All washed out in neon
And hidden from view
But when the power goes out

And you look up from Brooklyn
Will you reach for me
Reaching out for you

("Reach for Me," Smash)

Chapter 6: The Mind Connection

"Welcome back! Is our little rule breaker done with her community service?" Harold teased as I entered the center.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, thankfully. The woman in the laundry room hated me even without her memories. I think there's something subconscious going on with everyone in that town."

"Wait, you pissed off that woman in the Enchanted Forest? How?" he asked.

"She wanted Robin to marry her and instead he fell in love with me." I put my bag down. "Even accused me of putting a spell on him. Mind you this is before we discovered my powers, but still…"

He let out a low whistle. "I hate to see when she gets her memories back and learns you're married to Robin and the mother of his daughter."

"Well, she already thinks I'm married to Robin," I replied before biting my lip. "But Rachel is going to throw her for a loop."

"So were you able to get any more clues about how to break the curse while you were in Storybrooke?" he asked.

I shook my head. "There is one person who still has his memories aside from Madame Mayor and I trust him as much as I trust her."

"No go, then?"

"For now, yes," I sighed before tapping my hands on his desk. "But I'm ready to get back to work. What's up first?"

Harold pulled out the schedule and sighed. "The people who want to suppress their magic in hopes of returning to the 'real' world. I gave in and let them have their own class now."

I sighed. "Starting me off with the difficult group, huh?"

"I'm sure they won't be too bad. But if you need back up…"

"I'll give a shout." I took the list and gave him a tight smile. "Wish me luck."

He saluted me. "If you survive, we can work on your curse problem. How's that for some incentive?"

"It'll have to do." I shrugged before heading down the hall to my classroom. It was going to be a long morning.

By the time my morning session was over, I felt a whopper of headache building behind my eyes. I hadn't suffered from migraines before and wondered if this is what one felt like. Rubbing the back of my neck, I returned to Harold's office. "Do you have aspirin?"

"Uh, no. Why?" he asked.

"I need it. Badly."

He shook his head. "Sorry. Do you want to knock off early? I can take your afternoon class and we can go over that curse thing tomorrow."

Part of me wanted to power through the headache and finish my work, but when the floor tilted up toward me and Harold was jumping up to steady me, I knew I had to take him up on his offer. Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I nodded. "Home sounds good."

"Well, sit down. I'll call Robin." He guided me to a nearby chair.

"You don't have to do that," I argued. "Just give me a moment to collect myself and I'll be fine to drive myself home."

Harold shook his head. "Nonsense. I'm going to call Robin and you are going to rest until he gets here."

I opened my mouth to argue but the room began spinning. Pitching forward, I clutched onto his desk as I gritted my teeth. My stomach turned and I closed my eyes, waiting for it to end…

Opening my eyes again, I found myself back in the destroyed palace. Zelena stood in the nursery, dressed in a business suit. She had her arms crossed and she was scowling. "I didn't get to see you last week."

"Wait, you're really talking to me?" I asked, confused. "This isn't a dream of some sort?"

She sighed. "No. I've been reaching out to you for months now. I've established a mind link with you."

That terrified me. I did my best though not to let her know. "Why?"

"Well, I wanted to keep track of you in the Enchanted Forest but that infernal spell the Blue Fairy put on you was strong enough to block me. Now that it's been broken, I can find you again. Make sure you aren't a threat."

I frowned. "The curse can't be broken for twenty-eight years."

"And there's not supposed to be magic in this world," she reminded me. "But I managed to change that."

"You did that? Do you know the chaos you created?" I balled my fists, wanting to punch her for every life torn apart and every family that had lived in fear because of her actions.

Her smile reminded me that she was a maniac. "It's all very delicious, isn't it? Did they turn on you as well?"

"No one turned on me," I replied coolly. "But I'm not going to discuss that with you. Now, why did you call this little meeting?"

"Right. Well, as I said, I didn't get a chance to see you last week."

I shrugged. "I was in town. You could've come see me any time."

"I got caught up with work. Do you know how much time and energy it takes to run an entire town?"

"I can imagine."

She scoffed. "I doubt it. There's so much paperwork. And everyone keeps coming to me with complaints. It never ends!"

"So you brought me here to complain to? I have many better things I could be doing, Zelena."

