Greetings! Another chapter...
Thank you for still being with the story, and for the reviews.
As per usual, it is not beta-ed. It is a bit rushed, but I couldn't find another way of dealing with it.
Enjoy!
Chapter 25. Part III
He could feel sweat trickling down his back as he leaned down onto his knees. When he had asked the former knight to help him get into shape and teach him some fighting techniques, he hadn't thought that he would be pushed to the edge of insanity by his new instructor. His heart was pounding so hard he could not hear anything, his face was brilliant red and he was too hot to even think, not to speak about his rolling stomach complaining to the amount of exertion he had been subjected to.
"Come on, old man, that's all you've got?" The other guy spoke, skipping in place, as he looked at his companion.
"Give me a minute," Neal managed to wheeze through his mouth as he tried to slow down his breathing, at the same time preventing himself from throwing up. He was regretting his idea immensely, and was only seconds away from calling it off. He would bring firearms into the Enchanted Forest and be done with it, no need for this torture.
"Hey, this is only a warm-up. Can't believe that you are so out of shape, with all that running around with the Sheriff and Charmings." His instructor stopped his movements and straightened out, placing his hand onto the still bent man's shoulder. "You know, if you are going to lag behind, perhaps it is better for you not to go. I mean, you would only be a liability to them." The former knight knew that he had to injure his pride and to suggest something he was so adamantly against to make him push forward. And, it was the very thing that was needed, as the former Lost Boy glared at him and motioned to carry on with their exercise plan, slowly resuming their jog.
It was an hour later when Jim nodded at him, their lap around the town finished and with great pleasure, Neal threw himself onto the nearby bench that had been their starting point, pleased that he had survived the former's knight horrific fitness regime. But, then he noticed the man picking up something from behind the bench – an elongated bundle that judging by the clanging sound coming from it had something metal in it, and watching with interest, Neal waited to see what his trainer had in mind. Only when the bundle was wide open did he see that there were two swords in it, one of them finding its way to his lap as Jim took the other one.
"Come on, while you are still warmed up from the run," the knight spoke eagerly, his intent quite clear as he brandished the sword in his hand.
"You got to be joking," the Deputy murmured in surprise, his hands holding away the blade as if it was going to bite him. His legs had yet to stop trembling from exhaustion and this lunatic wanted him to wield the sword?
"You asked me to get you ready for the Enchanted Forest, Neal," Frederick spoke patiently to the disheartened man. "With the little time we have, you have to give your best if you don't want to be a liability to the others. Which means, that I get to push you till you fall down from fatigue. While you are on your feet, capable of walking - you can also fight." Gesturing to the weapon in his hold, Jim motioned him to assume the defensive position, quickly talking him through the basic forms of sword wielding.
Jim had accepted Neal's proposal for their workout, hoping that he could learn the gun handling from someone who had actually used those things in the real world, not only in Storybrooke. He had nothing against David, but he could not but question his knowledge of the weapon, especially since it had been the Sheriff that had taught him – and, knowing Emma, she would stick only to the most important parts, skipping the rest as it wasn't necessary for a small town policeman to know more. He wanted more than the core knowledge, and the man currently waving the blade in front of him was his answer to his problem. As the matter of fact, they had an appointment at the small gun range behind the Sheriff's office right after their lesson, and he, for one, did not intend to miss it.
During the sparring, the son of the former Dark One reflected upon his options, forced to reconsider them by his already waning strength and energy, while the knight attacking him seemed to be untouched by the rough morning they had had, sprightly pushing him through forms as if it was nothing but a light stroll in the park. Perhaps, it would be better if I stayed, he thought after he failed to deflect one of Jim's parries, the broad side of the knight's sword hitting his shoulder painfully. Then, Regina would have someone she moderately trusted in town, meaning Henry and Kyle could stay behind as well, avoiding the whole thing about having children in the war zone. He had not missed the concealed grimace that twisted his sister's face at the breakfast in the diner, as her eyes had swept over her children. He didn't need to be an expert on her motivations to guess what had been on her mind in that particular moment, he himself quite reluctant to bring the young ones into highly unpredictable and potentially very lethal situation. However, he knew that if Henry ever suspected them even thinking about it… Well, to say it wouldn't be pretty would be the understatement of the decade and with all that had happened these past years that actually meant something.
After barely avoiding another lunge from his instructor, he firmly decided to at least bring it up with Regina, and it had to be when Henry was not around. His plan hatching in between the bouts of wincing from painful jabs, he once more reinforced his idea that staying did not sound so bad.
For a moment, it all seemed surreal. If she had been told that Regina would ask her to work from her own study at the mansion, while she practiced magic - Kathryn would have checked that person at the very basement floor of the hospital that the town appeared to hold the insane people. But, now, she couldn't but chuckle lightly at the incredulity of the situation, as she raised her eyes from the documents at the desk, and glanced over to the Mayor sitting on the floor dressed in yoga pants and old shirt while concentrating on levitating a strange aquamarine colored crystal at the head level without any obvious movements. It was Thursday evening, one day before the well heralded Town council meeting, and the blonde lawyer was looking over Regina's proposals and notations, familiarizing herself with the plans and procedures that the Mayor was about to institute, making the Interim rule transition as seamless as possible. In truth, all the measures that Regina had proposed and endorsed were very well thought-out and beneficial to their town, providing a stable structure that could stand up to the people's needs, so Kathryn had no problem of accepting those plans, noticing an interesting tidbit with amusement.
The Mayor had proposed a version of a slightly different power structure of their small settlement, the alterations mostly focused on the relationship between the Sheriff's Office and the Mayor, providing an outside mediator in cases if those two Offices could not agree on the actions regarding the town. The mediating body, in that case, would be comprised of three people, a member of the council, a professional mediator (for the moment it was still only Dr. Hopper who could fill that role), and a citizen who held no position in the ruling hierarchy of the town – to ensure impartial body to aid their leaders.
The excellent mind that the blonde lawyer had recognized immediately that the stipulations for the sudden change of the chain of command had little to do with the fact that the Interim Mayor and the next Interim Sheriff were married – but with by now the well-known knowledge that the True leaders of the municipality were bound by True Love, and would be married some day in the future. It was a stroke of brilliance on Regina's part, Kathryn realized, as if the council pushed the motion to the vote in the meeting and ratified it in consideration to her and her husband, it left Regina with open hands to give the position back to Emma, when they returned from the Enchanted Forest with little repercussion from the council. And, the magnificence of such move was the fact that not many of the council would realize that they would play right into Regina's hand, some of them still holding the grudge against the reformed Queen. In their pettiness, they would relish the fact that Regina was leaving the town for the time being, and would most likely do everything to ease her departure, without deep consideration of the implications of such motion for the future.
However, Kathryn's ruminations were interrupted when a very cheerful boy barged in the house, his loud exuberant steps quickly reaching the study, despite the loud admonishment from his grandmother about tracking mud through the house. "Mom," Henry said, vibrating with joy, as he stood at the open door of the study, knowing well that Regina would doll out a stern rebuke if he dared to step onto the carpet with his boots. "Mom, I did it!" he shrieked in excitement when he saw his mother look at him with interest, and when she rose to her feet to join him, he grinned from ear to ear. "I hit all the targets!" he spoke, not able to contain his jubilance any more. With his pronouncement, Regina smiled with pride and engulfed the young boy into a warm and long embrace, lifting him off his feet, making him giggle half in embarrassment, half in joy. Only when his mother brought him into the room he noticed that his boots had disappeared of his feet, and judging by his grandmother's slightly surprised smile he could guess that the mud was also cleared of the floor.
Leaving the boy to excitedly retell every tenet of his adventure, Snow approached the blonde and leaned against the desk. Kathryn had been aware that Regina had reluctantly agreed to let Mary Margaret, the former bandit, to teach her son the bow handling, but outright refused to let David come anywhere near him with the light swords he had intended for the boy. But, she had relented to the swordfights with the teaching tools, made of wood, in order to have David and Henry do something together, as she had taken over all the riding lessons.
"So, another natural archer in the Charming's clan?" Kathryn gently teased her friend, adoring the gentle smile that lighted up the short haired brunette.
"He's okay," the young brunette spoke softly as she glanced toward the boy in question. "There were some mishaps and temper tantrums in the beginning, but now he is good with the bow David made for him. After all, he did hit every target today in the range of ninety feet." She then closed her eyes sadly as she sighed, something on her mind. Kathryn did not press as she could understand where the woman's mind might have gone. Teaching weapons to children can never be easy, and the very necessity for it was damaging for the precious innocence of the young ones, so it would weigh heavily on the souls of adults in charge of it, bemoaning the very need for it as their hearts would clench in pain for the loss.
There was another reason Snow would feel badly about – the missed opportunity to pass on her skill and knowledge to her own offspring, mother to daughter. Regina had told her that Ruby and Mulan had seen to Emma's training with mundane weapons, making a formidable warrior out of her. It might have been petty in the light of the circumstances, but Snow had been looking for a time when she would have introduced Emma to the ways of the archery, perhaps finally having something she could have taught her grown and independent daughter.
"I hoped I would be the one to teach Emma," Mary Margaret gave voice to her thoughts, quietly enough not to draw attention of the Mayor and her children chattering away on the sofa, Kyle babbling to himself while Henry was still regaling his mother with the details of his feat.
"At least, she learned it from her godmother and not some stranger," Kathryn offered a small consolation. "The very person that taught you, if I recall correctly."
"I know. That's not the point." Snow's voice softened with a whine at the end, before the blonde's eyes sharpened in disappointment as she glared at her friend's wife.
"Instead of bemoaning another missed chance to bond with your daughter, you should be glad that someone taught her skills that would make sure she would live to meet you," Kathryn hissed at the young woman beside her. "I know that the things are much different than you ever wanted, but you should adapt and move on to the things you still can do, before all your resentment turns you into someone Emma would not want in her life." With that, the lawyer dismissed her friend and turned back to the papers on the desk, one of her hands landing gently on her bulging belly.
Mary Margaret took the reproach to heart as she knew that it was petty and childish to wish that her daughter would be a toddler again so she could teach it all the important things and values, as a mother should. Kathryn was right, the woman concluded, moving away from the desk and leaving the room, directing herself to the kitchen. The relationship between her and her daughter was fraught with tension, guilt, and resentment, despite all the love they were feeling for each other, and to insist on some things as Snow was wont to, would only lead to further distance between the two women. She didn't want that. However, if she didn't let it go, that would be the only outcome.
She looked back on the passing week with unease she associated with the preparations for the war she had been involved in and witnessed. Her husband had been up long before her every morning, using the time to get in shape, and help Killian with refurbishments of his ship. Including the fact that he had been upstanding Sheriff during that time, not shirking any of the responsibilities he had in town, it had been a forgone conclusion that he would be tired beyond reason every evening, collapsing into bed right after dinner. With her work at school, and in the afternoons with Henry's bow practicing, to say that they hadn't seen much of each other would be an understatement. But, she could not complain about it, because every ounce of energy they committed to training, would pay up many times in the future, helping them stay alive.
She had noticed that every other member of their travelling party had been preparing for the journey, most of all Regina and Neal. Even that very morning, she had seen Henry's father run with Jim without a complaint, even though it had seemed that it had been more than hard practice. But, the person that seemed to be using every minute to prepare was Regina. With the town business, horse riding, magic practicing, children rearing, fitness building, and familiarization with weaponry, the Mayor should be dead to the world, but the woman pushed on, composed and sharp. Henry had told her that he had seen his mother push herself to the magical exhaustion more than once with her exploration of the new ways of learning the scope of her powers – using the diaries as guidance, and yet, the woman had met all of her obligations without a hitch.
"Are you making tea, or growing it?" an amused voice intruded, making Mary Margaret jump and turn toward the person entering the kitchen. Seeing the very woman she had been thinking about walk toward her, as if her own thoughts have summoned her, she blinked before returning her eyes to the electric pot she had set to boil. "What is troubling you?" the older brunette asked after a sigh, taking out the mugs, along with ingredients for a homemade hot chocolate, not looking at the absent minded guest.
Even though she had pretended not to hear, Regina had listened on the conversation between the princesses, trying to understand why Snow had been so weird. Of course she had paid attention to Henry, but she had also followed the quiet discussion, and after Kathryn had dismissed the younger brunette, Regina had waited for her son to finish with the retelling, and had sent him off to change and wait for Jim to bring dinner. Leaving Kyle under the blonde's supervision, she had gone to find her brooding former step daughter, rolling her eyes at herself and her desire to help. And, to think that a year earlier, she would have given almost everything to kill the very same woman…
"I just…" Mary Margaret started speaking before she stopped herself, realizing that her voice got high pitch, adding it more immature tinge that annoyed even her. Clearing her throat, she leaned against the counter, watching Regina stir the milk in the sauce pan and add the dark and sweet powder, before she spoke again, this time consciously controlling her tone, not willing to expose herself to the mocking scolding from her former stepmother. "Training with Henry just hit a sore spot today."
Regina hummed as she poured the chocolate into Henry's favorite mug, topping it off with whipped cream and dash of cinnamon. Then, she looked at the younger woman, her dark eyes pinning her in spot, sharp intensity of them telling Mary Margaret that she meant business and would not tolerate any dissention. "I know there is a lot of bitterness in relationship between you and Emma, but I will not allow you to hurt her with your thoughtless insistence of pretending that she is your five year old child, or ignoring the fact that she grew up without you in her life. I want you to be her mother, Snow, but you will have to learn to be it without dismissing what she had gone through, working together to a place where everything is just fine, as it should be. As for all the missed opportunities, you have another one on the way so you can mother it to your heart's fill. In just several months, you are going to give a birth to your second chance at motherhood." Her voice wasn't cruel, nor cold, but it did hold an edge, reminding Snow that it was a monarch speaking, expecting to be obeyed – and, despite her desire to rebel against the harsh words, the young pixie haired woman knew that, as the only person who really knew the blonde, Regina was completely right. The truth was, Mary Margaret had known all this long before, but she couldn't accept it.
