The Mayor's Office – Storybrooke Town Hall

"DAMMIT, SYDNEY! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?"

Regina was beyond irritated. She'd spent the last two hours trying to track her missing newspaper editor and personal slave down, but he couldn't be found. Emma had called in at the Storybrooke Mirror office earlier, but there'd been no sign of him. She'd thought about walking into Granny's diner, but given everything that'd happened yesterday, without her magic, she decided against. Without that power, for the first time in years, she felt vulnerable. She'd forgotten this was how most people felt?

~oOo~

Meanwhile...

Emma phoned her to say she couldn't track down Daniel Morrison, the Chairman of the Council who'd arranged the EGM, either.

Without her magic, there was no way Emma could cover the entire town to find him in time. And even then, what if she did? Was she going to ask him what the urgent meeting was all about? That old fart was unlikely to tell her anyway. Nonetheless, she called into his office, asking his PA where he was, and his agenda was for the day. A very haughty woman gave her short shrift, saying he was in the office at the very start of the day, then left for a meeting at the school. Other than that, unless she had business with the man, she was not at liberty to divulge his movements, unless she came with a warrant to do so.

Emma stormed off in a huff, to head back to the town hall. And from i nside, watching Emma's car pull away, the PA made a call.

"Yes Daniel, Sheriff Swan-Jones has just left. She was asking about your agenda for today? She already knew about your two o' clock at the town hall. Obviously, I said nothing. She also asked whether I'd seen Mr. Glass of the Mirror? It appears she's trying to track him down, too."

"Thank you, Janet. I'll be in the office first thing, as I suspect there might be quite the extra workload in the morning. Enjoy the rest of your day. Goodbye."

He ended the call on the speakerphone. "Well, as I think you all heard, it would appears Mr. Glass and I are much in demand, prior to our meeting?"

"So it would seem. Might I suggest that you all wait here, until a few minutes before two? I can then teleport everyone into the meeting room directly. It might save some premature…interference?"

All the people around the conference table nodded.

"Yes, Mr. Gold. Under the circumstances, that would be an excellent idea."

The Town Hall – 13.55

"As nobody's shown up yet, why don't you just cancel it? It'll give you more time to find out what's going on?"

"Strictly speaking Emma, I can't. When I became the Elected Queen, the rules for all the regions' governing councils changed. All the elected councillors, including the Mayor, get an equal vote. There's eleven of us for Storybrooke. Any one of us can call an EGM, and if there's a split on a vote, the mayor gets the casting vote. But…if not enough people arrive at two on the dot, the meeting can then be rescheduled. It used to be so much easier in the olden days! I could pick my own councillors, like the Sheriff's deputies, and have control over all departments, without challenge."

There was a loud rapping on the door, after which her secretary appeared.

"Sorry to disturb you, Madam Mayor. I thought you should know the councillors have all arrived and taken their seats in the conference room? They're waiting for you."

"THEY'RE WHAT?" Regina was horrified. "How? I never saw any of them come in the main entrance? And I can see everything from here!"

"I'm really not sure, but Mr. Briar said most of them are here. And Mr. Morrison said they'll be starting the meeting in two minutes, regardless."

~oOo~

Two minutes later...

Regina strode angrily through the door, to find everyone waiting for her.

"Madam Mayor? Good to see you. You too, Sheriff Swan-Jones. Do please take your seats? I think everyone's ready to start." The old former lawyer to the royal court gave her a nervous smile.

"Morrison, who even gave you permission to call this meeting?" Regina glared down at him. "I only received notice of it this morning!"

"As did everyone else, I'm afraid. I called it at the urgent request of two councillors, which, I'm sure you won't need reminding, is permitted under the current rules? Mr. Gold and Mrs. Lucas did stress the urgency."

Ah. So they're the culprits? Regina looked down the table at the scowling owner of the diner, Eugenia Lucas. Next to her sat Victor Whale, representing the hospital. Next to him, Aurora Briar, who ran the nursing homes, then Archie Hopper, Gold, Philip Briar for the militia, Daniel Morrison, then four empty chairs.

