Chapter One

The Things We Do for Love

Rumplestiltskin vanished and reappeared in Zelena's cell.

"Wait," Zelena said. "Wait!" She took a step back. "I'm powerless now. R-Regina's got my pendant! My magic's gone!"

Zelena backed away as Rumple took a step forward, a cool, cold look in his eyes. She could feel the desperation meld with her fear, and she was terrified.

"I can't hurt anyone!" Zelena shouted. She began to shake. "I can't…"

Zelena tried to reason with the man, but the more she tried to pry her way out, the more she realized nothing was going to change his mind.

"Why?" she asked, her face pleading.

"Because I promised my son his death would be avenged. Rumplestiltskin never breaks a deal."

Rumple had a gleam in his eye as he prepared to strike Zelena, but a voice interrupted him.

"Stop," the voice commanded. With a flick of her hand, Regina knocked Rumple and the dagger over to one side of the cell.

Zelena watched bewilderedly as Regina approached, muscles tensed. She watched as the former queen opened the barred door with a tiny wave of her hand, watched how enraged Rumple was to have his work disrupted. His eyes blazed with an intense fury that made fear wrench at her inside her stomach. "And what do you think you're doing?" Rumple asked, an eerie sense of calm about him.

Regina ignored him. Instead, she grabbed Zelena's wrist and turned to the opened cell door. "I thought Belle changed you for the better," Regina said coldly. She looked down on Rumple. "I guess I was wrong."

Regina left the station then with Zelena in tow, the only sounds being the two ladys' high heels clicking on solid marble. Rumple lay crumpled on the ground as the sounds of their heels faded, staring after the doorway Regina had first made her appearance in until he heard the front door close. Even after they were gone he laid motionless, the only sounds accompanying him being the low hum of the police station's poor ventilation and his ragged breathing.

The wind brushed past the two women as they walked out of the station. Night had descended on the small town since Zelena was last outside, and she could still feel Regina's hand closed around her wrist.

Regina began walking past the various shops, and not long after turning a corner she spotted a dark haired woman walking down the street. She released Zelena from her grip and stormed up to the young woman.

"When I gave you the dagger," Regina said, blocking Belle in her tracks, "I meant for you to keep it safe."

Taken by surprise, Belle took a step backwards. "W-what are you talking about? He gave me the dagger. I didn't give it to anyone, I swear."

Regina held Belle's gaze for a long moment before walking back to Zelena. "You may want to keep a closer eye on your boyfriend," she called over her shoulder.

She grabbed Zelena's arm once again and pulled her away from Belle, who stared after them in confusion and stupefaction.

"What are you doing?" Zelena asked as she grudgingly let Regina drag her towards her home.

Regina didn't answer.

Zelena wrenched her arm away from Regina's grip and tried again, coming to a stop in front of her. "What. Are. You. Doing?" she hissed.

"Is it really the best idea to start asking questions out here in the open when everyone wants your head on a silver platter?" she retorted.

Zelena's face turned red. With a smug look, Regina continued walking, leaving Zelena standing in a fit of rage. "At least tell me where we're going," Zelena said, turning so Regina was again in her sights. She refused to move until Regina gave her a satisfactory answer.

"Home."

Zelena scowled and glanced around the street. She realized in her cursory scan of a means of escape that there wasn't anywhere in the entire town she could hide, so after a quick debate in her head she begrudgingly followed Regina to her home.

Zelena's hands hung by her side as she took in the many possessions Regina had sitting on her shelves. Unlike her first visit, Regina had welcomed Zelena, albeit coldly. Somehow, the simple gesture changed the whole perception of the situation upon them.

Zelena had sauntered into Regina's household before, but it was different that time. She knew Regina's motives and what chaos she was capable of ensuing. She knew what to expect from her and how she could deal with them. Now, her intentions were blurred. Zelena had delved, completely unprepared, into the unknown.

Regina descended down the stairs, holding an assortment of household goods. "There's a spare bedroom upstairs," she said.

Regina tried to hand her the supplies, which included a spare set of clothing and a couple of towels. "Go take a shower and get some rest."

"Why should I listen to you?" Zelena asked, renouncing Regina's offer.

Regina, with a tired expression, sighed. "You don't have to." She nodded towards the door. "But when the town decides to burn you at the stake, you won't be able to change your mind."

Zelena clenched her fists and stepped towards Regina. "I could kill you," she said through gritted teeth. It was an empty threat, they both knew, but Zelena was desperate for leverage. She felt as though she was in the Roman Colosseum. Regina was the lion, and she was merely some poor peasant girl who'd been thrown in against her will with nothing but a pointy wooden stick to protect herself with.

"But you won't."

"Why are you doing this?"

Regina faltered and then quietly replied. "I don't know."

For a moment, the two stood there in complete silence. There was no understanding between them, nor was there any form of closure. There were no acts of kindness, no acts of forgiving. Only acts that would ensure mutual survival. Zelena, with heavy reluctance, took the items Regina had wanted to hand her. Without another word, she stepped past Regina and walked upstairs.

