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*****Introduction****"What in the Hell are you three doing?"Emma groaned , she had followed Cruella and Ursula into the cave and found them meeting up with Gold at a pile of ashes. Cruella and Ursula looked to Gold , for guidance. Their plan had involved *Snow White/Mary Margaret and David/Charming* to follow them , not the Savior.
How was this supposed to work? If they k!lled the Sheriff or if Emma went missing , someone was going to notice. Emma was kind of a big deal , to the people in this town. And that Regina , oh , Regina would turn the world upside down for her dear friend! And besides that , the wicked duo of women really were not sure that Emma's blood would work for this ritual ; being as Emma did not technically do the wrong to Maleficent.Maybe the Charmings weren't far behind Emma , they usually weren't. Ursula peeked around Emma , looking towards the tunnel entrance and saw absolutely no signs of another person. There were no distant footsteps or anything , it was seeming that the Sheriff travelled alone. Damn."I don't suppose you would believe we were having a slumber party?""If it were not for the suspicious pile of ashes , maybe I would have pretended to believe that for a few seconds. You're missing the nail polish and sleeping bags , it just isn't that believable."Emma added on , before any of them could speak up."And furthermore , you aren't even supposed to be here to be doing anything ; slumber party or not! Again , what the Hell-no , what the *fuck* are you three up to?!"Emma knelt on the ground and picked up a pinch of the ashes , inspecting them. Cruella couldn't help herself , she spoke up."Darling , I don't know if Maleficent would appreciate you fingering her , like that. Maybe wait until we bring her back and take her out to a nice dinner or at least some drinks , first?"Ursula snickered , Emma blinked and delicately brushed the ashes off her hands and back into the pile."I should have probably suspected this , you three kids are just down here planning some friendly afternoon necromancy. Should I go out and get you all some snacks and juice boxes?!"Emma stood up and carefully stepped away from the ashes , making sure not to step on....Maleficent. Bad enough she stabbed her , she didn't want to disrespect her...resting place.Maybe later , after she arrested these delinquents , she would bring the poor woman a drink to make up for fingering her. Gods , that sounded wrong. Emma cringed , determinedly not looking at those ashes in the...eye?? There was an eye in there , right? Gah , she didn't know."I like cranberry apple , if you're making a run to the store!"Ursula teased , Emma rolled her eyes."Okay , so we got one cranberry apple for cell block A and what will we have for cell B and the box I ship Gold's ass away in?""You aren't going to be arresting or sending anybody away , Miss Swan ,"Gold stepped forward , thankful that he had his magic back and could walk properly without a cane again. It was his own fault he had a cane and that damned limp , but it didn't mean he had to like it and wouldn't still complain!"Oh , yeah? You sure about that?"Emma challenged , crossing her arms over her chest."I am , when you hear the story of our dear departed friend.""I know all about the story of Maleficent , it's actually fairly popular in the world I grew up in. Evil Witch curses the princess and puts the entire Kingdom to sleep , three good fairies save the day , bla bla.""First off , that is an entirely different twist on the actual tale. One day , when I have the time to fool with you ; I will take the time to tell you the real one or maybe Maleficent will do it , before she evens the score between the two of you.Secondly , that was not the story I was referring to. This tale I am about to tell you is separate from that , it concerns your dear parents and the things that they have been trying so desperately to keep from reaching your ears."Gold corrected her , irritably. He hated these twists on the characters of their world , some of the changes were drastic and the dumbest things he had ever heard.To actually meet Maleficent , she is not some petty type that would get that angry over a lack of invite to a birthday party! She wasn't the Mistress of All Evil , over being shorted a slice of cake! And that King Stephan and his precious Rose and their spoiled little daughter were nowhere near as innocent and pitiful , as that movie made them out to be."My parents? What happened?"Emma demanded , *this* she wanted to hear. Her parents had been acting crazy , ever since Cruella's car that Emma admittedly thought was pretty bad ass crossed that town line.Up until this incident -and the apparent smuggling of the Dark One- Emma would say Cruella and Ursula had done very good about behaving themselves. Granted , it was undoubtedly because of this plot. But the point was , they had not done anything to warrant that level of paranoia that the Charmings were experiencing.The paranoia David and Mary Margaret were dealing with , it rank of guilt. Guilt that neither wanted to talk to her about , Emma wanted to know what happened and how bad it had to have been that neither of her parents wanted her to hear about it."Your dear mommy and daddy found themselves a unicorn that showed them two drastically different images--""A unicorn , seriously? I never thought the beginning of my parents darkest secret with start with a unicorn , I knew those glorified ponies were pure evil!"Emma cut him off , sarcastically."It wasn't the unicorn that turned out evil , they are actually surprisingly more neutral creatures. But anyways , the unicorn is not the main focus. The *images* it showed are what starts our tale. Have a seat next to Maleficent and get comfortable , this is going to take a minute , dearie."Rumpel said , in a tone that said he was close to losing his patience. He could not stand to be interrupted , especially when it was because of a smart-assed remark. He was the smart ass , he did not stand on the other end of the smart ass comments. Stick with the script!Emma looked at Maleficent's ashes and shuddered , she was *not* sitting there by those ashes. She leaned against a wall , the hard stone digging into her shoulder was a lot more comfortable than the thought of sitting next to the woman she k!lled. She still had bad dreams about doing that to the Dragon , she hated that she got put in that position.Maleficent had been trapped in her Dragon form for THIRTY YEARS and when everybody else is free and living their lives , she's getting a sword stabbed through her because of the shitty hand she was dealt.Even if the 'Disney' interpretation of Maleficent's story was right , Maleficent still didn't deserve that while the other Villains got to carry on with their dandy lives and Emma despised that she was the one that did it to her."One of the images , the one your daddy saw was of you being a sweet little princess and your mother saw you ripping her heart out.As per usual Snow White fashion , she grew very paranoid and she acted like a spoiled brat determined to have her way about things. Her daughter had to be pure , damn it. She would accept nothing less. Charming was not near as worried , but he never could get a word in edge wise with his wife and he would never stand against his true love."Rumpel sighed dramatically , his face a clear show of what he thought of the whole mess."So , what you're telling me is my mom expected the worst out of me right away?"Emma clarified , fighting the urge to ask where this was going. So far , she had heard her parents and unicorns ; but no Maleficent. Was Maleficent even involved or was this one of his mind games?"More or less , yes. But anyways , there was another woman expecting a child within that time frame.""Let me guess , Maleficent?"Like that was hard to work out!"Am I telling the story or are you?"He demanded , annoyed. Emma mocked him , equally annoyed." 'Am I telling the story or you?'Bah! Sounds like you're trying really hard to tell me a story , but you're not quite there yet , kid! Come on , you can do it! You just gotta believe!"Emma encouraged him , sarcastically. And yes , she went with that last bit as a jab at his dad being Peter Pan. She said what she said! Cruella and Ursula seemed to pick up on it , too. If their smirks were anything to go by , that is. They could have just been being bitches , that was equally possible."I'm going to overlook this because I am looking forward to revelling in the shame you feel , when you hear just what your dear old mum and dad did!""For someone so excited for that shame , you sure take your sweet time getting to it! You're a crook and a spinster , not a Librarian. You married one and you would think that would make you a better story teller , but then again ; she did hook up with another dude , she probably didn't have much time to teach you anything!"Emma huffed , Gold glared at her. Cruella and Ursula elbowed each other , snickering off to the side."Alright , we'll get on with it. Your parents got a little help from the Sorcerer's Apprentice and kidnapped Maleficent's egg , pouring all of your darkness into her child. And when they finished poisoning this *innocent* baby , they sent it off and did not even have the decency to return it to its mother!"Emma frowned , that took an unexpected turn. She felt a thousand times worse for Maleficent , now. But on top of the regret and guilt she previously felt , for what she done to the Dragon ; she was feeling double , for what her parents did."Okay , so what's the plan here?"Emma sighed , nodding to their departed....friend."Well , we had planned for the Charmings to follow us in here , ""That's why you stole the rattle , I take it?""Yes , it was symbolic!""Adorable , you thought that was gonna work out. All that symbolism did was make them even more paranoid and want to keep away from you more , I followed you in here for a break from them."Emma snorted , pushing herself off the wall."They've been suffocating me , ever since you all came to town!"Emma informed them , running a hand through her hair and roughly untangling the knots with her fingers and cursing having curly hair."Because they didn't want you to know what they did!""I mean , I got that part. They were obviously hiding something , I just don't see where you two come into it.""We were the ones they fought , to get to the egg. Maleficent was weakened from labor and we had an agreement to work together , our part was to guard her and her unborn child. When they sent the baby away , we fell through the portal with it.""Really? Cruella De Ville couldn't like run over Prince Charming or something? I've seen your driving , lady , you could have easily taken him out!"Emma just did not understand this one , how exactly did the Charmings outdo these two? They weren't her favorites and they were sort of mid-ranking on the Villains baddie list and all , but they did have their skill sets and they didn't earn their reputations for nothing.Ursula had tentacles , that's eight extra 'arms' to work with here. Did she even try to strangle David or Mary Margaret? Did she attempt to summon some sea creature army to wipe them out? Emma was lost , here. So many questions!"I didn't have my car at the cave!"Cruella said , irritably. She wished she would have had her car , she would have gladly ran over everybody at the scene and crushed that egg into a million tiny pieces beneath her new tires! She hated all of them and she hated how powerless they made her feel that day!"Okay , tentacles , what's your excuse?""I tried , they had swords and knives and tentacles don't make the best mix."Ursula defended herself , pathetically. Emma got the impression she was not exactly what you would call evil nor very creative , so she was lowering her ranking even more on the list. The Ursula she grew up hearing was a bad ass -rotten to the core , but still- and this woman just was not living up to that imagery at all."And finally , why did the *Dragon* not swipe them with her tail or claws or something? I fought that Dragon , I know she isn't easy to take on!"Emma remembered her battle with Maleficent clearly , the Dragon was huge and her claws and teeth were sharp as daggers. One good slice with those talons and it wouldn't take long to bleed out!"They threatened the baby and again , she was weakened from labor. She tried to fight back , but your mother threatened to smash her egg and k!ll the baby."Ursula defended Maleficent and Emma was feeling some anger now , when she heard what her mother done.Not only did Snow White go in with plans to kidnap this baby and have the intentions of removing a piece of her own daughter and putting it in another kid , but she threatened to k!ll the kid because its mother tried to fight to get it back from her! Who does that shit?!"Alright , what did you have planned for those two idiots?"Emma practically growled , she was pissed now. All that time the Charmings spent acting like Cruella and Ursula were the problem , like *they* did something just completely horrible and it was actually *them* the whole time! The nerve!"We need a drop of their blood because for the spell , we need blood from Maleficent's greatest enemies to complete the ritual and bring her back."Rumpel explained , sensing the rising anger. Emma may not have the original darkness Snow saw in that vision to her , but innocence can be corrupted fairly easily and good people can turn dark. Look at Regina , for example. In the beginning , Regina had been the sweetest little doll on planet earth and one tragic incident ruined her. The same could be possible for Emma , if certain cards were played right.If Rumpel could corrupt Emma enough and get his hands on his Dagger , he could pass his curse onto her and he would be free of the burdens of the Dark One. If he did this , Belle would love him again and he could finally get his happy ending. He was so tired of working with the likes of *these* people , he fought the urge to sneer. He was an old man and he was tired!"Stay here , I can get them to follow me. I owe the old Dragon , for more than I thought I did to begin with."Emma knew that it was not morally right for her to help plan to bring back a woman from the dead and step aside , for her to more than likely k!ll two people ; but damn if there was ever a reason to do it , they gave her one Hell of one! If the Charmings did not want to face the consequences of their actions , they shouldn't have done what they did!"You are going to help us?"Cruella asked , with a smirk."Not *you* , I am going to help *her*. I don't owe you three dodos shit!"Emma corrected her , as she turned on her heel and headed out the same way she came in. On her way out , she scraped her palms along the rough walls to get them to bleed. A bleeding Emma was a good way to get David to follow her and if David followed her , Snow was sure to be close behind.David was noticeably more protective of Emma and Emma did feel like he loved her more , Snow just sort of...Emma didn't know how to word her feelings there.With this new information , Emma thought maybe Snow didn't act as much like a mother towards her because of the vision she saw. But that was messed up , because that wasn't set in stone and she apparently removed the darkness that caused what happened in that vision ; so she really shouldn't have been treating Emma different because of it.Oh , well , one thing Emma learned early on was that you cannot change people. People are gonna do what they are gonna do , no matter what you might have to say about it. You can't make somebody love you , believe her , she tried more than a few times in her thirty years of life.If somebody , especially a parent did not step up to that role and fall into those instincts on their own ; you cannot do anything to change or fix that , that is something you either have in you or you don't. And considering what Snow did to Maleficent's baby , Emma was sort of glad she got sent away in a wardrobe!
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****Chapter 1****Emma beat on the door to the Charming's apartment , her blood smeared all over the wood. She cringed , feeling a small splinter go into her right palm.The door swung open and there Mary Margaret was , with a concerned expression and a fussy baby on her hip. She looked into the home to see a group of women and their either fussing or sleeping children , Emma had interrupted a 'Mommy and Me' meeting , great."Emma ,"Mary Margaret said , surprised."What's wrong?""Cruella and Ursula , you and Dad were right. We shouldn't have let them cross the town line , they're really , really bad. They were just acting , when they told Regina they wanted to change. I feel so stupid!"Emma gasped , holding her hands and acting like she was really in pain. Well , she was in pain , but it was a different and unseeable sort of pain. It was pain she wasn't discussing with her mother because truthfully , she doubted it would matter much to do so. Again , if someone did not care , you could not make them and Emma saw no point in wasting her breath.Mary Margaret's eyes widened , she hoisted Neal up higher on her hip and moved out of the way for Emma to come in. Emma shook her head , frowning."Mar-Mom , you have to come with me , where is David?"Emma said , urgency lacing her tone."Emma , we're in the middle of class and I have no one to watch Neal , I can't just leave. And he's out patrolling ,""There is literally a room full of women you know , are friends with that you trust who also have kids his age. You could ask one of them to watch him , for a few minutes."Emma knew she sounded snappy and you know what? She didn't care. This was bullshit. What if she wasn't just luring them into a trap? What if Cruella and Ursula really had done something just awful or hurt her in some way and she really did need Snow and David to help her , in some way?If Emma were really in an emergency , she now knew that Snow would not come to her aid and she was using her other child as an excuse not to do so. When it came down to it , Mary Margaret had no problem picking favorites and that choice was and never would be Emma."Emma , he is my child , he is my responsibility. I can't just pawn him off on somebody else ,""But you could put your other one in a wardrobe and send her to another land , for other people to raise? Yeah , okay. Whatever. I'm hurt and I need help , I thought I could come to you...."This stuff right here , this was why she was so jealous of Neal. He was like everything to their parents , Snow and David never would have put their precious baby boy in that wardrobe and sent him off on his own. Emma shook her head , it didn't matter. None of it mattered. She wasn't here about her stupid stuff , she was here to repay a debt to Maleficent."Emma , you know the circumstances , it was a very different scenario...""Yeah , you're right. Back then , it was an emergency and it is an emergency now. The difference being then , I was an infant that you had to think of something last minute. Now , I am an adult and I can communicate with you that I need you. I need you and Dad , Mom. For once in your life , be there for me."Emma let some of her anger come out in that one , but damn. She was tired of Snow trying to justify that. Emma didn't care if that was the only way to save her from the Curse and make her the Savior , she never asked to be the Savior!She grew up unloved and abused and neglected , with nowhere to really call home and just had a really crap life. The last thing she thought about during that was being a freaking Savior! If Emma would have had her choice about it , she would have gone to Cursed Storybrooke with them and had at least one parent to raise her and love her."Emma , I can't , and I have been there for you.""I can watch the baby , for a bit."Ashley offered , after the other women in the room had sat and listened to this argument and nobody else had made any moves to speak up. Emma shot her a grateful look , but Mary Margaret looked unsure."See , Ashley said she could watch him. What's your excuse now , huh?"Emma laid her bloody palms down , to further guilt Snow. Once upon a time , she had been a 'conman' and she was good at it. Seems she hadn't lost her touch , if the pitiful looks in the room and the color draining on her mother's face was anything to go by."What happened , Emma?""They attacked me , I got them trapped temporarily in a cave. But they're going to get out soon and they're really angry , I can't take them on myself. My magic just isn't good enough , yet. I need you , mom."And that did it , Snow handed off Neal to Ashley and grabbed her coat. There was one Charming , off to the next. She should probably feel bad about this , but she refused to.
