Sorry for the delay. My editor couldn't get her shit together ;) lol! But here it is! And the next one is almost done as well. I can't wait to get them all to Storybrooke! Please leave a review!

"Mom! Mom I need a favour!" He grinned as he rushed in to her room and leapt on to her bed.

"Henry?"

"Mom wake up!"

"Henry what could you possibly need at this hour?" She grumbled sleepily and David groaned beside her.

"It's almost sunrise!"

"Why are you shouting?" David asked groggily as he took a deep breath and the bed moved with Henry's bouncing.

"Because you need to wake up!" He laughed and when neither of them moved to do so, he flopped on top of them causing them both to grunt and groan, "wake up!"

"Get off," Regina mumbled and with a flick of her magic fingers Henry was sent flying up and over so he landed at the foot of the bed laughing as he bounced. The sound of his laughter had her smiling and it brought a small laugh out of David before Henry was crawling back up to them.

"I need some goggles, mom," he grinned and she furrowed her brow.

"Some what?"

"You know. Goggles! They're sort of like glasses," he nodded as he wormed his way between her and David, "but they're not glasses. Do you guys even have them here? They go over your eyes. Glass bubbles over your eyes and then like leather around them and around your head so they don't fall off your face. It's to keep stuff out of your eyes."

"And why do you need these?"

"Because I don't want the wind to dry my eyeballs out while I'm riding Maleficent!" He answered as though it were obvious and she smiled and slowly started laughing. That laugh she saved for when she got to watch someone suffer for her amusement, "now get up! It's almost sunrise and I need some goggles!"

...

Maleficent stood just outside the palace gates scowling at the rising sun. The sky was still very much dark but the light of the sun was just beginning to change that. She truly did not believe the boy would actually get an arrow past Regina's head. However she also didn't expect him to catch her when her guard was completely down. Regina's guard was never down. But alas a deal was a deal and she was standing waiting for him and the sun. She knew she wasn't going to despise it as much as she made it seem. It was more so a dignity thing than anything else.

"What are you wearing?" Were the first words out of her mouth when she saw Henry bounce up to her fully clad in leather with something odd on top of his head.

"It's gonna be windy up there! And the air gets colder the higher you go. I wanna make sure I stay warm and wind proof," he smirked as he tugged at his dark brown leather coat.

"And how do you know it will be colder up there?" Maleficent questioned. Of course it would be colder up there. She was a dragon, she flew often and could of course feel the change in temperature but the boy? He was merely a boy. And most humans in her world believed it to be warmer the closer you got to the sun. Fools.

"I'm not an idiot," Henry chuckled as he bounced up to her and she looked down at him with a little more respect. He dared even say she was impressed with him and that had him feeling quite proud. "Ready to go?" He grinned as he pulled the goggles from his head so they sat comfortably over his eyes and Maleficent gave a small smirk which had him certain he had impressed her and in her mind he was now worthy enough to sit on her back.

Maleficent watched him pull the odd device from his head she had eyed moments before and she was delighted to see what it truly was. Protection for his delicate human eyes. He had come prepared and he had come smart. She valued intelligence. Yes he had earned himself her respect. He was not just some foolish child wishing to ride a dragon, "why sunrise?" She questioned and tried to ignore Regina and David who were smiling at her a few strides away.

"Because everything is beautiful at sunrise," he smiled and she hummed and looked him up and down.

"Very well," she smiled a little and rocked her head and with one more look she brought up a small wispy orb of green and purple magic and offered her hand to him. Henry looked it over curiously but he wasn't the slightest bit wary and his trust in her regrettably had her heart softening for him even more.

"What is it?" He asked as he leaned in closer only to hear it whisper, "what is it saying?"

"It is centuries worth of dragon's tongue. Every dialect you could possibly hear," she replied and watched the fascination and excitement grow in his young face, "certainly more than you could ever hope to learn in your lifetime."

"So I'll be able to speak and translate dragon language?!"

"Well I wasn't very well going to have you up there and not know what I was saying," Maleficent retorted but the boy only grinned wider for he saw beneath her retort and heard the compliment in it. That she was growing to like him and would enjoy the conversation rather than just pony him around in silence. He had earned it.

