Forest of Fireflies

Chapter 61

(Emma's POV)

I glanced at David to confirm the sight before my eyes. Regina in hysterics; something I have never expected to see.  She's always been composed...well, always queenly. The distraught women screaming in front of me was not the Madame Mayor I knew.  What shocked me most was the dramatic change in her voice when she talked to Mary Margaret. It started with roaring anger to something so gentle that a mother could have used to her own child. Then, it hit me. Regina had raised Mary Margaret hasn't she? I shuddered at that thought but then again, Henry ended up fine didn't he? Henry...we were here because of him. 

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Regina growled at Mary Margaret, "You've never been interested in my happiness."

The tone that Regina used made me flinch, as if she had directed the accusation towards me as well. However, I took the following silence as an opportunity to tell her what we were here for. "Regina, we have to tell you something."

I watched intently as the mayor slowly step towards us until she was just a few inches away from the prison bars. Then, I took a breath and began, "Henry and Daniella have been missing for a full day. We-"

"What?!" Something in Regina's eyes shifted. Worry quickly replaced the pain that was previously evident in her face. Seeming to ignore all that happened previously, she answered frantically, "Well? What happened?"

David started, "I was teaching Henry to use the sword-" I saw a glimmer at the corner of Regina's mouth. What was it? Pride? David continued, "-When he noticed that Daniella was missing. She was supposed to be watching from the side but when we turned around, she wasn't there. Henry and I looked for her but since we couldn't find her, we decided to split up and meet back at the town hall in half an hours time. When I got there, Henry wasn't there so I waited but an hour had passed and he still hadn't turned up. That's when I notified Snow and Emma. I got them to search and-"

"You've lost my two children." Regina spat. 

I stepped forth and replied, "Now's not the time to argue. We need you to tell us where they might be. We've looked everywhere...is there someplace they might be?"

Regina frowned and answered, "Take these cuffs off. I'll look for them." She caught the expression on David and Mary Margaret's faces and huffed. "Do you want my help or not?"

I cut in, "We could get your help without your magic. We've got Gold for that factor-"

"Then why haven't you already gone to him? Why did you come to me?"

Mary Margaret quietly answered, "Because you're their mother."

Regina's glance left mine to stare at Snow. She opened her mouth to speak, only to clamp it closed again. Then, she muttered, "It's about time you realised." 

I put my hands on my hips. "Well? Will you help us?"

Regina gave me a glare for a moment. Then, she bit out, "They're my children. Of course I will. But I'm not doing it for you. I hope that if I find them, you'll reconsider who I am." 

.......................

(Regina's POV)

As annoying as it was, the Charmings followed me around town as I looked for my children. After a while, it became clear. I needed to look in my vault. I turned around to face the idiots and said, "It's nearly morning. Go get some rest, I will continue the search."

Emma shook her head, "No, my son is missing right now. I will not rest!"

I scoffed, "Now you know what it felt like for me the night you came to Storybrooke." No one responded so I stated, "It's decided then."