Chapter 6: The Gathering

The room fell silent as Tinkerbell's words settled into the air. Her authoritative presence was undeniable, and even Regina and Snow—though they didn't fully understand the situation—could sense the gravity of what was unfolding before them.

Tinkerbell turned toward Emma, her gaze now sharp with purpose. "Sheriff, these scouts are from the future. They've sworn an oath to protect my family—the Mills. Their loyalties are strong, and they will not speak of it here." She paused, briefly glancing at the rogues. "I need to question them, privately."

Emma, though still piecing everything together, nodded in agreement. The Rogues had already shown their hostility, and anything further would only cloud the situation. "You're right. We need to keep them separated."

Tinkerbell's expression softened just slightly, her eyes momentarily filled with regret. "I'm asking for their release into my custody, Sheriff. I will get to the bottom of this. But I need to do it on my terms. Is there somewhere else we can go?"

"The my office," the mayor said instinctively. It was a more private space, neutral enough, and far from the chaos of the station. Plus, it was a place she could trust to handle sensitive matters. "Will that work?"

Emma and David exchanged glances. They didn't fully understand what was happening—why these scouts seemed so devoted to an unknown future royal family—but they knew that whatever Tinkerbell had in mind, she had the authority to handle it.

Snow finally spoke, her voice calm but laced with curiosity. "The Mayor's office sounds good. We'll go there. I just... I wish I understood what's happening here."

Tinkerbell turned to Snow and Regina, her eyes unwavering. "In time, you will. Right now, I just need to keep them, and my family safe."

David, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward. His brow furrowed, but his resolve was clear. "I'm not letting those Rogues out of my sight while we're at the Mayor's office. I'll call Robin and Hook to take over the shift and watch them until we get back."

Emma nodded in agreement, grateful for his initiative. "Good idea. We'll need someone we can trust to keep an eye on them. Robin and Hook will do just fine."

David quickly reached for his phone, about to dial their reserve deputies. As he started to walk away to make the calls, Tinkerbell spoke again, her voice calm but firm. "The Rogues are dangerous. I'll need you all to be vigilant. The more we know about them, the sooner we can figure out how they fit into the bigger picture." Nodding in understanding, David steps into the Sheriff's office to dial.

Regina looked over at the scouts, still kneeling in respect to Tinkerbell. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "If they're from the future, does that mean they know what's going to happen here? In Storybrooke? Do they know about Reina?"

Tinkerbell's gaze met Regina's. "They don't know everything," she said quietly. "But they know enough, and who I am."

Snow, still processing the situation, took a step toward the scouts' holding cell, her voice low but kind. "Then we'll have to trust you for now, Tinkerbell. But the more answers we get, the better."

Tinkerbell nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I'll get those answers. But not here. Not with them in the other cell."

Seeing David reemerge from her office, Emma gestured toward the door. "Let's head out to Regina's office." Turning to Regina, "Are we walking or poofing?"

Rolling her eyes at Emma's inaccurate terminology, Regina raises her arms and engulfs all dozen of them in purple smoke.

When they reappear at the Mayor's office, the atmosphere inside felt both familiar and charged with the weight of their unknown future. The room was quieter, private, and more suited for the kind of conversation that needed to happen.

The Mayor herself, moves to sit behind her desk, looked up at all of her guests. "Make yourselves comfortable," she said dryly, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes. "Tinkerbell? Do you want to make the introductions?"

Tinkerbell took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the room as the scouts quietly took their places in the corner. "We can't share everything with you, but I'll tell you what I can. These scouts are from the future, sworn to protect our family but their main task is to travel ahead and well, scout, for any dangers prior to members of our family arriving. The Rogues… they're tied to it, and they're dangerous."

The room fell quiet as the gravity of Tinkerbell's words sank in. Emma exchanged a look with Regina. The confusion was still there, but a sense of purpose was beginning to emerge. "So, we need to figure out why the Rogues are here—and does that mean there's more of them coming?" Emma asks pointing to the scouts standing at attention in the corner.