"As we all know, Councillor Flynn is currently in hospital, so he can't attend. I already sent him our regards."

Emma noticed one of the empty seats. "Where's Snow White? Why isn't she here for this?"

"Because she's currently being interviewed under caution by Sheriff Morgan, at the Sheriff's Office."

"Interviewed? In my office?" It was Emma's turn to scowl, taking her seat next to Regina. "My mother's been arrested? Why? More importantly, why wasn't I told?"

"Because as I'm sure you're aware Sheriff, a law officer such as yourself cannot be seen to be directly involved in the arrest, detainment, or interview of anyone they're directly related to. It would be a conflict of interest. No, that must be left to the judgment of the next senior officer available. In this case, Hank Morgan."

"What's she been arrested for?"

"Indecent exposure in a public area. That, and the physical assault of a minor. Sadly, both events were witnessed."

Emma shared a horrified look with Regina, who immediately attacked the decision. "The Sheriff may not have been informed, but why the hell wasn't I? I'm your Mayor, god dammit! The Sheriff's Office reports to me!"

"It does, and it doesn't, dearie." Gold now spoke up, eyeing her coolly. "First, you're indirectly related to Mrs. Nolan, or Miss Blanchard, as she currently wishes to be known, as her stepmother. Secondly, you are currently in a relationship with the woman's daughter, are you not? Well, that's two rather large conflicts of interest, right there! And finally, because recent actions by both of you have also become a central part of our proceedings today."

"Our proceedings?" Regina was finding it hard to hold back her temper. If only she had her damn magic. "And what's the objective of these proceedings?"

The smallest glimmer of a smile now played on his lips. "Why, your immediate suspension from office, of course! The same goes for Sheriff Swan-Jones. The result of you both having broken the law recently, thus proving yourselves unfit for public office. There's been several…incidents."

"Ah, now we're getting somewhere," Regina's glare turned into a malicious smile, as she stood up again, her hands resting on the desk, scanning their faces. "That's what this is about. You want me out!"

"Merely suspended, pending investigations. You brought it upon yourselves."

Emma now joined the attack. "This isabout last night, isn't it?" She waved her left arm, with the coloured cuff. "That's why you put these on us?"

"They were put on at the request of your son, because he felt that, with your current erratic behaviour, you were a danger to others. As you proved to be. Henry, and only Henry, can remove them."

"Mr. Gold?" Archie spoke up, keen to try if he could, to keep things civil. "Could you explain the specific allegations against them, so everyone's aware?"

"Certainly. In the Sheriff's case, it's based on the fact she physically assaulted a child yesterday, in a public café, in full view of witnesses. Then, when the poor boy's father came to his aid, she used magic to launch him across the room, and into a wall. Fortunately, he only suffered cuts and bruises. And finally, she assaulted my grandson, Henry Mills, shortly after that. Earlier in the week she also attempted to choke the life out of her current husband, in front of their daughter! We have a witness for that, too. Hardly conduct befitting an officer of the law now, is it? I'm putting forward a motion that she be suspended from office with immediate effect, pending thorough, independent investigation into all allegations. As for the Mayor, there have been several more incidents. But one is particularly serious. Only yesterday, she publicly threatened the life of her current husband, Robin Locksley, if he ever sets foot in the town."

"That man beat up my fiancée! Look at the state of her face?"

"He did, but only in response to her physically attacking his son, and then himself, first. It was all witnessed by many, including myself and Mrs. Lucas here. Mr. Chairman, I put those magic-blocking cuffs on them, at Henry's request, because they both appear to be, temporarily we hope, mentally unhinged."

If she's had her magic to hand, Regina would have launched a fireball at the bastard. But she decided to stay quiet, knowing he may have more.

"And I see you have the witness statements here, too?"

Daniel Morrison pulled papers out of a folder each the councillors had in front of them. "Very good. Now, does anyone wish to ask any questions before we proceed to voting on Mr. Gold's motion?"

Seeing how they all shook their heads, Regina was now more certain than ever that they'd already discussed it, and were conspiring to remove her, with or without witnesses.

"Well I have a question."

"Go ahead, Madam Mayor. Please speak freely."

