A/N: PLEASE READ! PLEASE READ!

I know, I know, I have other stuff to focus on but this one has been calling to me and I said screw it. I saw it as a good chance to take a break from my other stories that I had fallen out of love with for a bit. this is slowly making me rekindle that affection for them.

I wrote this to entertain myself honestly. This is literally just for fun. Not to be taken seriously.

So, Emma is a mermaid but like not like Ariel from the Little Mermaid, mermaid but she has more of a mild creature look. She has animal-like features as well as human. She also has a primal thing about her and her personality is very animalistic (but in a cute way). Dont worry though because she has a human form. Regina is the daughter of a lighthouse keeper with a connection to the ocean and in turn attracts Emma. They're both about fifteen at the start of this but there will be time jumps.

This is very much a swan queen love story but there is some (kinda) Hooked Queen. If that bothers you, sorry. There is a reason why I did this (I have plans for him). Just a warning so read with caution. There is eventual Swan Queen. If you can't tolerate that for a bit, I ask that you skip this fic.

Anywho... this story is short. I'm thinking about 10 chapters give or take. I've written a few of the chapters already. I'm also working on the rest as we speak. I already know how it's going to go and end.

flashbacks are in italics. Enjoy?

The Little Mermaid

Chapter One

The sky was colored a deep, dark, smokey gray and the sun had vanished from existence. The air was filled with heaviness and the familiar scent of a powerful storm. The loud, angry waves could be heard beating against the shore, warning of the danger coming. She could see the ocean from where she was walking alongside the road. The bus stop was a pretty long walk from school, but her sister had other things to do and couldn't pick her up. But she didn't mind taking the bus, because she welcomed just being with the sea after dealing with nosy, hectic humans all day, even if there was a storm approaching.

The seagulls were circling above calling to each other, alerting each other of what was coming. She glanced up and watched them for a while until she heard a car pull up alongside her. She instantly stepped aside and out of the way.

"Hey," said a very familiar voice from the car. Regina looked and held in an irritated sigh when her eyes landed on none other than Killian Jones - resident bad boy and troublemaker.

He had taken a sudden interest in Regina, which confused her. When she confided in her sister about this, her sister explained that his interest was because she basically blossomed into this beauty overnight, but her self-esteem hadn't caught up yet. Everything about her screamed "virgin," and with her quiet, good-girl demeanor, coupled with her attractiveness, Killian couldn't help himself to a challenge - he probably wanted to deflower her. Sometimes her sister was just crude.

Killian had three friends with him in the black sports car. All they ever did was stare at her.

"Hi, Killian." She said quietly.

"Hey, beautiful." He said in a way that almost made Regina think he meant it. "Damn. She's gorgeous. Isn't she gorgeous, guys?"

"So gorgeous." The guys agreed.

"Regina, Regina Mills!" He sang out in that lovely singing voice of his. "Oh, I want to write songs about you and those pretty dark eyes of yours." He placed a hand on his chest. "Be still, my beating heart."

The guys all laughed at Killian, and one slapped his arm saying, "She is hot. When did that happen?"

"The summer was good to her," commented another.

Killian ignored his friends and kept his blue gaze on her. "Where are you headed, love?"

"Home," Regina said firmly. "My father needs help hunkering down for the incoming storm. You all should be doing the same."

"Nah," Killian waved off her advice. "My brothers and I are staying with Smee, inland. He's alone. And my dad is going to stay at a lady friend of his. I'll be fine."

Killian lived in a houseboat with his father and two brothers. He was the middle child. His older brother was a fisherman, just like their father, and his younger brother was in Regina's grade. Unlike the other sophomore boys, he never drooled when he saw her walk by. He was quiet and kept to himself. In fact, Regina preferred him.

"That's good to hear, Killian"

Killian smirked in response to Regina's reply. "Nice to know that you were worried about me."

She didn't really care about him, but her father was friends with his father, and that mattered for her father's sake. "You should be getting to Smee's then, eh?"

"Uh... yeah, we are," Killian continued to creep his car beside Regina. "We're going to get some booze first, invite some friends over, since his parents are stuck in the city. End of the World party, you know?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "It's hardly the end of the world." She pointed out dryly. "Just a storm. We've had them before."

