Here we are the last chapter,

Been a while saying so but it is so with not much else to say, happy reading. :)

Arriving at her last stop Regina eyed the second castle in the second Kingdom. She had never seen this one before and was staring at it intently trying to work out the differences between. It was smaller than the Whites, vastly smaller. It also didn't look as impressive which baffled her as she would have thought a person who clearly liked all things fine would have wanted the very best castle.

Or at least to mock those she had kicked down. But still if she was here then at least it made her job easier as she began her walk up the drawbridge, she didn't bother with a disguise as she knew people had never seen her here before and so just walked in - wearing a loose fitted shirt and pants, she looked like a court hand anyway.

So her search began. She wandered up and down – she wasn't looking for the Queen, not at that time – she was looking for a particular room as she moved from hall to hall repeating the same process she had in the other castle. She got to the East side of the wing, third floor when she finally hit upon the royal bedchambers.

She paused before entering the room. Looking around the heavily ornate room. The thick heavy curtains that hung around the bed to the finely woven fabric that layered the furniture. Cora did indeed like the finer things in life and it made her stomach twist, such decadence in the face of a tyrant.

Shaking her head she went to remove what she had brought out of her pocket. The intent was to lure the Queen to her room and get rid of her there and so taking it out she moved over to the car corner and placed it on the floor, before taking a few steps back. She focused her magic and waved her hand as it started to grow as it returned to its original size.

Staring into the mirror of the looking glass. She knew this was the perfect way to get rid of the Queen. She was just going to outright kill her but she wanted the bitch to suffer and death would have been too good. She had no reservations that the woman wanted to die either but from what she had learnt from Archibald, who shockingly had a lot on the Queen - she had no heart.

Someone who had no heart wasn't easy to kill so deciding to try her luck with the mirror was her best bet. Smiling she knew she had to go find the Queen and so turned to leave the room. In the hall she was about to turn and head back to the lower floors but something stopped her, stilling she frowned wondering what it was but something, a pull-was telling her to leave the room.

She didn't know what possessed her but she did as her gut told and followed it up another flight of stairs and onto a more abandoned looking floor, it seems she never really used the ones above the third but something told her to keep going as she ventured further down until she stopped at a closed door in the middle.

Glancing at the wooden door she frowned. Why was she here? What compelled her to be here… she furrowed her brow staring at the oak door before using her fingers to gently push, as it swung open she held her breath as she saw what lay inside.

It was a nursery.

Why had her gut told her to come here she would never know. But she stepped inside nonetheless, what did this mean? Did Cora have a child, did someone else have a child and she had…

Had she gotten rid of it?

She didn't know, she doubted even she was that heartless… actually, she shivered a little. She had known cruel, she had been cruel herself and as much as she didn't like them she would never no matter how much they annoyed her, get rid of a child in the way she had horrible images of her doing so.

She glanced over to the crib in the middle and walked slowly over the obviously expensive made furniture. She ran her hand over the tops of the bars wondering who could have been lying in here at one time; she still didn't know why she was here but no harm in looking. She glanced to the curtains; they were closed and used her hand to pull them open.

Sun poured into the once dark room lighting it as she stared around. It was coloured neutral, creamy with lines of yellow and light blue. It was nice, stepping away from the crib she moved over to the cabinet that held a couple of toys as she picked up a small horse, frowning as it felt so familiar in her hand she held onto the stuffed item.

Realizing it all felt weird, this wasn't her room. She placed the toy back on its shelf and turned back round only to stop on seeing a name on the side of the small crib, maybe she could find if it had been a princess as it clearly was a girl's room. She made her way back over and turned to the side slightly to see the name written in fancy script.

Her heart thudded as she crouched to stare at the six letter word staring back at her, in neat elegant script she found it to be her own name she blinked a few times, was she seeing that right? Maybe if she looked away and back it might have changed. A trick of the light perhaps and so did just that only to find it was still there.

Could that be right? She lifted her head in thought. She had been alive for twenty years and not once had she heard of a Regina being a part of the royal family, any royal family as the blonde had given her a lesson in the different Kingdoms monarchy and why it was important to avoid them.

She snorted as she never thought she would ever be in a position to meet any but then came Snow so maybe it wasn't an hour wasted after all, most likely there had been a Regina who was royal at one time – she just never got round to learning about her as she stood once more. Ready to leave and get on with her task she was about to turn but stopped dead when something else caught her eye.

It was a blanket lying in the bed of the crib.

But it wasn't just any blanket.

It was her blanket.

Staring at the small cover, her mouth painfully dry she lowered her arm and reached out as she picked it up from its resting place bringing it closer, she eyes the intricate patterns that covered the delicate but thickly woven blanket. She tried to make sense of what this meant. She had one just like it back in the castle.

Maleficent really didn't have a story for it only that she had found her wrapped up in a basket. She rubbed her thumb over the small lamb that was stitched into the cotton and lifted the corner; sure enough there was an 'R'

Regina.

But what the hell did it mean?

"I was wondering when you would find this room."

Her head snapped up as her fingers lost their grasp on the blanket and it fell back into the crib. She stared at the woman standing in the archway of the door in silence. It wasn't a maid, her dress was far too rich for that, she also wasn't a mere noble; her stance said she was more – much more.

This was the Queen herself.

Still silent. It took Regina a few minutes to respond as she is busy eyeing up her opponent before finally she dares to speak. "Was I meant to?"

Cora lifted her head higher as she took a step into the room. She almost smiles at the way Regina tensed and her eyes narrowed in preparation. Smart girl, she nodded and looked around the nursery she hadn't stepped foot into for more than twenty years. She eyed the silly toys in the corner; Henry couldn't bear to remove a thing and insisted on keeping this as a tribute.

"Oh yes, I have been waiting for this moment since the day I sent you away."

Regina's breath stopped. Cut off in her throat all she could do was stare helplessly as her lungs fail to work. Cora sneaked a glance her way and was delighted to see the sheer impact her words had caused within the younger woman, oh she felt the power no sooner had she walked through the doors it had been a day inevitable for her, and knowing that Regina was stronger meant she had to knock her of focus first chance she got.

"…What"

"Oh come now dear don't be ignorant. I've heard you're too smart for that." Regina blinked a little as she faced the other woman still with no words to form sentences as Cora strolled around the room.

"I have to say, considering all I did was leave you in a basket and blanket you sure have made your way in the world, all the way up to Leopold's door? If I had known just how resourceful you were going to be I wouldn't have minded your little… affliction."

Again she was rendered speechless in as many minutes. This wasn't at all what she was ever expecting when she came here with one goal in mind, she was quickly losing control of her emotions and her straight laced demeanour how it had been so easy for the other woman to do that she would hate herself for.

But if what she was saying was right then she had at least good reason to be so out of place but still if a few words were all it took – no matter how life changing, then she was in trouble.

She closed her eyes missing the triumphant smirk the other woman gifted her, Rumple's little champion indeed. Maybe she only imagined her powerful that day she watched as Regina took even breath's trying to work out the sudden flux of emotions that had now started a party in her body.

Far too many, it was kicking her at all sides so she pushed them down to ask the one that had burst through. "Why."

Cocking her head to the side Cora addressed her with wide eyes that looked far too innocent to be on a women such as her, "Why what? Did I leave you? Abandon you to the wild to fend for yourself?"

The pointed glare she receives makes her chuckle. "Simple. You were cursed dear; I couldn't have a cursed child. Imagine how the court would talk."

That she knew. It had been Maleficent who told her, when she first changed the blonde was very honest about her lack of knowledge on how she came to be as she was, for all the other woman knew she had been the only one like that for centuries and now Regina, for the longest time after Regina had hated who she was, how somebody had done this to ruin her life.

It was only when the blonde smacked her over the head and said it was the best thing she could have ever gotten. Did she start to look at it from a positive point of view she did have the best life, really, it might have been nice at first to have parents or at least know who the hell they were so she could ask what went wrong, but then as life went on and she got older, she just gave up and took life as it came.

But now on hearing the horrible truth that the woman in front of her, the cause of so much pain and misery was the one who had in fact given her life. It sickened her, and that took a lot.

"But I guess you're not here to tell me about how poorly your life has been. How unfair it was of me to do such a thing to a helpless baby, hmm?"

Regina lifted her head to meet her eyes and caught sight of the cruel smirk adorning her face. All at once the anger she felt on hearing how she had caused so much pain came flooding back. She could practically hear the purr of victory coming from the older woman who thought she could get away with all she had done.

Not anymore. She may have been stunned into silence before but now she was over it, it seemed just being near the bitch was all the slap she needed to bring her out of her stupor, she was taking back control of this situation – and then she was going to rid the enchanted forest of the Witch Queen.

"Well I would say that but I would be lying," Cora arched a brow on hearing her speak. She didn't think the girl had words left. "My life has been fantastic - of course it was never as high end or glamourous as yours but then again you really worked for that, didn't you?"

The other woman narrowed her eyes, it seemed Regina was now finding her fire once more – minding the pun as she drew herself up, "But then again. That too would be a lie, wouldn't it?"

She left the insinuation pen and moved away from the crib, all the while the feel of Cora's eye burned into her back. "If there is one thing I hate, its liars, and as I have said. My life might not be as prestigious as yours now – but your old life however there, our similarities meet."

She twisted her body to face that the older woman and took delight in the dark look that had replaced the cat like smirk. Cora's body had tensed when she heard the younger witch mentioned her past life. No one knew about that, sans the two she had failed to kill no one else in the realm knew of her old life.

Her bastard uncle was dead so he could hardly make a sound so how the hell had she known. She took in the cold, sharp sneer the raven haired girl was giving her and at once she knew who had told her.

Rumple.

The crocodile, the vile imp had to have told her, it was the only explanation. She never took her gaze from the other witch now knowing that she was here to play a grown up's game.