"Do you seriously imagine you can remove me, and Emma, from running this town? I created Storybrooke! It's my town!"

Aurora spoke up for the first time. "A town you created with a curse, pulling people here from their own lands, without asking permission. Nobody asked us to be here! Do you seriously think you have some God-given right to rule over us all? Forever? Are you so stupidly arrogant to believe you have any right over us? That's why we have elections!"

"That's an excellent point," Victor Whale nodded. "It reminds me that we're well overdue a mayoral election? The last one, five years ago, was limited to choosing from only two candidates, and under the old rules. Why only two? And everyone knew Sidney Glass would never have contested it and run against you, if you hadn't told him to!"

"Ah, thank you for bringing up Mr. Glass, Doctor." Rumple pulled out another folder, taking out some notes as he stared hard at Regina. "It's also come to my attention that Mr. Glass has been required to fabricate false allegations of child abuse, theft and intimidation against the Merry Men and their leader, in a bid to have them evicted and banished. All at the behest of Mayor Mills."

"That's a very serious allegation, Mr. Gold." Daniel Morrison sat up. "More serious than threats. Do you have proof, or a statement from Mr. Glass himself?"

"He's been under an enslavement charm, cast by the Mayor back in the Enchanted Forest when she was known as the Evil Queen. I have the original prepared drafts of his Friday edition, as evidence, together with his signed statement."

But Rumple's prepared statement was cut short by Regina, who'd heard enough. She started clapping, slowly.

"BRAVO, RUMPLE, BRAVO! You excel yourself. Clearly, you've taken a great deal of time to prepare a case against me. Where is Sidney, by the way? What have you done with him?"

"Currently safe and resting, your Majesty, having been stripped of that enslavement curse you placed on him many years ago yet decided never to release him from. I'm asking him to give evidence at any future trial, if needed. Shall I bring him here now?"

"No, I've heard enough! This meeting is a sham, an excuse to remove me from office. Emma, let's go? I think we can-"

But Regina's voice was suddenly silenced by pressure on her throat. And she felt a strong invisible force push her backwards, driving her down and firmly into her seat. Looking across, she saw that Emma had been treated the same way, stuck in her chair, the blonde's hand on her own throat. It wasn't painful but she couldn't say a word. She looked up to see Gold's hands raised, having clearly cast the spell that restrained them.

"Sorry about that dearies, but we really would appreciate it if you could both sit quietly and listen? Oh, and before we continue, I think something else needs addressing?"

The Dark One now rose from his seat, walking slowly around the table, hard eyes fixed on Emma, as he drew close, looming over her.

"Those injuries? I suspect the hospital had a problem fixing them. Here, allow me?" His left hand drifted over the Saviour's face, an inch over the sensitive broken nose. Emma instantly felt a burning heat as magic poured into her skin. That was bad enough, but the grinding agony of her nasal cartilage being reset itself made her want to scream aloud. Unfortunately, still mute, all anyone could see, was her mouth wide-open, teeth bared, in a silent cry.

After a good half-minute of excruciating, silent pain for Emma, he finally stopped, stepping back to admire his work.

"There now, pretty as a picture! Or at least, it will be once the redness goes down." He turned to face the others. "Sorry for the interruption, Mr. Morrison, would you like to continue?"

"Erm…" Daniel looked at the silenced pair scowling angrily back at him. Oh well, they did all agree to go ahead with this. But god help them if either got those cuffs off? "Yes, thank you, Mr. Gold. Well ladies and gentlemen, this motion and vote is to confirm that Mayor Regina Locksley, or should that be Mayor Mills? And Sheriff Emma Swan-Jones, be suspended from their roles with immediate effect, and independent investigations into the allegations be undertaken by the Sheriff's Office and others into allegations made, to determine their innocence or otherwise. Those in favour, raise your hands?"

The Gold Mansion

The news of the immediate suspension of the town's Mayor and Sheriff for unlawful behaviour, and the removal of Snow White as Head Teacher by the school board, and her subsequent arrest, went all around the town within the hour. Most people were delighted; but some anxious, knowing all too well the volatile nature of the former Evil Queen.

