It feels like ages since I've written a chapter for any of my stories. It's been almost a year and I'm so sorry! I was busy with assessments at the end of last year then I've had exams and I've had no time to write anything to be proud of.

Anyway, I've started a new story although I'll be publishing a chapter for Spellbinding Romance this week. I promise it hasn't been abandoned!

I thought I'd write a DragonQueen one because as time has gone on and I've been rewatching OUAT, I can honestly say that this is my favourite ship and I hope Regina and Maleficent are girlfriends in s7! (or at least the return of Maleficent)

There will be no s5 or s6 in this story and I think this one is going to be rather long because I'd love to explore their relationship. Both Regina and Maleficent are lesbians in this so that means Regina wasn't with Daniel, Graham or Robin but perhaps some other female love interests that I will mention along the way.

Sorry I've rambled on for a while… I hope you like this first chapter!

P.S Zelena is also dead in this. She's not Marian.

"Another shot" asked Regina. Here the former Evil Queen sat, drowning her sorrows away at the bar in the Rabbit Hole. There was not a particular reason that stood out as to why Regina was drinking on a Saturday night but she guessed the happy atmosphere that surrounded her had something to do with it.

Storybrooke had become a lot quieter recently as it had been numerous months since Cruella's death and Ursula's return to her homeland. Rumplestiltskin had reconciled with Belle and was no longer classified as the villain. The two were together once more. Then there was Snow and Charming along with baby Neal who were the definition of the perfect couple. Emma had resisted the darkness that Rumple had tried to engrain within her and she was living a happy life with Killian. Two weeks ago, Killian proposed to Emma as he felt that he did not want to waste any more time for he knew she was the one for him. Emma was ecstatic and Regina was happy for her but she also couldn't help but feel that twang of jealousy at the thought of yet another happy couple.

Regina's thoughts now turned to Robin who had become one of her closest friends. He lived with Marian and Roland in New York but they managed to keep in contact when she taught him how to use a phone. She remembered when Tinkerbell tried to pair them off together as soulmates but she laughed at the idea for she knew they would never been together in a romantic sense, despite what everyone thought. No, instead she had found a friend she could confide in and a person she could talk to.

Robin had been so good to her when she told him that they would never be together. It would be absurd not to ask for a reason why and when he did, Regina felt like she couldn't lie to him. This reminded her of when she told Daniel that she didn't love him like he loved her and when he asked why, like Robin he had been the most understanding she could have hoped for.

Flashback

Daniel and Regina were sat in the field in the middle of the Mills family estate. They were both perfectly content as the sun shone down on them, highlighting the beauty of the countryside. Daniel saw this as the opportunity to place the first kiss upon the lips of the woman he knew he was falling in love with. When Regina turned to look at him, he slowly lent in and placed his lips upon hers.

Regina knew that Daniel was going to kiss her. She knew that he liked her perhaps even loved her and that he wanted to be with her romantically. She tried so hard to love him like that, to like him in a way other than a close friendship but she knew she never would. It was confirmed when Daniel's lips brushed against her own. She knew she was meant to feel something but there was not a single spark. His lips felt wrong, his stubble from his chin felt wrong and she knew why. She knew that she longed to be kissed and loved by a woman. The thought itself terrified her. Regina knew that homosexuality was frowned upon in the Enchanted Forest, at least between the nobles and the royals. She knew her mother would hate her and possibly even disown her if she found out that Regina loved women for her mother believed a woman should only love a man. Although her father would probably not disown her, he would still dislike the idea and most likely less forcefully attempt to set her up with a male companion.

Despite these problems, she knew she couldn't do this. She couldn't lead Daniel on like this for he deserved better than her and she hoped he would understand.

"Daniel…I can't" she whispered as she gently pulled away from him.

"Gina, what's wrong?"

"You're a wonderful man Daniel. You deserve to be cherished and loved by a woman who can offer these things in a way I cannot."

"I don't understand Regina? Why is it that you cannot be with me in that way? Does…does your heart belong to another man?"

"No Daniel. I am not with anyone. I want to tell you why we cannot be together and I want you to still be my best friend but I don't want you to hate me when I tell you the truth."

"Regina, whatever it is, the reason you cannot be with me in the way I want to be with you, you can tell me. You can trust me. If nothing else I would still like to be your friend."

"Really?" whispered Regina, tears building in her eyes.

"Really." replied Daniel.

This was it Regina thought. She was going to tell him. The first person she would tell her secret too. After a few deep breaths, her heart beating rapidly, she told him.

"The reason I cannot be with you is because… I like women…I'm…gay."

For a few moments, Daniel sat there at first in shock but then a gentle smile appeared on his face as he gave her a hug. Although he was disheartened that they would never be together romantically, he was her best friend and not a single thing would change that. They talked for hours and hours until Regina had to return home. It was at this moment that Regina had begun to feel comfortable with herself and unashamed that she was attracted to women.

Regina continued to sit at the bar, thinking back to those times when she was so unsure of herself, so insecure. She laughed bitterly to herself when she thought not much has changed. Although she had not told anyone in town aside from Robin who was now in New York that she was a lesbian, she is comfortable with her sexuality. She thinks she should probably tell Snow and Emma soon as recently, since Emma's found Hook, they keep trying to set her up on blind dates with the whole male population of Storybrooke. Regina's insecurity now was not that she was worried what people might think of her when she came out to them, it was that who in their right mind would want to date the Evil Queen?

The people of Storybrooke had begun to tone down on the stares they gave her that were filled with distrust and apprehension but they were still present. Although she was still the Mayor, people feared her because of who she was in the Enchanted Forest.

Regina had the love of Henry whom had now come to trust her and love her like he once did at the time before the arrival of Emma. For a time, Regina thought that was enough and she could be content with just that but it wasn't. Watching the happy couples that surround her makes Regina wish that she had that love. Someone to come home to when Henry was with Emma and the pirate. Someone that could love her and that she would love in return.

Regina's thoughts were shattered when an all too familiar face took the place beside her. Maleficent.

"Is this seat taken?" Maleficent asked.

Regina raised one eyebrow and indicated to Maleficent that it was ok to sit there. 'I wonder where she's been?' contemplated Regina.

"I'll have what she's having. In fact, make it a double and get Regina another while you're at it as well" asked Maleficent.

"Are you trying to get me drunk Mal?"

"I'd say you're managing well enough on your own but seen as though I'm depressed and you certainly look it, I figured it would be the perfect time for us to drink and catch up."

When the waiter arrived back, they both downed their shots in one, smirking at one another when they'd both finished.

'This is certainly going to be an interesting night' thought Regina. She hadn't realised how much she'd missed her old…'friend' until now.