"She loves you, Snow." Regina sighed as she tried to make her point, imploring the woman's gentle heart. "Despite all the baggage, she loves you and she forgives you, and on some level she even accepts you as her parent. Can't it be enough just for now?" And, with those words, she left the kitchen, taking the chocolate to her son, letting the teacher to think about her priorities, knowing that the woman would join them after several minutes, just in time for tea to be served.
The late afternoon passed in gentle quietude, as Henry and Kyle were watching cartoons, the older boy speaking softly to the toddler in his hold, explaining the things happening, regardless of the fact that the small blond probably had no idea what was going on. Beside them was Neal, lightly dozing, his tired features more than enough to suggest that he needed his rest, despite his desire to spend his time with the boys, honoring his role as father/ uncle in the family. Across the hall, in the study, were the other adults of the family that seemed to grow every time something happened. Kathryn was in the arms of her husband while she talked to David in soft murmur, while Regina and Mary Margaret were making a list of necessities for the journey, having been informed previously of David's idea of buying some of the tools outside of Storybrooke. Having already eaten the take away dinner that Jim and David had brought, all that was left for the evening was to finish the list and go home and get some rest, before another exhausting day. With that thought, the newly appointed DA and her husband left, expecting another trying day, as the day job was demanding enough, but the meeting afterwards was causing them additional strain and anxiety. Soon, the Charmings followed them, Regina seeing them out, pleased to see that Mary Margaret had shaken off her morose mood, delving into preparations with zeal.
Realizing that her brother had dozed off in the living room, sinking into deep sleep because of his exhaustion, she gently transferred him into one of the guest rooms, letting him sleep uninterrupted, having heard about the torture Mr. Ritter had put him through to get him ready for the Enchanted Forest. Closing the door gently behind her, she went back to the living room and sat beside her sons, placing her arm around Henry's shoulders, pulling him into her as she directed her eyes to the screen.
"Mom?" Henry murmured softly, not lifting his head off her shoulder. Getting an acknowledging hum from her, he gave voice to his question. "Can I come with you? When you go shopping with dad?"
"Why?"
"Well, it's Christmas soon and I thought… I know we aren't going to be around then, but wouldn't it be nice to have presents waiting for us when we get back?" Tremulously, he lifted his head and glanced towards his mother, not knowing how she was going to react to his suggestion. She wouldn't shout or dismiss him outright, he knew that, but asking him to explain why he was so afraid of her answer would be pointless because he didn't know. And, asking him to explain why it was so important to him would garner no sensible results as he couldn't give words to his feelings. As he watched the kind caramel eyes peer at him, he saw compassion and understanding shine out of them, while his mother pulled him into her even harder, instigating another side hug, her hand soothingly rubbing his upper arm.
"This is for Emma, right? You want her to see that we want her here, even though we know she wouldn't be." It was sometimes strange how well she understood him, Henry thought, but he was glad for it. He nodded with relief as he saw that she did indeed know what he wanted. "Alright, you can come with. And, we will decorate the house before we go…" Hearing this, Henry felt elated, for the first time feeling the joy of upcoming holidays, hoping that Emma would like the surprise.
Regina smiled at his renewed exuberance and sent him off to bed, while she took Kyle with her. It wasn't a hard decision to make, her own heart set on giving Emma something to look forward to, to help her come home. The memories of a lonely child, later young woman, spending the holidays alone or surrounded by too much people to even be acknowledged saddened her greatly, knowing that Christmastime was not a happy period for Emma, and she was determined to change that, in the years to come. It was that thought that brought her to the upright piano, resting in one corner of the living room. She approached it slowly, as if she was coaxing an injured animal, opening its cover gently while she pulled out the stool to sit on. With an absentminded flick of her hand, she isolated the room with magic, not willing to let the sound wake up the sleeping people in her home, and then she pressed one of the keys, surprised to notice that it did not sound any different than it should. Relying on her memories of arduous hours of practice under the watchful eyes of her mother as she had played one of the early forms of keyboards, along with the happy times she had played songs for Henry to sing along or just to listen. As her fingers flew over the keys, letting them play without a specific tune in mind, she allowed them to be familiarized with the feel of smooth surfaces giving way to nimble digits. After several minutes, she started playing a melody out of her memory, a serenade she had heard several times - the tune that made her appreciate the clear skies in the winter, as the stars twinkled brightly.
Only after an hour of constant playing she stopped, pleased to know that the piano didn't need any additional tuning, nor did she need more practice. Remembering clearly the previous minutes with tremendous clarity, she hoped that when she shared this with Emma by their link, it would bring a smile to the blonde's face, knowing that Regina had played again, with her in mind. With that in mind, she lowered the lid, and rose from her seat, directing herself to the study. Although she was beyond tired, she was too restless to settle down and sleep, her thoughts pushing her to practice magic more and more, until her newly discovered part of power wasn't coming to her as naturally as the rest of it.
Settling down on the floor, she brought the crystals she had dug out of her mother's collection in front of her, intending to use them in her exercise because their natural resistance to magic, making the work of manipulating them with power much harder than with any other object. Needing much more energy and better control of her ability to successfully levitate several of them than a car on the street, or people, forced her to focus more on her power, learning the tenets of it she hadn't bothered with before. In essence, she was building her tolerance, her precision, and multi and inter directionality of her power – practicing doing several very different things at the same time, like spinning one crystal in place, while another was oscillating up and down going in circle around her, and yet another levitated in one spot right in front of her…
It was a very draining exercise, but much rewarding as she noticed that certain feats became easier with time, costing her less and less energy. Even though she was flushed with exhaustion and sweaty from the outpour of magic, she was encouraged with her advancement, considering that she had been at it for only four days. With satisfied smile on her face she dragged herself to her room, collapsing onto her bed and falling immediately asleep, hoping that the exertion would stop the nightmares brought on by anxiety and her sense of foreboding from coming.
A soft knock on the glass panel of the entrance to her office brought her attention up, as her gaze went to the figure visible behind the door. "Come in," Regina called out, as she pushed slightly away from the desk, lowering down her pen, as her eyes flickered toward the clock on the wall. It was late in the working day to assume it had something to do with the Mayor, and yet it was too soon to be someone who would attend the meeting, seeing that it was only five in the afternoon. But, when she saw who it was that entered, she tensed, her magic ready. She did not speak but watched carefully the man that was approaching her desk.
"I am not interrupting, am I?" the wily and slightly manic man sarcastically asked as he flopped down into one of the chairs in front of Regina's desk, before he brought his boots onto its immaculate surface, barely missing the pile of papers, orderly arranged, on it, daring the Mayor to do something about it.
Rolling her eyes at his juvenile behavior, she waited for him to state his business, as he wouldn't have come to her if it wasn't important – not after the last time they had seen each other. They even had gone out of their ways to avoid meeting on the street or at the school.
"You used to be more fun," the man mumbled to himself with a false pout, chuckling at the scowl forming on Regina's face. When she failed to rise to his bait, he sighed and straightened out, lowering his legs down. "In the spirit of communication our children have, I have decided to pass on the information I have obtained." Eyeing the woman, he steepled his fingers while his elbows were leaning onto his knees. "There is another jumper in town, possibly two. Or was it two, and possibly just one?" Shaking his head, he looked at her and continued. "If I am right, there is one peddler and probably one White Rabbit with the Knave in town." Nodding to himself as if he agreed with what he had said, he rose from the chair and mockingly curtsied with the lapels of his long leather coat. "I thought you should know…" he added as he turned to go.
"Jefferson," Regina called after him gently, rising from her chair as she watched the man she had once called her friend skip a step before turning back to her. As his intense blue eyes focused on her, she faltered, not knowing if she should ask him anything – not willing to provoke his anger, and it seemed that asking anything regarding his health, mental or otherwise, could trigger him. As well as asking about his daughter. "Can you keep an eye on things?" she spoke after the silence grew more and more uncomfortable one.
"One, both, even the whole head," he said absently as his eyes roamed the room, before again settling on her. Then he stepped forward, raising his hand clenched in fist slowly toward the woman's torso, mindful of her piercing gaze following his movement. Leaning his head to a side, he hesitated before speaking, as he glanced toward his fist, now pointing upwards. "I am sorry," he murmured as he opened his hand.
Regina saw a button, crafted from bleached rose wood with inlaid design she would know even in her sleep, and gasped in recognition as she reached for it. She immediately knew where it had come from, as she had once buttoned them herself over the still chest of the man she once had thought was her True Love. "Daniel," she murmured softly, as she took the button into her hand, handling it tenderly before she looked up at Jefferson. "Why are you giving me this now?"
"There is so much strife between us, a lot of lies and pain. And, yet, our children are best of friends. I don't want to disappoint Grace any more. We finally managed to get to a place where everything works well enough."
"What Daniel has to do with it?" Regina asked absently, as her fingers fiddled with the wooden trinket.
"I was the one who led Victor to your vault and helped him take the body." It was obvious in his slumping and nervous body posture and the timid yet filled with gravity tone of his voice that the man before her was feeling guilty and ashamed of that particular deed. He glanced toward the former Evil Queen in fear, waiting for an outburst, but what he found was much worse. Sadness and loss tinged the dark eyes still focused onto the button, however, there was a shade of relief and understanding in them as well, and it confused him beyond measure. Had she known all along that it had been him who had broken into the vault? Or hoped it would be him? Why hadn't she come after him, then? "I am sorry for my part in hurting you."
"I expected you would come after me in one way or the other after the curse broke, especially after I ruined your hat…" the Mayor started speaking as she moved slowly toward her desk, leaning against it, before she lowered the memento onto its surface. Then, she turned toward him and offered him a whisper of a smile. "But, then all the things with Emma happened and I… forgot."
Jefferson came to her, his head above hers as he was still on his feet, and for a moment he seemed like that young man, the world jumper who could not get enough of adventure, as he inclined his head toward her. "She is the one, isn't she?" he murmured slowly, as he nodded toward the picture of Emma and Henry in simple yet adorable frame resting beside her desk phone that was visible from his position. At Regina's tempered nod, he smiled. "I may hate you for all the madness you inflicted on me, but I understand why you did it. And, what you did for Grace with all your manipulations of paperwork has earned you a long time reprieve from me." He turned to leave, but her hushed voice stopped him.
"So, it worked out," she asked as he glanced at her over his shoulder. "The Grace family and you?"
"I even live with them now, but you already knew that." It wasn't much of an answer, but the smile that followed was. Once more he turned to leave, but this time he stopped on his own as soon as he reached the door, looking at her, still perched at the desk. "There are things happening in this town we are not aware of, Regina. Mind the irregularities." With another nod toward her, he left.
It was several minutes later that her son entered her office, leading a procession of two adults and a toddler swaying lightly while he walked unsteadily beside Neal, holding on tightly to his jeans.
Still leaning against the desk, Regina offered her arm to Henry, sighing in contentment as he joined her side, while she watched her other son's face light up at the sight of her, but instead of springing on his own towards her, he held on to the security the loose denim provided. "He tripped downstairs," Henry supplied in whisper, having gotten his kiss on the forehead greeting from her, as he noticed her slight frown at Kyle's timid steps.
Regina nodded in acknowledgement, letting it go, as there were no tear tracks on the boy's face, and he didn't seem any worse for wear apart from being afraid to walk without support, but knowing him, he would be zooming around the room in no time, fearless once more.
"Is everything alright?"
Regina's eyes lifted toward her half-brother's face, and she noticed his concerned look. Frowning at his question, she was about to ask what had prompted it, when she realized that he would have seen Jefferson leaving the upper floor. "Yes, Jefferson had some vague information to share," she spoke finally, before greeting her younger boy with huge smile and engulfing hug, lifting him off his feet. "What are you doing here so early?" she then asked, as she motioned to others to settle at the sitting area, Kyle in her arms and Henry beside her.
"Lad, the floor is yours," Hook said clearly as he spread out on his chair, the leather creaking with his every minute move. His words led Regina to turn to her son, her expectant gaze more than enough to prompt him to start.
"Grace and I met with Tiny after school, and we checked the beans in the garden. In his opinion, they will be fully mature in four to five days, but he would like to give them a day or two more just to be sure." The boy said quickly, obviously excited with his news. "So we can go the next weekend!"
Regina smiled at his exuberance with indulgence, her mind trying to formulate a way to make him stay in safety of their little town, but as she met her brother's troubled eyes, she knew that particular part of her plan might not work, especially if the precocious boy figured out her intentions. But, instead of responding to his excitement, she turned to the pirate.
The clear blue eyes met her dark ones, the shrewd intelligence taking in the tension that appeared on both hers and Neal's faces, and as Killian glanced between them, he smirked at her conundrum. "Jolly Roger will be ready by Wednesday the latest. The toymaker and one of the short ones have already reinforced her frame, and refurbished the crew quarters and cargo hold, providing more space for both people and whatever we need taking, or bringing over…" He didn't mention that both he and Marco had worked day and night to carve out another room for the captain, thinking he was allowed to redecorate his bloody ship the way he liked – and he did want a cabin for himself, knowing quite well that Regina would commander the original cabin once more. He didn't even think to begrudge her for it, as he knew that the children would most likely be beside her, and giving them some privacy from the rest of the adults might not be such a bad thing. "She will be loaded up and sea worthy in time."
"The cannons?" Regina mentioned with curiosity, as she remembered the cumbersome weapons crowding the deck.
"All but two at the bow are decommissioned." He then went to explain that he had asked around for able sailors willing to work on his ship, as he wanted to have at least some members of the crew with experience, and that he had managed to get two of Eric's fishermen to sign up, provided that they are paid at the end of the voyage. "They are in need of money for the spring season, and are willing to accept the minimum wage," he added.
Regina learned that the sailors in question were Warren brothers, poor but hardworking young men hailing from the Maritime Kingdom, and as soon as she heard their names, she was more than willing to agree to Hook's terms, even providing the money from her own accounts. She had met them often on her walks on the pier, and they had been always courteous to her, even after the curse had broken. The Mayor had even offered them several odd jobs to keep themselves afloat, as they had had no part in her past, and she had born them no evil will, despite her moniker.
