Chapter 2

Regina watched as Emma stared off the bow of the boat, impatiently waiting for whatever was ahead of them. She looked to make sure Henry was safe, and twitched a smile as she found him standing in the comforting arms of his grandmother. It wasn't lost on her that Snow White was her son's grandmother, and that somehow her life had become entangled with her former nemesis in an entirely new way. They were on the same team now, even family, and here she was volunteering to follow the Charmings' into the very depths of Hell for their daughter's boyfriend.

Regina knew it wasn't them she was doing this for. It was for Emma. Emma had no doubt been the only one who believed in her when she started her journey to becoming a hero, a fact that Regina still struggled to understand. It even took Henry a while to come around. But Emma had given her chances, the benefit of the doubt, and trust on more than one occasion, and though she would never admit it, Regina would be eternally grateful for that. Regina was glad that Emma and her were friends now, and she had agreed to help Emma without a second thought.

Don't get her wrong, Regina did not like the fact they were going up against Hades for Hook. There was no love lost between Regina and him. In fact, Regina cringed to think Emma had feelings for, even claimed she loved the fool. Regina thought Emma could do much better than the dirty pirate, and found she had to push thoughts of their relationship out of her mind. Every time she saw them together her stomach lurched and the back of her throat burned. She found she had to look away. But that was simply because of her disdain for Hook. Nothing more. Emma was a big girl, and if she chose to let the greasy man into her bed, who was Regina to judge. There was no doubt to Regina that as Emma's friend she had a right to be wary of their relationship, not wanting Emma to get hurt and all. She may have all sorts of reservations about Hook, but he was Emma's choice. Regina wanted Emma to be happy, and if that meant trudging through the underworld to rescue the one handed wonder, then, well, Regina would stand behind her. Because that was what was important to Regina. Emma's happiness.

Regina's mind flashed back to a time when the Evil Queen had said, "Since when am I concerned about anyone's happiness but my own?" Regina shook her head and the memory from it as she drew in a breath. When indeed? Her quest for Henry's love had put his happiness above her own, but when did Emma's happiness wriggle it's way into importance for her? Regina looked over at Robin who was leaning against the side of the ship, gazing out over the side. Regina sighed out a deep breath. She had her happiness. Right? She didn't feel happy. Perhaps helping Emma get Hook back would allow her to feel happy with Robin again.

Regina walked over and stood next to Emma. If the blonde noticed her she hadn't indicated so. "It's not your fault, you know," Regina offered.

"I know," Emma answered almost immediately. "It's Gold's. Don't think I'm going to forget about that when this is over."

Regina nearly shuddered at the coldness of Emma's words. The Dark Swan was gone, but Emma was still angry. "Yes, well. I guess we all have things to repay him for, don't we." She paused as she tried to think of how to comfort Emma. She turned to face the blonde, who continued to scan the murky waters ahead. "We'll get him back, Emma."

Finally Emma's eyes fluttered, her head shaking slightly. "Emma turned and leaned her back against the side of the boat, running her hands across her face. She looked around the boat, at her entire family she didn't even know she had until a few years ago. At her son. then she looked from Robin to Regina. A sudden wave of guilt came over her. "What the hell am I doing? What have I done? How did it come to this?" She exhaled. "How is it that I killed my boyfriend to save my family from the darkness, only to drag them all down to hell with me to try and save him? How does that make any sense?"

"You're not dragging anyone anywhere. We all came willingly," Regina pointed out. She took a deep breath. "I guess, love just drives us to crazy lengths sometimes."

Emma chuckled and turned to face Regina, still leaning her side on the boat. "Love. You know, I've been thinking about that." She looked at Regina who stood listening in curiosity. Suddenly Emma felt the urge to clam up, but the look in Regina's eyes made her want to continue. It was a rare feeling for Emma, to have someone she could confide in. She didn't even feel that with Killian. "Even when I was the Dark One, everything I did was to try and set things right. Don't get me wrong, I made terrible decisions, and did some horrible things. I set some horrific things into motion that led to Killian dying in the first place. That's why I have to set this right. But...everything I did...was for them. For him."

Regina could sense there was something Emma had been holding inside that she desperately needed to get out. "But?"

