I have become terribly lax with this story – I blame it on my intense Outlaw Queen obsession. I'm still continuing though – albeit slowly. So… I'm still mostly undecided about Evil Charming VS Hooked Queen in this (LOL, in a comic Con interview a while back – before the awesomeness of Outlaw Queen – Lana mentioned shipping Regina and Hook. They called it Hooker Queen. Funny…)

Do tell me which you prefer between Hooked Queen and EC – I find myself leaning towards one or the other at different times. Also… prepare for a little Evil Regina!

DISCLAIMER: Not mine.

Chapter 19

Regina had been crying relentlessly for over an hour. Her parents were gone.

Ruth was shocked when she learnt that Regina was aware of the fact that David was taken – even more shocked when she heard that he was marrying a princess and was unable – or unwilling – to help Regina. It had destroyed the girl who now believed to have no one.

"You have me, Regina… you will always have me, I am here for you. We'll find your parents – I am sure they are out there somewhere and David."

Regina shook her head firmly.

"David doesn't want to come back. He… I thought he loved me. I thought he cared, but… he basically told me to suck it up. I was caught in the worst marriage I could image – I didn't want to be a queen, I wanted to run away. I lost my brother; I lost Hook… all because of that girl and her father!"

Ruth pulled Regina into another hug, stroking over her dark hair lovingly. Regina pulled away with a sniff, wiping tears from her eyes.

"I… I don't want this. I wanted to kill that man, I've never been so close to hurting someone."

Ruth shook her head and looked at Regina kindly.

"Regina… you are not like that. You're stronger than you think. Fight the darkness."

Regina laid her head on Ruth's shoulder with a sigh.

"You're the only one I have left, Ruth."

Hook and Baelfire had no idea where the hell they were. It seemed as though they were protected by some force of magic, having disappeared into thin air just as the arrows were supposed to hit them square in the chest. Not that they were complaining – being lost was certainly not as bad as being dead. Yet, they were not entirely happy about the situation. Especially as they were stuck with each other and although they head come to a standstill and achieved something akin to peace, there was still some resentment. A lot of resentment. They had managed to create a fire and where they sat next to each other, Hook was painfully aware of how much he missed Regina's company. More than her company to be honest. As though Baelfire was aware of his thoughts, he suddenly looked at Hook with unmasked curiosity.

"What happened between you and my sister?"

Hook had no idea how to answer the question – he wasn't exactly going to be honest and tell Baelfire that he took his sister's innocence. He couldn't lie either – Baelfire was perceptive.

"Nothing was supposed to happen…"

Baelfire grimaced.

"That was not my question, Killian."

It was the use of his real name that prompted him to be honest – to not be Hook for once and just be Killian. The good man he used to be.

"I… I think I fell in love with her. I mean… I miss her more and more every day and not just talking to her. I miss looking at her, I miss holding her and…"

Baelfire's head snapped towards Hook at the last statement and he narrowed his eyes.

"Holding her? Did you… was there… Was there something physical between you and Regina?"

Hook did not have to answer – the truth was quite clear on his face and Baelfire covered his face with his hands.

"That is… disturbing. Aren't you like a million years older than she is?"

Hook smirked.

"I don't look my age, though, do I?"

Baelfire huffed in response and shook his head.

"It's still disgusting."

"Well yes… as awful as you might find it, I need your help. We need to rescue her from that castle. I have come to know her and… there's no way she'd be happy there. Especially with that man as a husband. Please, Baelfire."

"I'll do it for my sister, Hook. Not for you or your… hormones."

So he was back to Hook. Nevertheless at least there was a chance that he could get Regina back. It was the only thing that mattered.

It was the most awkward conversation possible – for the first time in his life, Rumple had to open up about his cowardice, his marriage to Milah and his loss of Bae. Cora listened silently until he was finished, then her hand reached inside his chest and grabbed onto his heart.

"I should finish you off. It's your fault that our daughter is gone!"

