Emma sighed as the hot water hit her aching muscles. She couldn't believe how amazing it felt, to smother herself in sweet smelling soap, to rub her hair with shampoo and let the water run down her body, it circled the drain, brown with dust. She conditioned her hair, the motion reminding her of Regina. She closed her eyes and dipped her head back, water hitting her forehead, rushing down her neck. She swallowed. Regina, who had abandoned them, again. Anger coursed through Emma's veins.

The sharp knock at the door startled her out of her thoughts.

"Come on Emma!" Mary Margaret called, "it's my turn,"

Emma stepped out of the shower and dried herself off. Thinking of Regina did her no good. She'd have to face her at some point, and Cora too. But now all she wanted was to have a warm meal and cuddle her son.

She pulled on a soft sweater, sighing at the smell of detergent that surrounded her.

In the kitchen, David had made them both a bowl of broth and pasta, he said they weren't allowed to eat too much since their bodies weren't accustomed to food any longer, and they needed to take it easy.

Emma smiled at him as she sat at the kitchen island, scarfing down the pasta.

"Slow down," David chided softly, but his smile was warm, hair tousled from sleep. Henry sat next to her, he had been fast asleep when she and Mary Margaret had arrived, knocking at the door like mad women. Her son's eyes dropping with sleep, but he'd refused to go back to bed.

Emma reached over and rubbed his hair, and he gave her a small smile.

"I missed you," he murmured, and Emma's heart all but exploded.

"I missed you too kid," she told him.

David came around the island and put his arm around Emma's shoulder, he pressed a kiss into her hair,

"I'm so glad you're back," he murmured, and Emma felt tears prickle at her eyes,

"Thanks dad," She said, and watched his eyes light up, he beamed at her.

Mary Margaret stepped out of the bathroom, bringing with her a cloud of sweet smelling steam. She sat next to Emma and shoveled pasta into her mouth, David watched her like he expected her to disappear at any point.

"How did you get back?" Henry asked blearily,

"Long story short," Emma said taking a moment to swallow some pasta, "We jumped through a portal made with a magic bean,"

"Cool," Henry exclaimed, "What about the long story?" He asked,

Mary Margaret ruffled his hair, "it's late Henry, and we're both tired, we'll tell you everything tomorrow,"

"We should have a party," David interjected, "to welcome you back, at Granny's!"

"Good idea," Mary Margaret agreed, leaning up to kiss him, Emma looked away.

Henry played with a spoon, clanging it softly against a mug, he worried at his lips.

"Henry?" Emma asked, eyebrows furrowing,

He looked up at her, "You ok?" Emma prodded,

"I just.." he started, then he sighed, looking away, "what about my mo– Regina?"

Emma took a breath, she had been expecting this.

"She's fine, Hen," She said reassuringly, "She went through the portal before us,"

Mary Margaret sighed, "With Cora,"

"Cora?" David asked,

"Regina's mother," Mary Margaret gave David a pointed look, he stared,

"Regina's mother," He repeated, eyes glazing over.

" told us she's the most dangerous witch alive," Henry said quietly, "actually, he thought she was dead," he said, "he said my mo- Regina got a pirate to kill her,"

"Oh yeah, what happened to the pirate?" Emma asked, looking at her father, he shrugged,

"We haven't seen a pirate, have we, Hen?" David looked at the boy, who shrugged, his lids closing.

"Alright," Emma said, rising, "time for bed," she took Henry by the shoulder and maneuvered him up the stairs and into his bed.

She tucked him in, sitting down next to him she pressed her lips into his forehead, taking in his warm smell, the way his eyes closed sleepily. Her heart grew three times its size.

"Emma," he murmured quietly,

"Yeah?" Emma asked, not trusting her voice,

"Can I see my mom tomorrow?"

Emma's stomach turned, she swallowed hard,

"Yeah, of course, kid" she said, unsure whether she was lying, "we'll go see her tomorrow,"

"Thank you," he whispered, then he turned on his side, and in a minute he was asleep.

Emma sighed, getting up. She hadn't expected coming home would be this difficult.

Still, at least her belly was full, and she got to sleep in an actual bed! The thought made her grin, all thoughts of future difficulties gone.

—-

Regina's shoes clacked against the stone of the path that led to her back door. She couldn't wait to get out of these nasty clothes and put on her own things.

The old dress was ripped in several places by now, not to mention that it was covered in dirt.

Cora's footsteps took Regina out of her thoughts. She sighed.

"Is this your house?" Cora asked, she did not sound impressed. Regina rolled her eyes.

"Yes, Mother," she said,

"Did you really give up the castle to live here?"

