I do NOT own the characters or OUAT.

Chapter 9

Regina read her book quietly as the other inmates enjoyed their recreation time. A woman stood in front of her causing the brunette to look up, "You're blocking my sun," Regina squinted.

"I'm Fiona," she held out her hand.

"Not interested, now move. I'm trying to read," she scoffed.

"You can't survive without friends," Fiona stated before snatching the book, "Hm, what are you reading?"

Regina stood up, this woman was really starting to piss her off. She hadn't seen her son in six months now and her nerves were on edge. Her plan was put on hold when Aladdin stopped showing up to work, he'd be back though and when he returned, Regina would use him to her advantage. She snatched her book back, "Get the hell away from before I break your neck."

Fiona smirked and stepped closer to Regina, "You don't have it in you. You might want to be nice to me, I've got friends."

"I'll kill all of you if you don't get out of my face," Regina stated. Okay, she was officially pissed off.

"I was just trying to be your friend, now we're enemies," she said before snatching Regina's book again and walking away going back to her friends.

Regina glared at he from across the yard. She contemplated her next move, she was so upset that she could practically feel her blood boil.

"Don't do it," a voice said.

The brunette turned to face them, "I'm going to kill her."

"Yeah? They'll put you in solitary for a week with a bite of a meal a day, she's not worth that. I thought you were trying to get back to your boy," she shrugged.

"Excuse me? Do I know you?"

"Cleo Fox," she said.

"Regina Mills," the brunette nodded.

"Take a deep breath Regina, let's sit and talk," Cleo said as she sat down.

"Yeah, sure. I just have to do something first," Regina said before walking over to Fiona and her friends, she came up behind her and placed her in a chokehold before yanking the woman's body in different directions and snapping her neck causing her body to hit the floor. Everyone gasped, Regina picked up her book and walked back over to Cleo before sitting down, "Okay, now what did you want to talk about?"

•••

Later that night, Henry screamed and cried to the top of his lungs, "I WANT MY MAMA!"

Emma rubbed her temples, "Henry. Please. I just want to sleep. She will be home soon baby, I promise."

He shook his head, "Nooooo!"

"Emma maybe we should take him to visit her—"

"No! I don't want him to see that place, okay?"

Lily sighed, "I know but Em—"

"I don't tell you how to parent Sophie, don't tell me how to parent Henry. I've got this. Thank you," Emma said before slamming her and Regina's bedroom door.

The blonde had been on edge for weeks now and it showed. Henry was a handful, she needed Regina to discipline him. She took a deep breath, she was about to face Henry and didn't care how he reacted. All she wanted was to rest. She sighed, "Henry."

"I want mama, please," he sniffled. He had tired himself out.

"Come here baby," she said tiredly.

He crawled into bed and snuggled into her, "I in trouble?"

"No baby," she kissed his cheek, "Listen, I know you miss mama, I miss her too but you can't act like this okay? You just screamed for nearly an hour."

"I sorry mommy," he pouted.

"If Mama was here she'd be very upset that you behaved that way," she said, causing him to look down, "But if you get ready for bed right this second, I'll tell her that you've been good."

He smiled and quickly snuggled into bed, under the covers, "I ready mommy."

She chuckled and kissed his head before laying back, rubbing his head lightly as she played with his hair. When her phone rang she groaned, "Hello?"

"Emma," Mal sighed.

"Well well well," she scoffed.

"I know I haven't called and I'm sorry but I'm calling to let you know that Regina is in solidarity," she stated.

Emma sighed, "What did she do?"

"I'm not sure but she must've gotten into a fight or something. I just know that Kat got an alert," she shrugged.

The blonde ran her fingers through hair, "Mm, okay. She's not really making this easier on anyone, I see."

"Don't be upset with her—"

"Too late," Emma said before hanging up.

