For an hour, Ruby sat and watched mother and daughter quip back and forth. It was clear that Cora was stalling, trying every way she knew how to get out of this situation. Regina wasn't budging though. She had no intention of allowing Cora to slip through her fingers once again. Ruby smirked, watching Regina work. Even sitting she radiated with elegance and composure. That was her mate. Her wife. The mother of her children. That woman was everything to her.

"Anything new?" Belle asked, walking into the room with a bag from Granny's.

"No. They're still talking. Granny sent some lunch?"

"Yep. Chicken, fries and red velvet cake. Plus a burger for Regina. Does Regina even eat meat?" Belle said, sitting next to Ruby.

Ruby smirked. "She does. She eats salads to be healthy but who really likes salads anyway? She loves burgers." She smiled to herself just thinking about the day she had Regina try a bunch of unhealthy food. Regina loved all of it, although she went to the gym every day the following week. Ruby turned her head when Regina and Cora started arguing again. She turned up the volume on the electronic tablet.

"Make a choice." Regina said.

"I came to help you-"

"How were you going to do that exactly? Convince me that the Charmings were my enemy? Kill Emma?" Regina smirked. "A more likely scenario is that your idea of help would only benefit you and your insatiable thirst for power."

"Power is how you will keep your family." Cora returned. "You think the Charmings and their pathetic followers are going to just let you live in peace? You'll be walking on eggshells the rest of your life. They will take every opportunity to remind you of the gift they've given you, a gift of life. Make one wrong move and they will try to take everything from you. They've already convinced one son to abandon you. The moment something bad happens, you will be to blame. That is your future."

"I don't care!" Regina roared. "Everything you touch, you destroy. You were never there for me as a child as a teenager or an adult but now, whenever I don't need you, whenever I don't want you anywhere near me, you find a way back. And when you do it's like everything you've done just floats out of your head."

"Clearly you want me dead." Cora said.

"I don't care if you're alive or dead. I just want you gone." Regina put a hand on the box that held her mother's heart. "Or you put your heart back in and deal with all of your issues and demons, then I will try, I promise that I will try my hardest to help you and forgive you. All I've ever wanted in regards to you was for you to love me and show it. Now...I don't think I care about that either. Make a decision so I can go home to my family." Regina arched an eyebrow and moved her hand over to the dagger. "Or I'll make it for you."

Cora looked down at the weapon. "Regina. I did not come here to fight."

"Neither did I." Regina stood up. "You have three seconds."

"Or what?" Cora stood up as well. "You'll kill me?"

Ruby and Belle leaned forward, staring intently at the screen. She didn't know if Regina would kill Cora, if she truly wanted to. However, Cora had threatened their children, their family and their way of life. She knew Regina would kill to protect that. Cora had done enough damage to her daughter in the past. She only returned to try and manipulate Regina into doing her bidding and she had had enough.

The explosion of magic that followed nearly made Ruby drop the tablet. The screen went black and the entire mausoleum shook around them. Ruby was on her feet instantly and running for the door.

"Wait, Ruby, the barrier is still up. I have to call Rumple." Belle called.

Ruby's wolf panicked. She'd shifted before she could stop herself and threw herself at the door. Regina was on the other side and she had to get to her. It was overwhelming and disorienting to have the beast suddenly so alive, forcing Ruby out of her own body. She fought against it, but the beast was desperate to get to their beloved. The door cracked under her claws as she tore her way through and burst into the room. Regina was laying on the ground. A second Regina was near the looking glass, struggling back to her feet. It was that one that Ruby grabbed, locking her head and neck in her jaws.

"Ruby, what are you doing? It's me."

Ruby ignored her cries and squeezed until Regina changed back into Cora. Her wolf wanted to bite down and end the woman that had caused her mate so much pain.

"Ruby, no." Regina croaked, her arms shaking as she moved them, trying to get back up. Ruby dropped Cora and dashed to her side. She nuzzled her with her nose and gave her cheek a lick. When she noticed Cora struggling back to her feet, Ruby stepped over Regina, laying down on top of her and bared her teeth at Cora.

"What do you want to do?" She growled.

"I can't beat her." Regina said softly. "Even weakened, she's more powerful than me."

"Bullshit." Ruby stood up and stepped back. This was Regina's fight. It had to be. "Get up, Regina. Get up and end her. Finish this."

Regina glared at her at first before she suddenly got to her hands and knees and threw herself across the room on top of the box that held Cora's heart. She opened it and grabbed the precious organ as Cora made a dive for her. "Stop!" Cora went still, her muscles straining to disobey. Regina looked down at the heart, her hand shaking.

"Regina, don't!" Cora yelled.

"Why shouldn't I?!" Regina shot back. "Why should I spare you, Heart Ripper? What have you ever done for me?"