If she got those cuffs off, there'd be hell to pay!

"Grandpa, what did you do to the cuffs this time that makes you so certain they won't figure a way to get them off? Didn't Zelena cut her own arm off above the wrist, take it off, then use magic to stick it back on? What's to stop them doing the same thing?"

"They could try, but I wouldn't recommend it. First, I've added a containment spell that would reattach it to another wrist at the moment of amputation. Then, did you notice after you put them on, how they moved, fitting even closer? I've also added a little feature should they try to go over the town line and come back after removing them. They're self-adjusting. If either of them did manage to get something under it, well let's just say it'll resist. There's inbuilt protection too. I gather one of the fairies found out to her surprise. I've done quite a lot of work, adjusting their shortcomings. I'm rather proud, even if I do say so myself."

"I don't actually want them winding with amputated arms, gramps! Would it be okay if I at least tried to warn them not to try?"

"If you wish. As I said, you're the one who now controls the cuffs Henry, not me. If you were to try, they would just slip off, without leaving a trace."

Henry pulled out his phone, texting a short message to both of them. "Okay, done. So you think we're safe, for the moment at least?"

"I believe so, but never say never. Your older mother isn't stupid, Henry. They are, even now I believe, working in her vault, trying to find any form of magic to remove them, and track down her infatuated newspaper editor. They definitely won't succeed in that last goal."

"Will you really use Sidney to give evidence? That could put her in jail for a serious amount of time."

"It's unlikely. The former crimes of the former Evil Queen were absolved when the United Realms were formed five years ago, as they were for most villains, myself included. No, only more recent crimes would be considered such as her threatening the life of the outlaw. It's odd though, how whatever magic, potion or force she's recently succumbed to, she's starting to sound and act more like the Evil Queen by the day."

"I noticed! There's no way I'm removing the cuffs. Not while they're still a risk."

The Mills Mausoleum

Rumple was right. They'd been desperately trying to find ways to break the power of the cuffs, or remove them. But without even a visible clasp, or a way to get under them, where do you start? They'd even considered the extreme measure Henry had been most concerned about. However, fortunately, he sent them a warning text in time:

[I know you're angry about the cuffs, mums, but it's necessary. I'm sorry. I spoke to grandpa Gold. If you try cutting your arm off, like Zelena did, the cuff will now appear on your other arm, or leg, and you'll be worse off. It moves with you. Best leave it alone until I find out what's wrong with you? I love you, even if you don't love me right now.]

"Oh, he's sorry, is he?" Emma slammed her phone down. "Big bloody deal! Did you stop his payments for Harvard?"

"I did it first thing. I also blocked the shared account. Emma, I'm not having much success with these damn spells. I'm running out of ideas."

"Is there someone else we can go to, apart from Gold, who's got magic? Maleficent maybe? Or one of the fairies? Merlin?"

"Mal's been avoiding me, over…well, it's not important. The fairies are the last people who would help us, and besides, their magic's too weak for something like this, as you saw. As for Merlin, I think he went back to England."

"What about the Dragon? Isn't he supposed to be able to use magic outside this place?"

"OF COURSE! Good thinking, my love!" Regina pecked her on the lips. "He specialises in all sorts of potion craft, and breaking curses. Unfortunately, I believe he's still in New York."

"So we go to New York! I can track him down easily enough. Besides, it's not like anyone's going to help us around here, is it?" Emma rubbed a hand over the bracelet, still trying to feel for a seam, a catch, or somewhere to get under it. "Would these things stay on if we crossed the town line? Surely without magic, they'd just fall off, or disappear?"

"Quite possibly. In which case, we turn around and come straight back. If not, we find the dragon."

"Well I don't know about you, but as we're both unemployed right now, we've got a lot of free time on our hands! How about we go to New York first, then take a little break?" Emma pulled her closer, reaming a hand through the brunette's raven-black hair. "Just you and me? We did just get engaged, after all. Let's let this place fester a while, shall we? I say we take our time, have a decent break, then come back refreshed, with our magic unblocked. Then we figure out a decent plan to get our own back on all those bastards! What's stopping us?"