"Fine," she huffed. "What did Gold ask you?"

I laughed. "Does it always go back to that? Why are you still so insecure about Gold talking to me? Is it because you still have feelings for him?"

Zelena turned red and fire burned in her eyes. "He told you about that? There's nothing between us."

"Sure. That's why you kidnapped Belle, locked her in a secret cell and told the Dark One she was dead."

"I had my reasons for that and it wasn't because Rumpelstiltskin spurned me," she said, laughing a bit too much. I figured I had hit a nerve. "Besides, my bed wasn't empty for long."

I nodded. "Right. The Sheriff. He told me about that as well. Of course, you had to kill Marian to get him back."

"That worked out for you too."

"Don't even go there," I said, my blood boiling. "And Robin and I love each other. I don't even want to know what lies between you and the Sheriff."

Zelena huffed again. "I didn't bring you here to gossip about my love life."

"Then why did you bring me here?" I asked, exasperated.

"Because as I said, we didn't get a chance to see each other when you were here," she replied. "Do you know how much goes into running a town? So much paperwork and everyone comes to me to complain. Why?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You're the mayor. It's your job. And you would've had to do that as queen as well. You do know that, right?"

"Whatever. Anyway, are you planning on coming back to Storybrooke? I would love to have a little chat with you in person." The cold glint in her blue eyes sent a chill running through me.

"I don't know," I replied, shrugging. "There really isn't much of a reason for us to go back."

She frowned. "Fine. Be that way. Even though I have someone you may want back."

"You have all my friends trapped in a town without their memories," I reminded her. "I get it."

My vision grew blurry and ripply, like the end of a dream sequence in a movie. I felt like I was falling backwards as Zelena chuckled. "I'll give your best to your mother, Regina."

Before I could wonder what she meant, everything went black.

"Regina? Regina, can you hear me?" Robin's voice cut through the fog filling my mind.

I opened my eyes but the harsh light had me closing them again, moaning as I did so. My headache returned and I realized it hadn't been a precursor to Zelena's summons, just a painful coincidence.

Robin's fingers caressed my cheek. "Come on, lovely. Let me see those beautiful brown eyes again."

"Too bright," I moaned.

"I can fix that," I heard Harold say. Within seconds, I could tell he had turned off the lights in his office.

I tried opening my eyes again and it was easier, though my headache was still pounding behind my eyes. Robin looked relieved as he kissed my forehead. "Thank goodness. What happened?"

"Zelena," I croaked. "I was right about my dreams. We apparently have a mind connection."

He closed his eyes, holding me close. "Since when?"

"The Enchanted Forest." My stomach rolled and I groaned. "I need to go home and get rid of this headache."

"Okay. I'll take you home." Robin lifted me with ease, holding me close. He spoke with Harold before thanking him, carrying me out of the center and putting me into the car.

I curled in the passenger seat as he got in the car. "Did she hurt you?" he asked me.

"No, headache not her fault," I mumbled, closing my eyes. "Just scared she might be able to find out something that could be used against us."

He hummed as he drove us home. "Does she know about Emma?"

"Most likely, if what I had thought were dreams really were her attempts at communicating with me." I groaned. "Can we do the interrogation after my headache goes away?"

When I woke up, my head felt clearer and the pain was gone. It was also dark in the room and I could smell meatloaf. Robin had either just finished making dinner or was still making it. The smell made my stomach grumble and I pushed back the blankets eagerly.

I padded downstairs and into the kitchen. Roland looked up from his plate and smiled. "Mama! Are you feeling better?"

"I am, my little knight." I kissed the top of his head. "Eat your dinner and I'll go get a plate for myself."

"No. You can have a seat and I'll bring it to you," Robin instructed me, already making my plate.

I sighed but sat down, reaching out to take Rachel's little hand. "And how's my sweet girl?" I cooed to her.

Missed Mama.

"Aww. Well, I'm feeling better so maybe we can have some snuggles after dinner?" I smiled at her.

She smiled at me and babbled away, banging her hands on her high chair's tray. I chuckled and nodded. "I guess that's a yes then."

"What about me? Can I get some snuggles?" Roland asked, a piece of broccoli hanging from his mouth.

