Chapter Fifty-Nine—"Memories Gained, Memories Lost"

There. There it was.

Satisfied, Cora leaned back in her luxurious desk chair, putting her spell book down with a smile. Her magic remained somewhat erratic, but it was functional, which meant she was a player in this new game Rumple had started. Her old lover had stolen the march on her when he'd brought magic, but the advantage that gave him was wearing thin. Soon enough, Cora would be back to her full power as the Evil Queen, and there was nothing in this world that could stop her. Zelena was doing so well already; her magic had manifested itself right away, almost before Cora had restored her memories. And between the two of them, they would easily be able to handle Regina. Even if Rumple chose to jump in on her side—he'd always been strangely sentimental about her—Cora was certain that she could win. Worst case, she'd wake up another potential ally, and then Rumplestiltskin would undoubtedly retreat, as he always did when faced with a battle he could not win.

After all, Rumple was no hero. He wasn't in this to see the good side win. He was only here to find his son, and if he had to ally with the devil to do that, he would. And he'll do far worse by the time I'm through, Cora thought with a thin smile. She already had plans on that front.

But for now, she had a heart to take and revenge to take.

Later that afternoon, Emma flopped down at the bar in Granny's, exchanging a smile with Mary Margaret as she did so. Her roommate took her order with practiced ease, and Emma couldn't help feeling a rush of happiness when she saw the confidence in Mary Margaret's expression. The former schoolteacher had come a long way, and had admitted that she and David had even spent the night of Valentine's Day together. Under other circumstances, Emma would have been completely wary of her friend sleeping with a married man, particularly with that man's current wife in the same house, but given the fact that Regina had a date of her own at the same time, Emma could hardly argue. She still thought the entire situation was beyond weird, but if all four of them were happy with it, well, Emma wasn't going to argue.

And Henry was over the moon when he heard about that 'double date', she thought with amusement, sipping a soda while she waited on her grilled cheese. He's going on and on about how Errol Forrester has to be Daniel from the Book, and how the fact that I'm starting to believe is weakening the curse. And as much as Emma wanted to argue that fact…well, she was starting to come around. Everyone in this town really was miserable, and magic was apparently real, too. If Regina could toss fireballs around—and show Emma dozens of other magical tricks that were actual magic—maybe the idea of a curse really wasn't that far-fetched.

"Is August up and around yet?" she asked Mary Margaret when her friend delivered her grilled cheese, figuring that it was time to actually listen to the story of a wardrobe, a boy, and a baby.

"No, Ruby said that he drove his bike out of town on Wednesday," Mary Margaret shrugged. "I haven't seen him yet."

"Who leaves town on Valentine's Day?" Emma wondered.

"Someone who doesn't have a date?"

Snorting, Emma only wished that was her problem. Killian had asked her out—and, come to think of it, so had August. But she'd already promised Regina that she'd look after Henry, and frankly, Emma was glad to avoid romantic entanglements. Sure, Killian and August were both good looking guys, but Graham had been good looking, too (not to mention nicer than both of them). Her aborted romance with the old sheriff still hadn't gone well, and Emma was starting to think that maybe she just wasn't meant for some grand relationship. Particularly not now. Not if there really is a curse to break.

"I didn't think I turned him down that rudely," she replied lightly.

"I don't know," her roommate said. "But his room's been empty since he left—though his stuff is still in it, so I think he's coming back."

"Well, that's good, I guess."

Just then, Granny strode out of the kitchen, her hands on her hips and looking ready to take the world on. Immediately, she spun to face the pair of them, demanding: "Mary Margaret, have you seen Ruby?"

"No," Mary Margaret replied, jumping and sounding startled.

"Where has that girl gone?" Granny grumbled. "If she's off with that leather-clad biker again, I am going to wring her neck."

"August has been gone for two days, Granny," Mary Margaret pointed out logically. "When was the last time you saw Ruby?"

The old woman groaned. "This morning. She took the trash out, and then just wandered off. Typical!"

