I'm supposed to be studying for a chemistry test...

Done for a prompt on Livejournal.

Regina watched until David – no, she reminded herself, Charming – was out of sight before she closed the door with a wave of her hand and turned around to face her vacant house.

It has never seemed quite so open or empty as it did now…

Regina glanced at the clock, deciding that it was getting late and she should probably prepare dinner.

For one.

A little voice in the back of her head jabbed at her, but she brushed it away as she strode into the kitchen. She was used to dealing with emotions she didn't want to have, as well as being alone. She was a big girl, she could manage just fine without Henry always underfoot…

Regina froze, refrigerator door half open, staring at the food inside.

Her stomach clenched uneasily at this last thought, and a wave of nausea swept over her.

No, she wasn't really that hungry…not anymore.

Regina turned around, heading for the stairs, feeling her eyes getting moist again.

She paused two steps up as a faint knock sounded on the door.

"R-Regina? Are you…um…are you there?"

The Evil Queen swallowed hard, trying to put the 'menacing' back into her voice.

"Archie. Didn't I tell you before to leave?"

Her 'menacing' seemed to take the opposite effect however, as Archie opened the door and invited himself inside.

"Was I not clear?" she asked again. The man didn't so much as flinch. She needed to start locking her front door…

Emotionally exhausted and still very much upset about losing Henry, Regina turned her back on the psychiatrist and continued her path up the stairs, hoping he would just go away.

"Regina, hold on a minute. I know you don't think you need it but you really should talk…"

Regina paused on the stairs, turning slowly to face him while growling out "Archie, you have exactly five seconds before I-"

"Henry sent me."

The words were like a punch in the gut. Her hold on the banister went from a light brush of fingertips to a supportive grip and she choked mid-word.

At the mention of her son's name, every memory of Henry running away, every 'I hate you', every forced 'I love you' and denouncement of her as the evil queen came right back.

He was gone. Probably for good. And it was all. Her. FAULT.

She tried to stop the tears that built up, blurring her vision, but it was too late. The floodgates had been broken. And there was nothing she could do, even with all her magic, to make the pain stop or the tears go away.

Archie watched as the feared 'Evil Queen' crumbled at the name of her son. Here we go, he thought, there she is. This is the person I was sent here to help.

Regina sank to her knees, sobbing into the palms of her hands as Archie crossed the room and climbed the stairs to her side.

"Oh Regina…"

He wasn't sure if it was living in Story Brooke for so long and knowing/comforting her as the mayor, but he didn't so much as hesitate while he settled himself beside her and pulled the broken queen into his arms. She resisted slightly, but gave in when his grip didn't falter.

"There, there."

Archie hesitantly lifted a hand, lightly touching the top of her head before brushing her hair comfortingly as she clutched onto the lapel of his tan coat.

"It's okay," he soothed "you did the right thing."

He felt her shake her head against his chest, but insisted.

"No, really, you did. You realized that Henry needs some space, and keeping him locked up isn't going to force him to love you."

Her sobs continued, and Archie kept stroking her hair while he tried to think of other things he could say to comfort her.

"You did the right thing Regina. Trust me. And yes, it's going to hurt for a while. But you're going in the right direction. And Henry knows that. Okay…?"

He didn't receive a reply, and didn't expect to.

With a light sigh, he leaned back against the wall and stared at the domed ceiling of Regina's entryway.

It was kind of odd, he thought, that he had no issue with comforting the person who the rest of the town saw as their tormentor. But perhaps it was because she hadn't been the one to ruin his life. Didn't make him turn that boy's parents-

Archie scrunched his eyes closed, blocking out that thought. He had amended for that wrong by becoming who he was now. A conscience, a voice of reason.

Perhaps that was why he had come so willingly, risked Regina's wrath at Henry's request.

Because he had started out the same as her. Grievously at fault, and looking to make amends no matter how much it hurt him.

By this point, Regina's sobs had quieted, although she still clung to his coat.

Poor thing, he couldn't help but think. You have no friends here, do you? Not even Henry any more… I'm the only one who will risk being around you.

"Regina…?" he asks softly.

He's sure to use her name, and not 'your highness' or 'your majesty'. Calling her by her name brings her down to his level. Humanizes her. Makes it so they can talk and she can speak to him one on one.

Dismisses the 'evil queen' aspect of her life, in exchange for the mother who just lost her son.

She glances up at him slightly, through dark, wet lashes and smudged mascara.

"Ready to talk?"

Her eyes slowly fall again, and her grip tightens.

"I…" her voice wavers, and she pauses to take a steady breath before answering. "Yes."

So I'm going to back to determining boiling points of elements. I wish teachers wouldn't put review guids on the computer...do you know what happens when you get me near a computer? I'll give you a hint, it ain't studying.

Anywho, thank you for reading, and reviews are always welcome. Unfinished in case I get bored later or have to fangirl about this week's episode.