Chapter 2

Flashback to the wedding day:

Regina paced back and forth, the maids struggling to keep up with her. “Your majesty...if you would just stay still long enough for us to help you finish getting ready.” “I can't do this.” Regina sighed, staring at herself in the mirror. After all these years, she was moments away from being someone's wife again. But this time, it was her choice. She loved the groom with ever fiber of her being. This wasn't about power or a throne. But the news she received yesterday had thrown her world into a tailspin. Sure, it had been building for almost a year, but this was too much too soon. Her heart was pounding in her chest like a race horse's hooves on the ground.

“Wow. I never thought the Evil Queen would admit to there being something that she couldn't do.” Regina spun on her jewel encrusted white heels to face her step daughter. “Well no one ever thought we'd get along again either, but here we are. Never say never.”

The maids looked at Snow with pleading eyes. They'd been trying to get the Queen ready for awhile now, but she hadn't been making thing easy. A nod from the princess sent them out of the room, much to their relief.

“Regina...what is going on? Why are you so...agitated?” She made her way across the room slowly, as if she were walking towards a frightened animal.

“I can't do this, Snow. You have to talk to him for me...”

“To who? Robin? Oh no. I'm not telling him that the woman he adores is too chicken to walk simply take a little walk down an aisle.”

“It is a lot more than just a walk! This is happening to fast. I'm not...I can't...” Regina stammered, unable to articulate the fears that had been plaguing her all night.

“Regina...is this about Daniel? You told me yourself that he told you to love again. You're not cheating on him by moving on.” Snow's hand took the Queen's gently. “He'd want you to be happy again.”

“I know he would. It isn't about Daniel..its...about Henry.” Regina stared down at their hands. Could she really entrust a secret with this woman again?

Confusion filled Snow's eyes. “Henry? Regina...Henry wanted you to find love. You're not replacing him by..OH...you think this is like you replacing him with Roland...”

She swallowed hard. “No...not with Roland...I...I'm...”

Snow's eyes widened in glee. “Oh...my...God...you're pregnant!? Oh Regina!” She hugged her tightly. “This is amazing. I'm sure Robin is over the moon.”

“He..well he doesn't exactly know.” Regina replied sheepishly.

“You're carrying his child and you haven't told him? Why? Regina he's going to be so happy...he loves you. He is going to adore this child. And you've seen him with Roland, he's an amazing father. I don't see what the problem is.” Her grin grew. “OH MY! Our kids are going to get to grow up together!”

Regina grimaced at her perky tone. “You really are too optimistic about everything. Snow, at any moment, we're going to have to go back..to not remember any of this year. I won't remember marrying him...and I'll be carrying his child too? How is that good news...to be a single mother without any idea of how I got that way?” Giggles erupted from the younger woman. “Oh Regina, I'm pretty sure you'll know how you got that way even without memories. But in all seriousness...it doesn't matter if you don't remember each other. It's only temporary..you will always...” “NO! Do not say it...my stomach is queasy enough from morning sickness.” “Very well. But he's your soul mate, Regina. You two will fall in love again. But in the meantime, you can't worry about what will happen. You need to take this moment...here and now...enjoy every single second you have with him....with your family.”

“My family isn't complete without Henry. And now that we're going back...what will he think if we meet again...and I've not only gotten married without him there but I now have a stepson and a baby on the way?”

“Regina...even if we find Henry when we go back...you said it yourself...he will have no memories. You replaced them with ones of Emma. And if he does remember, I know that boy. He has a huge heart just like you. He will be ecstatic that you made such progress this year...that you've opened up to love again. You've grown so much and he's going to be overjoyed. Because you will be happy...and you'll be an even better mother to him because of it.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so. Regina you have to follow your heart. You have to take the chance this time. Don't run from him again. You may not get another chance if you do. You deserve to be loved and cherished. Robin will do that. You love him don't you?”

“More than I ever thought possible.”

“Then stop over-thinking this.” Snow picked up the diamond encrusted tiara and placed it on Regina's head. “You look perfect...now if you want to run somewhere...run down the aisle to him.”

Regina took a deep breath and nodded, following her out to where David was waiting for them. He offered her his arm as she approached. “I know you always hoped it would be Henry that gave you away...but I hope I'm not too shabby of a second choice.”

She smiled lightly. “He'd be happy that we've come this far.”

Charming smiled back. “That he would. Now...Robin has been up there pacing for awhile..he's a little anxious to see his beautiful bride.” As the music started, he led her down the aisle.

Regina's heart swelled with happiness as she met Robin's eyes. The adoration she saw reflecting back at her brought a grin to her face and caused a wave of calmness and serenity to flow over her. She could never walk away from him. This was her chance. It all happened in a haze. She was briefly aware of David flipping her veil back to kiss her cheek as he put her hands into Robin's . The only thing she was focused on was the man in front of her. His eyes...his grin as he looked down at her. She felt like the only woman in the world when he looked at her. It felt like nothing in any realm could come between them. Her happy ending was standing right in front of her. And no green bitch was going to-....