His head was pounding, and coherent thoughts were hard to come by. After a few minutes of fighting back the blackness, however, David finally realized that he was lying on a couch that smelled oddly of some sweet-scented perfume. There was embroidery of some sort on the cushions, which meant he definitely wasn't at home; Regina had always insisted on leather, and having a kid in the house meant easier to clean surfaces were definitely more practical. Blinking dizzily, he finally managed to clear his vision and realize that he was in some fancy sitting room, complete with an immaculately-dressed blonde woman sitting across from him in an antique armchair. Another woman, this one darker skinned and much more amused looking, sat on a second couch reading a book.

"Oh, good. You're awake," the first woman said brightly, but there was something a little false in the smile. Or maybe not false. Just…forced.

Sitting up cautiously, David was a little surprised when a wave of dizziness didn't hit him. But his mind was clear enough now, even if he didn't recognize his surroundings. "Where am I?"

"Very Merry Escorts, of course," replied the blonde, and David finally recognized her as the infamous Madam Merryweather. He'd only met her once or twice, and definitely didn't travel in her social circles.

"How…how did I get here?" he asked uneasily, looking around again at the plush sitting room. There was art on the walls and it looked expensive (Cora had a taste for expensive paintings, though Regina had always favored horse statues and Mary Margaret had a beautiful painting of a group of birds), and the carpets were plush and deep. The two couches were both antique and matched Merryweather's armchair, and the overall impression was both pleasing and comfortable. He knew the second woman, too; or at least vaguely. She was Octavia Carroll, the manager of Very Merry Escorts and supposedly Merryweather's right hand woman. But David couldn't remember walking in that room. Not at all.

"You poor dear," Merryweather said, rising and offering him a glass of water that Carroll poured, looking bored. "The mayor found you outside on the street. You were quite unconscious, so she brought you in. We've looked after you in the meantime."

"I was unconscious? On the street?" David echoed incredulously.

"That's what the mayor said," Merryweather confirmed as David racked his memories. He couldn't recall coming here, or being on the street outside. The last thing he remembered was going into Granny's to pick up some coffee…

"Is she still here?" he asked, hoping Cora could shed some more light on what had happened.

"No, she left a while ago. Do you not remember falling?"

"I don't even know if I fell at all," David said bluntly, rubbing his head reflexively. There were no cuts. No bumps. He wasn't even sore. "It's all right if I leave, isn't it?"

"Of course. Do drink the water first, though. We wouldn't want you to pass back out right outside my door. Heavens only knows what people would think I'd done to you." Merryweather spoke lightly, but there was something else in her blue eyes.

"And we can't have our business' reputation suffering, either," Carroll put in, speaking for the first time. There was something menacing in her eyes that David didn't appreciate, but he tried to push that aside.

"Right. I mean, thank you," he said after a moment, shaking his head again, trying to chase away cobwebs and remember. But there was nothing there.

Nothing at all. And when he glanced at the clock, he realized that it was now around lunchtime. The last time he remembered had been around eight a.m. Where had the day gone, and why couldn't he remember?

Rumplestiltskin had re-opened the shop on February 15th, returning to his normal routine and daring anyone to tell him not to. He still walked with the cane, of course, because it certainly wouldn't do for everyone to realize that he'd healed himself rather nicely with magic. Still, Rumplestiltskin found himself already restless and just wanting to get on with the breaking of the curse. Regina had obviously not done enough to push Emma along, despite showing her magic and having her listen in on their phone call. He'd tried a push of his own from the hospital; however, now a more hands-on approach was apparently required.

He had long stayed in the shadows, content to let Regina take the lead in their joint endeavor. That method, however, was no longer going to go the trick. Rumplestiltskin had never intended to bring magic to Storybrooke before the curse broke, but now that he had, he knew that he had to rush things along, lest the town turn into a battleground between the few awake magic users with cursed fools caught in the crossfire. His curse had never objected to collateral damage, of course, but Rumplestiltskin disliked factors he could not control, and having the clueless denizens of Storybrooke in the way would just create a mess he did not have time to fix.

