16.

Epilogue

"Are you ready?"

Maura turns and smiles warmly at Henry, "Yes."

Just over twenty-one months have gone by and even now Maura can scarcely believe all the change that continues to shape and mold this stage of her life. Recently, Maura has been living half of her new life in another realm. Maura ended up resigning her post as Chief Medical Examiner ten months ago. It wasn't a difficult choice since it wasn't a job Maura saw herself doing until she was of the age to retire. Becoming Chief Medical Examiner was a goal she achieved and thus took it as far as she needed it to go to feel at ease with her accomplishments and move on from them.

Henry gently bumps his shoulder against Maura's, "Are you nervous?"

"A little but it will go away once I'm out there."

Maura smiles wider because they only returned to this realm, to Boston three days ago, for this event. Maura has every intention of keeping her home in Beacon Hill for the foreseeable future since its mortgage is long since paid off. Their home in Storybrooke isn't going anywhere either.

"You know I was kinda shocked when I found out you were a writer too but only for a little bit." Henry smiles while he pulls on the ends of the sleeves of his nice blazer. "It makes sense though. You know I read your book and from one author to another I thought the plot was awesome, fast-paced and well, how could I not love reading about the main character since it reminds me of someone I know really well?"

Maura chuckles while marveling yet again at the wonderful person Regina has raised, "You are as sweet as ever and thank you for the confidence inspiring review."

Regina has been teaching Maura magic at their newest home in the Realm of Untold Stories. Henry visits every so often when he's not traveling to different realms himself. It's been marginally over six months now since he graduated high school. Regina staunchly tried not to cry during the ceremony which only made Maura hold her hand that much tighter as Henry Daniel Mills was called out. Maura is only the same height as Henry today due to her heels. Regina swears Henry isn't going to stop growing until he's over six feet tall.

"No problem." Henry says with a small smile. "Hey, is Jane and Angela still coming by later?"

Maura is proud of the relative effortlessness she's achieved with Henry. The rapport they've built wasn't difficult since Maura wasn't expecting much at the beginning but as time wore on Maura's fondness for Henry was returned ten-fold by him.

"Angela is working, but Jane said she would text me to let me know if she was going to be fashionably late through no fault of her own."

Henry snorts, "And what did Mom say?"

Maura smooths her hand over the front of her dress, "Regina said she would be late."

Henry arches a single eyebrow and once more Maura is reminded of how much he favors Regina, "You know it's only because she likes to make an entrance right?"

Maura laughs and Henry offers his arm which Maura takes, "I'm well aware."

It was Regina who insinuated that Maura would be quite a capable potions master and she has been a rapt pupil. So capable in fact that once word went around the town they'd settled in Maura was approached by many people with maladies for help. In short Maura has become an apothecary of sorts with people knowing she's a doctor from another realm since every person in the Realm of Untold Stories is from some other place. Maura is treating her own living patients; improving the quality of life in other realms one person at a time.

"Mom will probably give all those people waiting in line a heart condition."

Maura laughs again and leans into Henry's touch. Maura has never really thought about being a parent. She only ever seriously entertained the notion once when Jane was pregnant. The miscarriage was yet another thing Maura had to compartmentalize. Henry is different though. Maura thinks that Henry has enough mothers so instead she simply hopes that he sees her a close friend that he can confide in her and trust her with anything. The light moment holds for a few more seconds before the sound of a firm but polite knock on the door and Maura is the one to tell them to come in.

The door quietly swings open to reveal Constance, "Maura darling, I do believe they're ready for you." Constance smiles fondly at her daughter and then the young man standing beside her. "Henry you do look quite handsome in that suit."

Maura was more than happy to be proven right about her initial assessment of Constance taking an instant liking to Regina. Maura estimates that it took no more than twenty-eight seconds for Regina's charm to win over her mother. Constance also adores Henry.

Henry blushes a little at the compliment, "Thank you, Mrs. Isles."

Constance steps further into the room; letting the door close behind her, "Now what have I asked you to call me?"

"Constance."

The one catch about Maura's family embracing Regina and Henry is that they may never learn the full truth but Maura can happily and willingly keep such a secret though. Regina's past is her business alone that and Maura is of the opinion Jane's head may metaphorically explode if Maura hinted at the existence of different realms or that Regina is an actual Queen like her name suggests. More than that though there is the simple fact that some secrets aren't meant to be told.

Constance grins, "That's better."

Maura takes a deep breath and smiles brightly, "I'm ready."

Henry gives Maura's arm squeeze before letting go and striding towards the door. Henry pulls it open and then holds it for Maura and Constance. Maura is the first one through and instantly she sees that there are more people waiting in a long line than the Bill O'Reilly book signing Maura accompanied Angela to. A sudden urge to laugh hits Maura because she now distinctly recalls using her badge to get to the front of line to placate Angela. Maura's smile never falters as she looks over the line of people. The diversity of readers is a source of pride for her; knowing that the story Maura wrote is accessible to those who've given it a chance.

Maura pulls out the chair at the center of the long table and smoothes her hands down the back of her dress as she sits down. Henry takes the chair to her left where there is a neat stack of her books. The empty chair to Maura's right is for Regina when she gets here. As Maura settles into her seat she glances over her shoulder at Constance who offers her an encouraging smile before sitting down in one of the comfortable-looking arm chairs in a shade of brown called cafe noir arranged against the wall behind the table. Maura takes a second to appreciate this moment. The banners and posters of the cover of her book are draped in key locations.

