Regina has never seen a place like that before. The building was messy, dark, there were dead cockroaches on the stairs. The residents threw out their trash in the hallway. Regina had held her nose, she was not vomiting in the last 24 hours, but that didn't mean she wouldn't again because of this terrible smell. Lily's life was horrible indeed, if her flat was in this building.

"Why did I go through the trouble of creating Storybrooke when I could've cursed everyone to live here?" Regina asked.

Emma didn't say anything, just started knocking on the door. Lily didn't answer, but the neighbor opened his door. The men looked exactly like someone who was living there.

"Oh, sorry to disturb you, we are just looking for Lilith Page." Emma said to him. "Is she around?"

"No, she ain't around. Not for years." The man answered.

"Do you know where she moved?" Emma asked.

"Lady, she ain't moving nowhere. She's dead."

"What?" That was the only question that could come out from Emma's mouth.

"Car wreck a couple years back. Pretty sure she was drunk. Not that anyone missed her. She was a weird one. You know, kept to herself. Of course she had one of those personalities that you wanted to stay far away from. A real loser."

That was the moment when Emma grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pushed him to the wall. She prepared her fist to hit him.

"Emma. Emma!" Regina shouted.

The men suffocated.

"It's not worth it." Regina reminded her.

Emma let him, the men fell to the ground, gasping and coughing.

"Hey. You okay?" Regina asked Emma. She was really pale and she had a strange, negligent look on her face.

"Yes, I'm fine. Absolutely fine."

—

"Wanna talk about what happened back there?" Regina asked. The two of them were sitting in the bug again. Headed to New York, because Emma accepted the fact that Lily is dead.

"Nope." Emma said.

"You nearly put that guy through a wall."

"Look, I know what you are thinking, but what happened back there wasn't me turning dark." Emma explained. She was still really pale and looked furious.

"It was mourning a friend. Can you understand that?"

"Emma, you know you are not responsible for what happened to her."

"You sure? You heard what that guy said. Her life wasn't pretty, it was dark. That darkness was meant for me. Or could have been, or…" Regina shouted her name, there was a wolf on the street. Emma's eyes widened, she pulled the wheel away, the car slipped on the road before they could stop.

"Fuck. Are you okay?" Emma asked, turning to Regina.

The big black and gray wolf disappeared from the road.

"Yes." Regina nodded. "You?"

Emma sighed.

"This has happened before. The wolf on the road, an accident, the first time when I tried to leave Storybrooke."

The tire was deflated.

"Stop overthinking. It's not fate, it's just a flat. We need a new tire. Unless fate wants you to go to the Coffee Mug diner for help." Regina said and looked at the sign. "It should be a really decent place. I'll get tired, you get some coffee."

"Wait!" Emma snapped at her. "You don't want to bring the tire by herself, right?"

Regina looked at her with a really meaningful face.

"Okay, I get it." Emma waved and went for the coffee.

—

"Hey!" Emma greeted the brown haired waitress at the diner. "Two cups of coffee and a pack of Advil."

"Tough day?" The waitress asked as she brought her the paper cups and filled them with coffee.

"You don't know the half of it." Emma sighed.

"I will leave the pot here then." The waitress said.

Emma looked at her wrist. She had a similar birthmark like Lily. A star. It was her. The wolf was sent by fate. As she saw her face it became more obvious. She looked a lot of like Maleficent. The name card on her shirt said her name was Starla.

"I'll be back with your Advil." The waitress left the coffee pot on the table and turned back to her business.

"Car's being towed in. And you do not need to worry. As I stepped to the gas station, three men applied to help us. I started to believe what they say about pregnant women… What?" Regina sat down, but when she saw Emma's face she didn't finish her sentence.

"It's… It's her." Emma looked at the waitress.

"Well, fate is really bitch."

Emma saw as "Starla" left the diner, maybe she forgot about those Advils, she stood up and followed her.

"Hey, Starla."

The waitress looked at her with a confused look.

"Was something wrong? Did I bring you decaf by mistake? I'm so sorry, I always get the pots mixed up." She was embarrassed.