So, that was what made him head towards the Sheriff's Station two days after reopening the shop. February 17th was a Friday, which hopefully meant that the station would be quiet. If it was, Rumplestiltskin was sure he could ignore the annoying presence of his two attackers in the jail. He was still furious with them, and his curse constantly bayed for their blood, but Rumplestiltskin preferred to punish the real culprit. Neither Moe French or Tony Rose was brave enough to attack him without a good, solid, push, and he knew exactly who was to blame for that.

Your day is coming, dearie, he promised Cora silently. And sooner than you think.

But he was so caught up in his thoughts that Rumplestiltskin almost didn't see the tall, red-headed woman until he was inches away from crashing into her. Had he still needed the cane in his right hand, he never would have avoided her without falling over, but now he could nimbly step aside.

"Do watch where you're going, Mr. Gold," she snapped, and something in her tone made his head snap around.

One glance took in her newly expensive clothes and pseudo-regal attitude. The arrogance in her expression was nothing like the cloying sweetness that his least favorite nurse had demonstrated, and Rumplestiltskin's instincts lit on fire. He'd heard someone muttering about the mayor's new assistant, but he would never have expected Cora to act so openly. Is she getting desperate, or overconfident? he wondered, turning to face her squarely.

"Ms. Zephyr. My, how you have moved up in the world," he retorted dryly, letting his eyes sharpen.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she sniffed.

"From nurse to the mayor's right hand. Surely you see that as an elevation," Rumplestiltskin drawled. "Unless, of course, you prefer changing adult diapers."

That did the trick; she flushed. "I," she snapped, "am exactly where I should be. Finally."

"Mommy dearest finally decided to wake you up, did she?" He laughed softly as her pale face went red. "Don't play a player, Zelena. I can tell the difference between you and your annoying cursed persona."

"Then, if you're so smart, tell me why you're acting like such a fool," his former student snapped back, and part of Rumplestiltskin enjoyed riling her up like this. Still, seeing Zelena on Cora's side should not have been much of a surprise. She'd always hungered for approval.

"Whatever are you referring to, dear?"

"You're moving against Mother. That isn't smart. Mother has all the power here," Zelena replied proudly.

Rumplestiltskin allowed himself another laugh. "Don't be so sure of that. And if you want a bit of advice, from teacher to student…keep your options open. Don't pin all of your hopes on our dear mayor. She may be more fallible than you believe."

Zelena sniffed. "Of course she isn't. Not with me on her side."

She really was a sad little girl, Zelena, and Rumplestiltskin almost felt sorry for her. Or he would, at least, until she tried to seduce him again. I am so glad that Regina didn't inherit that proclivity from her mother. I begin to be glad that Cora married Prince Henry first. At least he gave Regina some sense. But he only shrugged in response to Zelena's confidence, not caring to take the time to educate her. He'd warned her once. If Zelena wanted to pick Cora's side, well, she could lie in the bed she had made.

"That remains to be seen," he said simply, and turned to walk away.

A step too late, he reminded himself to limp and use the cane.

"Who the hell is she?" Emma asked Regina as the pair sat in front of Any Given Sundae. February was finally starting to warm up, and getting ice cream together was a good excuse to talk. Besides, now that Regina was out of work, she had a lot more free time. If I had room for another deputy, or could fire one of the idiots I have, I'd hire her in a heartbeat, Emma thought with some amusement. It would drive Cora absolutely crazy.

Regina shrugged. "Chloe Zephyr, apparently."

"No, I mean who was she back in fairytale land?" The question came out almost naturally, and part of Emma really wanted to shake herself for making it sound so damn…real.

"It's called the Enchanted Forest," her fellow mother—or was she her step aunt?—grumbled.

"Whatever. Who was she back there, then?"

"I have no idea," the older woman replied. "I certainly never met her. Probably one of mother's many cronies. It got hard to tell them apart, and I never much cared."

