Chapter XXXIX

She's A Secret Agent

(Believe It Or Not)

Aurora used the distraction, The Evil Queen Regina's speech, to leave. If anyone asked her, she was to say she was looking for the water closet. No one asked. The entire room was too busy gossiping and arguing amongst themselves. The Evil Queen had commanded the room and everyone had an opinion about that.

She sneaked into the hallway and left the Ball behind. There were small presentations all along the corridor. Colorful posters and contraptions caught her attention. It was a science fair, and it was very important to the children. Some presentations had ribbons pinned to them and others didn't. They all looked amazing to her. She did not understand how anyone could choose one over another. She had done nothing like this with her tutors. These children knew many things. There was electricity, parts of the body, animal facts, weather patterns and more. It was amazing.

Aurora wandered around the projects and took it all in. She looked at the windows into the school's dining hall. It was like a different world the Ball on the other side of the hall. It was bright and cheerful, there were laughter and games. It was like the festivals she'd heard about but never attended. Her parents had told her they feared Maleficent would take her away. Phillip had often brought her sweets and trinkets from festivals. He'd always promised that he would take her when they wed. Phillip.

"Rory!" She jumped a little and jerked around. "Come on!" Belle was leaning into the corridor from an unmarked door. Aurora hadn't even noticed it. She looked around, and they were alone except for the Herald. Aurora was pretty sure his name was Leroy, and he was far more interested in his bottle of spirits than them. Aurora slipped through the half-open door and Belle shut it behind her.

They were in a small alley between two parts of the building. They stepped into the night. The cool air was a welcome relief. There were a few chairs, a small bench, and a metal bucket full of cigarette butts. "Regina told me about this place. The teachers come here to smoke in secret." Belle pushed a tendril of dark hair off of her face. "I don't think there's anything in this town she doesn't know about."

Aurora followed Belle down the alley. "Well, she certainly distracted everyone!" Regina assured them she'd cause a distraction. Aurora assumed she would attack someone or use magic to cause a ruckus. She hadn't expected a speech. "Even Emma Swan seemed surprised."

Belle's lips twitched into a small smile, "I'm sure she was. Also, I'm pretty sure I owe Ruby money. " She huffed, "Stupid bet." Aurora tilted her head, "What bet?

They emerged into a paved field full of cars. "If we get through tonight, I'll tell you all about it." Belle lifted her skirts and walked back toward the sidewalk. "Come on, everything we need is at the library.''

They had the streets of Storybrooke to themselves. It was quiet. Aurora's nerves were jangling. She didn't know how to make her thoughts stop racing. She was nervous, her heart fluttered in her chest. She needed to fill the silence.

"Do-" Aurora hesitated. "Do you think we can trust her? The Evil Queen I mean."

Belle lead her to the library's front door. She plucked the key from her bodice. She'd had it tucked in her cleavage. Aurora's eyes widened at that. It was both intelligent and improper. Impressive.

Belle opened the door and they went inside. "I don't trust Regina Mills very much. She's our best shot at saving Phillip, though." Belly grasped her hands. "You deserve a shot at your Happily Ever After, Aurora."

She smiled. Belle was one of the sweetest and most genuine person she'd ever met. "Rory. My friends call me Rory." Because she had friends and not "acceptable social equals". Belle's big smile made her answer clear. Belle had everything they needed neatly lined up along the large main desk. Aurora's stomach flipped, and she thought about the conversation with her mother. Love was so complicated. Was this the right thing? Was Phillip her Happily Ever After? What if this was all some trick? The Evil Queen had been Maleficent's ally, after all. "Didn't The Evil Queen kidnap you?" She looked at Belle, a little confused. "Yes." Belle didn't sound angry. She was calm, almost casual. "I was locked in a tower there and the psychiatric ward here. The madhouse."

Aurora's jaw dropped. "'And you're okay with working with her? To help me? Why?" They hardly knew each other. Belle had no real reason to work with her worst enemy to help her. "Because Regina is trying to redeem herself. She'd did horrible things as The Evil Queen but here? Here in Storybrooke she's been a mayor and a mother. She cursed us to a world that is so much more advanced than ours was. She gave us democracy and technology." Belle shrugged. "And I wonder if she was as evil as they said. If she was all evil why am I alive? She told Rumple I was dead, but here I am. She has her magic now, but you saw her, all she did was use it to make banners."

