Ruby laid down on the other side of the room, away from her family, but she listened as Regina talked to Daniel, who wanted to hear the story from his mother's side. Regina did so as best as she could, omitting any details that were too inappropriate for a child. Henry and Emma chose to remain quiet, but Ruby knew they were listening just as hard as she was because she was just as curious. Most of what she knew about the war between Snow and Regina came from Snow herself. Regina backed up a lot of that based on what Ruby saw during battles and when Regina had been captured.
After a while, Regina stopped and decided to have him ask questions so as not to overwhelm him with a lot of information.
"Why didn't you leave then?" Daniel asked. "After you sent your mom away."
"I should've." Regina sighed. "There were so many other things I could have done, but I didn't. Then the Dark One came and you know the rest."
"Why didn't you ask anyone for help? Or your dad?"
"My father believed I could make the best of things as they were. Besides, Rumplestiltskin already promised me that he would help me and I was stupid enough to believe him. They were all I had. Leopold was a jealous and foolish king and husband who everybody loved and thought was a good man. I was his pretty pet and nothing more. No one would believe me if I said anything that contradicted that. I despised Snow, you know about all that. The people hated me from the moment the crown was placed on my head. I was alone."
Daniel scowled. "Did Leopold hurt you?"
"No." Regina shook her head. Not physically, she probably meant. Ruby growled softly, attracting the attention of her fiance. There was a sadness in her eyes, but why? Was she lying? Did that son of a bitch hurt her?! Before she knew it, she had barrelled over to Regina. Daniel flinched backwards and Emma pulled out her gun, moving to Regina's side. Ruby snarled at her and licked her bared teeth. "It's okay." Regina said, pushing the blonde away. "Ruby, relax. I'm telling the truth. I swear it." Ruby growled, feeling her wolf threaten to overwhelm her at the mere thought of someone hurting her mate. Regina gently touched her muzzle and told her to sit. Ruby reluctantly obeyed, but scooted a little closer. Regina smiled and kissed her cheek. "Stop growling at me."
Ruby growled even harder and rested her head on top of Regina's. Regina rolled her eyes and accepted the makeshift hug.
"See? She's just an overgrown puppy."
Ruby looked at Daniel and gestured with her head at Regina. He quickly understood and threw himself at his mother to give her a hug, surprising her enough to cause her to laugh. With that sound, Ruby calmed down and returned to her place on the other side of the room to wait for the full moon to pass. Emma eventually left to see to the town and the boys went into their rooms. Regina anxiously paced about the room for a while, but soon she was asleep on the couch, leaving Ruby to watch over her family and ponder just how they were going to deal with Cora. As terribly as Cora treated her daughter, she never outright attacked her and Regina never attacked her either. The two seemed to hate each other but they never crossed that line before. Cora could hold her own against the Dark One, she wasn't sure how they were going to beat her.
When the moon finally set, Ruby retook her human form and ran into Regina's room to get a change of clothes. Luckily, they kept the place stocked on necessities. After a quick shower, she got dressed in black sweats and a long sleeved gray shirt before walking back into the living room. Regina was still asleep and probably would be for a while. Daniel was up though, getting some water from the kitchen area. He grinned when he saw her and walked around to give her a hug. "Welcome back."
"Thank you. Want me to make you a snack?" He nodded and she moved to fix him something to eat and drink. "How are you doing after last night? I know you had to hear a lot of stuff." While he still seemed to support Regina, she could tell that this new revelation unsettled him. As it should. He was just a child after all and finding out that Mommy was an evil queen would cause anyone to pause.
"I don't know. I keep picturing Mom doing everything they said and I...can't. I don't want to."
"I know. Unfortunately, a lot of it is true."
"Has that changed anything for you?" Daniel asked. "Will you two stay together?"
"I'd like to." Ruby sighed. "But it's not just up to me and there's a lot we need to figure out. Don't worry about that."
"I can't stop worrying about it. I don't want to lose my family."
Ruby stopped and looked over at him. "You're not going to lose us. I promise you." Daniel went quiet and barely moved when Ruby slid the peanut butter and jelly sandwich in front of him. "Hey." She walked around the counter to touch his arm, pulling him out of his thoughts. "It's okay to think about everything you've heard, but don't think too long. If you ever need to talk, you know I'm here."