Regina remained silent as she listened to the almost rhythmic, angry footsteps walking up the stairs. There was a moment of silence before she heard the door slam shut upstairs, and she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Regina decided that she needed some fresh air. She exited her house and closed the door quietly behind her. Once she looked up and down her street for a check to see if anyone was there, she extended her arms, and, like a fountain of water, purple smoke began to pour from her hands. It spilled onto the grass, extending and extending until it reached the fence, and then up into the air, curving until her property was covered in a smoky dome, acting as a protective barrier against any adversaries who might attempt to cross. The smoke dissipated all of a sudden, fading into nothingness.

Regina stood there as the last of the smoke disappeared. Although she believed Gold would now be under Belle's watchful eye, she knew he'd get past her somehow. He'd do anything to get to Zelena. Regina pursed her lips and went back inside, another thought surfacing in her mind. Though she was reluctant, she knew that the Charmings needed, or rather demanded, to be updated on all of the current events happening in Storybrooke, the Enchanted Forest, or whichever other lands they felt an obligation to uphold.

She was a prisoner. A prisoner with decent facilities and electricity, but a prisoner nonetheless. Zelena knew her every move was being calculated. It was worse than the dank cell she was placed in earlier, as she never considered herself a prisoner before she was forcibly dragged into Regina's home.

Zelena yearned for nothing more than to leave, and she very well could if it weren't for the fact that she had nowhere else to stay. But on the other hand, she couldn't stand to sit here and watch Regina live happily ever after.

Quietly, Zelena got off the bed she had so tentatively sat upon and began to make her way down the stairs, stopping at the sound of Regina's voice.

"I understand." Regina had her back turned toward Zelena. "Yes, I'll be coming over tomorrow." She let out a frustrated sigh, and even from where Zelena was standing she knew Regina was bringing a hand to her forehead to massage her temples. "Put him on the phone."

After a couple moments of silence, Regina spoke again. "No, no, nothing's wrong," she said, and Zelena could hear the smile in her voice.

Regina began to pace across the living room floor, "I'll explain everything later." Another stretch of silence. "Okay, okay. I love you Henry. Get some sleep."

Zelena visibly flinched when the doorbell rung, waking her up from her trance. She took a few steps back up the stairs, out of sight from Regina and from anyone who could be standing outside the door.

Regina pulled the door open a smile immediately formed as her eyes settled upon Robin.

He beamed at the sight of her. "Milady."

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Roland?" she asked, stepping aside to allow him in.

"He fell asleep a while ago. I have the Merry Men watching over him." He turned around as Regina closed the door. "I have to say, I was a bit worried for you."

She raised her brows, silently beckoning him to continue.

"I saw Zelena entering your home." Robin glanced into her living room and then back to her. "Is everything alright?"

Regina was a little taken aback with the question. She took a minute before responding, "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Thank you." She clasped her hands together, pursing her lips. "Rumple tried to kill Zelena, so I took her with me here."

His brows furrowed. "I don't think it's safe to be living under the same roof with her," he said, his growing concern evident.

"I'll be fine." She took a few steps closer to him. "She doesn't have her magic, remember?"

"It doesn't mean she can't hurt you," he reasoned, trying to make her understand the circumstance she had placed herself in.

Regina didn't respond, and instead took another step forward. She pulled at the lapels of his jacket, eyes fluttering closed before their lips met. She felt his muscles slowly relax as his arms found their way around her waist, holding her even closer to him.

They parted after a moment, dazed with happiness. Their foreheads touched as they relaxed in each other's hold, gazing into each other's eyes. Regina saw the joy within Robin's eyes, but she could also see the specks of fear hidden underneath. Before she could utter a single word, Robin pulled her in to another kiss. Regina found herself sighing with contentment, something warm filling up in her chest. Her hands left his jacket and found their way to the back of his neck. Her whole body was pressing against him, revelling in the warmth his body offered.

His left arm was still settled around her waist, but his right hand lingered up to her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her right ear. He held her tightly, protectively, afraid she was suddenly going to disappear in his grip.

She reluctantly pulled away far enough to look at him. "I can't leave her out there."

"Regina, you just got your heart back–" he tried once more but she leaned in again, pressing her lips to his, halting him from speaking any more words. This time it wasn't like any of their other kisses. It was a message, a reassurance, a promise that she'd be safe, and he understood. He caressed her cheek, deepening the kiss. He was reluctant but he knew what Regina was capable of. He knew she could protect herself, but nevertheless, he was concerned for her.

Zelena stood motionless by the stairs where no one could see her. She heard the words spoken by Regina and was overwhelmed with a feeling unknown. What she saw brought back some old feelings. Of course she gets the happily ever after, was the main thought. But from the things she heard from Regina's phone call made her believe it wasn't true.

It was getting late, and the 'happy couple' was still at the door, holding on to each other. Zelena got up quietly without a second glance and proceeded up the stairs.

END CHAPTER ONE

A/N: Hey guys! Did you like it? I noticed that a lot of people want to see Zelena have a redemption arc, so I thought I'd give it a go. Don't worry, chapter two and three are almost written up so hopefully it won't take too long to update.

I have to acknowledge heysansa for contributing to this story. She has a tumblr account as well, so please go have a look over there. .com

As always please leave a review or a comment of how you thought about this story. It would mean a lot to us as it would provide some insight for the story.

- Cafe and Skye