"This is the coolest thing ever!" He practically shouted as he bent at the knees and motioned to Maleficent and her orb of language, "do I touch it?"

"You hold still."

"Okay."

Maleficent gave a small amused smile at the way he suddenly went very still and grinned despite himself. And then she let the swirling knowledge leave her palm and it slipped in his mouth and whispered in his ears and for a few moments his eyes clouded over with the green and purple magic.

When Henry was lucid once again, he blinked his eyes clear and Maleficent's human form was no longer in front of him. Instead she stood before him as a massive dark purple dragon with those same glowing green eyes he had first been acquainted with almost three weeks prior. He was grinning even wider now and laughing in excitement, "say something! I want to see if it works!"

Do not demand things of me, pet.

"Aha! Oh my god that's the best thing ever!" He shouted and leapt in the air before he ran the few steps to Regina and she laughed at him and David laughed beside her, "I'm going to fly with a dragon!"

You are going to miss your sunrise.

"Coming!" He laughed and turned to run back to Maleficent but stopped and turned back around so he could hug Regina.

Regina let out a startled laugh when his arms suddenly clamped around her but she hugged him back for the moment that he was there before he took off running at Maleficent again.

"I'll see you guys later! Don't kill Snow while I'm gone!"

Regina rolled her eyes with a laugh and then called, "I want him back in one piece, Maleficent!"

No promises.

Regina laughed at her friend's reply and Henry laughed too as he carefully but swiftly climbed up her and straddled himself over her neck right behind her head so he could hold on to her dark spiralled horns. She could just see the burning desire in his eyes to take off his gloves to see what the horns and scales felt like beneath his fingertips. And then with a question and a reassurance, Maleficent spread her wings and with a leap and a few powerful swipes of her enormous wings they were in the air and Henry was laughing wildly.

"I want to know how to speak dragon," David smirked playfully as he pulled Regina in to his side and she shook her head with a laugh as she settled in to him with her arms slung around his hips.

-Storybrooke-

David stood at the wrong side of his desk as he sighed at the paperwork scattered over it. Usually the paperwork was beautifully mind numbing and didn't let him think about Regina. Or anything else for that matter. But not today. Today he could not focus on anything. Nothing but Regina's voice telling him to stay away.

It hurt and he was angry. Snow had been...better. She didn't talk as much anymore and spent her time quietly cuddling herself in to his side while they read or watched a movie. It was easier, it was finally relaxing, it allowed him to breathe, but it was not Regina. That infuriating woman still plagued his mind whether he was awake or asleep and it was getting worse with every day he was forbidden from seeing her.

He had half a mind to go knock on her door and make himself present. But he knew that that would not end well. It would likely make things worse. He had gotten a deeper glimpse of what went on in that woman's mind and it was such a mess. A whirlwind of chaos that never settled, a conflict between light and dark, selfishness and selflessness, take and give, there was no balance. There was no calm. It was one extreme or the other. Too much or too little.

He missed her.

His ears perked up at the sound of stilettos clicking against the cold linoleum. No one in this town wore such things on their feet but her. Even with her strides slower and more cautious, he would recognize her steps anywhere. He turned around and he was not disappointed to see her slowing to a stop in front of him just a couple steps away. Just within reach if he were to stretch for her, "Regina," he greeted quietly. Relieved and hopeful. But it didn't show and he would be lying if he said all the anger and frustration had dissipated at the sight of her. She seemed to catch that though, being the observant and intuitive little thing that she was.

"Hi..."

Well be damned if his heart didn't melt at the timidness in her gentle voice. She was struggling, he could see that, but he wasn't entirely sure what for. It had him curious as to what was going to come out of that perfect mouth, "was there something you needed?"

"Yes...I came to apologize," she started and ran a hand through her hair as she dropped her eyes and licked her lips. Talking to him was difficult when he looked at her like that. Seemingly indifferent. Almost passive aggressive but not quite. It made her feel like she was in the wrong. And she was, she knew she was, but so was he. She had not left things well between them, "I wasn't fair to you, David. I spoke for you, I spoke at you. I told you what you were feeling. But I...don't know what you feel. And that terrifies me," her voice broke softly as she shook her head nervously and tried to find something in his expression to settle her, to ground her.

