do what you're asking."
Emma paused for a moment. She shifted her weight, simultaneously pushing her jacket aside, revealing the badge hooked to her belt buckle. She laid her hand next to it. Once Whale's eyes travelled from it up to her, she responded. "I'm not asking."
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As the orderlies started to fetch Regina's body from the ambulance, Emma walked down the stairs of the vault. She didn't know she left an irate Regina behind to supervise and berate the unknowing souls as to how they need to take better care of her body. The sound of two voices reached her ears and caused her pace to slow. She strained to make out what was going on.
Zelena. And the Blue Fairy. They were disagreeing about something. Emma reached the bottom of the stairs, as far as she felt she could go without being detected. She stopped and listened.
"...the truth," she heard from Blue.
"She's not ready," Zelena insisted.
"...theory is even true," Blue was much quieter than Zelena. Emma could barely make out what she was saying.
"Well, this is how we find out, isn't it? If you're right, no harm done. If I'm right, well then. There's our solution," Zelena insisted.
"...not a solution...still has to...," Damn that church mouse for being so soft spoken. The sound of the orderlies clamoring down the stairs behind her distracted Emma from Zelena's response.
"...push her away...on her own," was all she heard from Zelena.
By this time, the two women had heard the clumsy approach of Regina's body, and as such ended their conversation abruptly. Emma appeared around the corner looking mighty suspicious but did not comment. The two women just glanced at each other.
"You imbeciles! Do you have any idea what I'll do to you if you damage my body in any way? I mean so much as a bruise on that body and you'll pay dearly," Regina fumed as she trailed her body into the vault.
Emma assisted the men in setting Regina onto the slab Zelena had prepared and eyed the women questioningly. "Everything okay?"
Blue blinked and pursed her lips, smiling that fake, creepy smile. "Of course, Emma. We're just...trying to make sure everything goes as planned."
Emma perused the trail of ingredients lined up alongside the table, not aware that Regina was doing the same. Regina narrowed her eyes as she looked from bottle to bottle. A few items she recognized, but all the different colored liquids were unlabeled and some ingredients closed up in opaque containers. Without seeing the ingredients, Regina couldn't see what spell Zelena was having Blue conjure. She couldn't help but think that was deliberate. "What exactly is the plan?" Emma asked.
Before Blue could respond, a line of invitees trailed down the stairs and filled the room. A heaviness set upon the room, as everyone couldn't help but be affected at Regina's body in the center, completely covered from head to toe by a white sheet.
Emma immediately went to hold onto Henry, who clearly was affected the most. "Mom, what is this? What's going on?"
Emma looked around at all the curious faces and took a deep breath. She knew it was a hard pill to swallow. "Well, here it is. We don't think Regina is dead. And we need your help to bring her back. All of you."
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Emma and Zelena recounted the events and theories thus far, and the room was now buzzing with hope and excitement. Now they looked to Blue for an explanation of how they thought they might fix it.
"Without knowing exactly what elements the Black Fairy used in her magic, we can't know for sure. But it does appear that Regina is in some state similar to that of a sleeping curse."
Henry shook his head. "She's not sleeping, she's dead. No breath, no heartbeat-she's dead," his voice broke up at the end.
Blue kept her calm voice. "I'm aware of that. But still there is something keeping her in a state of stasis, which makes me think it is a form of sleep. Because of the added element of Emma's DNA, instead of going to the place of fire one usually does in a sleeping curse, she was instead bound to Emma's soul," Blue swallowed and glanced at Zelena who nodded. Emma noticed.
Snow looked confused. "But wait, I thought the only way to break a sleeping curse was with True Love's kiss."
Blue opened her mouth to speak but Zelena jumped in before she could answer. "Well that's true, but, as the Pixie just said-"
"Fairy," Blue insisted.
Zelena glanced a dirty look "As the Fairy said, we don't know the exact ingredients or nature of the curse, other than it used Emma's hair. It is very unlikely this is is as basic as what we've seen before since it's whole intention was to kill."
"Kill me, though. Not Regina. That's why she's still alive. It can't kill her."
Zelena and Blue both shrugged. "That's what we're thinking. It's the only explanation for you being able to see and hear her," Blue answered.
"This spell may be enough to release the bind on Emma's soul and return her to her body," Zelena finished.
"How do we come into play?" Archie asked.
Emma watched as Blue shrank back, looking up for Zelena to respond. "Simple," Zelena responded as she cleared her throat. "The only thing keeping Regina from truly dying is her tie to Emma. We have all the ingredients to undo the binding spell. However, this fireball was made from the pure darkness of the Dark One. Once Regina's soul is freed from Emma's, the power of the dark will pull her the rest of the way. She will die. However, if we are able to combat that darkness with enough light magic, then we can overpower it, and return Regina to her body."
