Once upon a Ben

The evil Queen

they sit there still chatting during dinner, Henry just said something that caught them off guard. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that," Ben said confused and Rook nodded in agreement with his partner. "what is this evil queen, and why is she your mother?" Rook asked confused. Well, you met My mother Regina" Henry says. Ben and Rooks stare suspensefully "Yes?" they both say in unison. "Well, she's the evil queen. This allows for another pause, and disbelief, quickly regain their composure, however, and ask an important question. "What is this evil queen you speak of" Rook said "And what does she have to do with this fairy tale activity you keep saying" Ben finished.

As they spoke another was listening, again from the table close behind them writing down their entire conversation so he may relay it to Regina."The evil queen is the one that cast the curse, she's the reason that everyone here is trapped and lost their memories!" This statement took them by surprise, needless to say. With perplexed looks on both the Plumber's faces, they still believed the kid "Wow, that's" Rook said trying to stammer a response. "I didn't expect that," Ben said with the same dumbfounded expression. This was Henry's turn for a long pause, looking saddened as well "You don't believe me do you,?" the boy said.

"Trust me this doesn't break the top 5 of what we've seen kid," Ben said with that same cool smile trying to cheer the kid up. "Yes, we know you are sincere with this tale". This made the boy light up because, for the first time, someone wasn't looking at him like his crazy or that mayor's kid who needed more attention. "So you believe me!" Henry said with sparkles in his eyes. Ben ruffled Henry's hair just as Regina came into the restaurant with a scowl on her face, She was looking around, perhaps trying to find someone. "Hello Ben," she said with a grimace. "Hey there Regina, Ben said with joy as he spoke to the Evil Queen. This shocked Henry that his being so nice to her, Evil queen or not it's hard for any of the townspeople to talk with her much. Less have a pleasant conversation with her. "Why don't you sit with us," he said once more puzzling everyone including Sydney who was still close behind them." I do hope you are not feeding my son more delusion with this fairy tale nonsense," she said with a pompous air around her, ignoring Ben Bens's words. " well if we where I'm are you wouldn't mind, I mean if it's all the same," he said surprising their audience and Regina. "She furrowed her brows once more. "I hope you not inferring something you shouldn't be," she said with all the seriousness in the world.

"And if I were" "What, that I'm the evil queen" she finally said with sarcasm and agitation painting her words.  You don't think I'm some evil queen from some book, do you? That's just madness!" she says almost laughing at them. "This makes Henry and Rook stare at them curiously, you can cut the tension in the room with a knife. Finally, Ben puts an ease to the conversation himself.  "C'mon sit down already, If we're gonna talk might as well do it with an omelet" This agitated Regina, but she couldn't help but notice that when Ben looked upon her, he was not afraid, This puzzled Regina but it was refreshing. "As if he sees her for who she is but isn't afraid or repulsed by it. "Alright fine I'll sit down," she said flatly "but because you want to right?" Ben said chuckling. He was used to the whole reserved villain shtick from many bad guys he faced in the past. Regina rolled her eyes at the young man's antics, as she sat down she couldn't help but wonder what world he came from. ( I know they didn't come from my world, could it be another like Frankenstein, if so then these two visitors should have lost their memories like the rest but they didn't so that makes them unique... and dangerous.)

A long pause ensured that the scene before them was Unique, to say the least. All three of them set at the table along with a standing inquisitive Rook. Ben just gingerly ate his eggs without a care in the world causing all before him to sweat drop and agitate Regina.

"You didn't answer my question" This caused another pause and surprise from Ben as he didn't know what she meant "What?" he asked curiously. "You know," She said flatly as if it was obvious. As realization hit Ben Chuckled to himself at Regina. (So she has a soft side) he said to himself as he looked on at an unsure Regina. She hid it well but he could tell this was a soft spot for her. "You mean do I think that you're an evil malevolent Queen?" he said finally gaining everyone's attention. Ben let out a sigh that caused all that looked on to stare inquisitively at Ben. "No," Ben said making Regina stare with with surprise.

Henry winced a little. "B-but you said you believed me" Henry spoke almost betrayed. "Let me Finish," Ben said chuckling slightly "No one in this world is inherently evil or good, one thing I noticed over the years is that there's always a line in between, and depending on the person and their choices that line gets blurred" Everyone grew slack-jawed at this rather inquisitive response from Ben especially Rook who is used to a silly and childish Ben despite there age ( in this version of my story there in there both in there early 20's). Regina was the most shocked out of all of them but hid it very well "So you know those are just stories then" Ben ignored her and continued instead "I know that people can change depending on their circumstances" he said smiling. This confused everyone but made Henry and Rook smile for different reasons. Henry smiled because he knew deep down there was good in Regina and Rook smiled because he was familiar with Ben and his ability to change people.