"Starla isn't your name, is it?" Emma asked directly. "Lily."

Lily raised her eyebrow.

"How do you know that?"

Emma grabbed her wrist.

"This mark. You showed it to me a long time ago outside a crappy Cub Foods in Hopkins, Minnesota."

Lily blinked at her with confusion.

"Emma?"

"I thought you were dead. What the hell happened to you?"

"I got into trouble, uh, with some bad people a couple years ago, and I needed a fresh start." Lily said. "But I've been careful. How did you find me?"

Poor girl, thought Emma. She should get to know and process all the craziness she had to face years ago. What should've she said to her? Hey, have you seen Sleeping Beauty? Because you are the villain's daughter, you know, who put a sleeping curse on the princess.

"Fate." Emma said.

"What?" Lily almost chuckled.

"I know this is gonna sound crazy, but remember when we were kids, you used to say that you and I were connected? Like something was drawing us together?"

"Yeah, that's something teenage girls say and then you braid each other's hair and become BFFs." Lily shrugged.

"What if you were right? What if… there's a reason your life has been on a downswing ever since we met?" Emma asked. She knew she didn't have the perfect words, but she became excited. She was alive.

"That all your problems are not your fault, they're mine?" She continued.

"You are right, that sounds crazy." Lily said.

"I know it's complicated, but I can explain everything if you come with me. I just need you to trust me."

"Look, I don't know what kind of 12-steps program you are in, but I've moved on. I'm fine." Lily stated and turned away, started walking.

"You are living in the middle of nowhere under an assumed name." Emma followed her. "I can help you."

"I don't need your help." Lily turned back to her for a second. "And my life is great, thank you very much. I have an awesome daughter and a loving husband. Last thing I need is for you to come into my life and just blow it apart again, so if you'll excuse me, that's my daughter' bus." She said when a yellow school bus arrived at the parking lot.

"Umm… I'm sorry for everything." Emma didn't know why she said that. Because of the past?

"You don't need to apologize, we were kids. To be honest, I haven't even thought about you in years." Lily said and turned away to the bus.

She was lying. Emma felt it.

"Tire's being fixed." Regina announced.

Emma was staring at Lily and her daughter. The girl got off the bus and started speaking with her mom. The whole scene was really strange.

"So, it was her." Regina said, she was also watching Lily and her girl. "Well, Emma, looks like you didn't ruin her life after all."

Emma didn't say anything just went back to the diner.

—

"What are you doing?" Regina asked when finally Emma appeared in the parking lot.

"I just swiped Starla's time card. It has her real adresse."

"But she said she didn't want our help." Regina didn't understand what was going in Emma's mind.

"And she was lying."

"You saw her with her child." Regina said.

"A child. You know me. I know when someone is lying, and she was. She always has. Why would she be any different now?"

They got back to the car.

"Something is wrong. We have to go find her. I'm gonna help her this time. I'm gonna get her back to her mom." Emma said and she started the car.

—

Emma's word about saving Lily was really serious. Regina didn't expect they would break into someone's house, but Emma was really determined.

"No kids stuff." That was her first sentence when they entered Lily's apartman. "No sign of a husband."

"Okay." Regina sighed. "Well, if you want me to admit you were right, well, you were right."

"Can't blame her for running off. I was about to tell her she is Maleficent's daughter." They started to look around in the not so tiny but really dirty apartman.

"Yeah, that might have been tough to swallow."

"Well, you know how long it took for me to believe, and it was in Storybrooke. For her, it's not gonna be simple."

"Emma." Regina found an interesting thing on the wall. It was a map with circles and question marks, she was trying to find Storybrooke because she wrote it on the map. A few pictures, drawings. About Snow White, Prince Charming, the Evil Queen, Maleficent and even the Author. She knew where she came from. She obviously knew.

"She already knew." Emma was surprised.

"And she was looking for you." Regina showed with her index finger on a photo about Emma. The 12 years old Emma.

"No. My parents." Emma said when she saw the red lines crossing her parents' picture. "She wants revenge."

Someone started the yellow bug engine, Emma shook her head.

"Really?"

They started to run out of the apartment. Lily stole the car.