Aurora blinked. She was a little in awe of Belle. She was brave, confident and unflappable. Aurora wished she had a teaspoon's worth of her attitude. More than that, she wished she had the same confidence in the Evil Queen. Every time she thought of The Evil Queen, she thought of Maleficent. Wasn't Regina the enemy? Aurora was wondering if it was like her mother had said, a blessing hidden in a curse. If Belle, who had suffered at her hands, could trust Regina, Aurora could too.

The inside of the library was quiet and dim. The only source of light was a single lamp on Belle's long center desk. She had spent hours here, but it felt different at night. It wasn't scary, but exciting. It was like the start of an adventure. Belle wasted no time. She made her way around the desk. "Actually." She paused and wrinkled her forehead and nose, like she was thinking, "I think she paid for Mulan's suit." Aurora's heart fluttered and her throat tightened. She would trust her to a certain point, but not that much. "Why did she do that? what does she want with Mulan?" Redeemed or not if that witch hurt Mulan Aurora would- "Don't worry, Dear." Aurora couldn't stop herself. She let out a little scream and jumped as she turned around on her heel. The ridiculous fluffy pink skirts of her dress swished around her as she moved. Belle didn't jump or shriek but she grabbed a thick unlit torch. She, at least, could defend herself.

The speaker wasn't an intruder though. Regina Mills stepped out of the shadows. She was still wearing the gorgeous black and gold ball gown and her glossy lips were tilted into a smirk. It wasn't so fair that someone so beautiful was evil.

"Mulan is not my type. I decided to be generous." Regina turned to Belle and raised a brow, "I see you've gathered the things I requested." She sounded calm and composed, not at all like someone about to summon a demonic entity.

Belle lowered the torch and placed it beside the other two on the desk. She didn't even look embarrassed or apologetic. "Quite a speech, Madam Mayor."

Regina shrugged one shoulder and still looked graceful doing it. She walked into the small pool of lamplight and to the desk. "Years of practice." Was that what she had spent twenty-eight years doing? Speeches and local fundraisers? Not only was that not evil, but it also sounded boring.

Belle was packing their supplies in a large cloth sack with the local grocery shop's logo on it. "Are you really going to match tonight's donations?" Regina didn't immediately answer. She looked over some handwritten notes for a moment before she looked up. "I always have before. I've made solid investments both in and outside of Storybrooke. I have plenty of money and the schools and the library could always use a bigger budget. They're important."

It was like she was talking about the weather or what shoes she was wearing. Regina didn't care about her personal treasury at all. She seemed to care about the town though. If this was all about Regina's curse and revenge, why did she care so much?

Regina shuffled the papers and squinted at them. "Miss French you'll be receiving twenty-five percent of the donations. You should hire part-time help." She tilted her head at Aurora.

Did she mean her? She'd never worked a day in her life, how could she help Belle? Again, why did The Evil Queen care about the library staffing, anyway? Belle was speechless. So was Aurora. Regina was not The Evil Queen she'd heard horror stories about. "So" Regina turned around, notes still in hand, "Are we ready to do this?" Evil or not, she was efficient. Regina still sounded unimpressed and relaxed, like she didn't have a care in the world. They weren't embroidering or going for a carriage ride, they were about to summon a wraith!

It was the most dangerous thing that any of them had ever attempted. Even Regina and she'd cast the darkest curse in history. "What's the rush, Regina? Do you have somewhere else to be?" Belle put the last of her notes and supplies in her bag. The bright yellow bag clashed with her blue gown. Aurora shook her head at that thought. They were on a secret mission to do the unthinkable and all she could comment upon was fashion. Compared to Belle and Regina she was a useless princess. "I have plans tonight." Regina sounded aloof and uninterested but the small smile gave her away. Aurora thought about everything she'd seen since arriving in Storybrooke. The only time Regina smiled was at her son and-

"I'm sure you don't want Emma to think you've forgotten about her." Belle teased her.

Regina tilted her head, pursed her lips and crossed her arms, but said nothing. "Oh, damn." Belle seemed to rethink her teasing attitude. She was brave and smart. "I should here never made that bet with Ruby." She held a hand up, "In my defense, I was a bit drunk." Regina stared at Belle as if she'd grown a second head.

"Um," Aurora had to defend her friends. "In Ruby's defense, Emma was open with her affection for you when we were out. I won't repeat it because it is a little fuzzy, but it was all very flattering. I think."