But there was nothing. It was blank and unyielding. It was neither encouraging or off putting, forgiving or unforgiving. It was just...listening, "I knew my place before and now I don't know where I stand in your eyes and I don't know where I want to stand. What I do know is that I care. I care about you, I care about what you think of me, and I don't feel that way about anyone else. Aside from Henry of course...the point is that you are important to me and I was insensitive and cold and unfair to you. I was so busy falling back on old habits thinking I was protecting myself and I didn't stop to think of...how much I was hurting you. I am sorry, David. I often forget that you are lonely too."

He still gave her no reply. Didn't even blink. She hoped it was just that he was processing her words and not that he was going to throw it all back in her face and burn her. "Regardless of that fact...I still believe it best that we refrain from being in one another's company alone," she said quietly and it brought the first reaction she had seen from him throughout her entire apology. The twitch of a frown in his brow and the corners of his mouth, "this is dangerous, David," she said quietly and felt the beginnings of a lump growing in her throat, "people will get hurt, you or I could get hurt...I don't...I don't want you to regret me," she confessed and bowed her head as she swallowed, "what I feel for you is confusing and unsettling and I have never...felt like this before. I don't want it to be our shared grief over Henry and our mutual exhaustion over these constant battles but if that is all it is...I just want to be safe. I am so tired of being hurt. Can we please just wait until Henry comes back before we act on anything we may regret? If not for your sake then for mine?"

He didn't say anything right away. He didn't know what to say. His heart still ached for her and he wanted nothing more than to draw her near and hold her and kiss her until she forgot about the turmoil killing her inside. But she pleaded for distance and caution and perhaps she was right. He had thought about what she had said on that night. Perhaps their grief and loneliness was playing a bigger part than they believed. So he nodded a single subtle nod and her shoulders relaxed with the release of her held breath. She lingered wordlessly but he still couldn't find any words to speak.

Regina nodded after a few moments of silence and then turned to leave but she was stopped when he reached for her. His hand gently caught hers at her side and as she slowly turned back to face him, he gently pulled her closer. But she stopped before she got too close to him because she knew she would slip the very moment he enveloped her senses. So she couldn't let that happen. But she did allow for him to hold her hand between both of his and her heart skipped and jumped as he softly and slowly massaged it and caressed it as though it was the most precious thing in the world.

She stood roughly two feet away from him but it didn't matter because she was letting him touch her and he would take what he could get from her, "how have you been?" He asked softly as he studied her hand.

"Fine," she replied and he looked up at her, "miserable," she corrected quietly with a small sad smile and he nodded, "Tinkerbell won't leave me alone. She's trying to help I know but...I really just want to kill her and leave it at that."

David smiled a little and breathed a huff of laughter out his nose, "sounds about right," he nodded and then let the silence fall around them again while he focused on her hand. Neither of them moved. She stayed standing and he stayed leaning back against his desk while he moved his thumbs over her soft hand. "I don't want to fight with you. I want to be in your company as much as possible. I see now that I have only been causing you stress and for that I am sorry. I will not deny that I have developed feelings for you that run deeper than I thought they would. However I do not want you to have to worry about what should happen if we spend time together."

He paused for a moment to organize his words before he looked her in the eye only to feel his chest ache. "I am not certain what to call these feelings inside me. But I do know that I feel an immeasurable amount of guilt every time I cause you such distress. So for both our sakes I will not push again. I will be here. I will wait. I will not act on these impulses or feelings again. Not until you feel you can act upon your own," he told her gently and he knew she didn't quite believe his words regarding what he felt but he had shown her time and time again that his words meant something and when he said he wouldn't act, she believed him. And he could see that.

She had never felt such a conflict within herself. She had never had her heart and her mind screaming so loudly at one another. It was confusing and exhausting and with his words she nearly gave in to him. She took a breath and one step forward, ready to give in to her heart's demands to kiss him. But as soon as she moved forward she was leaning away and snatching her hand free from his hold as she closed her mouth and let her eyes fall to the floor.