"I'll go." Cora pleaded. "I'll leave. I swear it."

Regina looked down at the heart and then up at Ruby. "What would you do?"

"Kill her." Ruby curled her lip. "Without her, there is no threat. But it's up to you. Remember though, you told her to get out of your life before and she always finds a way back."

"I won't. Let me live and I'll never bother you again." Cora said.

Ruby watched Regina think it over, watching the various emotions play over her face. She knew a part of her mate didn't want to kill her mother, but they both knew Cora would be a threat to them as long as she lived. Cora would never change. She didn't even consider putting her heart back in and Ruby was sure that that hurt most of all. Finally, Regina made her decision. She whispered a spell in a language Ruby couldn't understand and got to her feet.

"I'll show you this mercy only once, Mother. Take your heart and go through the looking glass and never return. If I ever see you again, I will kill you. That is a promise. Go away and stay away. I don't care if the fucking world is ending. Do not ever come back. Do you understand?"

"Yes." Cora nodded vigorously, reaching for her heart, but Regina leaned back. "I promise, Regina, now give it to me."

Regina handed it to her and purple magic began spinning in her other hand. Cora had no time to react before Regina hit her with the magic blast that sent her flying backwards into the looking glass. Ruby grabbed the broken table in her teeth and smashed the mirror. She went over to her mate and rubbed against her, offering her comfort as best as she could. Regina rubbed her head but didn't say anything.

"What spell did you cast on her heart?"

"A parting gift." Regina answered, suddenly looking very tired.

"She's an idiot." Ruby said, making Regina look at her. "A fool to believe that not having you in her life is somehow just as good as having you. You deserve more than Cora and she doesn't deserve you at all. She never has. We appreciate you though. We love you and Cora can't-" Ruby paused when Regina hugged her, her ears pricked. "You okay, babe?" Regina stepped away and nodded. Ruby went to get one of the fallen chairs and sat it upright for her lover to sit. "Talk to me. Please."

"You don't have to worry, Mrs. Mills. She didn't do anything I didn't expect her to do."

"Mrs. Mills? I'm taking your last name?"

"Eventually."

Ruby scoffed. "And when did we agree on this?"

"You don't want my last name?" Regina asked.

"I don't care what my last name is as long as I get to be called Wife." Ruby wagged her tail a little and Regina smiled. "You okay now?"

Regina nodded and closed her eyes. Ruby could feel how tired she was. It had been a stressful few days and that magic blast must've drained her. A minute passed before Regina's eyes snapped open and she stood up abruptly. "Let's do it."

"Belle's upstairs. I don't think she should wait-"

"I'm not talking about sex, dear. I mean let's get married."

"Right now?"

"Right now."

Ruby leaped to her feet and started circling her lover uncontrollably. She felt like running! Her wolf felt it was going nuts. Regina's laugh wasn't making things any better. "We need a minister. Wait." Ruby flattened her ears and looked at Regina. "Is this about Cora?"

"Yes." Regina answered.

"Then no. I don't want this to be about your mother."

"It's about her because she's wasted her life chasing something she can't have. She's spent it in misery and darkness and up until being with you, so did I. Our future may not be the one we hoped for or the one we planned before the curse broke, but just to have you and our kids is enough for me. I don't need anything else." Ruby shifted back into a human and stood up, her fingers itching to pull her fiance close, but she sensed Regina had more to say. "The idea of marriage sickened me for a long time and I knew that after Leopold that I never wanted to be married again. Then you asked me, Miss Lucas, and I realized that I wanted that honor. I wanted you."

"You have me, Gina." Ruby whispered. "Always." She kissed Regina's cheek and stepped back to race out of the room. "Belle! We need a favor."

/

It was simple and quick. Ruby didn't really think it was good enough, but what would be worthy of her queen? They could always have a huge ceremony later with everyone they wanted present. For now, it was just her and Regina and Belle in a quiet spot of the forest. She knew it well. Regina liked to come here sometimes and it was a scenic little spot, sheltered on all sides by trees with a large tree in the center of the small clearing. Regina touched it and turned all of the leaves red, making it stand out as theirs.

"You ready?" Belle asked.

"I've been ready since I asked." Ruby replied.

"Me too." Regina said. She was trembling slightly as she took Ruby's hands and Belle began their ceremony. She barely heard Belle talking. Regina was so beautiful in this light and her smile would've made the sun jealous for shining so bright.

Belle cleared her throat. "Are you guys going to say any vows?"

Ruby nodded and licked her lips. "I think you know how I feel and I've already told you how much you mean to me. I love you and I will love you always. I know this isn't going to be easy considering who we used to be and I don't care. You are my queen and my heart and I will stand with you against anything and anyone."

