Chapter 3

"You know she will not be happy if she sees you here Adam.." The young brunette states worried for her uncle's sake as she begins to set out books onto her pupils desks.

"And what might she possibly do if she did? Nothing, that is what. I've known my sister a lot longer than you have dearie and with me, its always been just talk" the man also known as Mr Gold smirks at the thought then leans against Regina's desk. "How has she been lately?"

Scoffing, Regina shakes her head as she returns to the front of the classroom. "The usual..she made one of my pupils cry this morning. The poor girl is new aswell. Apparently the children are no longer allowed to go to the bathroom...well she would be more angry if one of them had an accident in the classroom instead"

Sighing, the older man rubs his neck. "Same old Cora..and what about you? How has she been with-"

"Well, well, if it isn't my dearest brother come to pay Regina a visit. Oh and to answer your question, I treat her fine..as fine as you can treat a disobeying daughter" Cora glares over at the brunette obviously aware that the pair had been talking.

Turning away, the brunette heads back to her desk and gets the lesson plan out. Gold witnesses the young woman's behaviour and raises an eyebrow in the direction of his sister. "Of course..anyway, I'd best be off.." Sharing a smile with Regina, the older man walks over to the door and past his sister.

The older brunette watches closely then sighs. "Next time dear brother, let me know of your visit...and from now on, if it is on school premises you see me and only me. Miss Mills here is working"

Presenting a false smile, Gold nods then leaves the school.

Looking towards her daughter, Cora steps inside the classroom and shuts the door slowly behind her. As she approaches the desk, Regina looks wary and gulps trying to stay strong. "No more visitors.." Glaring at her, the older brunette grabs hold of the young teacher's arm and squeezes until she hears the woman let out a small whimper. "And certainly no gossiping about ridiculous accusations understood?" Raising an eyebrow, Cora awaits a response.

Nodding abruptly, Regina lets out a shaky breath, looking teary as the woman releases her arm.

"Good. Back to work"

Watching the woman leave, the brunette holds her arm to her chest and takes a deep breath to gather herself together.

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Sat at her desk after a long eventful day, Regina looks up and observes her pupils as they work on a picture of their family trees. Glancing back down to her book briefly, the woman jumps as she hear the bell go, signalling the end of school. "Okay, we can finish and present your family trees tomorrow. Starting with the left row, please bring me your drawings then go and collect your belongings"

Listening to their teacher, the children all take turns to hand their drawings in and collect their belongings. Moving past quickly as her classmates leave the room, Emma grabs her backpack and coat then walks towards the door.

"Emma?"

Stopping by the door, the blonde bites her lip but doesn't turn around. Standing from her seat, the brunette rounds her desk then leans against it curiously. "Emma where is your drawing? Its not on the pile and I know you drew one.."

Looking conflicted, Emma furrows her brow and screws her nose up before turning around, answering quietly. "..its in my desk..."

Watching her, the brunette holds onto her desk with both hands as she sits herself on the edge. "Can you fetch it for me please?"

Slowly dropping her bag and coat, the blonde looks at her teacher briefly before walking over to her desk and retrieving the paper. Stepping up to the desk, Emma stands in front of the woman and holds the paper up while avoiding her look.

Accepting the paper, Regina looks down to it and frowns. "Emma, dear you were given an hour for this task..I would have assumed you would have gotten further than drawing just yourself, although I must say it is a very detailed portrait"

Glancing down to her feet, the blonde shuffles a little feeling embarrassed. "Sorry..Miss..but.." Stopping, the small girl sighs sadly.

Taking in the girl's behaviour, the teacher looks to the page once more before turning her attention back to the blonde. "But what Emma?"

Quietly, Emma mumbles. "..thats it..its just me.."

Confused, Regina puts the paper to the side and lifts the girls chin again for the second time today. "What is just you?"

Gesturing to the paper, the blonde looks sad. "My family..is..me..no one else. Its what they all say..mom says she..she wished..she never had me. My father says I don't exist and my older brother wishes I were a boy..he usually throws food at me.."

Looking surprised, the brunette slides off her desk then lifts Emma up onto it so she can see her properly. "Emma, why haven't you told anyone before? Surely there must be someone?"

"You, I'm telling you..but before..I came to school..When they work, I was locked indoors..and left to it, so I had no one to talk to.."

Taking hold of her hands, Regina looks crushed for the girl. "They shouldn't be allowed to do that dear..that is not what parents are suppose to do.."

Nodding a little, Emma looks towards the window. "I need to go..Mi-..Regina..it will be dark soon and I don't like walking in the dark..or anything to do with the dark.."

"You're going home by yourself?! That is not happening..give me ten minutes to tidy away and I will take you"

The blonde shakes her head. "No! Its okay..I can do it.."

Letting go of the small blonde's hands, the young teacher rests her hands on the desk either side of the girl and looks seriously at her. "Emma. I am not allowing you to walk home by yourself, do I make myself clear?"

Going wide eyed, Emma nods then watches as her teacher goes around closing the blinds, stacking the chairs then fixing her desk. Frowning at spotting something, the blonde asks curiously. "What happened to your arm?"

Pausing by her desk draw, having put the children's work away until tomorrow, Regina glances to her arm for a moment noticing finger prints along her wrist. "Its nothing honey..nothing for you to worry about..lets get you home"

Jumping off the desk, the blonde puts her coat on and takes her bag. As they walk down the corridor and out the building, Emma waits until they are out the gate before slipping her hand into her teachers with a small smile. Looking down at the girl, Regina smiles back and gives her hand a squeeze as she takes her home.

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Knocking on the door, the pair wait awkwardly for someone to answer. Seeing the door swing open, they both look towards the irriated looking man.

"Yeah?"

"Hello..Mr Swan? I was just making sure that Emma here got home safely.." Regina states while gesturing to girl beside her.

"Oh right..thanks." Clearly not impressed, the apparent father figure grabs the blonde by her coat and pulls her inside before promptly shutting the door.

Holding her foot out quickly to prevent him, the brunette looks horrified. "I would also like to inform you that your daughter is a very young age and should not be walking home by herself"

Giving a smarmy smile, the guy nods. "Got it"

Peering behind him, Emma gives her a small wave sadly then sighs at hearing her brother shout out 'hey look ratface is home'

Glaring at the man, the young teacher removes her foot. "I will see you tomorrow Emma" looking down towards the blonde, Regina gives a smile hoping it will reassure the girl then watches as the door slams in her face a second time.

A/N: Regina needs to be a mommy!