Frozen Hearts
Emma sniffed the air, “Coffee?” She opened her eyes and was thrown for a moment, she wasn’t in her apartment. It all came back to Emma at once. The lonely birthday that was interrupted by the boy, and his grumpy mother. And then the beautiful and mysterious woman, Regina.
oOOOOo
Mary Margaret sat up with a start. She had a helluva crick in her neck. That’s what she got for sleeping at her desk again.
There was a knock on the study door. “Mom?”
Mary Margaret put away the photo and cleared her throat, “Come in Henry.”
Henry poked only his head in, “I’m going to school now.”
Mary Margaret glanced at the clock, “It’s a little early and we still haven’t talked about yesterday young man.”
Henry stared at the floor for a moment, then looked up again, “I’m sorry— I just— I had to find her, but I’m sorry.”
Mary Margaret stared at Henry for a moment, then stood and walked to him. She pulled him to her, engulfing him in a hug, “I love you Henry, but never, ever, do that again. I can’t lose ano…” she stumbled over her words, “a child… you.” She paused, “And if you ever pull anything like that again you will be grounded until the world ceases to exist.”
After a moment Henry hugged Mary Margaret back, then let go, “I’m gonna go, okay?”
Mary Margaret gave him a squeeze, a kiss on the head, and let go. “Don’t forget your lunch.”
oOOOOo
“Who knew Danny DeVito could sing right?”
Regina looked up, “His character does get quite the song.”
Emma put the mug in the sink and the thermos next to it. “Thank you.”
Regina glanced over, “You’re welcome. Would you like breakfast?”
Emma sighed, “No— I should get out of town before Mary Margaret sics the hot Sheriff on me.”
“Ruby’s bark is worse than her bite. And sometimes… Henry stops by on his way to school.”
Emma raised her eyebrows, “Sometimes?”
“Every day.” Both women looked over at Henry who stood in the doorway, “Regina makes the best muffins ever. Are you going to stay Emma?” He paused, “Please?”
Emma shook her head, “No— your Mom is the mayor kid.”
“No. You’re my Mom.”
Emma knelt down in front of Henry, “I was in foster care my whole childhood kid. Trust me when I say that if I had been in your situation…” Emma trailed off and shook her head, “Mayor Blanchard is your mother, not me. Got it?”
Henry stared at Emma for a long moment, then nodded, “Can I… I can still call you Emma though?”
Emma smiled, “’course kid. Now, I’m betting you should actually be getting to school right?”
“Will you still be in Storybrooke when school gets out?”
“I—” She paused, “Yeah— for now, yeah, I’ll be here.”
Henry threw his arms around Emma in a hug, then just as quickly let go and threw a wave at Regina, “Bye Emma, bye Regina.”
Emma stared at what she imagined was his after burner trail. “These have been the two weirdest day s of my life
“You’re staying?”
Emma looked sheepish, “Oh— I didn’t even… I’ll figure somewhere else to stay.”
Regina was silent for a moment, “Did you like the coffee?”
Emma looked a bit confused, but went with the non-sequitur, “Uh— yeah— yes. It was the best I’ve tasted in awhile.”
“I have the room here. If you want to stay it’s okay with me.” She didn’t let Emma answer, but kept speaking. “I need to get to work. Feel free to… use whatever you need.”
Emma spoke, “Thank you,” but it was to Regina’s back as the brunette left the house. Emma shook her head. “Alrighty then—” She glanced one way, then the other. “Where do you keep your washer and dryer.”
oOOOOo
“You’re going to be late Ruby.”
Ruby rolled her eyes, “I’m my own boss Granny and,” she patted the gun on her hip, “I’m sorta always on duty.”
“You need a deputy Ruby.”
Ruby bristled, “I can do this job Granny, despite what you think of me.”
Granny held her hands up, “That’s not what I meant dear granddaughter. I meant that you deserve to have a life outside of keeping this town safe.”
Ruby shrugged, “I like helping people—.” She smiled, “and I have you, right Granny?”
Granny waved a towel at Ruby, “Go, go. Keep us all safe.”
Ruby gave a faux salute and turned on her heel. As she got to the bottom of the stairs her phone rang, “Sheriff Lucas.”