"Alright, Henry, could you and Kyle head down with Killian, I need to talk to Regina for a minute?" Neal said as Killian rose, having finished his reporting duty. The deputy looked toward his son and motioned with his head to go along, his insistent eyes giving the boy no chance to complain. "We'll be down shortly," he added placating as he patted Henry's shoulder when his son passed by him. He then kept his silence until Killian closed the door behind him, Kyle safely resting on his hip.
"What is it?" Regina murmured, as she rose, going toward her desk.
"I got unusual call today, from the convent." The deputy Sheriff followed his sister to her desk and leaned against it while she gathered the necessary papers for the meeting.
"Really? What is Blue up to these days?"
"It wasn't Mother Superior."
Regina glanced in surprised as she heard him. For something to happen in Blue's domain, without the periwinkle pest knowing and being all over it was almost unheard of. Jefferson's warning came all too clearly in her mind, as she prompted the man to continue.
"The one of the younger ones, Astrid was it, used the opportunity to reach me while the Mother Superior was in hospital on her rounds, asking me to pass a request to the Mayor."
Regina remembered the kind and timid nun that had watched over her boys that one time she had had to talk to Blue during her working hours, the fresh and bright eyed face coming instantly in her mind. The former Evil Queen had not been deaf to the town's gossip surrounding the nun and Leroy, that only compounded onto the rumors that had existed in the Enchanted Forest regarding the dwarf that had changed his name because of his broken heart. And, she had not missed Blue's disdain whenever she dealt with the young woman. The thought of going behind the little self-righteous insect made Regina smirk as she asked Neal to continue.
"She wants to join in, as another magic user. Apparently, she needs to get away from the gossips and the infamy of the town for a while, and is willing to work hard to earn her spot on Jolly Roger." Neal had, of course, realized how big deal it was for one of the fairies to even show her dissension with the head of her order, let alone to run away to another world. "She only asked to her participation be kept secret until the very end."
"Interesting." Regina considered the opportunity that Nova had presented. It would be good to have another spell caster along for the ride, especially one firmly entrenched on the Light side of the spectrum. And, she did not mind the girl, as she was much different than her mentor. "You are to be our go between?" At the man's nod, the Mayor hummed in acknowledgement as she started walking toward the door. "I accept, but only if she is ready to leave at the moment's notice and manages to squirrel away her own wand and some of the dust. Not much, mind you, as Emma had found the functioning mines in our Realm."
"Really?" Neal started with surprise. "A fairy?" He had been well aware of his father's hatred of the beings, and he had not missed the disdain his sister held for the kind. "To come with us?"
"We need every advantage we can get, Neal," Regina replied as she opened the door of her office, ready to leave for the gathering happening downstairs. "So, tell her that we would most likely leave on the Saturday next, but to be ready for it happening any time after Wednesday. Too many times things happen unexpectedly in this town."
"Right," the man agreed as he motioned his sister to go first down the stairs. "Another thing. I thought I could come with you tomorrow, and leave for New York on Sunday evening."
"What? Why?" the woman turned around suddenly, glaring at him as she waited for an explanation, as his wondering proclamation brought her to a still.
"I don't know how long we will be gone from this world, and I have already been away from New York for months," he spoke calmly, as he placed his palm onto one of Regina's upper arms, squeezing it soothingly. "I want to check on everything, pay the bills and bring the car here…" Feeling his sister relax at his reasoning, he continued. "Maybe there is something that can be bought in the city?"
"We'll see," Regina spoke after a moment of deliberation, seeing the validity in Neal's concern for his property. She left it at that and brought them to the Town Hall, filled completely with the citizens of their little town.
The minute she walked into the Hall, the hushed silence fell over the crowd, reminding Regina much of her queenly days, when she had inspired fear and awe wherever she had gone. Once she might have relished her power to force dozens into fearful quiet, but now it caused her skin to crawl uncomfortably, however, she did not show it and with imperious step she walked down the aisle separating the two groupings of seats, reaching the front table. With a short nod in greeting to Kathryn and the rest of the Town Council seated, she took her place commencing the meeting.
After introducing her proposal to the Council for the acting Mayor and Sheriff, the discussion didn't last long, as all the members agreed rather quickly to it being the best solution for the moment, and the stipulations that Regina had insisted on were very well placed, giving the clear guidelines for resolving any problems. As Kathryn had predicted, the Councilpersons were all too glad to ratify the proposal, even though some of them did recognize the implications of future use of the guidelines, when the rightful Sheriff returned to her post. With that motion out of the way, Regina dealt with minor budget allocations and winter weather preparations with ease achieved by dealing with such things for years.
"Alright, with that I conclude the business part of this meeting," the Mayor spoke clearly, although Kathryn could notice a trace of tiredness in the tone. "Any questions, comments, thoughts?" She looked at the crowd, expecting at least two or three hands in the air, but seeing more than dozen surprised her. "Yes?" she said, directing her gaze to the man in the last row, vaguely familiar to her as she had seen him in the one PTA meeting she had attended.
"Matthew Rogers, Madam Mayor," the man introduced himself, as he rose from his seat, taking of his hat in the process. "As you have said, you would be leaving for the Enchanted Forest in several days. Does it mean that we could go, too? I mean, there are some people here who still want to go back to our home." Even though he did not sound confrontational, the man did have a slight recalcitrant edge in his voice.
When she heard his question, Regina looked toward Mary Margaret sitting in the front row, raising her eyebrow in the 'I-told-you-so' expression, before she turned to address the very topic her former step daughter had wanted to avoid entirely, as it was likened to opening a can full of worms that only promised to cause a riot of the likes when the curse had been broken. Snow had argued the evening before that their leaving should be glossed over, and hopefully no one would ask troublesome questions, which had caused Regina to grind her teeth in irked manner as she slowly had explained how that was not only unfeasible, but insulting to the people of Storybrooke.
"Mister Rogers, the answer to your question is far from simple, but I will try to give you a short version. At the moment, there is a realm wide war happening in the Enchanted Forest." The Mayor ignored the gasps and shouts of shock sounding throughout the Hall, as she kept her eyes on the man. "Miss Ariel brought us news a week ago of an alliance formed between the illusive Wicked Witch of the West from Oz, King Midas, and the military echelon of the Empire – and by the latest intelligence, they are facing off the forces that comprise of our own Sheriff, Ruby Lucas, Prince Phillip and Princess Aurora, Rumplestiltskin and Belle, along with several of my former knights and the villagers of the Safe Haven." As she spoke, her eyes were drawn to Eugenia Lucas, and seeing the old woman nodding proudly at her words made her feel justified in telling this to the people of Storybrooke. "I am afraid, travel to the Enchanted Forest is not safe until the fighting stops. However, I am pleased to announce that Miss Swan had already begun the process of creating a stable portal that would link the Enchanted Forest with Storybrooke permanently. All the ingredients are gathered, by all estimations it should work. As it is understandable, Miss Swan is unable to construct the portal at the moment, with all dangers that the Enchanted Forest is filled with. Additionally, the exactly the same portal should be built on our side, which means that someone should go over and pick up the materials that the Savior had collected and bring them here." The people of the town, along with Mister Rogers, were listening carefully as the brunet was speaking, no one daring to interrupt her as the news of permanent connection to the place that most of the citizens had once called home made way through them. "That is one of the reasons I and the others are going, as I am to work on the Storybrooke part of the project." What was left unsaid but understood by all was the fact that she was going to bring the rest of her family, namely the other mother of her son, home.
"Thank you, Madam Mayor," the man said after a moment of hushed silence, his tone carrying more respect than earlier, as he inclined his head to the brunette at the head table before he sat down.
Regina did not comment on it, as she glanced over the crowd, seeing that there was only one hand in the air now. After she saw who it belonged to, she slowly closed her eyes before giving the doctor the floor. "Yes, Doctor Whale?" she spoke with a sigh.
He narrowed his eyes at her resigned words but did not comment on them. "Have you considered the health ramifications of such endeavor?" the scientist asked, his tone all business, his sharp mind quickly seeing problems with such free travel. "After all, the people from the Enchanted Forest don't have the same vaccinations that the curse provided for us, and introducing their illnesses into our society could cause an outbreak that would only bring the attention of the government."
"Of course, Doctor Whale," DA Nolan-Ritter rushed to answer, before Regina said something that could be considered rude or superior. Kathryn motioned to her friend that she would deal with it as she took up the conversation. "There are already certain steps done to insure that Storybrooke remains safe from such maladies. As it turns out, the Mayor and I have already agreed, in case the project is successful, to give you and the staff you appoint full control of the new Quarantine ward that is supposed to be built following the success of the portal. Along with that, the Sheriff's Department will have a unit that would represent a border police, with the sole duty to control the influx of people from the Enchanted Forest. I hope that is satisfactory for you, Doctor?" Kathryn might have stretched the truth a little, because Regina only mentioned in passing that Emma had noted something like that should be done, but in truth, both the Savior and the Doctor were right.
"Yes, DA Ritter." The doctor took his seat with a pleased smile, despite the fact that the blonde had ruined his opportunity to one up Regina. However, the safety of the town was his much greater concern than Regina's uneasiness.
After that, there were no more questions, as the people were still reeling from the news of the war and the portal. Using their dazed silence to her advantage, Regina closed the meeting, slamming her gavel down slightly harder than intended, as she sighed with relief that the day that had been giving her headaches for a week was finally being over. As she waited for Kathryn to catch up to her, she saw Deputy Cassidy step toward the three nuns that had attended the meeting, offering to take them to the convent, as it was already dark and cold outside. If she hadn't paid extra attention to his moves, she would have missed his masterful way of slipping a folded piece of paper in Nova's coat pocket, unnoticed by anyone but the brunette now slightly chuckling at her brother's pickpocketing experience.
"What's funny?" Kathryn asked, as she stood beside Regina.
"I have forgotten that both of the Sheriff Deputies were criminals in their past lives." Seeing the blonde's confusion on her face, Regina smirked lightly. "I'll explain when we're in more private setting."
Kathryn nodded, understanding that it must be something sensitive. "Your house, Jim can bring supper?"
"Don't you have your own home to go to? This is the third evening you are spending at the mansion."
"Why, are you tired of us?" the blonde replied back with teasing, taking the good-natured grumbling from the Mayor for what it was. "Anyways, it would be a good way to celebrate a very stressful and work filled week. And, don't think I haven't noticed you doing a lot more that you were supposed to. Some of these documents were not due until after the holidays, several of them in February. One of them in March!"
"I just thought it would make things easier…"
"Yes, yes, and you are afraid to leave your town in my capable hands," the DA said, as she took Regina's arm guiding her to where the Charmings and the boys were waiting for them. "Don't try to deny it, I see right through you." The truth was, Kathryn was very touched by Regina's attempt to make things all too easy for her, anticipating that the blonde would need extra time for the pregnancy. Also, she recognized that the brunette was uncomfortable with being caught, so she turned it all to joke by focusing on the pseudo reason – Regina's well known controlling behavior, and thus shifting the attention from the real reason. However, the Mayor had seen through Kathryn's ploy, and judging by the gentle squeeze of her arm, she was grateful for it.
Slowly, they all arrived at the 108 Mifflin Street, with Jim and Kathryn making a detour to pick up the food they collectively had ordered. It was strange, the brunette thought as she took out the plates for Henry to set them in the dining room, having that many people in her home on regular bases, sharing friendly meals and conversations. She had accepted Charmings and Neal as inevitable part of her life and her social circle, but the Ritters were a surprise. Welcome one, but surprise nonetheless.
She leaned against the counter in the kitchen, listening to Frederick and Henry commenting the place settings and their ideas who should sit where, her mind absently considering the fact that her life had drastically changed for the better with Emma's presence, even though the woman in question was not there just now. She had no doubt that her circle of friends would only grow with the blonde's presence in their home, Miss Lucas and Miss French among the new members of the family that only continued to expand. The future never seemed more attractive, and Regina looked forward to it. However, all the ruminations of the betterment of her life brought out the stark absence of the woman who was responsible for that change. The Mayor missed the Savior fiercely, especially now, when the blonde should have been there to see the fruits of her work – to witness her hopes for her True Love becoming true.
Just a week more, she thought. Just seven days. Nothing compared to the time she had already lived. But, it seemed like eternity.
She was aware that she was hiding in the kitchen, away from the people who could see what was wrong with her, but she felt reluctant to join them, feeling unsettled with their celebration. Yes, they had managed to prevent the riots linked to the world-travel, and to push the motion that would make things easier for the Mayor and the Sheriff in the future, but Regina did not feel all that festive. The fact was that she would go the next day out of the town to buy weapons and other things they needed for their journey. The fact was that Emma was facing untold numbers of soldiers and that very thought was bringing Regina to her knees – filled with fear and foreboding, terrified that she would be too late to help her True Love, finding her dead in the field of broken bodies, or too far gone in magicks and demands of the war to even resemble the woman that had become the Sheriff of her little town. Regina was not so afraid of Emma going dark – no, she knew, by her own example, that it was something that they could survive and adapt to. What she was afraid of was that the burden of being the Savior, the Keeper of the Balance as the Guardian had called her True Love, would prove to be too much, destroying her from inside, damaging her beyond healing. The Queen knew what war did to people, and only a few warriors become so addicted to the blood spilling that they relish every opportunity to do so, gripped in blood thirst. However, majority of people fighting – people who were not reared for the warfare – become lost within the horrors they witness, only broken shells remaining, ghosts of people they used to be…
"Hey, you coming?"
She looked up into the bright blue eyes that started growing concerned the longer they were focused on her. Before she could speak, David came to her, immediately noticing her arms gripping her middle and fearful glaze to her eyes, and he lowered his hands gently onto her shoulders. "Regina?"
"Sorry, yes," the brunette said after she shook herself from the maudlin ruminations, avoiding David's insightful look. "I'll be right there." She tried to shift inconspicuously from his hold, but the kind man tightened his grip, careful not to hurt her, as he peered into her face, some degree of understanding passing through his eyes.