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****Chapter 2****"Good job , Sheriff , we'll take it from here , darling!"Cruella praised Emma on her good work , when Emma delivered a frantic Snow White and Prince Charming to them practically on a silver platter."What's going on , Emma?!"Charming snapped his head over to Emma , his eyes wide and understanding of the clear betrayal."What's going on is you played with fire and now , you're going to get burnt. I'm out of this , from here on."Emma said , apathetically and began backing towards the exit of the cave. Out of pure spite , Emma wiped her hands on her jeans to show she was not actually hurt at all.Maybe had Snow been a little more cooperative without so much pressure and whining to encourage her to come along , Emma *might* not have felt the need to rub that trickery in their faces so badly. Oh , who was she kidding? They deserved every bit of this."Emma , wait , you lured us into this? You worked with *them*?"Snow choked out , Emma shrugged."You kidnapped a baby and essentially poisoned it , I led you into a trap and I am being nice enough to leave it at this and walk away.""We did it , for you!""Like Hell , you did! Nothing you do is for me! Everything that you do is for somebody else or just yourself , it is never just one hundred percent for me.And even if you had of done what you did just for me , it would not have been any better because I never would have asked for something like that to happen! Do me and every other parent/guardian out there a favor and stop doing things like that ,it's sickening.""She was evil , her baby was going to be evil--"Did Charming seriously just go there? Emma stopped in her tracks and if looks alone could k!ll , he would have dropped down on the ground lifeless in that moment."Excuse me? Because she was evil , that makes her baby automatically evil? I'm going to say one thing here and one thing only , REGINA AND HENRY.." Emma snarled , taking full offense. By that logic , they may as well have said that her son and their grandson was evil."Regina isn't Henry's real mother--"Strike two."Regina has had him since he was a baby and she has done a Hell of a lot more for the kid than I ever have , he is more her son than he is mine. I gave birth , that's it and at the time , I didn't even want to do that!"She loved Henry more than the earth itself , but she wasn't about to stand there and act like she was always ready to play mommy and she damn sure wouldn't let Snow or David or anybody else say Regina wasn't that kid's mom."Emma , you were a kid and you got into some bad situations--""Yeah , that you put me in. Keep talking , keep making yourself sound worse. You already sounded enough like a dick , when it came out that you were a baby-knapper , you don't need to try so hard to dig that hole any deeper."Emma huffed , she was this close to helping Cruella and Ursula and Gold with whatever the Hell it was they planned on doing. Snow was going to keep running that mouth and pissing her off..."Everything that we did was with your best interest at heart--""BULLSHIT. DO NOT EVER USE ME TO JUSTIFY WHAT YOU DID AGAIN , I WANT NO CONNECTION TO IT WHAT SO EVER! YOU DID WHAT YOU DID , WITH *YOUR* BEST INTERESTS IN MIND BECAUSE GODS FORBID PERFECT SNOW WHITE HAVE AN IMPERFECT DAUGHTER!"That was it , Emma snapped.Snow sang to the little birdies and all the little forest creatures just ate from the palms of her hands , everyone smiled as she entered the scene , everyone loved her and she was just so perfect and wonderful in every way , how could her daughter possibly be any less?!"Should we interrupt them? We are on limited time..."Ursula whispered to Cruella who snorted quietly , elbowing her friend in the ribs lightly."No , darling , we can handle being set back a bit , this is getting good. Who thought the Savior would be possessing so much anger , in such a little body?""You just like stirring the pot ,""Indeed , I do."Gold rolled his eyes , shaking his head. Maleficent was waiting far too patiently to be resurrected and undoubtedly , she would be perfectly fine with waiting a little longer for this drama to unfold.If Gold were not in a position where he had been smuggled into town and in need of keeping his residence as discreet as possible , he probably would have been just as tempted to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and watch the show go on as well.As it were , he had a Sheriff and her goody goody parents stuffed into a cave while he and his two dodo brain companions plotted to use highly prohibited black magic to raise their Dragon back from the dead and he felt this squabbling could wait for family counseling. Gold cleared his throat , gaining everyone's attention."Enough of this. Knock them out and get this over with , we do not have all day!"Gold snapped , Cruella and Ursula shrugged."I don't have anything going on ,""Neither do I.""Well , *I* do!""Oh , you can stalk your bloody ex lat--"Cruella was cut off by the sound of a loud "Whack!" , Emma took the liberty to grab a thick slab of what could have either been a rock or even part of the cave walls off the floor and hit both of her parents with it hard enough for them to hit the ground. David landed a little softer , but Snow was going to have a nasty knot later."Merry fucking Christmas!"Emma now had a headache and she was already more involved than she had ever wanted to be , she threw her choice in weapon back down on the ground and walked her happy ass back out towards the way she came in. She planned to do a quick delivery and get out , not host a soap opera in the final resting place of a dead Dragon!"Great , now I'm part of it! Ugh , great."Emma groaned , once she exited the cave. She knew better than to have agreed to even do as much as deliver her parents to them , she should have known she could not simply walk away from there.Once you dirty your hands in stuff like this , there never really is a way to wash them. When Snow and David woke up , she was so in for it. For once , it was gonna be *her* door with the towns folk lining up with their pitch forks.Oh , well , she guessed her best bet was to march herself up to Madame Mayor's home for a little late night chat about what an idiot she was and what her old pals had been getting up to lately. Either Regina would help her by actually helping her or she would help her , by taking her out before Snow White's fans did.
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****Chapter 3****"Cruella , the Sea Bitch , and Gold are doing a ritual to bring Maleficent back using your parent's blood and you helped them..."Regina asked , slowly for clarification. Emma nodded , pulling out a pack of cigarettes."Yeah , well , kind of. I didn't do any of the actual work with the getting the blood and the voodoo bullshit , I just knocked them out."Emma went to light a cigarette , when Regina snatched it out of her mouth."That doesn't make you sound any better , for the record. Since when do you smoke? And don't you even dare think of lighting that thing in here , my son has never been exposed to cigarette smoke and I intend for it to stay that way!""The kid has been around people that smoke before , Regina ,"Emma sighed dramatically , Regina glared at her."How do you suppose that is?""Because he's been around me!"Emma really wasn't a full on smoker , she had what she called an 'emergency pack' she put up for times of stress like she was dealing with right now. It was worth it to sacrifice her health , if it meant she didn't go to jail for doing something stupid."Well , he will not be exposed to it in my home and if you have any sense of self-preservation , he will no longer be exposed in your's."Regina said , firmly. Emma rolled her eyes , she wasn't scared of Regina....until Regina started giving her the look she always got before she conjured up a fireball and flung it your way. The blonde shoved that pack of cigarettes away , wisely."If I had any sense of self-preservation , I wouldn't have helped Cruella and Ursula.""Back to that , what were you thinking , Emma?!""I was thinking I owed Maleficent!""What the Hell are you talking about?"Regina demanded , rubbing her temples. Here it was going on midnight and she was sitting in her living room , trying to figure out the mess that was Emma Swan's head. Was this her poor life decisions coming back to haunt her? Was this some strange act of Karma? Or was it just that Emma was an idiot?...Definitely that Emma was an idiot."My parents , they kidnapped her kid and I'm like ninety percent sure it's dead.""I didn't even know Maleficent had a kid and while that sounds awful and I feel for her , I do--I have yet to hear the part where *your* name comes into this? So far , it sounds to me that it is the Charming pair that owes her.""I come into it because they kidnapped the kid to pour my darkness into it , it's my fault , Regina. If I had been pure , like I was supposed to have , Maleficent might not have lost her baby."Regina grabbed Emma's chin and she gripped it firmly , forcing the blonde to look her in the eye."Emma , you had no control over that , babies are innocent. There was a time when Rumpelstiltskin was good , evil isn't born and darkness isn't bred; it's drilled into your mind and poisoned into you over time. What they did , that was *not* your fault.""But they did it because they thought I wasn't--""Emma , it doesn't matter , you did not come out and tell them to do it. This is not your fault. Repeat it after me , this is not your fault. I need to hear you say it. Believe me , Emma , I'm always more than happy to point out when someone in your family is in the wrong and I'm telling you you aren't.""It's not my...it's not my fault...""Now , say it more convincingly.""It's not my fault."There was no stuttering or stumbling over words this time , but she was still very soft-spoken and shy."Again , louder and prouder.""It's not my fault , mom!"Emma's cheeks flushed with embarrassment , had she really said that?! She didn't even slip and call Snow that and she lived with her!"Sorry...""I'll get in contact with Dr. Hopper , sometime and we will unpack all of this. Until then , we'll focus back on the matter of how you just put a giant target on your back."Regina wasn't honestly extremely shocked that Emma called her that , it was no secret the blonde had some issues. But it was late and that was not a five minute chat , so she would just assume tackle it at a later date."I don't know what to do ,""My only suggestion is to stay as far away from those three , apparently soon-to-be four morons as you can possibly get and hope that your pathetic parents feel enough shame and guilt that they keep their mouths shut and never mention any of the incident."Regina sighed , Emma bit her lower lip."I don't want them to keep their mouths shut , I want people to know what they did. They get by with so much already , this is just getting swept under the rug and I don't like it.""If they don't keep their mouths shut , this town is not going to side with you , Emma. It doesn't matter what little Snow White does , the odds are always in her favor and she rarely suffers any consequences to her actions. Leave revenge to those who are already ruined , you need to think of your safety."Regina tucked Emma's hair behind her ear , frowning at the stubborn look on the blonde's face."And if you cannot behave for your own sake , think of Henry and mine. Because let me tell you right now that if someone hurts you , they will deal with me.I worked very hard to fix myself , it would be a damn shame to und all that work because you didn't think Maleficent was a big enough girl to handle her own affairs.""Henry will be okay , he has you.""He needs you , too and you want to know something else?""What?""I need you , too. My heart has never been so full , I am not about to lose either one of you.""Can I stay here tonight?"Emma looked so small , Regina nodded."Yes , you can.""Can I...."Regina raised a brow , wondering where this was going."Yes?""Can you stay with me , until I fall asleep?"Regina just noticed Emma's hands were shaking , her nerves were all tore up."Come on , you can lay with me.""Isn't that going to be , I dunno...weird?""Emma , considering all of our history , I think we stopped worrying about coming off as 'weird' a long time ago."Regina snorted , Emma made a face."Good point....but don't tell anybody about this.""Do you think I really want to tell people about how I spent my night with my son's birth mother curled up in my bed?""Maybe , maybe you want the town to know you had a young , hot blonde in your bed all night.""Not when the blonde is practically like my daughter and for the record , if I am to take a woman to my bed and become the latest town scandal , I'm taking my chances with Miss Lucas."Regina informed her , with a huff."You think of me like your daughter?"Damn those hopeful green eyes , she patted Emma's shoulder."Yes , I do. Now , come on. Off to bed we go , before we wake Henry up.""Too late! I can't believe you knocked Grandma out , Ma!""Henry Daniel Mills , you can give Emma a hard time in the morning , right now , you need to be sleeping!""You're the ones that woke me up!""Do you want me to come up there?!"..."Goodnight , Moms!""That's what I thought!"Regina huffed , then turned back to face Emma."This is why I have a medicine cabinet full of ibuprofen!""Hey , you're the one that decided to have kids and nobody said it was easy."Emma joked , Regina rolled her eyes."I chose to take in a sweet little boy , then his over grown child of a birth mother attached to me like a leech. Henry is an angel , on a bad day. You , however , will be the source of the gray streaks in my hair!""As old as you are , trust me , it isn't going to be either of us that causes that gray hair...ow!"Emma whined , when Regina swatted her shoulder."Brat. Off to bed , you go. Now.""Pushy , pushy.""If I'm not pushy , you don't listen. Now , stop whining and go. We will all have to be up early and if you wake up cranky , I do not want to hear any complaining about how tired you are because you were the one that chose to go playing human sacrifice in the caves!""I wasn't doing the sacrificing , they were.""You helped them gather the tools to do it , you are just as guilty as they are! Bed , now , Miss Swan!"Regina spanked her , Emma's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed red."Did you just spank me?!""Yes , I did and I will do it again! Considering how I was raised , I am going much easier on you than my own mother would have been with me!""Your mother was a psychopath!""I get it honest! Remember that. Move."Regina huffed , shooing her up the stairs.