Regina rounded on her, "I hated the castle, Mother," she growled, "This," she motioned around her, "Is my revenge, my curse, my happiness," she was out of breath, the cool night air dried the sweat clinging to her skin, making her shiver.

"You will not, ruin it," she finished, feeling the ache of the last few months weighing down on her like cement.

She turned and headed to her door, ignoring whatever it was her mother said in response. She fished the extra key from above the door frame.

First, Emma Swan had shown up in her town, unannounced and unwanted, talking about being Henry's birth mother. Like that somehow gave her the right to meddle in their affairs, to act like Henry's mother.

Then the apple. Regina had to admit that may have been a mistake on her part. She should have known! She should have known Henry would eat that damned turnover.

The memory of her son laying in the hospital bed sent a shiver down her spine.

She headed to her kitchen, stomach growling, wondering what she could eat on such short notice, she didn't usually keep snacks.

And then, Emma had had the audacity to break her curse! Of course, Regina couldn't be truly angry, it had saved Henry, and in the end, that was all that mattered.

And yet. Her house stood empty, the only sound was of her mother chatting away, which she had completely tuned out, imagining she was insulting her decor choices.

Henry wasn't there. Henry was probably with David. And he would hate her. As soon as he found out that she'd come back to Storybrooke, leaving his birth mother and grandmother behind, he'd hate her. Regina had to swallow hard to avoid the sob that threatened to slip out of her.

She opened a kitchen cabinet and pulled out a box of cereal. Ripping the package open she grabbed a fistful of flakes and shoveled them in her mouth. She turned on the small light above the kitchen island, flooding the room in harsh white light.

"Oh, Regina," Cora complained, walking in and looking at her, perching on the countertop, hand shoved in the cereal bag, "I really have taught you better than that,"

"Go away," Regina growled, cornflakes muffling her voice a little. She jumped off the countertop and stalked to her sitting room, throwing herself on the couch. The room was cold, and a thin layer of dust had settled on everything. She pulled a throw over herself.

"This room is so dirty," Cora commented, wiping a cabinet with her finger, she looked up at the ceiling, "Although I have to admit that instant lamp is very useful, is it magic?"

Regina scoffed, her mouth was dry and she wished she'd thought to get a glass of water.

"It's electricity," she said, shrugging at her mother's confused look.

"Is there a chamber I can sleep in?" Cora asked, her black dress glittered with jewels under the glare of the electric light. Regina wanted nothing more than to tell her to go away again, to get out of her life, to leave her alone.

"There's a guest bedroom upstairs," She said,

"Are you going to sleep there?" Her mother asked scornfully, pointedly staring at her on the sofa, Regina rolled her eyes.

She was so tired she wasn't sure she'd make it up the stairs.

"I'll come up in a minute," She said, laying her head back against the armrest.

A moment later, she was asleep.

—-

Regina awoke to someone knocking at her door. She got up, massaging her neck. The throw that she'd slept under momentarily put up a fight, and she wrestled herself out of it.

Opening the front door she took an involuntary step back. Emma Swan stood there, two cups of to-go coffee in her hand and a paper bag from Granny's. Regina stared at her.

On autopilot, she stepped away from the door, leaving enough space for Emma to walk past her and into the mansion. As she did, Regina caught a whiff of fresh shampoo off of her. Emma looked much better than she did, her clothes were clean and her blonde hair was styled back in a neat ponytail. Regina looked down at herself as Emma made her way into her kitchen. She still wore the riding dress she'd gotten from her old room in the enchanted forest, she probably smelled like dirt and sweat, and her hair was, at this point, more a bird's nest than a mane.

She followed Emma silently, shutting the door to the kitchen, was Cora still asleep? She glanced at the clock, 9 a.m.

"I got you a cinnamon roll," Emma said, as greeting. She pulled out a plate from Regina's cabinet and set the roll on it.

"Make yourself at home," Regina commented.

Emma rolled her eyes and pulled out another plate, setting a bear claw on it. She slid one of the paper cups to Regina, who took it gratefully and sniffed at the wonderful smell of coffee emanating from it. She gave Emma a grateful look. Emma bit her lower lip.

"How did you get back?" Regina asked, taking a sip, an explosion of coffee flavor filled her senses, she closed her eyes, resisting the urge to hum.

"We went through your portal," Emma said, taking a bite out of her bear claw, "Thanks for waiting for us by the way," She sneered.

Regina was taken aback. Emma thought she'd left her there on purpose. Of course she did. Taking a step towards her, Regina sighed, "Emma I tried waiting for you, my mother pushed us through,"

"Right," Emma said, chewing thoughtfully.

