Chapter Four: Regina's Sentencing
Henry had begged to go with her, but Emma needed to see Regina alone first. She had to sneak away, David and Mary Margeret were hovering over her. She managed to get away, and to her surprise, Sleepy was in charge of keeping watch. She nearly laughed as she slipped past the snoring dwarf.
Emma had been trying to mentally prepare herself for seeing Regina behind bars. She knew it was going to be hard, but she didn't care. She wanted to make things work with her True Love, and she was going to do whatever it took.
"Miss. Swan, what a nice surprise." Regina said in a very uncharacteristic cold voice. Emma knew this was her armor coming up, but no matter how hard Regina tried to be the Evil Queen with her, Emma saw through it.
"It's just me Regina, you don't have to pretend." Emma said. She came up to the bars, and finally got a good look at her lover.
There were bruises around Regina's neck from where Dr. Whale had grabbed ahold of her. Her blouse was ripped, and her heel broken. Emma could tell from the raw and redness around her eyes that she'd been crying. Emma took the key from her pocket, and unlocked the cell door.
"What are you doing?" Regina asked, startled.
"My parents might have said I couldn't let you out, but they didn't technically say anything about me coming in." Emma said. She closed the cell door behind her and approached Regina. She noticed the mayor flinch when Emma got close. "I'm not going to hurt you, I want to talk."
"Emma, you don't have to say anything, I know, it's over. You and Henry deserve better than the Evil Queen. Just, promise me you won't let him see them kill me." Regina's last words were shaky. Emma felt her heart tighten at the sound.
"Regina, no one is killing you. I won't let them. And for your information, Henry and I deserve love, and a family. We deserve you, Regina. I know who you are, and regardless of your past, I want you. We're going to figure this out together." Emma took Regina's hands and held them tightly in her own.
"Your parents will never allow that." Regina replied, shaking her head.
"They don't get to choose who my True Love is. I want you, Regina. I love you. And I know you love me too, if you didn't, I wouldn't be standing here." Emma said.
"Emma this is-"
"Just answer this question. Do you want to be with me?" Emma asked. Regina sighed.
"Of course I do, but-"
"But nothing. If I want this, and you want this, then nothing else matters. Whatever they try to do, we will handle it. Give me some time to think of a plan, okay?" Emma let go of Regina's hands, and took a hold of her face instead. She looked Regina in the eyes. "I promise you, we will find a way."
"I trust you." Regina replied. Emma smiled.
Emma leaned in and kissed Regina softly on the lips. It had been less than 24 hours since the last time they'd kissed, but for Emma it felt like it had been far too long. She'd missed Regina so much, and it physically hurt to be away from her.
"How's Henry?" Regina asked nervously after they broke apart from the kiss.
"Worried about you, I had to sneak away so he wouldn't follow me. I'll bring him by later so you can see him, but I wanted to talk just the two of us first." Emma answered.
"He wants to see me?" Regina was shocked, and she had tears welling up in her eyes at the thought.
"Of course he does, your his mom and he loves you. We're going to be a family, all three of us." Emma smiled.
"Snoozy's nap will be over soon, you should go before he wakes up and calls your mother." Regina said. Emma laughed, but didn't bother correcting Regina on the dwarf's name. Emma didn't want to go, but she knew Regina was right.
"I'll be back soon, and I'll have a better plan when I do. I love you so much, Regina."
"I love you too, Emma Swan."
They shared one last kiss before Emma had to exit the cell. She relocked the door, squeezing Regina's hand once more through the bar. Regina nodded at her, and Emma slipped out of the station, unnoticed by the sleeping guard.
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Regina couldn't believe what had just happened. Emma still loved her, even after learning the truth. The former queen had truly thought she would lose her love and her son, but they both still wanted her. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't too late for a happy ending. She just needed to get out of this cell, and figure out how to escape execution.
"Your Majesty." Regina looked up to see Rumplestiltskin walking into the jail. She froze, he was going to kill her. She knew it.
The Evil Queen had kept Belle a prisoner. Regina, on the other hand, found her under the curse. She was Lacey, a free spirited woman who was ready for life outside the asylum. Regina freed the woman, and Lacey found Mr. Gold. The two had been living happily in their new life, but Regina knew Rumplestiltskin would never forgive her.