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****Chapter 4****"Good morning , Sheriff!"Cruella greeted Emma , as soon as she and Regina walked through the door to the diner."Nod and carry on , do not engage."Regina muttered quietly to Emma , not bothering to spare the Villainess a glance.The Mayor put a gentle hand on the Sheriff's lower back and pushed her forward , indicating for her to go ahead and start moving her feet. Upon hearing Cruella's voice , Emma had been sort of stuck and she stiffened up visibly.Emma took a breath and turned her head to acknowledge Cruella who sat across from Ursula , she nodded a silent greeting to both of them and offered an awkward little wave to keep the peace before continuing her way up to the front counter.Regina had suspected that the two morons would try to...chat with Emma and get something started , so she made sure that she accompanied Emma to the Diner and she had ever plan of doing so for every other break and meal until things settled down.If things got to be too bad , Regina was more than prepared to avoid the Diner and the Rabbit Hole(Emma enjoyed popping in there some nights and Regina was certainly no stranger to it either) and simply cook and drink at home.Regina would not allow her friend or Henry's mother to be the subject of the town's anger , she was not going to let Cruella and Ursula or Gold or damn Maleficent either one drag Emma down. If they wanted trouble , they would have it ; but it would not be with Emma.There was a time Regina could cause hurricanes and strike the fear of death into every nearby and far away village , do not think for a second that she could not easily do it again--Regina was good because she *chose* to be , but she would happily be bad for the sake of those she loved most.It would break Henry's heart to see the Evil Queen again , but she knew he would forgive it , if it was for Emma. Regina dearly hoped it did not come to that point , but she was fully prepared , if it did. Sometimes , you had to be willing to do what was needed to be done."Won't you sit with us , Swan?""We are getting a to-go order , some of us do have jobs and we are running late."Regina answered , shortly for Emma."I married rich , I don't have to work , darling!"Cruella announced , proudly. Ursula snorted , raising her coffee mug to her lips."I'm the daughter of the King of the Seas. If I get into a spot , I can go home and live in the underwater castle.""I'm the Mayor of a town and Emma is the Sheriff , we make our own living just fine without relying on other people to support our taste for animal cruelty and drinking habits. You two enjoy being gold-diggers and spoiled brats , though!"Regina threw over her shoulder , as she steered Emma up to the side of the counter where Ruby was grinning wolfishly(pun fully intended) and already waiting with a pad and a pen."Cat fight , in the dog pound."Ruby snickered , Regina rolled her eyes."Grow up , would you?""You could always take her across your lap , until she learns to behave herself."Emma teased , Regina glared at her."Yeah , take me over your lap. It won't do you any good , but you can try."If Ruby's grin got any wider , Regina was sure her face would split right open."Would you just take our order and stop day-dreaming , Miss Lucas?""Ooh , Miss Lucas , do you want me to call you Miss Regina?"Emma snickered , Regina elbowed her in the ribs lightly."Settle down.""Yes , Mommy."Emma and Ruby said at the same time , Regina's cheeks flared up a bright red that contrasted against her tanned skin."Knock it off , both of you.""Yes , Ma'am!"Regina glared warningly at both of them , grabbing Emma by the ear."Grab the coffee , grab the apple fritters , Emma , we are leaving. And eyes up here , Miss Lucas!"Regina barked out her orders , sounding every bit like the feared Evil Queen. Emma whined , grabbing the bag of their food and the tray with their drinks.Ruby gave one last long glance to Regina's ass , before dragging her eyes back up to meet the dark pair of eyes glaring heatedly at her. The wolf grinned , completely unashamed."Call me!""In your dreams!""Many things happen in my dreams , Madame Mayor , a call generally is what starts them , but--""STUFF IT , MISS LUCAS!""I'm working on it , but you're all the way over there!""I'm leaving!""You're seem very stressed and especially irritable today , Regina , could I interest you in a nice relaxing seat on my face and maybe some pie? It's apple!"Ruby called after Regina , Emma started cackling until Regina twisted her ear painfully."Stop egging her on , Miss Swan and for the last time , shut up , Miss Lucas! I will not be...sitting on your face or eating your damn pie in this life time!"Regina snarled , the tips of her ears becoming as red as her cheeks."How about my lap , then? Okay , fine. No pie , I made it and it probably wouldn't be that great. My skills aren't really in the cooking field!""Goodbye , Miss Lucas! Enjoy the view , this will be the last time you see for a very long time ; until you and this idiot next to me learn to behave yourselves!"Regina rushed out the door with Emma in tow , the door slammed behind them."I can't believe you passed up on that , Regina!""I don't want to hear it , Miss Swan! We will not be discussing this."Regina hissed , embarrassed. Emma pried her fingers off her ear and rubbed it , pouting."I'm just saying , she was right. Your body screams tension and if you would be just a little bit nicer , you could be doing a lot more fun screaming.Trust me , she knows what she's doing. She will get you there just fine and by the time you finish , you will be dying for that pie."Emma advised her wisely , Regina stopped in her tracks and turned to look at the blonde."Have you and--""Ruby done it? Kind of. When I first came to town and you were pissing me off all the time , she provided some...stress relief that helped me unwind long enough to not kick your ass. We never went all the way and had sex or anything , she just ate me out once and I of course , returned the favor."Emma shrugged , adding on."It was one time pre-curse , we never speak of it. Just two friends helping each other out , nothing more.""You two...performed oral on one another and you just carry on with your day , smiling and waving and acting as though you did not see each other's most intimate parts?"Regina asked , incredulously. Sure , back in her day as the Evil Queen , she had her flings ; but she never met up for coffee and casual friendly chats with them , afterwards...she crushed their hearts once done with them and moved on with her life."We gave each other a helping hand one time , when we first met. I wasn't even here for a full month , when that happened. She was a hot waitress at the diner that let me vent my problems and licked my pussy for a while , I fingered her , and we went our separate ways.The topic has never once come up since the evening it happened , I doubt she even remembers it and I honestly let it slip my mind until she just said that. Sex doesn't always have to be more than just that , sex. Friends can catch each other at a weird time , "scratch each other's back" , and never speak of it again and everything be perfectly fine."Emma had never associated sex and love , even when she was with Neal. She cared about Neal , of course and she was sure he cared about her...until he found out who she was , anyways. But the thing was , she was a dumb hormonal kid back then and most of the reasons she went ahead and had sex with the guy was because of their life style and living arrangements. After that mess , Emma decided that she simply was not meant for love and casual sex became as normal to her routine as brushing her teeth in the mornings."You really are broken , Emma , I'm calling Archie for you."That was all Regina could think to say , Emma made a face."Yeah , I could have told you that much. You can call him , but that doesn't mean I will go see him. I don't need some stupid know-it-all cricket telling me about my mommy issues and my fear of intimacy."Emma huffed."I will call and you will go , if I have to drag you there and sit through the sessions with you. You owe it to yourself and to Henry to try to heal , you deserve the same happiness all of these ungrateful ingrates in this town believe they are entitled to. I let Snow White ruin one innocent little girl , I will not let her do it again.""I'm not a little girl anymore , Regina."Emma said , quietly."You are on the inside..Now , come on. We really do need to be getting to work.""Yes , mother , whatever you say , mother.""Quiet , you brat."Regina teased , walking ahead of Emma and trusting the Sheriff to follow along after her towards town hall...both women completely oblivious to the deep blue-eyed stare of a previously dead Dragon trained on their backs from her seat in the back of Cruella De Ville's car.