"But I don't have any magic," Granny piped up, Archie nodding in agreement.
Blue stepped up and picked up one of the seven test tubes sitting in the holder. "No. But I do. With your help, I can harness your goodness and affection for Regina and bottle it. If I mix that in with the binding spell, it just might be enough."
After a moment of reflection, finally Henry stepped forward. "Well then, what are we waiting for?"
Zelena nodded and started grabbing the ingredients, dropping them one by one into the mixing cauldron. As she did, Blue guided each person around the slab where Regina's body laid, placing them each in front of a test tube. "Please place a strand of your hair into the tube," Blue told them. As they each did so, Blue gently pulled back the white sheet, revealing Regina's head and neck, folding the sheet over at her collar bones.
Emma had an odd sensation as she found her eyes could not leave the brunette. Even now, the radiance of Regina's beauty left her heart in a tight wad. She found it difficult to swallow. She found herself begging, praying to a God she didn't even believe in that this would work. She looked around at the faces around her, and saw that she had chosen wisely. They each were focused, intent and invested in the process at hand.
Regina had watched Zelena and Blue's interaction, and knew something wasn't right. She kept looking at the ingredients as Zelena dropped them in, but her sister was so quick, so deliberate with her actions, that Regina could barely catch sight before they dropped into the foggy cauldron, one after another. "What could you possibly be concocting? And with the Blue Fairy's help? Surely she doesn't hate me enough to let you get away with something to harm my family. So what is it, sis?" The sight of Blue approaching her body with a pair of scissors caught her attention. "Hey!"
Before she could say anything more. Blue had snipped off the tip of a lock of hair, only about an inch in length. Regina frowned as she saw Blue walking around, dropping a single hair in each of the test tubes. By this time, Zelena had dropped all the ingredients into the cauldron, and the mist was rolling over the sides, glowing a light blue color.
"It's ready," she stated, nodding to Blue who joined her at the cauldron.
"Alright. Everyone join hands." Blue didn't offer to join in the circle, for reasons that no one needed to ask. Regina watched on in skepticism. The Fairy placed her hands over the cauldron and closed her eyes. "I want you all to think about Regina. Think about what you love about her. How you feel about her. Think about all the good she has done. How she has made your life better." Regina saw the Fairy's eyebrows raise and the hint of sarcasm in her voice. Regina knew the harm she had caused the woman in the past, and wasn't surprised that she hadn't bought into Regina's redemption. But she was happy she was still willing to do this for her...whatever this was.
Emma took a deep breath and steadied herself. She clung to Henry's hand on one side, Zelena on the other. She took one more hard look at Regina's peaceful face before closing her eyes. She focused her thoughts:
Regina. Regina...how I feel about Regina...You piss me off, will that help? No, probably not.
Affection. Good thoughts.
Okay. I've got it. You...you are passionate, that's for sure. Once you've set your mind to something, you don't give up. Persistent. Determined. You're damned smart, that's for sure. Outsmarted me on several occasions. It's like...you're conniving...in the most terrible way...but when I found out the reasons why, and how you got that way...I couldn't blame you. Really, past all the bitchiness and sarcasm and bluster...all you really want is for people to see you. The real you. I can relate to that.
You've shown me her. The real you. More than you cared to, I think. Above the mines all those years ago. When Henry was trapped. You looked into my eyes, begging me to bring him back safely. I saw into your soul that day. I knew then your love for Henry was endless, and that you would do anything to keep him safe. Heh, including getting rid of me, but that's besides the point.
But that's how you love, isn't it, Regina? With all you have. Your entire heart and soul. Not many people are capable of that. You nearly sold your soul over your love of Daniel. You loved Robin so much, you let him go. I've seen the many things you are willing to do to keep Henry safe, that knows no bounds.
Hah, I was just remembering when I cut down a branch of your apple tree. Dang, woman, I thought those daggers coming out of your eyes were going to kill me dead on the spot.
I kinda miss those times. I have to admit it, Regina, it was kinda fun sparring with you like that. It was...invigorating in...all sorts of ways. Huh.
As much fun as getting up in each other's faces and personal space was...I like the person you have become even better. You've retained all that fire and spark, don't get me wrong. But it's channeled in the right direction now. And as formidable as you were then, Regina, you are just as so now. I'm just glad you're on my side now.
My side. You are on my side, aren't you? On the surface..sometimes when it didn't seem like you were...somehow I always knew you were. Even way back then. The apple turnover. The infamous apple turnover you were going to use to send me into an eternal slumber. Really? You hadn't learned your lesson from the first time you tried that? No. You could have killed me. Instead, you chose to leave it open ended...like even if I had eaten it...it wouldn't have been over, not completely. I think you knew that.