Regina covered her face with her hand and let out a groan. "I was feared and respected. I was the Queen and now I'm the subject of drunken gossip! How the mighty have fallen.''

"In your defense-" Belle smiled."

Aurora had to stifle a giggle behind her hand. Regina seemed less royal and more human now.

Belle looked amused. "But I didn't hear you deny anything." Aurora wasn't sure if Belle was brave or mad. Sure Regina seemed less evil now, but she had kept Belle locked up for years. "If this gets out, I will personally- " "Destroy you." Belle cut Regina off and shouldered the bag of supplies "Yes Yes. I've heard."

Belle was unaffected by Regina's threats.

"Rory, can you grab those torches?"

She did as Belle asked but said nothing. Aurora was lost in thought. Regina, a Queen, was courting Emma, a princess. Belle, a noble lady, didn't seem upset or scandalized. She didn't even seem surprised outside of the wages she'd lost.

Then again, Emma had not been the only one who got loose-lipped when intoxicated. Ruby had made several comments about Belle that night. Did Belle like her back? Wasn't Belle with The Dark One? Did she love them both? She didn't know and knew it would be rude to ask.

Still, it was comforting to know she wasn't alone. Maybe she wasn't an aberration.

"Come on then, Your Highness." Regina crooked a finger to beckon her closer. "It will be easier to teleport there." She held out her hands.

Belle didn't hesitate, she took Regina's hand and nodded. Aurora hesitated, though. She couldn't help it. The amount of trust they were placing in Regina was enormous. Aurora had a warm feeling her gut that told her she was making the right decision. So she committed to it.

"All things considered" She took Regina's other hand. "I think you should call me Rory." Regina smiled, it was a large, bright and seemed genuine. "Then you should call me Regina."

Regina looked around one last time then shook her head. '"Hold on." Violet smoke swirled around them. It was like riding a runaway stallion, all exhilaration with a touch of danger. Aurora smelled apples and felt a cheerful warmth on her skin. The library disappeared.

The last time she'd traveled with Regina, Belle had been locked in a cage. Compared to magic, she'd take the cage any day. As soon as they reappeared in City Hall, she ripped her hand out of Regina's and clapped it over her mouth. She wrapped her arm around her stomach, bent over double and tried not to vomit on her ball gown. She hated magical travel. It always made her ill. "Belle!" Aurora rushed to her side and rubbed calming circles on her back.

"Yes." Regina sounded almost apologetic. "Some people are sensitive to teleportation sickness."

Obviously, she was one of those people. Lucky her. Belle slowly straightened up when the nausea waned.

"So this is the place?" Aurora looked around, her hands tucked into the folds on her skirts. The council chamber wasn't grand. The Storybrooke Town Hall was nice, but it wasn't a castle.

"This is where we sent the wraith through a portal." Regina looked around. "Emma and Snow too." Her voice was quiet and lacked the Evil Queen's pomp and confidence. "Emma knocked me out of the way." Regina wrapped her arms around her middle. "I didn't know there would be anyone on the other side of the portal for the wraith to hunt or hurt. I thought the old world was empty, destroyed.''

Belle believed her. Regina was a little pale and her voice carried hints of sadness and guilt. She was shockingly human.

Regina took a deep breath, "Aurora. Rory, I'm sorry about what happened to you, to Phillip."

Regina, Regina Mills, was apologizing? It was unheard of!

"I know nothing I can say will ever make your pain go away, but I am here to fix my terrible mistake."

If she hadn't been standing right there to hear it, Belle would have never believed it. Regina was turning over a new leaf. Not just with words, but with her actions too.

"Well-" Belle walked to the center of the room. She tried to fill the awkward silence that followed Regina's apology. "-then we should get started." She rummaged through her bag. "We're taking the first step towards getting Phillip's soul back where it belongs."

She and Regina had discussed this plan step by step repeatedly. They had theorized, reference checked and poked and patched holes until it was perfect. Perfect on paper at least. Now it was off of paper and into reality.

Belle paced off the area and Aurora placed the three torches along the banister at an equal distance. While they did that, Regina was making the three circles. The white salt was the widest and outermost circle. Regina's movements were slow and steady. She held her long dress out of the way so it didn't smear the lines. The tension was building. It was heavy in the air, and Belle would swear she could feel it crackling in the air like static electricity. She clenched her jaw so her teeth didn't chatter. Her heart rate picked up and she could feel a cold bead a sweat slide down her spine.