Maura refused to do her book signing at the same bookstore that Dennis gave his from for obvious reasons. Maura hasn't set foot in that store since that day she convinced Jane to go with her on their lunch break. Maura initially didn't want so much as a hardcover or eventually a paperback printed on the basis of environmental eithics but alas in the end it was the publisher's choice. Maura also declined the publisher's advance. Maura has enough personal wealth so all the profits from her book will be going to various charities of her choosing. Future royalties will be put in a trust which Maura oversees.

"Right then, let's get this show rolling." Zelena says lowly while discretely producing a Sharpie pen for Maura to slap her Jane Hardcock on the books with. Zelena places a hand on Maura's shoulder while dangling the pen in front of her. "This should do so don't keep them waiting any longer."

Maura chuckles and takes the pen out of Zelena's grasp and pulls off the cap and replaces it on the end, "Thank you, Zelena."

"Think nothing of it." Zelena's touch lingers on Maura's shoulder for a moment before she leans down closer to Maura's ear. "And my enchanting little sis will be along shortly after she's exhausted her cursing abilities in the traffic of this overpopulated hamlet."

Henry snorts under his breath while Maura just shakes her head as Zelena moves away. Maura smiles and motions for the security standing at the roped off line to lift the rope and let the people waiting come forward. The first person sits down a fine hardcopy of 'Dressed In Black' on the table and Maura lifts the cover of her book and signs a version of her signature that she's practiced. It was difficult to break from the compulsion to sign her name the way she always has on all forms of documents. Placing her official signature on her mass-produced book is not a sound idea.

"You know my Mom was right." Henry says fondly while fidgeting with one of the stacked books by his hand. "She told me back when I was eleven that I would have more family than I knew what to do with one day."

Maura smiles as she quietly signs another copy of her book, "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, you're a part of my family now too." Henry looks at the profile of the woman sitting beside him. Maura has been so good for his Mom and to her. "And you're adopted like me and now you have more family too."

Maura's vision blurs for a few heartbeats from the happy tears suddenly clouding her eyes. Maura trades the Sharpie pen to her left hand and reaches out with her right to touch Henry's cheek. He smiles at the touch and Maura is not at all bothered by crying in public, "Thank you, Henry."

Maura smiles and glances over her shoulder again to see Constance and Zelena leaning over a small table between their chairs looking at something on Constance's iPhone. Maura is rather past describing her state as happy. Her mother is even more amazing to Maura in these last few years and that's not taking into account the last fourteen months since Maura introduced Regina to her mother. Maura still hasn't told Constance about Hope or Cailin. Maura knows now that Jane was right about Hope but like Jane advised Maura once Maura can still have a relationship with her sister since they're both adults. Of all the secrets Maura carries she will tell Constance about Cailin soon.

Maura wipes under her eyes and switches the Sharpie back to her dominant hand. The next fifteen minutes pass with pleasant exchanges from readers since Maura is hesitant to label them as fans. Maura is adamant in her belief of not knowing what to do with such adulation. Henry hands her a book from the stack when the next person in line reveals that they hadn't had time to buy their own copy before getting in line. But then with just the low sounds of the bookstore's Sirius music station filtering through the speakers in the ceiling and the slight squeak of Maura's fine point Sharpie on the paper a rumble of conversation starts up from down the line.

Maura looks up in time to clearly hear the next person in line ask the person behind them: 'Is that the woman in black?' Maura smiles widely and directs her full attention to where everyone else's has been drawn to. Regina is making her way towards the table outside of the line and she is indeed dressed all in black like the night they met but in a different outfit and minus any leather. Maura can barely cope with Regina wearing leather so she's very certain that these people couldn't handle the sight at all. Regina has also grown her hair out quite long and on the odd day when she doesn't straighten it Maura is more than happy to simply run her fingers through Regina's curls.

Henry leans in close to Maura, "Told you so."

Maura just chuckles and then lightly elbows Henry who only laughs at the action. Regina became Maura's muse and the book Maura was working on prior to Regina was mostly scrapped. Maura had to change the character's name of course and picking something as strong as the name of the love of her life wasn't easy but she found one nonetheless. The name 'Valentina' won out over the other strong names on Maura's short list. The next person in line and everyone really stares as Regina stalks towards the signing table. Maura's heartrate quickens even though it's only been a few hours since she saw Regina.

Regina stops at the edge of the table and then with smirk she gestures to the empty chair, "Is that seat taken, Dr. Isles?"

Maura is still smiling while her eyes take in all the beauty standing before her. Today Regina chose to clothe herself in nothing but Oscar de la Renta. Maura is particularly drawn to the ruffled-hem wool blend jacket Regina is wearing over the equally fabulous figure hugging dress underneath that stops just below her knees. The people in line are still talking among themselves; wondering if this woman is the in the flesh version of character in the book they've read about?

"See that Constance?" Zelena starts just loud enough for Maura, Henry and Regina to hear and anyone else to hear. Constance looks up from her iPhone where she was reading critics reviews of her daughter's book to see what all the fuss is over. "The cheek on that one is the stuff of legend." Constance just chuckles under her breath as Zelena leans back in her seat and crosses her legs. "Good to see you finally found your way here, sis."

Maura grins up at Regina, "Shouldn't you have said 'Sorry I'm late?"

Maura knows every single piece of Regina's history now down to the last detail of how it all began at Snow White's wedding. Those famous words of Regina's are something of a private joke between them and Maura is only playing with them since she is in complete agreement with Zelena. Regina is rather cheeky as much as she is gorgeous.