"Some burdens you don't have to bear alone," he murmured softly to her, for a moment his blue eyes portraying the sadness and worry he was feeling, before they turned back to kind scrutiny. "In fact, some of them are very much shared." With a pointed look he gazed into her eyes, forcing her to see, to understand, that she wasn't the only one who was feeling the absence of the Savior. When she blinked slowly with acceptance and commiseration, he squeezed her shoulders before smiling at her heartbreakingly. Then, he stepped to a side, one of his hands staying on her shoulder as he invited her to come with him, gently guiding her to the dining room, to join the rest of their intermixed family, as the Deputy had come, as well.
It was later, after the children had been put to sleep and Kathryn and Jim had gone home, that the brunette allowed her tiredness to show, knowing that she was among people who would not begrudge her lack of pretense, not use it to their advantage. Leaning back into the sofa in the living room, she listened to the Charmings and Neal discuss shops and malls, as they mentioned what could be found where. Suddenly, the excursion into the 'real world' seemed to be much more daunting than she had anticipated, especially with the list of things she needed to buy that seemed to grow with each new topic her guests were keen to explore. Sighing heavily, as she watched them, Regina felt no need to join in their conversation, but she didn't want to interrupt them – as she saw that the trip was providing a suitable distraction to Mary Margaret and David, turning their thoughts away from the unavoidable wait that they were forced to endure.
"Of course, there are shops in Bangor that should have what you need," Neal spoke with interest having listened to Mary Margaret's excited chatter about outdoorsy supplies that would make their forest traipsing only easier, pulling out his phone and opening the web browser, showing her some of the choices.
"Oh, I wish I could come with you," the younger woman murmured wistfully, as she looked at the pictures flying over Neal's screen. "It would make buying gift for Emma easier…"
Having closed her eyes for a moment, Regina frowned at Snow's words. Something about them bothered her, but she could not pinpoint exactly what it was, as tired as she was. Why couldn't she come along? It was the end of the week, she didn't have to be at school and the Mayor was not aware of any other obligations her former step-daughter would have. Something else came to her mind, as well, as she considered the situation, tuning out the conversation happening in front of her.
David had approached her about the armament, suggesting that she could go out of the town to provide them with weapons that would be superior to those in the Enchanted Forest. As he had been making his point, Regina had not considered the fact that he had told her that she would be the one to take care of this, thinking nothing of it – he was the Interim Sheriff, and with Neal joining her and the kids, perhaps he had been loath to leave the town. However, something niggled at her as she thought back to the day the prince had come to her. He had seemed subdued in some way, almost resigned. She had noticed his longing and morose attitude, but with the demands on her office, her overall exhaustion and tension, she had paid little attention to it. But now, brought forward with Mary Margaret's contemplative words, she realized something, something that made her sit up and look toward the Charmings in surprise.
They didn't know.
The spell that Blue and Belle had enacted had changed the properties of the borderline surrounding the town, dispelling the harmful effects of it on the inhabitants who would happen to cross over, and the resident leaders of the people were not aware of it.
Blue had not told them. And, as it seemed that no one was spreading the word about it, it was highly likely that she hadn't told anyone, but Regina herself, about it. Now, what was that all about? The Mayor decided to think further on the topic, but at the moment, she had more pressing thing to deal with.
"Why don't you come along?" Regina said slowly, quite aware that she had startled the other three in her living room, having been silent for so long. If it wasn't a strange situation in itself, Regina would have laughed at the stunned expression that both Snow and David shared, their eyes wide and mouths gaping after they had turned to her. "Then, you can try and see what suits you best…" she added, quite inanely, her voice tapering off at their insistent stare.
"But, we cannot leave…" David started, watching her with surprise. "The town line is dangerous for us," he stated, his voice a bit stronger than necessary in effort to emphasize the hazard that the remnant of the curse presented for them, the lesson they had learned the hard way with Mr. Clark and Belle.
It was rather humbling that Regina could detect not even a smallest trace of mistrust in his expression, as the man was not that good of an actor. Not too long before, he would have strolled to her with the sword in his hands, demanding the truth and inquiring about the catch wary of every world leaving her mouth. Now, his eyes showed only worry and most of it for her – because forgetting such an important fact about Storybrooke would mean only trouble…
"The Protector Spell made it possible," the Mayor said gently after she cleared her throat, easing the tightness of it due to her emotions, as she smiled to the kind man, appreciating his concern for her.
"Wait." Snow raised her hand in confusion, her eyes darting between her husband and the woman looking at her. "You're saying that we can leave?" the princess asked pointedly, a trace of anger flowing into her words. "We could leave all this time, and you didn't tell us?"
Regina nodded. There were no words she could offer and she knew that. She had forgotten to mention it after the Mother Superior had explained it to her, her mind had turned to other things. A simple oversight… But, the harsh edge that colored the pixie haired woman's words hurt.
"Who else knows?" Snow asked after a moment, her voice gentler and contrite, reading her former stepmother well enough to recognize that it had been an honest lapse, not even a mistake as Regina had certainly too much on her plate to think of everything all the time. She had also seen the slight flinch caused by her own words, visible only in the tightening around the dark eyes, and feeling remorse for her reaction, Mary Margaret reached for the elegant hands resting in the Mayor's lap, slipping her hand between hers in her effort of seeking forgiveness. A slight squeeze brought out a shadow of a smile, knowing that Regina had acknowledged her conciliation.
"Blue," the older brunette spoke tiredly, answering the question, determined not to comment on Snow's ingrained reaction of anger. Gods only know that the instinct was there for a very good reason, and she could not begrudge its existence and occasional flare-up. "And Belle, I would imagine…"
Ignoring the whole avenue of conversation that Regina's answer created, Mary Margaret focused on the woman before her, still holding on to the hands. "Do you want us to come along?"
"Why not? It would provide you the opportunity to finish your shopping." She didn't mean to sound so distant, but her energy was waning by leaps and bounds. She didn't mind them coming, far from it, it would make some things much easier, especially with Henry and Kyle tagging along.
"Regina?" Snow managed to ask pointedly enough to show that she wanted the truth, and yet to sound timid at the same time, making Regina roll her eyes.
"Yes," she answered, her clear tone providing the sufficient emphasis. "But, you provide your own transport," she had to add in effort to put the other woman at ease – hoping her snooty tone would provide enough of the comforting balance. "I will not suffer through your sugary declarations while driving," Regina said as she mockingly glared at the couple sitting in front of her, causing them to chuckle lightly.
Quickly reaching agreement that they would meet in the morning, ready to leave, the Charmings left the mansion, wishing both Regina and Neal good night. Soon after, the deputy took his turn leaving, agreeing to come earlier than others, as he would join them for breakfast.
Having closed the door after him, and checking the lower level for the lights and windows, she dragged herself upstairs, shedding her suit jacket and vest in the process. Silently, she looked into the rooms of her sons, much pleased to see that Henry had already set aside the clothes he wanted to take on their trip. After kissing his forehead as she had removed a hard cover comic omnibus out of his hands, she straightened the comforter around his shoulders, leaving him to his dreams. Repeating the action with Kyle, she smiled at the newest member of her family, before she settled for the night.
Leaning against the glass door leading into her back yard, Regina sighed with contented exhaustion as she looked up to the clear night skies, safe in the warmth of her home while still able to see the stars of the winter sky. Her house was doused in dark, as it was late, and she had no doubt that the most of the citizens were already asleep. The only reason she was still awake was the fact that her mind kept going over the time she had spent with her family, outside of the town, in their journey to finding more suitable arrows, bows and knives, along with several other trinkets that would help them in the wilderness of the Enchanted Forest.
All in all, it had been a successful outing, she thought as she sipped the last bit of the apple cider in her glass before her head went back to the glass separating her from cold and her eyes up to the stars.
It was strange how the giant balls of heated gas millions of miles away could present a soothing picture above her, she absently considered as the twinkling light drew her eyes and mind, the gentle scene potent enough to help the brunette settle down for the night. The Mayor recognized that she had been under staggering amounts of stress and that her body was feeling it, acutely. Her tense shoulders and muscles along her spine were twinging annoyingly and spending several hours in the car each day of their three day excursion had not helped the matter – and, now, her restless mind was refusing to shut down, not letting her get the much needed sleep.
So, she had poured herself two fingers of cider, hoping that the alcohol, along with the quietude of her home would release the tension, but it wasn't working much. Rolling her neck, Regina pushed away from the door and leaving the empty glass in the sink, she directed herself to her in suite bathroom, hoping that the hot bath in lavender and frankincense would at least relax her enough to grab a few hours of sleep.
While the steam of hot water and the fumes from the bath salts suffused the air around her face, and the heat of the water permeated her body, Regina reclined back and closed her eyes, letting her mind wander back to the beginning of the weekend, going over many of the 'family moments' she had experienced over the course of the three days.
It had all begun with Henry barging in her room with a platter of food.
A soft knock on her bedroom door brought Regina to her consciousness, and as soon as she opened her eyes, the door opened and her son peeked in with a delighted smile adorning his face. It was an expression she remembered well as he would have it whenever something he had planned would come to fruition perfectly. And, she saw the reason for his self-congratulatory smirk the second he entered her room, carrying a platter with a plate of scrambled eggs with spinach, toast, and coffee while Kyle stepped carefully right beside him. "Hey, Mom," the boy whispered as he brought over the platter, chuckling lightly at her bewildered and still sleepy face.
However, the haze of sleep left her quickly and she smiled adoringly at her boys, pulling herself up and leaning against the headboard, inviting the kids onto the bed, accepting the platter from Henry. "Good morning, honey," she murmured to him as soon as he settled beside her, lightly leaning into him. "Hi, sweetie," she spoke to the toddler climbing over Henry's legs and positioning him into his lap and clapping his tiny hands in delight. "Did you make this?" she asked after a moment of considering the very tasty breakfast in front of her, her eyes glowing in wonderment at her son, incredibly touched and awed by his gesture.
The preteen nodded happily. "Dad showed me," he added while he waited for her to try it.
"He's here?" Regina asked lightly, not letting her surprise show. Just what time it was, if Neal was already there, and apparently had made breakfast for her?
"Aha." Pulling Kyle toward him, stopping the younger child from toppling over the platter, he continued on at her look. "He came over half an hour ago," he said, explaining how he had heard him on the porch before Neal could knock of ring the bell, letting him in without waking her up. Regina was not surprised by Henry's wakefulness, as he always seemed to rise much earlier on days that promised great excitement. So, pretending not to see Henry's scrutiny of her face she continued to eat, humming somewhat exaggeratedly at the excellent taste of her food, while she unobtrusively glanced toward the clock on her night stand. As it was still relatively early in the morning, she relaxed and focused completely on her boys and delicious breakfast.
The minute she had been finished, she'd sent them down in order to get ready. Several minutes later, she had packed the things Henry had set aside, along with the clothes for Kyle, placing them in a small but roomy suitcase with her own clothes. From there, she had brought it downstairs, leaving beside a small duffel bag on the floor beside the entrance door and greeted her half-brother, pleased to see that her kitchen had been spotless once more, obviously under Henry's diligent instruction. Not long after, the Charmings had joined them and they had set off.
Their two car party had left Storybrooke without much of pomp. David and Mary Margaret had consistently followed Regina in their pick-up truck as they had passed over the town line. Apart from Regina's sharp gasp at the loss of her magic, there had not been any problems with it, so they had gone on. Setting an easy tempo, the Mayor had taken them to Bangor, having decided the night before that it would serve as a base of operations of sorts, with the hotel rooms already reserved, as she had conscientiously updated her travel plans the night before.
In the city, they had checked in first, and then had gone onto the hunt for what they needed, spending much of time in soft conversation among themselves, David and Neal often taking the children to have some more fun, in a park or a kids' store. As luck would have it, Mary Margaret and Regina, along with additional help from the men, had been able to finish most of the shopping on the first day of the weekend, letting them have a more leisured pace the next day. As Snow and Regina had agreed, the Charmings would take their purchases on Sunday evening and take them to Storybrooke, because the younger woman had an obstetrician appointment on Monday morning she hadn't wanted to miss.
So, after a joyfully spent day, the husband and wife had gone home, having previously assured Regina that they would be fine going back by themselves, and then the Mayor had taken Neal to the airport, she and the kids waving to him as he had passed the security.
That evening, Regina was watching some inane late show on the TV in the room, lying in bed, the sound of the show low enough not to wake the boys, but still understandable. After they had left Neal, she and the kids had gone to a restaurant, and then at Henry's insistence to the Sports Arena, where they had engaged in many arcade games and such. No wonder the children were dead asleep, the excitement of the day had worn them completely, barely managing to trudge back into their room and collapsing onto bed. Having already finished with the shopping and having sent most of it with Snow back to Storybrooke, Regina had decided to spend the first half of the next day in relaxation, just enjoying her time with the children.
It was strange, the woman thought as she absently watched an interview of some actor on the TV, how unimpressed she was with the world. She had expected that meeting the world without magic on larger scale than the one available in Storybrooke, apart from that one trip to Boston she had made – to adopt Henry, would be more dramatic, more overwhelming, especially with more people, bigger traffic and much louder surroundings – but, she was not moved. Perhaps, the memories she had witnessed from Emma had dulled the expectances, or being in Storybrooke had insulated her somehow from it all, however, being in Bangor did not cause her any apprehension she had been expecting. No fear of getting lost, or overcome by the presence of so many strangers… Nothing. Nevertheless, it was exciting to explore the city with Henry and Kyle, enjoying their unrestrained wonderment at the stores, parks, streets… Her son relished the chance to discover the new world under the loving supervision of his mother.
Regina remembered the tale the young preteen had told her about getting to Boston, fearlessly daring to cross distances no child should travel alone. At the time of his 'escape', all the fear and anger, tinged with disappointment in his rebellion had prevented her from fully appreciating his indomitable spirit, but as she had listened to his animatedly told story, she had watched him with pride and wonder, seeing so much of Emma's daring courage in him, the trait she had often called 'bullheadedness' in her mind, and the sight of it almost had brought her to tears – her little prince was showing marks of a brave, staunch and honorable man he would grow up to be. But, along with pride and boundless love she had for him, fear came. Fear of every mother, she imagined, as they watched their children grow up in the world that was unjust, forcing them to fight against the evils, against the injuries caused to people around them. Fear that forced her to think of all the wrongs that might find him…
Just in time when they had arrived back in Storybrooke, in the late afternoon, Neal had checked in, saying that he was on his way back, having finished with all the arrangements quite easily, and by his calculations he had estimated that he would be back sometime during the night. So, she had brought them to Granny's for dinner, surreptitiously arranging a meeting for the next day with the psychologist, using Henry's distraction in form of the mermaid. Waving away Dr. Hopper's worried expression, she had confirmed the time for their supposed session in the afternoon of the next day, making sure that Henry remained unaware of it.
