DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

Everyone in the room tensed getting ready for the next episode this one would show all of their lives because Emma had finally arrived in Storybrooke.

–[Storybrooke]–

(Henry is watching the clock tower, when it suddenly moves. The next day, Mary Margaret, while eating breakfast, notices that the clock is working again. Emma looks out the window in her room at the inn. Archie is walking his dog, Mr. Gold walks past, and Ruby is putting out the sign for Granny's Diner. Regina is reading Henry's book and notices that the end pages are torn out.)

Regina: The missing pages – where are they?

"He is really clever" Snow smiled pleasantly. Regina rolled her eyes but she couldn't help the small proud smile her future son was crafty.

Henry: It's an old book. Stuff's missing. Why do you care?

Regina: I care because you think I'm some evil queen. And that hurts me, Henry. I'm your mother.

Henry: No, you're not.

Regina's smile faded and she looked down at her hands her father gently patted her on her shoulder. She looked up at him sadness in her eyes before turning back to the screen.

Regina: Well, then who is? That woman you brought here? I don't like what she and this book are doing to you. Thankfully, both are no longer an issue. What?

(The clock chimes, causing Regina to look up. Henry leaves while she's distracted.)

The heroes all smiled brightly "Good always wins" Snow said proudly

—–

(Regina heads to the town square. Archie is out walking his dog.)

Archie: Hey, how about that? Guess those rusty ol' innards finally straightened themselves out, huh?

(Regina sees Emma's car parked on the side of the road.)

Regina: Yes, how about that, indeed.

"Don't you dare do a thing to my daughter" Snow glared at her a spark of underlying worry in her eyes.

—–

(Regina knocks on the door of Emma's room. She has a basket of apples.)

Regina: Did you know the Honeycrisp tree is the most vigorous and hearty of all apple trees? It can survive temperatures as low as forty below and keep growing. It can weather any storm. I have one that I've tended to since I was a little girl. And to this day, I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers.

(Regina hands Emma an apple.)

Emma: Thanks.

Regina: I'm sure you'll enjoy them on your drive home.

"I she's anything like me saying that is only going to make her want to stay" Snow said smugly

"There are other ways to get people out of my way" Regina retorted back earning glares from the majority on the other side of the barrier

Emma: Actually, I'm going to stay for a while.

Regina: I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Henry has enough issues. He doesn't need you confusing him.

Emma: All due respect, Madam Mayor, the fact that you have now threatened me twice in the last twelve hours makes me want to stay more.

"I knew it"

"No one would dare contradict you" Charming laughed "You have a mother's intuition"

Regina: Since when were apples a threat?

Emma: I can read between the lines. Sorry. I just want to make sure Henry's okay.

Regina: He's fine, dear. Any problems he has are being taken care of.

Emma: What does that mean?

Regina: It means I have him in therapy. It's all under control. Take my advice, Miss Swan. Only one of us knows what's best for Henry.

Emma: Yeah, I'm starting to think you're right about that.

Grumpy let out a loud "Ha!" and Regina glowered she already felt a strong pull from the boy on the screen and she was not going to let another annoying little princess destroy that for her.

Regina: It's time for you to go.

Emma: Or what?

Regina: Don't underestimate me, Miss Swan. You have no idea what I'm capable of.

Snow's fists clenched and Charming put his arm protectively around her and their unborn child.

–[Fairy Tale Land – Past]–

(The Evil Queen is at Snow White and Prince Charming's wedding. It is the same scene from episode 1×01.)

Evil Queen: I shall destroy your happiness, if it is the last thing I do.

(The Evil Queen turns around and heads for the door. The prince calls after her.)

Prince Charming: Hey!

"Wait didn't we see this part of it already" Cinderella Questioned

(The Queen turns around. The prince throws his sword at her, but she dissipates before it hits her. The Evil Queen appears in another castle. The prince's sword also appears and sticks into a wall. There is a man at the castle holding a tray with drinks on it.)

"Nevermind" She blushed and Thomas kissed her on her forehead

Henry I: Would you like something to drink?

Evil Queen: Do I look like I need a drink?

Henry I: I was only trying to help.

(He hands the Evil Queen a glass.)

Evil Queen: Thank you.

Snow White watched this all with rapt attention she had always wanted to know What Regina was thinking and going through and now she had her chance.

(The mirror on the wall behind them speaks.)

Mirror: Now, that was an awfully big threat. Destroy everyone's happiness? How do you plan on accomplishing that?

Evil Queen: The dark curse.

Henry I: Are you sure, Your Majesty?

Mirror: But you said you'd never use it.

Henry I: You made a deal when you gave away that curse.

Mirror: You traded it away.

Henry I: She won't be happy to see you.

Evil Queen: Since when do I care about anyone else's happiness but mine? Prepare the carriage. We're going to the forbidden fortress.

Everyone who didn't know what Regina was speaking of looked confused and curious. Regina scowled at the screen she did not want people seeing her plans and private life they had no right to that!

—–

(A castle is shown in mountains. The Evil Queen and Maleficent sit by a fire.)

