Authors Note:

This is my first FF - so be gentle :)

I know post 3B seems a long time ago but it is a comfortable period for me and for my first story I wanted to work in a comfortable space. I had to make a few decisions with this one as to where to diverge from Canon so FYI Marian in this piece is just Marian. I've got the next couple of chapters drafted already and this will be done in 10 chapters or less.

All feedback more than welcome - it is wanted. Thank you.

Regina squinted into the sun, shielding her eyes as she watched the old truck approaching down the long drive towards the ranch house. From her position – seated on the chocolate mare she now thought of as her own – she had watched them for the past few minutes as they drove down the street that ran past the property to turn into the long winding drive that lead past the horse paddocks and training ring.

Dread pooled in her belly. That sick feeling that began when Henry first called two days ago to tell her that Emma had taken on the curse of the dark one to save Lily – Maleficent's long lost daughter.

"She has already taken on enough of other peoples darkness," Emma had yelled to Mary Margaret as she thrust the dagger into the storm of darkness surrounding Lily. "She is not going to be forced to carry this too". And off Emma disappeared leaving behind her dagger, shocked parents and terrified son.

"It's a curse, it can be broken" Regina assured Henry barely 30 minutes later when he called her.

"Gold never broke the curse" He'd replied, despondent with tears evident in his voice.

"Gold never wanted to break the curse – it doesn't mean he couldn't" Regina paced.

"Will you come home?" It broke her heart as his voice cracked. "Please". He begged. Sounding too much like Emma when she had called Regina looking for help with the Snow Queen and later with the Queens of Darkness and her search for Lily. Regina had helped with the last part – travelling back East for 2 days to track down Maleficent's daughter. But every other time – when 'helping' involved going back to Storybrooke – Regina had refused… and Henry had understood. But as she watched Charming's truck approach she thought this time it looked like Henry wasn't taking no for an answer.

Regina sighed, clicked her tongue and nudged the mare, directing her back to the stables that were situated along side the main ranch house that had become her home these past two years. Two years! Where had the time gone? Two years since she had held her little prince. They spoken using Skype almost daily so she had seen how he'd grown but to finally hold him again.

She briefly closed her eyes, willing the tears to abate as she thought of the last time she'd held him. Henry had been desperately trying to protect her from the wrath of the Merry Men in the wake of the revelation that she had killed Marian. Henry trying to get between his mother and Robin – No! She couldn't think about that. The look of pure hatred and betrayal in his eyes as he called her a monster, crying out for vengeance for the death of his wife. Threatening her should they ever cross paths again before Mary Margaret intervened, sending Robin and Marian back to the Merry Men's camp with Roland.

Robin had left and any sense of calm left with him. The Merry Men, insisting on punishment for the Evil Queen. A life for a life they had chanted and Regina would have laughed had her heart not been shattered in her chest. A life for a life? How many thousands of lives had she taken? You can only kill someone once. Again Mary Margaret had come to her rescue – oh the irony – banishment – she said. Regina would leave Storybrooke. Mary Margaret knew Robin was reacting to this situation (and reacting badly). His need for retribution would quickly subside.

"You will be back Regina," she said with that nauseatingly hopefully smile on her face. "This will be forgotten – in two weeks, a month at best you will be home. Robin will forgive you."

Regina was numb. Wanting only to be out of Robin's sight she readily agreed to leave, though she was under no illusions that forgiveness would be forthcoming from the Merry Men or their leader.

Regina had planned for a speedy exit from Storybrooke the day 'the Savior' had arrived. She had enough cash and an apartment in Boston at the ready along with credentials, papers – everything she would need for a new life. Really she was surprised in had taken this long for the townsfolk to be screaming for her head – or her banishment it seemed.

Her goodbye to Henry was cut short when Tuck ripped him from her arms and quite ceremoniously (if a little ungraciously) shoved her across the town line. Spitting at her feet before turning and cheering with the rest of the Merry Men while Henry sobbed, Mary Margaret tried her best at a reassuring smile and Tinkerbelle bit her shaking lip in despair while her eyes frantically searched the forest – and Regina steadfastly refused to dwell on who Tink was looking for.

The plan had been to stay in Boston – nearby for visits with Henry – and as Mary Margaret insisted, a swift return home when the time came. But less than a week after Regina left Gold came to tell her about the Snow Queen. She was needed back in Storybrooke.

"All is forgiven Dearie!" he'd mocked. "Seems the natives have need of their illustrious leader more than a their vengeance. Even a certain Thief and his 'Not-so-Dead' wife". She should have known this would be the way she made it home. Not forgiven so much as needed. She was in the process of formulating a dry response when Gold dropped a bombshell on her in the way of a deal. One she could not accept and one that sent her immediately fleeing Boston, heading west to California and a new life. A ranch in Monterey training horses and teaching children to ride during the summer… and while being without her prince has been a constant strain on her heart – she has to admit that she can't remember ever being so happy.

Only Henry knew her whereabouts – and the reason she had left, though she knows in her heart Emma suspects something more.

"I'm happy Emma, I'm finally in a place where no one looks at me and sees the Evil Queen. I'm just Regina. And I'm happy. I will not ever return to Storybrooke so stop asking me."