"You must tell me. How did you ever manage to carry those heavy bags of flour, day in day out? I mean look at you? You're not exactly the type to know hard work when it's in front of you, how you must have gone soft over the years. But I suppose that happens when you sit on your arse all day telling others what to do, you must be so happy all you're dream's came true."

She didn't stop to allow the older woman the change to throw her more daggers as she paced around the room. "I can see though just how that would have made anyone wish for a better life. But wishing wasn't enough was it Cora? You went one better and actually killed off the royal family,"

She laughed as she picked up the toy horse again. It was black and it did remind her of Thalaqin so it gave her comfort. She was going to need it as she faced the stony sorceress once more.

"You can kill as many people as you like. Wear as many dresses as you think will help, order as many people about and intimidate them to within an inch of their life, but the fact is and will always remain,"

She stopped just on the opposite side of the crib from taking steps she hadn't known she had. "You were born a peasant, Cora and no title can ever make up for that… I think that makes you as common as I—"

"ENOUGH!"

She felt her body go flying back and slamming into the wall. She grunted as the solid wall collided with her and knocked the breath from her body, she tried to move but found her body pinned fast and looks to find Cora slowly moving forward. The older woman's compose was a mix of Queenly regal she upheld and impassive anger as she gazes at her immobile prey.

"I must say you are…pluckier, then the last person who sought to cross me, more knowledgeable to, as to my past – that I'm afraid is something I can't allow to happen."

She tilted her head to the side as if to properly take in the younger woman. Her eyes scanning the appearance. Her dress code is abhorrent – pants a shirt, but what could she expect though she supposed that was her fault partly so moves on, brown eyes that border on the black… hers as Rumples was blue.

The hair was a mix of both she figured as her own was a dark brown and his was the lightest shade of black one could find, her skin tone has to be his, he was after all two shades darker in his glittery form and so got that from him. All in all Regina is a beautiful woman, would have made an even better Queen.

But it wasn't to be. If the Imp hadn't of been petty Regina would have had the best. But now she had to go, lifting her hand she let it run idly down her smooth cheek, though she had no heart she found herself wanting that one moment of wonder, before she pulled back and gave her a look of sympathetic sadness.

"Don't fret my dear, for you I shall make it as quick as possible. You are my daughter after all." She lifted her hand and began to slowly close it, as she did the air in the room thinned making it impossible for Regina to breath. Cora smiles as she watches the younger girl choke, she coughed and gasped her face drawn as she struggles to breath.

The older woman waits calmly for her to stop struggling wondering just why it was that for all the power Regina held, she had been so easy to beat. It was only then she realized that Regina was taking far too long to die. Normally a person didn't take this long before total asphyxiation set in and death soon followed.

Even a person whose magic would normally try to save them didn't last as long as she had so what was different? She furrowed her brows trying to work it out only to see that Regina was no longer choking, she was clutching her throat but instead of gasping for air, she was laughing.

Cora could only look on at the younger woman who was laughing in the face of her attack. Incensed she tried again only to find the same result. Her magic wasn't working, only her years of faking her way through a man's court, facing the snake pit and working her way through by means of blackmail and bluffs had her keeping her cool in spite of the small sliver of it wasn't fear as she had no reason to feel it.

This was something brought only by seeing the unknown and right now having attacked Regina with her easiest disposal method and not having the desired effect, this was deeply unknowing to her. But still she stood in front trying in vain until finally Regina had enough. At first she had been in a little pain, being slammed into a wall was bound to cause some hurt, but it faded soon after.

The magic pinning her was also strong. She had to admit it felt weird feeling another that wasn't the blonde or Archibald. But now that she properly felt it, allowed it to wash over her – it did feel familiar, coming only from one who had shared magic through blood. It was powerful but she was stronger.

She wasn't being ignorant but she had been practising magic since a very early age. From what she had heard the Cora had only started using it at the very beginning of her marriage. So she waits-waits until she realizes her attack held no effect and then she would strike.

When she finally felt the magic lesson due to her confusion she knew it was time and so took her hand away from her throat, all pretences of choking gone. She looks down to the impassive woman, she was good. Not even a twitch out of place.

But that would soon change.

Gathering her magic she pushes against the restraining force and it doesn't take long for it to break. The hold on her drops as she did to the floor and slowly picks herself up off the floor, much to Cora's horror and dusts herself down. Lifting her head she meets the dark gaze of the older woman whose face is a mixture of cold ire and weariness.

"I will have to admit for someone so late when it came to the art your magic is strong, no wonder people feared you so, but that ends now."

Feeling a change in the air the older sorceress readies herself for a fight she knew was coming as Regina gives her another predatory glance.

"I want to make this as long and as drawn out painfully for you as possible." She adds giving her a faux saccharine smile. "You are my Mother after all."

With that she swings her arm and watches the other woman go flying to the side and into the wardrobe. Sliding to the floor and remaining still for a moment as the younger witch moves closer.

"I think this is going to entertaining if nothing else."

Back in the mines secret clearing. A plan had been formed, Regina was right much to the blue fairy's displeasure. She was here to help those in need and Snow was after all a very good charge of hers plus with the insisted remarks that the dragon woman had indeed thought of the idea of gaining the fairies help, it had swayed the fairy somewhat into thinking she wasn't completely like the blonde.

With the dust procured from the mines the fairy was to transport them to wherever Charming was being held, it would have taken forever to locate him but with the hesitant suggestion of using the ring on Snows finger that he gave to her, it would cut the time in half. It took two more fairies to help but eventually they managed to travel to the place the prince was being kept.

It confused Ruby to see that it was the white castle. On seeing the large building she looked on wondering why it was she kept him here why not at her first castle where she was said to keep all her prisoners, but maybe that was what she wanted people to think maybe she kept them here and no one knew better.

With a nod the fairies disappeared, going inside to try and look as she made her way quickly through the gates it was dark so thankful for the extra cover as she worked her way around the familiar yard and in through the double doors, she may not have had magic but her nose was just as good as any spell used to track and so sniffed around before taking off down the hall.

She walked. Down halls and through doors, moving below further and further until she came to a locked door, she peered through the thin wooden bars –the other side was long, and dungeon like she could also pick up the faint scent of humans so she knew she was on the right path. Taking a step back she deliberated on how to open the door without the key or alerting the guards, when a hand slid across her mouth.

Her first instinct was to bite. Anything put in front of it would always get the same. Food, branches, live animals… Regina's hand if she was unlucky, and so was going to do now when the sound of someone shushing her made her pause. She also sniffed the air, the hand it had a familiar scent to it and when she took another long sniff her eyes widened on who it was.

She turned to see the Hunter behind her; he stood in front of the astonished wolf woman smiling meekly at her as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Wha… but how?"

"Same reason you are here I guess, for David." He nudged his head to the locked door, "So he is down there." A nod confirmed her theory as she turned back to the closed door.

"How long have you been here" He came to stand next to her, "I arrived two days after Cora attacked. I had a hunch that she would have kept him here since it would have been too easy for us if we did decide to attack her place of residence. She might had led us into a trap so the wolf and I came here."

"What then?"

"I had to find a way to help him. I posed as one of the guard, always making sure I took prison duty, not hard seeing as not many were keen so it was easy for me to talk to him. I was trying to come up with a way to break him out before she came back but then the wolf informed me that you had arrived."

She smiled and turned to look at him. "I didn't come alone though." He glanced at her, his eyes questioning. "I had help; from the fairies… they're here with me."

His eyes showed his surprise but he nodded. Looking behind him he turned back to the door before pulling out a set of keys. He slunk his way to the door and carefully placed the key inside.

"If you have brought them to help then this night might be our only time." She nodded looking determined to help as she watched him creak the door open a little. Bit by bit he pulled and waited until at last he got it open enough for them to sneak inside. Once in he shut the door and tugged on her arm.

"This way"

Down to the very end he was, around the corner and in a cell of deep seclusion. Charming lay, but he wasn't alone. Ruby smiled as they rounded the side and saw the glittering bright glow of the fairies as they hovered in front of the blonde haired man. He waited until they got into view before turning to look at them.

"Ruby?"

The brunette gave him a beaming smile and nodded as he looked to the man on her side. "Hunter" he gave him a nod of his head as they came to a stop.

"Is there anything the matter?"

Blue turned to look at her, an expression of concern on her face. "It's just as we feared. The bars are lined with squid ink." Ruby glanced to the cell bars with a frown, she didn't really understand the implications of what that was until the little fairy woman carried on.

"It renders magic users unable to work their powers, traps them indefinitely."

"Like fairy dust." The fairy shook her head. "Similar, except the dust eventually wears off after a while. The ink can be used almost anywhere, and as it dries quicker it lasts longer, its why a lot of hunters find it so useful."

To the side of them the sandy haired man shuffled a little. He had never used such a thing as Ruby sighed. "Is there anything we can do to get him out?"

Blue remained silent for a moment before replying. "If we think logically, we might come up with a way we just have to be patient."

The brunette gave her a semi smile not feeling as enthusiastic as the fairy made out. She said to have patience and faith but she wasn't sure just how much they had to spare before they got caught.

The window to the double doors smashed as the fireball Regina ducked went sailing into the glass surface destroying the surface as the younger woman looked behind her, so far it had been an entertaining fight indeed and one she hadn't expected to go on for as long as it had. But then she did say it was to be drawn out.

She ducked once more as the oncoming wave of raw magic crashed into the shelf breaking further into pieces as she took a few seconds to catch her breath. Bitch was stronger than she looked.

"At least do make it interesting for me, darling." She scowled on hearing the lightly amused tone from across the room. "Here I thought you were drawing it out painfully."

The slight snit had her glaring hatefully at the floor before deciding a new tactic. She reached over and picked a small piece of wood from the broken shelf and quickly her nail changed into a claw as she went about pointing the blunt wood into a sharped end. Satisfied with her work she took another breath and quickly stood.

Without waiting she threw out her hand and sent the small weapon flying at the other woman. Cora quickly transported herself out of harm's way as the wood went right through her smokescreen and she landed across the other side. Regina hissed in frustration but stopped on seeing the older witch stumble a little.

