Thanks to my wonderful beta Withgirl (who will not be shared...ever) this is now my most prized possession. We've worked day and night for a couple of weeks to get this as great as possible. My beta has a super power that has amazed and creeped me the hell out sometimes. She can read my mind and give me the idea before I even think of it. All A/Ns from now on are dedicated to for her hard work and she secretly likes compliments even though she's British. Now upgraded to official co-author of 110% of my stories.

And to those of you who have been here since the beginning, I promise you it was worth all the waiting.

Enjoy.

The former Evil Queen laid in bed, languidly turning page after page of the most incredibly dull book she had ever read. Rivaled only by the bookworm that the Dark One called his wife, Regina had read almost every interesting piece of literature that this world had to offer. Now she was reduced to this boring dribble of a painfully optimistic author, and all she wished was that sleep would come soon. Apparently, spending her days scouring the blank books in the author's library was not enough for the mayor, she had to spend her night reading something that was admittedly far less interesting than the millions of blank pages she had seen. As the fictional character kissed the love of his life, she snapped the book shut and placed it harshly on the nightstand. Switching off the lamp she stared at the ceiling, wishing for something more interesting to do. Despite the decades she had spent in this world, she still loathed the television, and anybody that could even have anything interesting to say would more than likely be asleep.

Trying to force her eyes closed, she considered whether alcohol was the answer. But no, work was inching closer and closer by the second, and the recently reinstated mayor of Storybrooke couldn't risk it. So instead she continued her staring match with the ceiling. After what felt like hours, she felt her eyes begin to droop, and a large yawn told her that her body had finally given into fatigue. She sighed in relief and laid further into her pillow, turning on her side she finally allowed sleep to come to her.

2 a.m.

It almost felt like she was only asleep for a few moments if not less than that. Nowhere near a deep sleep. Regina was woken up by Henry slamming the door open, "Mom!" She was immediately jolted from her sleeping position as Henry did not hesitate to jump on the bed and shake his mother awake.

She sat up with serious concern as she looked into her son's excited and almost terrified eyes. She grabbed his arm, "Henry, what's wrong!"

"I..." he started and trailed off beyond Regina's hearing. She stared at him and the vein in her forehead was protruding from the evident worry and uneasiness. Henry sat in front of her still struggling to find his words.

"Henry-"

"You need to call Emma. Now." Regina did everything she could from becoming automatically annoyed by the fact that Emma was involved in this somehow. Though they had become something resembling friends, she still found the woman infuriating at times. She only wished she knew why a simple crush that would 'almost certainly go away' could make her feel this way. She searched her son's face and found that obviously there was no avoiding Emma Swan tonight. She planned on doing just what he asked even though she could do without the whirlwind of emotions that she knew she would experience, however she did need to know exactly why she would be calling the blonde in the middle of the night.

"Henry, why-"

"Just call her mom. Please," he begged and anxiety flashed in his eyes. It scared Regina, "Henry, I will call her, but I have to know what's going on." He pulled away from her and rested on his knees. She saw his chest heaving in and out. It was obvious he had just woken up and come across this troubling situation, which she still was not aware of.

"You have to go outside."

"You were outside! Henry you shouldn't be outside this house-"

"Mom that's not even important right now. You have to go and see."

Regina quickly got out of bed now completely awake without a hint of grogginess or weariness. She rushed in her silk blue robe and hurried down the stairs with Henry beating down behind her. Their hearts were both pumping uncontrollably fast. Regina wasn't sure why hers was doing such a thing but it was. And it was almost painful. She got to the front door and placed her hand on the handle. Her sudden pause made Henry impatient but before he could express it Regina turned to him not taking her hand away. He nodded to her and she reluctantly opened the door. As it swung passed her, everything in her body stiffened to hide how terrified she was about this mysterious thing etching concern all over Henry's face.

She didn't know what she was expecting and told herself it wasn't going to surprise her, but when the light from the foyer flooded out onto her walkway nothing but surprise knocked the wind out of her. She stepped out into the night breeze, no longer sure she wanted to know what this was. Halfway down the path she heard Henry following behind her. Ignoring the fact that Henry had already caught sight of this already, Regina sharply turned around waved him back into the house, "Henry stay inside."

"But-"

"You have nothing to say, Henry. Do as I say." Her tone was very firm despite the tremble that threatened to escape her throat. Her eyes had darkened. With her like this Henry did exactly as she demanded just as she turned back.