"Of Biblical proportions," he added. "Well, that's what your sister said today during the school-news weather forecast."

"Now you and I both know my sister is dramatic."

"Oh, really?" He asked with a raise of his dark eyebrow, "So does that mean that she's wrong about me then?"

Regina shook her head. "No. She's right about you. She is in your grade after all. She knows you well. Besides, every girl can't be wrong about you."

An enormous grin grew across his face. "So you've been asking around about me? That's cute."

Regina wrinkled her nose. "Hardly, but girls talk."

Killian was quiet for a minute. "I think you should give me a chance. Let me take you to the movies."

Regina had never been on a date, and it certainly was not going to be with Killian 'Storybrooke playboy' Jones. "Of course you would choose to lure me into a place where we don't have to talk much, and where you could cop a feel."

Killian fell silent, surprised she called him out, but he denied it. "I'd keep my hands to myself. And for your sake, we can keep the date public - a walk on the beach, picnic in the park, so we can talk, get to know each other?"

"I'm not having sex with you, Killian!" Regina snapped.

Killian halted the car. "I don't want to... that's not what I'm offering." He said seriously. "I just, I think you're interesting and mysterious and I want to learn about you."

Regina stayed quiet and kept walking. She was no idiot. A strong breeze blew from the sea causing Regina to shiver, blowing her hair around her face. She managed to tuck her hair behind her ears, then crossed her arms over her chest.

Killian started to drive beside Regina again, "Regina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any harm. I just can't stop..." he sighed. "It's cold. Get in the car. I'll drive you home."

Regina wanted to take the ride now that the storm was getting stronger. She was pretty sure Killian wouldn't hurt her - he just talked a lot - but she was stubborn and her pride wouldn't allow it. "No, thank you. I'm a big girl. I don't need a man to do everything for me."

Killian stopped the car again, this time getting out. When she heard the door open, she stopped walking and turned around. His friends called out to him, complaining that he should stop wasting his time. But he ignored them and walked toward Regina. Regina glared at him and started to walk fast, but he fell into step with her.

"What are you doing?" She asked turning away from him.

"Walking you home."

"I don't need you to-"

"I know, Regina." He said gently, in a tone she had never heard him use before. "I know. I've been watching you around school. You're independent and you have your shit together. I know you don't need me, but I would like to walk you home. Humor me."

"Why should I?" She asked finally looking at him.

He looked surprised, then he chuckled. "You're making it really hard for me not to be into you. I love your sassiness. It's so..." he started to say but clamped his mouth shut when he saw Regina's glare. He cleared his throat. "You should take pity rather than humor me, because I'm a hopeless fool."

"You are a fool," Regina said, causing Killian to laugh.

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

"So you do pity me?"

"I don't believe in pity."

He grinned. "So you'll humor me then?"

Regina rolled her eyes. She just wanted to get home. "Fine! Keep up!" She picked up her pace down the road. He jogged to catch up with her. When he finally reached her, she felt her backpack being removed and something else being placed on her shoulders - it was his black leather jacket. She looked up at him, just in his black tee shirt, and she frowned.

"You were cold, it's the least I could do."

"But now you're going to get cold."

"No. You being warm keeps me warm."

Regina laughed, sincerely laughed. He was determined, she'd give him that. "Well, thank you but that doesn't mean you're getting in my pants."

"Regina, I'm not trying to get in your pants. Is that what everyone is telling you?"

"You're the type," Regina said simply. She stopped at the boardwalk. It was the quickest way to the lighthouse, where she lived.

"I don't want to get in your pants."

"So you're suddenly celibate?"

He made a face. "Hell no!"

"Exactly." She said, turning away from him and heading down the pier. She could hear him running after her.

"No. I mean, like we don't have to do anything. We can hang out. We can go to Granny's and have milkshakes..."

"I don't know." She muttered, distracted by the look of the sea. It was growing darker with thick clouds on the horizon. "You should head back."

"I want to see you home safe. Stop trying to get rid of me." He laughed.

"Seriously, the storm has grown and is very close." She pointed towards the sea.

He noticed the waves looked angrier than before. A look of worry crossed his face, but he shook it off. "You home first, then I'll head back."