The wood hadn't missed as she thought and Cora grit her teeth as she yanked it from her shoulder. The blood dripped out but she paid no mind before throwing the wood to the floor.

"Is that livening things up for you, your majesty?" She sneered before ducking once more only to get hit with a rebound on standing; she went flying through the windowless patio and landed heavily on the glass. She winced and hissed again as the glass cut into her shirt and dug into her skin breaking the surface and beading with small rivulets of blood.

She staggered to her feet before making her way back inside quickly deflecting a fireball as she moved into the middle they both looked a mess, Cora, whose hair was normally kept immaculate was everywhere in a tangled disarray her dress was ripped down the side was frayed and slightly singed from the heat of Regina retaliation fireballs.

Her shoulder of course had been injured and there was a huge gash on her arm. Regina didn't fare much better, having a cut to the side of her temple, her own shirt torn and ragged, she knew she was going to have bruises come the morn from her crash landing backwards and not the mention the nice bed of glass that had no doubted shredded her skin.

She pulled a face as a trapped nerve was twitching in her leg, just what she needed. Cora watched as she limped back into the room trying to shake off what might have been an injury, she had to admit no one else in a long time had given her such a fight – the only one to have really made her push to her limits was Rumple.

It seemed genetics really did go far.

But she was going to win this she had nearly beaten the imp at one time she could surely win against someone far younger, no matter the power. It all came to down to finding their inner weakness, Regina clearly was gifted in magic. But it seemed she was vulnerable against words.

"He was so upset you know?"

Regina paused, her face marred with a frown as she looked at the other woman. "What?"

"Henry, my husband, the king and your father, once he learnt of the horrible truth that his beloved daughter died that night, you should have seen him. I never thought it possible but he cried all night, so many tears – makes a person wonder if the human body was ever capable."

Regina tilted her head a little. It shouldn't have been a surprise after all the Queen had been as such for the past two decades she had turned twenty not too long ago the dates added up if she really was her Mother, but she was, if not for the magic but also they did look similar.

She could only hope to whatever that was where it ended.

"He despaired over your death. Mourned for ages, even held a holiday in your honour," She sighed for show. "If only the stupid fool knew… just goes to show what love can do to a person normally so strong and influential."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She knew Cora was cold by her actions but to hear her speak such words, it was baffling–she didn't know the man her father, but he seemed like to genuinely kind person. A man who knew who to show his emotions and could prove he was human.

Cow didn't have a heart. Most likely hadn't been born with one.

Cora could see the conflict of expressions on her face. A mixture of confusion over the new knowledge and the revulsion she felt - for her no doubt. Well no matter, she had proved her point; once more the younger woman was stopped by mere words.

She gave the girl another wistful glance before acting. For the second time that night Regina felt the overpowering tendrils of magic as it slunk around her body, she tried to wiggle but the strains kept her in place firmly keeping her in place before Cora lifted her hand and she felt herself being lifted from the floor.

She hovered in the air, dangling like a piece of rope as she glared hatefully at the calmly smirking woman who had once again got the upper hand. She stepped closer to the helpless girl, heaving another sigh of disappointment.

"You could have been amazing my dear, power so raw and sheer in its volume. If only I had known... but alas." She knew there was no chance of Regina joining her she had already showed she wasn't the type for heartfelt reunions she had after all attacked her as well, not the best for convincing a person to side with them.

She had also hurt her little friends and so it was pointless to ask. Just as well, she couldn't have another powerful magic user around, no matter if she was family there was always a chance she could try to upturned her place at the top.

She was leaving nothing to that chance.

Regina tried once more to break free but it seemed she had been slow on the uptake and Cora had used a hell of a lot of power to subdue her, she couldn't find the energy to break free. She heard her last words and scoffed.

"I did enjoy our time together though. Haven't had a good opponent in a long time kept me on my toes, if only you weren't so beholden to silly things like friendships and love… we could have been great."

Regina once more wiggled her shoulder and was pleased she could do so, that meant she could work her own magic into undoing that of Cora's she just needed to concentrate.

"I wonder what he would have done had he known he wasn't the one to help give you life."

Regina stopped moving at that. Looking up she sees the mildly quizzical face of Cora who looks like she was thinking on her own thoughts as her own goes slack with yet more disbelief.

"You mean – he's not my…" Cora laughs throatily at her unfinished question and shakes her head. "No, but he was so happy that I hadn't the heart to inform him he was holding another's child."

The silent irony of her statement lingered between them as Regina takes in the new knowledge. So the King wasn't her father, it was bad enough she found out that the evil queen of the enchanted lands was her Mother. But she had at least expected the man to be… it was almost a given seeing as she was married to him.

But to hear that she was with another prior – it had her blood boiling, she didn't like cheaters, saw no reason in betraying the one person you were meant to love with another who might possibly in turn do the same to you, she would never have dared to do that to her Daniel.

Daniel. Her sweet, kind loving Daniel… dead

The person responsible in front of her,

Like a riptide. Her magic swells the room to uncomfortable proportions. She doesn't try to let it sneak underneath the other woman's just outright overpowers her as her lets it expel from her body. Whatever remained in the room caved under the pressure as she shakes off the binds once more this time determined to finish this once and for all,

Cora could feel the building force that is pressing on her body. She herself had been caught in the younger woman's undertow and had been thrown into the wall again. Her head is bounced off the solid surface carelessly as she tries to push the hold but to no use, a hand suddenly wraps around her throat.

She looks up, wide eyed at the contact to find Regina in front of her; the other woman had moved without her knowing and was now pressing on her windpipe. The action forces Cora to cough, making the younger woman smile as she did.

"I thought about just ending you right here for all the vile things you've done. You parasite, but that would have been far less than what you deserve. For all you have done I'm going to make sure you feel each and every last act against those around you." She looks to her hand which is wildly scrabbling at the unmovable hand on her throat and smiles.

"I know you don't have your heart. Which does explain a lot but it also makes it a tad difficult for me to kill you," If Cora was to gloat she couldn't as her air was slowly leaving her body, she tries to pull her hand back as Regina moves to pick it up as she lifts it closer to her and with a swift turn, breaks her middle finger.

Cora screams as the pain throbs through her broken bone heavily as the younger woman smiles at the sound. "But I can have as much fun trying in other ways though."

Brown eyes lift to meet the near obsidian of the younger witch. For once something akin to sheer terror working its way through her body as she learns in closer, revealing a few sharper than normal teeth,

"And you can scream all you like. There isn't a spell on this room and I want to hear every last one. But I doubt anyone else will. I saw that this floor doesn't get used as much as it should. People don't come here do they? How very unfortunate for you,"

In a move mirror her earlier action. Regina lifts her finger and runs it down her cheek. Cora recoils when she reaches the end and pulls it back, her nail scraping her skin and causing it to bleed as the blood runs down her smooth skin.

"This really is going to be fun."

Half an hour later and one crushed hand, the entire five fingers of her other broken. Two ribs snapped and countless bruises. Cora is in a heap on the floor, such indignity from a queen but it wasn't like she had the energy to move. Regina's magic had still been going strong and was keeping her on the floor,

She hadn't cried ever since the day she had made the choice to refuse Rumples offer and had taken her heart out but now she was close to it, she didn't even know if she had tears left but the younger woman was testing that resolve. Turning from looking out the window Regina smirks at the graceless shape and smirks.

She had fun tearing her down. Seeing her pushed to the threshold of pain and relished each and every snap as she pulled back the fingers until the broke. Every hit she landed on the older woman was another for the people she had hurt far worse. Every ache was for those she had brought misery to.

She had half a mind to go find her heart. Shove it back in her chest and watch her expire from the agony she had inflicted. But she had no time and she somewhat had a thought even with her heart the queen wouldn't be repentant she was also on a time limit and so with one last look at the outside gardens she moved back over to the middle.

Cora lifted her head just in time to see Regina bend and once more pick her up by the throat. She had no qualms about hurting her as she used her strength to lift her off her feet. Eyes wild and shiny zoned in on her as she gave her a small smile.

"And now we come to my favourite little trick of all. The best until last, isn't that what they say? And this really is the best way of bringing one the ultimate pain."

Her mouth twisted upwards into a carnivorous smile which bode no well for the older sorceress who began to feel her entire right arm get hotter, she tried to move it to shift some of the burning but she couldn't and turned to see why only to scream when she saw that her arm steaming.

She looked on with horror as her limb grew hotter and hotter and before her very eyes. Her entire arm burst into flames. She dangled helplessly for a moment to stupor to do anything before finally screaming again as the pain broke her from her trance. She tried in vain to get her magic to work, to save her from the agony her body was in as her skin was burning but she couldn't; it was like Regina's magic was a block stopping her own from gaining power.

She twisted and writhed as her flesh burned and bubbled under the raging flames the smoke was rising from her cooking limb and it was making her gag as the scent hit her nostrils. She turned to look back at the other woman who was smiling, uncaring to her pain and realized that she was going to die that day.

For the longest time she had thought herself untouchable. She had everything she wanted, Queen to two kingdoms and was one of the strongest magic users around. Rumple didn't visit her anymore and no one knew of their past, she was safe. But now trapped in the grips of the daughter she had long since abandoned because she didn't fit her vision she knew somewhere this was his doing.

She may not have had her heart. But the real monster in the room was the one gripping her throat. If she could do all that still with the organ in her chest then she couldn't imagine what she would be like without it.

Letting go of her neck Regina watches as she falls unceremoniously back to the floor, arm still on fire as she kneels in pain on the could ground. The sheer suffering her body was in was incomprehensible. It was always her doing the torturing never the other way around, no one was brave enough to try, her body and mind both where becoming numb with the pain and she felt like she was going to explode.