A few days later, Gold watched Henry play at recess. He had become obsessed with the little boy, he was so smart, bold, and intriguing. He felt like he was learning Henry but Henry was ever changing. Gold couldn't figure out why, everytime he tried to predict the boys next actions, Henry surprised him and this scared Gold because he was reminded of something else who was also unpredictable, Regina.

Henry laughed as he played with his friends. He froze when he heard a familiar cry. He turned his head to find his cousin, his very best friend, on the ground crying holding her knee so he rushed over to her. He sat on the wood chips and placed her leg on his lap, "Oh no Sophie."

She sniffled, "Devin was mean."

The boy looked around until his eyes landed on the boy who pushed Sophie off of the swings, "Mean?"

She hugged Henry nodding, "It hurts."

Henry called over Zelena, "Devin hurt Sophie."

Zelena held out her hand, "Let's get you cleaned up."

Sophie stood, nodding as she took her teachers hand and walked away. Once his teacher was out of sight, Henry looked around for the other teachers, they were in a full blown conversation. He looked back at Devin, tilting his head a bit, thinking. If Devin hurt Sophie and it was okay, then Henry could hurt Devin and be okay...right?

Henry stood up and grabbed a loose branch. Gold watched him with a smirk, "Show me who you are, boy. Hit him," he mumbled to himself.

Henry walked up behind Devin and tapped him. When Devin turned around, he frowned, "You hurt Sophie."

"It was my turn on the swing," the older boy said.

"No," Henry simply said before stabbing the boy in the leg with the branch. When he fell down screaming as the blood gushed out, Henry laughed. The other kids ran off screaming and telling their teachers.

Gold blinked, completely surprised. He expected him to simply hit the boy not stab him. Could this be true? Was Henry truly Regina's? He didn't understand so he simply went back to his car and drove away, for now.

Zelena took Henry back to the classroom after Devin was sent to the hospital. She noticed how calm he was and she had to admit to herself that Henry was indeed scary but she felt for him because she knew he only thought he was doing the right thing. She walked over to him, "Henry…"

"Yes?"

"Your mother is on her way, she's going to take you home," she said.

"Why?"

"Well because you stab—hurt Devin and the school doesn't like when people get hurt," she tried to explain.

"Devin hurt Sophie. Her was crying," he said, "Sophie special."

"I understand that Sophie is very special to you Henry but hurting people because they hurt people isn't right. We have to love each other," Zelena said.

"I wove Sophie," he said, "No Devin."

Zelena sighed, handed him paper and crayons before replying, "Would you like to draw while you wait?"

He nodded, "Can Sophie wait with me?"

"I'm sorry but she can't," she stated before stepping in the hall, making sure no students were inside. She didn't want to be fired, the school now saw Henry as a threat. Although he'd never hurt Sophie, it was against policy to put students in danger and it was just confirmed by her colleagues and boss that Henry was officially dangerous.

He frowned and pouted. All he could think about was Regina, he really missed her. She was the only person that understood him but she had gone away. This upset him so he threw his crayons and ripped up his paper before leaning back and letting tears fall.

Ten minutes later Emma rushed into the building heading straight for Henry's classroom. She was met by Zelena and the school's principal, Mr. Jafar. He stood next to Zelena, "Please sit."

Emma sat down and looked at Henry. The boy had his head in his arms resting on the desk, he looked sad. She looked at them, "I'm so sorry for his behavior…"

"Ms. Swan, Henry is a brilliant mind but he is dangerous. We will be withdrawing him and placing him on a list that'll inform other schools of his...condition," he shrugged, "Today was his last day."

"His condition? You don't know anything about my son—"

"I know that he stabbed one of my students and I will be facing a lawsuit because of it. You're young, I'm sure you don't understand that you need to get him help but I've already emailed you a list of the best specialist in town, good day," he said before leaving.

Zelena sighed, "Emma, I'm sorry. I know—"

"Um actually, can you just not say whatever you're about to say? Thank you for all of your help, let's go Henry," Emma said before leaving holding her son's hand.