And, now as she watched the surface of the still warm water move with her each breath, she was more than sure that it had been the right decision to seek advice from someone who could consider the true impact of both options she was forced to choose from. Despite all the worry she had for Emma, for their journey, for the town, for the unknowns that could make her life harder – there was one thing she could do to protect Henry and Kyle from the ugliness of the war. But, she knew her son, she knew he would see it as betrayal – and facing him bearing the expression of such hurt, betrayal and disappointment once more, she didn't know if she was strong enough to do that. Therefore, she was going to ask the Conscience-turned-Psychologist to help her reach the most beneficial decision, as she would gladly give Henry and Kyle up if it meant that they would be safe. But, she also knew that this world was more than fraught with dangers of its own, Emma being the perfect example for it – and leaving her children in it without hers or Emma's guidance, protection, and love, brought another set of problems.
So, with heavy heart, she went to bed, knowing that her mind would not stop running through options, contingencies or chances, trying to find a better way for everything that was plaguing her. At least, the fear and worry for Emma was not so predominately in the forefront of her mind, she realized, chuckling mirthlessly at herself.
Archie was sitting at his desk, writing down his observations on the patient that had just exited his office. It seemed that with Regina's proclamation of the possibility of making a permanent connection to the Enchanted Forest, several citizens were faced with severe anxiety – fearing that their loved ones would want to go, or to stay, contrary to their personal wishes. The news had the power to sow discord in families, among long time married couples, even among siblings, and now, more than ever, Dr. Hopper was very sought after.
He personally wished to stay. Not only because of the need that he was relieving in the town, but because he was happier here, and his longtime friend, Marco, was staying too. Archie liked the fact that Storybrooke existed, and that the things like modern amenities and medicines were easily available. And, there was the fact that in Storybrooke he was more respected than in the Enchanted Forest. Here, monarchies and nobility had not much of an influence, unlike at his former home. He did not resent the time that he had spent in his life as the cricket, nor his position as the royal advisor – but he was well aware that, more often than not, his opinion had been disregarded, as people around him had deemed him too soft to deal with others.
Here, with more structured balance of power and responsibility, no one could push him aside.
Suddenly, the door to his office opened and the Mayor strolled in. Glancing at the clock, he smiled gently at her, seeing that she was several minutes late – which was quite unusual for her, and that was why he did not mention her abrupt arrival. Rising from his seat, he let her settle down in her usual place on the couch while he prepared the tea, observing the ritual he had established with her during her therapy. His attentive eyes took in her sharp clothes, that day following a grey pallet of colors rather than navy blue or black, and the slumped shoulders that spoke of intense worry and tiredness. As he offered her the cup, he noted that her eyes as well bore the signs of stress. "How may I be of service?" he asked after a while, slightly unnerved by the silence.
Regina looked at him, her eyes pinned onto his face as she breathed slowly, measuredly, too controlled for it to be her natural rhythm. The hand that held the cup was too stiff, and the other one too white. He had seen Regina this uncomfortable before, but he could not think of the reason why she would be so now. But, he didn't have to wait for long. "I," Regina started haltingly, "need your advice on something."
"Of course," he hurried to answer before he sipped his tea.
"As you are certainly aware, Dr. Hopper, several of us are to leave for the Enchanted Forest in several days. I am sure that you have heard by now that there is a Forest wide power struggle happening there." Encouraged by his nod, Regina had let out the air through her nose before she asked the question that had taken her there, to Archie's office, looking for an advice. "Is it better for them if I leave my children here, in care of someone I trust, or if I take them with me?"
Archie didn't speak for a while. Not because he didn't know what to say, but because he wanted to consider every option thoroughly before committing to an answer. Regina had rarely come to him with a question, and he intended to do his best. Leaning back in his armchair, he placed his hands onto his lap, his legs crossed, and the elevated one serving as the holder for the pad he had. Carefully, he started writing down every bullet point he wanted to make, for the each case, taking the wellbeing of the children seriously. He took Henry's personality into an account, as well as the fact that Kyle still might suffer from the trauma of abandonment from being kept on the island of Neverland. As a psychologist, he could not ignore the fact that leaving the boys might leave a dangerous and huge mark on their psyches which would become problems later on in their lives. As he wrote down the reasons for each option, he realized that he had already formed an opinion. One that he could fully stand behind, as a both professional and private figure – for he did consider himself the friend of the Mills family.
As soon as she saw him take up the pen and the notes, Regina settled to drink her tea slowly as she left the good doctor to think on the topic. She was glad that he was taking his time, neither rushing nor proclaiming immediately one way over the other. This ways she was sure she would get the opinion she could really trust. He had known Henry for a while, and he could make a deliberation based on that, unburdened by her motherly instincts to keep him away from danger.
"May I assume that you, as a mother, consider Storybrooke the safer option?" Archie finally spoke, as he looked up toward her, not at all surprised to find Pongo sitting beside her on the sofa, his snout resting on her thigh while her right hand was scratching him behind his ears. Seeing her nod, he hummed lightly, having guessed correctly. "And, that the person in charge of the children would be Deputy Cassidy?" Again, Regina nodded in accord to his conclusion.
Archie uncrossed his legs and leaned slightly forward, pushing back the glasses onto his nose. "If Storybrooke is, indeed, a safe place," the doctor started thoughtfully, "then, from a physical point of view, the choice is clear. However, I am inclined to take the emotional health over the dangers of the war torn area. If you leave them here, the children will be left without most of their support and their primary parent, which in Kyle's case can be quite damaging for his development. It will also destroy the trust you have built with Henry, and the anxiety over the fate of his mothers and grandparents most certainly will cause behavioral problems in him, if not health related issues. On the other hand, the war itself can be damaging for children. Nevertheless, both of them will be surrounded by their family, by your side, and I have no doubt that most of your Black Knights, and what is left of Snow's soldiers, would stand guard over the crown prince and his little brother." His mouth curled into a gentle smile at the end of his elaboration. "And, Henry is a very resourceful young boy, Your Majesty, and quite capable of stealing or re-growing the beans for himself. Are you sure you are willing to leave him without your supervision?" He added with his eyebrow raised, having removed his glasses, attaching a more personal note to his question.
Regina nodded slowly as she frowned. Henry had singlehandedly organized several people to duplicate the beans right in front of her own nose without detection. What was to say that he wouldn't do it again, this time directing himself toward unknown and alone, facing the dangers of the world without their protection? It had been decided, then. They all would go.
"Madam Mayor, forgive me, but I get the sense that it wasn't the only thing on your mind. If you would like to…"
"It's about Emma," Regina interrupted before Archie could embarrass himself. "I've learned from the correspondence the Savior has sent me that she has become very emotionally detached, isolating herself from others."
"Pulling away?" the doctor asked to clarify, but Regina shook her head.
"No," the brunette murmured. "More like becoming someone emotionally unavailable and cold, while still presenting a powerful command figure among the people." She sighed and waved the doctor off before even attempting to explain the behavior. "I am well aware why and how she did it, Archie." She pushed her hair behind her ear as hesitated for a moment. "What I need is to know how to get her back."
Archie leaned back, taking off his glasses once more and rubbing his eyes, and sighed. "Regina, I cannot tell you what to do when I don't know in what state Emma is in," he said carefully. "Doing something blindly can make things a lot worse."
Regina clenched her jaw and pursed her lips, nodding curtly at his reply. But, as she leaned forward, getting ready to rise, Archie caught her eyes with a gesture to hold on, leaning toward her. "I can offer general advice, if you would be willing to answer a question for me about Emma's emotional state from before." His voice was soft and unassuming, letting her decide. Ordinarily, he would not offer even this, given the dangers. However, he did want to help, and the woman in question was not in position to visit him or those like him who would help her professionally. If Regina's worry was any indication, and usually the Mayor was right about things, his friend was in trouble. So, in his mind, using Regina as a sort of his own proxy, with the knowledge he would impart to her, could only help the Savior, until Emma was back in Storybrooke.
The Mayor lifted her eyebrows lightly in interest as she tilted her head toward the psychologist. "What question?"
"Was she able to be intimate with you?" Archie asked as he was reaching for his cup with refreshed tea. But, his hand froze in the middle of its path to the table when he noticed Regina's disgusted glare.
"Doctor Hopper! I don't see how it is any of your business!" The brunette scowled at him, and rose in single move, already directing herself toward the door.
"You know, as well as I do, that sex is not the same as being intimate, Regina," Archie spoke from behind her, calm and unflustered by her outburst. He did realize how his question sounded, but he would not apologize for it. "What I am interested in, is if she was able to connect with you on deeply personal level, so she could share her fears and hopes with you?" His words stopped the woman only a few feet from the exit, making her glance back at him with her eyebrow lifted and his eyes narrowed. The doctor met her eyes and acknowledging her silence as a prompt to go on, he steepled his fingers in front of him. "It would be significant in determining if you can reach her in her disassociation."
Regina raised her head and sighed, before she pushed her hand through her tresses, huffing at herself. Turning around, she grimaced sheepishly at the doctor, before returning to her seat, pushing Pongo gently out of the way. "I don't know if the question about intimacy can apply here. You see, Emma and I are connected." Regina slowly spoke, choosing her words but still not finding a way to explain it properly.
"Yes, by your True Love," Archie affirmed eagerly.
"No," Regina frowned, not surprised that he had misunderstood her. Then at his gasp she looked up and hurried to explain. "Well, yes, but that is not what I meant. We are connected by our magics, and I think Emma has abilities that are almost unheard of."
"What do you mean?"
"We can share our memories, and feelings on some level." Regina smiled gently, as her mind had gone back in time. "Emma calls it being linked." Then, the brunette startled herself to the present, and eyed the doctor, not knowing whether to laugh or to snap at him, for the man was now looking at her, his eyes wide and jaw worked helplessly with no words coming out. Clearing her throat, she stared pointedly at him, smirking when he blushed in embarrassment.
"Yes, right. I've never heard of it." He swallowed his curiousness, focusing on the words.
"I don't think anyone has," Regina lied, brushing over it quickly. "But, only few things Emma has shared with me without this method." But, the woman noted to herself, it ultimately did not matter, as they knew each other so well. "However, I think I know what you are looking for," Regina spoke suddenly, breaking the contemplative silence that had fallen over them. "Emma doesn't hide from me. She lets me see her pain and fear."
"That is good," Archie agreed with smile as he nodded briskly. "I believe your very presence will make Emma feel better, but just in case… It is important to establish safe environment, where she can stop being all the things she needed to be – the Savior, the Hero, the leader, and be just Emma, the woman. It is important that she faces no judgement in this space. At first, she might be reticent to touch or emotional gestures, and it would be wise to let her adjust slowly, without overwhelming her."
Regina snorted at his words. "So, keep Snow away from her."
Throwing a rebuking look toward her, Archie went on. "When she gets comfortable with your presence, loving and unassuming touch can be quite healing. Not only emotionally, but even physically. There were studies done in this world that proved that various hormones are released that beneficial to the health and emotional stability, through touch, hugging and massages."
"Loving touch," Regina repeated the words, once more reminded of Emma, as she had been the one to call it so. It made sense, as touch is a source of great comfort. And, with them, it was another way of communication and intimacy.
"Yes," Archie said, awed how the brunette's face softened, her dark eyes shining with a gentle loving light – and he knew she was in past, with Emma. Falling silent, he let her have this moment of peace, leaning back. When she shifted in her place, announcing that she was back, looking intently at him with a light thankful smile on her lips, he nodded, before she rose once again, pressing down her blazer. But, as she was about to open the door, he joined her to see her out. "You and Emma have unique understanding of each other, Regina. Use that to help you, and you both will be fine," he added, smiling as she nodded at him and left. But, before she did, she had offered him her hand to shake, in gratitude and appreciation which he had accepted unreservedly.
It was late. Or, too bloody early. Either way, it was middle of the night and not a soul was around, but him as he walked toward the door of the apartment that he had chosen for his hideout. Light on his feet, he took care to step around the creaky patch of floor, not willing to take a risk of being found out. Looking around suspiciously, he glanced at the mirror that was in the hallway, winking at the handsome devil dressed in black leather jacket, a dark nicked shirt and jeans, along with hard leather boots. As he took out a key from the back pocket of his jeans, he chuckled silently at himself, shifting the bag in his hand to lean onto his hip, giving him more room to unlock the door. The first day he had picked the lock, he simply changed it to one he had keys from, sparing him the effort to use the picks each and every time he needed that door locked and unlocked. Slipping into the darkness, he looked around the lit hallway and satisfied that he had not been found out yet, he closed the door and turned around, whistling lightly, taking the bag to the counter, ten feet from the door. He paused, looking at it against the counter and shrugged, shaking his head and reaching into it, taking only a can of beer out of it, leaving the rest for the next day. Then, he walked into the apartment, knowing the position of the furniture by heart, not needing light to navigate himself to the couch.
But, before he could dive onto the sofa, the lamp on the side table beside it lit up, casting the light upon the intruder looking at him with amusement and mild distaste. "Oh, bloody hell," he cursed as he jumped toward the door but as soon as he reached for it, purplish mist covered it and a current of mild electricity passed through his hand, the sensation making him skid back. Glancing toward the uninvited guest, he considered the windows, but it was too high to just jump through it, and any attempt of being more delicate would make him fail. He straightened with a sigh, as he surrendered, for the moment.
"So, you are my mother's Knave," Regina spoke with a sniff of disdain as she sat in the leather armchair, her legs crossed, arms leaning over the hand rests, as she watched him with causal interest. "Or was it the White King now?"
"What's to you?" Will replied with the air of forced nonchalance, but he was afraid. He had been slave of Cora's and the stories had told that the Evil Queen had been worse, or at least less subtle. He didn't fancy becoming a heart slave again.
