A/N :: Sorry for the delay. But it's here! A new chapter tomorrow!
Cursed
"Deja-vu…" Regina muttered under her breath holding onto Emma and Henry. Looking around she saw the sun disappearing as a storm was coming. "Emma, we need to get you and Henry out of here."
"No!" She hollered back at her over the wind wooshing overhead. "We will not leave you, we just got married, Regina." Emma's eyes went wide and large. "We can get through this together."
She was shaking her head Regina's purple magic wrapped around them and their parents. Once it dissipated Emma looked around seeing them standing right at the border in regular clothes. Shortly after another cloud of purple appeared and so did her yellow bug. "Emma you two need to get to safety. I'll handle this and I will find you. I will gift you new memories with Henry…" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she cupped Emma's, "Please, go and be safe. You shouldn't have to suffer whatever Zelena puts us through. Neither should Henry."
"Regina we can't," Emma continued to plead, "We're stronger together."
"Mom…" Henry held onto Regina tightly, "I don't want you to stay. Come with us." He cried looking up at her.
Rubbing his back she shook her head, "I would if I could but you know she won't let me leave. I don't know what the story is but I'm going to find out and I will, I promise, I'll come to find you both." She kissed his forehead and then looked deeply into Emma's eyes. "You know I love you, Swan." Regina cupped her hands around Emma's face pulling her closely into a passionate kiss.
Cackling and green smoke filled the air and Regina felt a gust of wind yank her from Emma. "Now, now, we can't have you going anywhere. You are just as guilty as mother and I will make sure you suffer." Zelena appeared and froze Regina in place. Looking at Emma and Henry, "If you can escape before my monkeys get you, I'll let you go." Another manic cackle as monkeys flew around them.
Quickly Emma and Henry ran hopping into the car. Her hand shaking Emma started it up jumping when the monkeys were hitting the front window trying to crack it. Once the ignition was on she hit the gas speeding past the townline and steadily slowed down as her memories began to change into her new life.
"REGINA!" A voice cracked nearly echoing throughout the office causing Regina to bang her head against her desk from which she was underneath picking up some fallen papers. Standing up she brushed herself off after setting down the papers on her desk. Making eye contact with the curly-haired redhead. "What were you doing on the floor?" The woman scoffed, "What am I paying you for?" She shook her head crossing her arms, "Take notes, I have a lot on my agenda all day, and if you can't fulfill your duties you're fired." She barked.
Stammering her words Regina tipped her head, "I'm sorry about that Madam Mayor. I dropped some papers and… yes, yes I understand," quickly Regina grabbed a notebook and pen. "I'm ready, what do you need today?" Her breathing was winded due to the anxiety setting in from the knotting in her stomach tightening. She couldn't lose this job even if it was just temp work it was still just enough money to push her to keep her room at Granny's.
Smirking coyly, "Pick me up some coffee and in about a couple of hours I need you to run back to Granny's to pick up my lunch that I'll need you to place an order for. Mother is coming to join me while we discuss some things about the town. I need you to collect all my notes and folders from previous town hall meetings. I need you to call Snow about her needing a midwife. Oh, the head writer that was running the Daily Mirror has vanished or left town whichever and I need you to pick up the slack. The townspeople look forward to their daily news. So I'll want a copy on my desk by five today before sending it out to the paper to print for the morning. Do you understand?" She raised a brow and made a circular gesture with her hand, "Otherwise, I'm going to have to let you go."
Quickly jotting down rough notes Regina began to sweat nervously. This was an awful lot very quickly, "A midwife? Umm… Madam Mayor, what sort of news did you want in the paper? Do you just need a main article while other members of the paper collaborate on others or…."
"Yes of course a midwife. I used to do it before my mayorship and the poor woman looks like she is in need of help. So naturally, I want to help." A laugh then escaped her, "Oh heavens no, you need to prepare the whole thing dear. The rest of the team left when their leader had."