Rumple's hand locked around Cora's wrist and he twisted her arm before pulling it out of his chest.

"Yes, dearie. It is my fault and I guess you're right – I deserve death. However, despite your heart being in a box at our home you still love me with your entire soul and killing me… would destroy you. So go right ahead."

It wasn't what she wanted, it wasn't what he envisioned… in the wake of their daughter's disappearance and their horrors in Neverland it seemed as though their marriage was crumbling. The tension between them changed within a split second. Once touch – that was all it took. Once touch and suddenly they were wrapped in each other's arms, lips meeting in a desperate kiss while hands pulled at stubborn clothes. While his lips travelled down her neck fervently, Cora was struck with the realization that Rumple was right – despite her heart not being inside her, she did love him with her entire soul and that was the only thing keeping her from succumbing to the darkness that threatened to overwhelm her. The realization that he loved her kept her afloat.

All coherent thought stopped when he fused his lips to hers again and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer. In Rumple's arms, she managed to forget everything – the anger, the fear, the heartache… In his arms she felt whole again and while she knew that the sorrow would return come morning, she gave in to her husband and allowed him to make her forget. About everything other than him.

It was by accident that she found it – crammed in a small box that contained a heart (it quite frankly disturbed Regina to find a heart) – a scroll written in what she assumed to be Elvish. For some reason she knew exactly what it was without having to be told.

A curse.

A curse that would take the entire Forest to another realm.

Regina's heart started racing frantically at this possibility. Another realm meant another chance – she'd be close to David again, she could make him forget all about the pretty princess. Her parents – wherever they were – could possibly enter the realm too. Of course, it seemed she had to darken her heart in order to do the spell. But it was a small sacrifice – she'd darken her heart in order to get her happy ending. After everything that was done to her it was the least she deserved.

Happiness.

Tales of the Queen's disappearance coursed through the castle in a wave of shock. David could not bear the guilt that threatened to overwhelm him – he had no idea where Regina was, whether she was all right and the look in her eyes before she left was utterly disturbing. Somehow, it seemed as though she had begun a descent into darkness and it frightened him beyond reason.

"Charming?"

Snow's soft voice behind him was responsible for a small smile and he turned, allowing her to move into his arms. Burying his head in her shoulder seemed to calm him down and he sighed contentedly as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Snow looked at her betrothed worriedly – he had been acting strange ever since he had arrived at the castle and she did not hesitate to tell him this. He responded with a sigh and she ran her hands through his hair.

"Help me understand. What happened for you to change? It seems like something is bothering you."

He moved back and gestured for her to sit down. It was time to share the entire story and he watched with immense regret as Snow's green eyes widened before filling with intense sorrow.

"You… you knew Regina? You were… there was something between you?"

David shook his head reluctantly.

"Not exactly, Snow… we were best friends, we assumed that we were going to get married, but I swear… I didn't know love until I met you."

She pulled her hands out of his grip and clutched her knees, her breath racing.

"And… do you know where she is? Why she left?"

"I know that… she doesn't love your father… she's unhappy here and she asked… she asked me to help her run away, but I swear… my love for you was stronger than my loyalty to her. Snow, you are the only woman I want to be with. Regina… I'll always care about her, but you're the one."

Snow dropped her head with a sigh.

"I always suspected she wasn't happy here, but this… I can't believe she ran away. My poor father…"

David stayed silent about his suspicions that the king would not be particularly heartbroken about his young wife's disappearance. He knew that the man did not love Regina, yet… he supposed in some way the king cared about her. It no doubt bothered him that she had run away and if he was honest to himself, he had an idea of where she could be. It was not, however, something that he would risk. Despite what he had told Snow, he still cared about her a lot and he would do anything if it prevented her from getting hurt. Not that she'd believe him… It didn't make it less true, however and he sighed, revelling in the feel of Snow's soft body in his arms. They were getting married in less than a week. Regina would be okay – she was strong. She'd survive.

He couldn't deny that the thought hurt.