Idea in the first half from hailsara1973. Thanks! Also for everyone reading and their suggestions :)

Warning: its a bit sad with mentions of violence and probably the next chapter too.

Chapter 12

Thinking over the previous day, Regina couldn't help but feel a mixture of happiness and sadness as she had enjoyed her day celebrating Emma's birthday. Spending the day with the children and her new friend, who at this moment in time seems to keep creeping into her mind, was heartwarming but she hated the fact that her mother yet again had to ruin it. What Cora had said to her daughter, more so played on the brunette's mind. 'They will be adopted' sighing, the young teacher rubs her head as she became impatient over waiting on a call from Daniel considering Maleficent informed her that she would let her brother know of her situation. Standing up quickly from her stool, Regina checks the time to make sure Emma will not need collecting just yet and goes to fetch Henry before heading out.

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Turning up at the only place she could think of, the young teacher hesitated before knocking on her uncle's door. Taking a breath, the brunette watches as the door opens to find Adam standing with a smile upon seeing her. Letting her inside, the man raises an eyebrow at seeing the small boy then chuckles. "Ah..your mother did inform me of what you had done.."

"Yes..well she is of course fully against it. She said I'm unfit to be a mother.." Regina confesses while looking sadly at Gold.

Frowning, the man places a hand on her shoulder while allowing Henry to reach out for his spare one. "You know how thick skinned she can be and also how wrong she can be. You dearie would make a fine mother" smiling over at the boy, Adam nods trying to get him to agree and causing Henry to babble loud with a squeal.

Taking a deep breath, the young teacher looks at her uncle with worry. "I need your help..you see...Henry here and his sister Emma was only supposed to be a temporary thing but, I have grown quite fond of them and..I don't want to let them go.."

Smiling proudly, Adam gestures for the pair to sit down while Regina sorts Henry out onto her lap. "You want to keep them?"

"Yes"

Looking slightly confused, Gold rubs his neck. "Why exactly do you need my help?"

Glancing down, the brunette tries to keep her emotions at bay, especially with the small boy hugging her. "Because..I don't know what to do..mother..is so against it, she is trying to prevent it. She said that they will get adopted and I am worried she will somehow work her way in to finding a home herself but..a horrible one and I cannot bare the thought of Emma or Henry being hurt.."

"Well she wouldn't have the children hurt..I know your mother can be quite invasive but not in that manner"

Looking back at her uncle worried, Regina gulps. "Then you clearly don't know mother as well as you thought.."

Sighing, Gold reaches for her hand. "Regina, I know your relationship with Cora hasn't always been the best but-"

"I haven't been entirely honest with you regarding...I'm sorry it started happening before father's passing and then..it just continued.." Getting a little worked up, the young teacher stops.

Watching the woman go quiet, Gold looks concerned. "What do you mean continued?..continued what exactly?"

"She..she's got physical..in the past, as a punishment if I did wrong which in her eyes was everything.." Biting her lip, the brunette feels guilty seeing the anger creep across her uncle's face. "..sometimes..even now.."

Dropping her hand, Adam grips both his hands to fists and gritts his teeth. "I didn't..." Taking a deep breath, he stands and charges towards the door. "I'm going to kill her!"

Eyes widening, Regina holds Henry tightly and stands. "No! Adam, don't!"

"Regina, she has no right to lay a hand on you! Why did you never tell me? I could have helped, you could have stayed with me!" Gold paces by the door. "I'm sorry but this stops now!"

The brunette looks worried as her uncle storms out the house with the intention of facing Cora.

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Rushing towards the school and in, Regina stops briefly by the classroom. Despite all the children wanting to say hello and Emma's confused look, the young teacher whispers to Mary Margaret who nods then takes hold of Henry for her before the brunette heads back out and towards the headteachers office, hearing a high amount of yelling as she approaches. Opening the door, the woman comes face to face with her mother and uncle who turn towards her at the door.

"Regina, how dare you make me out as some monster!" Cora glares at her daughter while Gold keeps a watch.

Taking a nervous breath, Regina stands tall despite the fear taking over inside. "Its all true mother..you know what you've done..what you still.." Biting her lip not being able to finish, the brunette looks away teary.

Going to stand beside her, Adam looks towards his sister as she also approaches. "Adam let me talk to my daughter alone please.."

"Not a chance dearie.."