Regina shrugged. "Suit yourself."

He chuckled. Regina shook her head and started walking ahead of him again.

She could see the tall white building in the distance, and that the light wasn't on yet, which meant her father wasn't home. She would have to do it.

"I wish you could come tonight," he said quietly. "But with this storm, it's not safe. I would prefer you stay home. Maybe I can call you?" All he received was a scoff. He laughed. "Ok, how about messenger? Can we video chat on that?"

Regina gave him a side glance. "Want to show me your penis, huh?"

"If you asked to see it, I wouldn't say no," he admitted. Regina turned with "But no, I just want to check on you. You live so close to the ocean. Maybe you should ask your friend Kat if you can-"

"Firstly, of course, you wouldn't say no. Although you should be a bit more self-conscious because unlike the other countless girls you've shown it to, I am not so easily impressed by the smaller things in life," she said sharply but not harshly. She watched Killian's mouth fall open in shock and then she felt like she had made her point.

"Ouch." Killian placed a hand on his chest feigning hurt. Regina waved a hand completely unapologetic. He had it coming. He stepped out of line and she put him back in his place.

"Anyway, I'll be fine here." She explained. "Besides my father needs me."

"Right." He said as they stopped at the end of the boardwalk that led to Regina's front door. "I'll walk you to your door."

Regina nodded and they walked to the steps. She gave him his jacket back as he returned her backpack. "Thanks."

He shrugged. "It's no problem. I'm sure you would do the same for me."

They both laughed. "Definitely," she replied.

When the laughter died down, they both stood there not saying anything, nor looking at each other. For Killian, it wasn't an uncomfortable moment, but it seemed to go on too long. "So..."

"What's up?" Regina quickly replied.

"Can we video chat?"

"I suppose. After I finish my homework, though, and only for a minute. We don't need any of your many women getting jealous."

"Oh!" He laughed. "Beauty, brains, and humor. My heart." Regina tilted her head down, shook her head, and smiled, causing Killian to gasp. "Oh my god, I made you smile. Like really smile. Not a mocking smile but a real smile. Mom, get the camera!"

Regina laughed and gave his chest a small push. "Go. Get home safely, and have fun at your party."

He froze, seemingly surprised by her touching him. "I won't have fun without you there."

"Well, I'm sorry the storm is keeping you from -"

He held up a hand. "That's not what I meant." He was serious. "I just wanted you there."

"Blame the storm."

"This damn storm!" He quipped. "There will be other parties, though."

That she will never attend, she thought to herself, but she just nodded, "Indeed." She fished her key out of her pocket. Killian stepped into her close, planning on boxing her in by leaning a hand on the door, trying for a possible kiss. However, Regina quickly unlocked the door. She didn't notice his move. As she walked through the door, he said, "Good night. Be safe and batten down the hatches!"

"Night Killian," was all she said, before slamming the door in his face. She heard him laugh on the other side of the door, then the sound of his heeled boots retreating.

She leaned against the door, letting her head hit the door. The foyer was extra dark, so was the rest of the house. This told her she was the first one home, and alone, which meant that she had certain responsibilities to accomplish.

She headed to her room and tossed her backpack inside, then set off to prepare the lighthouse for the incoming storm.

When that was done, she just wanted to shower after a long day. But she had one more task of starting dinner. It was simple enough to just pop it into the oven for an hour. She immediately went to her room where she took a nice long shower. When she was done and just finished getting dressed, there was a knock on her bedroom door.

"Yeah?" She called.

"Hi!" She heard her sister on the other side of the door. "I'm home and dinner smells delicious."

Regina laughed. "Hi, Zelena. Can you watch it? I want to rest for a bit."

"You got it."

"Thank you."

"Of course." Her sister said and she listened to her sister's footfalls heading to her own bedroom, directly across from hers.

Regina smiled and went to retrieve her brush so she could run it through her wet dark curls. She noticed the wind picking up, sounding stronger than before she got home. There were moans and howls surrounding the lighthouse, shaking and rattling their home. The clash of the waves outside could be heard clearly through her window as if they were in her own room. She continued to brush her hair as she walked over to her window and gazed out.