"Relax, I am not after you," she said regally, not blind to the relieved slump of his shoulders.
"Oh, well, that is a load of my mind, then," he replied flippantly, his fingers rolling the can in his hand.
"But, Gold might be when he gets back and finds out you have been squatting on his property," Regina added with humor, amused by his reply of letting air through his closed mouth and waving his hand at her, showing no concern or fear of the Dark One.
"He will have bigger problems to deal with than me," Will said. "And, I am not that easy to catch, you see."
"How did you end up in my town?" the Mayor asked, ignoring his rebellious reply, frowning when he chuckled.
"You don't know?" he scowled at her, all traces in fear gone from him, too tired to even contemplate the fact that the woman before him had once been a cold hearted killer. "Your blasted curse, that's how." Then he dropped himself to the couch, and opened the beer can taking a large swig out of it. With a defiant smirk he burped and glared at the woman, wanting her gone.
"You came over with the curse," Regina murmured, more to herself than to him, while she sat there contemplatively. It did certainly explain why he wasn't considered an intruder by the protective spell, and it opened a whole new can of worms for the Mayor. Storybrooke was a small town, but she didn't know everyone personally, nor had she cared to – she had been the Queen and they the peasants, and she hadn't cared how many lives she would ruin, only that she had gotten her vengeance against Snow White.
"So, if that is all, would you leave? See, I have to get my beauty sleep."
"Careful, Will Scarlet," Regina warned, her eyebrow quirked at the man, oddly amused by his brash behavior. "I may not kill you, but it doesn't mean you will not find yourself in the cell for trespassing and burglary." Seeing that she had his attention, she steepled her fingers. "We are going to talk about worlds' jumping."
"Oh, right," the thief spoke in droll voice as he made himself comfortable. "You'd be going soon, innit right?" He took another swallow of his drink. "But, what it has to with me? I know sod all about portals."
"You must know something," Regina insisted. "You have travelled three words by my calculation."
"Yes, by a magic mirror I stole from Maleficent, and by following a crazy old Whiskers wherever he took me. I didn't stop to talk about the mechanics of it, did I?"
"You survived this long for a reason. You survived my mother!" The Mayor spoke raising her voice, as her hands lowered onto the rests, clenched into fists. "You must have picked up something."
"Sorry, no," Will shrugged his shoulders. "Rabbit has no patience and the mirror was pretty straightforward. I don't even remember how I got to Oz." He added absently before he guzzled the rest of his drink, completely missing the woman going still in the chair. But, it was the silence that drew his attention and he looked over to his guest to see her with frozen expression on her face, before in one blink of an eye, he found himself in air, spread eagle, and the former Evil Queen's eyes only inches away from his. He couldn't even complain, as his voice was gone. He could only stare into her intent dark eyes as she peered into his face, breathing shallowly and her nostrils flaring, her hands reaching for him, resting on the sides of his neck and jaw.
"You. You've been to Oz?" Regina spoke after slight hesitation, each word carrying a note of surprise as they tumbled out of her, her voice trembling. The hands resting on his cheeks vibrated with power against the contours of his face, the fingers twitching as they dug into the skin of his neck, growing uncomfortably hot. The calm and composed Mayor that had ambushed him that evening was gone, and in her place was a woman desperate for answers almost manic in her need to gain the knowledge she sought.
He tried to speak, opening his mouth as the lips formed words, but no sound was leaving him. Only after Regina blinked and pressed one of her fingers against his throat, he could feel his voice return. "Yeah, after my sister died," Will whispered after he felt slight tingling in his throat followed by his quite audible swallow. "I was there only for a couple of days, getting snatched almost immediately. I saw nothing but that bloody yellow road, and the guards."
Hearing this, Regina stepped away from him, her hands falling away from his face, as she turned to the side, her heavy sigh loud in the silence that followed Will's rushed answer. Not even looking at the man, she lazily gestured with her fingers and he was transported to the couch, nearly in the same position he had been before the magic used. Her left hand going to her forehead, she closed her eyes, as her shoulders lost some of their tenseness. Her abrupt reaction had surprised even her, and she couldn't explain it. The name of the land brought her to the stop, forcing her into acting as she had, in a manner that she now regretted. Judging by the man's terrified looks he was directing at her, he knew nothing more, and that display of her power – it was a true sign how tired she was, that her control over her emotions slipped. Turning to leave, she thought about words she could offer but finding none, she sighed again and simply started walking toward the door.
"If it's Oz you are interested in, why don't you ask the fancy ponce at the hospital about it?" the man said a moment, having gotten his bearing. Call it his weak heart for the ladies, but the expression of desperation and later loss, swayed him from his choice to be quiet and let the woman leave in defeat. He had heard the story at the Town Hall, he knew that Oz was a topic of interest for Regina, and having heard the rumors about the Sheriff and the Mayor (most of them hastily shared in low whisper at the diner between the two waitresses, until Ruby had gone to join the Savior), he did understand the outburst from the brunette.
"Which ponce?" the brunette murmured as she looked back at the thief, her expression of sadness lightening a bit, as her eyes lit up with purpose and interest.
"The tall one working for the hospital. In the labs, I think." Will frowned, as he thought everyone had known about the man that had arrived about the time the Savior with her mother had returned to Storybrooke, quite unused to the modern world, but get used to it quickly. "The new guy," he said pointedly, as he leaned forward, his hand fluttering in the air in front of him.
"New guy?" Regina repeated after him, her face scrunched in confusion, now facing the man on the couch.
"Yeah, the new guy." Will leaned back into the sofa and looked up, as his mind assembled the picture he wanted to share. "Tall scrawny one, dark hair, dark eyes, goes by the name Austin something. He came about, what, eight months, and I know for sure he is from Oz."
"Are you sure?" Regina asked softly. "How do you know?"
"He is often in the Rabbit after his work. One night he got too drunk to even stand properly." He looked up at the woman sheepishly, as he considered what he was about to say. "While I helped him home, he started bubbling about his previous life…" he spoke carefully, avoiding Regina's eyes.
"And, on that walk home, did you help yourself to something of his?" the Mayor said pointedly, her eyebrow quirked.
"Not that I can remember," Will denied quickly, blinking his eyes in innocence, knowing that she didn't believe him.
"So, Austin something, works at the hospital and he's new," Regina recapped, while the thief nodded along, before she thanked him earnestly. "I can pardon you for your misdeeds, Mister Scarlet, but do try to behave from now on," she spoke with amusement before she disappeared in the swoosh of her magic, leaving the man to his rest.
"You know, every human needs to sleep, even you," a soft whisper washed over her as she felt the presence of her half-brother behind her, the gentle affection that had sparkled in her heart toward the man blooming even more when she smelled the strong scent of coffee approaching her. She hadn't been startled by Neal's approach, one of the obvious benefits of her magical training. She could feel the people around her now, aware of them on subconscious level. It was similar to the bond she shared with Emma, but the connection with the Savior was thousand fold stronger, while her new ability only provided the barest sense of presence of others. Turning her head to side, she looked at his concerned eyes and smiled in gratitude as she took the mug with the steaming beverage out of his offering hand. With a small hand gesture she invited him to sit with her, as she sipped the hot and energizing drink.
"I am too wired," she murmured as she pushed away the papers littering the surface of the dining room table to clear some space for the mugs she and Neal had in their hands. "Did I wake you?" She turned to him, her eyes seeing the creases on the t-shirt he was wearing, the one he had obviously been sleeping in. The magic had brought her home around half past two in the morning, right after she had left Will's hideout, and since then she had been in the dining room, looking over the information she had about the employees of the Storybrooke General Hospital, but as it had turned out, it wasn't much. And, she needed to wait for the working hours of the administration to request the records directly from the hospital.
"No, no," Neal shook his head gently, as he leaned back in the chair, looking at his sister. She was still wearing the suit she had on yesterday, sans the shoes. "Couldn't sleep anymore," he added slowly.
She had come to his place in the early evening, on edge about something. She had asked him to pack that afternoon and to come over to her house, and stay for the night and the next day, right until they were to sail out, on Saturday morning. Regina had told him about her conversation with Jefferson while they had been looking through the stores in Bangor, using the moments when the Charmings would take the kids for a break, sharing with him her worry that something bad was about to happen and that it would be caused by someone serving the Wicked Witch.
On Tuesday evening, she had called him to tell her about her conversation with Dr. Hopper about the children, and her conclusion about it, along with her plans to track down the Knave and the other jumper Jefferson had warned her about, asking him to take care of loading the ship with the weaponry they had brought into the town.
Then, when he had come over, carrying a duffle bag with his things, she had left him with the kids, telling him that she had found one of the travelers.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" he slowly asked, as he glanced over the papers. Seeing his interest, Regina leaned onto her elbows, as she started speaking in low whisper, telling Neal about Will and his information. All the while, the man watched his sister get more and more sluggish with her movements. "Regina," he spoke as soon as she finished, with concern in his voice. "It's four in the morning. You need to sleep."
"I am fine," the brunette insisted but Neal only rose his eyebrow at her before she capitulated.
"Now, go to bed. I will get Henry to his last day at school and then Kyle and I will get you the information you need about this Austin." He got to his feet and offered her a hand which she gratefully accepted. "We can survive for several hours, while you get your rest," he added jokingly, as he walked with her toward the stairs.
"I am not worried about your survival," she murmured with a tired smile appearing on her lips as she looked at the man who during these two months had become her friend, her confidante, her family. In some ways she trusted him more than Snow, but in others he still was a source of many doubts. "What I am concerned about is the mess I would be left to deal with afterwards," she added as she reached the first landing, glancing back at him. "Call me, as soon as you get them," she ordered, before she went to her room, knowing that he would not do so, but that he would wait to more reasonable hour, giving her enough time to catch up at least to some sleep she needed. It seemed to be the one fault of their relationship. He had adhered to Emma's orders too literally, sometimes taking liberties she would never have allowed him otherwise, in the name of keeping her well.
However, instead of going to bed, Regina walked into her closet and pulled out two duffel bags she had set aside for this very occasion, and placed them on her bed. With a concentrated gesture of her hand, one of them became full with things summoned from her children's rooms, as Regina took additional care to use the things she had bought in Bangor for Kyle, that were some sizes bigger, for the toddler was growing by the day. Also, she made sure that Henry's side of the duffel also contained some larger items, as well as several novels and notebooks with pens and pencils. She did not believe that her inquisitive son would much enjoy writing with quills and ink. After she was finished with their things, she turned to her closet again and picked out things that would provide comfort and protection from the cold. Fingering the clothes she had come in to the town, she smiled gently at the memories that those carried, deciding to wear them on her way back, with only one exception. The brown coat would be packed, and instead it Regina would wear a beautiful fur lined cape she had found in Northport on the way back from their excursion.
Finishing up with the packing, she closed the zipper on the duffels, setting them aside, by the door of her room, ready to go. They might not be leaving for another day, but she was ready – prepared, as her insides were driving her to be. Now, she could sleep, for a short while, because everything she had set out to do before leaving, she had done – except finding the intruder. Henry and Grace had harvested the magical plants, her son taking most of the crops with him, but he had left several for Anton and Grace to grow them again. The smart boy then divided the beans, stuffing them in four different pouches: one for him, one for his mother, one for Snow, and one for the rulers of the Enchanted Forest. Kathryn had assumed her office, Jim had taken up the mantle of the Interim Sheriff, and everything had gone without a hitch.
Unbuttoning her shirt, and lowering her slacks, she divested herself out of her clothes, not caring about them laying on the floor, as she walked to her bed, slipping under covers, enjoying the feel of cool sheets over her slightly heated skin as she breathed deeply, with each breath more of her body relaxing into bed, as her mind sank into oblivion of restoration.
It was a chilly morning, with the Sun still hiding behind the heavy clouds, throwing deep shadows on the town of Storybrooke. However, the children did not mind the gloominess of the weather, as it was their last day at school before the long winter break, where they get to enjoy the snow and the free time. One of those children was Henry, but his excitement was due to more important event than the winter break freedom. The next day, he and his family were going to jump to another world and finally see his mother, whom he had missed very much.
As he said his good byes in the school yard, he glanced toward the school entrance, where his grandmother was explaining things to the principal. So focused on the woman, he missed his friend's quiet approach. It was only when Grace touched his elbow that he startled, his head swiveling back to her.
"G-Grace, hi!" he spoke, his voice going high, making him blush. Then he cleared his throat and offered a hug to the girl that had been an immense help and support to him in the past several weeks. "Have a great break," he murmured as he pulled away from the hug, growing slightly uncomfortable at the contact he had initiated.
The girl only smiled with amusement, before she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Good luck, Henry," she said softly, before she scampered off the path, right to her father. When she reached Jefferson, she glanced back and waved with a smile to stunned boy, still standing at the path, his hand on his cheek, his mouth and eyes wide open, as he watched after her in wonder. She chuckled before she followed her father home.
Henry did not move until he felt a soft hand land on his jacket covered shoulder. He glanced up and frowned at the wide smile that his grandmother was sporting. But before she could say anything, he started walking, telling Snow that they would go to Granny's before going back home, taking them to the diner by foot, craftily keeping the conversation away from his friend.
As they walked by, they did not notice a man slink out of the shadow of the building behind them and follow them from several feet away, too engrossed in their excited chat about Christmas and presents they had bought for Emma. They didn't notice him look around as he pulled out a vial of greenish blue liquid and hurried a bit to catch up with them. Only when they heard glass breaking in front of them, they stopped, startled by the strange sound. Snow pulled Henry behind her, ready to run, but she felt and heard the boy slam bodily into someone behind them. Her hand frantically reaching for her pocket, and unlocking the screen of her phone, the pixie haired woman turned around and saw a man she vaguely recognized from somewhere as he grabbed the boy by his shoulders. His dark and intent eyes gave the goosebumps and she tried to pull Henry out of his grip with one hand, with other going into the call log and pressing Regina's name, which incidentally had been Snow's last call. However, she missed the strange mist rising from the liquid that had spilled as the vial had broken, and only when she saw the man place a handkerchief over his mouth and nose, she realized that something was truly wrong. But, that realization was followed by little else, as the woman collapsed onto the cold pavement, knocked out by the mist, and the boy followed soon after.