Regina smiled, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. She didn't say anything, just reached into her chest and pulled out her heart. She almost winced at seeing how dark it was. Ruby raised her eyebrows when Regina placed the dark, little heart in the palm of her hands. "This is all I am. And all of me is yours."

Ruby sucked in a deep breath, almost shaking at holding Regina's heart in her hands. She turned over Regina's hands and gave her back the heart. "I promise to protect it and cherish it." Regina pushed her heart back into her chest and truly did wince then. "You okay?"

"Yes, it's not a fun feeling."

"Rings?" Belle asked.

Ruby pulled hers out of her pocket and Regina made hers appear in her hand. They'd both agreed not long after the proposal to buy their wedding rings together and Regina wanted to buy another ring for Ruby separately since she was the one who proposed. Regina's choice was a golden ring with a large diamond as the centerpiece that was probably worth more than Storybrooke itself. Their wedding rings were almost identical, small and made of silver and inlaid with a dozen diamonds each. Ruby felt her wolf purr with pleasure when she slid her ring onto Regina's finger. Regina practically grinned as she did the same with hers.

Belle wiped at her eye. "By the power vested in me...ten minutes ago from a website we found online, I name you wife and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Ruby pulled Regina into her arms and placed a heartstopping kiss to her lips. Joy. Joy overwhelmed her and before she knew it she was in wolf form, bounding around Regina and Belle with a happiness she simply could not contain. She kicked up her back legs and howled into the air. Regina laughed and wiggled her finger at her and she came to her, bowing her head to accept a kiss on the cheek. She leaped away again and spun in a circle before she shifted back to kiss Regina again. "I love you." She whispered.

"I love you too." Regina smiled against her lips. For a long minute she was only aware of how good it felt to finally be able to call Regina her wife. It felt wonderful. It felt right. "How is your wolf?" Regina asked.

"Very pleased." Ruby replied. "More so than it's ever been, I think."

"Good." She smiled again, almost blushing.

It would be night before they walked Belle home and made their way back to the mansion, hand in hand. And of course, the happiness didn't last long. A commotion in their yard made both women hurry their pace to see what was going on. Emma and Henry were standing with some man while Granny stood on the porch with her crossbow.

"What are you doing here?" Regina demanded.

"You've been gone all day." Emma said. "Look-"

"This is our dad." Henry said, pointing at the unknown man.

Regina looked highly unimpressed. "Inside." She commanded.

"But-"

"Now." She arched an eyebrow and Henry glared in response, but ultimately obeyed. Granny followed him in, leaving the others to them. Regina turned to Emma. "Explain all of this." She said in a deathly calm voice.

"Gold and I left this morning to find his son and Henry stowed away in the car. We were halfway to the airport before I realized so we just took him with us. We found Gold's son. This is him." Emma gestured to the man. "This is Neal Cassidy, Henry and Daniel's father."

"You're telling me the Dark One is their grandfather." Ruby rolled her eyes. "Who cares? Get off our property."

"Wait." Neal said. "I want-"

"I don't care what you want. I don't care if you are their father. Talk to Emma, we've had this conversation before and she can relay the message to you. I really don't want to deal with this right now so good night." She looked at Regina. "After you." Regina quirked an eyebrow and led the way into the house. As soon as the door closed, she went off to find their wayward son. "Henry!" She heard before going up the stairs. With the curse broken, her senses had returned to their heightened state and she could hear Daniel and Henry before she was halfway up the stairs.

"Haven't you had enough of running away?" Daniel asked.

"I wasn't running away. I just wanted to go with Emma. Look, I found our dad."

"Why would I care about someone I've never met? Why isn't our family enough for you? You're just hurting our moms by doing this."

"I didn't know he would be our dad." Henry said in defense.

"But you still stowed away in Emma's car without telling anyone where you were going. Look, I don't care about Cassidy or whatever his name is. Now leave me alone. Mom called you."

Ruby's eyebrows snapped upwards at hearing Daniel refer to her as 'mom'. It was never something she stressed or asked for, but hearing brought more of the feeling of joy that she felt just hours before. She knocked on Daniel's door and it opened a moment later. Henry looked up at her while Daniel continued building whatever project he was working on. Henry stepped outside the door and closed it. "You're grounded."

"Grounded?!"

"It's late so we'll talk in the morning, but yes, you're grounded. To your room."

"But-"

"Go." She said firmly. He rolled his eyes, but he obeyed. She would have to talk to him about that later too. She didn't move until she heard him slam the door to his room.