"Mm. Perhaps revenge doesn't need to be rushed." Regina smiled back at her for the first time that day as she slid her arms around the blonde's waist. "I like your thinking. Where should we go?"

"Florida. South. Somewhere with decent beaches? I want to see you in a bikini." She kissed her cheek, before lowering her lips onto the sweet spot on her neck she'd recently discovered. "You know what you're missing from this vault? A bed."

Regina purred at the feeling of those warm lips. There was a concealed bedroom, but she'd never be able to open it with her magic blocked. "Will a couch do?"

"Nicely."

Mifflin Street – The following morning

It was just after nine when Emma answered the front door to the mansion, only to discover her mother on the other side of it, Ruby Lucas standing further back almost by the front gate.

"Mum? What are you doing here?"

"There you are! Why haven't you answered my calls, or my messages?" She looked back to where her lover nervously stood. "Look, can you allow Ruby to come inside with me? I'll explain."

"Uh?" Why did she even need permission? "Yeah, erm, sure." She watched Snow wave to the she-wolf, who now came up the path to join her. "Listen mum, I'm really-"

"Why didn't you answer me?"

"Sorry, I was just-" She heard a loud thud behind her, as Regina started dragging a heavy case down the stairs. "Leave that, babe? I said I'd do it!" She stepped back inside, to help, the other two women following her in.

"I'm not incapable Emma!" Regina huffed in frustration. Life without magic was intolerable!

As they walked inside, into the large open reception, Snow immediately spotted the large suitcase and two bags lying nearby, while Regina brought another suitcase down to the foot of the stairs. She and Emma were both wearing cotton jackets and jeans.

"Oh, going somewhere nice?" Ruby had already spotted the open trunk of the Mercedes in the drive. "Can we come?" She half-joked.

Putting her case next to the other one, Regina turned. "Snow? Lucas? What are you doing here?"

"Emma just asked me the same thing. I'm trying to speak to my daughter, because she's been avoiding me. What are you doing, Emma?"

"Building an ark?" She answered, sarcastically. "What does it look like? We're taking a break."

"Break? With whom? Where?"

"With Regina, of course. We decided on Miami. After New York."

"I never knew you were planning something? And Hope? She must be thrilled."

Regina shook her head in disbelief. "Snow, have you been living under a rock this week, or something?"

She still seemed confused, shaking her head, so Emma stepped in. "Are you saying you didn't know we've split up with Killian and Hood? I'm with Regina now!"

"Oh!" Snow looked at them, bug-eyed in apparent disbelief. "With Regina? No, I didn't know. We've been rather busy ourselves."

Regina gave out a loud sigh of exasperation, her eyes cold. "Well then you're the only one in this godforsaken town who didn't! Though judging by the open-mouthed expression on Lucas here, it seems she didn't either? Well to save time, let me put it simply. Five days ago, Emma and I admitted our feelings for one another. She moved in here, we told our husbands we were divorcing them, yada, yada, yada. Oh, and let's not forget, yesterday the rest of the Council, at a meeting you should've attended, conspired with Gold to have Emma and I removed from office! So, under the circumstances we've decided we need a little vacation before we decide what to do next. Now, we need to get on, so if you'll excuse us?"

"You've been sacked?" Ruby was equally astonished. "Both of you?"

"Suspended, not sacked. Well, at least according to them. Regina and I, we-"

"We have been, too!" Snow interrupted her. "Suspended, I mean."

"Ah, yes…" Regina gave her a dark grin worthy of the Evil Queen herself. "What was it now? Indecent exposure in a public area? Physical assault of a minor? My princess, how you've changed!"

"It wasn't like that!" Ruby pulled Snow against her side. "Those bloody kids shouldn't have been there!"

"Ah, so it's you she was with? My, how interesting. I always knew you batted for both teams, Lucas, but I had no idea she did? Well, well, well, I'd love to have seen Charming's face when you told him!"

"Emma, we're getting a divorce!" Snow jumped in. "Just like you. I've already left your father."