“Sheriff— This is Mayor Blanchard. I think there’s an intruder in Regina Mill’s house. Will you see to it?”
“Yes I… and she hung up.” Ruby stared down at the phone, “It’s a good thing I’m used to that.”
oOOOOo
“Miss Mills, are you okay?”
Regina looked up. One of the students, Paige, was standing in front of Regina’s desk, a worried look on her face.
“Yes Paige. I am well. Everyone put away your books. We’re done with spelling for today.”
All the kids looked at each other and quickly put away their spelling workbooks. Paige shifted from foot to foot, “Should I…?”
Regina shook her head and stood, “No. Everyone gather your coats, hats, and sundry and follow me.”
Henry caught up with Paige as they got to the door that led outside, “Where do you think we’re going?”
Paige shrugged, “No idea, but wherever it is, when we get back Miss Mills is going to be in so much trouble.”
oOOOOo
Ruby tilted her head to the side and unsnapped the top of her holster. “Hello.” She pushed open the door and crept down the main hall of Regina’s house.
She heard a noise coming from the first floor bathroom. She stopped in front of the door and paused. Then she drew her gun and burst through the door. She stumbled to a halt as the intruder, naked intruder, yelled, “What the fuck!”
Ruby quickly holstered her gun and backed out of the bathroom, “Sorry… sorry…” She retreated to the living room and stared out the side window at the Mayor’s house next door. She didn’t turn when she heard the other woman com into the living room, “I apologize. Mary Margaret… the Mayor called this in. Said there was an intruder in Regina’s house.”
“Regina let me stay in her guest room, garage apartment, whatever it is, last night.”
Ruby smiled just a little, “That’s who she is. Nicest person in Storybrooke. Most people just can’t get by her scars though.”
Emma joined Ruby at the window, “Yeah, well, no one can see ‘em, but I probably have at least twice the number that she has. Mine just happen to be on the inside.”
“Mmm…” Ruby glanced over at Emma and looked her up and down, “I can attest that you have no scars on the outside.”
Emma laughed as she shrugged on her red leather jacket. “I’ll go now.”
Ruby waved a hand at Emma, “Nah— if Regina knows you’re here, it’s not my place to kick you out, and— don’t let Mary Margaret scare you away. If you think he’s your son. Stay, get to know him some.”
“I— I’m not his mother, the mayor is. I gave up the right to get to know him when I signed the papers.”
Ruby was silent for a moment, “Be my deputy.”
Emma frowned, “Excuse me?”
Ruby turned towards Emma, “Last night… and the previous few months or year or… I want a life too. Be my deputy. Give me some time off.”
“Mary Margaret won’t like it.”
Ruby nodded, “I’ll deal with the mayor. So. Yes or no? Stay. Let Henry get to know you slowly and hopefully without angering Mary Margaret too much?”
“This is insane.” Emma was silent for a moment, “Yeah, okay, for awhile at least, yes.”
Ruby held out a hand and Emma shook it, “Welcome to the… force… Deputy Swan.”
oOOOOo
Regina stood in front of her class in the stables on the edge of town. Every one of them were totally confused. “Miss Mills— are we, um, going to learn about horses or something?”
Regina shook her head and moved over to a chest at one end of the stables, “No.” She took out a boom box. “There are pens, paper, colored pencils and such in here. I’m going to play a piece of music. I would like you to create whatever comes to you when you hear it.”
Paige raised her hand, “Miss Mills, anything?”
Regina nodded, “Yes.”
Henry raised his hand, “What if we can’t think of anything?”
Regina nodded, “That’s okay too.”
One of the other boys in class spoke up, his eyes wide, “Really?”
Regina nodded again, “Yes August. Really.”
oOOOOo
“This is becoming a habit Sheriff.”
Ruby glanced around, “This is a library right?”
Belle put a book back on the shelf with a self-deprecating smile, “It seems that Storybrooke is not a reading town. That leaves me as the one who uses most of these books.”
“What should I read?”
Belle frowned, “You want my suggestion for a book?”
Ruby smiled and handed Belle one of the Martha Grimes that she had been re-shelving, “Something that I’d like.” Ruby paused, “Something different.”