"I see you've regained your memories." Gold smiled in his creepy, all knowing way.
"What are you going to do to me?" She asked, trying not to show him any fear.
"I thought about killing you, or sending you far away from here, but I'm not going to do either of those things. You see, my ability to see the future may have its flaws, but I am not done with you or Miss. Swan yet. I need you alive. I also promised Belle I wouldn't do anything to harm you." Rumple explained.
"Then…why are you here?" Regina asked skeptically.
"The town wants you dead. I am going to bring back magic. You'll need to defend yourself, dearie." He told her.
"No, I won't use dark magic." Regina shook her head. She wouldn't risk losing Emma and Henry.
"Silly queen, don't you remember? True Love is the purest and most powerful form of magic. You don't need dark magic anymore."
"I'm as dark as they come. You can't seriously think I contain light magic." Regina scoffed at the man.
"You always have." He said. He smiled again. "I must be going, I have much work to do. It was nice to see you again, Regina."
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Emma knew she had to try and talk to her mother. David was going to be the harder one to get on 'team Regina', but she figured Mary Margert would be more open. And, she and her mother had been close under the curse. Even without knowing who the other person was, they formed a bond. Emma needed to use that to get through to her.
"Emma, I'm surprised to see you here so early." Mary Margeret smiled as her daughter walked into the apartment.
She'd stayed overnight at the mansion with Henry. After dropping him off at school, she had made her way over to see her mom. She knew David would be gone by then. He was busy doing whatever it was he thought would keep the townspeople safe.
"I wanted to talk." Emma told her mother. Mary Margaret gestured to the table. Emma sat down as Mary Margaret made them some tea. "I went to see Regina."
"Emma!" Mary Margaret exclaimed, nearling dropping the mugs in her hands. "She could have hurt you?"
"From her prison cell?" Emma asked, trying to keep her temper down. If she wanted to get Mary Margaret on her side, she needed to be calm. "I know that you don't trust her, and I understand why. But, I know Regina. I know how much she has changed, and I don't think it's fair that we don't let her get a second chance when everyone else has."
"Sweetheart, she's had chance after chance, and everytime she proves that she can't change. Sure, right now she's behaving, but when she gets out of that cell she'll wreck havoc on this town." Mary Margaret said as she sat down with their drinks. Emma took a deep breath.
"I need you to hear me, okay?" Emma practically begged. Her mother nodded, seeing how badly her daughter needed this. "Regina is my family. And she has been for many months now. I know she didn't know who she was under the curse, but we have True Love. You more than anyone should know that her kiss wouldn't have woken me up if she was faking. I want to be your family, and get to know you, but I am not going to abandon Regina. I love her. She's Henry's mom, and she has shown me that she deserves happiness. You are my mother, and I don't want to lose you. I need you to know that I have to fight for her. And if that means leaving town or slaying a dragon, or whatever, I'm going to do it. Help me, please."
"Emma, I don't know if I can. It's not that I don't want to believe you, trust me I do. It's just, I've been down this road with her too many times. If she is playing us, this time she's taking it too far by involving my daughter."
"You think she's playing me?" Emma asked, the hurt evident in her voice.
"I don't know. The woman holds a great power to hate someone."
"And to love someone." Emma added.
"I need to think about this, okay?" Snow said. Emma felt tears well up in her eyes. Her mother hadn't turned her down, but she also hadn't given her the answer she desperately wanted and needed. "Please don't cry, honey."
"I can't help it. There's a very good chance the citizens of Storybrooke will vote to kill, exile, or imprison my True Love in two days. You're the only person in town who can talk to them and change their minds, but you won't do it. I'm your daughter, and you can't let go of this feud, even for me."
"It's more than a feud. She killed my father, and spent years trying to kill me and anyone who even aided me!" Snow exclaimed. "She's a monster Emma!"
"She wasn't always. And let's not forget the role you played in her story." Emma's words came out colder than she meant.
"I told you, I'd think about it."
"Okay, fine. While you do, remember that you sent your infant daughter to a world you knew nothing about. It wasn't what was best for me, no matter what you tell yourself. If you had made other choices, we could have been together. I wouldn't have fallen in love with the Queen. But, I also wouldn't have Henry. And Henry and Regina mean the world to me. So if this war with her is more important than your child…well, I guess at least I'll know where I stand with you."