Regina started on the middle circle, the sage. Belle and Aurora stood together, hands clasped. They were careful not to move or even breathe too hard for fear of disturbing Regina's careful work.

"The silver please, Belle. Mind the circles." Belle pulled out the heavy bag of serving silver that Regina. It had everything from forks to candlesticks in it. Mindful of where she was stepping, she handed the bag to Regina. "But how is that going to work?" Aurora cocked her head to the side and watched Regina. She carefully arranged the pieces of silver in an almost circle.

"Just watch," Belle answered as they waited for Regina to finish.

"Ladies, please step in here."

Both she and Aurora hiked their skirts up and stepped over the lines of each of the three circles. The innermost circle was only about six feet around. It was a tight fit for the three of them and the bag too. Regina had told her that the circles must balance in measurements of three. If they went too large, the protective magic would stretch thin and be less effective. Magic was actually very mathematical and had an understandable logic to it. Belle appreciated that. Regina lowered her hands and turned her palms down. "Pardon." She stretched them out to her sides as far as she could. Her fingers and palms glowed purple. The violet light made the room glow.

Regina looked focused, serious and Belle dared not disturb her.

"What- " Aurora whispered half of a question. Her answer came when the surrounding silver glowed dull orange then red as they grew hotter. The silver pieces smoked and hiss. The smell was foul and acrid and she could taste something bitter and metallic. Despite all the bitterness, Belle would swear that she could smell sweet apples too. The silver turned molten and melted. It flowed around them in a shining circle. The smells, both bitter and sweet, died down and the air cleared. It was like a cool breeze had blown through and freshened everything up. "Last chance" Regina didn't even sound winded. Her voice was lower, but not frightening. She sounded confident, not cocky, and determined, not mad. Her magic was strong. Her skills were sharp. Her talent was undeniable. "To change your minds." "Never,'' Rory spoke for them both. Belle nodded. They were all in this together. "Spirits protect us."

Those sounded like Gypsy or Romani beliefs. Belle had heard of them but had never found a book about them. Esmeralda was influencing Regina. It was an odd idea, a spiritual Evil Queen. If that was helping her though, then it couldn't be bad.

Regina took a deep breath and when the silver solidified again, she brought her hands together as if in prayer.

She spoke three loud and clear Elvish words.

The three torches crackled to life, filling the room with a warm glow.

The three circles flashed eye-blindingly bright.

"The circles are sealed. If we break or step outside it now, we forfeit its protection."

Regina held out her hand and Belle could see that her fingers were shaking. "The amulet, please.'' Belle took out the small velvet bag they'd kept it in and held the bag open for Regina. She didn't want to touch it herself. Regina pulled out the cursed gold amulet and stared at it. For a moment Belle thought she might disappear and leave them. This amulet had almost killed her. Regina stood still. She was quiet. She was looking at the evidence of her own foiled assassination. Now she was about to go through it all over again. "Please hold the spell up so I can read it, Belle." She pulled the single sheet of paper she had copied the incantation onto. She'd used her neatest block handwriting for easy readability. "Rory-" Regina turned her head, "-do you have your talisman?" The item that would hold Phillip's retrieved soul until they could reunite it with his body. "It has to be something from his life."

Aurora nodded and held out a single pearl. "He gave this to me when we were children. Our parents took us on holiday by the sea." A tear slipped down Aurora's cheek. "He said it was almost as pretty as me." Belle wanted to hug the girl. Even Regina looked touched.

"It's time then.''

Regina tightened her fist around the amulet in her left hand and held out her right for Aurora to put the pearl in. "I promise that I won't damage this." Regina gave Rory a small smile. "I know how important keepsakes are."

Did she? Belle didn't know. She knew Regina had brought something back with her when she had descended into the mines. Is that what she had brought back? A keepsake?

"Thank you." Aurora dropped the pearl into Regina's palm. It glittered in the torchlight. It was small, round and simple, beautiful. Regina closed her fingers around it gently, reverently.

Regina took a deep breath. "The Wraith" She held the medallion above her head. "The Innocent" She held the pearl up. Regina tilted her head back, her face towards the ceiling. "And The Conduit are all in place. It is time to bring Phillip home."