The arrival of Neal Cassidy brought a whole heap of trouble that further pissed off Regina and Ruby did her best to keep the peace so her wife wouldn't worry. They kept their nuptials a secret for now and focused more on their sons. Regina kept Emma and Neal in check, refusing to allow them to override their authority. Her strong leadership and Ruby's support, as well as that of their supporters and friends, forced the town back into a bit of uniformity. Everything seemed normal again almost. Snow simply did not have the support she once did. There was no army to be built and no war against an evil tyrant to wage. Regina was the best mayor for the town and even though they tried to evict her, they failed. Some measures were taken to keep the peace, such as Emma and David keeping their positions in the sheriff station, although Keith was also instated as a part time worker to not only piss Emma and David off but to keep an eye on things for Regina. With some form of peace in Storybrooke again, Ruby reopened the Wolves Den and made it her mission to get Regina into it at least once to get her to relax again. It was not an easy feat, but it did seem to work. Still, no one anticipated what would happen to their sons.

For the most part, Daniel resumed his days as usual. He didn't exactly ignore Emma and Neal, but he made no move to incorporate them into his daily life. If they weren't a part of his life before the curse broke then they still weren't a part of it. Unfortunately, it also caused a major divide between him and Henry, who wanted to be with Emma and Neal. It led to a lot of arguing and passive aggressiveness. Ruby and Regina chose not to get involved as they knew that the boys would only pretend that everything was fine if they did. Daniel spent most of his time with Regina anyway, learning about his magic. Henry had the sense now to ask to meet with his birth parents or grandparents rather than sneak out, but he couldn't convince his brother to give them a try. On top of this, Neal was seeing some woman he brought with him named Tamara that no one really liked and everyone tended to ignore. Her family was divided and Ruby was not pleased about it. However, she would have to swallow that displeasure for now. Mending what she could would have to surface.

Ruby looked up and smiled as Regina led a young silver colt over to her and Daniel. Her son stood next to her holding a bow and had a quiver of arrows strapped to his back. It was Regina who suggested they show him new defense techniques as she didn't want him relying on his magic before he could properly learn to use it. So during the week, he would learn the sword and basic self defense on some days with Ruby. Others he would spend with Regina learning magic. Lately, he'd become interested in the bow and he decided to combine that with horse riding. Snow was the natural choice to teach him and he even agreed to lessons with her which escalated into more ideas that Regina had reservations about.

"Be careful." She said as Ruby helped Daniel into the saddle. "Please." Daniel gave her a bright smile and started off around the paddock.

Ruby backed away to stand next to Regina. "Nervous?"

"Always." Regina replied. "But he can't learn if I don't let him try anything. If it gets to be too much I can put a stop to it, but he has to learn about his own magic. No one should know it better than him."

"Is he getting better?"

"Yes." Regina smiled widely then. "I couldn't be more proud. Every day he gets better. He may even surpass me one day. Is he still asking to be made into a werewolf?"

"Yep, but all he really wants is to turn into a wolf. You can show him a spell for that."

"Or he wants to be like his mother." Regina replied. Ruby gave her a small smile at her words. "Anyway, let's see what he's got."

Around the paddock were targets set up for Daniel to hit. He'd been riding with Regina since he was five, so they weren't worried about his riding skill. He circled the paddock once before drawing his bow and an arrow.

Ruby heard footsteps coming up behind them but she didn't turn around. She curled her lip at the scent of the Charmings that greeted her.

"Has he started yet?" Snow asked.

"No." Ruby rolled her eyes at the stupid question. When Henry came to her side, she smiled and patted him on the head. "Good day?"

"Good day. What's Daniel doing?"

"Attempting to combine his magic with his archery." She explained. "Regina believes that it will help him use less magical power."

"But if he shoots a magic arrow, he's still using magic."

"Yes, but if half of his focus is on aiming and firing the arrow, his magical attack will be weaker and it will allow him to do more magical attacks without tiring himself out."

"It also keeps him from using too much magic at once. Channeling his magic into something, like an arrow keeps him from overexerting himself. If he uses too much magic on the arrow, it will shatter." Regina added.

"What happens if he uses too much magic at once?" Neal asked.

"He dies." Regina answered.

"Don't you think-"

"I have given it plenty of thought." Regina growled, effectively shutting the man up. "Would you rather he not use his magic at all? Pretend that he doesn't have it? Would you rather he be normal?"

"I'd rather he not die trying to do everything you do."

"Well, it's a good thing you don't make any decisions for him." Ruby said.

"He is not normal, not like you." Regina added. "If he doesn't train and practice, he could be a danger to not just himself but everyone around him. Magic is a part of him. It isn't something you can just ignore or pretend he doesn't have it. Especially now that it's been awakened. He must learn. Now, please stop talking." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, as if daring him to speak again.

"You okay?" Ruby tilted her head, hearing Daniel's voice nearby even though he was across the paddock.