"Regina? Please?" The older brunette looks towards her daughter pleadingly while waiting for an answer.

Slowly nodding, surprised by her mother's soft approach, the young teacher gives her uncle a reassuring look prompting the man to step outside. "What is it?"

Getting closer to her, Cora leans towards her ear while locking the door and replying coldly. "You my dear, are going to regret doing that" grabbing at her arm forcefully, the older brunette pulls her towards the supply closet and in, also shutting that door to prevent any sound.

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Pulling open the office door after a while, Regina steps outside and glances towards her uncle. "It..its..fine.."

Watching his niece continue down the corridor and back to the classroom, Gold peers over to Cora who shrugs innocently in the doorway then closes it behind her, leaving him outside. Stepping into the classroom, Regina lifts Henry from Mary Margaret's lap and ignores her friends concerned look. "I will be taking Emma with me now too.."

Standing slowly, confused, Emma takes her belongings and coat then walks up to the woman, taking her spare hand. "Bye Miss Blanchard..see you tomorrow.."

Nodding with a smile, the short haired woman looks to Regina again who turns away and heads out the classroom quietly.

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Having spent the rest of the afternoon at home, the young teacher went through her usual routine of making dinner then preparing the children for bed. Unfortunately for her, it did not go unnoticed by the small blonde at how quiet and withdrawn the woman had become throughout the day. Watching as Regina makes her way to her bedroom to put Henry to bed, Emma bites her lip then walks over to the kitchen and leans up on her toes to reach the phone. Walking towards the hallway, the small blonde checks for any movement then looks through the phone, knowing that the brunette's last call would have been Daniel. Pressing the call button, she waits patiently until a voice can be heard. Covering the mouth piece, Emma tries to speak quietly. "Hello?...is Daniel? Its Emma.."

Sounding confused and concerned, the policeman replies. "Emma..hey..sweetie is everything okay? Where is Regina?"

Biting her lip, the blonde pouts. "Regina..sad..she took Henry bed but..she not.." Sighing as she cannot explain, Emma then smiles. "Where your sister? She help!"

Trying to hold a chuckle at the girls eagerness, Daniel goes along with it. "You want to speak to Mal?"

The blonde huffs while leaning against the counter. "No, she come here.."

"Oh.."

Trying to listen, the small blonde can hear some talking then Daniel speak down the phone again.

"She's on her way Emma"

Grinning to herself, Emma nods despite him not being able to see her. "Thank you Daniel bye!" Quickly placing the phone back before the brunette returns, the small blonde climbs up on couch and acts as if nothing has happened.

Reappearing a little while later, Regina glances over to Emma. "Emma, you need to go to bed in half an hour okay?"

Nodding, the small blonde bites her lip to stop a smile as the woman heads towards the kitchen to make a drink.

Hearing a knock at the door, Regina jumps slightly and drops her coffee spoon as the last time she had a visitor, it was her mother. Approaching the door warily, the brunette looks through the spyhole then opens the door confused. "Maleficent..what are you doing here?..its..well not late but.."

Stepping inside, the blonde looks towards Emma on the couch. "Emma..she..called"

Frowning while shocked, the brunette looks over to the small blonde who slides off the couch having been caught. "..I go bed.." Disappearing quickly, Emma shuts the bedroom behind her leaving the two adults standing awkwardly by the door.

Taking a breath, the brunette who seems a little paler than usual, questions as she shuts the door. "Why..why did Emma call you?.."

Looking at Regina, Maleficent goes to place a hand on her shoulder only for the the woman to flinch away. "She..said you were sad..she asked if I could come..here. Regina?"

"I'm fine..sorry you had a waste of journey.." The young teacher replies quickly then heads over towards the couch and sits down nervously.

Following, the blonde sits beside her and looks in concern. "Regina?..look at me"

Glancing across, the brunette bites her lip. Maleficent raises an eyebrow and looks at her seriously. "What's happened?"

Getting teary, Regina looks away again slowly feeling herself lose control. As soon as she feels the blonde reach for her hand, the brunette looks down and covers her mouth as she begins to sob. Shocked, Maleficent quickly shuffles closer and wraps an arm around her shoulders, prompting the young teacher to turn inwards and rest her head against her while she shakes through her sobs. "Hey..its okay..whatever it is, right now, you're safe..okay? I'm here..if you need me, I'm right here.."

A/N: nasty Cora what have you done?! And I still think Adam may kill her...