He had felt his heart jump at her move to kiss him and he couldn't help the disappointment that weighed in when she stopped. But then her reasons were known in hardly a moment.

"David I brought you a grilled cheese. You're the only person I know who likes them as much as me," Emma stated as she walked in to the office area digging through the paper bag from Granny's.

"Always looking out for me. Even when you don't need to," he answered but kept his eyes on Regina so she knew it applied to her as well. She heard him but she kept her eyes down and her head bowed.

"Yeah well, you've been all depressed lately so I figured I'd bring you the best of the comfort foods," she reasoned with a playful smile and then looked up, "oh...Regina...I didn't think you'd be here. I would have brought you something."

"Thank you, Miss Swan," she smiled a little but knew her voice was weak and thick with her overwhelming emotions as she declined, "but you needn't worry. I was just leaving," she nodded and then took her leave with barely a glance in either Emma or David's direction.

Emma watched her go curiously and when she was out of sight she looked to David and found him still staring at the doorway through which Regina had left. "You two need to get that sorted out," Emma shook her head with a long exhale and returned to her rummaging through the bag to retrieve David's food.

"It's nothing."

"Yeah. Right. I don't believe you for one second. I'm not blind, dad."

"We are just-"

"Okay look, I don't want to hear any of your practiced excuses. I'm not an idiot, I've already talked to Regina, and I'll tell you the same thing I told her. You are happier with her and she's not such a royal bitch when she's with you. So please just...figure it out," she waved her hand around a little before she pushed his wrapped food at him.

-Enchanted Forest-

Snow was on her way to find Regina when she was interrupted by Henry and Maleficent. The sight made her pause for indeed Maleficent was an entirely different person in Henry's company. Just as Regina had said. The sorceress was laughing as she walked and Henry bounced vibrantly around her as he spoke a mile a minute. His excited voice echoed through the hall but Snow couldn't quite gather what he was talking about. Something regarding Maleficent though. She herself did not interrupt them but as they approached her, Maleficent grew more controlled and Henry still revelled in his excitement but was quieter about it.

"Hi Snow," Henry greeted with a grin and she looked down at him with something akin to a scowl.

"I must go help Regina, darling pet," Maleficent excused herself with a smile and ran her fingers through his hair on top of his head.

"With what?" Henry chuckled and looked up at her, "you already helped her with her dress."

"There are plenty of minor details needed to be taken care of. I must be there to set fire to anyone who displeases the queen."

"Like she wouldn't do that herself," Henry retorted playfully as Maleficent walked away with a laugh.

"It is my role as her right hand to do all the dirty work," she teased over her shoulder and Henry laughed.

Once Maleficent was gone, Henry looked up at Snow and her expression hadn't really changed. "So like...are you totally opposite from the Snow I know?"

"What?"

"The Snow in Storybrooke."

"What are you talking about?"

"Guess you're not all that caught up on everything."

"I need to talk to Regina actually so if you'll excuse me."

"Actually can I say something first?"

"Sure," she breathed out in exasperation.

"I know that you're having a hard time with her and David. And I know that you two have a complicated history and that this thing between you two isn't going to go away overnight but you have to at least try. The queen can answer as many questions as you can think of but its not going to get you anywhere at all."

"No? And what makes you so sure?"

"Okay I get that you may be a little jealous or something with how close she and I are but you don't need to talk to me like I'm some stupid kid that's been here for five minutes. I know how she works. You don't. She raised me by herself from a baby be wise she actually wanted to, I've lived with her for over eleven years in my world and I've been here in this world with her for six months and I have earned her trust and her respect and have helped her become who she is today. You were the girl she was forced to deal with after you ruined her life. She has never shown you the truth about who she is and she won't until you give her something in return. I'm finally starting to understand why she calls you foolish and selfish all the time."

"You don't know me! I am neither of those things!"