"Really?" Regina drew the word out for effect. "So the world's most irritatingly romantic true-love couple is no more? Fasc-in-ating." She looked up at Emma, who seemed as surprised as her. She pecked her on the lips, if only to irritate Snow. "Well, interesting though it may be, Emma and I can't stop and chat. We need to drive to New York before it gets too dark, do what we have to do, then get into our hotel as early as possible, so I can have lots of delightful, debauched lesbian sex with your daughter!" She had hoped that would at least make Snow wince with discomfort. Sadly, it didn't.

Emma didn't seem at all bothered by the comment either, or the fact her mother just told her about her parents impending divorce. No, all she cared about right now was getting as far away from this shitty little town as possible and spending her time with the woman who'd stolen her heart. To her, nothing else mattered.

"Mum, you need to go, okay? I'll call you when we get back."

Meanwhile…

As the deposed sheriff and mayor rushed the unwanted visitors from their home, they were wholly unaware that the entire conversation between the four women had just been overheard by two men sitting in front of another mirror, less than two miles away.

"You know what really depresses me about that, grandpa? It's the fact that not once did they talk about their children. Especially Snow. She's usually all over Neal like a rash! She didn't ask about the affect all this was having on Roland, and Emma didn't talk about Hope. It's like they've put everything, and everyone else, behind them? Like they never existed!"

"I notice you don't include yourself in that, my boy?"

"Oh they hate me! I heard them say so! So, is this how you usually find out what people are doing around here? With the mirrors?"

"Not usually. That used to be your mother's way. And her mother's. I have other ways, but I knew the queen used a particular spell on several existing mirrors in the Mansion. When I found out Sidney Glass was still tied to the mirror after all this time, I realised he was a major potential threat, giving Regina the ability to spy on everyone, including you. Glass is a former genie, and his magic is only powerful when contained within a mirror. I think he's the last asset she refused to give up, even when she discovered she could be a hero with white magic, instead of a villain with dark."

"At least we know what she's up to, right?" Henry looked at all the jars and bottles laid out on the desk. And the little glass vials containing what looked like human hair, one dark and one blonde, directly in front of him. "I'm guessing these are my mums' samples?" The Dark One nodded. "What happens next?"

"First, I need to test whether these samples, less than a day old, reveal traces of any recent controlling magic. Then I need to explore the relationship between them over the last seven days, for clues."

"I thought you tested the hairbrushes I brought over the other day?"

"I did, yet found nothing. But then I realised the Sheriff has not been using her home since she became involved with the mayor. In short, they were probably out of date."

"Makes sense, I guess. The two vials on the other tray? Is that their blood, too?"

"It is. Also only a day old, like the hair."

"A day? How the hell did you get that? I can't see them doing that willingly!"

"It's probably best you don't know the details. But it's all their own, I assure you."

"Would you mind if I watched you work? Or even help? Even though I don't have magic, I kinda find all this stuff…fascinating. But then, you're a fascinating guy, grandpa. I wish I'd spent more time with you, growing up."

The Dark One beamed in delight at his grandson's genuine praise. It was rare for him to be anything but reviled, criticised, or denounced by many. Often the same people who come to him when they need something?

"Thank you, my boy. And for the record, I wish that too. You know, as every month goes by, I see more and more of my Baelfire in you? Well…I've never really had an apprentice, in all my time. But let's see now. How about you take a small sample, about a third, of Regina's hair from that vial, and put it in the tray in front of you? Then when you've done that, repeat with Emma's."

"In the same tray?"

"Please. Then I want you to split them into two batches of each, then try and tie the blonde and black hairs together, to makes two separate combined locks of mixed colours? Do you understand?" Henry nodded. "Good. Let's see how dextrous you are with those fingers, shall we?"

Henry chuckled. "Looks fiddly! Some of us don't fix watches for a living, so I'll do my best. What will these do?"

"I'll be testing them to see whether there's any intertwined magic I may have missed."

"And the rest of the hair? And the blood?"

"Then things start to become more complicated. I'll be combining their bloods, hair, and the dreamcatcher, to look at everything, and I mean everything, they've been doing together over the last few weeks. I had assumed you wouldn't want to be here for that?"

"Eugh! My own mums? Definitely don't want to see that!"

~oOo~