But now she wished for it to end. For Regina to put her own of her misery as the pain increased to levels she didn't think possible. A few feet away Regina winced at the pitch the older woman had been screaming as she looked on she gazed upon the prone form lying incapacitated by pain and knew that she had to stop it.

Why when she hadn't stopped for those she burned alive in Georges army, scattered their ashes to the winds she knew was hypocritical but it might just have been the constant high pitched shrieking as she finally moved.

Taking a step closer she crouches before waving her hand over the blazing limb. All at once the screams stop as Cora, shaken turns her head on feeling nothing, not the anguished pain of her arm being burnt to cinder, just cold to find that her arm – instead of it being the horrendous mangled… whatever she was expecting to see.

Instead she found her right arm exactly how it was before the burning. She stared at the smooth expanse of skin left unmarred by any heat, untainted by the fires that had licked her flesh. Regina could see the confusion that had now replaced the pain as she very gently reached out to run her hand over the limb.

She turned to hear chuckling as Regina looks at her and then lifts her brows as Cora narrows her eyes still baffled. "Did you like it? Told you it was my favourite"

She stood and moved away leaving Cora still on the floor. "It's called phantom fire. Makes any sentient being its burning think they are actually on fire. They feel excruciating amounts of pain. The sheer agony of their bodies on fire… melting, bubbling, burning… that is until I lift the enchantment off and they find nothing, not even a signed hair has been touched."

She chuckled again as Cora very shakily gets to her feet. Still silent she can do nothing but stare at the younger woman. So sure she was that she had lost her limb, her eyes betray her struggling composure.

"Where… did you,"

"Learn it." Her silence begs her to carry on as she does. "It's old magic. Special, only a certain place teaches such things and that is out of realm."

Cora breathes heavily but her surprise is clear to see no matter how she tries to hide. "Oh yes, I have been to a few different realms, learned more than just this lands magic. More than just making people think they're on fire."

She smirks at the silent implication before moving again. "But you won't be around to find out." With a click of her fingers both women are encased with purple as they are taken from the nursery to the chambers the floor below. Cora stumbles a little when they emerge from the smoke to look around only to find they are in her room.

Confused she is about to turn but once more finds a hand closed around her throat and she is being walked backwards. Her fingers scrabble uselessly on the offending appendage but she cannot get loose. She turns to find Regina waving her hand at something behind her as she only now feels the presence of something else.

It's new. Different, cold, inanimate and it reeks of the dark one. She tries harder and in vain to break free. To fight whatever the other witch has in store next but she has no strength to overpower. Regina stops in front of the mirror her reflection staring back at her, she wonders idly if anything can see on the other side.

She shrugs. No point thinking it wasn't her that was going through she turns back to the older woman still clawing valiantly at her hand. Hadn't she given up by now? But then she figures she wouldn't want her to, Cora wasn't known for giving in and so she liked how she would fight to the end, though she knew it was pointless.

She may have despised the woman but she can respect a fighter when she sees it.

"I visited a dear old friend of mine. One who is magical to, he also happens to be the owner of a delightful array of weird and weirder things in his home one such thing though I couldn't help but adore."

She finally slides her hand around to the other side and viciously turn so Cora and can see and her eyes go wide on sighting the large mirror, Regina glances from the older woman who is looking pale and back to the mirror and smiles.

"Oh – so you know what this is to?" She laughs a little and purses her lips. "Like I said, outright killing was never going to be enough. Not for that fact you're heartless but also because it was never what you deserved. Far too good, but this… I think this is fitting, wouldn't you?"

She asks looking at her again as Cora is pushing against her with her magic once more in a last ditch effort to escape. "Some who have gone through a looking glass either never come back or have and spoken of the horrors on the other side. The unspeakable things they have seen and have had to run from…"

She gives a small sniff in contemplation and a small self – pleasing smirk as her grip on her neck tightens. "Let's hope where you go, it's the former shall we? Oh and, before you go – I'll be taking back that curse you so rudely took without asking, do you know how cranky Maleficent can get when things of hers go missing?"

Without warning or giving her time to even ask on hearing the other sorceress, she uses her arm muscle and launches Cora head first into the mirror. The Queen screams at the lurch as she is shoved harshly to the glass object just as she manages to turn and catch onto the side before she falls through completely. Her eyes are once more wild and with both panic and anger as she clings to the frame in a desperate bid to stay out.

With the older woman indisposed and struggling. She closes her eyes and lets her magic wash over the room trying to find the small parchment she knows the blonde wrote the formula down on and pushes out spreading to each room until finally she hits upon the familiar signature and smiles, holding her hand out she brings it to her mind as it appears from its hiding place and back in her palm.

"Thank you." As she tucks it into her shirt before casually moving closer and observes her struggle still with a cheerful smile on her face, "Don't make this difficult. Queens are not meant to act in a manner as such. Just do everyone a favour and… just."

She options with her hand and makes a shooing action earning a small growl of exertion from the other woman who is still clinging to the wood. Energy waning she knows she can't hang on but the carefree look on Regina's face infuriates her and she can't be forcefully pushed into the unknown without one last parting shot.

"I know all about your little friend. My dear," Her statement has Regina inhaling as she stands a little taller on being addressed. "Oh?"

"I also know he is not the man you think." Her brow furrows at that as she stares at the other woman. Who smiled but it looks deranged with nothing but teeth.

"Henry isn't your father, but if you truly wish to know then I suggest to look for the man underneath the mask."

Her words as cryptic as they are leave her with a startling need for answers. Something Cora can see as she gives the younger woman one final gloating smirk before letting go of the side. Regina takes a quick step forward wanting to know what she meant and was about to pull her back but watches as she vanishes from sight and into the unknown.

She stands in front of the mirror. Now calm once more having claimed its victim as more thoughts now race through her head. What did she mean? She knew Archibald.

But that was just it she knew him. Had for the longest time and never once has he been nothing more than the jolly slightly on the rotund side bear of a man who happens to be a master of all things magic.

What was that about her father to? Surely he wouldn't have a clue. It was bad enough knowing that her Mother was the evil Queen but now she had no idea on the other half of that set was. It wasn't the nice King after all which did make her sad as it would have made the search… when she actually got round to undertaking one, easier.

But as it wasn't him that none existent search just got harder. Dam that woman. She probably knew her efforts were in vain and so wanted to screw her over with a last 'fuck you' before she left.

Sighing she ran a hand over her face and hissed at the pull on her back she forgot about the cuts and other injuries done to her body, she winces and figures she would have to go find a way to deal with them as self-healing wasn't easy for her, she would have liked it to be but such was life.

Speaking of – if she wanted to get out with hers intact then it would have been prudent for her to leave now, turning she makes for the door but freezes on finding the King himself standing in the doorway. They halt on seeing the other as they stare in silence. Her eyes are like deer in a hunt and he is looking at her with a mix of different expressions.

"Who are you?"

Finally he sees the damage done to her body and the blood over her white shirt. "What happened… are you hurt?" His voice gives away his faux stance on being angry making her smile. Even a stranger in his room gets his concern if they happened to hurt themselves, it really did make her sad that he wasn't her father.

He stares at her still with compassion in his eyes and takes a step closer. The more he looks the more he finds that she looks like his wife. The thought makes him want to yell at her, but the warmth in her eyes makes him pause. He knows this isn't the woman who has caused him misery, in fact – if she was still alive then she would maybe look like.

"Regina?"

Her heart gives a painful thump on hearing his voice. It's so full of hope and kindness it makes her want to nod and say yes, she was Regina… just not his. Instead she shakes her head.

"Sorry, I… I took a wrong turn but I saw the mirror and I wanted to see if my back was ok. I'm sorry your highness." He licks his dry lips, the light in his eyes dimming again making her feel bad as he nods.

"Its fine my dear, no harm caused. I'm sorry for calling you, it's just you look…Well no harm done." He was such a generous man. How did he end up with a cold, vile unscrupulous woman such as her Regina would never know. It looked like he had been under her thumb for years and so was glad that she had gotten rid of her.

"I'm sorry once again. But if I may be so bold as to say, whoever you were talking about. She seems like a lucky person. I'm sure your people will be glad to have their true king back."

Her words make him confused as he looks at her. His busy brows furrowed on her remark. But she needs to go and so with one last smile to the man who could have been, had the circumstances been different. She leaves the room in a cloud of smoke making him gasp as she sees the purple mist surround her and leaves him alone a few seconds later.

He has no clue who she was. He had a feeling he wouldn't see her again. But the words she left him with also gives him a sense that her presence had changed things, how he would have to wait and see but he stare at the space she was just in before noticing the new addition and gives the mirror a long look before turning and leaving the room.

It takes her less than a minute to get back to the mountain. Her energy draining now that she is home and the reality of what she had just done sinks in, breathing deeply she can't quite believe she has just thrown the evil Queen through a looking mirror and automatically her feet start their journey inside.

She waves off the looks from the servers who stop and gasp at the sight of her bloodied form until she reaches her room. Soon she finds herself sitting on the bed just looking at nothing before a cough has her looking to see Maleficent standing in front of her. The blonde had been alerted to her return by one of the helpers who had said she was covered with cuts and blood.

Curious and of course concerned she made her appearance in the room and noted the seriousness as Regina hadn't even seen her enter or yell at her for not knocking, she eyes the other woman who was indeed littered with cuts from head to legs if the torn pants told her rightly and coughed to get her attention.

They look at each other not saying a word before she finally speaks. "I take it you did more than find my curse?" The raven haired woman stares at her, still not saying a word until she lets out a small laugh. Unable to help herself and nods,

"Long live the Queen."

After telling her what happened. How she went to find the curse and instead ended up finding the nursery with her name on the crib and the blanket in the basket.

"She was my Mother, Mal…" The blonde for her part stays quiet. Just allows the younger woman to take in her words with silent observation.

"I'm sorry." Her words make Regina turn to her, "For what? You didn't know that. I sure as hell didn't know that… she only said it because she knew she couldn't win. Trying to find a way to throw me and she certainly did, my Mother the evil Queen."