I remember how you looked at me that day. What day? That day you let me and Henry go when Pan's curse was coming. It may have been the first act of kindness you showed me. It was one you didn't have to do. When you took my hand in yours...I felt it. I felt who you really were...who you wanted to be. It touched me. That is the Regina I...care about. That is who you became in the end. Thoughtful, compassionate, and oh, so capable of more love than anyone would have imagined.
God, I miss that. I miss you. You balance me, Regina. You keep me grounded and on my toes at the same time. It's like...your presence in my life is the piece that I've been missing. Everything you are Regina, from the good to the bad, is what makes you...my family. My family is incomplete without you. Who will snark back at David at the dinner table? Who will make fun of Snow and her stupid flowery shirts? Who will remind Henry to chew with his mouth closed, because believe me, it won't be me.
You're more than a good mother. You've become a good woman. Brave. Intelligent. Insightful. Compassionate. Kind. Even sweet, when you want to be.
I remember how you looked at me when I said you weren't dying.
I remember your smile when I came out of that well.
I remember how I felt when Zelena got the best of you in the town center.
I remember how scared I was when you disappeared out of the bug, and how relieved I was when that thing flew over your head and disappeared. I remember looking into your eyes at that moment and feeling...
I remember how my heart squeezed when you were off with Cruella and Maleficent. How worried I was. I remember how I would have done anything to just wrap you in bubble wrap and hide you away until it was over.
I remember looking across the table at Granny's at you. I remember seeing you swallow your pride and enjoy a meal with your son and the Charmings. I remember how proud of you I was in that moment.
I remember how sad I made you. On several occasions. And I remember how it made my heart sink.
I remember Robin. I remember seeing him hold your hand. I remember seeing you giddy. Happy, almost. And I remember how I felt. I felt...
The mines.
The trigger.
Neverland.
Your mother.
Jefferson's hat.
The well.
The Wicked Witch.
The Chernabog.
The snowman.
Ingrid.
The darkness. Oh, God, the darkness. I saw it swirling around you, about to swallow you whole. I was panicked. I couldn't bear to let it take you. I would rather die than live with that. And so I took it. To save you. Because you came too far...you deserved to live...and I couldn't bear to lose you...
I see you. God, those eyes, those smoldering eyes, piercing into me, tearing me open and looking into my soul. Why does that damned lip scar keep drawing my gaze? Holy hell, woman, stop swaying those hips like that. I'm not supposed to look at you like that. I'm not supposed to like you, only tolerate you. I'm not supposed to lose my breath like that every time your eyes meet mine. I'm not supposed to have those butterflies. I'm not supposed to ache so much in your absence...I'm not supposed to...
When Emma finally jolted and opened her eyes, she suddenly took a deep breath that she didn't realize she had been holding. She took in her surroundings, remembering where she was and why. She looked around the room. All eyes were on her. I mean, all eyes. in them were various looks. Some astonished, some confused, some amazed. She looked down to notice they had all let go of hands except for her. Apparently she had been lost in her thoughts a bit longer than everyone else had looked at Henry who had a bit of concern on his face and let go of his hand. She tried to release Zelena's hand but for some reason the red head held on. Emma looked up at her and was taken aback. Zelena was smiling at her. Like, a genuine smile. With a slight nod, Zelena finally let go and looked over to the test tube. Emma followed her gaze until her eyes fell on the tube, now glowing. She looked back at Zelena in amazement, who was now nodding at Blue. When Emma looked at Blue, she had never seen such a look in that woman's eyes. She was awestruck. The glow of Emma's tube was sparkling off her eyes, and she smiled in amazement. She had looked back at Zelena, smiling and shaking her head. Looking around, Emma saw hers wasn't the only one glowing. They were all glowing. Different shades but all glowing in a brilliant light.
Regina had been watching the scene with such awe and disbelief, she had barely moved. She was touched, truly touched. As the seconds flipped by, before the tubes had started to glow, Regina found herself becoming enveloped in white light. Although disconcerting at first, she wasn't frightened. The scene of her friends holding hands with their eyes closed slowly faded to white. She felt good. It was like being wrapped in a warm blanket made of fluff, and sunshine, and...love. Although she was blinded by the goodness surrounding her, she could still hear everything that was happening in the vault. She didn't mind losing her sight of the room because of how damn good this fog felt around her: holding her, embracing her. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before. She let it hold her up as she listened to the conversation in the vault.
Finally Zelena broke the silence. "Well done, everyone."
Snow looked around in awe at the glowing tubes. "Why are they all different colors?"