"Chew your food and swallow before talking," I reminded him. "And yes, we can have some snuggles after I check your homework. How's that?"

He nodded eagerly, turning back to his dinner as Robin set mine down in front of me. He leaned down, kissing my head before whispering: "We still have to talk about what happened today."

"We will," I promised him. "Later. When we're alone."

"Okay," he replied, knowing what I meant. We would discuss it when the children were in bed and couldn't overhear us—especially Roland.

Robin sat down, placing a bowl of cut up meats in front of Emma. She dug in with her little fingers and began eating in earnest. I watched as he brushed back her curls and kissed her forehead.

The overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my family that filled me reminded me of something important. "Thanksgiving is coming up," I said.

"I know. I've been seeing turkeys and Pilgrims everywhere," Robin replied. "What do you want to do?"

"Barb's invited us to Thanksgiving dinner. We could go there, if you want to meet the rest of my family."

He smiled. "How bad could the rest of the assorted Mills' be?"

"Will there be other children?" Roland asked, pushing his empty plate away from him.

"Most likely. And as for the assorted Mills', I don't really know them. So chances are fifty-fifty this could be a disaster," I replied.

Robin shook his head. "I doubt it would be that bad."

"You never know."

"Do you not want to go? If you don't, we can just stay here and have a small dinner like we did last year," he said. "The choice is yours, lovely."

I nodded. "Can I think about it? Let you know, maybe tomorrow or the day after?"

"Take all the time you need," he told me. He then dug into his meatloaf and I did the same.

Rachel was extra clingy that night. I sighed as her little nails dug into my skin and gave Roland an apologetic glance. "Do you mind sharing your cuddles tonight? We can have extra time tomorrow."

"I don't mind, Mama," he said, climbing onto the couch. He let me situate Rachel on my chest before taking my free shoulder.

I watched as he reached out, taking Rachel's hand in his and singing a silly, made up song to her. She grinned and started to bang their hands against my breast. I bore the pain for the cute moment unfolding before me.

Roland and Rachel looked so much alike despite having two different mothers and neither really taking after their father. Except for her bright blue eyes, that was. Their dark curls were the same and I hoped Rachel kept hers like Roland had his. I brushed the curls back on both of them, listening to her giggle at her brother.

Roland funny. Tell him to sing more, Mama, Rachel instructed me.

I lifted my eyebrow, deciding that it was time to start teaching her about "please" and "thank you." But I turned to Roland and said: "She wants you to sing some more."

"Okay, Rachel," he said, moving closer and coming up with another nonsense song. I closed my eyes and listened as well.

His voice started to trail off and I opened my eyes to find him fighting sleep. Rachel looked up at me, pouting. Roland not singing anymore.

"He's sleepy, sweetheart," I replied. To Roland, I asked: "Do you want to go to bed, my little knight?"

"I'm fine, Mama," he said, but I could tell he was losing the battle against sleep.

Robin knelt down next to the couch, putting his hand on Roland's back. "Time for bed, son. Say goodnight to Mama and Rachel."

"No," he murmured. "Want to stay here. Really comfortable."

I met Robin's eyes and chuckled. "He can stay. I don't mind."

"Of course you don't. But I think we both know he'll be more comfortable in his own bed. Come on, Roland." Robin urged our son to stand.

It took some fighting but he got Roland onto his feet and led him upstairs as I continued to lay with Rachel. She looked up at me with her big blue eyes. Sing, Mama?

"For you, sweet girl, of course," I said, warbling for her again. I rubbed her back, feeling her breathing even out as she gave into slumber herself.

Once I was certain Rachel was asleep, I stood and carried her to bed as well. Emma was already sound asleep in her crib. I watched her for a bit before pressing a kiss to my fingers, touching them to her forehead. "Good night, Princess."

I wandered into our bedroom and found Robin waiting for me. "Ready to talk?" he asked.

"Yes," I said, sitting down next to him. I took his hand and rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm scared."

"That would make two of us." Robin kissed the top of my head. "Have you found anything to block her?"

I shook my head. "Hand me the book, please. Maybe we can find something in it that can help."

Robin nodded, pulling out the book from where I kept it by our bedside. He handed it to me and sat down again. "What do you think you need to focus on?"