Regina gingerly took the cinnamon bun and smelled it, and oh, her mouth was watering already.

"It's not poisoned," Emma told her,

Regina looked up to see Emma watching her with a glint of amusement in her green eyes. She straightened her back. Just because she was covered in dirt and probably smelled like she hadn't showered in a month did not make her any less a Queen.

"I know," She said primly, taking a bite out of the pastry. She almost moaned. Almost.

"Where is she now?" Emma asked, taking Regina out of her cinnamon-induced reverie.

"Who?" Regina asked, between mouthfuls.

"Your mother."

Regina swallowed, she stared at Emma with what she hoped was not a guilty look.

"She's upstairs, sleeping, I think,"

Emma glared at her, and Regina could see all of her judgment plain on her face.

"She's my mother," She said, simply. She gave a small shrug.

"Your mother who has tried multiple times to kill us!" Emma said, voice rising, "Your mother who has done nothing but hurt you, Regina," Emma's fingers massaged the bridge of her nose.

Regina closed her eyes. Emma didn't understand, she couldn't. When Emma had found her family, they had been everything she'd hoped for. More than what she'd hoped for. But Regina's family had always been Cora, who had done everything for her, who had sacrificed so much for her daughter. Cora, who loved her.

"Henry?" Regina asked, changing the subject to what she'd been thinking about since Emma walked in.

Emma clenched her jaw, "He's fine, he's been living with David," She said, and Regina felt a small weight lift off her chest, she nodded.

"He wants to see you," Emma said.

"He does?" Regina asked, hating the note of supplication in her voice. Of course he wanted to see her! He was her son, she was his mother.

"Yeah," Emma said, "But I won't let him,"

Regina stared at the woman in front of her for a moment, wondering if she'd lost her mind, or perhaps had a secret death wish. A flame rose to life within her. The Evil Queen always just a thought away.

Emma held up her hand, seeing Regina's instant transformation,

"I won't let you see him as long as Cora's around,"

"What?"

"Get rid of your mother, and then you can see Henry," Emma explained,

"You want me to kill my own mother?" Regina asked, bewildered.

Emma rolled her eyes, "First, you already tried to do that. I don't see why you're so shocked,"

Regina was about to argue that it wasn't the same when Emma continued, "And second, I didn't ask you to kill her, I just don't want her around my son,"

Regina bit her lip, resisting the urge to bite back.

"Our son," Emma corrected herself, giving her a meaningful look. "Your mother is dangerous, Regina," She continued, "You know that,"

Picking up the now empty plates, Regina put them in the sink. Her head bent, she massaged her neck. It hurt from having slept on the couch.

"Okay," She said, "Bring Henry this afternoon,"

"Cora won't be here?" Emma asked, she stood next to Regina, watching her as she washed the dishes. Regina turned to glare at her, noticing how close they were standing all of a sudden,

"She won't be," she spat,

"Good," Emma said, her face was now very close to Regina's, whose hands were still soapy, warm water running over them in the sink. Regina studied Emma's green gaze, involuntarily, her eyes fell to the savior's lips. She cursed herself silently.

A noise from upstairs caused both of them to jump, putting distance between them. Emma blinked, her assured facade fading in the blink of an eye,

"I'd better go," She said, and Regina gave her a venomous smile. Emma still had the presence of mind to be afraid of her mother.

"Fine," She said, "See you later,"

—-

Regina headed upstairs, the first order of business was a shower. Her legs still ached, but climbing the stairs was actually doable, something she'd doubted the evening before. The sound of her mother walking around in the guest bedroom set her teeth on edge. Her criticism already running through Regina's mind.

She wouldn't like the color scheme, of that, Regina was certain, Cora had always been partial to strong colors, red, black, navy. Regina sighed, shutting herself in the master bedroom bathroom, and locking the door, just in case. She could tell her mother had been here, rummaging around, looking for Regina's secrets. To use against her.

She stripped, ripping the fabric of the dress nonchalantly, she wasn't going to be using it anymore.

The jet of hot water felt like heaven on her skin, and she was suddenly very aware of how cold she'd soaked up the warmth with a sigh.

The smell of her shampoo brought a smile to her face, it was apple scented, and that's why she bought it, she didn't care that it was a cheap, drugstore brand. She wrinkled her nose as she imagined her mothers' reaction to that.

Kicking her mother out was not going to be easy, and not just because of the fight Regina was very much not looking forward to, but because, deep down, Regina cared for her mother, she always had, even when she should have hated her.

Daniel's lifeless body flashed in front of Regina's eyes, she took a breath, inhaling the scent of her body wash, grounding herself in it. She was used to it, she had spent the better part of four decades thinking of Daniel.