Maleficent: How are you, dear?

Evil Queen: I'm doing fine.

Maleficent: Are you? If it were me, I'd be simply tortured watching that flake of Snow so happy. Weren't you about the same age when you were to be married? Before she ruined it all. Yes, you were.

Snow flinched she had never truly forgiven herself for that it had started all this and child or not it was part of the reason her own daughter was taken from her in the future.

Evil Queen: Yes, it was about the same age you were when that Sleeping Beauty got the best of you, my dear Maleficent.

Maleficent: I soldiered on, as you will too. Hopefully.

Evil Queen: Enough games. You know why I'm here. I need my curse back.

Maleficent: It's not yours anymore. A deal's a deal. I traded you my sleeping curse.

Evil Queen: Which failed. Undone by a simple kiss. Now please, return what's mine.

Maleficent: The dark curse? Really? You must know that not even its unholy power can bring your loved one back from the dead. Have you considered a pet? They can be quite comforting.

They all snorted just trying to picture the queen with a cat or do was hilarious.

Evil Queen: The only comfort for me is Snow White's suffering.

Maleficent: Well, it's her wedding night. I doubt she's suffering right now.

Said party blushed pink and Red laughed outright at her friends embarrassment.

Evil Queen: I need that curse. I know you keep it hidden in the orb above your staff.

Maleficent: Hidden for the good of all, old friend. Whoever created that monstrosity, makes the two of us look positively…moral. Who did give it to you?

"I'll give you three guesses and the first tow don't count" Grumpy said looking at Rumplestiltskin who smiled insanely back.

Evil Queen: Where I got it's none of your concern. Hand it back.

Maleficent: Must we do this?

Evil Queen: Alas, we must.

(The Evil Queen uses her magic to control the fire in the fireplace. She aims it at Maleficent, but she deflects it. The Evil Queen then summons multiple weapons in the room and aims it at Maleficent's pet unicorn.)

Maleficent: No!

(Maleficent jumps in front of her pet and, again, deflects the Queen's attack. While distracted, the Evil Queen causes the chandelier to fall on top of Maleficent, and she is trapped. The Evil Queen takes Maleficent's staff.)

Evil Queen: Love is weakness, Maleficent. I thought you knew that?

"It's not a weakness its strength"

Maleficent: If you're going to kill me, kill me!

Evil Queen: Why would I do that? You're my only friend.

No one knew exactly what to say to that and Regina had a small blush on her face.

(The Evil Queen shatters the orb on the staff and takes the curse scroll.)

Maleficent: Don't do this. This…curse. There are lines even we shouldn't cross. All power comes with a price. Enacting it will take a terrible toll. It will leave an emptiness inside you. A void you will never be able to fill.

Evil Queen: So be it.

"Regina-"

"Please don't speak you're voice annoys me and your words more so" Regina interrupted her.

—–

(The Evil Queen, along with multiple other characters, stands at the end of a forest around a fire. Various things are being thrown into the fire.)

Evil Queen: Who among us is tired of losing? That's why I called you here. To put an end to our misery. Today, we claim victory and move to a new, better realm. A place where we can finally win.

Blind Witch: And we'll be happy?

Evil Queen: I guarantee it. But first, I need something from you. A lock of hair from those with the darkest souls. You must trust me. Because if you don't, there are other ways.

"Taking away our happiness will not make you happy Regina, it won't why can't you see that"

"I don't need your opinion, you have n idea what will make me happy or not"

(The trees around them start to grow taller until the group is completely surrounded. The people in the group relent, and each give a lock of their hair.)

Evil Queen: A wise decision. All that remains is the final ingredient. The prized heart from my childhood steed. The glorious beast whose passing will fuel our victory. Let my wrath be unleashed.

Rumplestiltskin laughed. "It's going to take a lot more than that dearie" Regina looked at him eyes narrowed

(The heart is removed from a box and thrown into the fire. A large pillar of smoke appears briefly, but then suddenly disappears. Laughter is then heard in the background.)

Gnome: Yeah, you really unleashed something, there.

(The Evil Queen turns the Gnome to stone.)

Grumpy had been about to say something as well but kept his mouth shut.

–[Storybrooke]–

(The gnome from the Fairy Tale World is now a gnome in Regina's garden. She is picking apples. A man holding a newspaper walks up behind her. Emma is on the front page.)

Sidney: The Mirror strikes again!

"I'm out of the mirror!" Sidney sounded hopeful but cowered at the look Regina shot him

Regina: You're late.

Sidney: Sorry. I wanted to bring you the latest edition. I assure you it's one of my better hatchet jobs.

Regina: That's not what I asked for. What'd you find out about her?

Sidney: Well, the truth be told, there wasn't much. She spent a lot of time in foster homes. Sh-she got into some trouble when she was a kid, ah, but the details are locked up pretty tight. Since then, she's clean. Bounced around all over. The only thing I really learned was that she doesn't like to sit still.

Regina: Well, that appears to have changed.

