Before anything, I would just like to thank all of the people who have followed this story for the last few days. It has spurred me on to keep this going, and I really needed to do this, for many reasons.

This chapter ends Gamers. I have taken this a prequel of sorts to Everafter, which will be wrapping up its first volume soon, and going on to the next volume. Everafter 2.0 will, hopefully incorporate the lessons learned writing Gamers.

And again, thanks to the incredible for her support on this.

Once Upon A Time is owned by Disney/ABC and Kitsis/Horowitz. This is fan fiction.

Part 8

Everyone has something that grounds them. A landmark, a person, a place. For Regina Mills, it was a huge apple tree planted in her backyard. It was so precious that when a newcomer named Emma Swan, in a fit of anger, took an ax to that tree, it was as if the blonde took an ax at the brunette.

Funny how things change. 18 months ago, Emma was an interloper, here to steal Regina's son and destroy the curse that was her last chance at happiness. Three month's ago, Regina and Emma not only discovered a connection that may have linked not just magic. 72 hours ago, she was the only person who would believe that an evil queen was not capable of killing.

For what the outside world would call 28 years, the life of Regina Mills was stable. Predictable. Unemotional. Now, she feels great anger. Exhilaration. Sadness. Euphoria. All because of one woman.

Even...could she say the word?

It was possible. This morning, after breakfast, it was Regina, Emma, and Henry, as Regina confessed that she used magic to help rescue Archie (she also mentioned Belle French in this too..that alone would cause the therapist she rescued to say that the Mayor was making progress). She expected either silence and an "ok, mom," or a vow that Henry would never want to lay eyes on her again. But what she got were two things she did not expect: one, not just a hug from Henry...but a worlds-best-mom-ever hug that made Regina beam with love. The other...the fact that the woman who wielded that ax on Regina's beloved apple tree was holding her hand the entire time...with a look complete admiration on the face of the blonde.

Then there was, what Regina would call later, the Mea Culpa March: people knocking on her door to say that they were so sorry that they were wrong and that the fact that the supposed corpse was still alive, kicking, and taking new patients deprived them of their long cherished dream of seeing The Evil Queen hanging on a rope until dead...all for giving them indoor plumbing and access to Dancing With the Q-Listers. And she was surprisingly gracious to each one. Surprising to them...and her.

The two that stood out: The Blue Fairy, who was bawling her eyes out with I'm sorry's. And while Ruel Ghorm was staining the mayor's blouse, for some reason Regina wondered...if Regina was a man...or if Regina was Ruby, come to think of it...and that fairy was in her OTHER costume, that much thanks would be given. That fairy love to let those puppies play...

And then there's Grumpy. Or Leroy. Or the Town Drunk. He must have really been sobered up to knock on Regina's door and offer the most awkward apology ever. Actually, for once, she thought it was cute. Regina even kissed Leroy on the forehead (Of course, after Leroy left, Regina also saw a certain grade school teacher standing outside...and it was delightful to see Snow hold in a giggle).

And so as Regina Mills sat and reflected on the most unusual day of her life, she almost didn't notice the blonde who snuck around back to find her seated, then joined her.

"The apples are really beautiful."

Regina was almost startled to hear that voice. If a smile came from her in response 18 months ago, it would be have been predatory or dripping with sarcasm. The smile in response today was that of pure joy. At the apples, of course.

Or maybe more than that...

Regina turned from her tree and looked at Emma. She knew the blonde was attractive but she never saw how breathtaking she was until now. She also was never as humble...or at least not since...since...

"Ms. Swan...um...Emma...I just want to thank you for believing in me in the first place."

"Regina...I wish I did all the way."

"There was so much pressure..."

"Gina...I...the person you need to thank is Snow...she was the one who got me back on track..."

Then Emma realized she called her by a name that woman by a name that would denote a very close familiarity, there were shivers that went up her spine. But instead of a tirade, she saw blushes.

Regina Mills. Blushing apple red. Life gets more interesting...

But it wasn't just embarrassment. "Emma, we didn't see Cora on that boat. That means that she could be anywhere. I'm worried about Henry...I'm worried about Storybrooke...I'm worried about you..."

Emma held Regina's shoulders in protective way. "Back up...you said your worried about the Town."

"Emma, I created Storybrooke. It was the one thing that I created that I was proud of." The a chuckle came out. "This is going to seem funny, but I do think of all these people as my children. Family. And I do protect family."

"And I will protect you, and I know damn well we'll protect Henry."

"But I worry...my mother is an expert shape shifter..."

"I saw that for myself back in the forest..."

A bit of panic was setting in on Regina: "You really don't understand, she can turn into anyone...anyone...even the people I..."

Now Regina was terrified. She almost said that word.

"Regina..." Emma looked in Regina's eyes with encouragement...and a fire that had never been in her...

"What if you are Cora in disguise...?"

Emma then wrapped her arms around Regina's neck, and pulled her closer, saying, "Oh there is one thing I KNOW Cora would never do...commit...this."

And with that Emma kissed Regina. Deeply. It was a total fireworks kiss, complete with John Philip Sousa accompaniment. It was a breath-taking, pore-opening, make-me-scream-to-the-top-of-the-world kiss. The type of kiss that the hero gives the heroine at the end of the movie.

It was a Daniel kiss.

And while Emma's lips were on her and Emma's tongue was wrestling hers, Regina kept hearing Daniel's final words to her.

"Love again. Love again."

And when they separated, they both knew. And there would be no turning back.

And even if they didn't know...Storybrooke knew.

Because after the kiss, Regina looked at the apple tree again. And she noticed it. She then motioned to Emma to join her. And they were both amazed at what they saw.

On a tree yielded nothing but perfect Red Delicious apples, grew a perfect Golden Delicious apple.

And Regina looked at Emma. And Emma was golden. And Emma was...

They kissed again under that tree.

Regina knew, of course, that this was not her happily ever after. Not yet, anyway. As she had for her entire life, she had to fight for that happy ending. But now she knows she will not be alone. She now has Snow. And Henry. And Red. Maybe the Blue Fairy and Leroy.

And she will have Emma Swan.

Yes, the Evil Queen will have to fight for her happy ending. But now, she will not be alone.

And she knows that she will win.

FIN