Belle looked up and down the shelf she stood in front of, “How about this?”
“Grimm’s Fairy Tales?”
Belle handed the book to Ruby, “They’re not the stories that are in the movies. And you can read each story in between calls.”
“I’ll give it a try. But right now I need to get back to the station. New Deputy to train.”
Belle led the way to the Circ Desk. “You finally convinced Dorothy to become your second?”
“Kansas? Nah— she loves her farm and cows too much. Emma Swan, the newcomer.”
Belle smirked, “Oh— her—”
“What— now, what are you?” Ruby trailed off and cleared her throat, “She wants to stay and try to get to know her son.”
Belle put a hand on Ruby’s shoulder, “I was kidding.”
Ruby blushed, “Ah- right.” She held up the book, “I’ll get this book back as soon as I can.”
Belle nodded, “Take your time, I doubt if anyone’s going to want it any time soon. And if you like them, we have a whole section of fables, fairy tales and legends from around the world too.”
“I’ll, yeah, I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.” Ruby seemed to pounce on the door handle. Pushing it open. And she was back outside before Belle could respond.
oOOOOo
Emma stared down at the Deputy badge and shook her head.
“You keep shaking it like that, it’s gonna fall off. Bounce across the floor like a cantaloupe. And I’m gonna laugh and laugh.”
Emma hooked the badge back on her belt, “You’re much less hot now that I’ve gotten to know you.”
Ruby stared at Emma for a moment, then laughed, “You think you’re funny.”
Emma raised an eyebrow, “Hey I’m funny. You’ve just been stuck in this town for so long that you don’t know funny anymore.”
Ruby nodded, “Actually, you’re probably right. So—”
Mary Margaret stormed into the station, “Tell me where my child is Emma.”
Emma shrugged, “No idea. He’s not at school?”
Mary Margaret continued into the room and stopped in front of the chair Emma sat in. She loomed over Emma. “I’m not kidding around. He is —MY— son. Where is he?”
Emma shook her head, “I don’t know Madam Mayor.”
Mary Margaret reached towards Emma, but Ruby pulled her backwards, “You’re looking for your son. We get that. Emma doesn’t have him, and she’s been with me most of the day.”
Mary Margaret took a step back and turned to look at Ruby, “With you?”
Ruby rolled her eyes, “Yeah, with me. Doing paperwork to become my new Deputy.”
Mary Margaret was silent for a moment, opened her mouth, then closed it and was silent again. Finally she spoke, “That’s an issue for another time.” She turned to Ruby. “I— I need to find my son.”
Emma stood. “I’m usually a bounty hunter. Finding people is kinda my thing.”
Mary Margaret looked Emma up and down, “Where do we start?”
Emma shook her head, “I start alone.”
“No.” Mary Margaret crossed her arms over her chest.
Emma did the same. “Do you want to find Henry or win some pissing match with a woman you don’t know?”
Mary Margaret was still for almost a minute, then turned to Ruby. “Are you sure she is trustworthy?”
“I am.”
Mary Margaret stared at Ruby, “No. No. Ruby will stay here. And I will go with you.”
Emma stared at Mary Margaret for a long moment, then sighed, “Don’t get in the way Mayor Blanchard.”
oOOOOo
After she’d given the assignment she’d sat down on an overturned bucket at one of the doors to the stables and stared outside. She’d gotten lost in thought and the long piece had gone by in the blink of an eye. It was Henry who put a hand on Regina’s arm and brought her back to the real world.
“We’re done Regi— Miss Mills. Um, what now?”
She clapped him on the shoulder, “Now if you want to, you may share your art with the class.”
Henry looked worried, “But we don’t have to?”
Regina ruffled Henry’s hair, “No—” she looked up, “who would like to go first?”
“Get away from my son.”
All the kids jumped at Mary Margaret’s raised voice. “Madam Mayor, I decided that my students needed a field trip.”
“You decided? YOU decided?” Mary Margaret stood nose to nose with Regina. “You’re fired.”
The only one in the stable who wasn’t looking on in stunned silence was Henry, “No— you can’t do that. We’re not hurt and, and…”
Mary Margaret held a hand up, “This isn’t about you, or any of your friends Henry. It’s about obeying the rules.” Mary Margaret looked Regina up and down. “No one is above the rules.”