Sidney: D-did you know that, um, she had Henry while she was in Phoenix? Huh, how'd he wind up here in Maine?

Regina: So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you found nothing of value. Which means you have no value, Sidney. Do you know what I do with things that hold no value to me? I throw them away.

Sidney grimaced obviously he was still under the thumb of her majesty and by the look of it things weren't going so well.

Sidney: I-I'll keep looking.

—–

(Emma is at Granny's Dinner. She is reading the newspaper and eating the apple that Regina gave her. Ruby serves her a cocoa.)

Ruby: Here you go.

Emma: Thank you. But I did not order that.

Ruby: Yeah, I know. You have an admirer.

(Emma sees Graham at another table. She walks over and puts the cocoa in front of him.)

Charming didn't look pleased at all it had better not have been rom him. Really what was it with men and his daughter? Snow leaned against him slightly a small amused smile across her lips

Graham: Ah, so you decided to stay.

Emma: Observant. Important for a cop.

Graham: It's good news for our tourist business, it's bad for our local signage. It's… It's a joke. It's because you ran over our sign.

Emma: Look, the cocoa was a nice gesture, and I am impressed that you guessed that I like cinnamon on my chocolate because most people don't, but I am not here to flirt. So thank you, but no thank you.

"Good job Emma put him in his place" Charming said proudly Snow rolled her eyes at him.

Graham: I didn't send it.

"That's got to be more than embarrassing for the lass" Hook laughed lightly

(Henry is sitting at another booth and overhears them.)

Henry: I did. I like cinnamon, too.

Regina frowned

Emma: Don't you have school?

Henry: Duh. I'm ten. Walk me.

Everyone laughed and Snow and Charming smiled at the boy.

—–

(Emma and Henry are walking to the bus stop.)

Emma: So, what's the deal with you and your mom?

Henry: It's not about us, it's about her curse. We have to break it. Luckily, I have a plan. Step one – identification. I call it Operation Cobra.

Emma: Cobra? That has nothing to do with fairy tales.

Henry: Exactly. It's a code name to throw the Queen off the trail.

"He's so adorable" Snow laughed at the young boy she wondered sadly if Emma had been that way as a little girl.

Emma: So, everyone here is a fairy tale character. They just don't know it.

Henry: That's the curse. Time's been frozen – until you got here.

(Emma takes a bite of her apple.)

"Don't" Snow said looking nervous

"Oh please not all my apples are poisoned." Regina rolled her eyes

Henry: Hey! Where'd you get that?

Emma: Your mom.

Henry: Don't eat that!

(Henry takes the apple from Emma and throws it over his shoulder.)

Laughter rang out and Regina cursed the white witch for bringing her here this was going t be the worst experience of her life.

Emma: Okay, uh… Alright. What about their pasts?

Henry: They don't know. It's a haze to them. Ask anyone anything. And you'll see.

Emma: So, for decades, people have been walking around in a haze, not aging, with screwed up memories, stuck in a cursed town that kept them oblivious.

Henry: I knew you'd get it. That's why we need you. You're the only one who can stop her curse.

Emma: Because I'm the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming?

Both aforementioned people smiled and clutched hands

Henry: Yes. And right now, we have the advantage. My mom doesn't know that. I took out the end. The part with you in it. See? Your mom is Snow White.

"That's right…my beautiful baby girl"

Emma: Kid…

Henry: I know the hero never believes at first. If they did, it wouldn't be a very good story. If you need proof, take them. Read them. But whatever you do, don't let her see these pages. They're dangerous. If she finds out who you are, then it would be bad. I got to go. But I'll find you later and we can get started. I knew you'd believe me!

Emma: I never said I did.

Henry: Why else would you be here?

Charming smiles at his… grandson… he was a good kid

(Henry runs into the school. Mary Margaret sees Emma and approaches her.)

MMB: It's good to see his smile back.

Emma: I didn't do anything.

MMB: You stayed. So, does the Mayor know you're still here?

"I can't believe I'm talking to my daughter and I don't even know it" She wished she could will the Snow on the screen to remember to hug her daughter and love her.

Emma: Oh, she knows. What is her deal? She's not a great people person. How did she get elected?

MMB: She's been mayor for as long as I can remember. No one's ever been brave enough to run against her. She inspires quite a bit of, well, fear. I'm afraid I only made that worse by giving Henry that book. Now he thinks she's the Evil Queen.

Regina glared at Snow hatefully always ruining her life this was just more proof that Snow had to go.

Emma: Who does he think you are?

MMB: Oh, it's silly.

Emma: I just got five minutes of silly. Lay it on me.

MMB: Snow White. Who does he think you are?

The look on Emma's face made Snow clutch at her stomach feeling the little baby kick gave her only a small comfort after seeing what her life would become.

Emma: I'm not in the book. Can I ask you a favor? Regina mentioned the kid's in therapy. Do you know where I could find the doctor?

—–

(Archie is in his office. There's a knock on the door and Emma enters.)

Emma: Hey.

Archie: Emma Swan. I was, uh, just reading about you. Let me guess – you're here for a little help with post traumatic stress? …That diagnosis was free, by the way.