"Not really, and besides you know I don't like repeating myself." Regina smirks and then moves around the table. Maura watches Regina closely while she pauses behind Henry. "But if you're feeling slighted perhaps I can make it up to you later."

Maura has to work very hard to repress the reaction in her body when it responds as if by muscle memory now to that particular timbre of Regina's voice. Those low drawn out tones could very well be illegal somewhere but that shouldn't suggest that Maura doesn't enjoy the way Regina uses it against her.

Henry makes a face and leans back in his seat while he cranes his neck to glare up at his Mom, "You realize you're flirting with Maura? In public, at her book signing, in front of a long line of people right?"

Regina smirks wryly as she looks out at the silenced and awestruck line, "I don't think they mind."

Zelena scoffs loudly, "So bloody cheeky."

Regina scowls and turns to glare at her sister, "Zelena why are you still talking?"

Zelena leans back in her seat and grins, "Because I can and I will?"

Maura glances at the line of people and then at Henry who is vacillating between amusement and embarrassment. Maura on the other hand is thoroughly amused; she knows how Zelena and Regina behave regardless of setting. Maura stifles a laugh and simply recaps the Sharpie pen in her hand so it doesn't dry out. As for the people waiting in line they're getting a free show not to mention Maura is completely at ease given the fact that all of them have their own share of family moments.

Regina levels a withering glare at Zelena before turning a more pleasant expression towards the woman sitting next to her sister, "Hello Constance, I trust my older sister hasn't been too much of an irritating thorn?"

Zelena blows a raspberry at Regina, "Baby sister or not one of these days I'm going to box your ears the old fashioned way."

Constance simply grins and tucks her iPhone into her clutch, "No she hasn't Regina, in fact I'm about to freely admit that I find you two highly entertaining. As do others apparently."

Maura smiles and glances back towards the people patiently standing in line. Maura thought her book was good but she never really imagined that it would be a best seller. But then again her muse is very alluring and unknowingly ensnares people's attention wherever she goes. People have loved reading about a characterization of Regina as a resourceful and sought after forensic investigator for the FBI as much as Maura loved writing it. The publisher wasn't keen on the idea that the main female character had no love interest and for Maura that was an easy shut down.

"Hear that, sis? Constance likes me better."

Maura ducks her head down and stifles a laugh at Zelena's childish baiting. Maura's reason to the publisher for not wanting to write a love interest was she simply didn't want to waste time and energy on such a trope this early. Needless to say Maura finds it a highly uninteresting angle in fiction and sadly women have been conditioned to expect it. Though Maura did concede to her publisher that perhaps with another book or two maybe an equal will catch Valentina's eye. If that happens the only quandary Maura knows she will face is whether the other character will be a man or a woman.

"Zelena, I need you to turn down your delusional tendencies a whole hell of a lot more."

Henry snorts and Maura watches Regina's hand on his shoulder twitch. Maura looks up and meets Henry's gaze as he mouths that: 'he's too young to listen to this and they're too old to be acting like this.' Maura gives him a small smile and motions for the next person in line to step forward. Maura uncaps the Sharpie pen as another copy of 'Dressed In Black' is reverently placed in front of her.

"Sis, your birth certificate is actually an apology letter from the condom industry."

Maura fumbles her signature on the book at Zelena's hissing insult which also makes her chuckle under her breath. Maura looks up at the young woman standing at the table; preparing to apologize for her theatrical family if need be.

"Just so you know I'll be killing you later." Regina growls out and Maura smiles innocently up at the young woman with curly strawberry blonde hair. "So draft your will Zelena and make your final arrangements because not only are you going toes up later but before that happens you'll also be digging your own grave and carving your own headstone."

The young woman's eyes go wide, "Oh, that's Valentina alright!"

Maura laughs as Regina turns around and smiles pleasantly at the young woman, "My name is Regina but I am the author's muse."

Maura tries to suppress her blush while she closes the cover of the book and hands it back to the now gaping young woman, "I'm pleased you enjoyed the book."

"Are you kidding? I fucking loved it!" The young woman says loudly and Maura's eyebrows shoot up. "Oops! Sorry."

Regina and her dark chuckle moves to the empty seat and then she pulls the chair out and sits down. Maura smiles at the young woman again before she departs. For the next thirty minutes the line shortens until the end time for the book signing is less than five minutes away and only one person remains. Maura signs the man's book. Then as Maura is signing another person's copy of her book Regina grunts and slaps at the hand pulling her hair. Henry even stops studiously texting away on his phone to laugh at Zelena.

"Constance and I are going across the street."

Regina pivots in her seat to glare up at Zelena, "What for? Or did Marian text you to tell you she's had enough of Vanessa?"

Zelena rolls her eyes, "We've decided to take over the world one latte at a time." Zelena turns to briefly grin at Constance who is leaning down to whisper to Maura. "Other than that we'll be back eventually, sis."

That was ten minutes ago that Zelena and Constance excused themselves to go get a latte across the street. Maura sighs happily at replaying the words her Mother whispered to her before leaving with Zelena. How Constance said that she was proud of Maura and that this has been the most exciting book signing she'd attended. Maura smiles and sets her Sharpie down on the table and then turns in her seat towards Regina as one more person steps up to the table.

"This is the most gossiped about book signing I've ever seen on Twitter." Jane rasps out and Maura quickly turns back in her seat to look up at her best friend. Jane smiles so much that her dimples are showing. "Am I fashionably late enough?"

Regina laughs lowly, "You need to work on your entrance, Jane."

Jane smirks, "And steal all your thunder and Maura's too, never."