The rain finally began, just pitter-pattering against her window. A heavy fog had consumed the beach. She hoped her father would be home soon.

Regina looked down at the beach, watching the waves slap angrily against the sand. There was a moment they pulled back far, and that's when something caught Regina's eye. She almost didn't believe what she saw - a person washed up on the sand.

"Oh!" She groaned and her heart sank. She waited again for the waves to pull back and confirm what she saw. It was a body, a person, that poor person! She couldn't leave them there. She dropped the brush and ran over to her dresser, pulling out a thick pair of socks and then to her closet grabbing her fishing boots. She burst out of her room calling out for her sister as she went to bang on her bedroom door, "Zelena?!" She didn't reply. She huffed and ran downstairs.

Zelena was in the kitchen, removing the pot pie from the oven. "Zelena!" She breathed a sigh of relief.

"This thing smells so good. Do you want to eat now or do you want to wait for daddy?"

"Zelena!" Regina repeated anxiously.

"Yeah?" Her sister finally looked up at her and saw the worry in her face. She took off the oven mitts and set the pot holder down, "What's wrong?"

"There's a person! [I think it's a girl.] They're washed up on the beach, the storm, I can't leave them out there, they could die. I don't want them to die! They look unconscious and -"

Zelena placed her hand on her sister's shoulders. "Regina, Regina... slow down. What?"

"Someone is on the beach. Unconscious. Help me get them inside."

Now it was clear what Regina was going on about. "Are you sure?"

Regina nodded. "Yes."

Zelena nodded in return. "Let's go."

At the front door, Zelena quickly put on her rain boots, and Regina threw on a rain poncho. Zelena did the same and opened the door for them. As they stepped outside the wind hit them hard and almost threw them back against the door. Zelena immediately wanted to go back inside sensing the danger, but she knew that her little sister could not bear the thought of leaving an innocent person to die...that is if they weren't dead. Besides, Regina was already leading the way. Zelena ran after her, trying to keep up while the storm was against her. They both ran down the boardwalk towards a wooden ramp that led to the beach.

The waves were huge, aware that they could swallow them whole if they so pleased. Regina hoped they were feeling merciful, just so that she could help this person.

She stopped beside her sister and pointed ahead of them. Zelena cupped a hand over her brow and there in the distance, she saw the person. Passed out or possibly dead.

Regina ran ahead of her. "Be careful," Zelena called after her and she ran to catch up with her.

Regina stopped when she reached the person in need, staring down at their lifeless body in the cold, wet sand. She kneeled down to examine the person better, but when she looked them up and down, her hand flew to her mouth at the sight of their lower half, where their legs should have been.

Zelena finally caught up to her. "Are they alive?" Regina frantically pointed to their legs. Zelena looked in disbelief as Regina had. "Are they alive, who, what is it?"

Regina pushed aside the long, blonde hair tangled around their face, which was so long it was also plastered to their chest. To make matters even worse, they were tangled in a net. "I think its a woman." When Regina touched her, she didn't move; she was completely unconscious. She didn't seem dead. Regina was sure she saw a rise and fall of her chest. A strong wave came at them, washing away the hair that was plastered to her chest, revealing she was naked.

"Oh that's a woman for sure," Zelena said as her chest was exposed. But as unusual as that was, when the water receded, it revealed she had a tail. Yes...she had a tail. Not a tail that can be removed. No, a tail that went from her upper hips, downward and instead of legs -a beautiful tail, shimmering with gold and green iridescent scales, even in the storm. The end of it sparkled with beautiful glitter.

"This has to be some kind of prank," Zelena concluded. "She can be a... a..."

"I've seen her before," Regina said quietly.

"Regina?"

"I've seen her before," Regina repeated louder. She turned to her sister with a glare. "You and Daddy tried to convince me that I was crazy."

"We did not. You were five." Zelena reasoned. "Five-year-olds have imaginary friends. Especially ones of the mermaid variety," she shouted over the roaring sea.

Regina shook her head. "I knew what I saw." She pointed. "Look at her."

"I'm not convinced." Zelena bent down and went to touch the girl's fin. She gave it a tug but it didn't budge or slip off, nor make her stir. She stood up. "What the fuck? Is this thing glued on?"