Emma: No, I'm here about Henry.

Snow was proud of the mother her daughter was beginning to become

Archie: I'm sorry. I… I really shouldn't-

Emma: I know, I'm sorry. Just tell me something. This fairy tale obsession – what is causing it? I mean, he thinks everyone is a character in his book. That's…crazy.

Archie: I-I hope you don't talk that way in front of him. The word crazy is, um, quite damaging. These stories… They're his language. He has no idea how to express complex emotion, so he's translating as best he can. This is how he communicates, when he's using this book to help deal with his problems.

Emma: But he got the book a month ago. Has he been seeing you longer than that?

Archie: Um, yes, he has.

Emma: So it's Regina, isn't it?

Archie: Uh, his mother is, uh, a very complicated woman. And, uh, over the years, her attempts to try and bring Henry close to her only backfired. Why don't you take a look at the file? Um, see what I mean.

(Archie gets Henry's file from the cabinet and hands it to Emma.)

Emma: Why are you doing this?

Archie: We talked about you a lot. And you're very important to him.

Emma: Thank you.

Archie: Just, uh, see that I get it back, okay? And Miss Swan. Just for the sake of the boy, be careful how to handle his belief system. Destroying his imagination would be…be devastating.

(Emma leaves. Archie goes to the phone and dials a number.)

Archie: You were right. She was just here.

Regina: Did she take the file?

Archie: Yes. H-How did you know that she was going to come here?

Regina: Because I'm the one who gave her the idea.

"Jiminy!" Snow looked at the cricket who looked down ashamed. Snow felt bad almost instantly "I'm sorry I know it must be hard with Regina most likely threatening you"

"It's no excuse I of all people should know better" Jiminy replied sadly he was as bad as he used to be before becoming a cricket and it hurt him terribly.

—–

(Emma is sitting on her bed, flipping through Henry's file. There's a knock on the door. She answers, and sees that it's Graham.)

Emma: Hey there. If you're concerned about the 'do not disturb' signs, don't worry. I've left them alone.

Graham: Actually, I'm here about Dr. Archibald Hopper. He mentioned you got into a bit of a row with him earlier?

Regina smirked wickedly

Emma: No…

Graham: I was shocked too. And given your shy, delicate sensibilities… He says you demanded to see Henry's files and when he refused, you came back and stole them.

Charming was not amused and was developing a strong dislike to the man already.

"You're going to have to get used to her flirting mate" Hook told him smiling

"I don't see how this is any of your business pirate" Hook sat back and held up his hands in surrender.

Snow gave him a look and Charming deflated and continued to watch

Emma: He gave them to me.

Graham: Alas, he's telling a different tale. May I check your room? Or, must I get a search warrant?

(Emma lets Graham inside her room. The papers from Henry's files are strewn everywhere.)

Emma: This what you're looking for?

Graham: Well, you're very accommodating. I'm afraid, Miss Swan, you're under arrest. Again.

Jiminy looked devastated "I'm so sorry"

"It's not your fault Jiminy it is Regina's" Geppeto comforted the cricket

"Because everything is my fault" Regina rolled her eyes

Emma: You know I'm being set up, don't you?

Graham: And whom, may I ask, is setting you up?

"Well I wonder" Grumpy stated sarcasm dripping from his voice

—–

(Regina walks down the street to where Henry, Mary Margaret and his class are sitting.)

MMB: -water, synthesize.

Regina: Ahem. May I speak with my son?

MMB: We're in the middle of a lesson. Is it important?

Regina: Do you think I'd be here if it wasn't?

Charming gives Regina a look not liking how she was talking to his wife.

(Regina walks over to Henry.)

Regina: Henry, sweetie, I have some bad news. The woman who you brought here – she's been arrested. She broke into Dr. Hopper's office and stole his files. She's a con woman. She's trying to learn about us in order to take advantage of us. That's why she's sticking around. I'm sorry.

"How could you…" Snow took a deep breath before letting out a slight laugh "I don't know why I'm surprised this is just like you Regina. Manipulating everyone and trying to make yourself look like the victim." Snow shook her head angrily

"You know nothing about my life you spoiled little princess" Regina bit back a sting in her heart despite her cold demeanor.

Henry: No, you're not.

Regina: I know you think otherwise, but all I'm doing is trying to protect you. This is going to be good for us. You'll see. Things will be better.

(The bell rings.)

Henry: I got to get back to class.

Her father put her arm around her in a silent hug as Regina looked heartbroken toward the boy on the screen. She glared and shrugged him off. She didn't need comfort or sympathy

—–

(Graham is taking Emma's mugshot. They're at the jail.)

Emma: You know the shrink is lying, right?

Graham: To the right, please. Why would he lie?

"It's obvious, this guys a real moron"

"Grumpy" Snow scolded

"It's true"

Emma: The Mayor put him up to this. She's got to have something on him. He's terrified of her like everyone else in this…town.

Graham: To the left. Regina may be a touch intimidating, but I don't think she'd go as far as a frame job.