"I know and thank you...Rumy." He smirked. She smiled just remembering the name her boys used to call her before they learned to properly say her name. She gave him on the pat on the head and went to fix him a drink. Not surprisingly, he took his snack into his room where he would disappear until the rest of the family got up. She supposed that he was hungry anyway after using so much magic over the last few days. Whimpering nearby drew Ruby's attention and she zeroed in on Regina. Most nights Regina slept lightly, often waking at the slightest sounds and only when she was truly exhausted did she allow herself to fall into a deep sleep, but occasionally she would have nightmares that would disturb her dreams. Ruby crossed the room and crouched next to Regina, tucking her in further and rubbed her back until she seemed to relax.
She loved Regina. Her feelings only intensified with the return of her wolf that was positive and fervent about making Regina theirs. It didn't care about the past and neither did Ruby. She wanted Regina more than anything. She wanted the life they had been trying to build before the curse was broken, before everything fell apart. She would give anything for it.
She climbed onto the couch, sliding behind Regina and wrapped her arms around her. Regina stirred and rolled over, burying herself into Ruby, making the werewolf smile as she laid her chin on top of Regina's head. She could just feel her wolf purring and she wanted to purr herself. Yes, she loved this woman. Even with her past. Even with the Evil Queen. There was no denying it, no fighting it. She fought for Snow but she never hated Regina, never had a true stake in the war other than supporting her friend. Her wolf was always pleased when fighting, being unleashed in ways Ruby always kept it caged. The times where Regina was present in the fight were the times her wolf became overly excited. So much so that she didn't remember some battles at all or lost chunks of time afterwards. Watching Regina in battle, leading from the front, using magic and swords and calling out commands like she was born to do it was a magical experience. She was a great commander when it came down to it and had the potential to be a great leader. She radiated confidence and elegance, exuded power and strength. She would've never ended up with Regina without the curse. They'd never spoken beforehand and Regina was in a dark place and the last thing she was looking for was love. It mattered not because Regina was always unattainable. Ruby was barely a soldier and Regina was a queen, a warrior, a conqueror. She'd seen Regina walk into battles she should not have won, and win regardless. She'd seen her fight hand to hand against soldiers and defeat them all. Regina had conquered kingdoms and entire worlds, slayed monsters and all kinds of enemies. The woman is fearless. All of that happened when she was alone and angry. She couldn't imagine Regina at full power, protecting the family they'd built.
"Stop thinking so loudly." Regina said groggily.
Ruby smirked. "Go back to sleep. You haven't recovered."
"What are you thinking about?" Regina asked, ignoring her. She turned her head slightly, looking at Ruby out of the corner of her eye.
"You."
"Good thoughts?" Regina whispered.
"Good and bad." Ruby answered with a shrug.
Regina turned her head and Ruby lowered her chin, looking at the beautiful woman in her arms. "Such as?"
"Just a bunch of different things."
"Us?"
"That too." It hadn't even been a week since the curse broke and already it felt like a lifetime had passed.
"Do you remember when you would come home with roses every evening?"
"Yeah, you got mad because you didn't have anywhere to put them and there were bouquets all over the house." Regina grinned.
"You called me Mamacita and we would dance around the kitchen."
"Yeah. I spent 3 months trying to secretly learn spanish to impress you, only to find out that you don't fucking speak spanish."
Regina laughed softly and sat up. "I know a little bit. Besides, that spurred our trip to Mexico." She got off the couch and stretched. "Want a drink?"
"What's the drink?"
"Scotch." Regina conjured a bottle of scotch and two glasses with ice in them and poured them both a drink. "Did I miss anything while I was asleep?"
"No, it's been quiet. No word on Cora or anything."
"That's good." Regina fell into a thoughtful silence as they sipped their drinks. She ran a hand through her hair, attempting to smooth out any imperfections. "Would you want a wedding?" She asked abruptly.
Her question stunned Ruby for a second. "What?"
"My last one was extravagant and gaudy and I hated it." Regina said. "We could have a smaller one if you want. A forest wedding?"
"I don't need a wedding. I don't need anyone but you to be there to say 'I do'." Ruby answered. "We can go sign the papers and get married right then and there. I don't care. I'm just tired of not being married to the woman I love." She looked down at her empty glass and placed it on the table. "I keep thinking about us and there's so many good memories there. The last 28 years under the curse has meant more to me than everything that came before. You gave me a home, a family, children. I want more of that. I accept who you used to be because of the woman you became. Besides, I have no right to judge anyone." Regina moved closer to her and both leaned forward so their foreheads could touch. "I love you."
