Once Upon The Underworld (Once Upon A Time)

Chapter 14: "The Truth Will Set Her Free."

Regina's POV

I stared at Mother. "What do you mean?" I asked. Cora shook her head and stared at the ground beneath her feet. "I shouldn't have said anything," she murmured, shaking her head. "The truth will only hurt you, and could make you hate me in the process." I shook my head. "Mother, it's okay, you can tell me." I took her hand. "The truth is always the best." I felt a little hypocritical telling her that, considering I'm not always the most honest person myself. She opened her mouth to speak, when we were interrupted by footsteps approaching us from the road. The familiar rapping of a cane told me exactly who'd come to call. I turned my head, and there stood Gold. "Hello, Cora," he mused. Mother curled her lips up into a smile. "Rumple," she said. "Nice to see you again." I looked at my mother, then to Rumplestiltskin. "Since when are you two civil?" I questioned.

Cora's POV

It was hard to hide the truth from my daughter now. But I couldn't bring myself to tell her, no matter how hard I tried. And leave it to Rumple to walk up right when he shouldn't. Typical. Regina has no idea about our involvement before she was born. Just another part of the secret. I cleared my throat. "Just being friendly, dear," I said, smiling. "Rumplestiltskin and I have history together, is all." I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. "He taught me magic, too." Regina nodded, clearly unconvinced. I don't know how much longer I can keep this dirty little secret before she finds out on her own.

Emma's POV

I couldn't get over my conversation with Killian earlier. He knows I'm right, because I am. I changed him for the better, I know I did. But I can't help but feel bad, not only for my role in Izzy's death, but for ruining Hook's happy ending. Because he does deserve a family, even if it isn't with me. Granny slid my hot chocolate across the bar to me. "Thanks," I said, taking a large sip. She nodded, wiping down the back counter. "Things sure have been hectic here, huh?" she said. "Tell me about it," I muttered, wiping my lip with my sleeve. Granny adjusted some glasses on the counter and tossed some plates in the sink. "Ruby's out looking for that old boyfriend of her's." She looked at me and shook her head. "Seems like everyone's doing that at the moment." I shrugged. "I guess it's natural," I replied. "When you loose someone you love, it's just instinct to go after them when you have the chance." "What about you?" Granny asked. "Any lost loved ones you plan to find?" I grinned in spite of myself, thinking of all the lost love I could be going after; Graham, Neal, August. I shook my head. "No, not at the moment." I slid my half empty mug back across to her and frowned. "My one true love...well, let's just say I lost him for good." Granny smacked the dishrag down on the countertop. "The pirate?" she questioned in awe. "You two were solid. What could you have done?" I sighed. "Long story. It involves me helping Rumplestiltskin kill his daughter." Granny shot me a look out of the corner of her eye. "Gold has a daughter?" I shook my head. "Uh, no. At least not that I know of. I meant Killian's daughter." I paused. Granny was leaning on the counter, listening intently. "Her name was Izzy. I made a deal with Gold that I wouldn't warn anyone he was planning to kill her if he helped me find someone. Someone that I thought could help me get Killian back, but it completely backfired." Granny nodded. "Uh-huh. You're in it deep." "Well what should I do?" I asked. "Honestly, you shouldn't do anything. If he has a daughter, that means she has a mother. And if she's here-" "She is," I interrupted. "And if she's here, she probably needs consolation right now, her and Killian both." She stopped and looked at me in the eyes. "Don't deny him that." I hopped off the barstool and grabbed my jacket from the coat rack. "Of course I won't." I stared out the window and my eyes locked on Izzy's grave across the street. "How could I be that selfish?"

Cora's POV

"I see you haven't told her yet," Rumple mused once Regina had walked away. "I was about to until you interrupted," I murmured. "Waiting will only lower the chances of her being understanding about this, Cora," he said. I paced in front of Hook's daughter's grave. "You think I don't know that?" He chuckled. "Well it wouldn't surprise me if you didn't," he said. "You've kept this from her her entire life. It's time for the truth." I turned to face him, blinking back my tears. If there's one person I would never cry in front of, it's him. "I just don't think I can. We have to think of the consequences here! It's like you said she's lived her whole life thinking her family was set it stone. What will the truth do to her? To Henry?" "Your husband will be just fine with the news." Rumple twirled his cane. "It's not like he didn't already know." I placed my hands on my cheeks. "Oh, this is all so confusing!" Rumple frowned. "Cora, despite what you think, the truth will set her free." He turned to walk away. "But I suppose I can't tell you what to do. You're her mother." I sighed, smiling. "And you're her father."

*Disclaimer*
I know it's been confirmed by the writers that Rumple isn't Regina's father but I thought I'd put another one of my twists on this story.