Ten Years- Once Upon A Time- ON HOLD

She Will Become Your Enemy

Regina had seen the yellow bug outside the diner and started to worry. She didn't recognise the car, and strangers in Storybrooke were a threat to her, and the curse.

She decided to see what she could find out about the stranger from Mr. Gold, the pawnbroker who owned the town. He was bound to know something. On her way to his shop, she ran in to the sheriff, Graham. She was so distracted that she almost walked right into him.

"Graham! I'm sorry, I didn't see you!" She said.

"Regina, are you alright?" Graham asked.

"Yeah, I'm just a little distracted. I think we've got another stranger." Regina said.

"Really? I haven't seen them yet." Graham said, "You shouldn't be worrying about that anyway. In what way are strangers threats to you?"

"You have no idea." Regina muttered.

"I'll see you tonight." Graham whispered in her ear.

Regina smiled at him over her shoulder as she walked away.

She soon made it to Gold's shop and the bell rang as she walked in. Gold looked up from the object he was examining.

"Ah, Madame Mayor. What can I help you with?" He asked, placing the object back on the counter.

"I need your help." Regina demanded.

"Music to my ears." Gold said, "What seems to be the problem?"

"There's a stranger in town." Regina said.

"Oh yes, they stopped by earlier. Lovely couple, but the man seemed a bit wary of me."

"Couple?"

"Yes. His name is Neal, and I think hers is Emma." Gold said, "Beautiful name, Emma."

"Indeed." Regina murmured, "But who are they?"

"I have suspicions about Neal, but I think you know who Emma is," Gold smiled, "She will become your enemy."

Regina knew what Gold meant. Emma was going to break the curse. But how did he know that if he didn't remember who he was?

"You know." Regina said, simply, "You remember."

"Rumplestiltskin, at your service." Gold bowed slightly, "I'm surprised it took you 18 years to figure it out."

Regina rolled her eyes, "What about this Emma girl? Is she their saviour?"

"Yes, she is."

"But she's ten years early! You specifically said on her 28th birthday." Regina recalled. "She's 18 and I'm not even sure it's her birthday!"

"I'll admit, I didn't see this coming. But you have nothing to worry about, she will do you and the curse no harm until she reaches her 28th birthday. The curse will weaken as soon as she decides she wants to stay in Storybrooke, in ten years."

"What about until then?" Regina asked.

"Until then, she will never be happy in Storybrooke." Gold said.

"Excellent." Regina said, happy about the young woman's suffering.

"Try not to let your evil side he the better of you, Regina. At least get to know her first before you hate her." Gold advised.

"That's not my style." Regina said.

"Now, not to be rude but I think it would be best if you left." Gold said, "Please."

Regina had no choice but to walk away. 18 years ago, she and Gold had made a deal. He would tell her how to cast the curse, if she did whatever he asked, as long as he said "please". And nobody breaks a deal with Rumplestiltskin.

"Oh, Regina. One more thing. Don't let Emma talk to Ashley." Gold warned.

"Ashley? The pregnant maid?" Regina asked, confused.

"Yes. Trust me, you don't want them meeting," Gold said, "And I don't either."

Regina wanted to enquire further but she could see that she wasn't going to get anything more from Gold. She walked out of the door without another word.

~~~~

Emma and Neal's first weeks in Storybrooke were as normal as any other. That was before the mayor payed them a visit.

Emma was the one to answer the door for Regina. She recognised her immediately as the mayor that Mary Margaret had told her about.

"Hello?" She said.

"Hi. I'm Regina, mayor of Storybrooke." Regina introduced herself, holding out her hand.

"Um... Emma Swan." Emma said hesitantly, taking Regina's hand and shaking it.

"Emma? Who's at the door?" Neal asked, walking up to them.

"This is my boyfriend, Neal. Neal, this Regina," Emma looked up at him, a serious look on her face, "The mayor."

"Pleasure to meet you." Regina smiled.

"You too." Neal replied.

"I just wanted to make sure you were settling in alright." Regina said, brightly.

Emma could tell that something wasn't quite right about this woman, but she didn't say anything. She just smiled back and said,

"That's very nice of you."

"If you need anything, please let me know." Regina said.

"We will, thank you." Neal said.

Regina took this as a sign to leave, so she turned around and walked away. Emma closed the door behind her.

"That was weird." She said, turning to Neal.

"What was?"

"Just- her. There's something not right about her." Emma said.

"Wait, is this the lying thing again?"

"What do you mean "the lying thing"?" Emma asked, outraged.

"Emma, you have got to let this go! If there's anyone in this town that you should trust, it's the mayor." Neal said.

"I know, but the people here are scared of her, there has to be a reason for that." Emma persisted.

"Emma-"

"There's something not right here, Neal. I can just tell."

"Emma!" Neal suddenly yelled, "Please, listen to me!"

Emma backed away from him, scared.

"I'm sorry," Neal said, "But you cannot keep kidding yourself that you know everything about everyone!"

"You don't believe me?" Emma whispered.

Neal sighed, but said nothing.

"Wow. The one person I've trusted." Emma said, turning to leave.

Neal grabbed her arm to stop her, "I didn't mean it like that."

"I know exactly what you meant," Emma said, "What you call "the lying thing" is the only thing I might actually be good at, but you just think it's some fairytale."

She pulled her arm away from him and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.