"You can't fool me Regina, you could never be happy without Henry. And right now you're without Henry. Just tell me what it is and I'll help you! You know that Robin – "

"Don't Emma. Don't you dare say his name to me. I don't want to know anything about him or his precious wife. Just leave me alone. Fight your fights and leave me to mine."

"What fights Regina? That's exactly what I'm trying to find out from you!" Emma was exasperated – she knew she shouldn't have brought up Robin but damn it Regina was making her mad.

"Goodbye Emma". Regina said hanging up.

As she took in Charming's Ute now barely a minute from arriving at her front door she realized now Charming knew her the location of her little hideaway. "There goes the neighborhood," she said reluctantly as she walked her horse into the stable and began removing her bridle and saddle.

"Regina". Came a voice and Regina jumped – startled from her thoughts and her hand flying to her heart as she softly chuckled.

"Hey Mac". It was her business partner and owner of the ranch. Her savior really, if Regina didn't despise the word so. When she'd first arrived in California she had met Mac at a diner, much like Granny's, in the small town nearest the ranch. Mac was a rancher, specializing in breaking in young horses and taught riding "Good to give something back to the kids, the community" he'd said. He has been thrown from a horse and was needing help around the ranch until he was back on his feet - he had lamented to Regina that day in the diner. The thought of working with horses and doing something so different from anything she'd done in Storybooke, had Regina applying for the job before Mac even told her a position was open.

Regina moved into the manager's quarters on the ranch – a small house in its own right with several bedrooms and its own bathroom and kitchen though these days she mostly ate with Mac. He was a terrible cook and truth was, while she loved Monterey, her job and her place, she also liked Mac's company. He was handsome – older than her by 10 years but still young and fit with kind blue eyes and a gentle nature. He was a rancher, hard working with a good figure and a love for horses that Regina shared. Though neither were interested in each other romantically they were fast friends. Family even, though Regina knew that everyone in town believed otherwise and she didn't care – kept anyone else from trying to pursue her.

"Regina leave Biscuit. I'll fix her up. You go see your boy". Mac gave her an encouraging smile. Regina had confessed more of her story than she ever imagined she would to Mac over the years. The only thing she hadn't fully explained (apart from the Enchanted Forest and magic) was Robin. He knew there was a 'Robin' – that she had left the love of her life after a falling out, significant enough to have left him wanting her dead – but that was it. Robin was too painful to talk about – and how exactly can you explain time portals, long lost dead wives coming back, and fairy dust?

"Regina – go" he gave her a gentle shove with a soft chuckle taking the horses reigns from her.

"Thanks Mac," she said with a half smile as she made her way out of the stables. "You'll give us a minute?" she asked.

"Of course" he said gruffly as he began brushing the mare. "Always heaps to do round here. I'll make myself scarce. You talk to your son." Mac knew Emma was missing and that Henry wanted Regina to go back home. He also knew why it wasn't that simple and that this would be a difficult conversation. Knowing what he did of Henry there wouldn't be any time wasted on pleasantries. He'll be trying to drag Regina straight into that truck and back to this 'Storybrooke' place the minute he got within arms reach of her.

For her part Regina was grateful for Mac's understanding. She knew she would probably break when she saw Henry, and while two years in the world without magic had softened her in ways she hadn't believed possible, she was still Regina Mills, Former Evil Queen, Former Mayor of Storybrooke, and she would never feel comfortable putting her weakness on display – even in front of Mac. But perhaps more importantly she wasn't sure how Mac would handle talk of curses, 'Dark One's' and disappearing biological mothers.

Henry was out of the truck when she came through the door of the stables behind him. She had tears already falling as she called him - eyes only for her son.

"Henry!" she breathed. He turned and ran into her arms and Regina let go a sob when she realized he was now almost a full head taller than she was. "God Henry you're so big!" She laughed.

"I'm sorry Mom". Henry immediately began. Pulling away – too soon for Regina's aching heart and rambling: "There really was no other way – Grandma and Grandpa had to stay – they just couldn't leave until we know where Emma is and – "

Regina cut him off "It's ok Henry. I know you had to come but I still don't know that I'll be able to help?" She raised her hands to his face – raised her hands? He really was so big! She smiled softly at him but Henry was still distressed.

"No Mom, you don't understand. There was no one else - I had to bring…" his voice finally gave out as he looked over his shoulder. Regina looking more fully into Henry's face – the wonder of having him with her clearing as she took in his guilt ridden expression. She followed his gaze to the person getting out of the driver's side of the truck.

"No!" She whispered, her legs almost giving way as she clung to Henry, desperate to have him tell her that her eyes were playing tricks. Her gaze flew between her son and the man now approaching her.

"I'm sorry". Henry whispered one final time, stepping from his position in front of Regina to stand beside her – taking hold of her arm as Regina regained her footing and composure.

"Hello Regina" Robin softly, and perhaps somewhat nervously said, causing Regina's eyes to close at the gentleness of his voice – a voice she'd had every intension of never hearing again. Her eyes closed and she wished to be anywhere but here.