"I love you too."
Ruby kissed Regina's nose, making her smile. "You know what, instead of making plans for when all of this settles down, let's start some of those plans now."
"You are the alpha." Regina grinned. "I'm with you."
"It's not going to be pretty."
"I don't expect it to be."
/
It would be a few more hours until the sun rose and the family got up for the day. Regina went into her room to shower and change and returned in a black dress, black boots and burgundy blazer. Ruby went in after her and put on some black jeans, red heels and a long sleeved red shirt. They went into the kitchen and started pulling out their stock of fresh fruits and vegetables for breakfast.
"No sightings on Cora." Ruby said. "I'll let Keith and Ivana know to keep a lookout for her."
"I'm sure she'll turn up once we step outside. She always had a habit of showing up when I didn't need or want her." Regina growled bitterly. Ruby kissed her cheek and continued to the pantry to get some bread.
"I think I can stay with you guys during the full moons. Or at least stay near. It wasn't too bad last night but I don't think you should ever mention Leopold's name again. Wolfy wasn't happy about that."
"Does your wolf talk to you?" Regina inquired.
"No, not with words, but it has really strong emotions. It's hard to describe. Sometimes it really wants things or feels a particular way about something and it's not necessarily how I feel or what I want. "
"How does it feel about me?"
Ruby quickly averted her gaze and turned to the food. Regina slammed her hand over hers and within moments Ruby was pinned against the fridge by a curious queen. "Um, Regina, I don't think this is a good position for the boys to find us in."
"Then answer my question." Regina tilted her head, pressing herself against Ruby and putting her hands on her hips. One glance down and she would get a full view of Regina's cleavage.
"It...wants to mate with you." Ruby looked down and immediately looked up to the ceiling. She felt her wolf flare up at the thought of it. "This is not a good place for this."
"What do you mean mate with me? We've had sex pleny of times."
"Not fully because of the curse. It's something completely different anyway. It is not just sex."
"What is it then?"
Ruby gulped and gave Regina a little nudge backwards and she relented, but Ruby knew she wasn't going to get out of this question. "Mating, so I've been told, is a very special thing. Werewolves mate for life and the bond created by the mating is unfathomable to humans." Regina took another step back, all traces of her teasing earlier completely replaced by a sincere look of curiosity. "Once a werewolf finds their mate, they choose a secluded spot to build a den, away from the pack. They won't leave that den for days. They'll hunt together, sleep together, just the two of them. Mating is kinda the same thing as making love, but at the same time you're creating a powerful emotional connection to last a lifetime. You will feel your mate completely, feel their pleasure, their pain, it is the ultimate feeling of intimacy with another person. When you sleep after mating, sometimes if the bond is particularly strong, you will share dreams of each other's sweetest memories."
"That sounds amazing." Regina said.
"Yes, but it's not all rainbows and sunshine. If we were to mate, not that I want that, but you would have to become a werewolf and you would become a wolf every full moon against your will. You'd be more temperamental-"
"You don't want to mate with me?" Regina asked.
"No, I don't. It's a lifetime commitment and quite frankly, it's terrifying." Ruby admitted. "It's not like marriage. You can't get divorced. On top of that, I'm not in control of my wolf enough to even consider that."
Regina simply arched an eyebrow. "You really think I would ever change my mind about you?" Ruby shrugged, blushing at revealing something so secret. Regina pecked her lips, putting her arms around her waist. "You're mine, Miss Lucas." Her words sent a jolt of pleasure through Ruby's being and before she knew it, she was in wolf form, looking down at Regina. Regina smirked and tapped her nose, casting a spell on her.
"Goddamn it! I liked that outfit. Why would you shift now, you dick?!" She hissed at herself. Of course her wolf couldn't reply and it made her even more annoyed.
Regina chuckled softly as she conjured Ruby's cloak and threw it around her shoulders. The werewolf was in human form almost instantaneously. There was some slight discomfort but that always came with shifting. Regina also conjured her outfit for her or else she would've been naked. "I thought you could shift with clothes on."
"I can, but I have to get back into the habit."
"Then why did you shift?" The queen asked with an amused smirk.
