A/N Hey guys, so this is one of first fics. It turned out a lot more tragic than I originally intended, so I wouldn't suggest it if you're looking for something fluffy.

Chapter one

"Let me die as Regina," the former Evil Queen announced as she made her way over to the trigger, she held her hands over the diamond and began to absorb the energy.

"Regina please, there has to be another way," Emma begged.

"I will be able to control the magic, but it will take all of my strength," Regina continued, ignoring the optimistic saviour.

"I won't let you die," Emma said firmly.

"Mom!" Henry shouted, as he ran into the mine, followed by the two idiots.

Rolling her eyes, she wondered how she could be so closely associated with the Charmings.

"Henry you can't be here," she sighed, though she couldn't deny the happiness she felt at seeing him.

"You can't give up" he argued, while he ran up to hug her.

"I'm sorry Henry, but it will destroy everything, I can't let that happen, and this is the only thing that I am strong enough for," she answered, as she felt tears come down her cheeks, why did Henry have to show his affection now? She wondered.

"You may not be strong enough, but maybe we are," Emma said firmly as she walked up to the diamond.

Before she could argue, Regina felt Henry tighten the hug, before he ran over to his grandparents. Emma looked into Regina's eyes, trying to communicate the feelings that she was always too afraid to voice, in that moment Regina felt relief, seeing that for once in her life there were people who would care if she died.

She felt the burden lessen as Emma took in half of the energy from the diamond, she allowed herself to feel hope that she may actually survive this.

A magical surge threw her and Emma back, noticing that the diamond now lie powerless on the floor, she allowed unconsciousness to take her.

"Regina, wake up," a masculine voice entered her consciousness, forcing her to wake up.

Expecting to see Charming, she prepared an insult, opening her eyes her words fell flat before she could speak.

"Graham?" she breathed in shock.

"Regina, Archie called, he said that he told a woman where Henry lived, apparently it was a blonde woman he's never seen before," Graham explained, as he held his hand out to help her off the sofa that she seemed to have fallen asleep on.

Taking his hand, she simply nodded, following him outside, where she saw the familiar bug pull up at the bottom of her drive way.

Henry ran out of the car, clutching his book, "Henry?" she said in shock, noticing how much shorter he was, "how...?"

Henry interrupted her as he ran past her, "I found my real mom," he shouted before running into the house.

Remembering how much that had hurt last time he had said it, Regina felt her heart clench, but his pleas for her not to die lessened the hurt.

Realising what happened next, she looked up to see a very nervous looking Emma walking up.

Considering her options, she knew that Emma probably didn't believe anything that Henry had told her about the curse. She wanted her to stay in Storybrooke, but at the same time she knew that she shouldn't do it the way that she had last time.

"Emma" she breathed before realising her folly.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, and Regina noticed that she looked her up and down, seeing a small blush form she couldn't help a small smirk.

"If Henry can find you, do you really think that I wouldn't be able to find out your name?" Regina answered, praying that she would buy it.

Emma thought about this for a second, deciding that she should just accept it and get out of this weird place as soon as possible.

"Okay," she squeaked, before turning away.

"Wait," Regina grabbed her arm, as she turned and gave her a questioning look, Regina tried desperately to remember what made her stay last time, but at the same time she really needed to talk to a certain pawn store owner. "There's a storm coming, you should really stay at the bed and breakfast until it passes."

Emma narrowed her eyes, she had an overwhelming feeling that this was all wrong, but at the same time looking at Regina she felt as if she shouldn't leave, at least not yet.

Nodding, Regina took the cue to release her arm, "there's a diner on Main Street, just talk to the waitress there and she will be able to set you up with a room for the night."

"You seem oddly fine with meeting Henry's birth mother," Emma narrowed her eyes distrustfully.

"I just...don't want Henry to miss the opportunity to get to know you. Maybe if I allow him he will stop seeing me as a tyrant," she lied, silently cursing at the fact that this plan probably would have worked the first time round.

"What makes you think I want to get to know him?" Emma asked bitterly.

"I've just got a feeling, if I'm wrong just leave in the morning," Regina bargained.

Though her logic made no sense, for some reason it made complete sense when Emma thought about it, "I make no promises, I just wanted to make sure that the kid got home safely."

"And I should really thank you for that, allow me to treat you to breakfast tomorrow morning," Regina smiled, and Emma saw the slight nervousness behind that smile, but she couldn't deny that she really wanted to see Regina again.

"Thank you I think I'll take you up on that offer, but I need to ask, you do know that he thinks everyone in this town is a fairytale character?"

"I'm well aware," she sighed, "I think I may have a better way of dealing with it."

Emma nodded, and made her way to her bug, but she couldn't stop the smile on her face, and she really wished that she knew why.