Tinkerbell nodded, "Exactly." Turning towards the Dark Scout leader, "Hector, right?"

With his back as straight as a rod, Hector nodded, "Yes, Your Highness"

Emma jumps in, "Ask him about Reina and the Mills Three."

Smirking, Hector looks to the Princess. Tinkerbell just chuckles at the Sheriff's eagerness. "Do you know when the Regent will arrive?"

"No, ma'am." Looking to the other scouts, Hector hesitantly continues, "We assumed Her Majesty was already here"

At this revelation, the room goes silent with the weight of knowledge that the Evil Princess is already in Storybrook. Slowly, Regina rises from her chair, "Reina is already here?"

Hector, ignoring the Mayor's question, looks to the only Mills with authority over him.

"How long have you all been in Storybrooke?" asks Tinkerbell.

"We arrived five nights ago and made camp just on the edge of the town's border."

"That's almost a week ago," David says, "Someone would've noticed."

Before Hector hold him back, a young Dark Army scout scoffs, "We're scouts of the Dark Army, trained by the best – The Evil Princess herself!"

"Torrin! Remember your place." Hector reprimands.

Apologizing to the room and bowing to Tinkerbell, Torrin steps back.

Tinkerbell smiles at the young loyal scout. "What Torrin means is that the soldiers of the Dark Army, and the White Army, are the best in all the lands. They're trained very well." Looking back at Hector, "And if I remember my sister's standing orders, the scouts were to advance two days ahead of their commander or be issued orders to return to base?"

"That is correct, your Highness." Showing more emotion than the stoic soldier normally does, Hector releases a sigh, "After the fourth day of not contact, we decided to investigate the area and that's when we came across the Freedom Fighters, and then the Deputy found us."

"This is worse than I thought," Tinkerbell laments.

Regina slowly walks up to her former friend, now daughter, with concern, "What do you mean?"

Looking up at the younger version of her mother, Tinkerbell replies, "I know my sister. She wouldn't leave her soldiers behind, not unless something happened to keep her away."

Out of everyone in the room, Regina has known the green fairy the longest. So even if no one else could hear the slight tremble in her voice, she could. "If there's nothing else you have to offer gentlemen, I assume you'd like a hot meal and actual lodging with a roof?"

Hearing a round of agreements from the scouts, Regina looks to Snow, "Could you and Deputy Nolan walk these fine soldiers back to Granny's and tell her their meals are on my tab?"

Sensing a rebuttal from her mother, Emma steps in, "Mom, we'll catch you and dad up later, I promise."

Snow nods and helps David usher the eight scouts out of the mayor's office.

Once the door closes behind Snow, Emma looks at the mother and daughter standing awkwardly next to each other trying to make the first move. "I can go file some reports if you guys want?"

Two sets of eyes caught in deer lights look at her and just as two shrieks of "No!" could be heard. Chuckling, Emma makes her way to Regina's decanter, "Fine but I think we need drinks, strong ones."

Regina and Tinkerbell make their way to the sofa, accepting the drinks Emma hands them. Taking a sip, the green fairy winces, "I forgot this was your batch and not Reina's." Seeing her mother's raised eyebrow, she sheepishly informs her, "Reina's cider is a litter sweeter."

"Guess the apple really didn't fall far from the tree," Emma snickers, while ignoring the glare from mayor.

After another tentative sip for liquid courage, the green fairy looks at the two women. "I'm not really sure where to start."

Turning back to the blonde next to her, Regina gently places her hand on Tinkerbell's knee and says, "It's ok, just take your time." Watching her shrug her shoulders and tilt her head to the side, reminds Regina of the other blonde who sometimes infuriates her.

"Well, I guess I should start with my name."

Fortunately for Regina, she hadn't taken a sip yet, unlike the sheriff who almost spat out her cider. "You're name's not Tinkerbell?!"

"Yes, but more like a nickname. My name's actually Trina Belle Mills."

"Then how'd you end up Tinkerbell?" Emma probes still stuck on the name.

"From you actually."

Sighing, Regina huffs, "Of course you would give my daughter a nickname."