"I'll just see what it thinks I need," I replied, opening the book. The pages flew open as if blown by a powerful wind, going to the right spell.

"What is it?" Robin asked, leaning over and casting a shadow over the page.

I gave him a gentle shove. "I don't know; you're blocking the words."

"Oh, sorry." He pulled back, letting me look over the spell.

"It appears to be a way to sever the mind connection. There's just one big problem."

Robin frowned. "What? Do you need to be in the same room as Zelena?"

"That would be the problem, yes."

"Of course." He sighed, leaning back against the pillows. "I don't like you being in the same room with her but I don't like her invading your mind. She made you pass out today!"

I gathered up the book and went to lie next him. "I know. So we might have to pick the lesser of two evils, which may be sharing the same room as Zelena."

"You won't be alone. I'm going to be there and no, the bow is not staying in the car when you do it. I won't take any chances." His voice was firm.

"Alright," I conceded. "We'll work out a plan and then go get her out of my head."

Robin kissed my head before climbing out of bed. "I'm going to get ready, lovely. You care to join me?"

"Can we take a bath together?" I asked, setting the book aside. "It's been too long if you ask me."

He grinned. "I agree, lovely. Come on."

I followed him into the bathroom and we soaked in a nice warm bath together. Robin wrapped his arms around me and I closed my eyes, though still a little nervous that I would see Zelena behind my eyelids.

But I would not let her ruin my time with the man I loved. So I pushed my nerves aside and just focused on him until he was all I could think about.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't jittery after learning I was connected to Zelena. Every day I feared that she would take me over again and make me collapse in the worst places possible. Harold began shadowing me and Robin had even contemplated calling out sick. I was almost tempted to let him but in the end, I didn't want Zelena to control our lives anymore. So I told him to go to the center and he reluctantly went.

Thanksgiving filled my days. I decided against going to Barb and Joe's for it, which they understood. "To be honest, I can't say there aren't relatives who wouldn't tell Massachusetts' authorities where you've gone. They're still looking for you," Barb said.

"Of course they are," I replied with a sigh. "Just another thing to worry about."

"Including the fact they haven't found your mother yet. Your stepfather has made an impassioned plea for her return." Barb handed me a cup of tea.

Her words gave me pause. "Zelena mentioned something about my mother. She said she would give her my best."

Barb frowned, sitting down next to me at the table. "Do you think she has your mother?"

"Maybe," I replied. "But I can't figure out why."

"Didn't you say her mother looked exactly like yours?"

I nodded, my mind working overtime. Had Zelena mistaken my mother for hers and taken her? Or did she have another reason for taking her?

Of course, that was assuming she had her in the first place and it wasn't a trick to get me back to Storybrooke.

Barb shrugged. "Maybe she's just trying to lure you back to talk to her."

"Oh, I don't doubt that," I replied, rubbing my head. "Zelena just makes everything so complicated. And the Dark One isn't helping."

"The Dark One? Oh, that sounds ominous."

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's more annoying than anything else. Right now, she's still the bigger threat."

"Do you need anything?" she asked me.

"Good news?" I suggested.

Her eyes lit up and she stood, hurrying over to one of her tables. "I almost forgot! Lucy sent you a letter."

"She did?" I perked up, eager to hear from my best friend. Letters were the best we could do with everyone still up in arms about magic now existing in this world.

Barb handed me Lucy's letter. I opened it eagerly and when I unfounded the paper inside, something fell out. Looking down, I saw a small grainy, black and white picture resting on the table and recognized it immediately.

It was a sonogram.

Excitement coursed through me as I turned to Lucy's letter. She wrote that she was over a month along and hadn't told anyone but Daniel yet.

But of course I had to tell you, my best friend. It's all been a shock. Daniel and I have talked about children and clearly we weren't really using protection, but I hadn't expected to get pregnant so soon.

Daniel is over the moon and I'm happy as well. But I'm also really scared. You made this all look so easy—mothering Roland and Emma all while carrying Rachel. I wish you were here to help me! Why must people be so stupid?

Even though you are far away and even though I'm not due for about eight more months, I hope you will agree to be my child's godmother. I can't imagine anyone more suited for the role.

Grinning like a madwoman, I lowered the letter. "She's pregnant!" I told Barb.