__________________________________________________________________"I never thought I would see the day where the werewolf and Snow White's daughter were both calling the Evil Queen 'Mommy'."Ursula said , once she slid into the passenger side of the Coupe Deville."Coffee and filthy entertainment , who though the 'good side' of the neighborhood would provide the morning showing of that old dog's granddaughter offering her oral service of the Queen while the Savior cheered on the happy ending?"Cruella snickered , once she had slammed her driver side door shut."So , what I am hearing is Regina is still a slut and she has two young play mates--one of which being the lovely little helper that brought me back?"Maleficent asked , for clarification as she primly tucked her stray blonde curls behind her ear and under the gray fedora hat her partners in crime picked up for her to match the matching skirt suit she wore."Sort of. The dog was really thirty for the Queen's...apple cider , but Regina was all prudish and refused the offer. Surprising , really.Back in the day , Regina would have grabbed the girl by her skinny little throat and dragged her across the floor and forced that werewolf to service her right there in front of everyone."Cruella sneered , Ursula nodded her agreement. Maleficent made a face , shaking her head."I disagree. I've known dear Regina for a very long time , I knew her before and after she became the Evil Queen. Neither version or whatever this land's version of her is would have done that , not in public. Surprisingly , she is more private with matters of the bedroom."Maleficent informed them."Speaking from experience?""No , our relationship was never romantic. Regina is a sentimental old thing , she wouldn't bed anyone she did not harbor feelings for.Besides , it would be a constant power struggle and I would never let her win and she would have thrown one of her little tantrums and when her little temper tantrum of a curse led to me getting k!lled by that silly little Savior of her's ; it would be all awkward , when I pop in for a surprise visit and everyone begs me not to take my revenge.""You put way too much thought into that answer , it could have been left at a simple 'no'."Ursula huffed , swatting Maleficent's hand off the back of her seat."I've been sitting out in this car watching the bitchy and the goofy holding hands and skipping down the street , hidden away while the two of you morons sat inside and had yourselves a nice breakfast and relaxed--I had plenty of time to think!""You are such a drama queen!""You fuck old men and you k!ll them and you take their money , you swish around in the fur coat of a mutt you skinned and cry about your pathetic misfortune ; but *I* am the dramatic one?!""Being a psychotic gold-digger isn't dramatic , it's a smart way to ensure you live comfortably.""You're right , it just makes your life almost as sad as your face."Maleficent sneered."Do you want to go back to that cave?"Cruella snapped , Maleficent smirked and her eyes lit up neon green."Do you want to join the bones of your little doggie friends in the ground? I now know the little Savior will bring me back because she feels so terribly guilty , who's going to bring your pathetic self back? Last I checked , nobody liked you!""Girls! Knock it off! We have a task , we are supposed to be finding the Author and we all have to be *alive* and work *together*. After we find him and get our happy endings written out , you two can k!ll each other to your heart's content!"Ursula had had enough , Cruella growled irritably and turned back around in her seat. Maleficent leaned back , crossing her arms over her chest."Finally. We need to hurry up , so we can meet Gold at the cabins before he goes off stalking his ex-wife again."Ursula spoke to Cruella directly this time , which was just fine with Maleficent --she never did care too much for either woman. One of the women smelled like wet dog and she really just did not see what the purpose of her character was , the other one invaded her home and tried to impregnate her with her tentacles ; then you factor in the whole they failed to protect her baby.Cruella and Ursula talked animatedly about what they planned to do , once they found the Author and Maleficent just stayed out of that conversation. She would not be telling either woman , but she could care less about the other. Maleficent had one goal in mind and one goal only : she was going to find her lost child and bring it home and she had plans for the Savior to help her do it.As soon as the Dragon found a way to get close to the blonde Sheriff , she was ditching the two divas she was currently riding with and she was leaving them to do their business alone. Gold would not appreciate the betrayal , but she had plans to take care of that. He wouldn't be able to touch her and she dared him to try to cause any harm to her child , if she did somehow manage to find it.Maleficent might have once considered having the back-up plan to fall back into working with Gold , if her original plans did not pan out ; but she dismissed that idea immediately. She wouldn't seriously work with that man again , for anything. He was the one who gave her the Dark Curse and he was the one that encouraged Regina to steal it and use it , he was the one that gave Charming that potion that the Savior had to k!ll her to get a hold of , and he was the one she blamed most for losing her baby that night. Rumpelstiltskin could find himself another Dragon , this one wasn't doing his damn dirty work for him.
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****Chapter 5****"What are you doing , Emma?"Regina asked , amused as Emma kept scooting her chair closer to her. For the last ten minutes since they settled into the office to start their day , Emma had "subtly" been moving closer to Regina.It started out with Emma sitting across from her , then the blonde had slowly began working her way around the desk until she was next to Regina. At this point , Emma was close enough that their arms were pressed up against each other and there was absolutely no room to move around just about. Any closer and Emma would be in her lap!"I dunno."Emma shrugged , Regina raised a brow."You keep scooting closer to me , but you 'dunno' what you're doing? And it is "I don't know" , by the way."Regina nudged her shoulder with her own , Emma grinned back at her."I'm just sitting in my seat , that's all. I can't help that you're right there , next to me."Henry used to do the same thing , when he was little. Her boy would spend his days in the office with his mommy , before he started school and he would always want to be close to her.Her son would act like he didn't know what he was doing and he would just keep on getting closer and closer , Regina had learned quickly that it was very comforting to be close by her. Henry liked being close enough that he could lay his little head on her shoulder and snuggle up to her side because no matter how busy Regina had been , she would always acknowledge him and pat his hair and occasionally rest her cheek on his head."You're right , silly me. I must have been the one scooting closer to you , you never moved an inch!"Regina sighed , dramatically. Henry always liked when Regina played along with his nonsense , Regina was starting to see many similarities in the mother and son she had come to love very much.The main difference between Emma and Henry was that Henry did all the things she was seeing out of Emma when he was a young child , Regina was taking off her blinders and she was seeing the silent pleas for help Emma had probably been begging to be acknowledged this whole time. It was like a kick to the stomach , when Regina really let it settle in just how much Emma had needed her all of this time and she had just neglected her--they all had."And here you were , blaming me!"Emma played along , Regina ducked her head in shame."What can I say? I'm a bad person , I poison apples and blame innocent people for crimes I commit.""Is that why you ordered apple fritters? You wanted to poison me and you were going to claim I did it to myself!"Emma said , accusingly. Regina looked down at her , grinning wickedly."It might just have been and you will eat them , anyways. You will smile as you choke down every bite and do you want to know why?""Why?"Regina looked around , making a show of ensuring it was just the two of them before whispering."Because if you don't , the tickle monster will get you! Little girls who don't eat their poisoned breakfasts get fed to the tickle monster , she would have loved to have had poisoned apple fritters...it looks like she will have to settle for a bratty Savior instead!"Regina's fingers targeted Emma's ribs and arm pits , then quickly travelled to her stomach and back up. One hand tortured the sensitive skin of Emma's arm pits and the other's fingers danced along the pale flesh revealed to her as that shirt she argued firmly was too small for the blonde rose up. Emma squealed , squirming and kicking to get away from the "Tickle Monster". It did her no good , Emma was no match for the wiggly fingers of Regina Mills!"Noooo! Stop! I'll eat my poisoned apples , Miss Tickle Monster! I promise!"Emma gasped out , in between laughter. Fat tears rolled down her flushed cheeks , as Regina continued to "assault" her."Every bite?"Regina raised a brow , Emma grinned."Every bite!""What a pity , it seems the Tickle Monster is going to have to go find some other ungrateful little girl to torment today..."Regina pouted and dropped her hands , giving Emma space and a minute to breathe. Emma panted , slouching back in her chair."That's the first time I've ever been tickled , I always wondered what it felt like."Regina's heart broke , at the admission. Even Regina had been tickled. Cora never had a moment to spare to play dress up or have tea parties with little "princess" Regina , but she was known for the random strike of a good mood that lead to her tickling Regina's feet until she nearly peed herself. Just when she thought she couldn't feel any more sorry for Emma , here she goes proving herself wrong again."If you liked it , I can do it for you again every once in a while."Was it appropriate for a grown woman to be sitting in her office tickling another grown woman? No , but to be perfectly fair , what about their lives *was* appropriate? Regina felt like there were much worse things that could be being done that if tickling was the only thing that was being done , everything would be just fine."Isn't that a little weird?""Everything about our lives is weird , Emma. Even when you lived in the "normal" world , you still weren't normal."Regina pointed out , Emma made a face."Good point. Pass me the poison."Emma held out her hand , Regina pushed the greasy brown bag towards the blonde."For the record , it is not actually poisoned , Emma.""As good as this thing is , it would have been perfectly okay with me , if it had of been poisoned."Emma declared , after taking a bite out of the still warm breakfast pastry."I'm glad to hear it , because it is the last one you will be having for a while. After this morning , you will be having healthy actual meals."Regina informed her , Emma whined."I eat good!""Sure , you do , Emma. And it's *well* , not good.""I do , just ask Ruby."