It was times like these when she wished the heartless Evil Queen would jump forth and not give a damn, but that wouldn't happen. She was a soft more sympathizing-but not really-Regina Mills and she could stop what her emotions were causing her to feel, cracking her already damaged heart. The feeling only got worse when she bent down over the sight.

A girl on the threshold of adulthood laid battered severely on her walkway. There was so much in the way of her view, Regina couldn't be certain about anything. She was so injured that the mayor couldn't even tell if she was alive. She usually wouldn't but Regina forced away the twisting knot in her stomach and pushed away the hair hanging in her face and then she pushed her first two fingers to the girl's neck. Instantly she caught the feeling of a broken, weak, and dying pulse that threatened to fade away at any moment. She drew in a sharp breath that would've crippled her had she not been crouched down.

"Emma's coming." Henry spoke loud enough for her to hear. Although it seemed as if the entire block heard it as lights in the houses around her home had quickly began to flicker on one by one. Looking up she could already see figures emerging in the upstairs windows. By then surely the sheriff had received several phone calls probably suggesting that she'd murdered someone.

All she could do was stare at the bloody mess on her pathway. The blood streaking up from the street only brought Regina to a shiver at the thought that someone had dragged this girl up to her house. Or worse this was the closest place for her crawl to before she could no longer even breathe with the slightest ease. The only words to describe this were words she'd rather not have to say out loud especially to the sheriff. Maimed. Mangled. Defiled. Regina looked over her body and although she saw the blood seeping through her pants legs it seemed she was spared appalling violation. Regina could no longer ignore the bystanders staring at her in disgust like she had done this. Like they had watched her cause this stranger such pain.

She refrained from snarling a comment to those congregating around her front lawn. Then she finally saw something that made it clear that she couldn't possibly have done this. Bright green eyes shined up at her in fear and they were steadily losing the light Regina was sure they would've had at a time when she wasn't in such pain. Their eyes met and seeing the falling tears was too much to bare but she found herself not looking away. The look in her eyes seemed to be pleading for it all to go away. Like she would have preferred to be dead instead of laying in the presence of this stranger in the most vulnerable way possible.

Regina held strong against all the terrible feelings flowing through her. She was aware that as far as she knew this wasn't her fault. The words. She just couldn't hold them back as sound of the sheriff's yellow bug coming up to her house followed by the ambulance. Before anyone came close enough to see her say it, she whispered down to the broken person under her, "I'm so sorry."

Emma hurried into shoes and made her way to 108 Mifflin Street. Her attire didn't really match what was contained within her leather filled closet and even with the terrible situation on their hands they still managed to stare. Emma Swan without a leather jacket. It was an anomaly. She wanted to focus on her sheriff duties but it bothered her everyone was so surprised she showed up in gray sweatpants and a black and white baseball shirt. It was still two in the morning to be fair.

She walked by the paramedics carrying a severely injured person to the ambulance. It wasn't a swift pass by. Emma caught glimpses of eyes greener than her own and the pain within them. She stopped in her tracks as they continued their rush to the hospital. Emma had definitely wished she had her jacket now since the sudden urge to shove her fists in her pockets wouldn't go away. She continued her walk up to an inattentive Regina staring down at the ground under her as if when she looked away it would disappeared. Henry quickly ran from his position at the door and charged right into Emma's chest.

"Hey kid," she said brushing her hand over his head and wrapping her other arm around him. She glanced at him and then at Regina. Neither of them were prepared to even be outside. "You guys it's freezing out here. Why aren't you wearing a coat or something?"

"I could ask you the same, Sheriff," Regina said dryly looking up at Emma's attire. "You're not dressed for work. No atrocious leather jacket tonight?" Emma released Henry as he pulled away. Emma ignored Regina's comment for the moment and looked at Henry, "Why don't you go inside kid? Don't catch a cold."

"I can help." Emma was too tired to protest and just nodded. Then turned to Regina, "Did you see who did this?"

Regina shook her head, keeping her eyes on the girl, "I had a very abrupt awakening. I didn't see anything. I was asleep."

"Well, so was I. So excuse me for rushing over here in my pajamas because my son called about an emergency."

"Cranky are we, Miss Swan?" Regina smirked.