The doors flew open, revealing her smirking sister. “Sorry I'm late. I guess my

invitation got lost in the mail.”

Robin pushed Regina gently to stand behind him. “You weren't invited. And you need to leave now.”

Zelena sneered and magically threw Robin across the room before closing the distance between herself and her sister. “I couldn't miss my little sis's big day. Besides...I have a wedding gift for you.”

Regina held her breath until she saw Robin try to sit up, unharmed. “You're not welcome here, Zelena. And I don't want anything from you.” “Well, that's a shame, Dear. My gift to you is this happy happy day...enjoy it while it lasts, Sis. Because I will destroy your happiness if it is the last thing I do. Your time with your little outlaw is running out...” She strolled over to Snow and touched her growing stomach. “Its only a matter of time by the looks of it. So enjoy your married life while it lasts...you will never get your happy ending, Regina. I will make sure of that.” Regina swallowed hard and lunged at Zelena. “Stay away from her. You will NEVER get your hands on that child. I will make sure of that.”

“Oh you will?” Zelena laughed. “And how will you keep this child...and your new son safe at the same time.” She took a few steps towards Roland until a fireball flew in front of her face. “Mark my words Regina, there will come a day that you'll lose trying to keep them safe. You will fail and out of your failure will come my happiness. Though don't worry, Regina. I won't waste the life like you did.” Green smoke began to swirl around her, disappearing just as Robin shot an arrow at her.

He cursed under his breath when it passed right through the disappearing smoke. He made his way quickly to Regina's side. “Are you ok?” His hands trailed over her arms, his eyes studying her from head to toe for even the smallest of scratches. Regina nodded slightly. “I'm fine. She didn't hurt me. But, what are we going to do, Robin?”

“We'll find a way...together. You trust me don't you?”

“With all my heart.”

“Then we will win. She can't defeat true love, Regina. You out of all people should know that.” He nods to Snow & Charming. “We'll find a way...believe in that...believe in us.”

She got lost in his eyes, thinking about what their future could be...her...Robin..Roland..the baby on the way...and maybe one day, Henry... “We have to win, Robin. We have too much to lose not to...even more than you know.”

He eyed her curiously, about to ask her why when he felt little hands pull on his pant leg. Scooping up the frightened little boy, he held him close. “Don't worry, Roland. We won't let anything happen to you, my boy.” Regina nodded. “Promise me, Robin...that no matter what happens...no matter what else is on the line...you will put Roland's safety first if it comes down to it.” She raised her hand to cut him off as she saw him about to argue. “Promise me that you'll keep our little boy safe...even if it means not protecting me. The only way you could ever fail me is if you put me before him.”

Robin swallowed hard. The thought of anything happening to the angel standing in front of him tore at his heart. But he knew she was right. He'd do anything to keep them both safe, but if Zelena had her way, she'd make him choose. And the little boy in his arms couldn't protect himself, Regina at least could stand on her own if needed. “I...I promise, Regina.”

Regina smiled faintly. “Good..now...I'm not about to let Zelena take today away from us...Oof..” She laughed softly as Roland all but threw myself into her arms. With him balanced on her hip, she took her space beside Robin at the altar. “Now...where were we..?”

TBC

Regina wearily rubbed her neck as she walked inside her empty mansion.  Her heels were discarded immediately, drawing a sigh of relief from the ever proper Queen.  They’d had yet another unsuccessful “how the Hell do we beat Zelena” meeting this morning.  And Whale had given them oh so happy news that the baby would most likely come within the next day or two.  They were running out of time and ideas.  Yet even as hopeless as the whole thing felt, a certain archer was still able to bring a smile to her lips.  Something about his very presence made her feel more at ease.  No matter how panicked everyone in the diner was, the touch of his hand against the small of her back had managed to relax her.  He even found a way to make her laugh this morning.  Luckily, all the others in the room seemed too distracted by impending doom to notice the sudden closeness between the unlikely duo. 

“Well for someone who spent the night in the woods, you sure look chipper this morning.”

Regina spun around, annoyance filling her eyes.  “What do you want, Zelena?  I’m in no mood for you today.”

“Well, I suppose staying up all night rolling in the dirt will make anyone a little edgy…mother would be so ashamed.  The oh so regal Queen with twigs in her hair from a romp in the forest with a common peasant.”

“How and where I spent my night is none of your business.  Apparently you did not get the message yesterday…you are NOT welcome in my home.  And stop spying on me; it’s just sick and pathetic.  But it makes sense now how you were able to find my heart so quickly.” 

“Oh no, Dear…I didn’t have to spy on you to know where to find it.”  Her taunting tone earned an eye roll from Regina.