Emma paused and shook her head. "I shouldn't be saying this. The man died, for God's sake."

"Emma, just say what you need to say. Keeping it inside isn't going to help."

Emma took a deep breath and looked at Regina, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "I know he was dark. But he said some horrible things," her words came out rasped, as she forced back a sob.

Regina felt her heart pang. She didn't know what Killian had said to Emma, but whatever it was had cut her deeply. "Well, you weren't exactly a peach, yourself," Regina mused.

Emma chuckled and wiped the tear off her cheek. "I know. Sorry about that. But even then, I said those things because I needed to push you all away while I figured things out. But Killian...he went right for the jugular." Emma paused to get herself together. "He said that I would always be an orphan. That all I was to him was a little blonde distraction."

Regina looked down and twiddled with her fingers. "Well, you told me you didn't believe I had it in me to save you."

Emma looked wide eyed at Regina as her words sunk in. She hadn't really thought about just how her words had affected the brunette. "I didn't mean that. In fact, I believed quite the opposite. I said it to push you away. I knew what I was doing."

Regina nodded. "But you aren't sure Hook did?"

Emma shook her head slowly. "That's just it. He didn't have an agenda. Not like I did. He was just...speaking from his heart." Emma sighed out and shook her head. "Well, it doesn't matter. Regardless of where him and I stand, he didn't deserve to die. We need to get him back, get his honor back. Gold stole that from him, and it needs to be put straight."

Regina let out a silent chuckle. "Ever the savior," Regina smiled. She looked over and caught the sheriff's eye. "I never did thank you."

Emma scoffed. "For insulting you and telling you off all those times?"

Regina let out a breath and looked at Emma seriously. "For saving me. From the darkness. I'm not sure why after all I've put you through you would do that for me. But, thank you."

Emma felt her belly tighten uncomfortably, and found herself feeling embarrassed. She smiled back without even trying and swallowed down a lump in her throat. "You're welcome," she forced out. "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Regina shook her head slowly, her heart in her throat. "Why?" She dared to ask.

Panic welled up in Emma's chest, and before she could answer, her father's voice drew her out and away from an uncomfortable conversation. "Look!"

The boat of travelers looked off the bow to see an approaching dock, dark and eerie in the swirling mist.

The boat slowed to a stop, and the hooded figure held out his bony hand.

The group looked at each other in confusion, not entirely sure what they were supposed to do.

"He requires payment," Gold offered finally. "The journey to the underworld does not come for free."

"Everything comes at a price huh?" David said as he crossed his arms. "Sounds familiar."

Gold shot David a dirty look as Gold reached into his pocket and pulled out his gold pocket watch. He touched it lovingly and smiled. "My father gave me this. It's my most prized possession. I trust this will suffice?"

Gold held out the pocket watch, but the hooded figure slowly shook his head no. Gold furrowed his eyebrows. "Well, what do you want, then?"

The bony hand of the ferryman turned over, and pointed a pale finger at Emma. Her hand immediately shot to grasp Killian's ring, which sat above her chest on a silver chain. "Killian's ring?" Emma watched as the hood nodded yes and she swallowed hard. She glanced around at everyone staring at her, and slowly walked forward, pulling the chain from her neck. Emma fiddled with the ring between her fingers as she approached and looked up at the figure, face hidden in shadow under the hood. She looked down at the ring one more time before carefully placing it into the cold hand.

Emma felt her heart break just a little bit more. There was an underlying feeling that her handing the ring over meant much more than Killian was dead. They were here to save him, of that she was sure. But it was the death of something, and deep down Emma already knew what it meant. Emma steeled her jaw as the ferryman fisted the ring and pointed toward the dock. The group climbed off the boat and onto the rotting wooden dock, and watched as the boat turned and left them on the shore alone.

There was an awkward silence as the group looked around at each other and their surroundings. They were at the entrance to a rocky cave, complete darkness save for twin burning torches on either side of the entrance. The group stared into the cave in anticipation until finally Emma tried to break the tension. "What, no welcome to Hell sign?"

She blushed as no one laughed at her attempted joke and reached up to grab one of the torches off the wall. "Shall we?"

David grabbed the other torch and the group entered the mouth of the cave, which seemed to swallow them up as they passed into the underworld.