"Henry thinks she's the Wicked Witch of the West." Emma couldn't help snorting as she said that. Listening to Henry talk about figuring out that Jafar was now a lawyer and how King George had always been the D.A. was one thing. At least they were fairytale characters! But the Wicked Witch of the West was straight out of fiction, not fairytales. Emma could only stretch her mind to accommodating one weird set of reality at a time, thank you very much, and fairytales had already taken over. Fortunately, Regina seemed to share her disbelief.

"The what?" Regina echoed skeptically.

"So, you haven't heard of her either." She couldn't help feeling relieved.

"Outside of the movies? Not at all," was the droll reply. "Anyway, if she's Mother's new favorite, I'm not particularly terrified. We'll throw a bucket of water on her and be done with it."

"Something tells me it won't be that easy."

"In this town?" Now Regina snorted. "Nothing ever is."

Meanwhile, August W. Booth sat in a restaurant in Portland, Maine, munching fries and telling himself—again—that he should head back into Storybrooke. He'd meant to drop off the postcard in the mail and return the same night, but now it was the 17th and he still hadn't gone back. He wasn't exactly afraid, and this little town wasn't any more enticing than Storybrooke, but he was safe here. Here, he didn't have the Blue Fairy pulling his strings and Cora blackmailing him. Here, his papa wasn't in danger if he failed to please a sadistic Evil Queen. And it wasn't like the Savior was depending on him, anyway. Emma hardly ever even listened to him. She was too focused on Henry, on Regina, and on everyone else. August was starting to think that he'd come to Storybrooke too late to make a difference.

So, why go back at all? If Emma didn't need him, and she was going to figure out how to break the curse without his help. What purpose did he have? He could go somewhere else, anywhere else, and even if (when) he turned to wood, no one would actually notice. Or perhaps there as someone else out there like the Dragon, someone who could change him back. He didn't have to go to Storybrooke to get fixed. He could—

Ring!

Jumping, August pulled his cell phone out of his pocket to glare at it. He didn't recognize the number, but a distant part of his mind knew that area code 212 was from New York City. One of his editors had a NYC number, even though the guy lived in Arizona. This, however, was not Eric's number. He contemplated not answering the phone, but it wasn't like he had anything else to do.

"Yeah?"

"August?" a voice he hadn't heard in ten years said from the other end, jerking him up short. August felt his jaw drop.

"Neal?"

"Don't sound so surprised, buddy. You're the one who mailed me your phone number, remember? I just got it today."

"I…I guess I didn't expect you to call so fast." Or at all.

"I didn't see any reason to waste time," Neal Cassidy replied. "Is Emma all right? Are you there with her?"

"I'm, uh, nearby, yeah. She's fine," August answered, figuring that had to be true. Emma had been fine when he left Storybrooke, after all. So had Henry, but it wasn't his place to tell Neal that Emma had borne his son. "Everything's fine."

"Then why'd you send me a postcard early? You said you'd send word once the curse broke."

"Yeah, well, things aren't as clear as they were supposed to be," he grumbled, and then wanted to kick himself for the response. But maybe, maybe that was the answer. Maybe he should get Neal to come to Storybrooke, and then he could get a favor out of Gold. Could Gold fix him? Could Gold protect him?

"Sounds like the story of my life, man."

"You and me both," August snorted.

"So, why the postcard?" Neal pressed. "You sure Emma's okay?"

I never should have called the police, he thought guiltily, hearing the worry in Neal's voice. Those two had been good together, and August had played more than his part in ruining that. Maybe they would have fallen apart, anyway. A life as petty criminals on the run was no place for a child, right? But August knew Henry, and he knew that the kid would have preferred to grow up with his real parents, to know them both and to not have become an orphan just because it was more convenient for the Blue Fairy. Instead, poor Henry was stuck with the Evil Queen's daughter, and August had no idea how that was going to turn out. He'd tried to do the right thing, tried to do what Blue told him to, and all he'd done was screw up. Again.

"Hey, you still there?" the other voice said, jerking August out of his funk.

"Yeah, sorry," he replied quickly. "Just thinking."