....Regina shoved Emma and caused her to fall out of her chair , not feeling the least bit remorseful because she knew it was "big" Emma she was dealing with(she had chosen to separate the versions of the blonde she was getting , labelling the needy one as "little Emma" and the idiot she was dealing with right now as "big Emma") and "big" Emma was not near as delicate."You are a mean mommy ,"Emma accused her , Regina snorted."I am the *Evil Queen* , dear. Whatever did you expect?""I dunno ,"Emma grinned , Regina rolled her eyes and wagged a finger at her."It's *don't know* , Miss Swan ,""I'm back to Miss Swan? Come on.""You are , when you are purposefully trying to annoy me. Now , get up off the floor. It's hard to tell when the last time the Janitor actually cleaned it properly was , you don't want to be sitting there in that dirt for too long.""I used to eat food I found in dumpsters and live in a car , where I had no access to a shower. And I was having sex , while I was living in that car. Regular sweat and body odor added to extra sweat from that 'exercise' and other things things without a way to really wash myself off--baby wipes only do so much--I really don't think what little dirt you would have on your floor is going to hurt me."Emma pointed out , with a snort."That is disgusting and I could have gone the entire rest of my life without thinking about that , we are making an agreement from this day forward , you are never to mention those details again. You can talk about your past , but I never want to hear about how you had...relations in a car and no access to a way to properly cleanse yourself."Regina declared , shuddering at the thought--Emma and Baelfire/Neal's magic was the *only* reason those two never contracted syphilis , she was sure of it."Relations? Seriously , Gina?""Yes. Get used to it , Emma , you are officially one of my children and I do not talk filthy in front of my children. Also , when we get home , you are taking a shower. I feel dirty *for* you , after hearing that.""Me showering *now* isn't going to help me *back then* , Gina , and you're from the Enchanted Forest ; where they didn't even have indoor plumbing. Y'all used to squat outside and you didn't have toilet paper either , that was the time of baths maybe once a week and they were popping out babies regularly. You don't get to judge me."Emma pointed out , Regina made a face."Kudos , for the argument. You used actual facts , I'm impressed. But for the record , I kept myself cleaned regularly. I found a way to wipe myself off daily and I gave myself thorough baths *at least* every other day , mother would have never allowed me to go around dirty and stinking.""Didn't do you any good to clean yourself , when my dirty grandpa was crawling all over you. Get offended all you want , but your mom sucked."Emma pushed herself up off the floor and sat back down in her chair , not moving it an inch away from Regina.Regina sighed , putting on her glasses."And it doesn't do any good to bring that up and get upset over it , now.""It needs to be brought up , because nobody talks about it. Everybody wants to talk about how evil you were and how many wrong things you did , but nobody wants to talk about the guy literally old enough to have been your father lusting after a *teenager* and marrying her and forcing her to raise his daughter that was only *five years* younger than her.""Just like nobody wants to talk about the grown man that got a seventeen-year-old homeless girl pregnant."Regina countered , pursing her lips before adding."Everybody liked Baelfire or Neal or whatever name you want to call him , but nobody wanted to address the fact that he took advantage of you and left you behind. He didn't know you were pregnant , but he knew you were a child forced to live like an adult and he knew he left you alone to deal with *his* mess.""He didn't rape me , Gina , I knew what I was doing and I willingly participated. At the time , I really thought I loved him. What he did hurt me , but out of all the people that have done me wrong , he's one of the people I can forgive the easiest.""And I knew what I was doing , when I stayed home and went along with that marriage."Regina said , quietly."You tried to run away and your mom k!lled the person that was going to help you , Cora was never going to stop hunting you down--you didn't have a choice about staying and you didn't have a choice about that wedding and you didn't have a choice about your life and what happened to you.""I lived comfortably , the King was not poor and I lived in a nice home.""Money and fancy clothes doesn't make up for a gross old guy making you perform your 'wifely' duties. You didn't want to be there , you did not want to do those things , and it was disgusting what he did to make you think that it was okay. And it's disgusting that nobody wants to talk about it!""Emma , that was the deal , he gave me food and money and clothes and I kept my mouth shut and did what I had to do. Leave it be.""One of my Foster dads had the same deal , he fed me and clothed me and gave me a roof over my head and all he asked was that I don't tell anybody about our one on one "daddy and baby time". Guess what? Social Services still took me away from him , that wasn't okay and neither was what happened to you. It's called 'grooming' and back in the Enchanted Forest or not , it's not cool.""Why do you care so much?!""Because you're my mom and I love you and I hate that people treat you the way that they do , nobody ever apologized to you for that.""I love you , too , Emma , but the people that owe me those apologies will never give them to me. Please , let it go. I talk to Dr. Hopper to deal with these things , I am alright. I promise."Regina sighed , trying to make Emma see that digging this up was not going to do any good. She didn't even know how they transitioned into this , they were just goofing around and it turned into a trauma dump.While she did not mind talking to Emma and working through things with her --she was more than happy to , in fact-- Regina wasn't sure it was the healthiest thing for Emma to just randomly turn around and basically go off out of nowhere. This was where therapy with an actual therapist needed to come in , Emma couldn't just be eating lasagna at the dinner table and casually shift conversation into how her grandfather basically raped a teenage Regina while Henry was sitting there.Regina could handle talking about these things, but Henry was a child and he didn't need to hear those things and it was her duty as his mother to protect him from that. Emma needed to be able to go and sit in a office and vent these things , she needed to talk to someone professional and let it all out in a safe space where she could be taught ways to calm herself down.Emma needed to get help , this random fluctuation between being happy and goofing around one minute to going off about things that happened *long* before she was even a thought in her parent's heads was not healthy for her."I'm sorry..."Emma mumbled , looking down at her lap. Regina grabbed her chin gently and lifted her head up, forcing Emma to look at her."Do not ever apologize for caring , it is not a bad thing to have a good heart.""I don't have a good heart...""Emma , you helped Cruella Deville and Ursula perform a sacrificial ritual to bring back a dead woman , because you felt bad about what your *parents* did to her *before you were born*. You do have a good heart and again , there is nothing wrong with that."Regina said , firmly."Fine , fine."Emma gave in and accepted the words , Regina let go of her chin and turned back to her paper work."Good girl.""Speaking of those three , where do you think she is?""Who?""Cleopatra."Emma said , sarcastically. Regina raised a brow , giving her the same look she gave Henry when he got smart with her."Excuse me?""I mean , Maleficent. Where do you think she is?'Emma corrected , quickly."I don't know , but wherever it is , as long as it is far away from my children , I could care less. Maleficent was my only friend , at one point. I won't hurt her and I will stay out of her way , with the expectation that she leaves my son and daughter alone.""If she was your friend , why do you want her to stay away?'"Because she's crazy , for one thing. Secondly , I kept her trapped in a basement for thirty years...I highly doubt she has any friendly feelings for me.Third , I'm not getting mixed up in whatever mess she has plotting--my days of planning revenge against Snow White are over , she can have it to her heart's content. And finally , she doesn't need to be anywhere near you ; the last thing you need is any chance of suspicion in the role you played in bringing her back. I don't think you realize just how many people in this town she traumatized , her number is almost as high as my own! You do *not* want to be tied to her in any way."Regina listed off the reasons , flipping through her papers."What about her being traumatized? My parents invaded her nest and stole her kid , right after she gave birth! They threatened to make scrambled eggs with the thing!""People in this town won't care about that , she's a Villain.""I hate these people.""Ditto. Now , grab a pen and get to work. Three o'clock will be here , before we know it and we have wasted enough time. If you have more things you would like to vent about , we can see about fitting you into Dr. Hopper's schedule."Regina motioned to the top drawer in her desk , where she kept her pens and office supplies...and a dagger...just in case."I don't want to go to therapy ,""I don't want to listen to those mouthy little dwarves protesting my 'rule' every day that I have a council meeting , but I suck it up and do it anyways because I must. The things that are good for us aren't always easy.""If I wanted a fortune cookie , I would have ordered chinese.""If I wanted a smart ass , I would have asked Geppetto to lend me Pinocchio for a day!"Emma grinned , catching that reference instantly --'Pinocchio' had ironically been one of the few cartoons she watched as a child and a favorite of her's."Somehow , I don't think he would go for that. These days , I think Pinocchio stays away from the sneaky foxes and keeps his nose out of trouble , as much as he is capable of."Regina snorted."That isn't saying much. Now , stop stalling. You have work to do and don't think I don't know what you are doing , when you are distracting me.""It's so boring!""It is and the sooner you stop whining and get it done , the less time you have to spend doing it."