Maura looks over Jane; it's been four months since she saw her in person. Jane hasn't changed much aside from being slightly skinner. Regina said once that it would be quite a challenge and an investment to fatten Jane up even a little. Maura's eyes rove over Jane's hands and to her surprise Jane is holding a copy of 'Dressed In Black'. Jane notices of course where Maura's gaze has traveled.

"Yes, Dr. Smartypants I read your book and it was awesome. There I said it, happy?" Jane says as she lays her copy down on the table. The corners of the book are bent a little and Maura can see that some of the pages have been dog-eared as she opens the book. Jane clears her throat as Maura picks up her Sharpie and signs her real signature along with a few words. "I couldn't put it down and you know how hard it is for me to sit and read something other than a case file. But I guess since I'm getting long in the tooth and a teacher to boot I've gotten more practice in staying still long enough to put together a decent lesson plan."

Maura smiles as she writes and then wider as she feels Regina's hand on her knee. Maura finishes the inscription on the book and the words she's writing haven't changed since she wrote them the first time but the meaning has for Maura. She knows the poem she composed for Jane by heart but now the words hold a different sway in Maura's heart. Maura closes the book and slides it towards Jane.

Jane picks up the book and sticks it under her arm, "You're all still coming to the Robber later right? Ma will be off her rocker if you're not there on time. She's already gotten on my nerves two or three times today."

Regina gives Maura's knee a squeeze before letting go, "My sister may throw a wrench in Angela's plan for the hell of it. But at the moment Zelena's still across the street with Constance plotting God only knows what."

Maura reaches out and pinches Regina on the arm and Regina only flinches slightly, "My mother will keep Zelena in line."

Regina rubs the sleeve of her jacket where Maura pinched her, "Are you sure about that, Mau-ra?"

Jane shakes her head and chuckles as does Henry who has finally put away his phone in a sad effort to try not to make it so obvious that he's so not staring at Maura's best friend that he's met just once before and only briefly. Henry thinks Jane is a knock-out but then again so is Jacinda who he met last week while he was in another time exploring. Henry's really glad that his Mom enchanted their cell phones to work in all the realms but he still thinks it's a sign that he's even able to text with Jacinda in this realm.

Maura playfully rolls her eyes at Regina, "I am."

Maura stands up from her seat with a wince; sitting too long is unhealthy and she doesn't do much sitting these days. Maura walks around the table and then pauses in front of Jane who is still tall and beautiful. Maura smiles at her best friend and then moves to hug Jane and it takes a second but Jane returns the gesture. This isn't the first time she's hugged Jane and she hopes it won't be the last. The contact is just a pleasant exchange and as Maura steps back from the embrace the book tucked under Jane's arm hits the floor with a muted thud.

Maura chuckles, "We'll be at the Robber on time. Though I'm not certain on the legality of Henry being allowed inside?"

Jane smirks and bends down to pick up her fallen book off the floor, "I'll sneak the kid in so long as he doesn't try to order anything with alcohol in it."

Regina, Maura and Henry all grin because Emma still calls him 'kid' too. Maura's grin changes though to something brighter and she recalls what Henry said earlier about being adopted and the both of them having more family now. Maura's first family was Constance and Arthur, her second family was thanks to Jane but it's her third family that is a distinct kind of special Maura has yet to find the words to describe. Though Maura has found a starting point in her narrative were she asked to give one and it begins with a belief from Regina's home realm which is True Love. That belief was renewed for Regina when they shared True Love's kiss at a quiet moment in another realm roughly eight months ago.

Henry stands up from his seat, "The kid is right here and I'm almost nineteen and not nearly stupid enough to try that."

Jane grins and looks to Regina, "Kid's got a mouth on him and I bet I know where that came from."

Regina red-slicked lips quirk up in a smile as she gracefully rises from her seat too, "I don't know what the hell you're talking about, Rizzoli."

Jane laughs at the playfully deadpanned rejoinder. Maura chuckles because she was also right about Jane liking Regina and vice versa. Though they haven't spent much time together since the wedding Jane and Regina have a rapport that's in the same vein as Regina has with Zelena albeit less confrontational squabbling in a sense. Regina and Zelena are siblings with a much more complex history than most and that's not even factoring in how little time they've had together. How short of a time span it's been that they haven't loathed one another.

As the swirling green portal closes behind them Regina's thoughts track right back to where they left off before they stepped into the portal. Six days ago was their one year anniversary since they met among one other thing which may seem small to people who've celebrated more but for Regina it's a incredible feat. Regina also takes comfort in knowing that Maura feels exactly the same on the subject. Time has moved fast but not so fast that Regina hasn't properly enjoyed the time spent. Regina smiles at the sensation of Maura's hand still firmly holding onto her's that not even traveling to another realm so much as loosened.

"As I was about to say, I put a silencing spell on the master bedrooms in all of our homes."

Maura's chuckle is airy with surprise, "You did what?"

"You honestly never wondered why you didn't have to be quiet and why I certainly never held back?"

"No, why would I?" Maura playfully shrugs and those hazel eyes have certain gleam to them that has duped Regina many times now but she's not mad about it. "I was otherwise thoroughly occupied during those times."

Regina huffs out a short laugh and looks around. This is her first deliberate visit to Sherwood Forest which is rather ironic considering it's still in the Enchanted Forest. But then Regina wasn't in the habit of giving a shit back in the days when she was terrorizing and ruling the lands not when Snow's head on a platter was her highest aspiration. But as for being here when she and Maura could be elsewhere Regina has but to ask herself two questions. Who knew that Zelena would tell Marian about Vanessa? Or tell Roland he has a half-sister that he can get to know if Marian is amendable? What Regina did expect though was Zelena angling for another free babysitter.