Emma: How far would she go? What does she have her hands in?

Graham: Well, she's the Mayor. She has her hands in everything.

Emma: Including the police force?

Scattered laughter

"I like her" Hook said earning a sideways glare from Charming

"Easy mate it's likely I'll never meet her, no worries from me. You should keep your eye on the Sheriff I'd say he's smitten"

(Henry runs in. Mary Margaret is also with him.)

Henry: Hey!

Graham: Henry! Henry, what are you doing here?

MMB: His mother told him what happened.

Emma: Of course she did. Henry, I don't know what she said-

Henry: You're a genius.

"Wait did we miss something" Red had been pretty quiet watching curiously but now she was confused and it seemed she wasn't the only one he others looked just as baffled.

Emma: What?

Henry: I know what you were up to. You were gathering intel for Operation Cobra.

Graham: I'm sorry. I'm a bit lost.

Henry: It's need to know, Sheriff. And all you need to know is that Miss Blanchard's going to bail her out.

Hook laughed at the kid he reminded him of someone a boy from long ago. Hook pushed back the painful memories.

Emma: You are? Why?

MMB: I, uh, trust you.

"You don't sound so sure" Rumple sing songed

"I do trust her" Snow shot back with confidence and Rumple just laughed

Emma: Well, if you can uncuff me, I have something to do.

"This should be good" Red smiled knowing if Emma was anything like her parents Regina would not be happy.

—–

(Regina is sitting in her office. Outside, a noise is heard. Regina looks out and sees Emma cutting down her apple tree with a chainsaw. She goes outside to confront her.)

Everyone gaped and Regina looked livid

Regina: What the hell are you doing?

Emma: Picking apples.

Red grinned "There is no doubt that she is your daughter Snow"

Regina: You're out of your mind.

Emma: No, you are if you think a shoddy frame job's enough to scare me off. You're going to have to do better than that. You come after me one more time, I'm coming back for the rest of this tree. Because, sister, you have no idea what I am capable of.

(Emma starts to walk away.)

Emma: Your move.

Grumpy laughed loudly proud of his best friend's daughter

–[Fairy Tale Land – Past]–

(Regina and the man from earlier are standing where the failed curse took place.)

Henry I: Maybe it's for the best. The forces you are summoning are darker than we can conceive.

"Listen to him please" Snow urged her

"No you deserve this pain every ounce of it"

"I know what I did was wrong Regina but my daughter is innocent"

"I. Don't. Care"

"There's no use arguing with her we'll have to figure this out on our own" Charming told his wife and they would he was going to make sure this didn't happen. He had to protect his family.

Evil Queen: Oh? Now you're trying to protect me?

Henry I: It's what I do.

Evil Queen: I know. You're the only one who does.

Henry I: Helping you is my life.

Henry smiled at his daughter he truly loved and wished now that he had had the strength to stand up t her mother.

Evil Queen: Well then help me understand why this curse isn't working.

Henry I: If you want to know that, then you need to back to the person who gave it to you in the first place. Revenge is a dark and lonely road and once you go down it, there is no heading back.

Evil Queen: What is there for me to head back to?

"You can find new love Regina"

The Evil Queen ignored her she knew nothing of her loss she should have killed charming should have made snow watch as she crushed his heart, only then would she ever know.

—–

(The dungeon where Rumpelstiltskin is being kept is shown. There are mice everywhere.)

Rumplestiltskin grinned "A little mouse has come to pay me a visit"

Rumpelstiltskin: It's just us, dearie. You can show yourself.

(One of the mice transforms into the Evil Queen.)

"Told you" He smiled

Belle watched Rumple with concern he seemed mad worse than she had ever seen him. She wanted nothing more than to hold the man whom she loved no matter what anyone else thought.

Evil Queen: That curse you gave me – it's not working.

Rumpelstiltskin: Oh so worried. So, so worried. Like Snow and her lovely new husband.

Evil Queen: What?

Rumpelstiltskin: They paid me a visit, as well. They were very anxious…about you and the curse.

Evil Queen: What'd you tell them?

Rumpelstiltskin: The truth! That nothing can stop the darkness. Except, of course, their unborn child. You see, no matter how powerful, all curses can be broken. Their child is the key. Of course, the curse has to be enacted first.

"Why do you want this" Belle asked "Why did yu make the curse and why do you want it to happen so much"

Rumple looked at her "I lost something and now I want to find it" He said simply Belle put the pieces together then it all clicked. A land without magic, the same one his son had been taken to. She did not know whether she should be understanding or not. He was only trying to find his son and yet because of it Snow and Charming had lost their daughter. She had a lot to think about.

Evil Queen: Tell me what I did wrong.

Rumpelstiltskin: For that, there's a price.

Evil Queen: What do you want?

Rumpelstiltskin: Simple. In this new land, I want comfort. I want a good life.

Evil Queen: Fine. You'll have an estate. Be rich.

Rumpelstiltskin: I wasn't finished. There's more!

Evil Queen: There always is with you.