Giggling at their antics, Trina continues, "When I was found in the Enchanted Forest as a toddler, I only knew my first name and no memory of anything else nor my past. I was officially adopted as a Mills and given a middle name to honor Belle, the librarian."

"Wait a minute!" Looking put off, Emma places her drink on the coffee table and looks at Regina, "You named your daughter after Belle and not me? I thought I was your best friend!" Emma pouts and crosses her arms over her chest.

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Regina hisses, "Miss Swan! I don't think now is the time for something I haven't even done yet."

Trying to smooth things over between the two stubborn women, Trina mutters "The name Emma was already taken." This causes the two women to look at her, "Nothing."

Before either mayor or sheriff could probe further, Regina's phone rings. Sighing, "This will only take a moment."

While Regina is talking to her secretary to cancel all her meetings for the rest of the day, tomorrow, and possibly the rest of the week, Emma takes the opportunity to grill Trina. "So, what's she like? You know, in the future?"

"You're impossible, Ma—Emma." Trina coughs to hide her slip.

Just then Regina returns to the sofa, "Everything ok?"

Offering a small smile to her mom, "Of course, mom. Just the cider is a little strong."

"Just don't go driving into any of the town's signs," Regina says while pointedly looking at the Sheriff.

"There was a wolf in the middle of the street!" Emma all but shouts. "You know I never asked Ruby if that was her that night."

"Anyway," Regina turns back to her daughter, "You were saying I adopted you after you found in the Enchanted Forest. Wait, why were we in the Enchanted Forest?"

"Oh, without giving too much detail, let's just say you found a way for people to safely travel between Storybook and Enchanted Forest." Seeing the puzzled looks on her mother and the sheriff, it dawns on her, "And it's no longer a desolate and dying land."

Regina takes a sip of her cider, taking a moment to mull over what her daughter just shared. The Enchanted Forest, her home, the lands she destroyed in hatred, was brought back to life. Even with all the bad memories it evoked—Daniel's death, her marriage, and then her father's death—it was still where childhood was. "So after I adopted you, I also adopted Reina?"

"What? No, you already had Reina and um," Trina's eyes go wide in panic realizing she almost revealed too much.

Regina raises a manicured brow, "Reina and?"

"Ugh, mom!" Trina moans, "you can't use the eyebrow thing!" Now both eyebrows are close to reaching the brunette's hairline while the savior snickers. "I mean you can but you shouldn't because I can't say too much or risk getting blinked out of existence!"

Now that had the sheriff alarmed, "Like as in Back to the Future with Michael J. Fox?"

Looking confused between the two blondes, Regina asks, "who is Michael Jay and this fox, and what do they have to do with my children's future?"

Mouth gaping at the mayor, the sheriff finally says, "I forget how much you missed out while froze in this town for 28 years."

Before the mayor can say anything else on that, Trina presses on, "It's not important, mom. It's just a movie. Maybe we can watch it some time with Henry."

At the mention of her son's name, Regina relaxes, and her demeanor instantly softens. This encourages the Trina to continue her story. "As I was saying, by the time you adopted me, you already had Reina. She's two years older than me." Anticipating her mother's next question, "No, Reina's not adopted. She is biologically yours and your….your True Love's"

Watching the former Evil Queen gasp, Emma moves closer to Regina and places a hand on her knee to provide comfort at finding out that Daniel wasn't her True Love and that even after all the bad things she's done, there was still a True Love out there for her. "Hey, you're not her anymore and based on what you Tink's said, you have redeemed yourself to deserve a happily ever after with your True Love."

Regina's breath catches in her throat. Her eyes widen, and for a long moment, she simply stares at Emma. A thousand thoughts race through her mind, too fast to comprehend, too jumbled to form into words.

Placing her own hand over Emma's, Regina, with a wipe a fallen tear, nods and mouths thank you.

The idea of love, of a family, with someone who wasn't Emma—someone else—seems so foreign. Her gaze shifts down to the hand resting on her knee, a touch she feels more deeply than she wants to admit. Her chest tightens, and she opens her mouth as if to say something, but no sound comes.