"Are you sure we should be here?" Maura tugs on Regina's hand and they start walking down the fine stone path where the portal opened. "Zelena said she had a handle on everything."

"Well, Zelena also says that my hips are wider than her's but that doesn't mean it's true."

Maura laughs and leans over to place a kiss on Regina's cheek, "Marian and Zelena seem to get along as much as they can given their short but complex history."

Regina feels that no truer words have been spoken since the same can be said about her and Marian. She was responsible for her death for crying out loud until Emma intervened. Regina still has trouble looking Marian in the eye for very long and Marian vividly remembers her capture and Regina's taunts. Zelena smoothed that over which nearly made Regina laugh since it was Zelena that dispatched Marian a second time. In Regina's mind she imagines that Marian more than likely feels like she's always been in the way and an easily removed obstacle. Regina can relate and she wants to remedy that for Marian since it's not like she hates the woman.

"Regina?" Maura softly says at the faraway expression on Regina's face but she still doesn't answer. "Regina, are you alright?"

"What? Oh, yes." Regina flashes Maura a quick smile. "I'm just thinking about my own history with Marian and Roland."

Maura bites her lower lip and gazes out at the pathway cut into the lush green forest in front of them, "Roland still adores you, I've seen you with him." Maura glances to the woman beside her and smirks. "And while I didn't say anything at the time I must say that the fabled Maid Marian is really quite exquisite. Her bone structure and complexion are rather flawless. Robin clearly had a type."

Regina will always appreciate and welcome Maura's brand of levity. So far the ebb and flow of their relationship has been a dream really. They've had their difficult moments with Regina's coming out as a Queen from another realm but all in all nothing fatal, nothing that they can't come back from, nothing that hasn't made them stronger together.

Regina smirks back at Maura, "Thinking of trading down again, my love?"

"No, I was merely noting my observations." Maura looks away and even from her profile Regina sees a lovely blush on Maura's cheekbones. Regina doesn't do pet names but she does do the occasional endearment. "If I were to pair Marian with someone for purely aesthetic purposes it would be you. The two of you side by side would no doubt cause arterial fibrillations."

Regina grins, "Is that a fact Dr. Isles?"

"It's merely my unbiased opinion."

Regina purses her lips and nods her head, "Since you phrased that way it's in my humble opinion that Roland is far cuter than you are."

Maura's jaw drops open in the most endearing way, "Shame on you."

Regina laughs and a flush of warmth floods her body. The newness has yet to fade between her and Maura and Regina hopes it never will. They have had that easiness from the beginning but now they have that easy familiarity with one another and yet nothing ever feels stale or forced. The forest is fairly quiet today save for the songs of birds and the rustle of the breeze on the treetops or at least it is in this part so close to Marian's home and business. Marian decided to stay in Sherwood Forest and she kept the tavern her and Robin opened as a front for his thievery.

"I still think we should fly to Paris after we leave here and not take a portal." Maura says as her chunky heeled boots crunch on the pathway along with Regina's. "What if there's an incident? We would be in the country illegally."

Regina smirks, she has never been to the City of Lights, she's barely been out of Storybrooke, but when she committed herself to Maura she knew that would change. Regina is more than ready for the next windfall of change.

"I can forge anything with magic and that includes passport stamps."

"You're not doing that." The stern quality of Maura's voice nearly causes Regina to laugh. "We will fly, first class of course."

Regina isn't going to argue with Maura over the details right now. They can do that later. The reason for this unscheduled trip isn't just Zelena being gone from Storybrooke for over a month but Regina hasn't seen or heard from her only sister in a week which is rare. Somewhere along the way Regina got used to be annoyed by her sister daily. Regina isn't going through wicked withdrawals or anything but someone has to keep tabs on the green menace.

The silence holds between Regina and Maura as the pathway stops just in front of the Marian's tavern. The weathered wooden-carved sign proclaiming the tavern as the 'Lyon's Den' sways in the breeze. There aren't any sounds coming from inside so Regina assumes it's either too early to drink, slow hour or they're closed for the day. Regina let's go of Maura's hand and steps up onto the covered porch that has a table and four chairs neatly pushed up under the table.

Regina gets caught up in the stillness as she looks around so when she feels Maura's hand on her lower back she jumps a little, "Shit, I'm going to have to put a bell on you."

Maura chuckles and wraps her arm around Regina's waist, "You didn't answer my question about flying?"

Regina takes a breath to reply but its then that the tavern's door unlocks from the inside and then the door swings open with a heavy clunk. Zelena steps out onto the porch and she's green again as expected but her red hair is down and she's not wearing an overly tight black dress or her signature hat. The dress Zelena has on is a shade of dark brown with golden embroidery accents. Regina has never seen that dress before. Regina deliberately clears her throat loudly and Zelena turns around with a frown already on her face.

"Oh Lord, what the bloody hell are you doing here, sis?" Zelena drawls out in a bored but noticeably tired tone like some of her zeal for mischief is wrung dry. "Hello Maura, lovely to see you as always."

Maura smiles and kind of offers Zelena a small wave. Regina can tell Maura is processing Zelena's appearance. Sure Maura saw Zelena once like this but that was only for a few seconds when they stepped out of that portal and into Emma's living room by mistake. Regina still owes Evanora a suitable reprisal; another magical joust where Regina will most certainly make her taste defeat will be enough.

"I would say please excuse my appearance Maura but this is what I really look like when I'm not in Storybrooke or the world outside its borders."

