Untitled Pt 1

Untitled Part 2

The smell of rain was heavy in the air as clouds the colour of the midnight sky rolled ever closer to Storybrooke. With them, they brought an ill sense of foreboding. Trouble was heading for town. It was on this day that Alice and Robyn witnessed the arrival of the Wolf Gang, the group of villains which Conan White had warned them about. They arrived as an army of bikers, deep in the woods, all clad in black leather jackets and guns, their faces obscured by rags. Robyn and Alice barely had enough time to write a message, before they were bound and gagged, and taken deeper into the forest.

∞

"Stop moving, Regina. You'll wreck the hairdo!" Zelena griped.
"Zelena, please stop fussing." Regina grunted as her sister continued to tug on her hair.
"No. It's your birthday, and I promise it's going to be the best one yet."
"Do you really think that it's a good idea to be doing this now? We still haven't found out who this Conan fellow is, or what he wants, nor have we found the missing dwarves, or the girl from the hospital."
"I know. Which is why now is the perfect time for it. The people need hope. The best we can do is go on with the celebrations. They need a pick-me-up, and this is it. Now shut up and stop wriggling." Zelena absconded, giving her sister a bump on the head with the hairbrush.
"Hey. How's it going?" Emma asked as she walked in.
"Well, apart from a certain someone's incessant griping, I'd say it's going pretty well. And it'd be even better if you would remove that leather rag you insist on wearing." Zelena frowned at Emma's jacket.
"Hey." Emma responded.
"You'll ruin your dress."
"Fine."
"Leave her alone, Zelena." Regina growled.
"Oh, Regina. What's gotten into you? You've been so glum recently, you'd think someone had died."
"She has a point, Regina." Snow smiled as she entered with Ella and Lucy. "You've been down in the dumps for ages now. What's going on?"
"Nothing."
Emma sighed. "Come on, Regina. If you tell us, maybe we can help."
"You can't. It's something that can't be fixed. Now can we please get this over with? I hate all the fuss."
"Okay, okay. Last touches." Zelena giggled. She skipped over and plucked a beautiful, red rose from the vines that adorned the balcony. She quickly returned and slid it in above her sister's ear.
"There. All finished." She smiled as she pulled her sister up and turned her to the looking glass. Regina gasped at her reflection. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders in beautiful ringlets. Her lips were as red as the rose in her hair, and her cheeks were rosy pink. Her eyes twinkled as they caught the light of the dying day, and the dress she wore was as white as freshly fallen snow. Zelena's face appeared on her shoulder.
"What do you think?"
"Is that really me?" Regina breathed, refusing to believe her eyes. Emma moved to her side and took her hand in hers. It was trembling, as though she was nervous, or even scared, and Emma had a funny feeling she knew why. She looked up at her daughter-in-law, who shared a knowing nod. Emma sighed and turned back to her friend.
"Whatever you're going through, just know that you don't have to go it alone." She whispered in her ear.
"I know."
"Good. Then let's go. The guys are already at Granny's, and if we wait any longer, then the food will be gone before we get there."
Regina couldn't help the smile that creeped across her face as they left.

∞

"Carmen. Conan's men are on the move. We don't have much time."
"Alright. Morphius, Caius. I'm sending your teams to Boston. Nova, you're going to Minnesota, and Marita will go to New York. When Conan's army begins their invasion, we'll come get you. Understand?"
"Yes sir." The other Strike Leaders chorused.
"Good. Then go. Make preparations." Carmen ordered. She stretched her fist out over the table. The other leaders followed suit.
"Carpe diem!"

∞

"Hey Junior." Henry called.
"Sup, Senior." Henry replied.
"Emma just texted. They're on their way."
"Cool. Hey, have you seen Jessica? She should be here by now."
"No, sorry. I haven't."
"Oh, okay. Thanks." Henry Junior sighed. Henry Senior frowned at the disappointment on his younger self's face.
"Hey, don't worry. She'll be here. You two are good together."
"Of course you say that. I'm you."
"I know."
"Henry?" a voice spoke from behind. Henry turned to see Jessica. She wore a dress the colour of the midday sky, with her hair pulled back, and a headband to match. She smiled as her mother Violet entered after her. Her face lit up as her eyes landed on the other Henry. Henry barely noticed the two adults as they embraced each other like the old friends that they were, and moved further into the café, leaving the two young ones alone. He only had eyes for Jessica.
"Hi. Do I look all right? Is something wrong?" Concern flashed across her features. Henry realised he had been staring, and quickly snapped himself back to his senses.
"Uh, no. Nothing's wrong. You look beautiful." He smiled and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"
She smiled as he led her to one of the booths. Henry looked up and chuckled as he watched the two young ones and was reminded of a time when he and Violet had fancied each other in such a way.
"Henry?" Ella called as she walked in with Lucy.
"Ella. You look stunning."
"And you look dashing, my handsome knight in shining cashmere."
Henry chuckled and looked up as the others filed in. His jaw hit the floor as his eyes landed on Regina.
"Woah."
"I know, right. Isn't she gorgeous?"
"I'll say."
"Go dance with her."
"What?"
"Henry. She's lonely."
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed it."
"Noticed what?"
"Look around. Everyone here has a lover, someone to dance with, someone to kiss. Everyone except her. Go be with her. She needs her son. And besides, it is her birthday, after all. You and I can dance later. Go on." She urged, pushing him towards his mother.
"Okay, okay. I'm going." He smiled as he kissed his wife before making his way through the crowd to his mother's side.
"Henry!" she jumped. "You scared me."
"Sorry."
"Is everything okay? Why aren't you dancing with Ella?"
"Well, she noticed that there was a certain queen who was in dire need of a dance partner, and she volunteered me as tribute."
"Did she now?"
"She did indeed."
"Well, then. Lead the way."
Henry smiled as he pulled her down onto the dance floor. He took her hand in his and began to move to the music. Together they danced, mother and son, surrounded by family and friends who loved them from the bottom of their hearts. And it was in that very moment that Regina had never felt more alone in her life.