"Emma. The Apprentice's scroll. It was in my bag in the car!"

"She wanted a way to Storybrooke, now she got one." Emma said. She found a tool chest and grabbed from it a heavy object.

"What are you doing?" Regina asked.

"That girl destroyed my life with one family. I'm not letting her do it again." She broke a car window and the two of them got into a stolen vehicle.

Emma followed Lily with a high speed, luckily Regina didn't forget to seat her belt. She held onto the car's door.

"She is doing it again, Regina. Every time I let Lily in she rips apart my life. Now, she is going after my parents. I have to stop her."

Regina hoped she didn't threw up, trying to watch the lines on the road.

"You will, but you can't go in with a head of steam." Regina reminded her. She believed if she started to concentrate to calm down Emma, maybe she would avoid the sickness.

"You'll end up doing something you regret."

"Really? Tell me, Your Majesty, what are your plans for Zelena? A nice chat over tea?" Emma mocked her.

"That's different." Regina said.

"How? Zelena lays a hand on Robin Hood, you'll destroy her, right? Right. So I'll do the same with Lily."

Regina looked at her with disbelief.

"Careful, Emma. You're starting to sound like…"

"Like what? A villain?" Emma interrupted her. "That's the real world, Regina, there are no heroes and villains, just real people with real problems. So if you are gonna stop me, you can find your own way back to New York."

Regina sighed. Her words were useless. After chasing Lily for a few minutes, they finally caught her. Luckily, because that was the time when Regina couldn't hold back her malaise. So Emma got out of the car, she opened the door and threw up on the road. She knew she had to pull herself together, because Emma really would do something that she regrets.

Emma ran after Lily and stopped her.

"Hey, hey! You know. You know everything. Did you know when we were kids?"

"Of course not." Lily answered.

"But now?"

"Yeah. I learned it all."

"How?" Emma asked.

"Does it really matter? It doesn't change anything. You screwed me over before we were even born."

"I had no more say in what happened than you did." Emma snapped at her.

"But your parents did. And in the minute I get to Storybrooke…"

"You lay a hand on them, I end you." Emma became really angry. She pushed Lily away, Maleficent' daughter fell on the road.

"Emma, stop!" Regina shouted.

"Yeah? And how are you gonna do that without your magic, Savior?" Lily stood up and she hit her face.

Suddenly thundered and the yellow bug's reflector broke.

Emma was panting, she wiped away the blood from her mouth.

"Your parents are monsters, Emma. They banished me and threw you in a wardrobe. And now here you are ready to die for them because you are so perfect. The Savior. Well, they deserve to be punished. And there's only one way to stop me, and you know it."

Emma grabbed her shoulders and pulled her on the road again. After that she took out her gun and aimed it to Lily's heart.

Lily chuckled. "Of course it ends this way. This just makes too much sense."

"I'm just trying to stop you from doing something you'll regret." Emma said.

"You can't." Lily shook her head. "Thanks to you I'm hardwired for bad decisions. So, come on, just put me out of my misery. You know the truth. We both know my life isn't worth saving. And if you let me go, I'll destroy everything. So be a hero, and end it right here, before it even starts."

Regina headed closer to them with slow steps.

Lily scoffed. "Come on, Emma, do it!"

"Swan, put the gun down." Regina asked her. Emma didn't move. "If you pull that trigger, you will be the one who ruins your life this time. And Henry's, and your parents' and everyone else's."

"I have to protect them." Emma answered, she was still holding the gun on Lily's body.

"Then lower the gun." Regina raised her voice. "Your parents need a hero, not a murderer."

"I'm already a murderer."

"Cruella was an accident. But if you cross this line, the journey back isn't easy. Trust me, I know. This is what Gold wants you to do. So don't."

Emma was staring into Lily's face.

"Emma! You are better than this."

She finally put down the gun. Regina sighed in relief.

—

Maleficent called Regina and told her she lost Belle's heart. It was a big problem, so she announced to the two women, who finally didn't want to kill each other, that they had to hurry. Emma tried to summarize for Lily where they were going and why and even though she knew everything about the Enchanted Forest, when she got to know that Regina's evil half sister disguised herself to be Regina's love interest's wife, she was surprised. She didn't have to say anything, they could read everything from her face.