Regina's eyes flick back to Emma, searching her face for something—an answer, a sign, maybe even just a glimmer of understanding—but she finds nothing but warmth. The silence between them stretches, filled only with the soft beating of her own heart and the confusion swirling inside.

Her lips part, but the words are still locked inside. She exhales shakily, defeated by the possibility of a life she hadn't prepared for—of raising children with anyone else but Emma.

The truth had been laid bare before her, and all she could do was sit there, her mind struggling to catch up to her heart.

After a few minutes and seeing the mayor calming down, Trina resumes, trying to avoid sniggering at that continued hand-holding. "I can't say too much more, for the moment. There are certain rules with time hopping, like not revealing too much all at once because it could cause too much or too many changes to the future and cause a paradox." Looking directly into her mother's eyes, know what she has to say next might trigger her even more. "Do you remember the time we first met?"

Regina's eyes flicker, the calm façade she's been trying to maintain faltering for the briefest of moments. The air seems to thicken around her, and suddenly, the room feels far too small. Trina's words hang in the space between them, each syllable reverberating deep within Regina's chest as her mind reels backward, to a time long buried—so buried, she had nearly forgotten it entirely.

Desperation had driven her to the edge—an edge she had almost fallen off. She had been on the brink, her thoughts twisted in a tangle of hopelessness, imagining that ending it all might be the only way out.

Regina's gaze flickers to Trina, searching her face. There's no mockery, no judgment, just a quiet understanding. Her hands tremble slightly, and she grips Emma's hand tighter, as though anchoring herself to the present.

A breath catches in her throat as the memories, and the emotions that come with them, threaten to overwhelm her. Her lips part as if to speak, but no words come. She simply nods, her eyes shadowed with the weight of the past.

"Imagine if I didn't come back to find you. There would be no Henry without Storybook, no Storybook without the curse, no curse without you."

"What!" Emma's heart hammers in her chest as the weight of Trina's words sinks in, piece by agonizing piece. The room seems to shrink around her, the air thick and suffocating, until it feels like she's drowning in the silence. Her hand instinctively tightens around Regina's, as though to hold her together, as though she could somehow anchor her in the present and stop the past from swallowing them whole.

Emma's throat tightens as the realization sets in: Regina had almost ended it. She had nearly walked away from everything—from Henry, from the life they had built, from the very chance at happiness that Emma had never thought Regina would be willing to reach for.

A raw ache blooms in Emma's chest, the kind that hurts to even breathe through. The thought of Regina—strong, capable, powerful Regina—being so lost, so broken that she would think of ending it all, makes Emma's chest constrict. It cuts deeper than anything she's ever felt before. She's seen Regina's darkness, the mistakes, the betrayals—but this… this is something else. This is a depth of despair that Emma never imagined she'd have to face.

She blinks rapidly, trying to hold back the rush of emotions, trying to steady herself. The urge to pull Regina into her arms, to protect her from everything, from this part of her past, nearly overwhelms her. But she doesn't. Too scared to move.

Instead, Regina leans in and hugs the blonde, her voice barely a whisper, "It's ok. I'm ok. I'm right here," she says softly, her heart breaking seeing the look of desperation in Emma's eyes.

Emma squeezes Regina's hand tighter, her eyes never leaving the other woman's. "Please tell me you haven't thought about it again."

Shaking her head, Regina replies softly, "Not since Henry."

Just as Regina was about to pull away and straighten up, Emma holds her tighter. Her voice cracking slightly as she says, "Don't. Stay." The weight of it hanging in the air.

Knowing Emma meant more than just the hug, Regina softly agrees, "Always."

The warmth of Emma's embrace was a comfort that Regina clung to for a moment longer than she intended. The tenderness, the reassurance, was a balm to the scars of her past, reminding her that she wasn't alone. But just as she was about to pull away, the sudden sound of the door creaking open sent a jolt of surprise through her.