Regina frowned for a moment, then bowed her head, “I apologize for not getting permission for this field trip.” She looked up, “and for making you and the other parents worry.”
Mary Margaret stared at Regina for a minute, then nodded and turned to the kids. “Henry, all of you, come with me. Your parents will be at the school to take you home.”
The kids all stood and started shuffling towards the stable doors, their projects in their hands. Henry was the last out. As he got near Regina he tripped. Regina caught him and he smiled, “Thank you Miss Mills.”
Before she could respond Mary Margaret spoke, “Henry.”
Emma fiddled with her badge, letting everyone leave. “Regina, I’m sorry. I had to help find him— I— She—”
Regina held a hand up, “I understand. She is the Mayor.”
Emma frowned, “What will you do now?”
“I— I’m not sure. Perhaps Ruby still needs a Deputy.”
“No— she,” Emma paused, then chuckled, “Was that a joke? Well, the joke’s on you. I think you’d look good in uniform.”
“You do know that Sandy Brown is not exactly a fashionable color.”
Emma smiled, “Still.” Emma gestured to the papers in Regina’s hand, “What did Henry pass you?”
Regina looked down, “I don’t know.” She opened the three pieces of paper. She read the title, “’Mae and Grei’ by Henry Blanchard Swan.”
Emma winced, “I’m glad the Mayor didn’t see that.”
“Mary Margaret would never hurt Henry. Us perhaps, but never him.”
“I guess that’s good?” Emma paused, “What’s it say?” Emma came around so she stood shoulder to shoulder with Regina, “Oh— is it okay if I read it too?”
Regina was still for a moment, nodded, and looked back to the paper.
oOOOOo
Once upon a time there lived a beautiful woman. She lived in the woods. The animals all liked her, and she liked them. She had long golden hair that even the sun would be jealous of, and her eyes were a color that nothing on or above earth could ever hope to be.
She wasn’t just beautiful on the outside though. Her insides were beautiful too. She loved everyone and they loved her.
Her name was Mae.
She lived alone in the woods that she loved.
That is until one day a woman who was her opposite in so many ways dropped out of a tree onto her.
Mae was surprised, and a little bruised, but okay.
The woman had long dark hair that seemed to shine like the smoothest dark stone, and her eyes seemed so deep that the mysteries of the universe were probably buried in them.
The woman rolled off of Mae and stood, offering a helping hand up while she declared, “I’m Grei.”
“Mae. Where did you come from?”
Grei turned and looked towards where, if you kept walking for a day or so, you’d get to the village and the palace. “The Queen threw me from the palace.”
Mae gasped, “All that way? How are you alive Grei?”
Grei smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief, “I have magic.”
Mae studied Grei for a moment, “Would you like to come in and have some tea? It must be quite exhausting getting tossed all that way, magic or no magic.”
“I’d love to. Although I have one very important question for you first. Do you have apple pie to go with it?”
“Of course I do.”
***
“So Queen Marga Ray tossed you here? Did she have a reason?”
Grei looked down at her empty plate, “That was good apple pie. It tasted like you made it yourself.”
“Ah— I did. You won’t answer my question?”
Grei was silent for another moment, “There are many Queens and Kings in our world. And they all have one thing in common. They all posses magical power. Queen Marga Ray does not. I am… was… her magic.” Grei paused, “She was the performer, I the wand. Today I decided that I would no longer be her wand.”
Mae reached across the table and put her hand Grei’s, “She asked you to kill someone.”
Grei looked up, “How did you know?”
Mae lowered her gaze, “It’s my gift.” When Grei said nothing in return Mae looked up, “I can tell what’s in people’s hearts. You, you have done many bad things on Marga Ray’s orders, but never that.”
Grei stood, “I should go. I shouldn’t put you in danger.”
Mae popped up as if shot from a cannon, “No, stay, please.” Mae looked towards the door, “A walk in the woods. Amongst the trees, plants, and animals. That’s what we need.”
“I don’t…” Grei found herself being pulled towards the door, “…really do nature. Small animals tend to hiss and run from me.”