"It's. Attached. To. Her." Regina spelled out. "Like your ridiculously long legs are attached to you."

"Don't get snotty," Zelena said with an eye roll. "I like you better when you're sweet."

"Well, I like you and Daddy better when you believe me."

"Regina, I'm sorry. You were just a baby. How was I supposed to know?"

Regina rolled her eyes. "Help me get this net off of her."

Her sister nodded and did what was asked of her. The two of them tried to tear the fishing net but it was thick. It was not going to give.

"Damn it." Regina hissed. "We have to get her to the house."

"I'm not bringing that thing into our house. She can eat us." Zelena hissed sharply. "Mermaids eat flesh."

"You watch way too many movies," Regina snapped.

"What if she does though?"

"She is unconscious. She is not going to eat us." Regina said confidently. "Besides, it's not like she can chase us. Just relax. Now help me before we freeze out here. Get her arms and I'll get her tail."

Zelena sighed deeply and did what was asked of her while Regina picked up the sea creature's tail. They carried her back up the ramp and onto the wooden dock. Once they reached the door, Zelena angled her so that she could open the door. It swung open with the wind and they stumbled inside. When Regina was all the way inside she kicked the door closed.

"Now what?" Zelena asked.

Regina looked like she hadn't thought that far ahead yet. "My bedroom."

"What? No. I don't want this thing to eat you."

"Daddy will be here soon and what do you think he will do when he sees a mermaid in his foyer?"

"I don't know. Maybe he'll call animal care and control which is what we should be doing." The older girl said matter of fact.

"Does this look like an animal to you?" Regina reasoned.

"Maybe?" Zelena shrugged. "I don't know, Regina, but she seems like a really big fish."

"Can we get up the stairs, she's heavy." Regina and Zelena begin to go upstairs. Regina continued to reason, "Last I checked, fish aren't blonde and don't have breasts, Zelena."

"Wrong!" Zelena said back. "Whales and dolphins nurse their young."

"They aren't fish. They're mammals." Regina pointed out.

"Maybe she's related to that. Or like some kind of seal or whatever."

Regina rolled her eyes. "She's not a selkie, Zelena."

"What? What the hell is that?"

They made it to Regina's room. Zelena began to set the woman down, but Regina shook her head "no" and nodded to the bathroom. They managed to lug the mermaid to the bathroom where they laid her on the rug by the bath.

"A selkie is a creature from Scottish folklore," Regina explained. They both got up and looked down at the mermaid. "I told you she was real."

Zelena nodded. "I'm sorry, Regina. How would you expect me to believe that?"

Regina shrugged. "Maybe because I've never lied to you before..."

Zelena frowned. "That's not fair, Regina."

Regina shrugged. "Well, now you know. I should try and cut her loose before she wakes. We'll cut her loose, then we'll lock her in until we decide what to do with her."

Regina found herself getting upset. She stuck to her story all her life that she saw a mermaid. However, they never believed her, and almost convinced her that she had imagined the entire encounter. But Regina never forgot. In fact, she was pretty certain this was the very same mermaid. Now Zelena and daddy would have to admit they were wrong, but the thought didn't make her feel vindicated for all the years they made her feel like a liar.

"I'm going to go get the scissors, watch her," Regina announced and walked out. She went to her desk and pulled out a pair of scissors and a fishing knife then returned to the bathroom. "Which?" She asked holding them up.

"The scissors," Zelena said opening her hand. Regina handed them over to her, then took her place kneeling beside her. They began freeing the creature from the net that was cutting into her flesh.

"I think I need to clean her wounds," Regina said.

Zelena nodded. "Yeah, you don't want them to get infected."

It took a few moments but they managed to free her. Regina spread the net open and proceeded to examine her injuries. Zelena averted her eyes from the mermaid's chest while her little sister appeared unphased, and was more focused on caring for her.

Regina stood and began going through her medicine cabinet. She grabbed her first aid kit and knelt beside Zelena again. Regina then proceeded to clean the mermaid's wounds. Zelena watched quietly.

She was nervous that she would wake up when she used the alcohol swab or the antibacterial spray, but she only flinched a bit. When she was done, she dabbed the wounds dry. She then stood and went to wash her hands. Zelena stood and did the same.