That was one thing both Snow and Regina could agree on

Rumpelstiltskin: In this new land, should I ever come to you for any reason, you must heed my every request. You must do whatever I say. So long as I say 'please'.

Evil Queen: You do realize, that should I succeed, you won't remember any of this.

Rumpelstiltskin: Oh, well then. What's the harm?

"Things are never so easy with him. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew or found a way to make sure he could remind himself."

Regina grudgingly agreed with Charming's words but she didn't care she would trade anything to enact this curse and now she was going to learn how. She couldn't help but be on the edge of her seat.

Evil Queen: Deal. What must I do to enact this curse?

Rumpelstiltskin: You need to sacrifice a heart.

Evil Queen: I sacrificed my prized steed.

Rumpelstiltskin: A horse? This is the curse to end all curses. You think a horse is going to do? Great power requires great sacrifice. The heart you need must come from something far more precious.

The queen was at a lost she did not have many things that were precious to her.

Evil Queen: Tell me what will suffice.

Rumpelstiltskin: The heart of the thing you love most.

Evil Queen: What I love most died because of Snow White.

Snow flinched she opened her mouth and closed it again what else could she say that hadn't already been said.

Rumpelstiltskin: Ooh. Is there no one else you truly love? This curse isn't going to be easy. Vengeance never is, dearie. You have to ask yourself the simple question. How far are you willing to go?

Henry looked down but then smiled at his daughter he was the only one left in her life and despite popular belief he was smart and he knew what all of this meant for him. Still he couldn't bring himself to be angry or scared of her. He loved his daughter and he had done her wrong for so many years had done nothing but watched as she was tortured at the hands of his wife. He owed her much.

Evil Queen: As far as it takes.

Rumpelstiltskin: Then please don't waste everyone's time and just do it. You know what you love. Now go kill it.

Belle flinched

–[Storybrooke]–

(Emma returns to the inn and enters her room. Granny is right behind her.)

Granny: Miss Swan. Oh my, this is terribly awkward. Uh, I need to ask you to leave. I'm afraid we have a 'no felons' rule. It… It turns out it's a city ordinance.

"Granny you too"

Granny shook her head at herself was she really so weak. Red took her grandmothers hand and gently reassured her it wasn't her fault. Regina had all control in this land.

Emma: Let me guess – the Mayor's office just called to remind you.

Granny: You can gather your things, but I need to have your room key back.

(Emma hands over the key.)

Snow looked worried "Where is she going to sleep?" She twisted her hands no matter hw old she was on screen she was still a baby in Snow's eyes.

—–

(Regina is picking apples up off the ground. Graham walks up behind her.)

Regina: She destroyed city property. I want her arrested.

Graham: Again?

Regina: What are you waiting for?

Graham: I'm just not convinced arresting her is the right plan. And I'm not talking about your tree. We both know she didn't steal those files.

"I knew I liked him for a good reason" Charming looked confused

"He saved my life once a long time ago it feels like" She explained

Regina: Oh, do we?

Graham: I mean, she looked pretty shocked when I levelled the charges against her.

Regina: It's because she doesn't like being caught.

Graham: Or because she was set up. And if she was, that means Dr. Hopper was lying. And if he's lying, that means that someone asked him to. Are we really confident that the man's conscience won't eventually get the best of him?

Charming couldn't help but smile as well he still didn't want his daughter out with any men but he liked the Sheriff at least he had his head on straight

Regina: I think your schoolboy crush is clouding your judgment. Remember – I made you sheriff. And I can take it away just as easily.

Graham: If you want me to arrest her again, I will.

Regina: Good.

"Well at least he tried"

Graham: But she's going to keep coming at you. And I know that you're going to keep coming at her and you will do whatever it takes to get her out of here and you may succeed.

Regina: No, I will succeed. He's my son. It's what's best for him.

Regina nodded firmly agreeing with her future self

Graham: I know that's what you believe. Yeah, but if this escalates, it seems to me the only one who will get hurt is Henry.

"He's right" Jiminy piped up

—–

(Emma is walking down the street. She looks over to where her car is parked and sees that it has a boot on it. Her phone rings and she answers it.)

Emma: Yeah?

Regina: Miss Swan, I'd be happy to continue demonstrating my power, but am I right in guessing your resolve to stay is only growing?

Emma: You have no idea.

Regina: Well then. I think it's time we made peace. Why don't you drive over to my office? Or walk, whatever suits you.

"It's a trap" Snow whispered "She never gives up that easily" Snow watched shoulders tense.

—–

(Regina and Emma are sitting in Regina's office.)

Regina: I'd like to start by apologizing, Miss Swan.

"Yeah we believe that for a second" Grumpy's sarcasm rang around the room"

Emma: What?

Regina: I just have to accept the reality that you want to be here.

Emma: That's right. I do.

Snow's hand tightened around Charming she knew this was wrong all wrong unless Regina had drastically changed in the 28 years but she had seen earlier that she hadn't.

Regina: And that you're here to take my son from me.

