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Feeling lost and alone all while being surrounded by heroes, Regina can only think of how to show Henry she wants to be the mother he knows she can be and the “hero” he longs for her to become. She has tried to be good and the hero he wants her to be but she finds it easy to slip back into her evil ways. I mean hell, she’s been wrapped up in darkness for longer than she cares to think about. As her thoughts continue to spiral she doesn’t even hear Emma speaking to her.
The two are in her vault looking for ways to rid their lives of Cora. Regina knows she can’t let herself fall back into her mothers arms. That only leads to pain, suffering, and darkness.
“Regina? Hello? Are you even listening to me?”
“No, ugh. Sorry, what were you saying?” Regina looks up to meet Emma’s eyes. Emma can see Regina was deep in thought and wonders what has kept her mind so busy. While Emma is looking at her seriously, they hear a loud banging coming from above them.
“What was that?” Regina questions and without waiting for a response. Regina is making her way out of the vault with Emma following closely behind. A large cloud of red smoke is clearing from in front of the vault. “I’ll handle this.” Regina says angrily to Emma silently asking her to give them space. She is reluctant to leave at first but gives Regina the benefit of the doubt and heads back into town.
“Hello darling.” Cora says.
“Mother. What do you want?.” Regina says in a guarded voice.
“Hmm. My darling daughter, I want you to help me.” Cora explains in a easy yet conniving tone.
“I don’t want to help you, and better yet I don’t want anything to do with whatever you are planning.” Regina sighs.
Moving past Regina like she didn’t even hear her or more like chose not to Cora went on asking, “Regina, why must you always be around that pitiful woman's daughter?” Cora sighs.
“What? She’s my son’s other mother, if I want Henry, she will also be around.”
“What are you doing? this is not the daughter I raised.” Cora snapped.
“I am trying to be better, why can’t you just let me try?” Regina sighed.
“Oh Regina, I guess I could let you try but… There's a few things we need to do first.” Cora sneered.
“No, please mother.” Regina said, confused.
“You will. I don’t care if I have to drag you but you will.” Cora stated exasperatedly. “Regina. I am here and I’m going to help you.” Cora finished.
“Help me with what exactly?” Regina questioned.
“We’ll start with a simple one, I do not want you around these ‘heroes’ anymore Regina.” Cora lectured with a cruel cutting tone in her voice. Laced with venom.
“Mother, please, this is my life, and I will do as I please.” Regina sighed, turning to gather the potions she was preparing.
“You think I can’t see that you’re in love with her?”
“Excuse me? What would make you think that exactly” Regina questioned with an arched eyebrow. Seriously questioning how obvious she has been. Has Emma realized??
“You’re a fool if you think she’ll ever love you back.” Cora hissed.
Those words cut deep. Deeper than Regina would like to admit. She knew Emma would never feel the same way, but to have her own mother say those words so plainly caused a sharp pain in her gut. Forcing those thoughts away Regina faced her mother again.
“Mother, I don’t know what you hope to do here but I do not love Emma and I have no intention of ever being with her. Now, if you could please leave me to finish my work that would be appreciated.”
“So be it. I will leave you to it, but don’t think I won’t be back, you are my child and I want you to be queen again.”
Signing Regina stated, “Mother please, I don’t want to be queen and I don’t want you to be here. I’m sorry, but please, leave.”
Forcing a smile, Cora vanished in a cloud of red smoke. Regina knew her mother would never listen to her, but she would be ready for her next time. Or so she thought.
….
Regina returned to her mansion to warn Henry about Cora being in town. She knew Cora would try to find him and corrupt him like she did with everyone else in Regina’s life. When she arrived, the house was extremely quiet. “Henry? Are you here?”
Footsteps coming from upstairs alerted Regina someone was in the house. When she turned she saw Henry coming down the stairs. “Hey mom.” He could see something was bothering her. “What’s wrong?”
“Henry, come sit, I need to talk to you.” Regina sighed in relief.
“Um, okay.” He agreed questioningly as the pair walked to the living room and sat down on the sofa with Regina angled towards him.
“Henry, this is not easy to tell you, but Cora is here and I asked her to leave but I know her and the last thing she is going to do is leave before she’s gotten what she wants.”
“Okay, what does she want?” He questioned.
At this, Regina paused, does she tell him that her mother thinks she’s in love with Emma? Would he believe it, or believe me when I say I’m not? “Well, um… She thinks I am in love with Emma. Which is ridiculous. I’m not sure what her plan is but I know it doesn’t involve me being around the Charmings.” She finished in a sort of ramble and scrunched her brows at Henry's reaction.
“Well, mom, is it possible you do love her?” He asks as if he already knows the answer.
Well of course I’m in love with her. “Henry, even if I said I do, there is no chance of Emma and I being together, I don’t want to get your hopes up.” She says quietly.
“Okay, but do you?” He asks more persistently this time.
Regina sighs and looks down and says, “Yes I’m in love with Emma, but she’ll never know because neither one of us will tell her.” She looks up more sternly.
“Hahaha you stupid little girl.” Henry says as his appearance fades and Cora appears. Disguised as Henry Regina admitted her feelings.
Regina stands, “Mother… What are you doing.” backing away from her.
“Oh Regina, I needed you to admit your true feelings so we can get you to your rightful place.” Cora seems amused by this.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve cursed your lips Regina, when you kiss Emma, well, she’ll die and you will take her power. Henry will be yours and only yours.” Cora finishes in a laugh as Regina looks as though she may be sick.