Chapter Text
'Retreat' is a word Regina Mills hates more than any other word in the dictionary. There are certainly times when, strategically speaking, circumstances call for removing one's self from a situation but, as a rule, Regina prefers to stand her ground and win well.
This was not one of those times.
Pain gripped her blackened heart as a family, that was not hers but might have been, was reunited. Marian was back and Robin, and his son, never looked happier.
Emma's groveling about her part in setting the reunion in motion was an echo of white noise. What Regina said to Snow and Charming's insufferable, interfering, do-gooder, daughter she would never be able to recall. Regina was far too busy keeping anger, and therefore her dark magic, from bubbling to the surface.
As the bell on the diner door echoed on her exit what Regina wanted to do was burn Granny's Diner to the ground. Instead, for her son's sake, she fought off the anger that wanted out and moved down the steps and into the night. She was finally redeemed in Henry's eyes and to lose that was worse than all the dark emotions that were swirling. He was the only anchor tethering her and without his belief, in her redemption, there would be little reason to live. So the diner would remain standing and she would learn from her vengeful past to move forward.
Pulling her jacket tighter, Regina turned onto the sidewalk and kept going at as fast a clip as her heels would respectfully carry her. She was determined to maintain some dignity and be damned if she were to be seen leaving disgraced. When she reached the corner that faced the tower she thought she saw tiny flurries in the light of the giant clock. That was, of course, impossible as it was far from winter in Storybrooke. There must have been a dust-up of some kind causing the speckles.
The night air did seem colder than when she had entered the diner. Although, before her world shattered there could have been a blizzard and she wouldn't have cared. She had been happy and her heart had been warm and hopeful. Obviously, the chill was her emotions playing tricks. Perhaps it was a manifestation of the wall she felt going up around her again.
Blaming the exhaustion of fighting off her anger and the emptiness of her heart for what she had seen and felt, Regina ignored it and turned right, heading in the direction of home. Since she had arrived with Robin and his son, Roland, there was no choice but to walk. There was no way she was catching a ride with them in the midst of their family reunion. She was an outsider, an outsider whose car was parked at home.
She supposed she could have used magic to return but decided she needed the fresh air to calm herself. Had she zapped back, Regina worried that in that big empty house her temper would take over and the tiny part of her mind that allowed her mother's teachings to inform her actions before would start to take over again.
The moment she turned the corner off Main Street, Regina heard the unmistakable voice of Emma Swan calling after her. No good would come from the two of them facing off right now. Regina couldn't trust herself to stay in check. So she picked up her speed, turning down a side alley and back up towards the park. Maybe going the long way back to the house would mean she could avoid a confrontation with the meddling blonde.
The wind picked up as Regina ran and she thought she could hear her mother, Cora, laughing at her. What was she thinking? Believing in some fairies version of soul mates and happily ever after was foolish. How had she allowed herself to fall prey to hope? Why had she let herself be vulnerable?
"Love is weakness." Her mother's words echoed loudly in her head and she felt another wave of anger and darkness start to swell. Quickly pushing them away they were replaced by tears.
---
Turning onto the deserted side street, Regina noticed a few lamps were out. As she slowed back down to a walk, certain she had lost Emma, Regina made a mental note to have someone from the town's maintenance department replace the burnouts. Life might not have been perfect in Storybrooke but there was no point in having it lose its upstanding appearances just because she was having a terrible day. Fate was something it seemed she couldn’t control, but safety in their little town was in her jurisdiction.
Being guided along by the moonlight and what lamps did work, Regina reached another street and took a left. A tree-lined sidewalk along the town park greeted her, as did local businesses that were locked up tight. Many of the owners she had seen at Granny’s Diner during the celebration for baby Charming.
The park seemed a more serene side to walk on even if it was darker than the previous block so Regina crossed and headed along that side taking in the peace and quiet. Opening her palm Regina conjured a ball of light to aid her along the way. She was shocked when it whirled white instead of the usual darker, purple. It brought the tiniest of tear to her eye but before she let her emotions wash over her again a rustling in the brush that lined the sidewalk, caught Regina's attention. "Show yourself," she demanded as she raised her hand, preparing for a showdown.