Maura smiles, "It's fine. Wonderful actually. You must be aware that you're a celebrated legend in my home realm."

Zelena smiles rather smugly, "That long-running musical is appropriately titled. Can't say I care much for the odd name though. But then again my name is rather unusual so who am I to throw stones in the name of artistic license?"

Regina huffs out a heavy sigh, "Did we catch you at an odd moment? Were you busy with the little wife?"

Zelena rolls her eyes and scoffs, "You're one to talk, especially now, since you've come up for air?" Zelena gestures primly and then crosses her arms over her chest. "But alas sis, I don't think Marian would stoop so low as to give me even a pity shag."

Regina feels a pressing need to antagonize Zelena as of now, "Where is Vanessa?"

"Napping, thank Ozma." Zelena snaps out with an added eye roll for effect. "She's teething as you well know and she's somehow gotten it into her adorable head that it's now her job to wail enough to make everyone within an earshot miserable like she is."

"Have you tried ginger root?" Maura says in what Regina has come to define as her bedside manner tone that Maura has been practicing on her living patients in a whole other realm lately. "Ginger is one of the best natural remedies. It contains anti-inflammatories that will soothe the aggravated nerve endings that comes with the teeth breaking through the sensitive gums."

Zelena smiles sweetly at Maura, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Regina shakes her head and frowns, "That's not all of it, Zelena."

"What?"

Regina moves out of Maura's touch and goes to stand in front of Zelena. Regina has an urge to hug her sister but she's not going to at this moment. Instead, Regina patiently waits out her sister's petulance like she did over the silver realm-traveling shoes ordeal while they were in Zelena's kitchen in the Underworld.

"Oh all right." Zelena huffs out and uncrosses her arms, letting them hang limply at her side. "It's happened, Vanessa has magic, and she's been using it to destroy plates and a few other choice items. The one silver lining is she isn't as powerful as I was when I was that small and portable." Zelena wrings her hands together and then grins. "If she were to summon a travel storm in Marian's living room or the tavern I might develop an understanding for your irritation with them."

Regina hears Maura step up beside her, "What's a travel storm you mentioned it before? Is it anything like a tornado?"

"It's exactly like a tornado only not created by a warm rotating updraft meeting a strong thunderstorm." Regina offers with a mild scowl and then gestures to Zelena. "Only if this one summons it then it will be a very green destructive funnel."

"Vanessa's magic is a dark blue in color." Zelena blurts out lowly, rather absently with a wobble in her accented diction. "I'd hoped she would have magic. That she'd be mine through and through in every way."

Regina feels her eyes water and she just drops all of her pretenses and pulls Zelena into a hug which she responds to immediately. Cora's magic was dark blue. There is only so many colors Vanessa's magic could have been since she only inherited it from one of her parents. There was nothing extraordinary about Robin and he certainly had no magic to speak of. Regina holds her sister tighter and it takes no genius to figure out they're both doing their damnedest not to outright sob.

As Regina slides into the booth at the Robber her attention locks onto Maura standing at the bar waiting for their drinks. The irony strikes Regina so hard she lightly laughs.

"What's so funny, Mom?"

"Maura. We've traded places. The night we met it was me at the bar and it was her sitting here looking at me."

Henry takes his cell phone out of his blazer's front pocket and places on the table, "Oh, so that's how the story starts?"

"Not entirely."

Henry arches an eyebrow, "Do I want to know the rest?"

Regina recalls the sex-fiend named Simon that wouldn't go away and how she wanted to strangle him with his tie, "Most likely not."

"Gross, Mom."

"Hey, I did not do what you're thinking I did the first night I met Maura." Regina huffs out for her son even suggesting such a thing. Though perhaps her fast affair with Robin is what truly aided Henry in arriving at that conclusion. "I'm not that kind of woman Henry and I hope you don't become that kind of man as you get older."

"I won't."

Regina nods to the blackened and silent iPhone lying on the table next to her son, "Who have you been texting? I saw you doing that during a good portion of Maura's book signing."

"No one, well a friend, maybe."

"A friend?"

"Yes, a friend."

Regina purses her lips, she's not buying it for a minute, "Is your new friend male or female?"

"Female."

"I see." Regina crosses her legs under the table and relaxes in her seat. "And what realm are they living in?"

"Well, it's kind of like this realm but it's in a different time." Henry smiles and the gleam in his eyes are inspiring. He truly loves being The Author and he's enjoying the perks of the job. "I call it an alternate universe. Though it's technically Seattle, just not the Seattle in this realm."

Regina nods, "Her name?"

Henry smiles pleasantly, "Jacinda."

Regina knew this day was coming but she had hoped it would be a few more years before it happened. Regina really hopes Henry isn't going to become a young father since that really needs to wait until he's at least twenty-five, has his life in order and not realm hopping quite so much. Regina tamps down on her next words at the sight of Maura walking towards the booth with two glasses of wine in one hand, a glass of Coke in the other, and her small Hermes bag dangling from the crook of her elbow.

"What's going on?" Maura says sweetly as she sits down beside Regina, her gaze going back and forth between Henry and Regina as she places their respective drinks down. "Is something wrong?"

"No, not really." Regina knew that Violet was a taste of things to come for her only son but she just knows what he's not saying right now. She can feel it. "Henry was just telling me he has a girlfriend now."

Maura settles in her seat until her thighs are pressing against Regina's, "Oh, well is it serious?"