"You gonna tell me what the hell is going on then? Is Emma all right? This curse thing…it's dangerous, isn't it?" Neal asked, and August wanted to hang up on him. He's figuring too much out, the former puppet thought reflexively. I don't need him to distract Emma now!

Or did he? Would that help pry Emma away from Regina?

"You don't want to take a road trip to Maine, do you?" August asked almost before he thought through the consequences.

"What?"

"Well, yeah, it's kind of dangerous," he answered Neal's previous question, warming to the topic. Neal showing up would be a great way to get Henry away from Regina, and that would probably help lessen the Dark Princess' sway over Emma, too. Besides, if bringing Baelfire to Storybrooke got August in the Dark One's good graces, that would be useful! The sudden appearance of his long lost son certainly wasn't going to be something the Dark One would be upset over. August could use this. "I mean, the Evil Queen wants her dead, but Emma's holding her own."

"Evil Queen? What the hell 'Evil Queen' are you talking about?" Neal demanded.

"Um, you'd probably think of her as the queen out of Snow White," he answered, hearing the concern in Neal's voice and trying not to smile. Yeah. This is going to work. August could do this. He could protect Emma, get the curse broken, and get himself turned back human before the puppet took over. "She's kind of a nasty piece of work."

"You mean the crazy chick with poisoned apples and a magic mirror?" the other man asked incredulously.

"Pretty much, though she's a lot worse in real life."

"Damn. I mean—be straight with me, August. Is Emma in danger? Is that why you want me to come there, or are you trying to get yourself out of trouble?"

"Look, man, I'm not in trouble. I'm fine," August lied, and felt his nose twitch a bit. But the appendage didn't grow, not outside Storybrooke. It just hurt. "And so's Emma. For now."

"I've got a life and a girlfriend. And an actual job. I can't just walk out on no notice. These things take time."

"I never said you had to." August forced himself to sound casual. "If you've got a new girl and don't want to worry about Emma, that's fine." I really hope you don't, though! "I just promised you that I'd let you know, and that I'd take care of her. This is me doing that."

Nevermind that he was currently miles away from Storybrooke and not doing a damn thing for Emma. August was sure that she was fine at the moment, and Neal didn't need to know that he'd skipped out for a few days of freedom.

"Just tell me how to get to that damn town, all right? I'll have to rent a car, and I've got to clear things up here, first. It'll probably take me a week." Neal growled, and August resisted the urge to punch the air in victory.

"I can do one better. Head up 95 until you hit Route 1, and then get off at the Kennebunk exit. Call me then and I'll direct you in. The place is a little hard to find."

6 Months Before the Curse

"My mother threatened Snow and Charming again," Regina admitted in a whisper, trying to ignore the pair of guards who were now always in the room when she visited Daniel. Her mother had both of their hearts, of course, and had warded them against any enchantment Regina could think up, but at least neither seemed too interested in eavesdropping. Officially, they were there to guard her 'virtue', so as long as Regina and Daniel remained a respectable distance apart on the couch, they stayed on the other side of the room.

"That's hardly anything new, love," Daniel pointed out with a wan smile.

Regina shook her head miserably. "No. But she's planning something horrible this time. I can feel it."

"You'll stop her again. Just like you did with that spell that keeps her from harming Snow and her family."

"Rumplestiltskin's spell, you mean," she pointed out, her shoulder slumping in defeat. Regina hated just sitting here and waiting for her mother to find some other way to hurt her sister; Daniel could tell her that she had saved them, but Regina knew the truth. If she had just done as she was told instead of running away with Daniel, her mother would never have focused on hurting Snow like this. All of her attention would have been on Regina, on making Regina the perfect queen, and Snow would have been safe.

"He still couldn't have done it without you," her (former) husband pointed out, taking her hand gently. The feeling of his fingers in her own—something she felt so rarely now that Daniel had been moved into rooms away from her own and Regina so rarely got to see him—was almost enough to make her cry.

"You don't know Rumple. He always finds a way to do what he wants, and for some reason, he wants Snow and Charming to be safe," she retorted.