“Fine, I will bite.  If you weren’t spying on me, then how did you know where to find it?”  Regina asked, bringing an amused gleam to her sister’s eyes.

“Oh Dear…it was way too obvious.   When you see the past, there is irony everywhere.  Who else would you trust to guard your heart than your loving husband?”  An amused grin spread across Zelena’s face as she watched the emotions play in the confused brown eyes that were staring back at her.

“My…what?”  Regina stammered, hating the shaky tone that escaped her red lips.

“Your HUSBAND, Dearie…it’s a pity you don’t remember.  It really was a beautiful ceremony.”

Regina scoffed.  It couldn’t be true.  She couldn’t have finally taken that step again only for it to end like this.  She would remember something THAT major wouldn’t she?  “You expect me to believe that in that year…Robin and I got married?” 

“During the year you remember nothing of?  Yes, sis...the Queen married the Outlaw…poetic really.  Now, Regina, don’t look so surprised.  You can’t honestly tell me that you don’t feel it when you’re with him.  Your pesky little mind may not remember…but I have held your heart in my hands and I know it sure remembers falling for the thief.  It really is a shame…you finally found your true love…” her tone was sarcastically sappy “and soon he won’t remember you because YOU will never even have existed.  Your entire life was wasted, Regina.”  She ran her tongue across her teeth.  “Perhaps I will seek your little archer out and have a little fun with him after you’re gone.”  She watched giddily as she saw Regina tense, her jaw tightening.  “My my, Regina…a little possessive are you?  What’s the matter?  Do you think he’ll enjoy me more than he could ever have enjoyed you?”

Regina lunged at the smirking woman only to have pain cripple her and send her to the ground.  She watched in horror as Zelena’s grip on her heart tightened.

“Now Regina…behave.  I don’t WANT to waste the spell by crushing your heart…but I will if I have to.”  Zelena took a step closer, the smirk returning.  “It really is such a tragic story, Sis…Robin was so looking forward to this baby…to being a father again.”

The words made their way through the pain induced fog, slowly registering in Regina’s mind.  Her eyes flew up to Zelena’s, studying her to see if she was bluffing.  “…baby…what baby?”

“Oh yes….I keep forgetting that you don’t remember a thing about that year.  I would throw you a baby shower…but seeing as you won’t exist…therefore neither will your unborn child...it does seem like a waste of streamers, don’t you think?”

Regina felt sick.  She had let someone in for the first time since she lost Daniel.  She was in love…and apparently married and expecting a child with her soul mate.  Sure, she’d felt strange the past couple weeks but she assumed it was the stress of the situation or Zelena screwing with her.  Her hand instinctively made its way to her stomach.  This couldn’t be happening.  Finally, she was getting the life she dreamt of with Daniel…a real second chance to make things right…for her dreams to come true.  And it was going to be gone at any moment.

Zelena cackled as tears started to stream down her younger sister’s cheeks.   She waved her hand and out the cloud of green fog that was created appeared a table with a large crystal ball on top.

“What the Hell are you doing? Just get out of my house, Zelena.  I’m done with your games.”  Regina tried to sound cold, but her voice cracked from the emotional storm churning inside her.

“Oh come now, Regina.  You have to be curious.  And, unlike you, I am not completely heartless…in fact, I currently have two.”  She gave the heart in her hand a small squeeze to prove her point... “So I will give you one memory back.” Magic pulled Regina up and over to the now glowing ball.  When it dulled, images began to appear.  A shaky breath escaped her as she realized that memory was being displayed…her wedding day.

“Enjoy the show, Sis.  Think of it as my gift to you…a memory of the life you were so looking forward to but will never…EVER get to live out…the life you walked away from once…and that I took from you…TWICE.  And know this; even if your little posse is able to stop this from happening…I still have your heart.  And if I do not succeed in my plain, I will simply crush your heart.  Even if you all are able to save the past, you will not be able to save your future.  So, I would say my goodbyes if I were you.  See ya later, Sis.”  Zelena’s cackle filled the room as she disappeared in a cloud of green.

Posted this awhile ago but reposting to get back in the groove - my first attempt at HQ FF :-)

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/9277695/1/Tail-as-Old-as-Time

Chapter One - Shorely You Can't Be Serious

Regina slowly came to, groaning quietly. Her head was pounding and she felt groggy. It took her a moment to realize that she was lying in water. Startled out of her daze, her eyes flew open. Realization dawned quickly as she took in her surroundings. "What the Hell am I doing in Neverland?!" She desperately tried to recall the events that had led up to this. She remembered breaking into Rumpelstiltskin's shop looking for something from her past that she thought could help get Henry back. Just as she'd put the golden shell necklace around her neck, she'd heard the dull thud of the cane behind her. And then everything went black. Her hand flew up to her neck, feeling for the necklace but it was gone.