The only response Mae gave was a laugh, “Then I’ll protect you.” And with that they moved out of the clearing in front of Mae’s house and plunged into the forest. At first it looked like one dark bunch of sameness with light filtering through here and there. But soon their eyes adjusted and just in time to see a chipmunk scurry across their trail.
As they walked on the animals seemed to get used to them. Robins hopped in their rocking way around at the edges of the trail, while squirrels jumped from branch to branch, the Cardinals, and Blue Jays, and Chickadees sang their happy songs (and the interloper English Sparrows squawked away).
They came to a clearing and Mae gasped, looking up, “Amazing.”
Grei looked up too, and without thinking about it, put a hand to her chest, “It’s beautiful.”
“Have you ever seen an Eagle in flight?”
Grei didn’t answer, instead she stood, transfixed. The Eagle swooped and turned, then let itself be carried upon the current and started its airborne dance again. “It’s— it’s so,” she cleared her throat, “Majestic.”
Mae laughed, let go of Grei’s hand, and dashed into the clearing, “Let’s catch him.”
Grei stared at Mae’s back for a second, then smiled and took off after her. “We’ll never catch her, but I’ll catch you.”
Mae ran this way and that, cutting through the tall grasses and wildflowers. Then with an oomph she found herself face down in the dirt. She rolled onto her back and found herself nose to nose with Grei. She ran a hand along Grei’s cheek. “You’re beautiful.”
Grei tried to get off of Mae, but the blonde held her there. Grei looked away, “I’m not. It’s magic.”
Mae smiled, “Who says I was was talking about your physical beauty.” Mae paused, “show me please?”
Grei closed her eyes and waved a hand. The glamour she used fell away. Mae didn’t speak and neither of them moved.
Finally Grei couldn’t help it, she had to open her eyes. She had to know if Mae would look at her the way everyone else did. She opened them. Mae’s gaze was the same it had been a moment ago. She brought her hand to Grei’s cheek again, “You are beautiful.”
Mae stretched up as Grei lowered herself. But before their lips could meet Grei tumbled off of Mae to one side.
“Heavens.” Grei threw her arms around Mae and her hand up, creating a protective bubble. Mae shook her head as the sea of white and brown fur flowed around them. “That’s a lot of bunnies.”
Grei sighed, “Lenz. My older sister. Apparently Queen Marga Ray already has another sorceress. Lenz has a… unique sense of humor.”
“You’re afraid of bunnies?”
“I am.”
Mae stared at Grei for a moment, then laughed and laughed.
Mae stopped laughing at the same time that the bunnies finally all passed them by.
Grei let down the bubble, stood, and helped Mae up as well. “That just the start, there’ll be something else.”
Mae sniffed the air, “No-no-no-no… It’s fire. Run.” She grabbed Grei’s hand again and they were off and running back towards Mae’s house. Still the fire was gaining on them. Mae tripped, but Grei managed to catch her around the waist and pull her along until she could get her feet back under her.
They stumbled to a halt in the clearing in front of Mae’s house. Mae stared down at the grass that would carry the fire and would destroy all she had.
“I can stop it.. Or,” Mae stared at Grei, “or I can try. If…”
Mae gripped both of Grei’s hands in hers, “Yes please Grei.”
“I need room, and calm.”
Mae moved back a few steps as Grei sat down on the ground. She tried to be calm, but her eyes kept going to the fire as it got closer and closer. Eating the tall Oaks and Maples as if they were kindling.
Grei hurfed out a breath, “I can’t— it’s too…”
Mae opened her mouth to give her new friend reassurance. Instead the simply melody and half remembered words came out,
“'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.”
Mae looked up as she sang the last lines for the second time. The fire was retreating, but not gone. She took a breath to start again, but a male voice started first. She harmonized above his singing. She looked over. It was a tall man with short blond hair. He wore a suit of armor and only stopped Walking when he stood next to Mae.
He put his hand on her shoulder and there was a whoosh of air and the fire was entirely gone.
Grei stood and turned, “You?”
Mae shifted her focus from the man to Grei, “You know him?”
Grei came to a stop in front of him and then stunned Mae by bowing to him, “You bow instead of curtseying?”