Regina started being really excited and upset. Whatever would happen she would meet Robin. After two months. Just about the thought her heart started beating faster. When they arrived in New York, it was dark already. Robin and Roland were living in Neal's apartment with Zelena, so Emma knew everything about the area. She took Regina's hand for a second before they got out of the car and said: everything will be alright.

The elevator went up really slowly, it felt like an eternity. Regina tried to take deep breaths to calm herself down. I will meet him. In a few seconds I'll meet him and tell him his whole life since Marian has returned was a lie.

They stood before the door.

"That's it." Emma said.

Regina nodded and before she could even think about it what she would do, just started knocking on the door.

"Robin? Robin, open up!" He didn't answer for a few seconds and she started to think about the worst, when finally the door opened.

Robin looked at her with wide eyes. It looked like he didn't believe that's the truth. Regina sighed and smiled at him. He was alive, he was okay.

"Regina? Is that really you?" Robin didn't wait for the answer, just stepped closer and hugged her. Regina pursed her lips, she didn't want to cry. She held him tightly, like she never ever wanted to let him.

"I missed you." She said.

Robin groaned. "And I you, you can't imagine how much. But…what… what are you doing here?" he asked, they aparted from the hug, but Robin still held her hand. "Are you okay?" He looked at Emma in confusion.

"I can explain everything, but first, where's Marian?" Regina asked.

"She is at the store. Why?"

"Good. Then there's time." Regina nodded. "But we have to act fast." She gently put her palm on Robin's shoulder and pushed him to the flat. Lily and Emma were following them.

"What… what's this about?" Robin asked. He looked more worried than surprised.

"Marian." Regina said. "We have to leave before she gets back. She is not who she says she is."

"What?" Robin asked.

"She is my sister, Zelena."

"The Wicked Witch?" Robin frowned. "But she is dead! We all saw that."

"Somehow she tricked us and went back in time." Regina answered quickly. They needed to be hurry. "Robin, she went back and she killed Marian. She took her place to get back at me."

Robin's face went pale.

"I… I felt there was something wrong… but… I… this is madness."

"I know, I know, but we have to be quick…" Regina couldn't finish her sentence, because "Marian" entered the flat.

"Robin, what's going on?" She asked and when she saw Regina she added. "And what is she doing here?"

"It's over, Zelena. I told him everything." Regina said.

"Marian" put down the groceries and tried to reach Robin.

"What is she talking about?"

"Leave me alone!" Robin said to her and stepped away.

"Where is the magic? You must've brought something to make this glamour work. Where is it, Zelena? Show me or I will rip you apart until I find it!" Regina shouted.

Zelena realized it was really the end and she smirked on her sister.

"Don't get so angry, sis, it is not good for your skin." She grabbed a medal wich one she wore on her neck turned right and left. One second later Zelena was standing in front of us. It would have been hard to say who was more surprised. Lily because of the magic and Robin because now he got the proof.

"Hello, dear husband!" Zelena greeted her. "To be honest I was waiting for that moment for a long time. I almost died of boredom. Why are you into him, sis?"

"Shut the fuck up or I'll really kill you." Regina threatened her, when Emma took her shoulder.

"I think Roland should be here also." She said.

"Yes… he… is sleeping in his room. He didn't feel well." Robin nodded.

"Okay, then we have to calm down." Emma reminded Regina.

"Oh, why?" Zelena asked. "Did you forget that I killed your son's father?"

"I didn't say I won't make a big bonfire on the Main Street of Storybrooke and make a check on how a witch burns down." Emma looked at Zelena. "But that show is not for children."

"Do you think I'll go back with you? I'm not really enjoy my last time in Storybrooke. Except when I was frozen. That was funny in some way." Zelena mocked them.

Robin clenched his fists.

"This is the land without magic, so you don't have any other choice." Regina said.

"What do you say, Lily? Do you want to help me to accompany the Wicked Witch of the West to the car?" Emma pulled out her gun.