She laughs a little too self-deprecatingly as she looks at the bed. The blonde had been seeing her injuries and was in the middle of healing her back – she like the younger woman found healing difficult as it was light magic and she knew she was anything but, the other woman had given that up ages ago stating firmly she was grey.

At the sound of her voice, so un-like the pesky cretin that took delight in messing with her wine most times by switching it out or just stealing it, it wasn't the same and she found she didn't like it. Also she felt bad because she did happen to know that Cora was her Mother, so in a rare show of affection she slides her hand across the bed and places it on hers.

Regina smiles at the contact and squeeze it gently before the blonde get back to helping her cuts. Once the blood had all gone and the cuts to her face have been cleaned, the blonde stands and turns back to her banishing the water and rags before speaking.

"I know what will cheer you up." Regina lifts her head waiting to her as she smiles. "The gatherers have recently come into some Basilisk again, I know how much you liked it last time and so if you want. You can have the tail."

That did sound nice. Her mood improved she smiles wider and more genuine as she stands and moves to follow the blonde. "But just so you know. This is a one-time thing. If you find out who your father is, I don't care – you won't be getting it again." It makes her laugh as she nods before shutting her door.

After dinner, which is made more enjoyable with the huge serving of tail, something the older woman regrets on seeing how much more thicker this snake was compared to the last and so sits grumbling but eats her own halfway through she presents the Fae with her recovered curse which the blonde takes back to her dungeons happily after dinner, to a place secure that only she could get into as Regina goes back to her room and falls asleep once her head is on the pillow.

A roaring had her bolting upright from her slumber. Looking around wildly she sees that the sun is still up, glancing confused she hears the sound once more and darts from bed, thrashing with the sheet before throwing it to the floor and racing out the door. She runs down the steps and around the fleeing servers who are heading in the other direction.

Finally she stops one who is looking panicky but with a firm tone he begins to speak. She frowns on realizing that its late morning the next day. how had she slept through the whole night without realizing it? She asked him why the blonde was acting up to which he shrugged only to jump on hearing another roar and she lets him go to run.

She faces the way of the noise and imagines that it could only be something bad to get her worked up, she hasn't lost her temper in a while and the threat of her going to raze Cora's kingdom was nullified on the return of her curse so it couldn't have been that. She takes herself from the first floor and into the large great hall where the floor under her is shaking as she dives behind a pillar at the top of the small balcony which is to the left as she peers around.

She sees Maleficent, in all her dragon glory stomping around. What she can't understand is why she would be in her other form and why it would be inside as she ducks before being sighted by the purple beast. In-between the growl and roars she can hear the faint but harsh laboured breathing and grunts.

Someone else was here with her, this was why she was worked up. Wondering who it was she peeks in through the stone columns to see the shadowy outline of someone throwing themselves about as they dodged the tail being sent their way or the claws being swiped.

Lastly the fireballs that promise imminent death whoever it was, was doing a good job at dodging so maybe it was a game. A person who was unlucky enough to have been caught by the blonde and was now the mouse to her cat, she smirked. Silly helpers had her worried for nothing and so was going to leave when she noticed something shiny in his hands.

She tries to get a closer look but whoever is moving around too quickly. They vanish from sight making her curse as she waits for them to show again. Clearly the dragon hadn't seen the item in their hands or maybe she had and was wondering what it was before she kills the person. she spies the large beast ambling around, her long neck moving two and fro as her green sharp eyes scan the deserted room.

Nothing happens for a moment and once more was about to leave when from the side where she knew the person to be hiding, she spies an outline moving. She watches as the shiny thing glints and with horror realizes that they are aiming for the unawares dragon. Whatever they have they are intending to throw at her,

Silently she moves so she is no longer on the balcony but now across from the assailant but keeping in the shadows, she watches them get ready to throw the item at the back of the dragon. Timing her moment she eyes them as they practise swing and is about to throw it really she strikes.

Her magic, having been rested for the night is like a sharp whip as it cracks down on the intruder making him cry out as he goes slamming into the wall, the noise is enough to get the attention of Maleficent who turns and see Regina step from the shadows a pleased smile on her face as they turn to the noise.

The person-man, is struggling trying to move so he can run. She laughs making him stop, "It's no use. Unless you have magic or are immune by means of a charm. You're not going anywhere. Lifting her hand she curves her fingers slightly and the male gasps before struggling more viciously as his body is being pulled from the darkness and out into the clearing.

His back is to them when his is being dragged making her smile again before lifting him up as his body lifts in the air, dangling like a puppet. She lifts her chin a little as the large dragon comes to stand in the middle of them at her left side before she twists her hand and his body is turning.

She almost drops him once his face is revealed to them. The colour drains and her face is a picture of shock. He hovers in front of them finally having given up, and so it taking to looking at them both. His own face a slight mix of surprise and annoyance at having been caught, the weird skinned man didn't tell him about a second witch.

He only said there was one dragon. Of course he knew there were two, the other he hadn't seen and was thankful for but not another sorceress. Where she had come from he didn't know but she had seen him when the dragon didn't and know his mission had failed because of her, he was angry at her.

But he was also angry at himself and fearful at what the golden man might do if he came to learn that he hadn't been able to do as he asked. He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't see the looks of astonishment and slight paling of colour as they take him in.

Regina was speechless. She hadn't expected this on catching him. She gazed upon the face of the dead Prince she was sure was…dead. She gazed at the dragon who was also staring at the man. The intelligent creature mirroring her expression, their eyes meet as she nods her head and steps away.

Charming still trying to find a way to break free looks on seeing the dragon move and blinks stupidly when it lowers its long neck down to the other woman as the converse, he stares in shock as he never for a moment thought the great beast was ever calm enough or was able to understand human speech in that form.

Wondering who the woman was he tries to hear but they are talking to quietly but one thing he does notice is the occasional looks she is giving him. He frowns when she stares before shaking her head and turning back to the dragon once more, it's like she recognizes him but can't actually believe she is seeing him.

Like a relative who hadn't seen family in ages and was only just coming home for a special occasion. Only he no misconceptions she was family, in fact she also looks like she is scared of him which was weird because it was definitely the other way around.

Regina turns to the dragon who is peering at her through green eyes. "So… you don't think he might be a shade, I mean things happen. He could be pissed enough to return and haunt us, it's all I can think off."

She tilts her head on see the dragon roll her eyes. "Well fine. You come up with something, you useless scaly menace." She coughs and waves her arms frantically in a bid to remove the cloud of smoke sent her way as she shoots a dark glare at the smug looking dragon.

"Witch"

Turning she faces the once dead Prince now clearly come back to scare them as his face is slack on seeing the small interaction seconds ago, but shakes his head when she clicks her fingers.

"Hey, eyes down… good, now tell me who you are and why are you here?" She doesn't give away her slight eagerness at wanting to know where he came from and so sticks to ignorance as he looks at her and speaks.

"I'm Prince James, heir to King George's throne." She twists her lips a little and gives Maleficent another look before carrying on.

"Alright- Prince James. Do you have any idea just how stupid it was to come here today. Given that the real Prince was used as a scratching post just before being given back to the good King."

He goes to speak. To ask how she knew but a hand has him cut short. "Don't insult her intelligence. She knows very well all the people she has killed and luckily for you, or unlucky – whatever you call it he was the last one – so I'll ask again. Who are you and don't think about lying or we shall be sending you back to Daddy dearest the same way."

She lifts her chin as he swallows deeply. "This time I doubt he can pull a third James out of his little bag so it would do you well to speak." She met his eyes and gave him a fleeting smile that made him shiver.

"Or do you want to risk finding out."

It was that he began to speak. He told them both that he wasn't James that the other had died at the hands of the dragon and that he was his brother – one who hadn't known that he even had a sibling until George came for him and said he was to take his place. Since then he had been living the life of the deceased Prince.

Regina and Maleficent both listened intently. It was surprising to hear that the downed King had managed to pick himself back up from the dirt he had fallen into, no matter how lowly it seemed to be it appeared he had a plan b – when it came to matters of the financial interest didn't the most scrupulous always.

"So what… did he plan to show the rest of the royals that once again he managed to best the beast? To fool her into thinking she hadn't exacted the revenge she thought she had."

He shook his head. "What he wanted was for a marriage. Since the men that King Midas had loaned to him all died along with most of his own. he couldn't give him what he wanted, which of course was…"

He trailed off looking at the massive dragon who snorted a ring of smoke his direction. "Since he lost part of his deal he demanded that a marriage would still beneficial because—"

"Even though the Kingdom has lost a good percentage of its citizens and Georges treasury almost bled completely dry, it's the land that still holds value, clearly Midas knows this… he also knows he holds the upper hand in this deal and so when George dies and you take over, he can do whatever he likes…"

It was more to the dragon at her side but then she turns to look at him. "Isn't that right?"

David sighs and nods' knowing it was pointless to lie. "As much as that was riveting, to hear about Georges heart-warming tale of human resilience and another money grabbing leach getting rich once more, but it doesn't explain why you are here?"

Her tone implied it was his turn to speak as he licked his lips before once again telling them his reason for being at the castle. How a man or beast – he had yet to figure out came to him. He told him that he needed help and in exchange he would give him information about the woman he actually loved.

Regina was thankful about all those lessons in keeping a poker face. Literally picking a poison and having to find the antidote before time ran out was no fun for a nine year old but at least she was able to keep from reacting in shock. So this was Snow's true love, the Prince Charming she nearly had her vomiting over, he was a dead ringer for the arrogant royal but now she could see the differences.

His eyes held a sort of naivety the other hadn't, the sort that spoke of a sheltered life rather than the richly pleasures afforded to one who could demand them. He really was no prince but his imitations were spot on, she also had to refrain from asking who Rumpelstiltskin was, though on hearing he was instructed to plant the potion on the blonde by any means.