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Operation Bear Hug was well under way. Of course, Henry had named their secret mission. Once they were certain no one could see them, Emma and Henry snuck into the police station. Henry was buzzing with nerves. He hadn't seen his mom in two days, and soon, the town would decide her fate. He had been begging to see her, and now Emma had found a way. Once they were inside, Emma handed Henry the key to his mom's cell.
"Mom!" Henry called out. Regina sat up from the bed, shocked to hear his voice. "I'm coming in!"
Henry opened the door, and before he knew it, his mom was scooping him into her arms. She was holding him so tight, he could hardly breathe. It was like she was hugging him for what she thought would be the last time.
"I missed you." She said into his hear. He squeezed her back, letting her know he missed her too. "I'm so sorry, Henry. When I casted the curse, I needed to seek revenge. I didn't know I'd lose my memories too, but honestly, I'm glad I did. This little family we've built, it means everything to me. And if the town decides to keep us apart, I will never regret the years we had together."
"I love you mom, and I'm sorry for everything," Henry replied. "You're the best mom ever, and I never should have treated you so coldly."
"Don't you apologize to me. You saved the town, you're a hero." She smiled at him.
Emma watched the scene in front of her, trying not to let the tears fall from her eyes. She wouldn't let the two of them be torn apart. Henry needed his mother. One way or another, they'd be together, even if it meant going on the run.
"Henry, can I have a moment with your mom?" Emma asked, knowing he didn't want to leave her side. He looked rather reluctant. "I'll just be a minute, you can raid my old sheriff's desk for candy."
Although he didn't seem totally sold on the idea, Henry walked out of the cell and to Emma's desk. Emma waited until he was fully occupied before she turned to Regina. She greeted her with a quick kiss, and then a long hug. She breathed in her scent. Even after two days in a jail cell, Regina still smelled the same.
"How are you holding up?" Emma asked the mayor. Regina shrugged against the sheriff. "What are you feeling?"
"Scared," Regina admitted. "And lonely."
"I'm sorry, I wish I could fix this right now. I'm doing my best to work on Snow. Maybe you could talk to her." Emma suggested as they pulled out of the hug.
"I don't know how good that will do," Regina said sadly. "I don't blame her for wanting me dead. I destroyed her family and spent years trying to kill her."
"I've been trying to tell her that you've changed, but she won't listen. I think…I hope…if she takes just a few minutes to hear you…she might change her mind." Emma said.
It was a long shot, but they only had 24 hours left. Emma wanted to spend it with Regina, comforting her, holding her, loving her, but since that wasn't possible, she had to do everything she could to save her. And Emma knew that Snow had loved Regina once, and had even saved her from execution. Maybe, the love was still there somewhere.
"Emma, I need you to promise me that you and Henry will take care of each other." Regina looked at the blonde seriously.
"Regina, I don't want to think like that," Emma began. "We're going to find a way to be together."
"I want to believe that, but I also know that I did horrible, unspeakable things to the people of this town. And, to your parents. If they follow the laws of our land…"
"I won't let them hurt you." Emma vowed.
"I won't let you get hurt trying to protect me, Emma," Regina replied. "I won't lose love like that again."
"Mom! Can I come back now?" Henry called from the desk.
"Of course, sweetheart." Regina replied.
Henry hurried over to give his mom some cuddles before it was time to go. Emma tried to enjoy the time with her son and girlfriend, but she couldn't push the worry away. She was putting all her faith into Snow. And for some reason, that wasn't making her feel hopeful.
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Snow White was the last person Regina wanted her fate to lie with. Still, she remembered a time when Snow believed in her, and there was a very small piece of her that hoped that still existed. Plus, she knew Snow believed in True Love more than anything. Would she allow her daughter's own True Love to be killed or exiled? Regina wasn't sure.
When her former step daughter entered the police station, Regina didn't expect to see her alone. She had assumed Prince Charming wouldn't let her go by herself, but it appears she was wrong. Snow wasn't brave enough to open the cell though. Instead, she stood outside it, waiting for Regina to speak.
"Snow, I can't say I'm not surprised." Regina said.