The man waited several seconds for air to clear, as he constantly glanced around to see if his little operation was noticed. Pleased to see the still deserted street, he lowered his hand from his face and opening the back door of his car, parked right in the space where he had sprung his trap, he pushed the boy inside first, before he grunted, lifting the unconscious woman into the seat. As he turned to leave, closing the door, he saw something glowing on the ground. Coming closer to it, he saw it was a phone, with one name flashing over the whole screen, and with tiny numbers counting up below it. He swore internally, before he stepped hard onto the phone, smashing it, before he rushed to the car. He had much less time than he had anticipated, all because Snow had managed to call Regina – who may have heard the scuffle. He needed to act quickly, and for that he needed an isolated place. Peeling off the curb, he drove toward the harbor, glancing at the unconscious people on his back seat, and then at the bag he had on the front right beside him. He would not fail. Not this time.
Driving into an abandoned boat house he had scouted some days earlier, he jumped out of the car and with hurry he dragged a simple wooden chair to the back of his vehicle. Then he opened the front door, taking out the bag from the seat. Kneeling beside it, he took out a roll of duct tape and placed it around his wrist, before he rose to his feet and opened the back door to the woman's side. Pulling her out in one strong motion, he lowered her onto the chair and quickly bound her legs, before he took off her winter coat and bound her hands behind her. After he made sure that the woman was secure, he pulled the boy out, laying him on the ground, making him rest on his side, as he bound his hands behind his back, and legs with the duct tape, not caring much about him being comfortable.
He went back to his bag and pulled out a white sterile looking box and a pair of rubber gloves, along with a collapsible knife. Snapping the medical gloves on, he opened the box and taking sterilization liquid with cotton balls, and after he sliced open Snow's sleeve with his knife, he wiped the area beneath the elbow, not minding the awkward angle at all, as he had bound the hands a bit higher than he would have done it usually. Going back to the bag, he took out a needle attached to an empty blood bag and expertly led it into one of the veins on Snow's arm, having already placed the band on her upper arm, to restrict the flow. As he knew that it would take time, he walked over to the boy, his knife at the ready. As he leaned over, he cut through the tape on his hands, spreading the limbs wide, as he unzipped the jacket, pulling the right hand out of its sleeve. Once more, he took his knife and cut through the fabrics of the sweater and the shirt the boy was wearing, mindful not to cut the boy. With a soft grunt, he pulled the boy to a pillar nearby, needing him at least somewhat upright. Leaning the boy's back against the pillar, and securing his left hand to it with the tape, the man glanced down at the boy, his eyebrows furrowing as he sighed. He hadn't minded being sent here to this world with a complete set of new memories along with his old ones, likes the citizens of Storybrooke would have. After all, his mistress had chosen wisely where to put him, where he would be of most use to her. Now, his mission was coming to an end, and he had one last thing to do. Right up until now, he could pretend that he hadn't been hurting anyone with his spying and deception, but his final assignment would not be as easily reasoned away to his conscience.
He already had the boy's blood, from the hospital, but just in case, he had decided to take some more. Having attached the similar equipment to Henry's arm, as he had done to Snow, he sat on the ground right in the middle of the distance between his two captives, as he looked down at the another vial in his hand, rolling it between his fingers, sighing heavily. His orders had been clear, and the punishment for disobeying would be severe. But, this – this was too much, in his opinion. He understood the pain the liquid in his hand was capable of inflicting and he was highly uncomfortable of doing it to a young boy, but he had his loyalty to his mistress, and his duty. He could not betray her. Sighing heavily, he clenched his fist. And, he will not.
"What?" he heard the woman whisper as she came to. He rose to his feet and walked those few steps to her, pleased to see that the bag was almost full. He crouched beside the bound woman, and with care, pulled out the needle out of her arm, letting the medical tape he had secured it with stay, as he stuffed a small wad of cotton beneath it to stop the bleeding. While the pixie haired woman rolled her head, mumbling to herself as she became more aware of her surroundings, he noted down her name onto the bag, before he placed it into the white box. Then, he walked toward Henry, judging the amount of blood in his bag, before he repeated the procedure with the boy, as well. Then, he walked back to the boy, the vial in his hand, as he uncorked it, and crouched beside the still unconscious teenager.
"Get back from him!" Snow suddenly screamed from behind him, startling him a bit, but not enough for him to spill or drop the liquid. Not minding the bound woman, he opened the boy's mouth and poured the potion, grimacing as he held the mouth and nose closed, making Henry swallow that vile liquid, offering the boy one look of regret, before he rose to his feet.
"What did you do to him?" the woman insisted as she struggled with the bonds, the chair moving slightly over the floor with her violent thrashing. "Answer me!"
The man lowered himself down on the floor beside his bag and started unlacing his shoe. "It is a curse. It won't hurt him, I promise." His words were quiet but potent as he looked over to the woman, as he took off the shoe. "I had to do it, She ordered me to," he added, his eyes earnest, but it did not make him less of the guilty party.
"Who are you? Who is She?" Snow demanded, as she wriggled her hands, trying to ease herself out of the tape.
"Here people call me Austin, but my name is Walsh," he replied, seeing no point of hiding anymore. Any minute now, he would be gone, back to his Mistress, and he saw no harm in offering at least some answers, as he took off his other shoe. Then he reached for his bag, and pulled out two sparkling red slippers out of it. "And, She is my Mistress," he added as he put on one of the glittering shoes on his foot, grimacing at the tight fit.
It was the sound of her phone that pulled her out of her sleep. Snapping to consciousness, she reached for the cell she had left at her night table, and answered the call, knowing exactly who would be on the other side, as she had picked the ringtone for him weeks before. "What did you find out?" she asked Neal, not even letting him speak first, as she pulled herself into seating position, her free hand going through her mussed strands.
"Good morning to you too," her half-brother spoke teasingly over the line, making her roll her eyes at him, before she looked at the time. It was only nine in the morning, so she hadn't slept as long as she feared.
"Right, morning," she spoke drily before she cleared her throat. "So, what did you find out?"
"I know who he is, and I have his picture, but I cannot find him," the deputy Sheriff spoke clearly, as he heard her impatient tone. "He didn't show up for work this morning, and I am now going to his place. Wanna join me?"
After telling him affirmatively, she listened to the address, and Neal's directions to it, before she ended the call. She had a bit of time, so she jumped into the shower. Within ten minutes, she was dressed in dark jeans, red blazer, a scarf and her black reefer, along with boots and gloves. Having taken her phone and house keys, she disappeared, directing her magic toward the address Neal had told her.
She met with her brother at the curb in front of a small residential building several streets from the center of the town, finding him leaning against his car looking upwards. "Where is my son?" Regina asked immediately, as she approached him, her hands in the pockets of her coat.
"David has him," Neal replied glancing at her, before returned his eyes to the upper floors of the building. "Mrs. Roberts hasn't seen Austin since he came back from the hospital last night. In her words, he is quiet, respectful, and always helpful to her when she has bags from the grocers." The Deputy chuckled as he saw Regina roll her eyes at his poor imitation of Mrs. Roberts's voice.
"What did you find on him?" Regina asked as she moved toward the building, letting Neal open the door and hold it for her. In answer, he only gave her the file that he had collected that morning, and she looked over it as they climbed the wooden stairs. "He is in the Town Register? But, Belle added only you, Anton, and Hook to it. And, I know I haven't added anyone but Kyle. How did his name appear there?"
"It's a forgery," the former thief answered as he showed the door they needed. "A very good one, but still." He then pounded on the door. "Storybrooke Police Department, open up," he shouted at them, before he leaned in to listen if there were any movements inside. Hearing nothing, he looked at his sister and smirked. "Can you open this, or do you want me to?"
Regina pursed her lips at him before she flicked her hand over the lock, and the soft click was heard. She inclined her head toward Neal, as she watched him take out his gun and slowly push at the door, his eyes warning her to stay behind him. He was the first to enter, his gun pointed forward at the chest height, as he cleared the rooms. Then he motioned to his sister to come in, chuckling lightly at her slightly annoyed expression.
"It's empty," Regina concluded from her own inspection, as she walked toward the kitchen in the small apartment. Opening the fridge, she pursed her lips at the void she found. There was nothing in, and the machine itself was not plugged in. "He's already left," she spoke to Neal, the rest of the apartment confirming her statement.
"So, what's the big deal?" Neal asked as he dropped into the chair by the door as he watched the brunette pace around the living room. Regina stopped moving and looked at her companion, her eyes narrowing at him.
"What's the big deal?" she repeated scathingly as she stalked toward him, her eyes flashing with annoyance and worry. "He left, Mister Cassidy," she answered for him, her tone turning to ice. "He, for some reason, has chosen this day to leave his place and disappear from town. Don't you think it is highly suspicious that just as we are about to leave, the one supposedly from Oz ups and leaves before us?"
"So, you think he has gone to warn Zelena of us coming over?"
"Yes!" Regina hissed at his slow reasoning, as she took her phone out of her pocket. "Call the fairy, and David. We're leaving now!" She then turned to leave the apartment, the dialing tone ringing in her ear, the shuffled steps of her brother following behind her loud in the resulting silence her order had caused. Then she heard his voice letting Nova know about the change of plans. "Anton, is the Captain with you?" she asked as soon as she was connected to the other side of her call. Getting affirmative response, she asked the kind giant to give the phone to Killian. "We need to leave right now. Get the ship ready." She didn't wait for his acknowledgement, breaking the connection as soon as she relayed her directive. Not paying attention to the man behind her, she looked down at her phone, typing out her son's number. But, before she could enter the last digit, her phone rang, Mary Margaret's name jumping at her.
"I was just about to call Henry, I need…" Regina started speaking in rushed manner before she realized that she hadn't heard the younger woman's voice on the other side, only the low grunting and sounds that reminded her of the car door opening. "Snow?" Regina froze as she got no answer, her gut churning painfully as her blood turned to ice. "Neal," she summoned her brother to her side as she put the phone on the speaker, just in time for them to hear murmured cussing, and the sound of a dropped call. Immediately, she called her son's number but it had gone straight to the voicemail. "Call everyone! Henry finished school half an hour ago." Rushing out onto the street, she disappeared into the mist of magic, leaving her brother behind to organize the search party. She couldn't wait, not while Henry was missing. And, she knew, with every tenet of her being that he was with his grandmother, and that someone, most likely Austin Wingers, had taken them for some reason.
She appeared in front of the school, and with hurried steps she went down the street, looking down at the ground for any trace of Mary Margaret and her son. She followed the most direct route to Granny's as she knew her son's appetite and his penchant to coax his minders into taking him to the diner. As she crossed the road and ducked into one of the less traveled streets, she saw the clue she had been looking for lying there on the sidewalk. The phone that had called her only minutes before was there, before her eyes, smashed, and in the street, where obviously a car had been parked, was Henry's backpack, forgotten and soggy from lying in the piled snow. She kneeled down and took it into her arm, pulling it toward her chest as she fought with herself not to fall apart. Not even conscious of the action she had called Neal, and looking down at the piled snow on the side of the road, she noticed fresh tire marks.
"I found where they have been taken from," she said with her cracking voice as she reached out for the frozen marks, willing her magic to show her the way. "I know how to find them," she added breathlessly, giving the man instructions where to come. "Hurry."
Not a minute later, the sounds of sirens and the tire screeching reached her, and only seconds after that the patrol car with Neal and Jim pulled up beside her, with the front passenger seat empty and the door wide open. She did not waste any time, scrambling herself into the car, urging the current Sheriff to drive even before she closed the door. Jim did not question her, nor the glowing marks on the road, but followed them at the highest speeds he could manage and still keep them all safe from crashing. As soon as he saw that the trail was turning toward the docks, the new Sheriff killed the siren and slowed down, not willing to alert anyone to their arrival. However, as soon as the car rolled to an entrance to the abandoned boat house, Jim stopped the car completely, swearing when Regina jumped out and rushed into the dark space without any preparation.
"Damn it," he cursed as he reached for the radio, not surprised to see Neal following the brunette, his weapon out and ready.
Regina knew better than just to run into the space where the captor would hold her son and friend hostage, so she ducked to the side, using the deepest darkness along the wall to sneak in, looking for the car they had been tracking. She fought to keep her breaths even and quiet, as she peered deeper into the boat house, carefully creeping along the wall. Finally, she reached an upturned boat, left on the ground, and behind it was the car, parked haphazardly, the engine still running, and the front lights showing the area in front of it, making Regina clench her jaw in anger. She saw Snow sitting in the rickety chair, the silvery tape glowing under the lights of the car, and little farther in the distance she saw her son, bound to one of the support pillars, his head leaning to his chest.
Snow was currently demanding answers of a man sitting on the ground, trying to stuff his large feet into hideously ostentatious red kitten heels and succeeding. Regina had not missed his reply to his captive and grimaced as she had her theories confirmed. He was indeed with Zelena.
Regina pulled in her magic and in one violent burst, she attacked, pulling the man away from Snow and Henry, tossing him high into air, using her other hand to direct a second strand of magic to release the woman from the chair. But instead of screams or a body hitting the ground, Regina heard a high pitched screech before a winged creature lunged for her, forcing her to duck. However, instead of reaching for her, the creature grabbed the bag and the other shoe before it disappeared in green smoke, a loud pop sounding throughout the boat house, followed by the thundering footsteps of two grown men rushing toward them.
Not paying attention to them, the brunette turned to her son, kneeling beside him as she tenderly made the tape vanish. With care she lowered him onto the ground, her hands caressing his face, willing him to wake up as silent tears ran down her cheeks, not minding that the gravel was digging into her knees or that there were people gathering around her. Snow joined her, crouching beside her, as she raised her palm with an empty vial in it, a tiny drop of liquid still present. "The man gave him this," the younger woman murmured softly, as she looked down at her too still grandson. "Said it was a curse and that it won't hurt him."