Blue took an empty rack and walked over to Snow's tube. She carefully picked it up and held it up to her eye level. "You all love Regina differently." She motioned toward the glowing orange of Snow's hair entwined with Regina's inside the tube. "You've been through so much. Only family could endure what you two have been through. This is sisterly love," Blue told her, carefully placing the tube in her rack. She moved to Charming and picked his up, again holding the tube up, this one glowing a light blue. "A formidable opponent turn loyal ally. The love of respect and comradery. This is brotherly love." She picked up Archie's tube, canary yellow. "The love that only a dedicated friend could experience. This is the love of true friendship." Granny's tube was rose colored. "You love her as only a mother can, and yet you share no blood. This is the protective motherly love." Blue smiled at Henry as she put his bright red tube into the rack. "The infallible love a son has for his mother." Zelena looked a bit embarrassed as Blue picked up her tube, an even brighter orange than Snow's. "Family long lost is finally found. The love of everlasting family."
Snow looked at Emma's tube, then quickly looked up at David. He gave her a knowing look and shrugged his shoulders. That tube looked familiar.
Emma's skin was buzzing with anticipation as Blue picked up the tube and looked at Emma. The tube was bright. At first glance it seemed to emit a bright light purple glow. But if you looked closer, you could see the hairs dancing around each other: One white, one deep purple. The two swirled around each other, one yielding to the other yet also giving each other life. Emma swallowed down the cotton in her throat. She looked at Blue expectantly.
Blue hesitated. "This..." She shifted her weight. "This..." She glanced at Zelena, begging for help.
Zelena stepped forward and took the tube from Blue's hand, gently placing it into the rack. "This is how the Savior loves. Wholly and deeply. For that is what Saviors do."
Emma couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed in this explanation, but didn't really know why. She stepped back where Henry caught her hand. She welcomed the distraction.
Still blinded, Regina swallowed. Her shoulders dropped. What did I think was going to happen?
Zelena nodded to Blue who walked back over to the cauldron, holding the rack of test tubes. She glanced again at Zelena who nodded to her. One by one, Blue dropped the vials into the cauldron, reciting some words unknown to them all, even Regina.
Archie's hit the water with a sizzle, the rolling mist awakening. Regina felt a small jolt. Then Granny's. The mist thickened. Charming's caused the same affect. Then Snow's, then Zelena's, each time the cauldron twitching and bubbling and the mist rising. Each time Regina felt a bolt of electricity pierce through her. Nothing else changed, however. Blue held Emma's vial over the cauldron, swallowing and looking to Zelena. She licked her lips and let the vial drop.
Regina felt a rumbling welling up in her gut. It was a warmth that spread over her body quickly and overwhelmingly. At once the feeling burst from every appendage and blew the white haze away. The room was once again revealed to her. She stood frozen, looking around.
They had all had to shield their eyes as the contents of Emma's vial exploded inside the cauldron, shining a purple beacon of light all over the room, bouncing off every surface until it shone on Regina's body. It lasted only a moment until in seemed to disappear into Regina. They watched as it glowed inside her for a moment. Then it burst into a fizzling cascade of purple light, causing both Regina's body and her soul to jolt. And then nothing. They watched for signs of life, but none came. They all stood frozen.
Finally Archie had the state of mind to step up to the slab. He gently placed two fingers on her neck, desperately wishing for a pulse. But there was nothing. He didn't have to say anything as he let his arm drop to his side. They knew by the look on his face. It hadn't worked. They stood still. Silent.
Her brief moment of anguish was overcome by anger the moment she looked at Henry's face. "How dare you," she growled, focus moving to Zelena and Blue. "How dare you involve them in this if you didn't know for sure it would work?" She spat angrily as she moved to where the two culprits stood, still motionless and upset. She got up in Blue's face, though the woman didn't flinch. She didn't know she was there. "You stupid little flying imbecile, how could you do this? Now Henry has gotten his hopes up for nothing, all because you thought you were bigger than your britches, you idiotic little-"
"Enough, Regina."
"No! These two idiots didn't think things through before they went and got Henry involved in this crazy scheme of theirs!"
"They were just trying to help, they didn't know it wouldn't work," Emma said, shifting her weight.
"Of course they didn't,"Regina said as she paced slowly in front of them. "Because they just jumped head first before thinking it through! Affection elixir, who ever heard of such nonsense before."
"At least they tried something-" Emma was stopped by a hand on her forearm. She looked down to see Snow looking at her in concern.
"Emma? Who are you talking to?"
Emma furrowed her eyebrows. "Regina." Then she realized what she was saying. "Regina?"
"What?!" Regina spun around to see all the confused faces. Wait. "Emma?"
Emma perked up, eyes scanning the room desperately. She saw nothing. "Regina?"
Regina's face lit up. She took a step toward the savior. "Emma?"
Emma let out a silent chuckle, a tear suddenly pricking at the corner of her eye. "Regina!" She let out a huge sigh. "Regina, I can hear you!"