"Well, Emma can be persuasive. So, this is your chance. It's the last one, so make it good. Tell me why I shouldn't have you burned for your crimes." Snow said, not wasting any time. Regina was a little surprised to hear the coldness in her voice. She had grown accustomed to the quiet, sweet school teacher. Post curse, Regina was having a hard time separating Mary Margaret from Snow White.
"Snow, I know I did horrible things, things I can never take back. I can't say I'd undo them if I could, though. I would never change the fact that Henry is my son, or that Emma and I fell in love. I'm sure that's not what you want to hear, but it's true," Regina began. "I've changed. I see now that holding a grudge against you was wrong, but at the time I was so consumed by darkness. There was no light in my life after Daniel died. I was forced into a marriage with someone old enough to be my father, and there was no love there."
"You killed my father, Regina." Snow reminded her.
"I know he was a kind man to you, and to many people, but not to me, Snow. I'll save you the details, but Leopald was not the same kind of husband as he was king." Regina shuddered at the thought. Getting her memories back also meant remembering the horrible years she spent married to the king. It made her sick to think about. "Still, he was your father and I am sorry I am responsible for his death. And, I'm sorry I tried to kill you. There was a time when I did love you, but it wasn't enough. I succumbed to the only thing that gave me power: dark magic. Until the curse, I had nothing. But, Henry and Emma, they gave me a new purpose. I see now that I spent too much time focusing on hate instead of love. I can't tell you if this would have happened if I had had my memories like I intended during the curse. To be honest, things would probably be much different. I think, though, that this was the second chance I needed. Maybe I don't deserve it, but I am here, begging you, to let me have it."
"You love Emma? Truly love her?" Snow asked. Regina nodded. "Enough to let her go?"
"Yes, but that's not what she wants." Regina replied, her voice shaky. Snow stared her down. "I don't want her to have to choose between her parents and me."
"She'd choose you, she told me that." Snow started. Regina was shocked. Sure, Emma had told Regina she would always pick her, but to openly say it to her mother was another thing. "Is that the life you want for her and Henry? To be outcasted because they love you? To be on the run, or afraid to go in public. The thing is, even if I am ever able to forgive, which still feels impossible, how many other enemies are out there? The easiest way to hurt you would be to come after Emma and Henry. Do you really think you can keep them safe?"
"I don't want them to get hurt." Regina said.
"Good, it seems we agree then." Snow said.
The next morning, the crowd gathered in the town center for the sentencing. Emma and Henry sat in the front. Snow and Charming were supposed to talk to the town before the vote was cast. Emma felt like she was going to be sick. She had tried to talk to her mother again, but couldn't get a moment alone with her. It was out of Emma's hands, and she hated feeling powerless in the situation.
Henry was anxious, and Emma could do little to ease his fears. She wanted to tell him it would all be okay, but she wasn't sure of that herself. She watched as her mother and father stepped up to the makeshift stage to talk to the town.
"My people, we are here to decide today what happens to the once great and evil queen," David began. "The woman cursed us all here, and we felt you should get a say in how we handle the situation."
"We were going to have a vote, but instead, we heard your words and made our own decision," Snow said. "We were surprised by how many of you think Regina has changed. We had many people ask us to pardon her."
Emma felt her heart pick up speed. Could it be? Was it possible that the people of the town saw Regina's true self? If they could distinguish the evil queen from Regina, then perhaps there was a chance for a happy ending after all. Emma couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"But as your leaders, we feel we can't let pardons become the precedent for such heinous acts." Charming stated. He looked to his wife, allowing her to do the sentencing. Emma's heart dropped to her stomach.
"Regina and I spoke yesterday, and I do not believe she should be put to death or exiled. I want to believe this woman can and has changed, but I have been fooled by her before. This is her last chance to do good, or we will have a different outcome." Snow said. She looked toward Emma. "Regina will be set free. She will live in her new home, a cabin in the woods. David and I will see to it that she has what she needs, but she will be kept away from the town until we trust her. Furthermore, she cannot see Henry until it is deemed safe. And, most importantly, Regina may never see Emma again, or she will be executed."
A/N Regina will live, but she and Emma are forbidden from seeing each other. Of course, this will not go over well with the savior...