"Fine." Regina waved a hand dismissively. "Begin." Daniel gave his horse a kick and urged him into a fast canter. He smoothly nocked the arrow and aimed. "Loose." He fired and hit the target. It was a little off the mark, but a hit nonetheless. Daniel kept going, firing three more arrows and hitting all three targets.

"He's good." Emma commented.

"Of course he is." Regina stepped away as the last target came up. She said something in another language and Daniel readied another arrow. He pulled back the string and red fire ignited on the arrowhead as he took aim. There was a problem though. Ruby saw him hesitate, his hands trembling. "Stop." Regina commanded as he fired. The arrow instantly exploded and a blast of red fire threw the boy from his horse. Regina teleported straight to his side to check on him and Ruby shifted into wolf form to get there just as quickly. "Daniel, are you okay?"

"I hesitated." He said softly. Regina waved a hand over his chest, showering him with healing magic. "I was scared to let out the magic but if I did-"

"It's okay." Regina gave him a comforting smile and helped him sit up. "That only means we have to continue practicing. Perhaps without the horse this time. If you want to."

He nodded vigorously and got back to his feet with a big grin. "Let's do it!"

Regina smiled and stood up. Ruby pushed her nose into Daniel's face, making him laugh and scratch her on the head. "Again." She teleported the horse to the stables and they began again. The Charmings also ran to check on Daniel but they were almost immediately shooed away by the boy as his mind was entirely on practicing.

Daniel fell in love with magic. He found that it was his favorite thing to do now. He got to spend time with Regina more now and she seemed genuinely happy to teach him her craft. She was a very good teacher. He especially liked reading all of the magic books she'd collected. They were from different realms and worlds and in different languages. She taught him a spell to be able to read all of them and he almost couldn't stop. He often talked Ruby's head off when he told her what he'd learned and it hurt a little to know that he couldn't share his new love with his brother. Henry didn't have magic and didn't care to learn it. He even seemed to think that magic was bad or something. Daniel wasn't really sure. They didn't really speak much anymore and when they did all Henry wanted to do was talk about his parents or grandparents and beyond his archery lessons with Snow, Daniel didn't care.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Regina found herself humming softly as she washed the dishes, her mind running through everything that had happened since the curse broke. Things were bad and they were slowly getting better. She still didn't know how to deal with Henry's new attitude and the distance that had grown between them. She hated it but she didn't know how to fix it. He didn't want to be here and she let him go most of the time to make him happy, but when he returned he was unhappy again. His relationship with Daniel and Ruby was strained at best but the one he had with Regina was virtually nonexistent and she knew it had to do with her past as the Evil Queen. That was not something she could fix or make right.

Daniel, who'd been sitting to the table with a magic book, looked up and noticed his mother stop washing dishes. She was staring ahead, seeing nothing, lost in her thoughts and he knew that those thoughts weren't good ones. His mother had a habit of dwelling on the darkest parts of her past, believing that she didn't deserve happiness or couldn't enjoy it because of that past. He looked down at the book and whispered a few words of magic before loudly sounding out the first word he saw.

It broke Regina's train of thought and she turned around. "What have I said about...saying words out loud." She burst into laughter when she saw him with red skin, tentacles coming out of his back and a wagging tail. "Okay, you look ridiculous."

"And you're smiling." He replied. "So it's fine."

Regina continued smiling as she waved her hand, returning him to normal. "Still, be careful about sounding out words aloud."

"Or I could accidentally cast them. I know."

"Regina!" They both turned around as Ruby walked into the room wearing her running attire. "I'm heading out. It's the full moon." She kissed Regina and turned to kiss the top of Daniel's head. "Be good for your mom."

"Yes, ma'am. Be careful out there."

Ruby scoffed. "I'm the Big Bad Wolf. Nothing can touch me." She gave them a smile but it didn't reach her eyes. They all knew it was a front. Ruby would probably spend the night just walking the trails until morning. So as soon as she was gone, Daniel and Regina got to work. Regina conjured a new magic book and began looking for a specific spell while Daniel went to change into a t-shirt and shorts. He was ready to go when there was a knock at the door. It was just Henry and Emma.

"What are you so excited for?" Henry asked, watching his brother bounce around Regina while she was trying to read from a book. She touched him on the head and he stopped bouncing, only for him to start pacing.

"We're going to go running with Ruby as wolves!" Daniel said.

"What?"

"Yep. It's going to be amazing! You should come. It would mean the world to Ruby."

"I don't know…"

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Is this about dark magic again? Who cares? This is about having a good night with Ruby, so she won't be alone. Why does anything else matter?"

"Because dark magic is bad?"

"And that makes the people who use it evil, right? I have dark magic. Am I evil? Am I a villain to you?"

"Hey," Emma cut in. "Cool it, guys."