A figure appeared, standing behind a gathering of small trees and bushes. "I'm sorry your Majesty. I didn't mean to startle you."
Raising the ball of light into the air until it illuminated the entire street Regina saw a young, beautiful, woman with dark hair, striking features, wearing heavy clothing under battle gear, a sword, and a fierce determination. "Do we know one another?"
"We were never introduced but I am among Robin Hood's band?"
"A woman, among his men?" Regina questioned rather strongly. Suspicion would always be in her nature no matter how hard she tried to evolve.
The woman, obviously sensing the concern, explained. "I proved myself a worthy ally and was allowed to join his ranks."
"Bandits aren't known for inclusion. What was it you did to prove yourself worthy?"
"Rescued his son Roland from Peter Pan."
Regina nodded and dissipated the ball of light as memories of her own run-in with Rumple's father washed over her. How far they had come since their time in Neverland.
"Mulan." The woman introduced herself with a shy nod.
"Regina, but you seem to know that already,” she said in response.
"Of course. It's been nice seeing Robin so happy. The two of you make a strong pair."
Regina grimaced, "Not any longer."
"Has something happened?" The woman asked concern on her face and her hand instantly on the blade at her hip.
"His wife returned."
Surprise came across the younger woman's face but her hand remained on her blade. "His wife is dead."
"No, she is not." Regina offered honestly and more emotionally than she would have preferred.
The strong, dark-haired, beauty stepped from behind the trees. Her body relaxing, her hand back at her side, and her acceptance of the new information clear; perhaps from the heartbreak in Regina's tone. "I see. I'm sorry."
"You have no need to be sorry."
"I do. As I said, you seemed happy with one another."
Regina needed the conversation to change directions. "I never saw you among his group. I would have remembered a woman bandit."
"I stay mostly to myself. I saw you many times though; both while keeping watch on the camp back home and while here in Storybrooke. At least until the witch made her move."
"That doesn't explain why I didn't take notice of you."
"To be frank, your mother was a brutal, ruthless, adversary and I didn't wish to risk making your acquaintance and facing equal difficulties. So I kept my distance."
The mention of Cora, combined with the battle gear the woman still wore over Storybrooke clothing, finally snapped the pieces of the puzzle into place. "Now I know who you are. You fought with Snow and Swan against my mother."
"I did."
"From the story, I heard told, you fought very well."
"I am skilled with a sword." The answer was direct and purely factual without an ounce of pride in the woman’s tone.
"Not usually something a woman from our land, or this one, is taught."
"Circumstances being what they were where I come from, it was the only way to keep my family safe."
"I admire your sense of honor."
"I would be nothing without it."
"I find it hard to believe that's true." Regina meant what she said. The young woman was a rare find. Most women where they came from accepted their lot in life and didn’t step outside it. There was much more than honor in Mulan’s DNA. "Why did I discover you here in the park?"
"I find camping amongst the trees more to my liking."
"Shouldn't you have been at the party?"
"I am not sure Snow White realizes I am in Storybrooke. I had the rather unfortunate experience of being turned into a flying monkey soon after arriving."
"I see."
"And although I am pleased to be myself again, I am sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. Your compassion is appreciated."
"Family is important."
"My sister and I didn't know one another."
"It's still important and you still suffered a loss whether you know that or not." Looking Regina over Mulan stopped speaking even though more words seemed to be hanging on the younger woman's tongue.
It read as compassion and it was appreciated. Dwelling in more mistakes her mother had made caused Regina misery and she was miserable enough at the moment without adding Cora's sins to the mix. "It sounds as if you know as much about that as I do."
"I have had my share." The younger woman said with a far off look about her. As quickly as the melancholy appeared it was gone. "We are from very different worlds and yet isn't it curious how certain things are so universal."
"It is quite curious..." Before Regina could finish her thought a powerful blast of cold air started to knock her off her feet and had it not been for the reflexes of the woman before her she would have been on the ground. Her breath hitched from the speed and temperature of the air as it whipped around and then in the blink of an eye they were pounded with ice and snow.
It was instinct, pure and simple, as Regina wrapped her hand around the arm that was holding her upright and zapped them away.