"What you said." Ruby answered, looking down and playing with the edges of her cloak. "It made us really happy."
Regina pecked her cheek. "Maybe I can make you even happier once this mess is dealt with."
"Meaning?"
"Lots of sex and-"
"That's enough for me. Let's get started." Ruby started towards the door, smiling when she heard an amused chuckle from her fiance. She opened the door just as Emma was prepared to knock and rolled her eyes. "Never mind." She went back to the kitchen and joined Regina in preparing breakfast. Henry came running out of his room to say hello to Emma. Both brunettes ignored the display and focused on breakfast. When they were about done, Regina sent Henry to wake up Daniel. After helping prepare a flawless breakfast of eggs, french toast, ham, sausage, and fresh fruits, Ruby laid out the food on the kitchen island.
"Would you like to join us for breakfast, Emma?" Regina asked with a bright smile that Ruby knew to be completely fake. Emma, who didn't notice, agreed. "Great." Regina grinned, although she looked more like she was baring her teeth.
"Regina, I was wondering if you and I could talk later about me seeing the boys more often, maybe staying with me sometimes." Emma said, joining them in the kitchen. "I know we need to focus on Cora at the moment, but Henry very clearly wants-"
"Now is not the time, Miss Swan."
"Look, I don't think you should ignore what he wants just because you don't like me."
Regina arched an eyebrow and conjured a stack of papers in her hand. She laid them in front of Emma. Ruby glanced over the top of it, reading along with Emma. "These are adoption records. The same ones Ruby and I signed when we adopted our sons. Beneath those are ones detailing their closed adoption where you signed them away at birth, where you gave up any rights to them at all. I know your parents believe something very different and may have convinced you that this law doesn't matter, but it does."
"I know it does. Why can't we compromise for the sake of the kids?"
"Because I don't trust you, Miss Swan. I don't like you. If Henry had not gone to get you, these boys would be the furthest thing from your mind." Regina made the documents disappear and took her seat. "Anything that concerns Daniel and Henry will go through us and until then, drop the issue."
Emma started to scowl. "Well maybe the Evil Queen and Little Red who could go wolf any second shouldn't be raising any kids."
"And the former thief and prison convict who abandoned them and suddenly wants to play mother of the year should?"
Ruby growled, shushing both women but met Emma with a hard glare. "You dare to stand in our place of business, insulting us because you're pissed about decisions you made? We have every right to keep our children away from you and our decision is final." Emma continued glaring at her and while they did so, none of the mothers knew that their sons were in the middle of a heated discussion of their own.
The door to Daniel's flew open and Henry ran out, smoke and flames licking the air behind him. Ruby was the first to move and grab him, pulling him to her side and looking him over for injuries. Emma ran to Daniel's room and more flames threatened to burst out of the room. "Move!" Regina hissed, walking into the room without fear.
"What happened?" Ruby asked.
"I was just trying to talk to him and he got mad and there was fire everywhere."
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He shook his head and Ruby carried him over to the stairs in case they needed to get out of the basement. Regina could stop a fire if it was necessary, but she didn't want to take any chances. Emma backed away from the room, coughing and rubbing her eyes. Regina didn't come back out. Ruby waited a few minutes before calling out for her.
Regina stepped out of the room and sent a healing aura around the room. Emma stopped coughing almost instantly. "It's okay. He's okay."
"What's wrong?" Ruby asked.
"He's just...overwhelmed."
Ruby sighed. "Told him not to think too much. Want me to talk to him?"
"No, I'll do it. I know it's because of me."
Ruby fought back a whimper at the sadness in her eyes. She had always known that the curse breaking would hurt their family but neither could foresee what would happen to their children. "I'll take the food and Henry upstairs. Come find us in the lounge when you two get done."
"Thank you." Regina went back into the room and Ruby had Emma and Henry gather the food and take it upstairs into the lounge. She wondered what Henry and Daniel had been talking about. Emma asked him, but he simply shook his head and refused to talk about it.
/
Daniel lay on the bed with his back to his mother. Regina came to sit on the edge of the bed behind him. She hesitated to touch him and instead decided to wait and see if he would talk on his own. Magic hummed in the air around them, but she didn't smell any smoke or fire. Daniel was never a temperamental child so something must've set him off and it must've been something bad.
"I hate them." He said after a while.
"Hate who?" Regina asked.
"Emma and Henry."