"Should we put her in the bathtub?" Regina asked. "Can she drown out of water, like a fish?"

"I don't know," Zelena said thoughtfully. "In Aquamarine, didn't -"

Regina said quickly, "Don't reference movies. They're usually incorrect."

"Fine, how about TV shows, because on H20 -"

"Zelena!"

Her sister threw her hands up in surrender and shrugged. "Okay, fine! Let's Google. Please make sure you lock the door. I'm still not sure she won't eat us."

She walked out into Regina's bedroom and just before Regina walked out, she glanced back at the mermaid. The creature looked nothing like Ariel from the Little Mermaid. Her skin was pale and her lips were pale pink. Her nose was human, however, as well as her hair, which was a beautiful, rich, golden color. There were distinct non-human features she possessed, reminding Regina of what she was, such as her webbed hands. Regina closed the bathroom door and locked it. Her sister was already seated on her bed with her laptop. She sat beside her.

Zelena looked at her before typing in, 'how long can a mermaid survive out of water?'

Regina zoned out and her eyes drifted to the closed bathroom door. All of this time. She had been trying to tell them. She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Mom was the only one who believed me," Regina muttered.

"Regina..." Zelena tried but Regina tuned her out, remembering.

Regina and her dog ran out onto the beach. She giggled as he chased her back and forth across the sand. Her sister was with some of her friends, so she was alone. That was okay though. Her mother could see her from the study window and she knew that she always had an eye on her. Besides she always felt safe near the ocean. It was home.

She ran in a circle and the dog chased her until they both became dizzy and fell down on the sand. She laughed as she laid in the warm sand and stared up at the clear blue sky. The seagulls flew overhead calling to each other. She sighed and shut her eyes, just soaking up the warmth of the sun on her young face.

The dog got up and took off running, barking after some of the birds. Regina giggled and peeked an eye open to watch him run off. She turned back to the sky, putting her hand out over her, allowing the sun to shine on her palm and through her tiny fingers. She smiled to herself. She began humming happily as she just laid there for a while. She knew her mother was watching. She was probably smiling, too. That made her smile as well. She turned her head towards the ocean and something sparkly caught her eye. She gasped as she rolled over onto her stomach staring ahead of her. She could see what it was - a sparkly conch shell. She got up onto her knees. She needed to have it. She hopped up and ran over to the large rocks. She giggled reaching for it, but she jumped back when she realized that she wasn't alone.

There was a girl laying nearby on her stomach, half in and half out of the water. Regina furrowed her brow. The girl looked a little older than her. She had pretty blonde hair and really big green eyes that glowed. Everything in her told her to run away and get her mother but her curiosity got the better of her.

The girl reached over, grabbed the conch, and handed it to her. Regina bent down and very carefully accepted it. The girl stared at her with a curious tilt of her head. Regina looked back at the lighthouse, but she didn't see her mother. She didn't see Max either, and that bothered her.

She gulped and stared back with wide eyes. "Hi-hi..."

The girl didn't say anything, furrowing her brow as if she was confused. Regina waved and the blonde girl waved back. That's when Regina saw it - her fingers were webbed and she had gold colored fins on her wrists. Regina's brow furrowed.

"What's that?" She asked pointing to her wrist. The blonde girl continued to look confused, then shook her head as if she didn't understand. Regina frowned and knelt down a little closer in front of her. "Sorry. I'm Regina. I live right over there." She pointed to the lighthouse. "I like my room and I have a big sister. Her name is Zelena but she is at a playdate with her friends."

The other girl appeared to be listening but not comprehending.

"I'm five. How old are you?" She still didn't didn't get a response. Maybe she couldn't speak or couldn't understand her. "Hmm..." Regina hummed thoughtfully. "Do you live around here? Where are you from?"

The girl frowned and her eyebrows came together in frustration.

"That's okay if you can't understand me. You should..." She waved a hand towards the shore as if to tell her to come out of the water.

The girl began shaking her head. Regina nodded. "Okay. Sorry."

She bit her lip in thought. The girl's hand reached out to her as if to touch her. Her hand was inches away from her face, but a sudden barking caused the girl to retract her hand. They both turned to find Max running towards them barking. The other girl let out a squeak and backed away towards the water.