•••

Henry was quiet the whole car ride. When he noticed that they weren't home yet, he tapped Emma, "Mommy, where we goin?"

"Somewhere...just sit back baby," she handed him a juice box and animal crackers, "So, someone hurt Sophie?"

"Yes. She cry and cry, mommy," he pouted, "I helped."

"Oh you helped? That was very nice of you Henry," she swallowed as she looked at him in the rearview mirror. He was such a sweet boy, so misunderstood. She didn't want to believe that he was dangerous but maybe he was. Maybe there was nothing she could do about it but she'd try. She cleared her throat, "Bubba, I want you to understand that what you did today was wrong. You made Devin bleed."

He chuckled, "Mommy...him was scared."

"Yeah? Mm, I bet but it's not nice to scare people or hurt them. I don't want you to make people bleed Henry," she sighed.

He frowned with confusion. What did he do wrong? He was only helping Sophie. He continue to indulge in his snacks in silence. Once they arrived, Emma let him out, he looked at the big building before taking Emma's hand and walking inside. He stayed quiet as they walked into an empty room.

•••

"Mills, wake up," Al said as he knocked on her cell.

Regina groaned. She was released from solitary a few hours ago and was irritated. She sat up, "Al?"

"Yes. Now let's go, move it!"

She frowned before standing and stretching before shuffling out of her cell. She followed him after he put cuffs on her, "Where are you taking me?"

"Just keep quiet and follow me," he said in a monotone voice.

"What's gotten into you?"

"Keep quiet inmate," he warned.

She rolled her eyes before gasping as he led her to a room where Emma waited with her son, "Take these cuffs off, I want to hug my son."

"I can't," he said as they entered the room.

She nearly growled before sitting down, "Kat came through for me, huh?"

Henry jetted to the other side of the table and hopped in her lap, hugging her, "Mama!"

Al shifted, they weren't supposed to touch but there was no one around so he let them. Emma watched Henry smile but she didn't answer Regina's question. She was very upset with Regina at the moment but she wasn't visiting to argue. She cleared her throat, "I came to get your opinion on taking Henry to a specialist...I'm probably going to do it anyway but your input is important."

"Well hello to you too, little Swan. I've missed you…"

"I've missed you too, especially when I couldn't talk to you because you decided to break someone's neck," she glared.

"I'm sorry but I hate being bothered. You know that, Emma I'm trying in here but it's hell," she scoffed, "Also, Henry is just fine," she kissed his head.

"He stabbed a kid in the thigh with a branch because he hurt Sophie. He is not fine. He can't attend a public school now because he's on some stupid list. I have no idea what to do. I'm going to have to take off work, which I can't afford to do, to take him to a specialist and then find him a school," she teared up, "He's acting out Regina, he needs you."

Regina looked at Henry, "You're not feeling okay, baby?"

"I miss you," he pouted, "I stay with you."

"Oh no, you wouldn't want to be in here with me. You've got to protect mommy, remember? I need you to keep her safe," she explained.

"Okay mama," he said as he laid on her with her head on her shoulder, he closed his eyes.

"Emma, you don't need to work. Stay home and educate Henry. He doesn't need to go to some fancy school. There's nothing wrong with him—"

"How can you say that after what I just told you?"

"He was defending his family, what else did you expect him to do?"

"Tell the teacher and stay out of it!"

"That's not in his nature Emma—"

"That's my point, Regina. He needs special help. I can't help him and you're just…," she sniffled, "You're not home."

Regina sighed, "Well I'm sorry that I've disappointed you, dear but I'll be home soon and when I return, I want Henry at home with you."

"How are we supposed to eat?"

"I have money. If you'd stop being stubborn and use it, life will be easier. You could be in school right now," Regina stated.

"Regina—"

"I said my final speech, there is nothing you should be replying with except 'Okay Regina'. I won't let you treat him like shit just like everyone else does. He's different, not crazy or problematic. He's ours Emma, I just want you to try to understand," she said.