"No, you don't."
"No, I don't." He sighed. "I hate how they talk." Regina arched an eyebrow and chose to remain quiet. "The only thing they know how to say is that you are evil. That I should give Emma a chance, that I should spend more time with Emma, that she is my mother. Just like Snow and David are my grandparents- I don't know them. I don't know Emma. I'm tired of hearing it. I'm so tired of it! It's all they ever talk about now."
"Ruby and I will stop them." Regina said. "There will be no more of it."
"Henry said you never loved us." Regina instantly scowled. "That you couldn't love because you're evil."
"That's not true at all."
Daniel scoffed. "I don't need to be told that. I just can't stand constantly hearing it from my own brother. I love Henry, but I can't promise I won't punch his lights out if he ever disrespects you again." Regina reached out to rub his back. "You were my first memory. The first thing I ever remember seeing. Your voice was the first thing I remember hearing. If I cried, you came running. You told me stories until I stopped. You would bake me cookies from scratch and check the closet for monsters when I was too scared to go to sleep and so much more. You didn't have me as your own kid, but you chose me and I know you loved me. And-and I refuse to believe that woman was a lie. I refuse to believe she doesn't exist because then that means Ruby was a lie too and then I'll have nothing and no one-"
"Daniel, stop. Look at me." Regina said, pulling him up and wiping the tears from his eyes. "I love you. Do you understand me? There are no true words that ever existed. I love you, I have always loved you and I always will. Just like Ruby does. Just like Henry does. You are not alone." Daniel nodded vigorously but a fresh wave of tears made her conjure a soft cloth to wipe his cheeks. She wanted to destroy Emma for continuing to poison her son against her. Even if Daniel supported her, hearing certain words every single day would make anyone grow to believe them but she would not have her sons believe such lies. "No matter what you hear or what anyone tells you, I love you. That will never change."
"I'm sorry for doubting you. It's just-"
"You have no need to apologize." Regina whispered, holding him close. "Nothing will change how much I love you, Daniel. Don't ever think anything will." She heard a small laugh at the familiar words that he once said to her. She gave him a squeeze and leaned back to look him in the eye, wiping his face again. "You ever need me, I'll always come running. Ruby too. She'll probably be there first if I don't teleport. She's pretty fast on four legs."
"I know. I won't forget again." He promised. "And I accept it."
"Accept what?" She frowned.
"Your past. I can't do anything about it anyway and it may be bad to say but if you hadn't done everything you did, I wouldn't know you and Ruby at all and that's terrifying. I know we may never have our life back, the way it was anyway, but...if you're willing to change me into a werewolf-"
"No."
"Fine." He sighed. "But yeah, as I said, I accept the Evil Queen into the family."
"Regina Mills is better, right?"
"She's pretty great, but not as good as Mom." He smiled.
She returned the smile and kissed the top of his head. He hopped off the bed and she used magic to clean them both up. "Better?"
"Better."
"Good. Please do not explode like that again, I'd hate to have to put you in a magic bubble."
"I won't lose my temper again." He promised.
"Shall we join the others for what is probably a cold breakfast?"
"I don't care if it's cold. I'm starving."
Regina smiled to herself as she followed a now happy child upstairs. Ruby was on her feet as soon as she spotted them and came to give Daniel a hug, picking him up and swinging him around. "Everything okay?" She asked softly.
"Everything's okay."
Ruby grinned and put him down, allowing him to run over to the table and begin digging into the food that Ruby had put aside for him. Ruby looked at Regina, silently asking her what happened.
"We'll talk later."
"You sure?"
Regina nodded. "He seems okay now. In the meantime, we have a lot to do today. You take the town. I'll take mother."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There were 3 riots in town that Ruby had to deal with. Keith and Ivana helped her to break them up and restore peace but an impromptu meeting at the town hall forced her to go and see what it was about. Flanked by those loyal to Regina, she marched straight inside, finding half the town there with the Charmings at the head.
"Glad you got here." David said. "We need to talk."
Ruby looked around at all the faces gathered and walked down the aisle. "Talk."
"We want Regina judged for her crimes."
"Not going to happen. Next."
"She should be punished for cursing us." He snapped. Shouts of agreement rose from the crowd, but Ruby kept her eyes trained on Prince Charming.
Snow stepped in front of him and looked down at Ruby. "Please," She pleaded. "We don't want to fight."