"No, wait," Regina said crawling after her. "He won't hurt you. He's nice."

The girl looked at her with frightened eyes. Then there was a splash and Regina's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. There it was, a large gold and green tail fin. She gasped and ran after her, her little feet landing in the water.

"You're a mermaid." She cried with a giggle. The girl looked back at Regina, but then turned toward the waves and began swimming away. "No, wait! Please." Regina cried. But she didn't listen. Regina ran out until the water was at her knees. The last thing she saw was the mermaid's fin before it disappeared. "Please, don't go." She whispered with a pout, the conch still in her hand.

She heard splashing behind her and she squeezed her eyes shut before glaring at the gigantic old English sheepdog. He was staring up at her with his mouth hanging open and his tongue had fallen to one side as he smiled at her. She huffed. "You scared off a mermaid, Max."

He whined in a way that sounded like a 'huh?'

"You heard me. That girl was a mermaid and now she's gone." She stared back at the clear blue ocean where the girl had disappeared. There was no sign of her. She sighed and stomped her foot, splashing both of them.

"Regina, honey!" She heard her mother calling out to her. Regina looked over and saw her mother standing at the end of the dock.

"Mommy!" She screamed and began running towards her. When she finally reached the front door, she stopped and smiled at her mother. The woman was smiling at the sight of her very excited five-year-old.

"Regina, what have I told you about going into the ocean alone?" The woman asked lightly.

Regina looked guilty for a moment. Only a moment because then she remembered what she had seen. "I'm sorry, Mommy."

"Very good." Her mother nodded.

"But may I tell you why I was in the ocean?" She asked looking up at her mother through her dark bangs.

"You may."

Regina gasped. "I saw a mermaid and she was so pretty!"

Her mother looked surprised like she hadn't been expecting that. She looked out into the ocean. "A mermaid? Here?"

Regina hummed with a big nod. "Yes! Over there." She pointed a finger to where she had met her friend before turning back to her mother. "She couldn't speak. I don't even think she understood me."

"They don't understand us." Her mother explained. "They speak differently. Like how whales communicate. Through beautiful song under the ocean."

Regina gasped. "Like you. You sing pretty, Mommy."

Her mother laughed. "That's because I'm your Mommy. I'm not a mermaid." She tapped Regina's nose with her finger, then took one of Regina's braids that was hanging down the child's shoulders into her hand. "I'm just your mommy."

"The best mommy."

Cora laughed. "Oh, thank you so much, dear. I'm glad you think so."

Cora bent down and scooped up her daughter, carrying her into the house. They left the door open in case Max wanted to come in.

"Cookie?" Her mother asked and Regina nodded.

"Yes, please."

Cora carried her into the kitchen and sat her on the counter. "You're all wet, my love."

Regina giggled. "Sorry."

"It's alright." Her mother said, as she grabbed two cookies from where they were cooling down on the cooling rack and placed them onto a small plate. She then poured her a glass of milk. When she returned, she handed Regina her snack.

Regina picked up a cookie. Chocolate chip which was her favorite. She bit into it and smiled. It was sweet and warm just like she liked it. "Yum." She said with a giggle.

"Oh? You approve?"

Regina nodded. "I do, very much."

"Good. I'm thinking of making some for the bake sale at your school."

Regina smiled and her mother wiped a smudge of chocolate off her little olive cheek. "You should. Everyone will gobble them up "

"Like how you gobbled them up?" Cora teased before kissing her daughter's cheek. Regina laughed.

"Yes."

The woman laughed too.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Regina?"

"Max scared the mermaid away," Regina said quietly. "Do you think she will come back?"

"Maybe," Cora said. "Where did you find that conch?"

Regina looked over and stared at the shell beside her. "Well, I saw it on the beach, then the mermaid handed it to me when I went to go get it."

"She gave it to you?"

Regina nodded. "Yeah."

Cora nodded. "Then I am confident you two will see each other again."

Regina furrowed her brow. She didn't quite understand her mother's meaning. "Why?"

"She gave that to you because she liked you. She saw something in you. The fact that she stayed around long enough for you to see her speaks volumes as well. She saw your heart. You made a friend."

