Cursed Hearts

Ebb and Flow

The hospital towered in front of them when they arrived, standing at a massive six stories tall. Regina had seldom been inside hospitals, let alone one in Florida. They left her with a gutted feeling inside, reminding her of when her son was comatose for days on end. There were happy memories too, like when she got to hold her newborn for the first time. Mostly, hospitals made her feel weak- especially without her magic.

There was a controlled sense of hustle and bustle when they entered the building, everyone knowing where they were headed across the many different floors. Approaching the front desk, Regina pushed back her feelings of uncertainty over what was about to happen- it was happening whether she wanted it to or not.

"How can I help you two?"

"We're here to see a patient, Zelena... Mills, maybe?"

It then occurred to her what Zelena wouldn't have any identification on her.

"She might be here as a Jane Doe- she was in an accident and was brought here two days ago."

The receptionist took a moment to look at the computer to search their records. "Looks like there was an unidentified woman brought in. I can only let family in to see her. Are you family?"

Although the words stuck in her throat, she forced out a yes before Robin could jump in to her aid. "She's my sister."

They were lead through the twists and turns of each hallway by a friendly nurse, the chaos only increasing the farther in they got. Everything around them seemed important- doctors carried stethoscopes around their necks and nurses had stacks of papers determining the fate of strangers. Regina had a surprisingly level conscience amidst all the chaos. She felt comfort knowing that Robin was following by her side.

The nurse leading them eventually stopped at a closed door, turning around to face the couple. "So you're not aware of what happened to her?"

Regina shook her head. "I just know that it isn't good."

"Well you're a good sister for being here- some people wouldn't even bother."

"What did happen?" Robin asked, stopping the nurse before she could open the door. "Just so we know what to expect."

The woman pulled out a file that was next to the door and took a moment to read it over, her facial expressions changing every few seconds. Her eyes then met back up with Regina's.

"Looks like she was in a car accident- usually it takes the police a few days to make an official report. All of her things are still at the station."

Robin and Regina exchanged surprised glances with each other, not knowing what to think.

"She's still knocked out from surgery, but I'm sure she'll appreciate a visit," the nurse encouraged, opening the door.

Regina barely had time to prepare herself before following the nurse into the room. The woman started talking again, ushering more positive words, but Regina had tuned her out completely. Her breath caught in her throat as she settled on the view in front of them. Zelena, the woman who had brought her so much pain, was sleeping peacefully over thin white sheets, multiple gashes across her face.

She had no idea how much time passed as she looked her over again and again, assuming Robin was doing the same next to her. No words could come out of her mouth- they only formed as thoughts moving rapidly across her mind, the most prolific thought being we share a mother.

"Do they know who hit her?" Robin asked, "the police?"

The nurse shook her head. "When she was brought in, they said it was a hit and run, but maybe they'll have more information when the report is released."

Opening a filing cabinet, the woman pulled out a packet of paper and handed it to Regina, snapping her out of her trance.

"Since you're here, you can fill these out so we have some information on her," she stated, then heading towards the door. "I'll give you two some alone time with her. If you're planning to stay the night, just let someone know and they'll get you a room. The cafeteria is on the second floor."

Robin barely had the time to give the nurse a half hearted thank you before the door closed, leaving the couple with a comatose enemy. Regina only gave the paperwork a glance before setting it down, knowing it wouldn't be possible to fill it all out truthfully.

"Well, here she is," Regina stated flatly, "we finally found her."

Taking her eyes away from her estranged sister, she gave a side glance towards her husband, desperate to know what his thoughts were.

"Is this weird for you?"

He nodded, meeting her eyes. "It's kind of deja vu, actually. When we were in the Enchanted Forest, she was pretty beat up after what Elsa did to her. I had taken her magic away afterwards, so when she woke up she begged Caroline to heal her... and she did."

Surprised at his honesty, Regina wavered between feelings of appreciation and hatred towards Zelena. She did save her daughter's life, but only after plotting to have her killed.

"Of course she did," she replied softly. "What was she like out there?"

"Impulsive, angry," he told her, keeping his voice down as if Zelena would awaken at any minute. "But she's smart. And doesn't give up easily. Someone must've really given her hell for her to be in this situation."

It was still outrageous for her to believe her mother had a child before she existed- Cora had lived countless other lives that she would never know about. Regina couldn't help but fixate on the woman's features, desperate to find any physical similarities. She looked and looked, but couldn't find a single thing. Zelena was foreign in every way.

Robin got to know her, as did Caroline, Will, and even Ruby. She couldn't tell if she felt relieved or jealous about not knowing her the way they did. All she knew was that if she had the power to turn back time, she would put an end to her before she could sink her claws into the lives of her family.

"What's wrong?" Robin asked, noticing her faraway glance. "Let's go back to the hotel- there isn't much else we can do here."

She agreed with him, but couldn't seem to get the words out. Instead things inside her head became hazy, a slur of all the negativity and impossible solutions floating around. She first felt numbness in her fingertips, but by then it was too late.

Taking a shaky step back, Regina fell to the ground, her body a crumpled piece of paper.