"Okay Regina," Emma said quietly, "Let's go Henry."

"Emma, we have a least 15 minutes left," Regina sighed.

Emma didn't say a word, she simply took the sleeping boy from Regina and looked at Al, "Thank you very much," she said.

"So you're just going to snatch him away from me?!"

Aladdin put his hand on his taser, "Easy inmate."

"No, she's fine. She doesn't scare me," Emma said before looking over her shoulder at Regina, "I love you more than life but I can't do this alone. If you want to help your son, if you want things to be easier for us, then you need to behave in here so I can actually try to believe that you're trying," she took a deep breath, "I'm doing this my way for now," she said before leaving with Henry.

Regina shook her head and stood up. Aladdin cleared his throat, "So your boy is like you?"

"Essentially yes but...no. We are all different, he is his own person and once everyone stop comparing him to me, they'll acknowledge that. Our brains work differently, that's all. He's pure with no hate in his heart, only love. He loves art, literature and his family. I love art, literature and my family. He's...mine, do you understand? I know you probably don't, no one does," she explained.

"I'm sorry, I know this must be hard—"

"You don't give a shit about me Al, all you care about is your dying daughter," she said.

"What?"

"Oh yeah. I know about her," she stepped closer to him, "Now, you're going to help me get out of here. My son needs me. Help me and I'll give you as much money as you need for her surgery—"

"How do you know—"

"I've been doing research on you for weeks, you're going to help me or I'll kill you and your entire family," she said before he pushed her into her cell, she chuckled, "The choice is yours."

"You're a fucking pyscho!"

She smirked, "Sounds like you're intrigued."

"Stay the hell away from me and my family," he said before walking off.

Two days had gone by and Emma was beginning to feel hopeless. No school would take Henry, maybe Regina was right. Maybe Henry needed his mother more than anyone. She watched him nap as she rubbed his hair, she sighed.

Lily flopped on the couch next to them, "Let's go out. You've been in here for two days."

"I do go out," Emma chuckled.

"Barely. You haven't taken any of Regina's calls…"

"I do not want to talk to her," Emma said.

Lily scoffed, "Ugh how righteous of you. What's your deal Em?"

"Excuse me? I don't have a deal, she's being selfish—"

"No, you are! We've waited years for her to return, then she did, then she was snatched away from us now and now you're refusing to talk to her. She's trying to survive Emma, she can't live without you!"

"And we can't live without her. I don't know how to do this Lily! It isn't easy trying to understand your own son who can't explain anything that he feels! Watching him hurt without her is killing me!"

"I understand that but you can't take it out on me and Regina!"

Henry squirmed in sleep, Emma sighed, "Okay enough yelling. I'm not taking it out on Regina, she's making it hard for herself."

"This might be true Emma but I know for a fact that you're not helping," Lily stated before going to find Sophie.

•••

It was dinner time when Regina exited her cell, she walked around looking for a place to sit by herself. Before she could, Cleo called her over to her table. Regina rolled her eyes before walking over and sitting down, "Hello, Cleo."

"Sup, you've been hiding from me," she said surly.

"I assure you, dear. I hide from no one," Regina shrugged, "I've simply been reflecting."

"Hmm, well let me introduce you to my family. That's Jaq, my eyes and ears. Ava, my beautiful princess," Cleo winked at her, "That's Dorothy, my muscle," she said.

"Hi," Regina gave a tight smile, "I know what you're doing Cleo and I'm not sure why because you know, I don't do friends."

"We aren't friends, were family," Cleo explained, "I know why you don't want friends, okay? You think if you make friends then you're accepting the fact that you'll be here for a while."

"I'm getting out of here," Regina said, Jaq snickered, "Did I crack a joke?"

"No, it's just...Aladdin won't help you. You think you're the first person to threaten him?"

"I make good on my threats and stop spying on me. What game are you playing, Cleo?"

"Hey, relax, relax. I'm not playing games," she said.