Nodding she made note. Trying not to stumble back Regina's heart raced, a panic attack beginning to set in. "Oh… okay, well I will… do my best with that. And what did um… you and your mother want for lunch?" Her palms began becoming clammy and her voice shook.
Tilting her head slightly as she approached Regina resting a hand firmly on her right shoulder. "Oh dear, is this too much for you? Perhaps I should have hired someone with a bit more experience to do the job than a lowly temp. But, I have faith that you'll get this all done." She pulled away and clapped her hands together. "As for lunch—"
"ZELENA!" A long curly-haired brunette stormed into the office, her fists balled up in rage. Her arms swung down by her sides with each quick step she took. "Where is?" Her voice roared. "Your stupid monkeys ransacked my house and dragged off Rumple and threw him into a white van! What's your game?"
Pursing her ruby-red lips together into a tight sinister smile as she ran the tips of her fingers under her chin, "Why Belle, so pleasant of you to come barrelling into my office."
Huffing Belle stood directly in front of Zelena her face only inches away from her, "Why did they take Rumple? Who do you think you are? He's been doing better and then—"
"And then what dear?" She rose a brow, "He's the town, looney. Almost as bad as that drunken slob that passes out on the benches around town. Rumple has been causing issues and terrorizing the townspeople with his nonsense. I just can't have that. I am Mayor and my people are uncomfortable. So yes, I had Rumple taken and sent somewhere he won't harm anyone or even himself."
Her nostrils flared, "Rumple is not a looney! I had everything under control. You tell me where he is now!" She demanded.
Taking her index finger she pressed it against Belle's forehead pushing her back, "No dear, correction, I have things under control. Now, goodbye I am a very busy woman." Zelena turned to face Regina, "And what are you still doing here? I believe I told you to go get my coffee." She shooed Regina before returning to her office and shutting the door behind her.
Feeling tensed and awkward Regina looked towards Belle sheepishly opening her mouth to give her condolences but the woman huffed at her.
"What are you looking at monkey? Probably just as bad as the others. Unless you can give me the information as to where my boyfriend is?"
Regina shook her head, "I'm afraid not. Madam Mayor doesn't generally tell me those things—and I um…."
Rolling her eyes Belle tossed her hair back over her shoulder as she pivoted around and exited. "Whatever." She waved her hand above her head. "I'll find him you tell that witch that and she hasn't heard the last of me."
Clenching her hand to her chest Regina felt her knees ready to give out from under her. Holding onto the side of her desk she caught her breath trying to tame her panic attack. After a few minutes, she grabbed her coat and purse before heading to Granny's to pick up Zelena's coffee.
Upon arriving at the diner she paused spotting Snow at one of the booths. Putting in her coffee order she walked over. "Umm.. excuse me, Snow?" This was perfect she could knock out some of her tasks to make things a little easier on herself.
Snow looked up from her plate, covering her mouth as she was in mid-chew. "Oh, hello there. May I help you?"
"Hi there, I'm sorry for disturbing you while you eat. But I work for the Mayor and she wanted me to ask you about your needing a midwife?" Regina calmly spoke while standing there.
Blinking a few times Snow swallowed her food and her jaw dropped, "Oh my gosh. Yes, well maybe, I'm still deciding. I have a few friends helping me out but honestly, tips from a midwife would be great. I didn't even know the Mayor had experience."
"Uh yes, she told me that before her mayorship she used to be one. So out of the kindness of her heart, she'd love to assist you in any way possible." Regina lifted her purse pulling out a business card, "Here please take this. If you have any questions and seek any information give her a call."
"Why thank you so much, that is very kind of you both." Snow took the card and held it between her fingertips looking at it.
"Of course, it's always a pleasure to help those of Storybrooke." Regina bowed her head and walked over to the counter to pick up her coffee. "Oh, I nearly forgot, I need to place an order for two sandwiches for the Mayor to be picked up in…" She looked at her phone to see the time and gasped. "In an hour…" she swallowed back hard.