That's the question Regina was shying away from. Regina watches Henry faintly blush and then he grasps the sweating glass of Coke and kind of moves the glass back and forth a little as if it were a chess piece he couldn't quite commit to a move.

"Pretty sure she's my True Love."

Regina sighs heavily, "You're too young, Henry."

"I know."

Regina's eyebrows creep up along with her voice, "What?"

"I said I know." Henry grins and playfully shrugs. "I have things I need first, things to figure out, live a little without more responsibilities than I already have. And if she is who I think she is then time won't matter."

"Where did you learn that from?"

"You." Henry smiles and stretches his arm across the table, his palm facing up. Regina feels her eyes watering and she blinks away the gathering tears. "Your story is unlike anyone else's in any realm I've seen and I've seen a lot now. I would like to take you to some of those places a magic bean can't reach." Henry smiles wider and Regina reaches out and takes his hand. "It took a long time and you endured so much but you got the True Love you deserved."

Regina is going to cry in this damn bar and it's a good thing Zelena's not here to see it since she had to leave early to fetch Vanessa via a portal. Marian texted Zelena saying that Vanessa had managed to teleport herself all over the house. Vanessa is ringing in her terrible two's louder than the bells of Notre Dame. Marian and Zelena have been living in Storybrooke off and on, separately of course. Marian is only in Storybrooke because she is debating on whether or not to let Roland start school in this realm since there is no formal education system in the Enchanted Forest unless you're of noble birth or can afford tutors.

Just as Regina feels like she's got a handle on her impending tear-fest Henry squeezes her hand in his and Maura places a lingering kiss on her cheek, "Will you two quit that. I have no desire to bawl in public."

Henry laughs as does Maura, "Mom, it's good to know all those rainbows and hearts and flowers haven't changed you."

"As if something so twee would have any effect on me."

Henry gives Regina's hand one last squeeze before letting go. He reaches for the soft drink Maura brought him and in that moment Maura leans in close to Regina's ear, "I was just as surprised by that kiss as you were given how many times I'd kissed you at that point. And I didn't need magical proof on how I feel about you."

Propriety and a public setting be damned with words like that breathlessly uttered so close to one of her sweet spots. Regina closes her eyes as she turns her head and then captures Maura's lips with her own. In back of her mind Regina knows she will keep a tight control on how far this kiss will go but at the same time she's not about to make it chaste.

"Gross." Henry makes a face while sitting his half-empty glass of Coke down on the table. "I so didn't need to see that." The melting cubes of ice in the glass rattle as he pushes it away. "I'm going to go play darts with Jane and lose badly if all you're going to do is make-out."

Regina smiles into the kiss and so does Maura.

Maura feels a tad light-headed as she slowly makes her way down the short set of steps in front of Marian's tavern. Maura had never sampled authentic mead before any more than she had ever stepped foot in the actual Sherwood Forest or had said mead at an actual functioning and essentially medieval tavern. The only detractor from the experience is she's wearing modern clothes as is Regina. Though the leather jacket and tall boots Regina is wearing over those leggings aren't at all unpleasant to look at. Regina's also wearing a silk button down shirt underneath her coat that's straining that third button. Its things like that drive Maura crazy in a very distinct way.

"I wish them the best of luck co-parenting together." Regina says with a wry chuckle that makes Maura smile. She's seen so much warmth and depth in Regina today. "I've been there and done that, very unwillingly for that first year with Emma."

Maura tilts her head to the side, "Do you think Zelena wants an intimate relationship with Marian?"

"No." Regina says flatly as they start walking down the stone pathway again. Maura grins as she reaches out and links arms with Regina. "I think her secret and turbulent as hell relationship with Glinda spoiled things in regards to the female gender. Then Hades happened but before that Zelena spoiled the rest of it when she got rid of Marian for the second time to get back at me."

Maura sighs as she leans against Regina, "That makes me feel sad."

"Me too." Regina purses her lips but then Maura watches as they quirk up in smirk. "However, there's still Giovanni. And I think a simple rebound with a simple-minded idiot is just what she needs."

Maura huffs out a laugh, "Regina, honestly!"

"Fine, fine." Regina says with feigned irritation as she reaches into her jacket pocket with her other hand and pulls out the velvet pouch that she carries the magic beans in. "Ruin all my fun and harmless plans."

Maura gives Regina a slight push where their arms are linked, "You know I told Jane once that I planned on retiring to Maine. It of course was a subtle hint on whether she would come with me at the time but I find it highly interesting now for obvious reasons."

Regina smirks as she loosens the drawstring tie on the pouch, "And is that still something that doesn't sound too awful for the future?"

Maura grins at Regina's playful tone, "You know it is, Mrs. Mills."

"Rub it why don't you, Mrs. Isles." Regina pulls them to a stop now that they're out of sight from the tavern. Regina slips her arm out of Maura's hold and shakes a magic bean out of the pouch into her the palm of her hand and then tucks the velvet pouch back into her jacket pocket. "You drove a hard bargain that I was compelled to say yes to."

Maura chuckles, "I've never mentioned it before but my mother was suggesting that I hurry up and marry you within an hour of meeting you while we were at her art installation in New York."

Regina smiles in such a way that the corners of her eyes crinkle, "It warms my heart to know Constance approved of me that quickly."

Regina's words are said lightly but Maura has learned to read between the lines in regards to the well of emotions of the woman she married six days ago. For instance at their newest residence Maura is certain that Regina was convinced before they went to the Realm of Untold Stories that her once fearsome reputation had spread that far and it had. But that wasn't the surprise that Regina encountered. The surprise was how many people sought Regina out for help in settling disputes and drafting legal documents to support their claims.