"No, you just want to execute Regina."
"We could banish her-"
"Banish her from her own town?"
"If that is what needs to be done." Snow hissed. "This cannot be let go. She ripped families apart for 28 years, decimated many more long before that. She has never paid for her crimes and the people want justice."
"The people want vengeance." Ruby corrected her. She walked up to Snow, a scowl curling her lip. Snow boldly held her ground, but she was not the wolf's focus. Ruby turned around and addressed the crowd. "How many of you found your loved ones again? Raise your hands." All of them hesitantly obeyed. "How many of you remember suffering under the curse? How many of you were in pain, in anguish?" No one raised their hands. Because they didn't remember their loved ones, they didn't remember what they had lost and it wasn't like they had lost any years since they didn't age. "How many of you enjoy your running water, your flushing toilets, refrigerators, cars, electronics-"
"What's this about?" David interrupted.
"Regina's curse wasn't as devastating as you all claim it to be. I cannot justify her actions before or after it, nor will I. All she wants is peace to live with her family. Give her that and she will not retaliate, because we all know that when she does, she will destroy. If not for her, do it for me. How many of you have I fought with in Snow's war? How many of you are alive because of me?" She looked around, remembering many of them on the field of battle. She was always a crucial piece of Snow's army, always in the thickest part of the fray and had saved many of them whether it be dragging the wounded from the field or protecting them from the Black Soldiers.
"We know you love her." Doc said, standing up. "But we don't want her as our leader."
"She doesn't give a damn about being your leader. There are no queens or kings in this world and now that the curse is broken, it will take real work to keep the town running." She pointed to Snow. "She has no idea how to be a mayor. A princess, yes. You can command and decree all you want, but this world doesn't work that way. Regina is the best fit for the job. That's a fact. Rioting and mobbing isn't going to change that."
"So we're supposed to let it go?" Whale was the one who stood up then and Ruby walked over to him, letting her eyes glow and all the hate she felt for the man burned within. He was the one who lead the mob to their front door and attacked Regina. A part of her wanted to rip him apart right then, but she curbed the bristling wolf. He seemed to know that, because he took a step back and broke eye contact with her, only to meet the eyes of Ivana and Keith, who looked just as ready to punch his lights out.
"I don't care what you do. Don't come after my friends because they consider Regina a friend. And the next person," She called around the room. "Who lays a hand on Regina in any way will lose that hand and more." She turned to Whale again. "Don't forget that, Frankenstein." She backed away and faced the Charmings. "You disagree with everything I've said and that's fine. If you want Regina, you will have to go through me."
"I don't want to have to fight you, Red." Snow said, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "Not over her."
"If you want her you will." Ruby replied. "The name is Ruby, by the way." She spun around and made for the door, leaving the Charmings and their followers to discuss her words. When she stepped outside, she immediately became aware of a familiar scent. "Granny?"
"Interesting speech." She turned around and smiled as Granny walked up. "Wish I would've been there to see their faces."
Ruby nodded to Keith and Ivana to let them know their help was no longer needed. Granny came to her side as they strolled back to the mansion where the kids had been moved. "I know you probably have your reservations about Regina now that you have your memories back…" Ruby said.
"Who told you that?" Granny asked, smirking.
Ruby stopped walking in shock. "You mean you still approve?"
"I don't really think it matters if I approve or not."
"I suppose it wouldn't, but I would hate to have to lose you."
Granny nodded her head thoughtfully. "Regina's a part of the pack, part of the family. Wolves protect our own. I've got your back, pup. Anytime you need it."
Ruby couldn't contain her grin. "Thanks, Granny. That means a lot to me."
"Besides, regardless of what I feel about Regina, she's done a lot of good for you and she's a good mom to those boys. You two do know that this isn't going to be easy?"
"Nothing easy is worth doing. Let me text Belle real quick and we can go get the boys." Despite Gold's grudge, Regina had let Belle out of the asylum a decade she was free, she settled into a pretty decent life. Unbeknownst to Ruby at the time, Regina had done quite a bit to fix some of her past mistakes. That included releasing Belle and giving her a new set of memories, a nice house and access to the town library, making her the librarian at the same time. She would occasionally help Ruby in the Den and Regina in the mayor's office. While she and Ruby were good friends, she and Regina were acquaintances at best. Gold didn't care about that though.