"Then he'll help them next time, won't he?" Daniel stroked her hand. "You shouldn't worry so much."

"He'll only do it if it's in his interests. Next time, it might not be, and I can't even be there…"

"Of course you can."

"What?" Immediately, she knew what he meant, and Regina twisted to face him. "Daniel, no. I can't. I won't. We both know what that would mean, and—"

He cut her off with a hard kiss, one that reminded Regina of a few stolen weeks when the world had been at their feet.

"Hey!" One of the guards shouted, but Daniel had already pulled back. Fortunately, the guards were lazy and Cora obviously wasn't controlling either of them at the moment, because they didn't bother to approach.

"Living like this isn't living, Regina," her True Love said quietly. "It's not just the fact that I haven't walked outside this castle for over a year. It's not just feeling trapped. It's seeing you trapped and knowing that I'm the key. I won't be used against you any longer, love. You have to break free."

"She'll kill you, Daniel!"

"And then I die for something worth dying for," he replied calmly. "I've thought about this for a long time. I'd rather die to free you than be the chains that hold you down."

Her throat was too thick for words, and hot tears were already starting to steam down her face. "I can't live without you."

"Of course you can." A warm hand cupped her cheek, and Regina leaned desperately into his touch, trying to savor this moment for all it was worth. "And someday, somehow, you'll find it in you to love again. I know it."

"No. I won't. I can't. Not after you. No one can be like you," she whispered brokenly.

"Hush," he quieted her, and Regina tried to gulp back her sobs without success. "I love you, Regina. I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you, but we were never meant to be. Now let me free you. Let me help your sister in the only way I can."

"Daniel…"

Regina had been forced to choose between her True Love and her sister so many times, had tried to toe the line so that her mother wouldn't hurt Daniel. Snow had suffered for that, and even though her sister claimed to understand, Regina had always hated herself for choosing Daniel. Now, however…well, she knew she would never forgive herself for this. Never.

"Go," Daniel said softly, kissing her once more, and Regina tasted his tears as well as her own. "Go to Snow, and don't look back, no matter what your mother does."

"I can't," she all but wailed.

"You can." Reluctance written all over his face, Daniel pulled away. "And you have to. Go, Regina."

She wanted to argue, but what could she say? Their love was doomed. Regina had known that for years, yet she'd kept fighting, refusing to let go, because she loved him so very much. But Daniel was right. This was no life. Not for him, and not for her. And if Regina stayed, she knew that Cora would use her against Snow. Again.

"She's going to make you choose between us again," Daniel pointed out quietly, reading her mind as he rose from the couch. "You know that. So don't play her game. Leave before she can blame you. Let this be my choice, as Snow once ate the apple to save me. I'm letting you go to save her. Please."

"I don't want you to die," Regina whispered, clinging to his hands as she stood with him.

"I think I already am," he admitted. "Cora would never let us be together. You know that. We hoped in the beginning that she might be satisfied by all the power, but we know better now. She won't be satisfied until you're broken at her feet and your sister is dead, and I refuse to let that happen. So you have to leave."

Closing her eyes on tears, Regina lunged forward to kiss him one last time, to savor the feeling of True Love echoing through her veins. Knowing Daniel was right did not make leaving any easier, and she knew she took the coward's way out when she teleported away with the taste of his lips fresh on her own.

Snow found her crying a few minutes later, hiding in a corner near the chambers Snow and Charming shared. Her sister wrapped her arms around Regina without a word, and just held her tight.

That was the last time she would see him before the end.

Regina said goodbye to Errol in the front hall, resisting the urge to ask him to stay longer. Their Friday afternoon 'lunch' had already turned into a three hour long date, extending past the time that Henry got home from school. David was still at the animal shelter, thankfully. Although he and Errol seemed to be getting along well enough, it was awfully hard to have a date when the man she was technically married to was in the house. Henry didn't make it much better, though, giving Regina a none-too-subtle thumbs up when he got home. Her mischievous boy had headed upstairs to do his homework while Regina and Errol talked, but Regina could feel his eyes on them now.