"Good, because if you recall I liked you at an even faster rate."

Maura feels that Regina doesn't give herself enough credit for all the good she has done that no one in Storybrooke has properly noticed and appreciated. But it's hardly a blow since people in other realms have. Before they left Storybrooke Regina named Archie Hopper her deputy Mayor to perform her duties when she's absent. It was a formality since Storybrooke has an elected Queen after all who will reign until her death and if Regina were to abdicate Henry of course is Regina's successor.

Maura moves in close to Regina and then reaches out and closes Regina's hand over the bean, "I was worried you would say no when I asked. I hadn't really thought about our relationship needing that ritual so to speak to verify it. I'm not marriage material."

"Neither am I and that's why I said yes." Regina's voice takes on a soft quality and Maura gazes into those amber-brown eyes that have so much depth to them. "I accepted because it was you asking and knowing how you feel about the institution. You know it's a trap too but it doesn't feel that way with you. It can never be."

Maura smiles and reaches up to cradle Regina's face in her hands, "I really love you. More than I can express with words."

For Maura it's always an endorphin riot in her body that is more potent than a runner's high when Regina leans into her touch the way she does. The way Regina always has since the night they met.

"I love you too." Regina's eyes turn watery and they glisten in the late afternoon sunlight trickling through the thick canopy of the forest. "I hadn't considered it before but I know that I was waiting for you and I just didn't know it until I finally met you."

Maura feels her heart beating so fast and she knows what words like that would've costed Regina to say at one time. But she offers them freely now and without hesitation. Maura closes her eyes and kisses Regina but as their lips slide and move over each other Maura suddenly feels a surging warmth in her chest that makes her gasp and she pulls away.

"What was that?" Maura says as she opens her eyes to witness a rather shocked expression on Regina's face. Maura still gently holds onto Regina's face. "What's wrong? Are we in danger?"

Regina reaches up and touches her lips and then looks off to the side, "No."

Maura's hands slip off Regina's face as she follows Regina's line of sight. It's then that Maura sees a faint line that looks like a shockwave rippling away from them. The line is only visible due to the fact that it resembles a small rainbow flipped on its side.

"Was that magic?" Maura calmly prompts because Regina seems to be in state of mild shock. "Because I felt it in my chest. I still do. Should I be worried?"

Regina's lips quirk and then she smiles brightly for a moment, "That was True Love's kiss."

It takes a few seconds but Maura's face turns radiant as she smiles, "I thought you didn't believe in that anymore, Your Majesty?"

Regina smirks at Maura's light-hearted usage of her title, "I don't or rather I didn't. True Love only exists if both parties feel the same for one another. That and to be True Loves at all means that they are Fated to meet one another in any life."

Maura has learned to believe in the intangible but even such things have proof apparently, "That's certainly romantic. And perhaps you'll find this odd but I just realized that I married a Queen and even though we are both women I still fall into the category of Queen's consort."

A single dark eyebrow rises on Regina's forehead, "You only realized that?"

"Yes, because you're just Regina Mills to me." Maura shrugs as she feels her face flush. Maura reaches up to take her pulse from her carotid artery. "I do like calling you by your title purely for fun. And I was hesitant to do that given how you feel about how you came to be a Queen."

Regina's facial expression is pure warmth with a hint of something darker, "Thank you, but I must confess that I do enjoy it when you say it but be that as it may I never once rode side-saddle like those other female monarchs, Mau-ra." Regina drawls out in those low seductive tones she welds masterfully. Maura shivers in delight which only makes her that much more aware of her growing state of arousal and accelerated heartrate. "You've seen my riding clothes. I was always ahead of my time though I don't wear leather pants any more. Leather skirts are another matter though altogether."

Maura licks her lips, her fingers dropping from her neck while considering the tantalizing image, "I do love those skirts on you and taking them off you. And this is kind of a weird confession which might be attributed to the lingering sensation of magic shooting through me and the mead, but Jane called me Vanity Smurf once. I had no idea what that was. So I Googled the name. It turned out to be a blue cartoon character that is what I deemed a metrosexual smurf upon further study."

Regina laughs and then leans in and kisses Maura again while she throws the magic bean on the ground. The portal swirls to life painting Maura and Regina in a green glow.

_END_

Soundtrack: "Crossing A Line" by Mike Shinoda, "Purple Rain" by Prince & the Revolution, "Nothing's Over" by Young the Giant

Closing Remarks: It was one hell of a challenge to do this type of a story. To build a narrative between two characters that didn't appear on a show together; who had no ready-made history together to piggyback off of. Three different epilogues existed once and in place of choosing one I took pieces that I liked from the options which turned out to be the incentive I needed to give this story its second ending. Technically, the story already ended but I know the vast majority of readers loathe open endings whereas I like them.

I won't downplay anything and say that I didn't have to drag myself over the finish line because I did. Slogging it out when the motivation isn't there to sit down and write is hard no matter how much you adore the characters you're playing with. I never intended to spend over sixteen months writing/editing this. The size of the story was quite an investment for such a wonderful pairing that had no standing captive audience. It's been an experience writing this through the many downs life has thrown my way.

I owe nothing less than a supermassive lasting thanks to the few readers who asked for this to be more than the one-shot it was only ever meant to be. Even more deep wells of gratitude goes to those same people who've stuck with me and this story from beginning to end. I sincerely hope, now that we're at the end, that I made this journey digestible in the serious moments yet fun were it needed to be but overall worthwhile of your time and anytime thereafter if you want to revisit it. -MR-