She nodded, picking up the sonogram. "I figured that's what this meant. Lucy pregnant. Wow."

"She'll be a great mother," I replied, certain of the fact. "And Daniel will be a great father. I've always thought so."

Barb nodded. "Well, you were going to start a family with him."

"True. But I'm glad I did it with Robin instead," I replied, thinking of how wonderful a father he was.

"Maybe Lucy and Daniel can sneak up here for Christmas," she said, taking my hand. "Then you can give her all the mothering tips you want."

I laughed. "Me giving tips on how to be a mother to Lucy. I never thought I'd see the day."

"She probably thought the same."

"No doubt." I picked up the sonogram again and sighed. "I don't know what Zelena wants, but I'm going to stop her before she wreaks more havoc in this world. To protect my children and my friend's children."

While we didn't go to Barb and Joe's for Thanksgiving, we did invite Karen and her family over to celebrate with us. They showed up early in the afternoon with sweet potato casserole, which I took with a big smile. "Come on in. The girls are down for a nap but Roland is in the living room."

Michael and Donna cheered, rushing into the living room to play with their friend. Steve chuckled before asking: "And Robin?"

"In the kitchen cutting up apples for a pie," I replied, motioning for them to follow me there.

Robin looked up as we entered, throwing a towel over his shoulder as he smiled at them. "Hello, there. I'd shake your hands but I'm afraid mine are quite sticky."

"That's okay," Karen replied, holding up her hands. She glanced around our kitchen. "Is there anything I can do?"

I shook my head. "You just relax. Can I get you some wine? Steve, do you want a beer?"

"A beer sounds perfect," he replied. "Thank you."

"Karen?" I asked again, heading toward the refrigerator.

She rushed toward me, hugging me with such a force that the wind was knocked out of me. I staggered back a bit before hugging her as well. As I patted her back, I shot Steve a concerned look. He only shrugged in return.

"Are you okay, Karen?" I asked, leaning back to grab a tissue box for her.

Karen shook her head. "This is my first Thanksgiving where we can't go to my mother's. We spoke with her but…it's just not the same."

"Then you sound like you definitely need some wine." I pulled a bottle out. "Red good?"

She hesitated before shaking her head. "No wine for me today. Thank you anyway."

I paused, frowning. With Lucy's pregnancy fresh on my mind, I wondered if another friend was once again in the family way. "Are you…expecting?"

"What?" Karen and Steve exclaimed, eyes wide. She continued: "No, no. Michael and Donna are enough for us, trust me. I just…I'm just on some medication and can't have any alcohol with it."

At her pleading look, I didn't press it. Instead, I nodded. "Sorry. After Lucy's news…"

"Lucy's pregnant?" she asked, surprised.

"Yes, she is." I pulled out the sonogram. "She sent me this via Barb. Apparently she's due next summer."

Karen took the sonogram and grinned. "Lucy a mother. Wow."

"That's pretty much all Regina said when she got home the other day," Robin said, giving me a cheeky grin.

He and Steve then started to talk about something to do with sports and I pulled Karen to the side, lowering my voice. "Are you okay? The truth please."

"No, I'm not. It's been so hard, even with you and Robin being here. Just the thought of possibly never seeing my mother again…" Karen teared up and I got a tissue box for her.

She blew her nose with one before dabbing her eyes with another. "I know you don't have the greatest relationship with your mother…"

"But I couldn't imagine not being able to be with my father," I pointed out. "It's okay not to be okay."

"That's what the therapist said," Karen replied, taking out another tissue. "When did you get so wise?"

I shrugged. "I've been through a lot in the past two years."

"True." She tossed the tissues away.

"Come on," I said, putting my arm around her shoulders. "Let's go finish preparing dinner. It's a holiday, after all."

Karen smiled and we headed back to join our husbands, ready to just have a good time together.

And if Zelena thought she was going to interrupt this, she had another thing coming to her I vowed.

A/N: Uh oh. Zelena and Regina have a connection that Regina definitely doesn't want. And what about her cryptic message? Hmm…

Next chapter, Christmas comes early for me and my readers!

Also, I hope to have the next chapter of The Nanny up this week. Keep your eyes peeled for that.

I hope everyone had a great Monday and that the rest of the week is just as great!

-Mac