He cringed when the dragon roared with anger, Regina to took a step away looking curious as to why her friend was roused with fury, the blonde growled her eyes darkened with rage. How dare that Imp, the slippery eel had stabbed her in the back – sending a boy to no doubt cause malicious intent.

So much for friendly allies. She should have known that he was a snake through and through. It only served to further the lesson that one could only really trust themselves. If Regina hadn't of lived with her the entirety of her life and therefore had never met the dark one then she would have been cautious about her agenda's also.

As it was though the younger woman was that rare exception of who she could trust. Which was a double standard seeing as it was her father who had crossed her, she turned to find the same silent anger on the younger woman's face as she stared at the worrying prince could see the changes in their moods.

Staying silent she muses on the next course of action. He was clutching the egg tight to his chest and so knew that he wasn't going to give it willingly, she could have just wrest it from him easy but she decided that a turnabout in how treating friend and loved ones was more fun. She faced him with a look of wolfish glee that had him swallowing nervously.

"I think it makes sense now." it was quiet but he could hear as he frowned confused by what she meant. She gave him another innocuous look that didn't fit the conversation before she waved her hand, he watched as a mirror appeared in a rush of purple and gasped in shock as Snow's face appeared.

She was walking with Ruby, they were talking and laughing. He held the image of her smiling face with awe as his own seemed to light up with happiness, it made her nauseous to look at his expression. It also made her sad to see as it had her thinking of her stable boy, who his own face had once looked like that.

But Cora was gone. She was gone and she had paid for it by way of every bone nearly broken in that decrepit body of hers, wherever she had landed she would be in agony for months. Right now though she had a good mood to destroy.

"This is your love… right? The exiled Princess." His face dropped as he looked now at her with a wariness and caution that almost had her smiling, his wanted to deny it but she had seen his face, how it gave away his answer, much to his unease.

"She is very pretty. A girl royal barely out of maids and dress up, now a Queen to an expanse of forest and woodland animals alike."

"You leave her alone!" He snarled kicking the air, she looked at him with brown eyes wide and a look of fake shock on her face as she blinked coquettishly before replying.

"My, my – such a bold change in attitude in the face of mortal peril." He lifted his head up and faced her. His jaw clenched and his eyes hard with stubborn determination.

"I don't care what you do to me." He was just happy he got to see his love. She looked safe and well with Ruby, for that he was happy until a small throaty chuckle had him looking at her as she shook her head.

She met his eyes once more as they sparkled with a gleeful flare that seemed to make his heart beat faster, "Oh – my dear Prince. What on earth made you think it was you I was on about."

Her innocently posed question made his racing heart stop cold dead in his chest as she lifted her hand. With a cruel smile she started to close it and he watched in horror as Snow in the mirror, clutched her chest stopping her walk. His gaze never left the horrid scene as Ruby held her friend who was now holding where her heart would be, her face contorted in pain.

"Stop,"

Never letting up Regina twisted her hand as Snow cried out silently and fell to the floor. Ruby was in hysterics as she held her friend who was dying on the floor,

"Stop it! Stop it - she's dying!" He yelled out once more kicking harder than before as his mind went into overdrive with a need to escape and get back to his beloved as another lowly chuckle had him glaring.

"That's the idea, my little prince." Her hand never faltered, never wavered as she held it tightly closed further prolonging Snow's slow agony.

"What is it, what do you want!" At that she loosened her hand a little as he looked to see Snow breathing easier, he turned back to her ready to give anything she asked.

"The item in your hand."

He lowered his head to the egg in his hands. The whole reason he was here, he knew that he said anything but he was on strict orders that he had to finish this and succeed, the other man had been clear on that or the consequences he said wouldn't be pretty as he too had insinuated that Snow's life would be in danger.

But wasn't she dying already? He lifted his head back to the witch in front of him. She looked like she wasn't one to mess around. She couldn't have looked more than a few years older than Snow herself but she held an aura that said she was far more regal and far powerful, he knew he was foolish to try and mess with her.

She waited as he looked conflicted at her request. "You're seriously choosing over giving me something as trivial as a shiny egg rather than saving the woman you love. I knew playing the brat of George had to be perfect, but I didn't think that included his manner of treating those he professed to caring about."

She tutted and laughed at his murderous look. "So flippant with the love of your life. How so very like James, except I doubted he would have ever loved anyone as much as he did himself so in a way that makes you the more cruel one."

"SHUT UP! I' am nothing like he was!"

Her laughter echoed around the room followed by a rumbling from the dragon who had been silent and listening to every word. "Funny way of proving it dear,"

She tightened her grip once more causing Snow who had shakily been getting to her feet to fall again and curl this time in more pain then before.

"True love is nothing without your other half, I'm I right?" He looked on desperately, before making his choice. It was the lesser of two evils.

"Here"

She waved her fingers allowing his arms mobility as he wasted no time in throwing the egg to her, she took a quick step closer to catch it before lifting it up to the light. He looked to see her holding the potion in her hands, turning it over inspecting the egg in which it was placed in before holding it up and sniffing it, he watched in bafflement as she tapped on it before humming once more and turning to the dragon. "What do you think?"

Maleficent took a long inhale before snorting and shaking her head before she pulled it back. "I know – the question is," She asked on lifting her head.

"What would a prince be doing with a potion as interesting and as complex as this in his possession?"

Staying silent she lifted the egg a little higher whilst keeping his gaze. Before letting go and David shouted out as it dropped to the floor shattering. He looked on at the ruined casing struggling once more to try free himself as she bent down slowly and picked up the small bottle that had fallen out.

Bringing it to light she peered at the shining liquid inside the vial before glancing back to him. "So this was what all the fuss was about? This was what you came here to try hurt my friend for?"

He went to protest. That he didn't want to hurt her but she cut him off. "Do not lie to me, it will do you no favours here." She lifted it back up and held it within her fingers,

"But seeing as it clearly was worth the trouble of you coming here to give. I think I'll hang on to it."

"NO, you can't!" Smiling she waved her hand over the vial as a chain appeared and looped around the top before she placed it around her neck. "I think you'll find that I can, and I will."

With that she tucked it down her shirt as he watched it slip under with despair. Now that she had it and not the dragon like he needed he knew for sure that Rumpelstiltskin would be mad. He hung his head, but didn't have time to lament on his failure as soon he felt himself being pulled downwards.

He squirmed in the hold as she brought him to near her level. He tried to move to twist his body as he flailed uselessly much to her humour, cocking her head to the side she studied him closely, the resemblance really was uncanny and she wanted nothing more than to send him back to George the same way James went or maybe something more creative.

To tell him that no matter what he did to try and raise his status once more he would never again do so when they were around, though he hadn't technically sent the faux prince after them. But she wouldn't do that to Snow – no matter her opinions on the princess she was still a friend, and she wasn't that mean.

Instead she would allow him the chance to go back to her. "You know- many a greater person has perished here for less then what you have tried today, your highness."

He stared at her defiantly with a little bristle at her obvious mocking of his recent title. "But clearly since you are new to this we shall let you go this day, I suggest you use this chance wisely, go back to your precious princess, if her fragile body hasn't caved. I can't imagine the little runt to have suffered anything more than a splinter in her life."

She watched as his fists clenched at hearing the remarks made about the other woman. He really was just too easy, "Well. I'm glad we've had this conversation. But you're boring me, so you can go."

The hold on him vanished as he dropped to the floor. He got to his feet slowly mindful of the dragon and woman still watching him he moved for his sword and placed it back in his sheath, with another quick look to them he turned and rushed to the door.

"Hold it."

Once more he found himself immobile as he looked around with his eyes before being pulled back once more. "You didn't think you were planning leaving through the door did you?"

His face showed his confusion making her smirk. "If by some fortunate chance you succeeded with your little quest. Then that meant you would have had to have made a quick escape, and that only has one route from this hall."

Her eyes turned to the left as he followed her movements and widened on seeing the stain glassed window behind them. He faced the front at the raven haired woman a look of panic on his face as her expression told him she wasn't joking.

"We may have let you live this day, but not even being…royalty affords you our full hospitable treatment. Your plan was to go through the window, so you're going through the window."

His heart picked up its pace again as he tried in vain to speak. He didn't want to go through the window – they surely knew that there was nothing on the other side.

"Do make sure to keep your head up when you land. If you don't break any bones that is." She took once final step closer. "If you thought getting in was hard. It's nothing to getting out."

The last he saw was the cold smirk and the flash of green before he found himself flung out the window. He smashed into the glass and into the night air, before he was falling. Down the side of the mountain as he yelled his fear into the sky, soon to hit the ground as he closed his eyes before gasping as instead of solid ground, he hit the frozen icy waters.

His chest immediately ached as he was submerged and sunk. He soon realized he had to swim and so started kicking his legs – higher and higher until finally he reached the surface and his lungs rattled with the night's air as he struggled to breathe. He kicked his feet struggling not to get pulled under once more as his clothes, soaked to his skin – weighed him down.

Though bone tired he managed to find energy and swim to the edge, were he heaved himself and used his fingers to anchor himself and pull his body up, before collapsing on his back, wheezing still with the cold and the ache he glanced up as best he could to the very top from where he fell, he saw the window that had been smashed.

Clearly she must have known there was water at the bottom. She just wanted to scare him, she really was a witch. It took him fifteen minutes but eventually he had enough oxygen and strength to stand. He shook himself off as best he could be groaning as he took in the sight of the forest that lay in front of him.

The thick, wild, never ending stretch of eternal darkness that lay ahead, so this was what she meant about it being an uneasy escape. He didn't even have his horse, he pulled out his water logged gloves and sighed wringing them as best he could. He would need them for clearing a way through and so started on his journey back.

In the great hall Regina stared at the archway she had shoved him through before concentrating as the glass re-fixed itself until it was assembled once more smiling she turned to find Maleficent back in her human form. So silent in changing she waited as the blonde lifted a perfectly manicured brow.