"I think it's not the time for me to deny this possibility." Lily answered.

"Oh, do you have a new friend? I'm not surprised you got bored of the pirate, or the men in general because of him." Zelena said.

Emma rolled her eyes, stepped to Zelena, grabbed her arms and took the gun to her side.

"If you say anything while we are heading to the car, I'll pull that trigger." Emma announced.

"But we didn't even chat with my lovely sister."

Emma pulled her and accompanied her to the door. Lily followed them.

"We take Roland and go after you." Regina said.

When they left the flat, Robin just sat down and buried his face into his palm.

"I'm sorry." Regina didn't know what else she should've said. That whole thing happened because of her. Robin didn't look good. He lost weight, he was really pale.

"You sorry?" He asked and finally looked into Regina's eyes. "I ruined my life, I let her around my son, I… As I said, I knew something was not okay. She acted oddly, but I believed I felt that way because I don't love her anymore."

Regina sighed. Tears appeared on her face. She needs to be strong, she thought. Now the only important thing is to get back home.

"I'm sorry, Regina. Truly sorry."

"No, you don't have to say that. It's not your fault. Just bring Roland and we are going home."

"It's my fault. I made the wrong decision, milady."

Regina sighed as she heard that nickname. She missed him so much. At first she believed she felt dizzy because of the emotions, but when her mouth dried and the room started spinning with her she realized it was the pregnancy.

"Are you alright?" Robin almost jumped up and stepped next to her, taking her hand.

"Yes, I just… need to sit down." Regina said and let Robin accompany her to a chair. He looked at her with worried eyes.

"I'll bring you a glass of water." Robin said and hurried to the kitchen.

Regina started to take deep breaths. She already had this besides the throwing up. After a few seconds it'll be easier.

"Here you are." Robin returned from the kitchen. Regina nodded, accepted the water and drank a few gulps.

"What's the matter? Are you sick?" Robin was still worrying.

Regina tried to calm him down, she smiled, she started to get back her energy.

"No, I'm alright. I'm just tired, we had a long journey to get here."

She saw in Robin's eyes he didn't believe her, but didn't ask anything. He already knows her. If she doesn't want to speak about something, he never forces her.

"We have to go, Robin."

Robin nodded. "I see, but… Roland. What should I say to him? He wouldn't understand what happened with Marian."

"I can make him a forgetting-potion." Regina suggested. "You just have to bring him back to the place where Marian appeared. He will lose some time, but maybe in this situation it will be the best option."

Robin smiled at her while she was speaking.

"What?" Regina asked with a confused look.

"I just really missed you.

Regina took his hand and squeezed it gently.

"And you look different." Robin added.

"Different?" Regina repeated. He should've been still in shock. He was just speaking nonsense.

"More beautiful if it's possible."

Regina didn't say anything, just looked into his blue eyes.

"Regina?" It was Roland's voice. He appeared in the kitchen in his pajamas. "Am I dreaming?"

Regina whipped away her tears and smiled at the little boy.

"No, honey, you are not dreaming. It's me."

Roland literally ran to her and jumped into her lap, hugged her.

"Careful, Roland." Robin warned him, but he was smiling too.

"I missed you so much." Roland said.

"I missed you too, my brave knight. Look at you, you are a big boy now." Regina caressed his little face.

"Are you coming for us?" Roland asked with hope in his voice. "Do you save me, papa and mama?"

Regina looked at Robin, before she said to Roland:

"Papa, me and you… we are going back to Storybrooke. And your mama will also…"

Luckily Robin realized that his task was to explain Roland, so he crouched down to him.

"Mama will follow us, just a little bit later because she has some work with the flat."

"Okay. But can she get back alone?"

"She will not be alone, son, do you remember Mr. Gold? He is still here in New York, he will help mama to go back to the town."

Roland nodded.

"Can you show Regina that you are really a big boy now and getting dressed yourself? Bring your monkey too, Regina will save him also."

Roland hugged Regina again, after jumped off her lap and ran into his room. He was excited.

"Now I lie to him." Robin sighed.

"He is really young, Robin and Zelena's trick was so cruel."