"Hey-"

"Stop bickering. This isn't the time," Henry said interrupting. They were already being watched by the residences of Mifflin Street. Emma folded her arms across her chest, "Fine. Anybody know what happened? Since obviously it wasn't Regina." She said it loud enough for the bystanders to hear as well and when she looked over her shoulder none of them were even being remotely helpful. They were whispering about the fact that Regina was not even considered a suspect by the sheriff.

She turned back with a sigh and saw Regina shake her head, "Well, looks like everyone just about as lost as you are."

"I told you I could help." Henry looked at both of them. With a nod of her head Emma allowed him to continue with his story. "Well, I...uh...saw a tornado thing."

"What?" Emma questioned. It was far too "early" in the morning for magic. "A tornado?"

Henry nodded frantically, "It was purple I think."

"Henry are you telling me she came through a purple tornado that happened to show up on your mom's front lawn and only you noticed?"

"Yeah. It was like a portal."

Emma closed her eyes for moment and she shook her head, "So we're assuming she's-"

"From the Enchanted Forest?" Regina laughed. "That's not possible."

"How many times have we all said that and somehow it ends up being possible?" Emma said rubbing her face withholding a yawn. Regina became annoyed with the fact that it's true and shrugged it off. Henry suddenly grinned. Emma looked over at him knowing he was plotting, "What are you planning?"

"I think a new operation is in order." Emma gave an inward chuckle. "Operation Barracuda."

"Barracuda? Why?"

Henry shrugged, "I like the way it sounds."

"No." Regina groaned and was ready to put a foot down. "We are not doing anymore operations. Especially now. This girl seems like trouble and Henry is not going to be anywhere near this."

"But-"

"No buts. You're not getting involved in this."

Henry's excited look dropped away and his back hunched in defeat. Emma grabbed his shoulders and got down to his level while also understanding Regina's concern, "You know kid, I think you're right. We do need another operation, but your mom is right this could be dangerous. Whatever trouble she's in, we can't have you caught up in the middle of it. But I'll make sure it gets done okay?" He had to think about it for a minute. A minute that seemed like forever as both Regina and Emma shivered in the chill of winter.

"Okay," he agreed. Emma gave him a smile. "But there are some rules."

"Like she follows rules very well," Regina quipped. It took everything for Emma not to throw a barb back at her.

Henry gave Regina a sharp arched eyebrow, "The rules are for you too mom."

"Me? I have nothing to do with this."

"Yes you do. There's a reason why she ended up in our yard of all places and Emma needs help."

"Miss Swan is a very capable woman, Henry."

"No, you have to help her. You know a lot about magic and Emma is a good investigator. You have to work together to figure this out." He turned fully to Regina and Emma straightened up watching the pair. "Mom, if this is as dangerous as you both think it is, then you have to protect Emma. She doesn't know how to use her magic properly yet." Regina was about to decline but was interrupted, "Mom...please."

Regina looked at him and then hesitantly over to Emma who was looking down at her feet. She sighed deeply and then nodded, "Alright. I'll partake in this Operation Barracuda, but only if you get to bed. There is still school in the morning."

He nodded with a smile and hugged her tight and fast, "Thanks mom." He quickly disappeared into the house shortly after.

"Well, Miss Swan. I guess I'll be seeing you later today then for this operation business."

"Yeah I guess." Emma caught the frown on Regina's face. "You don't actually have to do this. I can handle it."

"I just promised him I would. So I'll help but don't expect me to be cooperating in any stake-outs."

"Fair enough," Emma said beginning to walk off.

"Miss Swan?"

"Yeah."

"Are you alright?" Emma wanted to lie but it was becoming a thing that she wasn't a good liar even though she could spot one a mile away. She let the honesty leave her lips, "I already feel like I owe this kid."

"Why?" Regina frowned.

"Because she's an orphan. I know one when I see one. It's all in the eyes." Emma didn't give Regina the chance to respond because frankly she didn't want to start up a conversation about the feelings sparked by her confession. She kept walking all the way to her car and watched as everyone cleared away from the house's lawn. When the final light in the last house switched off Emma started driving away.

Regina watched Emma's yellow bug pass by and then closed the door to her house. It was disturbing how much this bothered her. She looked too deep into that girl's eyes and now it would never leave her alone. Not unless she fixed it. That's the only reason she agreed to work with Emma to get to the bottom of this, so those envy green eyes looking at her in pain would go away. So that maybe in a week or two she could sleep in peace because tonight and the next she may be laying wide awake.

Reviews always appreciated.