Emma: Okay, let's be clear. I have no intention of taking him from anyone.

Regina: Well, then, what are you doing here?

Emma: I know I'm not a mother. I think that's pretty self-evident. But I did have him. And I can't help that he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. The more you try to push me out, the more I want to be here. Especially after seeing how troubled he is.

"I don't like where this is going" Jiminy stated nervously

Regina: You think he's troubled?

Emma: Well, he's in therapy. And I only got through a couple of pages of his shrink's notes before you had me arrested. But putting all that aside. He thinks everyone in this town is a fairy tale character.

Regina: And you don't?

Emma: How can I? The poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality and it's only getting worse. It's crazy.

(Henry, who has been listening to their conversation, yells out.)

Henry: You think I'm crazy?

Snow White stood up she looked at Regina appalled "How could you. I know that you hate me and my family but Henry is your son and you would hurt him like this just to try and get rid of her. What kind of mother are you?" She fumed

"I did what I had to do Henry will be hurt for a while but he'll get over it and that wench will be gone"

Charming glared "do not call my daughter a wench"

"I'll call her whatever I want"

Tensions were getting high.

"Stop" They all turned to Belle who was standing now as well "We're stuck here right now and there's a magical barrier separating us so fighting will get us nowhere we have a lot to watch so we should continue" She grew more and more nervous as she talked and by the end she was looking at her hands.

"You're right" Snow nodded and sat down Charming with her. Regina looked annoyed but did the same. Belle sighed in relief and sat down as well.

Emma: Henry…

(Henry runs out of the room.)

Emma: How long was he there?

Regina: Long enough.

Emma: You knew he would be here.

Regina: Did I know that my son comes to my office every Thursday at precisely 5:00pm so I can take him for dinner before his therapy session? Of course I did. I'm his mother. Your move.

Emma: You have no soul. How in the hell did you get like this?

Regina didn't flinch but her eyes flashed a bit with pain no one here could ever understand.

–[Fairy Tale Land – Past]–

(The Evil Queen is walking down a hall in her castle. There are several mirrors on the wall.)

Mirror: What happened? Did you get your answer? What's going on? Your Majesty? Your Majesty!

(She enters a room where the man from earlier is lighting candles.)

Henry I: Did Rumpelstiltskin tell you what you needed to know?

Evil Queen: Yes.

Henry I: And?

Evil Queen: I'm not sure I should say. I'm conflicted.

Henry smiled at his daughter who looked at him tears welling in her eyes. She pushed them back knowing what was to come.

Henry I: How bad is it? Maybe I can help.

Evil Queen: I have to cut out the heart of the thing I love most.

Henry I: Me?

Evil Queen: Daddy, I don't know what to do.

Henry I: My dear, please. You don't have to do this.

Evil Queen: I have to do something.

Henry I: Then move past this. I know this may sound self-serving, but you don't need to enact the curse.

"I just want to be happy" she whispered

"I know, I want you to be happy too and I will understand no matter what your decision is after all this"

"Daddy…"

Evil Queen: But I can't keep living like this. What Snow did to me, what she took from me? It's eating me alive, Daddy. Her very existence mocks me. She must be punished.

Henry I: But, if the price is a hole that will never be filled, why do it? Stop worrying about Snow White and start over. We can have a new life.

Evil Queen: But what kind of life? All I've worked for, all I've built, would be gone. My power will disappear. They already think I'm nothing.

Henry I: Power is seductive. But so is love. You can have that again.

Snow wanted to believe that Regina could be good that she just needed love in her life but after what she had just witnessed she just didn't know anymore.

Regina flashed to that night at the bar and the man with the lion tattoo but she forced it from her mind just as quickly as it appeared. It never would have worked her true love was dead that was it.

Evil Queen: I just want to be happy.

Henry I: You can be. Of this I'm sure. But I believe, given the chance, we can find happiness. Together. But the choice is yours.

Henry nodded

Evil Queen: I think you're right. I can be happy. …Just not here.

(The Evil Queen kills her father.)

Evil Queen: I'm sorry…

"Its ok, I understand"

"I'm so sorry daddy I love you!"

"I know" He said kindly

–[Storybrooke]–

(Mary Margaret is sewing at a table in her home. There is a knock on the door.)

Emma: Hey. Just wanted to say thank you and, um, pay you back the bail money.

MMB: You look like you need to talk.

(Emma enters. Mary Margaret makes them cocoa.)

"We're going to talk" Snow wiggled in her seat in joy and watched she hoped her daughter liked her.

Emma: Cinnamon?

MMB: Oh, I'm sorry. I should've asked. It's a little quirk of mine. Do you mind?

Emma: Not at all. Oh, thanks. When you bailed me out, you said that you trusted me. Why?

"Because you're my daughter and memory or not its motherly instinct!" She exclaimed making Charming laugh at his enthusiastic wife.

MMB: It's strange. Ever since you arrived here, I've had the oddest feeling like we met before. And, I know it's crazy.

Tears pricked her eyes and she placed her hand over her stomach the baby kicked and she smiled sadly

Emma: I'm starting to re-evaluate my definition of crazy.