Red rolled her eyes, "What kind?"
"Er…" she clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, "Club sandwiches please?"
Writing it down Red stared at her, "Is that all? Fries or chips to go with it?"
Regina felt her nerves kicking in. She hadn't gotten the exact order from Zelena since Belle had interrupted her and she was too scared to go and ask. "Fries. Fries are just fine."
"Alright, it'll be ready in an hour." She turned around to place the ticket.
Sighing in relief Regina took off back to town hall. Walking inside she knocked on Zelena's door. "Madam Mayor?"
"Yes, yes come in dear."
Regina slowly opened it up and crept slowly inside. "I have your coffee. I'm sorry it took me so long. I also saw Snow and asked her about you being her midwife. She was thrilled and so I gave her your card and then I place—" Her words cut off at the sudden motion of Zelena standing up to her feet.
"Mother! You came early for our lunch!" She gasped with excitement moving around her desk to greet Cora.
Taking off her gloves Cora embraced Zelena, "Of course, you know me. I can't keep still and I just had to come and see you. You've been so busy lately and I look forward to our lunches and dinners." She cupped her cheeks while giving her a genuinely pleasant smile.
"I would never argue with you being early. I enjoy spending time with you, I apologize I've been so busy as of late. So much going on and just feels like very little time to be had." Zelena smiled widely pulling away and glancing at Regina while clearing out her throat. "What are you doing still standing there? Don't you have other things to do?"
Cora whispered, "Is that the homeless woman you took under your wing?"
"Yes, unfortunately, she isn't very bright and a bit clumsy if you ask me. But I couldn't just let her be on the streets. It's not like me to be so cruel." She rested her hand over her emerald necklace. A slight sway in her hips as she couldn't stop smiling.
Regina hung her head and walked sheepishly back to her desk with the door shutting behind her. Taking a seat she rested her head in the palms of her hands wanting to cry. This was not worth it but she needed money. Zelena was in fact cruel or was she just feeling like it was too much pressure? This was an utter nightmare.
In the middle of the night, she sat outside on the street corner crying. How could things get any worse? She lost her room due to her being fired by Zelena all because of that stupid paper. She didn't know what she was looking for… it was most challenging and yet it just wasn't enough to please that…. "that witch." Regina let out her tears. She was nearly jumping up feeling a hand rest on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" A familiar voice asked her, though this time it sounded less… well angry.
Turning her head to see who was behind her Regina felt herself caught off guard. "B–Belle. I'm sorry if I was disturbing you or anything and for whatever that…. That vile woman has done to you but…" Regina began rambling on in discord.
A burst of light laughter escaped Belle as she shook her head, "No, no, I'm sorry for how I reacted earlier. It was never your fault and I shouldn't have taken my rage out on you. It's just that witch makes my blood boil in ways I never thought anyone could." She sighed and gave her a faint smile, "So what happened? It's late and freezing."
"I don't have anywhere else to go. I really needed that job and I let her down so she let me go and now I don't have money for a room…" Regina admitted defeatedly. It felt embarrassing that she couldn't take care of herself. But she always struggled since she'd been abandoned by her parents.
Looking up a the sky as the snow began to fall, she glanced down at Regina. "Hey, come with me let's get inside to warm up and I'll help you out with a job tomorrow."
Her eyes lit up along with a smile. "Really? You'd do that for me?" Regina stood up and walked beside Belle back to her home. "What sort of work did you have in mind?"
"Well, I run a library and I need a little help getting it organized before opening it up. My boyfriend was helping me with it before well things happened and yes… I just need a little help is all and I'll pay you along with letting you stay with me for the time being."
"Thank you so much, Belle, really."