Grei raised an eyebrow, “Doing magic sometimes requires a mess. Only pants, not gorgeous dresses will do for that.”
He inclined his head, “Not to mention it’s not nice to look more beautiful than the Queen.”
Mae still stared at the man, “Grei bowed to you. You are… King Vadid? Lost and thought dead?”
“I am. And your name?”
“I— I’m your daughter Mae.”
“Mae?” Mae nodded and Vadid engulfed Mae in a hug and with a tug pulled a slightly uncomfortable Grei in as well.
“Well isn’t this touching.”
All three looked up. There stood Lenz in all her redheaded glory and Queen Marga Ray next to her.
Vadid’s eyes lit up, “My love.”
Marga Ray opened and closed her mouth in surprise.
Lenz paid no attention to the stunned husband and wife, but approached her sister, “You put out my fire.”
Grei nodded slowly, “Yes.”
Lenz stepped into Grei’s personal space and after a moment rested her forehead against her younger sister’s. “Good.” A smirk came to her lips. “Did the bunnies scare you?”
Grei took a step back and whacked Lenz on the shoulder. “You are truly evil sister.”
Lenz studied Mae. Neither Grei or Mae had let go of the other even as King Vadid moved away and was now kssing the Queen in the middle of the yard. “And who is this beautiful young woman?”
“Mae— ah—” Grei glanced over, “I guess it’s Princess Mae now.”
Mae shook her head, “No— never,” she met Grei’s eyes and smiled, “Never.”
Lenz rolled her eyes, “Will you kiss my sister already? I’ll take care of her parents.” Lenz pointed at Grei, “And you— you owe me the whole story.” She waved her hand and she and the still kissing King and Queen all disappeared.
Mae draped her arms over Grei’s shoulders, they were nearly the same height. “So?”
“So?”
“Shall I kiss you?”
Grei smiled, “Yes— yes you shall, and you should. Isn’t that how most fairy tales end?”
“No. Usually there’s much more death and destruction. Hot iron shoes and that sort of thing.”
“Not today my love. Not today.”
They kissed.
oOOOOo
The two women stood still in the stable. “Vadid? Lenz?”
Regina was silent for a moment, “I’m unsure who Lenz is, but if everyone in Henry’s story is analogous to someone in the real world. You’re Mae, I’m Grei, etc., I would guess that King Vadid is David Blanchard. He and the mayor were married for a short while. But, he’s missing. Most people in town are pretty sure that he’s dead, and that he died many years before Mary Margaret adopted Henry.” Regina paused, “But I don’t think that she has ever told him about David.”
“Maybe he found something in Mary Margaret’s stuff.”
They both fell silent again. Regina broke the silence, “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Emma looked confused. “You didn’t make him write the story.” Emma smiled, “And he’s right, you are beautiful.”
Regina blushed, “Uh, no, not that. I’m sorry for worrying you about Henry.”
“So we’re not going to talk about the fact that Henry’s story was basically genre romance staring us?”
Regina didn’t miss a beat, “We’re not.”
“Alrighty then. Uh, and I wasn’t you know. Worried about Henry. He seems like a smart kid, and Mary Margaret said that you were his teacher so I was pretty sure that he was safe somewhere.”
Regina stared at Emma for a long minute, “That makes no sense. You do not know me, who I am, what I am capable of.” Regina shook her head and stared down at the ground, “I shouldn’t have taken them on a field trip without telling the Mayor.”
“Screw her.” Regina’s head snapped up, “What. Tell me you weren’t internally screaming that when she was dressing you down? From what I’ve seen of you, and what I’ve seen of her… she likes screwing with you. I bet that she’ll even rehire you after a bit.”
Regina glanced the way that Mary Margaret and the children had left. “No, not this time. Something… something has changed.”
oOOOOo
“Something has changed.”
“Changed Mama?”
Zelena glanced over at her daughter. The young woman of twenty-eight years or so looked nothing like Zelena. Instead of red she had dark hair and instead of white skin that could burn on a cloudy day she had a darker complexion.
Zelena stood from the table, causing the papers that had been on it to fall to the floor. “Yes. Yes. Lily, get your mother.”