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****Chapter 6****"You're really gonna just leave me here?'""Yes , I am. I have completed my work , my day is over with and I get to spend the rest of the evening relaxing. You could be clocking out and going home to relax , as well , if you would have done what you were supposed to."Regina grabbed her brief case and her coat , beyond ready to go home.To say the day had been a long one would be a severe understatement , Regina had spent the last almost six hours trying to push Emma to stop procrastinating and getting distracted and just do her work. Emma would not listen , she chose to goof off and continuously put off her pile of the paperwork.Regina had told Emma many times that she would not be able to leave until that work was done because the Mayor did not have time to do both of their shares , she tried and tried again to stress that if she would just go ahead and get it done and over with , Emma could go and do whatever fun thing she wanted to outside of that office. As per usual , Emma didn't listen. Unlike most times , Emma was going to actually suffer the consequences of her actions."You can't just leave me in here , by myself. Nobody else will be here!""I can and I will. It's your own fault , you should have thought about it and listened to me! I suggest if you do not want to be here until your next shift is scheduled and if you want to have my lasagna tonight you had best get to work."..."You're mean.""Really? The *Evil Queen* is mean? Who would have thought it , I am just as surprised as you. This information is a lot to process , I need to go home and think about my life and what choices led up to this."Regina sighed , dramatically. Emma's lips twitched , fighting off a smile."Ha ha , very funny.""I thought so. Now , before you get distracted again , I am going home.""I don't know if I can do it!""You can! I believe in you!"Regina cackled , on her way out the door.Emma waited until she was gone to rub her eyes , groaning at how blurred her vision was. She was staring at those pages for hours , accomplishing absolutely nothing for the same reason she put it off every other time--she couldn't see it good enough to get through it.The blonde was actually supposed to wear glasses , she had a set that were prescription and she tried using them once...that did not work out.Turns out her vision had changed and worsened drastically in the last over ten years , but Storybrooke really didn't have that many options for eye doctors and what not. She did not have time to leave town for an eye appointment , well , all that and if she did go and get new glasses , Regina would make her wear the things.Emma hated glasses , she always had to get the ones with bifocals in them and they were always these big square-looking glasses. She looked like a nerd and an old woman. She was old , but she didn't have to look at it. And as for the nerd part , that was laughable. Goofy? Yes. Nerdy? No."Ugh , I am never gonna get through this and I am never gonna get to go home. I am going to be stuck here for--""Thirty years? Look on the bright side , dear , it could be worse--you could be trapped under a basement!"Emma jumped , at the sound of an unfamiliar voice and hot breath fanning on the back of her neck. She turned around in her chair to see a blonde woman smirking at her , dark blue eyes dancing with mischief."Okay , gonna take a guess here and assume you're Maleficent."Emma looked her up and down and decided that if this was who she thought she was , the classic tales she grew up hearing and the art she got to see was way off. In the versions of the tale she heard growing up , Maleficent was this creepy looking hag....this real version was anything but."And they say you aren't very smart! Good job , Princess."Emma blushed , rubbing the back of her neck."Thanks...I think. And I'm not a Princess ,""Ah , that's right. Savior would be more appropriate , forgive me , darling ; I'm still adjusting to this new realm. The last time I walked on two legs , it was a very different world.""Yeah. If it makes you feel any better , I've been here for thirty years and I still haven't really figured it out.""Give yourself a little more credit , Savior , you had it quite figured out when you were piercing through me with daddy's sword."Maleficent sat on the edge of Regina's desk and picked up Emma's paperwork , raising a brow."What is this nonsense?""I'm not even sure. I wouldn't normally ask , but I helped bring you back to life , so could you read a few of the first lines to me.""Can you not see , dear?""I can , but not very good. Probably not the best thing to tell a Villain , but whatever. If you use my weakness against me and k!ll me , I get out of doing paperwork. Regina can't make me stay here and try to read that shit , if I'm dead."Mary Margaret tried to get through to Emma to try to be more positive and see the "brighter side of everything" and Emma thought she was doing a fine job of it. Morbid as the positivity was , it still counted!"I'm not going to k!ll you , but I would suggest a pair of glasses. They do still have glasses in this new land , don't they?""Damn. And yeah , we still have glasses. I just don't like wearing them.""Do you prefer being blind? You're just as bad as Regina! Put the things on long enough to get what you need to done and put them away , until you need them again , you big baby!"Maleficent huffed , Emma pouted."They make me look like a nerd!""I don't know that terminology , I am afraid ; but I would say that whatever it is , you almost definitely probably are.""I love how you don't even know what I'm saying and still , you manage to find a way to use it to insult me."Emma snorted , digging around in her jacket pocket for the dreaded glasses she used every opportunity in the world to get out of wearing. She kept them on her just in case she absolutely had to use them , but she hadn't put the things on in years."I'm a woman of many talents ,"Maleficent shrugged and tilted Emma's chin up , making the younger woman look up at her and inspecting the new look."All jokes aside , they really aren't all that bad. Trust me , if they did look terrible , I would *happily* tell you so. I don't have that filter most of you people have that holds you back from telling the harsh truth."The Dragon assured her , Emma made a face."Now , who's as bad as Regina?""Could be worse , we could both be like Snow White."Maleficent grinned wickedly and Emma stiffened up , suddenly remembering why she was supposed to be avoiding the Dragon and not chatting casually in Regina's office."I would k!ll myself , if I were like her. And about that , maybe you should go.""That much we can agree on , I don't see how she doesn't or that pathetic husband of her's. And why ever would I do that , dear? I've only just arrived!"Maleficent stood up to walk the short distance across the room to the mirror Regina had hanging on the wall , tucking stray curls and 'fly away' hairs behind her ears and eyeing the rest of her appearance critically. Emma couldn't help but to watch her and think that things like this were why the Dragon and the Evil Queen had made such good friends , once upon a time."It's just not a good idea for you to be here.""Why? Afraid somebody is going to walk in and see you making friends with the big , scary Dragon?"Maleficent teased , Emma blushed."I mean , kind of. It doesn't exactly make me look good , you know? I was supposed to slay you , not--""Lay me?"Maleficent grinned and turned around to face her , Emma stared at her wide-eyed."Yeah , definitely not supposed to do that. And especially not when we have only talked for a few minutes , no alcohol is involved to be used as an excuse for it , and definitely not in Regina's office!""It doesn't take much to rile you up , does it?""Not really ,""I can see the tension radiating off of you , Savior , you have got to learn how to relax--stress is a k!ller."Maleficent was back across the room and standing behind Emma's chair in seconds , her hands found a place on the younger blonde's shoulders and her fingers began kneading at the muscles. Emma tensed up for a second , before relaxing into the talented fingers."Look at you , here I was thinking that you would be hard-headed and take some convincing to listen to me."Maleficent spoke next to Emma's ear , smirking at the visible shiver she saw wash over her latest 'prey'."What do you want? I seriously doubt you waited until Regina left to break in here , just to give me a massage."Emma asked , as the older woman began peeling her jacket off of her."So suspicious ,"Maleficent's hands began roaming over her back , her sharp claw-like nails lightly dragging over the skin through Emma's shirt.Emma chose the wrong day not to wear a bra , it gave Maleficent even more access to her sensitive skin and her nipples would argue against anything she said to claim she was not enjoying this attention."For good reason. I k!lled you ,""Yes and then , you helped bring me back. The way I hear it , you showed quite the little display of anger. Judging from what I have been told about this little adventure you went on with those two morons I previously worked with , I thought you might be interested in helping an old Dragon out."Maleficent's hands reached the small of Emma's back and slid up under the younger woman's shirt , squeezing lightly at her sides.Emma grabbed her pen and focused on the papers the Dragon had laid down moments ago , trying her best to ignore the other woman. Sure , she could have and probably *should* have pushed Maleficent away --but it was so nice what those hands were doing and again , Maleficent was very pretty...."I was angry , it wasn't right what was done to you. And what do you mean 'previously worked with'? They brought you back , I thought you , the two morons and Gold were all nice and cozy together."Emma's snort was cut off with a gasp , when Maleficent's hands began moving up her toned stomach to settle on her perky breasts. Maleficent hummed , lazily tweaking at Emma's unclothed and hard nipples."They brought me back , for their own selfish reasons. I am leaving them and pursuing other potential partners , for my selfish reasons. I want to find my child , I don't believe it is dead. I think it is somewhere in this land and I hear you have a gift , for finding people.""At least you admit--ah--it."Emma moaned , when the other woman began tugging at her nipples a little more harshly."Do all you Villains use sex , to get what you want?!""Most of us and most times , yes. It's an effective method.""Well , I do have a gift for finding people , when I have enough information to go off of to find the people. The thing about it is I have to agree to find them and while sex might work for you most times , it's not working this time."Emma reached under her shirt and reluctantly pulled Maleficent's hands away , turning around in her seat to grin at her."Sorry , Maleficent , my mommy says I can't play with you."Emma grinned , and concentrated her magic the way Regina had taught her to into disappearing from the room. She knew she was supposed to finish that paper work , but she needed to get away from the sexy Sorceress even more.Regina would be upset about the paper work , but she would be more upset about the neglected paper work and cum all over her desk more. Emma decided it was time to put her gifts with running away from everything to use and save herself from dealing with an angry Regina , later on.