All too familiar maniacal laughter came from behind her. "Good morning, Dearie. You wouldn't be looking for this would you?" The imp dangled it off of one finger. "Come and get it."

Her face hardened and she tried to push herself onto her feet, his laughter growing immensely as confusion and horror filled her eyes. Regina looked down, but instead of her toned legs she found a shimmering green tale. Her heart raced as her gaze slowly moved up over the rest of her body. Her designer blouse had been replaced by a strapless shell bikini top. She swallowed hard as she touched her hair. Her short sassy tendrils where now long, beachy waves adorned with water lilies. "WHAT DID YOU DO!?"

All she received in response in a sneer. "I'm going to KILL YOU!" She tried to create a ball of fire, but nothing happened. "What…?" She stared at her hands in bewilderment. This could not be happening to her again.

"You'll have to get yourself out of that water first, Dearie and without magic. Mermaids don't tend weld magic very well. "

"This isn't funny, Rumpel. Turn me back!" If looks could kill, he'd have been dead.

"Ah, see well that's the beauty of it. I can't turn you back."

Her nostrils flared. "What do you mean 'I can't turn you back'?! You're saying that I'm stuck this way forever? You said yourself that every curse can be broken."

"Who said anything about being stuck swimming the rest of your life? I said that I couldn't undo it. Walk or swim…that's all up to you."

"You blocked my magic, how am I supposed to undo this when I'm powerless?"

"You're a mermaid. They have their own type of magic. If you want to get rid of the tail, you need to enchant yourself a pirate."

"SERIOUSLY!?" She fumed. "You have GOT to be kidding me. The only pirate here is-…" Her voice trailed off as realization dawned. He knew exactly what kind of complications he had created.

Rumpelstiltskin feigned innocence. "OH? Is there only one pirate that visits this land? Well, you poor unfortunate soul. You haven't had much luck with him have you? In fact, let's be honest, Regina. You seem to have left your powers of seduction back in the enchanted forest."

"Screw you." She hissed through gritted teeth.

"Even controlling poor Graham's heart wouldn't keep him by your side. Amnesia and murder charges couldn't help you win David from Snow. Then there was that stranger that came to town and rejected you. You haven't had much luck in the past 28 years. In fact, you've been pretty…miserable, lonely, depressed…pathetic." He smirked at her glare. "And your only hope rests on the pirate that chose your mother over you. Haven't you learned by now not to cross me, Regina? I thought I taught you better than that. Think things out a little better the next time you think of stealing from me or messing with Belle….Lacey…whatever her name is. Have a nice swim, your Majesty." He turned away from her with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Wait! And just how am I supposed to get out of here? I'm a freaking mermaid with no magic to offer."

Rumpel chuckled and knelt, tauntingly caressing her cheek. "You have your looks…your pretty face…and don't underestimate the power of body language." He let his eyes trail over her. He knew it was infuriating her to have her own words used against her. "Muck like you, karma is a bitch, Dearie."

"You're going to pay for this. And so help me…the Dark Curse had nothing on the wrath that I will unleash on you." She slapped his hand hard as he patronizingly tapped the vein on her forehead.

"Now now, Regina. I am being way fairer than you were when you were dealing with your little mermaid issue. At least I'm letting you keep your voice. Although with your tendency to piss people off, that might be a detriment for you, not an asset. So you'll have to rely on those I suppose"

Regina crossed her arms over her chest to stop his gaze. "I'm not playing your games."

"Have it your way. You can play along or you stay in the ocean for the rest of your life. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?" Satisfied that he'd thoroughly gotten under her skin, he stood and started to walk away before turning back to her. "But, I should clarify something. Lust will not break this spell. You have to get the not-so-good Captain to fall for you-to connect with you-to care about you. And we both know the only thing he cares about is revenge and while you have in the past succeeded in getting men to want you…love has eluded you."

The truth in his words hurt, but she tried to hide it. "Why are you doing this? You're normally not so petty about your revenge."

"Well, if you don't succeed. Then you learn a less and I never have to deal with you again. And if you do somehow manage to trick Hook into falling for you, you'll get your legs back and I'll even give you the necklace for your troubles when you break his heart. I'll get to enjoy the pain he feels when he realizes that it was nothing but a means to an end for you. And that I took two loves away from him. It's a game that I will win no matter what. There's nothing petty about that. Either way I get what I want. Either revenge on you for interfering with Belle or revenge on him for trying to kill her."

She lifted her head defiantly. "And what if it backfires on you? What if I succeed and break the curse and don't break his heart."

He laughed at her. "You mean what if it ends up being real and you two find true love together?" The love struck tone in his voice dripped with sarcasm. "You'd have to have a heart for that, Regina. And we both know you're not capable of loving anyone but your poor stable boy."

Her gaze lowered to the sparkling water around her.