"Little extreme don't you think dear?" Her face though betrayed her words as Regina snorted. "Nothing you wouldn't have done. In fact I think I might have saved his life, poor thing would have been torn asunder if you had gotten your claws on him."

The blonde had to nod at that.

"Besides, he's Snow's little Prince, if anything did happen to him and it got back that you had something to do with it, I doubt no matter how into their recovery she would be, she most likely wouldn't send her army here and that would be problematic."

"If you insist. But I still reckon a scar or something wouldn't have been too much. It would give him that much needed look of maturity he so desperately needs, a boy merely in men's clothing."

Regina agreed wholly on that before something came to mind. "Whose Rumpelstiltskin."

Maleficent stayed silent but never broke contact. "Pardon me dear?"

"Whose Rumpelstiltskin? When he mentioned him you sounded pissed. I haven't seen you like that in a while. Not since I nearly scalped the pony, so who is he?"

She watches as for the first time in a long time and much to her surprise. The older woman went quiet, "He's just a person I knew in passing once. We met many years ago and I thought him to have left the realm. Evidently that wasn't the case."

Regina frowns, suspicious of the reply as it didn't seem to explain her bout of anger but knowing that if she pressed the subject she would get annoyed once more and at her so for now she would let it slide. But she would be getting answers soon.

If this person was someone the blonde knew and it seemed he was back, Regina had to be on the lookout. He had upset her for whatever reason and that meant he might not be back with the best of intentions. If that was the case then she would have to be on guard, she wasn't going to let anyone near the blonde to hurt her.

Two weeks later

"Hurry up Regina!"

Said woman rolled her eyes but allowed herself to be tugged onwards. Ever since the news that everyone had been longing to hear - that the witch Queen Cora had vanished, both Kingdoms rejoiced. Even the King, who had been the one to declare her missing, allowed his people to celebrate knowing that punishing them for something true would have been hypocritical as he for the first time in twenty years, finally breathed easy without her controlling ways.

He had also asked about the mysterious girl he had seen in his wife's chambers a few hours prior to her disappearance but to his slight disappointment no one had seen her nor had heard anything of her in his court. He knew that he wouldn't see her like he had thought and he also had a hunch that she had something to do with the older woman's MIA status,

But for the life of him he didn't know whether to thank her or send out a search party to ask her what she had done. In the end he sat back on his throne, glancing around the cheering courtiers and silently gave thanks instead. The same celebrations were taking place within the white palace. On hearing that the reign of Cora had ended with her vanishing,

Some said she had fallen. Finally taken down by someone with the power and had hidden her body no one could find it, others said she had left the forest – that she got too greedy in her quest for power and that two Kingdoms wasn't enough. She had left to seek out better fortune and power elsewhere and that she would return.

Rumours spread like a bushfire as they walked through the villages, Ruby had to look around at the gossiping people before a thought came to her and she turned to see the slightly smiling face of her friend.

Regina to had been listening to the villagers and had to bite down on the bubble of laughter that wanted to erupt. They could guess and talk until the end of days but they would never get it completely right – those that had said she had been taken out by one with stronger mean's were somewhat close but she had actually killed her,

But she hoped where she landed it was misery for the older woman who deserved all she reaped as she felt a pair of eyes on her and looked to find Ruby eyeing her shrewdly.

"What"

She didn't reply for a moment. Seemingly scrutinizing her friend, apparently her poker face was good but not enough for the wold girl who finally did speak.

"It was you, wasn't it?" Regina arched a brow and lifted her head a little. "I have absolutely no idea what you are on about Rubes."

"Don't play coy. You did it didn't you, got rid of her… like you said you would."

For her part she didn't deny it nor did she say yes, she just pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders, "I still have no clue what you are on about. But, if one was to ask for my thoughts on the matter – I might happen to know a fair bit more that leans towards the truth rather than mere speculation about the poor Queens, rather hurried absence from the enchanted forest."

She smiled contently and slipped past her friend who was trying to work out what her statement meant before turning to watch her walk. "So you do know? Come on you said if someone asked."

She heard the lowly chuckles up ahead before Regina turned around. "From someone who doesn't have a direct source Ruby, that would be biased information."

The wolf woman shook her head but smiled. Happy that she had rid the realm of the evil bitch and was glad that she hadn't been hurt as she ran to catch up to her Snow had invited them straight away to the castle she had reclaimed once she had heard that Cora had seemingly abandoned it.

The truth was far more pleasing to hear and once she had returned. Charming at her side who had been more than relieved when he found both her and Ruby safe and unhurt as he ran both his hands over her much to her bemusement, once he found that what he saw was a trick, a fakery designed to make him give up the potion he felt both anger once more and stupid at having fallen for her manipulations.

Once the clean-up had begun Ruby noted with not much coincidence, that Regina was impossible to get in contact with. She had given up after the fourth try knowing her friend to well by now. Whenever there was hard work about or a chance something involved heavy lifting, the other woman would flee the area and be as hard as smoke to get a hold of.

Until it was all done that was. She would miraculously find her way back once she was sure she didn't have to lift a thing, all smiles and great distractions in case others got wise to her tactics.

But seeing as she knew unofficially that it was she that had done the hardest task of all and gotten rid of the terror mongering witch and given Snow that chance to take back her throne. It didn't bother her that she skipped out on the menial parts.

"Regina, can you just – you know – magic us there." Amused she turned to see the other woman tumble down a small pot hole and glare at the small patch of grass before shaking her head.

"Really Ruby? Magic us there" The brunette lifted her head and gifted her with a pointed look. "You know what I meant." Laughing she nodded and leaned over, pulling her closer she wrapped an arm around her waist just as the other woman looked at her.

"Well what would you call it then?"

She stopped for a second at that and lifted her head in thought. Frowning she shrugged. "Never have to be honest. Just went…poof."

"Poof?" She nodded with a smile before allowing the smoke to cloud over them. "Yeah, poof. Just like this."

With that the purple smoke covered them whole before they disappeared to appear inside the court of the castle. Ruby turned to look around before giving Regina a mildly panicked look which she shrugged off as the raven haired woman pulled her to a side ally.

"I couldn't be bothered walking up that path. Besides, I have been here way too many times to know where I was going now so don't you feel grateful. I saved you at least fifteen minutes of walking," She looked out before pulling her into the open and up to the large doors.

"More time I know you would rather be spending hugging and doing other girly crap like… I don't know giggling with the— that's a thought."

She stopped at the top of the steps. "Do Queens giggle now? Or is it to uncouth for someone so high?" Ruby rolled her eyes and smiled before pushing them both inside.

Regina was in hell. It turned out once the rest of the realm had heard about Cora's imminent disappearance and Snow's coming home ball, they all decided to attend – to welcome her to the fold and talk about how they always knew she would be able to overcome the wicked woman. Stupid morons.

She had fled to the nearest corner as soon as she was able – not without provisions of course which was how Ruby found her sometime later.

"There you are" Turning around she smiled at the approaching brunette who was giving her an odd look. "Why you here on your own?"

"Oh, I'm not on my own." Eyes narrowed at the cryptic response until Regina produced the stolen bottle of champagne." Say hello to my good friend."

She peered at the label before shrugging. "The Northern Kingdoms finest." She turned back to her, "Bit upper class but he's alright."

Ruby giggled before gesturing with her hand as she moved up the small bench so she could sit down. "Does your friend mind another joining the conversation? Or is it strictly a two way."

Lips pursed before she shook her head. "No I think he has enough talk left in him for a glass or two." She joined in the giggles before sneakily conjuring a glass and handing it to the other woman before passing the bottle over. They sat for a while watching the elite of the enchanted forest wandering around talking amidst each other.

"I have to say. Considering the bastard her father is, Princess Kathryn is actually rather nice to talk to," Ruby spoke sipping her drink as Regina nodded. She had in fact spoken to the blonde a couple of hours ago, and though she wanted to take a sneaky pot shot – something of a revenge hit on the man who had been a factor for their reluctant inclusion in the war.

But the more they spoke – or rather she stood and smiled dutifully as Kathryn rattled on – she found the other woman endearing, nothing at all like her father and so she gathered it must have been her Mother she took after, small mercies.

But soon she found the constant talk to endure and with the nicest smile she could muster moved off to find drink – she was nowhere near the level of buzzed she wanted to be to put up with conversing with royals who seemed to know she wasn't one of them and so either looked down at her or talked with a rather degree of underlying pity.

She hated them all and so it was why she could be found blissfully huddled in the darkest corner clutching her best friend for the night, around half an hour later when bubbles – the bottle they had affectionately called was dry, Regina stood and wandered into the crowd in a bid to find more leaving Ruby to guard the bench.

"Oh, good there you are." She looked up from staring at the floor to find Snow smiling happily in front of her; she had been trying to find her best friend for ages now. She knew that the other woman would most likely be with Regina who had also disappeared at the start of the ball, she felt sorry for the raven haired woman.

She knew she was here out of goodwill for Ruby, she knew how some of the others could be and knowing that the other woman wasn't even noble, would have had a hard time. She knew how uncomfortable both where even more so with the dress she had made the raven haired woman wear, but she knew if anyone could handle themselves against the likes of the monarchy's of the realm it was Regina.

She looked around but was disappointed that she couldn't see her and so looked back to Ruby who was sat down. "Where's Regina?"

She's just gone to find…err, water." She lifted her head to catch the driest look ever given from the soon to be Queen and withered little before lowly adding.

"Before bypassing it for the alcohol." All at once the smile returned a little dimmed albeit. She knew it was going to be a long night for them but she did think them able to pass the time without the need to get drunk. Was it that bad for them? She marred her brow in consternation just as Charming came over.

He smiled at Ruby before sliding an arm around Snow's waist. She turned to see him standing at her side and smiled before turning her head so he could kiss her cheek.

"Is everything ok?" Snow nodded. "Yes – I was just hoping to catch Regina, I wanted you to meet her," He looked to the second glass sitting on the floor and guessed that must have belonged to the absent woman.