"Well then prove it! Just open your eyes and see what is right in front of you! See how happy she is, learn how to work with her, talk to her! She isn't just this encyclopedia for you to flip through! Dig deeper and you'll see that she loves you, hold her close and she'll hold you back! Take a risk and she won't disappoint you! Jump and she'll catch you! It's not difficult!" Henry ranted frustratedly and worked to steady his quickened breaths, "you need to care about what your asking, you need to care about her, you need to share parts of yourself with her and if you do all of those things you will immediately see a difference in how she speaks and acts around you."

Snow didn't speak a word more but stared at him with a clenched jaw and irritable eyes, "start with asking about what happened to Daniel. That will get you somewhere," he instructed and she furrowed her brow a little in confusion which only irritated him. He knew that the queen never told Snow about what happened and he knew that she was a superb actress when she needed to be, but how does one go their entire life oblivious to the fact that the woman in their company every waking hour of the day has lost someone so dear? "Just ask. She'll tell you because of the deal she made with you. She won't be happy about it. But she'll answer it. And when you guys are done I will be waiting for your apology. I am only trying to help you," he stated and then started making his way to his room so he could change out of his dragon riding attire. He couldn't help but wonder if Maleficent would allow for another ride before he left the Enchanted Forest. Probably not. But maybe.

Snow watched him leave with a thoughtful expression. She was still rather agitated by the boy's bold and direct words. He certainly didn't hide his opinion. She certainly couldn't wrap her head around how he was still alive if he had truly talked to Regina like that while she was stark raving mad. It was a wonder how he was still all in one piece. But then again...perhaps she should take his advice. But that would be ridiculous. Why would she take advice from a child. Although clearly he had made a remarkable difference in Regina. And Maleficent. And she hadn't heard anything from Rumple in months. Perhaps the imp had truly jumped worlds.

It was all so confusing.

"You just going to stand there all day?" Regina drawled out the insult as she walked past the dazed princess.

Snow snapped from her thoughts and immediately her eyes focused on the brunette as she walked away from her with strong and purposeful strides, her long wavy hair bouncing with each step she took. "Regina," she called as she started walking after her and the queen lazily glanced over her shoulder as she kept walking and turned her head straight again. She figured she may as well try, "what happened to Daniel?"

Regina stopped dead in her tracks as she spun around and stared at her with rather wide eyes. That was not a question she had ever expected her to ask. It caught her by surprise. And then it made her angry and her wide eyes narrowed as she stepped closer to the halted princess and questioned in a threat, "who told you to ask me that?"

"The matter of which I came upon the question is unimportant. I want to start from the beginning," she nodded and held her ground but Regina only grew more angry and cold and unwilling. So Snow took a deep breath and closed her eyes, shaking her head as she let it out. With Henry's advice she had gotten a reaction. An unexpected reaction. So she decided to follow the rest of his advice. To give and to trust, "Regina I am trying. I know it doesn't seem like it, I know it looks as though I am just squeezing you for information but I am just trying to make sense of this. I want us to be on the same page. I am just having an incredibly difficult time not falling in to pieces in front of you," she pushed out in a shaky laugh as she dropped her shoulders and Regina looked her up and down but the rage in her eyes had been calmed.

"Regina you were once my mother," she nodded and truly started to feel the anger peel away to the pain and heartache beneath, "and as much as I would love to have that again, I would happily settle for simply having you as a friend. This fighting has been exhausting and I just want it to end. I want to know when things fell apart between us so that I can work to fix it. So the beginning is where I will start and seeing you in those stables with Daniel," she shook her head and swallowed the tears threatening to gloss her eyes as she finished quietly, "that was the very last time I saw you happy."

Her mind quickly processed every word that left Snow's mouth and her eyes flicked back and forth between her bright and hopeful eyes. She was certainly singing a different tune than she had been the day before when she was hissing her questions at her. "Daniel is dead," she answered shortly and Snow's brow furrowed in confusion as her lips parted as if to speak but no words came out, "I very specifically told you not to speak a word to Cora of him. But you turned around and told her the whole thing. She killed him in front of me that evening," she told her in a plain and matter-of-fact voice. A practiced voice. One that masked the pain and rage inside of her.

"So chew on that. I have a wedding to organize," she dismissed herself, her voice leaking her emotions as she turned her back on a horrified and silent Snow and continued on her original path.