"No, I want my brother to answer my question. Am I evil, Henry?"

"No, but you are learning dark magic and dark magic is not good."

"Would you rather I learn light magic?"

"I would."

"Who would teach me? Emma, who can't even light a candle?"

"You mean Mom."

"Mom is already teaching me magic."

"Why are you so willing to ignore her past? Everything she's done?!" Henry suddenly shouted.

"Because you are." Daniel crossed his arms. "You're willing to ignore the fact that Mom raised us. Ruby too. She's as much our mom as anyone else is. We had a good life, the best life and none of that matters to you now. Because you found the woman who gave us up and brought her here, I should be happy? Why?"

"Emma is family. So is Grandma and Grandpa and Dad. You treat them like they're nothing."

"I don't even know them."

"How can you if you won't give them a chance?"

"Who says I have to?"

Regina glanced up at the exchange, arching an eyebrow at their behavior. Emma again attempted to put a stop to the argument, but she was met with harsh glares from both boys. "Daniel." She said gently. "We must move quickly if we want to catch up to Ruby. Henry, I do not feel comfortable leaving you here alone, so if you will not join us, then you can spend the night with Emma." The boys took an extra moment to glare at each other before Henry turned to her.

"I want to go too. Daniel's right. Ruby would be happy."

"You sure you want to be near dark magic?" Daniel almost growled. "Aren't you afraid the Evil Queen is going to curse you?"

"Enough." Regina said. "There will be no more arguing tonight. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes ma'am." The boys said in unison.

She closed her book and set it aside. "You are lucky that tonight is about Ruby. Otherwise, neither of you would go. You are brothers. Family. This arguing will stop and it will be discussed later. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Good. Emma, get out."

The family stepped outside and Regina cast her spell. Smoke engulfed all three of them and she stepped out of it as a large black wolf. She turned around and found Henry sitting next to her as a little wolf with light brown fur. "Daniel?"

"I'm a wolf!" She spun to find him running around the yard in the form of a sandish gold wolf pup. She ran after him and chased him around the yard until she caught him and stepped on his tail. "You have to teach me this spell."

"You have to calm down."

"But I'm a wolf!" He threw back his head and howled. "We have to go find Ruby."

"We will, but relax."

"Yeah, you probably just gave away the surprise." Henry said.

"So? You didn't even want to become a wolf. I did."

Regina let him go and set off. "Come along children." The boys followed her as she led the way through town to the entrance to the forest trails. Ruby's scent was heavy here. She let out a long howl and the boys joined her. Before she'd even finished she heard an answering howl in the distance. "Follow me." She took off down the trails and her sons followed. In this form the forest seemed to come alive with all kinds of scents and sounds she would've missed as a human. Ruby's scent grew stronger and the next thing she knew she was being tackled by her wife.

"Regina? Oh my goodness, you look amazing!" She tried to push away the happy tongue and got back to her feet. "Oh my gosh!" Ruby broke into overexcited whimpers when she caught sight of Henry and Daniel. "Regina, look at them. They're adorable." She nuzzled them into the ground and turned around to jump on Regina again. Regina endured the barrage of love until Ruby ran off, letting the boys chase after her. Her happiness was infectious and it seemed like they forgot their entire argument before. Ruby just had that effect on them. "Regina!" Ruby called. "Let's Run!"

"Come on, Mom!" Daniel yelled, rushing after Ruby, his little legs were indeed adorable.

Regina took off after them, pushing away any negative thoughts that wanted to intrude on their night together. Being a wolf was glorious. Running free beneath the moon with her wife, her mate, and her children...What could be better?

.

.

.

.

Three days later…

Ruby pulled out her phone as she walked up to the front door of the Charmings. She tried to call Regina for the third time today and she was starting to worry. Regina always answered the phone. Especially for Ruby. In all the years of the curse not once did she fail to answer for her favorite waitress. She growled and knocked on the door. "Regina, answer please. Is everything okay? I'm picking up the kids from Snow's. We'll be over there soon." She was about to hang up when Regina picked up the phone. "Gina?"

"Ruby…" Regina's voice sounded far away and her breathing was ragged and uneven.

"Regina, where are you?" She heard a grunt and Regina stopped breathing entirely, as if she were holding it. "Regina, answer me-" A scream was her answer. A scream of agony that sent her wolf into a whirlwind of fury.

"The boys!" Regina yelled. "I'll kill you, you son of a-" The call ended and Ruby ran into the house. Get the boys to safety. Make them safe. Find Regina. Kill whoever was hurting her. Her wolf's thoughts overwhelmed her own, but it dulled when she found the Charmings asleep at the kitchen table. Something smelled funny. She looked around and found Neal and Emma both on the floor. They weren't asleep though, they were looking at her.