Robin Hood stood in the doorway of the Mayor's office, his expression a mix of surprise and slight confusion. His gaze flickered between the two women, still wrapped in the tender moment, and then to Tinkerbell, who sat on the sofa with a bemused, almost amused look on her face. Robin hesitated for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the scene, and then stepped further into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Regina's breath caught in her throat as she quickly pulled away from Emma, startled by the unexpected intrusion. She straightened up immediately, her chest tightening at the sudden change in dynamics. "Robin," she greeted him, her voice steady but her heart thudding in her chest.

Robin's eyes flicked from Regina to Emma and back again, a brief flash of something—was it jealousy?—crossing his face. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, his tone slightly pointed as he spoke. "Regina, I knocked, but your secretary isn't at her desk, so I just… walked in." He paused, glancing at Trina, then back at the two women, trying to mask the faint twinge of frustration in his voice. "I didn't expect to interrupt anything... important."

Regina's face flushed slightly as she took in Robin's words. She could feel the tension in the air, his subtle jealousy hanging between them like an unspoken question. Trying to regain some semblance of composure, Regina forced a smile, but it was strained. "No interruption. We were just… having a conversation." Her voice was cool, almost too cool.

Emma, sensing the slight friction between Robin and Regina, quickly spoke up, her voice gentle but firm. "Robin, we were just... talking about some things, and it got a little emotional." She glanced at Regina, giving her a quick, almost apologetic look.

Robin's gaze shifted between the two women once again. His lips thinned for a moment, clearly still grappling with something unsaid, before he exhaled, clearly trying to push past the unease. "Right," he muttered, stepping further into the room, but his eyes lingered on Regina. His emotions were clear, though unspoken: there was something unresolved in the air between them, something he couldn't quite place.

Trina, who had been watching the scene unfold from the sofa, finally chimed in, her voice light, almost teasing. "Seems like you've got your hands full, mom." She flashed a knowing grin, clearly enjoying the subtle discomfort radiating from both Robin and Regina. "How about we continue another time?"

Regina shot Trina a look, but there was no malice in it. Instead, there was a fleeting smile of gratitude—a silent acknowledgment of how much she appreciated Trina's presence. "Let's have dinner tonight?"

Robin's brow furrowed as he processed Regina's suggestion. His gaze flicked between her and Trina, and a subtle, unspoken tension seemed to rise in the room. "Dinner tonight?" His voice was slightly tighter than usual, the edge unmistakable. "But we had dinner plans already, Regina."

Regina blinked, momentarily taken aback by her overlook. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words didn't come right away. A fleeting wave of guilt hit her, but she was uncertain of what to say—how to balance this delicate moment with the dynamics between her and Robin. He was clearly upset, but she hadn't expected him to react like this.

"I'm sorry, Robin," Regina said quietly, her tone apologetic but filled with uncertainty. "I didn't mean to dismiss our plans. It's just… I wasn't expecting this conversation to go like it did. I—" Her words stumbled as she tried to figure out how to soothe him.

Trina, sensing the discomfort in the air, chimed in with a lighthearted suggestion, her voice breaking through the tension. "How about breakfast tomorrow? Before work and school for Henry," she suggested, offering a way out for everyone, her tone light and unassuming.

Regina's eyes flickered between Robin and Trina, relief flooding through her as she latched onto the idea. "That sounds perfect, actually" she said, her voice filled with sincerity. She turned to Robin, meeting his gaze with a small but apologetic smile. "I hope that's okay with you."

Robin's expression softened, though a faint trace of lingering frustration remained. He nodded stiffly but didn't speak again, his eyes lingering on Regina for a moment before he turned to leave, clearly still processing the emotions that had been stirred.

Regina's shoulders relaxed slightly, grateful for Trina's timely intervention. She turned back to Trina, offering a more genuine smile with open arms. "Have a good night, dear."

As the tension in the room seemed to dissipate, Emma gave Regina's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as she made her way to the door with Trina, "I better head out to pick up our son."

Robin's expression flickered for a brief moment. His jaw tightened, and his gaze shifted to the floor before quickly flicking back to Regina. There was a subtle tightening around his eyes, a flash of something like resentment or jealousy, before he quickly masked it with a forced, neutral expression.