"Go take care of Regina. I'll get the kids."
"Thanks, Granny." She turned around and started towards the Mills family crypt, knowing Regina would be there. She didn't expect Snow to come jogging down the street after her. "What, Snow? I don't have time for this."
"Then help me." Snow said, panting heavily. "Help me understand."
"I love Regina. What's more to understand?" Ruby growled.
"The fact that she was the enemy for years. You two fought each other, you've seen her murder innocent people and ruin lives. You know what she did to me and my father. And now you're throwing all of it away for her?"
Ruby growled under her breath at how annoying her former friend was. She really had the nerve to believe that this was about her, that it had anything to do with her. Ruby killed her own mother to protect her, sacrificed her childhood to join her war, did everything she asked her to. Ruby owed her nothing, not even an explanation. She took a deep breath and smiled. "I am." And with that, she made her way to the crypt.
Belle and Gold were already inside. As much as Gold and Regina hated each other, all it took was one word from Belle to get him to help them with their problem. "She just went in." Belle handed her an electronic tablet that showed one of the rooms in the vault. Cora was laying in a chair on one side of the room, sound asleep. She must've still been tired from fighting Regina because she didn't stir at all when Regina walked in and began changing the room around with magic. She cleared almost everything out and conjured a table and chair in the center of the room. On it, she placed a dagger and an ornate golden box. Against the wall she leaned a looking glass, a piece on loan from Gold. A powerful spell went up, circling the entire crypt. Not only did it lock down Cora, but it also locked Regina inside with her. "You sure about this?"
"Regina's a big girl." Ruby smirked. "She can take care of herself."
"Speaking of Regina, why are we helping her?" Gold demanded, looking bored out of his mind.
"Because Ruby is my friend and Regina is her girlfriend. I like to help my friends. You don't need to be here, Rumple." Belle said with an attitude. Gold threw her a small glare and turned his back to her.
"The kitten grew some claws, did she?" Ruby grinned. Belle rolled her eyes, turning red. She turned back to the screen, watching as Regina picked up something on the floor and nonchalantly threw it across the room, waking the Heart Ripper.
/
Regina sat down in the chair she conjured behind the table and crossed her legs. Cora sat up slowly, cautious and wary to see her daughter fully recovered and seemingly at ease. Cora however was paler than normal. She snapped her fingers, changing into a neat pantsuit and fixing her hair and makeup, all in attempt to appear composed and put together. Regina knew that she was still recovering and was weak, but she had no intention of striking. Her mother would make that decision. "Take a seat, Mother." She conjured another chair on the other side of the table and Cora slowly walked across the room to take a seat. "You seem a little confused, a little uncomfortable." Regina commented. "Your healing factor seems to be a little slow."
"The other day you threw a sword at me. I have every right to be." Cora replied.
"Perhaps impersonating my fiance was not the best way to get my attention."
"I wasn't sure if you would kill me on sight."
Regina arched an eyebrow. "I could've killed you a long time ago, Mother. I never wanted you dead, but things are different now and so am I." She gestured to everything she'd placed in the room. "I don't want you here. I don't want you in this town, in this world, or in my life. You bring nothing but misery and I will not let you poison me any more. Not when I have so much to lose. I'm willing to offer you a chance to decide your own fate." She pointed to the looking glass. "I don't know if it leads back to Wonderland, but your first option is walking through that looking glass and never ever returning." She put a hand on the golden box that housed her mother's heart. "Your second is you put your heart back in and try for any semblance of a second chance. To be a mother, a real mother. To for once in your wretched life choose something other than yourself." Cora kept her face neutral as her daughter spoke. She clearly had a few words to say but she held her tongue. "Your last option is the dagger. Choosing that means I kill you. Choose."
"I don't really like any of these options-"
"You don't have a choice!" Regina roared. "Choose."
"Regina, I came here for you." Cora said. "To help you get your happy ending. To stop the Charmings from ruining the life you built. I came here-"
"Choose." Regina said with no emotion, no pity.
"No."
Regina sighed and leaned forward on the table. "When I say you don't have a choice, I mean it. I had your old friend, Rumpelstiltskin place a barrier on this room, which locked as soon as I came down here. That means you can't leave and neither can I. So we can sit here until you make a decision. If you refuse that's fine. I am a patient woman. If you fight, I will kill you. So, Mother…choose."
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