"Where are my sons?" Ruby's wolf demanded. "What are you doing?" She spun around and caught Tamara's hand. She was holding a syringe with a clear liquid inside. Ruby kneed her in the stomach and felt ribs crack. Enemy. Tamara tried to stab her with the syringe again and Ruby grabbed her wrist, shattering it with a hard squeeze. That was when she saw them. Her sons were in the corner, tied up and gagged. Henry was awake and in tears but Daniel was unconscious. Her moment of hesitation gave Tamara the window she needed and she switched hands and stabbed Ruby in the thigh. She growled and grabbed the irritating woman and threw her away before racing to Henry's side. She pulled the tape off of his mouth.

"Look out!"

Ruby didn't even have time to turn. Pain shot through her back and her muscles spasmed. Her wolf cried out in pain and she collapsed, shaking as electricity coursed through her body.

"Stupid fucking wolf!" Tamara hissed.

"Stop!" Henry yelled. "Let her go! You're hurting her!"

Ruby's wolf retreated at the pain and left her to face it on her own. She couldn't move. Tamara didn't let go of the taser as she made a phone call. A man Ruby didn't know walked into the house and picked up her sons. She couldn't do anything to stop them. She shifted into wolf form and she could move a little but Tamara must've upped the voltage because she was soon overcome again and the air became filled with the smell of burnt hair and flesh. Still, she had to try. She had to try! Minutes passed. Several excruciatingly long minutes passed before she could move her legs again. She scrambled to her paws, to the door. She felt her wolf pushing against her mind, trying to take over again, trying to push her out again.

Ruby growled and pushed through the pain. She needed to find her family. Tamara's scent ended at the driveway and there were a lot of skid marks. She got into a car and drove away, or had someone else drive. Was this premeditated? If so, why?

Ruby. Regina's voice made her perk up and something flashed in front of her. She saw steel. Gray walls and a matching ceiling. She smelled salt water, something fishy, something burnt. She saw a man's face that she didn't recognize and he was carrying something in both hands. She felt them being pressed to her temples and that was where the connection ended. Ruby took off. She had to save Regina. Regina could easily find the boys. She had to kill whoever that man was.

/

When Regina awoke, she was laying in a hospital bed. Everything felt numb and her limbs were heavy. The lights were off and the shades closed on the window and she was grateful for it. She turned her head and found Ruby sitting in the chair next to her, her arm embedded with an IV like Regina's. She was also covered in blood. She looked ahead, eyes glowing golden. "Ruby." She whispered, trying to reach out to her.

Ruby looked at her and it took a moment for her eyes to return to normal. She quickly came to Regina and pressed her forehead against hers. "How do you feel?"

"Weak. What happened?"

"We were ambushed." Ruby said, sitting down again and sliding her chair closer to Regina. "That Tamara bitch was a traitor. She dosed the Charmings with something and kidnapped our children. That man who hurt you…"

"Greg Mendel. I killed his father. He wanted revenge."

"I don't give a fuck about his father. He put his hands on my wife." Ruby growled. "He's not dead, but he's dying. Slowly. He deserves worse for torturing you. We think he was working with Tamara."

"He was spouting some bullshit about hating magic. There's some sort of organization for it. A group."

"Tamara called in a masked man to help her take the kids after I injured her. This was planned. How would they know though? Tamara could've fooled Neal easily but how did they know the curse had broken and they could get into Storybrooke?"

"I don't know. Do we know where they are, where our children are?" Regina asked. She made a hand motion and cleaned both of them up.

"Stop using magic. You need to recover." Ruby replied. "And the idiots are figuring that out but we know they're not in Storybrooke anymore. I'm sorry. I should've been faster. If my stupid wolf hadn't…" Ruby's eyes repeatedly flashed gold. She grabbed at her head and Regina put a hand on her arm, softly uttering a calming spell. "It pushed me out." Ruby whispered. "If I was in control, I might've been able to stop them. I was right there and I couldn't do anything."

"I'm sure you did all you could." Regina said.

"I should've done more." Ruby whispered.

Regina reached out to take Ruby's hand and gave it a squeeze. "We'll get them back and destroy whoever dared to take them." Ruby nodded slowly. "Help me up."

When the doctor came in, a small woman with graying hair stepped in, Regina was already on her feet. "Oh my god."

"Surprised to see me up so soon, Doctor?"

"Surprised to see you alive." She glared at Ruby. "I told you not to get out of bed."

"Our sons have been kidnapped." Ruby said. "My wife was tortured and beaten. Someone must die."

The doctor let out an exasperated sigh and handed them two vials of a pale blue liquid. "Drink this then."

"A health potion?" Regina arched an eyebrow. "Where did you get this?"