"Then what's the meaning of this? Why do you want to be my friend?"

"Because we...feel for you. We have children too, we stick together. Plus, I run this place, I want you to be my family," she explained.

"I have a family. I have friends. I'm not interested," Regina stated.

"Your girl won't take your calls," Jaq said.

Regina sighed, "I'm working on that."

"I heard she's a pretty piece of ass," Cleo said.

Regina gripped Cleo by her jumpsuit only to be quickly pulled back by Dorothy. The brunette snatched away, "Don't ever touch me."

"Don't ever touch her," Dorothy said.

Cleo chuckled, "I'm fine Dorothy. I didn't mean to offend you Regina."

"Well you did, I'll see you around," she stood.

"We're planning an escape," Cleo said carelessly.

Regina raised her brow and sat back down, "I'm listening…"

"Oh no, you don't get that privilege without being my friend," she smirked.

"Fine. I'll play nice, I need to get back to Henry," Regina said nearly desperately.

Dorothy smirked, "Not so big and bad now, are you?"

"I'm worse than you, I assure you," she replied.

"I killed my aunt," Dorothy said.

"I pushed a little boy from a window," Jaq said.

"I poisoned my husband," Ava said softly causing Cleo to take her hand.

Regina glanced at Cleo, "Well?"

"I'll tell you my story if you tell us yours...the truth," Cleo smirked.

Regina looked over all of their faces, she rolled her eyes and cleared her throat, "Well...I made a pastor's daughter fall in love with me, got her pregnant, then proceeded to kill one of her closest friends."

"Oh," Dorothy said with a blink.

Cleo smirked, "Mills, I think you'll fit in just fine with me."

"Mm, we'll see," Regina told the older woman, "I need to get out of here so...when are we going to discuss those details."

"Cleo," Jaq interjected, "You can't be serious."

The woman furrowed her brows, "What? She wants the same thing that we want and I am including her. Is that a problem with you Jacqueline?"

"No Cleo," she replied quickly, "I just...think more people makes this more risky."

"I think you should go to your cell and analyze some things," she stated, "Why don't you take the girls with you."

Ava scoffed, "I can't stay?"

"At this moment, I need to be alone, my love," Cleo said softly.

"Don't take long," Ava nodded before standing and looking at Jaq, "Lead the way, Dorothy stay behind me, please."

"Whatever you want," Dorothy said as they walked away.

Cleo smirked at Regina, "Now, let's talk business."

It was nearly 10am when Emma groaned due to the knocking of her front door, waking her up. She stretched before getting out of bed, slipping on her slides and walking to the front door. She looked through the peephole and gasped lightly, she couldn't believe her eyes. She opened the door, "M-Mom?"

Mary-Margaret smiled as she held up a dish, "I'm here to help," she said before strutting in, "Okay, first...we're going to eat and catch up. Then we're going to look into homeschooling for Henry and—"

"Mom, hold on. How do you know where I live? I specifically remember blocking all of your calls," Emma scoffed.

Mary-Margaret's looked away before looking at her daughter, "Lily called me, said that you needed help."

"Of course she did. I can raise my son alone, I don't mind it all. I can do this, I don't have a choice," she said.

"But you don't have to. I can help you," she replied.

Emma snapped, "I don't want your help!"

Lily walked through the front door with Sophie, "So bubble bath then my little pony, right?"

Emma crosses her arms over her chest, "Why'd you do this?"

Lily stopped with a sigh, "You need your mother."

"She's no mother to me. She turned her back on me with my father, did you forget?"

"Emma, I am so sorry," Mary-Margaret stated.

"I'm talking to Lily," Emma said quickly.

Mary-Margaret snapped her mouth shut and Lily sighed, "You can't do this alone and you won't accept my help. I didn't know what else to do," she said before walking into her bedroom.

Emma blinked before looking at her mother, "Get out. I don't want you here. I'm going back to sleep," she said before walking into her room and locking the door.

To Be Continued...

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