Regina caught the shift from the corner of her eye—just enough to see his discomfort.

Her hand instinctively clenched at her side, and she fought the urge to immediately confront Robin about it.

As Emma and Trina left, Regina offered them both a warm, almost distracted smile, but her mind was on Robin, the tension still thick in the room between them. She'd address it later at dinner. "I just have a few things to finish up and I'll be heading home." Seeing Robin about to object, most likely saying he'd wait, Regina quickly adds, "I'll see you at 7pm at the house."

Sensing it was more of a statement than a question, Robin just nods and quietly exits the door he came through, leaving Regina alone to process the day.

The dinner table in Regina's mansion was quiet, the soft clink of utensils the only sound in the room. The meal had been cooked to perfection, the atmosphere polite, almost too polite, as if the tension in the air was thick enough to slice. Regina sat across from Robin, her fork hovering near her mouth as she glanced up at him, noticing the faint crease between his brows that had been there since they sat down.

The calm façade he was trying to maintain wasn't fooling her. She knew something was off, and she wasn't going to let it slide this time. She placed her fork down, her voice steady but laced with concern. "Robin, I need to know what's bothering you tonight."

He didn't look at her at first, instead pushing his food around on his plate. After a long, uncomfortable pause, he exhaled sharply and finally met her gaze. "It's not just tonight, Regina. It's…every time."

She raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Every time? What do you mean?"

His voice lowered, frustration seeping into his words. "It's like I'm always the third wheel. Emma is constantly there, and I get it, I really do. She's your friend, your son's mother, but sometimes it feels like I'm just... there. In the background, watching you two and your history. You're always connected because of Henry, and she's always using him as some kind of anchor to stay attached to you."

Regina's breath caught in her throat, her chest tightening with a rush of anger. The accusation cut deeper than she expected, probably because of how she treated Emma when she first arrived in Storybook. She leaned forward, her voice sharper than she intended. "Don't. Emma does not use Henry. She's a good mother to Henry. How dare you suggest she's using him?" Her eyes flashed with intensity. "And yes, Emma and I will always be connected, not just because of Henry, but because we've been through hell and back together. I need you to understand that, and I need you to respect it."

The words hung heavy in the air between them, Regina's anger lingering in her gaze, daring him to challenge her further.

Robin leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the table, his voice tense but pleading. "I get that, I do. But where does that leave me, Regina? What about us? You say I'm part of your life, but I'm not sure where I fit when Emma takes up such a huge space in it. She's always there, always a part of everything. I feel like I'm just left on the sidelines."

Regina's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't realized how deep the wound was. She thought they were building something, but she'd never truly understood how much her connection with Emma affected Robin. Her mind raced, trying to process his feelings. "I never meant for you to feel that way. I've been trying to make this work with you, but I haven't been as good at balancing everything as I should be. I know Emma and I will always be connected, and I want you to understand that it doesn't take away from you and me, from what we're building together."

Robin's expression softened just slightly, though there was still hurt in his eyes. "I don't need to replace her. I just need to know that I'm more than just an afterthought. That you see me, and that I matter too."

Regina's eyes fluttered shut for a moment, then opened slowly, her voice softer now. "I'll try harder, I promise. I'll make time for just us." She paused, looking at him intently. "You matter, Robin. You're not just an afterthought. And I'll do whatever it takes to show you that."

He gave her a small, almost imperceptible smile, his hand still resting in hers. "I'll hold you to that."

For the first time in the evening, the air between them seemed a little lighter, the unspoken tension dissipating just enough to allow them both to breathe a little easier. Regina knew it wasn't going to be easy, but they could make this work. She had to try given everything Trina and Emma did for her to have a happily ever after. Regina remembered Emma taking on the Dark One for her, and Trina traveling in time to save her, they've made too many sacrifices for her to give up on this relationship too easily.

And as they sat together, the quiet of the night falling over them, she promised herself that she would find the balance, even if her heart and mind we at war.