"Does it matter? If you won't take the time to rest, then you need your strength. As your wife stated, you were tortured and beaten and you are still recovering. When you return, I recommend counseling and a long rest."

"I don't need a therapist. I need to find my children." Regina said, accepting the vials.

"Snow and David are awake. Emma is already up. Neal just got out of surgery. The Charmings were apparently dosed with a paralytic agent. Neal Cassidy was shot with a 9mm."

"I'm an emotional wreck." Regina deadpanned as she drank one of the vials and handed the other to Ruby. Energy flooded her limbs and she rolled her shoulders, feeling her magic surge to new heights. She teleported herself and Ruby straight to her vault to find something they could use to find the boys. Someone was already there. Ruby started growling before Regina felt a new presence in her vault. "Gold?"

"Right here, dearie." He appeared, sitting to the fixed table that her mother had sat in a few days ago. Belle was behind him and on the table, was a globe. A white one devoid of countries and continents.

"What are you doing here?" Regina asked.

"We heard about what happened." Belle said. "We want to help."

"You, I believe." This one," She gestured at Gold. "Only helps himself."

Gold said nothing for a time. Finally, he stood up. He turned the globe so he could prick his finger on the top of it and a single continent began to fill in. "Your children are in Neverland. The home of Peter Pan."

"You know him?" Ruby asked.

"He is my father." Regina's jaw must've dropped because Gold let out a chuckle. "You're not the only one with a terrible parent."

"I'm looking at one."

Gold smirked. "We need a ship."

"We?"

"The boys are your children, but they are also my grandchildren and you will need help taking down my father. He is a ruthless bastard and there is a reason you were targeted. He needs them for something and whatever it is, I assure you, must be stopped."

"We'll take the help." Ruby said. "I know someone with a ship. I need a portal and for you to play nice." She said, looking at Gold. "The captain is a mutual friend of ours and if I call, he'll come. He hates Peter Pan but there is no man he hates more than you."

Gold sighed. "I believe I know who you speak of."

/

Ten minutes later and Regina found herself waiting impatiently on the docks with the rest of the idiots, anxiously pacing while they waited for Ruby's friend to arrive. "Who is this captain?" She asked. "How do you know him?"

"Captain Hook." Ruby answered. "His real name is Killian Jones and I met him when I was younger. I ran away from home."

Regina frowned slightly. "You never told me that."

"It only happened a few times, I didn't go far and I always came home. The first time I only made it to a neighboring town before I got too nervous in leaving Granny behind. The second and third time I went farther. I suppose that wasn't really running away, but exploring. I made it to the sea and met some kind people around the city there. Killian was docked to restock his ship's supplies. We met in the tavern. He attempted to seduce me." Regina instantly scowled and Ruby smirked. "He quickly realized that he wasn't going to bed me, but he did talk to me a lot about the world beyond my little village. We became friends. He gave me a token to call him if I ever made up my mind about leaving. He promised to be there if I ever needed a ride."

"That coin you threw in the water?"

Ruby nodded. "I was going to call him when Peter and I were going to run away. We kept in touch during the war. Do you know him?"

"Unfortunately."

"Oh? Did he rob you?"

"No. I attempted to seduce him to get him to work for me. It didn't really lead to anything, but I'm not very proud of it."

"I'm sure he won't hold it against you. My concern is how he'll react to Gold."

Regina resumed her pacing, thinking of her children. What did Pan want with them? Did he hurt them? Were they okay? A thousand questions ran through her mind. She needed to find them. They'd already wasted too much time. She was so deep in thought that the rumbling made her flinch. The docks shook beneath her feet and the water began to glow. Ruby put an arm around her to keep her steady and light blasted out of the water as a portal opened. A ship rose from the sea, flying the black flag. The portal closed and everything seemed so much darker once it did.

"Hello, Captain." Ruby called as a man made his way down the gangplank. A devilish grin greeted them.

"Well, if it isn't Little Red." Ruby stepped away from Regina to hug the pirate and welcomed him to Storybrooke.

"I know this is crazy, but I need a huge favor."

"Oh?" Killian tilted his head, letting his eyes roam slowly over everyone in attendance. They lingered on Neal and Emma and then Regina and she knew he recognized her. Thankfully, Gold was not present or he might've said no immediately. When he looked at Ruby, he smiled again. "Anything for a friend. Now, tell me what I just agreed to."

"We have to go someplace you're not going to like. With someone you don't like." Ruby said. "I wouldn't ask if I wasn't desperate. It's for my kids. They were kidnapped by Peter Pan."

"Pan? You do need help then." Killian scoffed. His expression darkened and the arrogant pirate facade was gone, replaced with a mask Regina couldn't read. His eyes told a different story. "These other people I won't like... One of them who I think it is?"

"...Yes."

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