As soon as the other woman said the word curse, Regina swiveled her head toward the vial, grabbing it of Snow's hand and with expertize of a long practicing sorceress she casted a spell, looking into the ingredients, relishing as the newly improved mastery of magic allowed to see the results quickly and accurately. As soon as the remaining drop of the potion glowed Regina threw the vial away, growling in anger and pain. It was a curse. And, it was physically harmless for Henry. But not for her.
Regina's face crumpled as she pulled the boy to her chest, silent tears running into his hair. Snow placed her hand onto the woman's elbow, afraid to speak after such violent reaction. But, when the older woman turned toward her, Mary Margaret gasped as her eyes fell on the brittle dark eyes and pale face of her former enemy.
"It is the Curse of the Forbidden Path," the Mayor spoke, her voice breaking under the strain of her emotions. The startled gasps echoing around told her that almost everyone knew what the curse did. "Targeting me."
It had been a pretty famous curse in the Enchanted Forest, and in plenty of other worlds, Regina imagined, so it came as no surprise that most of the people flinched at her words. The curse itself had been the reason why the saying 'True Love can break any curse' had been coined, as it had ruined many loving relationships over the centuries. It had been a go-to solution for many Royals to subdue their children into arranged marriages, in order to preserve the strength of the kingdoms or to better the standing among the neighboring states. And, the reason for it was the fact that the curse was very effective in its work – it hid the memories and feelings of a certain person from the one who had been cursed with it, making them forget about those who would inspire them to rebel. All it was needed is to put something connected to the target, in this case Regina, into the potion and feed it to the one who was needed to be more pliant, or here, Henry, and the results were immediate. The person that had been cursed would not remember anything regarding the person that was targeted.
"Regina, no." Snow lifted her hand to the mouth, her eyes widening in horror, as she looked between her former stepmother and her grandson, wishing that the boy would not wake up just yet. Not until they had a solution for this problem, even though she had known what the solution would be – to get to Emma, and have her kiss him once again. She dreaded the next several minutes, because the very second Henry opened his eyes and looked at Regina, without any recognition in his green eyes, the woman would break, and Snow didn't think that the resilient heart of her friend and future daughter in law was strong enough to withstand that blow. "Please," she whispered as her hand landed on Regina's elbow once again, this time pulling her away. "Please don't," she begged the proud woman, as she tried to get her away from the rousing boy.
"He might not know who I am," Regina said in quavering whisper, her voice breaking at the last word, as her face twisted in anguish and agony. "But, he is still my son." Holding the boy closer to her, she looked down at his fluttering eyes and parted mouth, a whimpering sob passing through her lips before she caught herself. "I am not leaving him." She lowered her head as she closed her eyes, hiding her pain from others. She had only seconds now before he opened his eyes, and she intended to make the most of them. "Even if it kills me," she added softly against his forehead, before she pressed her lips onto his damp and warm skin, her fingers brushing his hair away. Pursing her lips, she bestowed a kiss, committing herself to stand by him, no matter what he would do or say to her, and always, always loving him.
The magic that sprung from the touch was not sudden as it had been with the Savior, or at least to her it didn't seem so, starting off as a small spark in her heart that had spread through her blood, gaining momentum with each thump of her heart before it had grown too big a wave for her body to contain it. It swelled over into her son, seeping into his skin, his bones, before it filled his heart, which thumped in the same rhythm as his mother's did. Then, a glittering ring of magic appeared where Regina still held her lips on Henry's forehead, exploding forward as it purged the effects of the curse.
"Mom," a weak murmur from the boy reached the adults still staring down in shock over the thing they just had witnessed. Henry's voice snapped Regina out of her bewilderment and she looked at him with wonder in her eyes, simply adoring the gentle green eyes looking up at her with relief and affection. "What happened?" he breathed, frowning as he saw others gathered around them.
The brunette holding him could not speak, as she smiled tremulously at him, overwhelmed by the fact that he loved her so strongly, so truly, even after everything… Even though she saw concern clouding his eyes and burrowing his forehead, she could not say a word, pulling him tighter against her.
"We learned that you are an extraordinary young man, young Henry, with an enormous heart," a new voice spoke, gentle and kind. The mother-son duo looked toward the woman who had spoken and immediately recognized the young fairy that had joined them for the journey. Then she returned to Regina. "I believe the curse was used as a distraction, and a personal attack against you, your Majesty," the fairy added sagely, reminding them that they had been called there for a reason.
"We need to go," Snow said firmly, as she rose to her feet, feeling slightly dizzy as she stood. As David gathered her in his arms, noticing her pale face, she glanced up at him. "And, you need to pick up our things."
Before anyone could speak, Neal stepped forward, taking Henry into his arms, and lifted him up, letting Regina get to her feet as well. "Why don't Jim and Astrid take you all to the ship, while David and I go and bring our things?" he said quietly, gently transferring his son into Frederic's waiting arms. "You need a moment, and Astrid can help Hook get everything ready for setting sail." Receiving an acquiescing nod from Regina, Neal leaned toward his son, and listened carefully to where the boy had placed his bag of beans, already knowing where Regina had put hers. Then, with a passing brush over Regina's shoulder in comfort, he left with David in tow, leaving the others to escort them to the nearby dock where Jolly Roger was currently harbored.
Finding herself in the familiar cabin, this time refurbished to host more people, Regina smiled as she sat beside Henry, whom the Interim Sheriff had laid carefully onto the bed closest to the door before he had left, hugging both Snow and Regina in goodbyes. Snow was holding Kyle as she leaned against the wall of the room, seated on second bed. It was actually, more of a pallet, which could be lifted upright in case they needed more space in the cabin, now serving as a comfortable seating bench. That left the master bed pushed against the farthest wall, but neither woman even looked toward it, their attention directed toward the still woozy boy. In short points they had explained everything that had happened since the moment Henry had lost consciousness, telling him that he had been cursed and shared a True Love's Kiss with yet another parent, which made him give a brilliant smile to Regina, as he burrowed into her side.
In the hour that had taken David and Neal to get back with the bags, Astrid and Killian had prepared the ship, the nun working conscientiously under the captain's supervision. The time that had passed also allowed Snow and Regina to gather their wits, preparing for whatever would wait for them on the other side. It also gave them an opportunity to say their goodbyes to the few people gathered on the docks to see them out, Granny and Dr. Hopper among them. Silently, the older woman gave Snow a letter, their shared look telling the pixie haired woman exactly to whom it was addressed, before the diner keeper pulled her into bone crunching hug.
Finally, it was the time to set out. As per earlier agreement, Snow went below deck to stay with the boys, while the rest took their assigned places, ready for whatever might come their way. As Neal brought the line that had secured the ship to the dock onboard, Hook nodded toward David to release the aft sail, giving them enough wind just to get to the open waters. Then, the captain turned toward the brunette standing beside him. "Ready whenever you are," he said over the quiet sounds of water lapping against the hull, gripping the helm in anticipation.
Regina, not wanting to delay their trip any longer, threw the bean she had selected for the occasion overboard, watching with keen thrill as the whirlpool of both magic and water was created. This time, no warning was needed for others to grab onto the safety lines, knowing that it was going to be a turbulent ride, and the brunette looked out for the other end of the portal, her body humming in eagerness. She was going to meet with Emma in the matter of minutes. The weeks of wait were finally over.
Because she was the one knowing where to look, and her magical senses helping her a great deal, she was the first one to notice a green lightning striking into the portal, making its magic unstable. The ship lurched to the side and Regina gasped as she saw the point she had been so focused on disappearing. Fear gripped her, as her eyes met with the other woman's on the deck. The grim understanding and panic the young fairy projected told Regina that they were thinking the same thing. The portal was collapsing, and they were still in it!
"What is happening?!" the pirate shouted as he felt the ship drop unexpectedly, forced down by the uneven magic outpour.
"Someone has forced the portal to close on us!" Regina shouted back, seeing Neal's eyes widening in understanding.
"We are still in it!" Hook screeched in outrage, as he glared at the swirling green magical vortex around them. "Fix it!" he yelled as he attempted to hold the helm still.
"I," Regina started, helpless, her mind finishing the sentence she didn't dare to speak aloud. Don't know how.
Suddenly, another flash of magic flew in, and this time Regina felt her own blood heat up in response. Emma! Her mind screamed, recognizing instantly the taste of the additional boost the vortex received. Her eyes lighted up, as she spread her hands to feed her own magic into the portal, Emma's response giving her the idea. Closing her eyes and feeling the newly discovered connection with her son, along with her love for Emma, Regina let out her power into the swirling stream, grinning in triumph as she felt the ship level up and the portal stabilizing.
However, her jubilation at the success quickly soured as she felt the vortex turn choppy and too unstable for travel once more. "It's not enough!" Nova shouted from her spot, barely holding on to the line around the mast, unable to help, the sweeping winds of the magical gale preventing her from using the dust. "You know what happens when it collapses on us!" the young fairy added unnecessarily.
"Don't need the reminder," Regina angrily shouted back as she pushed another pulse of magic into the portal, joined with a strange tasting magic that seemed to paint the magic of the vortex in purplish tones. Regina grimaced as her senses took in the new magic swirling around them, the barely suppressed deadliness in it obvious but what puzzled her was the strong presence of the Savior's own personal brand mixed in with it, helping her to keep the portal from closing.
Suddenly, the Mayor had an idea, born of desperation and fury. "We can go back!" she shouted toward the fairy, still sending out the magic into the air around them. "It is only collapsing from this end," she explained.
Nova looked at her, her eyes wide, before she collected herself. "Go back?" Then she added thoughtfully. "Yes, that could work." Indeed, the portal was collapsing from one end, and despite the outpour of magic in it, the vortex didn't seem to be stabilizing for them to get out that way. So, using the time the additional magical boost had given them, Regina could pull them out on the Storybrooke side of the portal, letting it close behind them safely. "I'll secure the ship," the fairy said, before she quickly stumbled below deck to maintain the integrity of the hull with the fairy dust.
Regina nodded, her mind fully focused to her new task, thanking the Gods that she had actually practiced on her magic, startled with grim realization that if she hadn't, nothing would have saved them from a horrific fate. "Hang on," she shouted in warning before she set her magic loose.
The ship groaned under the stress of going backwards, against the strong currents of the portal pushing it forward, the unnatural direction of travel tossing the vessel in many directions as it undoubtedly slid back. With each new creaking sound, the boat inched toward the opening they had entered in, until they, finally, landed back from where they had started, Hook immediately steering the ship away from the portal, in case it was to attempt to pull them in.
As soon as they left the magical space, Regina sagged against the railing, collapsing onto the boards, her body shivering in exhaustion. She needed a moment to recover, and it seemed that others knew that, leaving her alone for the time being. The brunette heard Snow come onto the deck and inquire why they were still in Storybrooke, with Neal and Astrid explaining as much as they could. Zelena's name was mentioned, along with Emma's. But, when the topic of conversation turned toward delaying their journey, Regina pulled herself up, and standing on her shaking legs, she drew everyone's attention to herself. "We are going back, right now!" she commanded, as her fingers dug into the railing in front of the helm. "Something is very wrong, and I am not leaving Emma to deal with it alone." Despite the fact that she was barely standing, her voice was very firm and unyielding. "Back to your places," she snapped at them, as she reached for her pocket, where her own bag with beans was. As she took another one out of it, she sighed, pleased that others had scrambled to their previous stations, ready for another go.
This time, the jump went without a hitch, as they appeared in front of the Charmings' Castle in the matter of seconds. Not waiting for others, Regina's eyes took in the scene before her, her look immediately drawn to the outcrop close to the walls of the keep, feeling that most of Emma's magic had come from there. Without a word, she disappeared into a swirl of transportation spell, letting the power take her there.
The first thing she saw as the purple cloud cleared was the blood covered snow, and she followed it to the grouping of people she mostly recognized, gathered around something black on the ground, too small to be a person. However, she did not see the trademark blonde locks anywhere, even though her sharp eyes flew over every person close by. She then focused onto the people she knew, taking in their sorrowful expressions as they stared at the clothes on the blood covered ground. As her eyes glided over the pile, she breathed in sharply, suddenly realizing why the clothes were familiar to her. She had seen them in her dream, her nightmare. But, comforted by the tingling of her blood, the sign that her bond to Emma was not broken, she found Rumplestiltskin and stepped closer to him.
"Where is she?" she heard herself ask them, as she garnered the answer from their stricken faces. As she passed the man of Imperial descent, her mind absently assigning him the title of Commander, she saw the familiar scabbard lying on the heap of clothes, still tied to the leather belt she had crafted for Emma, the sight of it breaking her heart. Suddenly, the man moved and reached for it, lifting it up towards her, offering it in solemn tribute, his meaning clear. Angry with Commander's presumption, she grabbed it, almost ripping it out of the man's hands, ready to shout at them for their silence.
When the familiar shifter spoke her name, Regina hissed at them, her anger evident. "Where the hell is she, for if you tell me she is dead, you will regret it," she snapped at them, not willing to endure their quiet reluctance to say anything. Closing her eyes, she sighed, as she grounded herself, trying not to take out her frustration on the people that had obviously been through a lot, if the battlefield in front of her was an indication. "She is not dead," she whispered gently as she looked at Ruby, her voice filled with conviction. "I can still feel her," she added effusively. "She is alive."
Rumplestiltskin rose heavily to his feet, groaning as his ribs shifted painfully. He looked toward his daughter, his eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed. "She was burning with magic, Regina," he said sadly, the term he used telling his former pupil everything – she had overused her power, to the point that her own body had started failing.
"And, you believe that if she isn't already dead, she will be, soon?" Regina guessed harshly as she gripped the sword in her hands, frowning as others avoided her eyes. "Then, where is she, Rumple?" she asked him, her eyes focused on him, watching him as he stumbled over her question. "You don't know," the brunette maintained, her voice sharp and unforgiving. "Hasn't she died once already?" Regina asked scathingly, her inflection over the verb in her question mocking their surrender to grief, reminding them that she had done the impossible once before, and that giving up on her now would be betrayal of their Savior. Scoffing at them, she walked away, directing herself to the castle, her strength waning by the minute. She needed to rest before casting locator spell, and finding her True Love.
A/N Ritters are Kathryn and Jim, if anyone was confused with the appearance of the new name.