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****Chapter 7**** "That was quicker than I thought , did you take your time and go over it?"Emma jumped , at the sound of Regina's voice behind her. Regina was sitting in a chair in her living room with a glass of her apple cider , with a book in her lap and a lamp on--she had waited up on her , Emma grinned."No , but our scaly friend looked over it. I don't think she understood any of it , but she tried. Can we get some Dragon treats to sort of leave outside for her , that way we can thank her without directly interacting?"Emma plopped down on the couch , Regina pinched the bridge of her nose."Maleficent came to visit you? I wish I could say I was surprised. And no , we are not leaving her any treats! You feed a stray once and it never goes away!""Yeah , she did. You forgot to warn me how hot she was. Come on , mooooom , we can just leave food outside and we never have to actually let her in. I'll clean up after her , I promise!"..."Stop being an idiot , you are not having a pet Dragon. She's a pain in the ass , trust me. You would set her free into the wild , before you had even kept her a week! And since when do you wear glasses , Emma? Is that why you don't get anything done?"Regina put her glass down on a coaster and marked her page in her book , before standing up and striding across the living room to stand in front of Emma."But she's a hot pain in the ass! I would not set her free , she's too pretty for the wild. I'd probably keep her locked up in my bedroom thou--ouch! Mooom!"Regina slapped her upside the back of the head , before she had finished what she was saying. Emma was lucky she got even halfway through that sentence , Regina's hand twitched after the first few words left Emma's mouth."Do not let her beauty cloud your judgement--""So , you admit that she's hot , too?"Emma grinned , Regina rolled her eyes."Be serious , Emma!""Hey , I take talking about beautiful women VERY seriously!"...."You do realize we have a thirteen-year-old son who is more mature than you? I can sit down and have a serious discussion with our *teenage* son , better than I can with you.""He was raised by Regina Mills , I wasn't."Emma shrugged , Regina made a face."Good point. Well , that is changing now , I am taking you in and I am going to turn it all around. It's late in the game and I've got my work cut out for me , but I will get you on the right track.""Since you're gonna be my mommy and raise me now...can I have my own room?""Yes ,""Can I decorate it any way I want to?""Yes ,""So , I can paint the walls and hang up naked lady posters?""As long as you do like Henry does and put them in places I cannot see them and pretend like they aren't there , when I am in the room.""Can I keep a hot Dragon in there?""No! What is it with you and your obsession with that damned Dragon?!""Mostly that it annoys you that I kinda like her ,""You're going to keep talking about how much you like her and I'm not going to let you leave this house without me because I won't trust you to stay away from Maleficent.""You act like she looks at me and it's just going to unlock the gates of Hell or something ,""Emma , Maleficent is...complicated. It isn't just the issue with the rebirthing ritual , I have known her for a very long time and I have seen many versions of her--there are times she is very unstable and unpredictable."Regina hesitated , before continuing."She can be fine one moment and flip the switch in the next , she has highs and lows and one is as extreme as the other.""Regina , I have some highs and lows too , but--"Regina cut Emma off , sighing.Maleficent is the type that will see a train steadily coming into view and she will run right out in front of it with a smile , happily dragging along whatever fool was dumb enough to spend time with her. She isn't good for me and she isn't good for you. Leave her alone.""That's a bit dramatic , don't you think?""Emma , I'm serious. Aside from that aspect of her personality , let us not forget she is the woman that put a girl under a Sleeping Curse that was meant to last forever and she cursed the boyfriend to become a beast that people would target and try to k!ll every given moment he was sighted. Add that to the first time you two met , when she would have happily roasted your ass!""I'm just saying--""Nothing. You are just saying nothing. You are going to come and sit down on that couch and we are going to talk about those glasses , the matter of Maleficent is closed and it will not be opened again.If I have to put a leash on you and lead you around everywhere you have to go and keep you pinned up in my office to keep you away from her , I will."Regina almost snapped , she was beyond done trying to get through to Emma what a danger Maleficent was."If you put me on a leash and pin me up in your office , rumors are going to spread and they will not be talking about you being my mother either!"Emma informed her , causing Regina to blush furiously."Go sit on the couch , you heathen!"Emma cackled all the way to the couch , where she plopped down and started cuddling one of the throw pillows.Regina sat back down in her chair and prepared to talk about the glasses , something completely normal and simple. What she didn't realize that the whole time Emma was explaining that she had really "crap vision" , Emma was plotting ways to see the Dragon behind Regina's back.This new forbidden concept was bringing out a side in Emma she thought was long dead , the side of her that enjoyed breaking the rules and pushing her caregiver's buttons as much as she could.What people didn't realize that she may be Snow White's daughter and she may be the Savior , but Emma Swan was a bad girl once upon a time and that girl was buried deep inside and just steadily clawing her way back up to the surface. Her meeting with Maleficent earlier brought out an excitement in her she hadn't felt since she first met Neal , one could imagine why she would chase after that.Regina didn't quite grasp was that every character flaw she pointed out in Maleficent , that was what would draw Emma in even more. Emma was addicted to those kinds of people. The worse a person was for Emma , the more she craved to be around them. The more she thought she wasn't supposed to do something , the more she wanted to and the more determined she was to get it done.
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****Chapter 8****Regina gave Emma a chewing out over the glasses thing. Apparently , her Majesty thought it was some kind of a big deal that Emma couldn't see. For one thing , Regina said she would like to have known that Emma needed help seeing because she was ruining her eyes or something like that. Secondly , Regina informed her that a blind Sheriff just was not a good combo.Anyways.Emma was punished for both hiding her eye problems and not finishing her work by helping set the dinner table and washing all of the dishes that were both used to cook the meal and what they ate it on ; and after that , she was tasked with cleaning the kitchen. That doesn't sound all that bad , until you take into consideration the fact that Regina cooks very big meals and she goes through the effort of detailed and often fancy recipes with a lot of ingredients--very , very messy ingredients.Henry and Emma couldn't agree on what they wanted to eat , so Regina made both pasta and a homemade pizza. Regina and Henry made the dough for the pizza , so they did every single step from scratch. Pizza from scratch means a lot of flour and sauces and spices. Then , you factor in what a mess it was to make pasta because Regina didn't do store bought pasta. Emma finally finished cleaning that mess up and doing the dishes by a little after one that morning , because they did not even begin eating their meal until going on ten o'clock.Emma almost asked Henry for help , but she knew Regina wouldn't let him because it was her punishment and the Queen would have smacked her for trying to get him to bed any later than he already was going to be. She figured Regina had already smacked her enough times for the night , she was not going to push her to do so any more. Tomorrow was another story , but for the moment , she felt she had met her quota."Holy crap!"Emma jumped nearly out of her skin, when she heard something hit her window. She had just collapsed on the bed , ready to call it a night when she heard it. Groaning , she slung her legs over the side of the bed and walked over to investigate what made the noise. She had a good idea of what it could have been or rather , *who* but she would have to pull the curtains aside to know for sure.Color her surprised , she was right! Who ever could possibly be throwing literal rocks at her window , like some cheesy character in an old 80's movie? Maleficent , of course.Emma unlocked the window and pulled it up , leaning halfway out of it."What are you doing?!""Coming to see you , of course!"Maleficent grinned , Emma bit her lip."Give me a minute."Emma grinned and used an old trick she hadn't had a need to use since she was fifteen , she arranged her pillows and blankets to look like she was curled up asleep under them. Call her childish or whatever else , but at least she wasn't the one throwing rocks at her old friend's window instead of knocking on the front door like a weirdo.Once she finished and was satisfied with her work , she went back over to the window and began climbing out it."Rapunzel , Rapunzel , let down your hair!"Maleficent mocked , with a smirk. Emma looked over her shoulder and grabbed at the grooves in the house with one hand and flipped the Dragon off with the other."Shut up , you damn zombie!""Very much alive , dear , but cute!""Whatever you are , can you make it quiet?!""Afraid your mommy is going to hear?"Maleficent teased , Emma blushed."Yes and you should be , too!""I'm not scared of Snow White ,"Maleficent sneered , with a roll of her eyes. Emma snorted , jumping down once she was just a few inches from the ground."Yeah , me neither. I wasn't talking about her , I was talking about Regina. Her , I am very scared of and you should be , too.""I had not realized that you and her Majesty were courting , my apologies. This must look so scandalous..."Maleficent sounded amused , Emma made a face."Not like that , at all! She's like my mom , which in all fairness , is kind of weird because she is my son's mom...""Your mother is your son's mother? I thought this new world have moved on from those old traditions...""He's not biologically her's and I am not biologically her's either , she adopted him officially and me unofficially. A lot happened during your rebirth and it is super complicated , we'll go over that after you tell me what the Hell you are doing here for now.""Can I not just miss you , darling? I thought we really got close back in that office."Maleficent smirked , Emma snorted."That good for you too , huh? Dam , I kind of feel bad I didn't stay a little longer.""It is a pity , I was hoping to make you finish all over that desk and the dreaded paper work.""And here I was hoping it would have been all over your face or those wandering hands ,""Alas , it was not to meant to be. You had to go home to your mommy and I had to go play all by myself , I kept you in my thoughts. You're not half as bad as I thought you would be , Savior."Maleficent gave her kudos , reaching into the inside of her suit jacket for a pack of cigarettes."I gave you the best five minutes of your life in that office and that's all you can say?""Had you stuck around instead of running away , I might have been a little more generous with my compliments."Maleficent teased , as she took a cigarette out of the pack and put it to her lips."That's fair."Emma shrugged , eyeing the cigarette. Maleficent lit it and blew a puff of smoke in her face , grinning wickedly."No , what is really going to be fair is for you to take a walk with me and give a little more consideration to our little chat in that office."Maleficent offered her hand to Emma , Emma sighed and looked back at Regina's Mansion before hesitantly taking it."How do you even know the kid is alive and in this world? When I search for somebody , I put a lot of time and effort into it. It's not just some quick job for me , I don't want to get into that for somebody that might not be...ya know?"Emma didn't honestly mind helping Maleficent find her kid , that wasn't an issue ; but dealing with an upset Dragon because they didn't find that kid because that kid never came to this world or they didn't survive the trip or whatever--that bothered her , a lot."That is exactly why I want you to be the one to do it , Savior and I just have to believe that they are. I have to believe that my baby did survive and I need to believe that there was a chance that it came here.""So blind faith , then?"Emma asked , as they started walking. Maleficent nodded , she scrunched up her nose."I thought that was just a hero thing , you're just full of surprises tonight. Come on , tell me what you know about the kid. Boy , girl? Do they have webbed feet or what? Details , help me out here.""I don't like to live trapped in a box , what can I say? And absolutely no idea ,""YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IF YOUR KID IS A BOY OR A GIRL AND YOU ARE ALREADY ASKING ME TO HELP FIND THEM?! IT WOULD BE EASIER TO SEE AIR THAN TO TRACK A KID DOWN THAT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEIR DAMN GENDER IS OR WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE OR ANYTHING ELSE!"