Opening up the library with Belle was wonderful. Regina hadn't ever seen so many books before and some were very old looking. Of course, the place seemed like it had gone untouched for a while as it was pretty dusty. Regina took a feather duster from Belle and on one side she began tidying up while Belle was on the other.
Regina hummed to herself nearly swaying as she dusted and organized the shelves. "Some of these don't even make sense," she tsked walking over to a far corner. There something looked a little out of place. Curiously she bent down to the bottom of the shelf and pulled the book off. "Well, this is an interesting book." She smiled running her fingers over the leather-bound book. The embroidered lettering she traced, "Once upon a time, hmm…"
Flipping through the pages she admired the artwork and calligraphy-style font. The pages were thicker than she expected them to be. Lost in the stories she skimmed over Regina looked up and scampered off to find Belle, "Hey Belle, have you ever seen a fairy tale book like this before?" She chuckled handing it over to the woman.
Belle's nose crinkled and a smile formed while she looked it over after taking it from her. "No, this is quite different for sure. It doesn't even have an author's name. I wonder who made it or even printed it." She handed it back to Regina.
"Do you mind if I hold onto it? It looks very interesting and I'm curious about it." Regina grinned taking it back and holding it against her chest.
Nodding, "Of course, go ahead and let me know if you figure out who wrote it." Belle turned to continue what she was doing.
"Thank you." Regina walked back over to her section eyeing the book in her hands. Something felt very familiar about it and she couldn't wait to read it and find out why.
New York City
The horns from the cars in the street blared loudly at one another as Regina opened the door to her Benz. A black stiletto hit the pavement, and another clunk as the other foot soon followed. Shutting the door Regina pulled her bag over her shoulder. A chill was in the air and she cursed herself for not dressing warmer. But she couldn't help wanting to wear her gray dress and coat and blue scarf around her neck. Dangling apple earrings hung down to her jawline. Her hair scrunched up and tucked behind her ears.
Standing at the stairs into the apartment building Regina sucked in a sharp breath. Whispering under her breath over and over 'I am Regina, it's nice to meet you, Emma'. With each step, her nerves knotted her stomach. She couldn't believe that she found Emma after all this time. Thanks to that Storybook, Henry's old storybook she found in the library all her memories came flooding back with each tale she read. A new one at the end that was hers and Emma's. She couldn't tell where those pages had come from because she knew she'd never seen it before in there but maybe that was a part of the magic. Either way, it helped her, and she used it to gain a further ally in Belle. Together they figured out how to track her down but Regina knew this wouldn't be easy after this point.
Regina kept the storybook with her just in case. And around her neck on a gold chain, she wore their wedding bands as a reminder of who she was.
Opening the doors she headed up to Emma's floor. Fiddling with the rings and primping her hair the closer she got. Regina wanted to flee and tell herself this was a huge mistake but she couldn't. Her heart yearned for Emma and longed to reunite with her and Henry once again. Even though now she was a stranger she hoped she could make them remember. But, it wouldn't be as simple as a true love's kiss. No, they had to love her in return and no kiss could just magically reactivate that feeling again.
Her heels clicked together once she stopped in front of the door. Rolling her shoulders back with another deep inhale, she slowly exhaled before bringing herself to knock on the door.
Turning away for a moment she closed her eyes once again repeating to herself what she was going to say. Then the door opened and she turned back around. Her heart dropped and raced all at once the moment she laid eyes on the woman she loves.
Her words changed spewing out of her mouth. "Emma Swan? It's a pleasure to finally meet you." She extended out her hand.
Emma gawked in awe at how stunning Regina looked. Nerves kicked in, and a hand reached out to shake hers. Her words fumbled while her eyes traced her up and down, "Uhh–mm… hh–i." She playfully tilted her head with those big green eyes wide and bashful. "It's um– nice to meet you, Regina." She smiled brightly leaning back, "Henry I'm leaving, Lily will be by to check on you." Emma shut the door and was oblivious to the fact she hadn't let go of Regina's hand.