MMB: For what it's worth, I think you're innocent.

Emma: Of breaking and entering, or just in general?

MMB: Whichever makes you feel better.

Emma: It doesn't really matter what anyone thinks I did or didn't do. I'm leaving. Thank you – for everything – but I think it's for the best. If I stay, Henry's only going to keep getting hurt.

"But what about if you go… She's more of a mother thn she thinks she is and she cares so much its obvious"

"He doesn't need her care he has me"

"After what you just put him through I think Emma is his best bet" Snow shot back

MMB: What happens if you go? I think they very fact that you want to leave, is why you have to stay. You care about him. Who will protect Henry if you won't?

Charming smiled "I'm glad you're there for her" Snow clutched his hand knowing it must be hard to know he was unconscious and had not yet met his future daughter.

—–

(Henry is at his therapy session with Archie.)

Archie: Are you sure you don't want to talk about it? You know, that umbrella kind of is my good luck charm. Is that why you think I'm Jiminy Cricket?

Henry: I don't think you're anyone.

"No Henry you have to keep believing" Cinderella urged

(Emma barges into the room.)

Archie: Miss Swan! Look, I can explain. The Mayor forced me to-

Emma: I know. Don't worry about it. I get it. Henry, I'm sorry.

Henry: I don't want to talk to you.

Archie: Miss Swan, if she knew you were here-

Emma: To hell with her. Henry, there is one simple reason I stayed here. You. I wanted to get to know you.

Red nodded 'to hell with her was right' she thought

Henry: You think I'm crazy.

Emma: No, I think the curse is crazy. And it is. But, that doesn't mean that it isn't true. It is a lot to ask anyone to believe in, but there are a lot of crazy things in this world. So what do I know. Maybe it is true.

Henry: But you told my mom.

Emma: What she needed to hear. What I do know, is that if the curse is real, the only way to break it is by tricking the Evil Queen into thinking that we are non-believers. Cause that way, she's not on to us. Isn't that what Operation Cobra was all about? Throwing her off the trail?

The good side was filled with cheers and smiles when Henry brightened up.

Henry: Brilliant!

Emma: I've read the pages and, Henry, you are right. They are dangerous. There is only one way to make sure that see never sees them.

(Emma throws the pages into the fireplace.)

Emma: Now we have the advantage.

"She's so much like you" Snow told Charming

Henry: I knew you were here to help me.

Emma: That's right, kid. I am. And nothing, not even a curse, is going to stop that.

"Here here!" Grumpy yelled

–[Fairy Tale Land – Past]–

(The Evil Queen is, again, at the cliff where they previously tried to enact the curse. She throws the heart into the fire. A large pillar of smoke appears as before, but this time, it doesn't disappear. The Queen walks over to another area of the cliff. She places a rose at the base of a tombstone. The tombstone reads 'Henry'.)

Evil Queen: I love you, Daddy.

Henry smiled softly

–[Storybrooke]–

(Emma and Henry leave Archie's office together. Elsewhere, Regina is still cleaning up the damage to her apple tree. Mr. Gold enters her yard.)

Mr. Gold: What a mess.

Regina: Not for long. What could I do for you, Mr. Gold?

Mr. Gold: I was just in the neighbourhood. Thought I'd pop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits.

Regina: Well, it's been a good day. I just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance.

Mr. Gold: Emma Swan. Really?

Regina: Yes. I imagine she's half way to Boston by now.

Mr. Gold: Oh, I wouldn't bet on that. I just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy. Thick as thieves, they looked.

Regina: what?

Mr. Gold: Perhaps you should have come to me. If Miss Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help. For a price, of course.

"Don't you dare lay a hand on her or you'll wish you were back in that cage" Charming growled

Regina: I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore.

Mr. Gold: To which deal are you referring?

Regina: You know what deal.

Mr. Gold: Oh, right. Yeah. The boy I procured for you. Henry. Did I ever tell you what a lovely name that was? However did you pick it?

Regina: Did you want her to come to town? You wanted all this to happen, didn't you? Your finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?

"Of course it wasn't nothing he does is an accident" Cinderella said gripping onto Thomas

Mr. Gold: Whatever do you mean?

Regina: Where did you get him? Do you know something?

Mr. Gold: I have no idea what you're implying.

Regina: I think you do. Who is this woman, his mother, this…Emma Swan?

Mr. Gold: I would say you think you know exactly who she is. I really must be going.

"I knew it there was no way he'd let himself forget" Snow said Rumple smirked

(Mr. Gold starts walking away from Regina. Regina runs ahead and stands in front of him.)

Regina: Tell me what you know about her.

Mr. Gold: I'm not going to answer you, dear. So I suggest you excuse me. Please.

(Mr. Gold leaves Regina's yard. Regina stands where she was, seemingly shocked.)

And now Regina knows that he knows" Red commented

The screen faded to black once more and they sighed another episode down.

AN: I hope you enjoyed the new chapter please review and let me know what you think! Please! LOL