"This is your second best friend, right?" He asked looking at his beloved as she smiled and nodded happily. "Ruby said it was her who suggested the help of the fairies to save you, when Ruby and the Hunter broke you from Cora's dungeons."

Charming did remember that night. He was thankful to be out of those horrid cells and silently was grateful to them all. But now he had the chance to thank the one who had come up with the idea altogether. He glanced around idly wondering who it might be and if he had already passed her by when a voice at the back of them had him tensing.

"Are you telling tales again dear Snow?"

His heart gave a stuttering thud just as the woman in his arms beamed happily and turned around. He knew that voice as the young Queen had already thrown her arms around the newcomer who chuckled lowly making his dry throat tighten. Slowly he turned to find the face covered by Snow's body but she pulled back.

Still keeping one arm around which had now moved to her waist she turned still happily smiling not seeing the stiff posture the newly titled prince had taken before speaking.

"David, I would like you to meet Regina." Said woman turned her head to look at the prince who had lost all colouring in his face, she smiled upon setting eyes on him for the second time in as many weeks before holding out her hand.

"So this is the man who has taken our dear friend's heart." She arched a brow, hand still out as Snow looked from one to the other, his heart was still pounding making it hard for him to hear. Vaguely he heard Snow speak as she finally noted the look on his face. she leaned over and placed a hand on his arm.

"David."

After what seemed eternity he finally broke the staring contest they seemed to have fallen into as she smirked into her glass, he turned to find Snow staring at him with concern as he smiled quickly trying to cover the slight bout of panic he felt at seeing the witch as he lifted his hand to covers hers.

"I'm fine – sorry I just got lost in my head for a few minutes." She said nothing still staring at him with worry but eventually smiled as she turned back and started talking again.

"Without Regina I think I would have given up ages ago." Ever the gentleman he reached out and took her hand, noting the softness of her skin as she chuckled throatily dismissing the remark.

"Please, I merely broached the subject of the fairies. It was Ruby here who did the leg work. She deserves the most credit." The woman in question stared at them before smiling meekly. She had noticed the way the prince reacted to seeing Regina and wondered why, she knew from the almost pleased look the other woman wore there was a story there and so as soon as they were alone she was getting the truth.

Snow said more but it was blurred to her ears. She may have feigned happiness at the mention of those tiny fireflies but really she was pissed at them as she was at the idea of wearing an evening dress. She had come across the head Nat in question only to learn that the stupid bug was Snow's patron fairy.

She almost broke composure right there she wanted to tear her apart that much when she smugly informed the sorceress that she had intended to help Snow from the moment she ate the cursed fruit. She had been surprised to find her there and so played ignorance in order to find her intentions.

Regina scowled on finding she had been played, and by the most irritating of creatures to. Once she had finished she ended the conversation by giving her blessing to be friends with the new Queen. Regina, being herself couldn't allow the smug woman fairy to have the last word and so with a keenly placed threat about corking her in an empty bottle and chucking her in the nearest river, she moved away feeling pleased as she made her way back to Ruby only to come across Charming.

They stayed with the two for a while talking. Snow had taken Regina's seat as she chatted with Ruby leaving the other two to stare. David glared at the smiling woman who was standing nonchalantly sipping her drink and returning his dark looks with calm impassive which seemed to irk him more.

The time came for Snow to make a speech and so still talking, both women stood. Ruby saw the blonde head of Kathryn who was waving them over from her place near the elevated podium as Snow grabbed her hand and dragged them along the other two seemingly forgotten which gave him chance to confront her as he turned only to find her gone.

He stared dumbly at the empty space looking around wildly for any sign of her, clapping had him turning to find Snow standing in the middle – Ruby and the blonde princess near the side. Finally he saw Regina standing at the very back, with a determination not to lose her in the crowd he started towards the witch.

It seemed she had been waiting for him if the knowing smile was anything to go by which made him more mad as he soon crowded her.

"Why are you here?"

She pulled back slowly at the hissed words and look of death in his eyes as he faced her, she leant on the wall arms crossed as she regarded him for a moment before speaking.

"I was invited dear prince. Surely you must know that." His eye twitched slightly as more clapping sounded around them. Careful not to cause attention he leaned in closer.

"Don't think I do not know what you are, you have tricked her haven't you? Made her believe she is your friend in order to what? Finish what Cora started…"

He pulled back, realization on his face as she eyed him with a cold ire. "That's it isn't it? You were working with her, then what? Did you get rid of her so you didn't have to share power, was that it."

"Listen here, you sanctimonious idiot. Contrary to what your feeble mind comes up with, I would no sooner throw that cow into a pyre and light the flames myself; Cora got what she deserved and if you even think such a thought again. The same thing will befall you,"

He flushed a little at the insinuated threat but carried on. "So why are you here?" She gave him a look of barely restrained vexation before replying

"Snow was actually telling the truth. We are friends - no tricks, no coercion, no magic of the sort." He glanced back to see the woman in question still happily speaking.

"If you are what you say then why did you hurt her? Friends do not do that to each other if no magic was involved what did you say to make her forgive you so easy."

She lowered her head not bothering to hide the laughter that bubbled up from her stomach. "You really are as stupid as you look aren't you," She looked back up to see him bristle but paid him no mind as she faced him.

"It was called a mirror image for a reason. I tricked you, made you think she was in pain so you would do what I wanted. Manipulation works best on the one track minded and you my dear Charming, were as easy and predictable to read as a child's book."

He stood in silence his rage ever growing as she mocked him ignoring all around them. "I have known Snow for far longer than you would like. Do you think I would put up with her ever perpetual peppiness only to kill her now? Trust me it would have been much sooner if I did intend harm."

He didn't respond as she reached under the top of the dress to pull out the potion – now in a much smaller bottle as his eyes fell as much as his honour would allow to see before they moved back to see her smirking face.

"Goes well with the dress don't you think."

"I could have you arrested you—"At that she did laugh out loud before taking a step closer. They met each other's eyes as her smirk faded into a sneer as she spoke again.

"Has that title gone to your head already, arrest me for what? Making you look like a fool. From what I've seen you have no need in that department. The narrow minded, dogmatic view you seem to go by is more than anything I could do,"

She stepped back when someone passed them by before looking back to him. "You may know my secret but I also know who you truly are… Sheppard."

She inwardly crowed at how jostled he seemed to be and couldn't help but push that bit further. "With James it was arrogance and far too much confidence in his own abilities. With you it's an over inflated sense of self-righteousness and importance, you're not a prince – not even a fake one, you're a sheep herder,"

She turned to find Snow nearing the end of her speech before glancing back to him. "You were born a commoner that will never change. You're dressed in those clothes and in this palace due to that woman on stage. A boy playing in a grown up's game. George may have used you in his little ploy – but do you really think if James hadn't have died he would have taken a second glance at you,"

She took one more step closer enough so he could feel the heat of her body near his own. "Another who think's far above their station. Cora was like that and look where it got her,"

He sharply turned his head at her words to see the gleeful smile adorning her blood red lips, "The next time you feel like playing dragons and knights, just remember who you're up against and wonder is it worth it."

With that she stepped away fully. With one last look of disdain she turned and left him speechless and looking on as she moved away into the now cheering and clapping crowd.

She moved to stand next to Ruby. Her blood boiling in her veins as she tried to calm her riled up body which had set off the need to vent as the wolf woman looked to her.

"You ok?" She asked on noting the look of agitation on her face. She nodded but it wasn't convincing as she glanced behind to find the prince staring at her, she then remembered the look they shared and knew that something must have gone on during the talk.

"You want to leave."

Regina turned to see her staring. The look said she knew something was wrong and she smiled that she was willing to leave as she nodded. "Very much so, this dress is killing me."

Once Snow had left the stage she made her way over to them as she listened to Ruby telling her that they were going to take their leave. She was sad and wanted them to stay but ultimately conceded defeat before finding David who barely glanced at Regina on bidding them farewell. Once more Ruby saw the look that passed but Snow was oblivious as she hugged them goodbye.

Katheryn too stopped them before saying her own goodbyes and watched as they left the hall. Glad to be out and once into their normal clothes they left the castle. Once they were back in the woods leading to the mountain Ruby turned to her,

"Ok, so what was all that about."

"What about what." She scoffed as Regina kept her head straight. "Don't play dumb. You and the prince, clearly something went on you came back looking far to be pissed to be anything else and he was staring at you with… well a lot of things really but yeah, so what happened."

She kept walking until finally she stopped and sighed. It was useless to try denying anything now, not with her looking so sternly and so she nodded

"It all started when I woke to find Mal stomping about like a Dragon with a head cold."

When she got home after hunting with the other woman she went straight to her room. Still pissed with that faux prince and his audacity to think he could tell her anything just because he was lucky enough to have caught Snow's attention. She threw herself down on her bed still thinking about him.

He wasn't even pretty. So she must have only been with him out of loneliness whilst on the run, it had to have been that and she was to nice to blow him off now so made him her consort.

Smiling at the silent jab his direction she placed her head on her arms and closed her eyes, now that everything seemed alright once more she decided that it would be a few months before she paid the new Queen a visit again. She didn't fancy being in his over bearing presence now he was a permanent fixture.

Keep her distance. That was what she would do.

She should have known fate was a bitch to her,

Three months later the announcement was heard Snow was having a baby.

A month later she declared that she and Ruby to be the baby's godparent's much to hers and Charming's everlasting horror.

A week after the baby was born. A renegade group of black guards still loyal to the absent Cora burst into the palace and attacked. The same day Rumple decided to enact the curse after long last using his puppet.

Less than half an hour later Regina found herself into the land without magic tightly holding the blanket that contained what a small town in Maine would come to know twenty eight years down the line as Emma Swan.

There we have it – the end at long last. I want to thank all that have stuck with me and commented, much loved.

It was a struggle but I got there in the end and had fun writing it, I hope that you'll enjoy the sequel just as much and that should be up soon.

Until then, bye for now J