Regina beamed then. "She's my friend?"

Her mother nodded with a smile. "Indeed."

Regina started swinging her feet happily, then something struck her. "How do you know so much about mermaids?"

"I'm your mommy. It's my job."

Regina accepted that. She had no choice. She had never given her a reason not to trust her. "Okay." She smiled. "Can you tell me more stories about mermaids?" Those were her favorites.

Her mother smiled back. "I can tell you many stories about mermaids and they're all true."

"Yay!" Regina cheered thrusting her little fist into the air.

Cora laughed. "Yay!" She kissed Regina's head. "My little princess."

Regina beamed at her.

"Okay..." Zelena began, snapping her out of her memory. "It says since they're kinda human they can live out of water, but their skin gets dry, and it's uncomfortable for them."

"So we should run a bath and put her in it," Regina concluded standing from the bed.

"What?" Zelena asked following her into the bathroom. "No, no, no. This thing is going back out there."

"She'll die out there."

"You don't know that," Zelena argued.

"Oh really?" Regina asked. "She's half dead. She possibly has a concussion or she could be in a coma. We don't know. The storm would kill her."

"It might wake her up." Zelena tried to persuade her.

Regina sighed heavily and looked up at her sister. "And what if it doesn't? Can you live with your conscience clean knowing you chose to leave a young mermaid to die?"

Zelena pinched the bridge of her nose as her little sister unlocked the bathroom door and stepped inside. She gently walked pass the creature, and turned the bathtub on. It began filling with water. "She's going to eat us all. I just know it."

"She is not," Regina grumbled. "Does she look like she would kill us?"

"They never do." Zelena leaned down and took a risk to lift the mermaid's top lip. "Oh, would you look at that."

Regina glanced over and saw long, fang-like canine teeth. "Oh."

"Yeah. Those definitely look like they're for tearing flesh and bone."

Regina shook her head. "She can't even walk. If she decides to attack, how will she catch us?"

"I don't know but the merman in The Cabin in the Woods-"

"Zelena!" Regina groaned.

"Okay... okay. Fine!"

Regina rolled her eyes and tested the water. Luckily, their father had renovated both their bathrooms to accommodate their teenage-girl needs, so now they had much bigger bathtubs. Unfortunately, it took much longer to fill, so they sat there in awkward silence waiting, praying that the mermaid didn't wake up before they had time to get her into the bathtub. Their prayers were answered - the tub filled up and it was time to put her in.

"Careful," Regina said as she and Zelena lowered her into the water. Zelena let out a sigh of relief and ran her fingers through her hair once she was in the tub. Regina checked her, making sure the girl's head was resting comfortably against the end of the tub. During all that movement, she never stirred. "I made the water sort of cold because of the ocean. She possibly lives in its depths, and down there it's below freezing of course."

"Regina..." Zelena rubbed a hand over her face. "You have a bloody mermaid in your bathtub."

"What's your point?"

"What's my point?" Zelena's voice rose a few octaves. She laughed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "She's not a pet."

"I know."

"Do you?" Zelena questioned. "Because you're treating her like a bloody goldfish."

"I am not."

"'I hope she's comfortable. I got her water at the perfect temperature. Maybe I should go get her some fish food'," Zelena mocked, doing a perfect impression of her sister's American accent.

"She's a living thing," Regina said defensively.

"And?"

"She doesn't deserve to be mistreated because she looks different."

"Okay, Animal Planet," Zelena murmured in disapproval. "We'll take care of her."

Regina nodded. "Well, she's sleeping now. Let's keep it that way. Come on." She led the way out of the bathroom, Zelena following her closely, not wanting to be left alone one second with that thing.

"Now what?"

Regina locked the door behind her, crossed her arms over her chest, and shrugged. "Now we wait."

Zelena sighed deeply and let her head fall into her hands, her head shaking as she groaned.

"I know, I feel the same."

This was only the intro so I understand confusion. Most things will be cleared up as the story progresses. I want to take my time building SQ naturally since Emma isn't exactly human and this is delicate. I have a specific way I want to tell this and I cant do it any other way. Thank you and thanks for reading.