And there was nothingin the world more unnerving than having your ten year old son judge your dating choices. Nothing.

"Are you done spying?" she asked as the door clicked shut, turning to stare at her child.

But he just smiled hugely. "I just like seeing you finally get your happy ending. You deserve it."

"Oh, Henry." Regina was fairly sure that she could have melted into a puddle of goo, she would have. Hearing her son say things like that filled her heart to bursting, but at the same time, Regina knew that she had to tell Henry the truth.

Now.

But before she could say a word, before Regina could steel herself to correct an assumption she knew her son had made, Henry bounced forward to hug her.

"I always knew you weren't evil, Mom. You just did what you had to so that you could keep Daniel safe, and it worked! Now Grandma's curse is going to be broken, and you're going to be able to finally be with your True Love," he gushed. "Will that make him my stepfather?"

I should have told him this the first time Henry hinted that Errol might be Daniel, Regina thought behind a watery smile. I never should have let him keep believing this. But she still couldn't find words, and Henry continued before she could scrape up her courage.

"My book says that Grandma crushed Daniel's heart to cast the curse. How did you save him?"

"Your book is right," Regina finally forced herself to say. "My mother did crush Daniel's heart. She killed him."

"But you saved him. Right?" Ten year old eyes—brown, unlike Emma's green—focused on her and Regina's heart threatened to break all over again as the memories tried to overwhelm her.

She was too late. Her mother stood over the fire pit, with Daniel by her side. He was on his knees and looked defeated, and Regina tried to rush to him, only to be stopped by a wall of magic.

"Mother, no!" Regina howled, and Cora smiled thinly.

"I'm glad you could be here for this, dear," her mother said calmly. "I always knew your stableboy would have his uses."

"Mother—!"

"Mom?" Henry interrupted her memory. "You did save him, right?"

"No, honey. I couldn't," Regina admitted in a whisper, looking away, staring blankly at the front door as the pain of Daniel's death welled up all over again. "I couldn't save him. I was too late."

"But—but—Daniel wasn't supposed to die," her son objected. "He can't have died. If he died, who's Mr. Forrester?"

"Daniel is dead, honey," she said, biting her lip and struggling to keep her voice level. "And when he died, I thought I'd never love again. I thought I couldn't…and then I woke up with you in my life. I'll never understand why my mother let me adopt you, but I will always be grateful for that. You taught me to love again."

The idea of clinging to her son for dear life was an attractive one, but she didn't try to hug him again. She just gave him another watery smile, trying to push away the memories of Daniel's death and focus on the good things in her life. Mother will pay for that, Regina promised herself. I'll make sure of that. But I also won't forget the good things I have now.

"Then who is Mr. Forrester? Do you know?" Henry asked curiously, and for once, Regina was glad that no ten year old was going to dwell too long on the death of a man they had never met. Henry was more curious about the living.

"I do know, but only because I was able to ask someone who already knew him," she admitted, feeling a smile sneaking onto her face. Regina would always mourn for Daniel, and she would always love him, but she also knew that she had to move on. Daniel wanted me to find love again, she remembered. I never thought I would, but now that I have, I'm not letting go. "Actually, he's Robin Hood."

"Robin Hood? Like out of the legends?"

"Yes." If Regina's smile was a little stupid, well, she couldn't help herself. Henry grinned back.

"Cool!"

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Sorry I didn't get a chance to respond individually this week-today is uber busy, and I figured y'all would prefer an update to me responding privately to reviews. Also, a note - Neal isn't engaged to Tamara yet, they're just dating. This is several months before we meet the two of them in "Manhattan."

Next up: Chapter Sixty—"Long Kept Secrets," in which Emma breaks into August's room, Regina unearths some secrets, Cora continues to stay ahead of her enemies, and Killian walks a dangerous line. Back in the past, Hook goes after Rumplestiltskin and finds something unexpected.

While you're waiting, please do let me know what you think! My muse has been incredibly uncooperative with this story lately, and feedback always seems to help. :)