She reached for another bottle, conditioner. She stared at it for a moment, a smile curling on her lips. It had been strictly forbidden (by herself) to think of what had happened between her and Emma in that forest, she'd decided to chalk it up to adrenaline and exhaustion, and that was that.

Now though, the memory of Emma's lips on hers, hands circling her waist, her green eyes dark with lust…Regina swallowed, pushing the thoughts away, deep down where they couldn't bother her, or turn her on.

She slathered the conditioner in her hair mechanically.

—-

Stepping out of her bedroom fully dressed, Regina took a look at herself in the mirror. She smiled at the reflection, she had lost weight, but she still looked good in her tight red dress, stilettos giving her that extra inch she needed.

Glancing in the guest bedroom she noticed her mother wasn't there, so she headed downstairs.

She found Cora in the kitchen, going through her cabinets.

"Regina," Cora said, "I don't understand any of these foods," She gestured towards the packages lined up neatly, "Do you have anything I could eat?"

Regina grabbed a bag of oatmeal and poured it into a bowl, the milk had probably gone bad, so she poured water into it instead. She popped it into the microwave.

"And what is that cold box over there?" Cora asked, pointing to the refrigerator, she was standing well away from it,

"It's to keep food from spoiling," Regina explained, watching her mother's face as she handed her the bowl of fully cooked oatmeal in under thirty seconds.

"And that is a warming up box?" Cora asked, looking at the microwave,

Regina laughed, "I suppose you could call it that," She handed her mother the sugar and a spoon,

"Well," Cora said, sprinkling a generous serving onto her bowl, "At least you have sugar here," She said,

"It's dirt cheap," Regina told her, remembering how, even at court, sugar had been hard to come by, since it was so expensive. When she'd been a girl, they had eaten it maybe twice a year, and that was only because they were technically royalty.

Cora stared, "What a strange land," she murmured, digging into her breakfast.

Regina sat down opposite her mother at the kitchen island.

"Mother," She said, "After this," she gestured to her meal, "I want you to leave," the words flowed out of her, though they felt like nails in her throat.

Cora studied her for a moment, "You want me to leave?" She asked,

"Yes," Regina held her head high, jaw set, she could not show weakness now.

Cora pondered this for a long moment, "And where shall I go?" she asked finally,

"I don't know," Regina said, "And I don't care," she added, lying only a little, "If you need money, I'll give it to you, but I need you out of this house and out of my life,"

Regina grabbed the empty bowl and placed it in the sink, her back to her mother.

"I am your mother, Regina" Cora said,rising, "I came here for you!"

Regina rolled her eyes, thankful that her mother couldn't see her face, "I didn't ask you to," she said, annoyed.

"I want to be a family again," Cora whispered, switching tactics with a speed that gave Regina whiplash, "Regina, please, I want to meet your son," Cora continued, placing her hand on her daughter's shoulder.

Regina turned to face her, hoping her expression did not give away her pain, or her anger, "My son," Regina spat, "is exactly the reason you need to leave,"

"What do you mean?" Cora's eyebrows furrowed.

Regina was quiet, knowing she'd said too much, she swallowed and looked away.

"It's that wretched girl, Emma, isn't it?" Cora asked, her tone harsh again, "She is not Henry's mother! She doesn't get to decide if you see him or not,"

Regina sighed, Cora had a point there, but she couldn't very well force Henry to her side, not with the whole town against her,"Except she does, mother," Regina said, "And she'll let me see him, if only you would get out of my life!" She almost stamped her foot in frustration, but resisted that urge, knowing how immature it would look.

"She is not your family," Cora growled, "She is not your friend, either," She spat, "she wants to divide us because she wants you alone and vulnerable, Regina, don't you see that?" she continued, taking Regina's hands in her own, "They don't love you, they don't care about you," she said, "They hate you. After everything you've done? They want you dead,"

Regina shook her head, "I can take care of myself, mother," She said, standing her ground resolutely, perhaps it was true, perhaps Emma hated her, but she had to see her son again, no matter the cost.

"You're going to regret this," Cora said, "I am the only one who loves you." She whispered, "everything I did, I did for you," She stroked Regina's cheek, her dark eyes watered, "I sacrificed so much for you,"

Regina looked away, eyes closed,

"You'll see it someday," Cora said, "and you'll come back to me,"

Regina nodded, not seeing the point in arguing, "Just go,"

yay another Friday another chapter! I hope you like this one, I really hated how Regina never stood up to her mother in the show, so here she is! Next chapter, she finally reunites with Henry! yayyy