Author's Note: Chapter three! Once again, I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to guest, on-stolen-time, tccarty, and gotapenname for their wonderful reviews! There will definitely be more subtle Regal Cricket in this chapter, and in the oncoming updates too. I want to take this story slowly, develop a plot, and stuff like that. It's slightly AU, if anyone was wondering. There will be elements of canon - things that are the same as they are in the show - and alot of stuff that I've just concocted from my strange imagination. So, I hope you all like it so far, and enjoy what's to come! Thank you lots and lots and lots!
FORGIVENESS EARNED ENTIRELY...
"What do you mean? All magic comes with a price. Everyone already knows that, Regina, but... you haven't been using magic." Archie said matter of factly, watching as she struggled to lift the fork. "... Have you?" He mumbled, not being able to hold back the question. Deep down, Archie wanted to have complete faith in her, but dark magic still lay heavily under her skin.
She was alot weaker, after fainting a few minutes ago. Everywhere was hurting, her arms felt heavy like black liquid tar. Her head banged, and refused to allow her to sit up straight. The therapist, instantly sympathised. He really cared for the Mayor, sat in front of him. And so, in a moment of pure kindness, Archie took the eating utensil from her, and placed some pasta on its prongs. Regina gave him a look that could kill a thousand men. She wasn't a baby. She didn't need someone to feed her.
"You need to eat something. I'm just offering a little bit of help." He said gently, showing that he didn't think any less of her. Regina hesitated for a moment, before parting her lips - a tiredness hid behind her eyes.
Archie helped her eat a good quarter of the bowl, before stopping to allow her to speak. "I used some magic on Emma and the two idiots, because they were trying to imprison me. But, nothing that would be classed as 'evil'." She scoffed, rolling her deep brown eyes.
"Referring back to your earlier query, I just meant that... not using magic, can have a greater defect on my body, than actually using it. Dark magic especially, it's like... the most peculiar drug. You want to control it and be in power. It makes you stronger. It's strangely addicting. You can't stop, once you've started using it." She nodded, feeling a little better, now that the starchy pasta was beginning to work its own kind of magic.
Regina could feel her hands still shaking, however. "There are side-effects?" Archie asked, meeting the look that hid behind her eyes. She'd never admit it out loud, but Regina was absolutely terrified. So much so, that she couldn't answer in words. Instead, the Evil Queen just nodded gently.
"The price you pay for giving in to dark magic, is that you actually become dark yourself. I'm trying not to be so 'evil', but it's physically become too difficult." She confessed, feeling her gaze drift towards the glass window beside them.
"I want to do right, by Henry. I want my mother to stay out of my affairs. But, both matters seem impossible. The dark magic... it's splitting me into two different people. The person that I really am, and this person that's full of hate. So, pent up on revenge. I'm fighting so hard against the latter, Dr Hopper." She mumbled quietly.
Things were starting to make a little more sense, now that the therapist had a clear idea of what was going on. Regina was a tough woman, she could look after herself, but this magic couldn't be controlled.
"I have no choice, but to keep practising magic... to keep controlling it. My fainting earlier, that was the first indication that I am literally becoming weaker than I should be. If I stop completely, I'm not going to know what I'm doing. I'll forget who I am, and the dark magic will take over and... it will control me." Regina said, looking deadly serious with each and every word.
Archie nodded in understanding. "You gave yourself over to magic... and that was the price? That one of you has to always be in control. Never neither." He mumbled, finally getting what she was referring too.
"Exactly!" The former Evil Queen sighed, leaning back against the chair, her veins throbbing. Talking about her problems seemed to help a little. Archie was kind enough to listen and offer her advice. She was trusting him, to stay silent. After blabbing to Emma about their sessions, Archie wouldn't dare betray Regina again. He desperately wanted her to know that he could be a confidant to her. He could be trusted.
"We'll think of another way... There's always an alternative." He smiled, glancing out of the window; praying that Emma, Belle and Snow managed to find Henry soon. Maybe seeing the young boy would help Regina. He always seemed to bring out the best in her, even at the worst of times.
It had started to get very dark outside. The sky was a deep midnight black.
Little did Archie and Regina know, Belle would not be returning that night - not knowingly anyway. As Hook fired his gun, she tumbled over the town line, blood dripping all over her previously pristine outfit. Everyone on the scene, almost forgot about the many other situations at hand. Gold would look after the beloved librarian, his true love. Everyone else would go and continue to look for Henry, despite their worry for sweet Belle.
Emma quickly ran home, to the flat she shared with Mary Margaret and David. Calling them mom and dad was weird still, but living together as a family was nice. It was home. She finally felt like, she didn't need to search any more. Until today. When Henry was nowhere to be found, wondering off or hiding away. Whatever this kid was playing at, it wasn't healthy. The fairytale thing had been fine in moderation, then it turned out to be true. He could be anywhere.
She shoved the key into the lock, glancing around for any signs of her sons whereabouts. The sudden sound of a creaky floor board made her spin around quickly. A figure stood, tall.
"What are you doing here?!" Emma sighed.
Author's Note: Yay! Chapter three! It was a little shorter than the others, but that's just gonna be a one off kinda thing. This should hopefully clear up any references to Belle. She has lost her memory now, and her character will just be assumed to be in hospital, like she is in the canon episodes. We're getting all canon up in here! Anyway, I hope you all liked this chapter. Let me know what you think, or if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them all. Lots of love, Evilsaurus...!