Split Queen was great for all of that dirty laundry. But admitting how she found it “funny” that Henry was afraid of the beach and her reaction wasn’t a cute, motherly thing at all. It was a woman describing power over a child. This scene was haunting.
Regina may have wanted to get rid of her, but this was still her. Even when removed from her, that was still her. Telling Henry that Star Wars was great because Darth Vader was proof that evil always wins? That’s a nice memory you have from your son’s childhood.
And this was still never an apology.
Abuse doesn’t have to mean bruises and scars.
Pic Description:
A woman in black and silver beaded regalia gazing at a young man with a malicious smile. Her hair is styled in an up-do.
The only acknowledgement we got for Henry’s abuse growing up came from the part of Regina that she tried to hide like a cat turd.
I started writing this right after the finale, because it just seemed so improbable to me that with the United Realms, dark OQ *wouldn't* have been at the coronation.
So here's a ficlet set just after the series finale. Rated G. The fic is gen with a Dark OQ established relationship, Mayor Queen overtones, Formerly Evil Queen(tm) shenanigans, and hints toward an especially "happy ending" to come for the Good Queen.
---
“Sorry we’re late,” a very familiar voice drawled from behind Regina, bringing an instant smile to her face. Before she could open her mouth to respond, however, Emma beat her to it.
“You’re too late for that line,” she said, wearing a smirk as they both turned toward the queen and Robin, “I already used it.”
“Well, as it was mine in the first place…”
“Now, now, Ladies,” Robin, smooth as always, stepped between the two of them, “this is hardly the time to bicker over whose line it is.” His Regina let out a huff that they all knew was good-natured, and he took the other’s hand, giving it a gallant kiss. “Congratulations are in order, Your Majesty. We’re sorry we missed the ceremony. This one,” he tipped his head at the queen, “has a bad habit of pouncing on me right before we have to leave for places.”
“I didn’t pounce on you,” she smacked him in the arm.
“You bloody well did.”
“Queens never pounce, Robin,” Regina smiled, “you should know that.”
“I stand corrected,” he laughed after a glance between the two women. “She forcibly seduced me. There. Happy?”
“How do you forcibly seduce someone?” Emma asked, laughing along with him.
“Would you like me to show you, Dear?” the queen turned a wicked grin on her, trailing her fingers along Emma’s back and leaving her visibly flustered.
“Queenie, leave Miss Swan alone.”
“Must I? Oh, well then. The invitation is open whenever.” The grin was still in place as she took Robin’s arm once more. “To you too, Regina.”
“I’ll bear that in mind,” Regina said dryly. “Why don’t you go visit with the Henrys? They always enjoy getting to see their other, other mother.”
Her counterpart chuckled and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek before leaving. “All right, I’ll let you get rid of me. For now.” She looked up at Robin, “Coming, Dear?”
“I’ll be along in a minute. I’d like to chat with your other half first.”
“Suit yourself.”
They watched her cross the room to say hello to the elder Henry and Ella, and dip down to give Lucy a big hug. Emma, clearly feeling like a third wheel, made her excuses and went to see how her husband and little Hope were doing. “The two of you are still getting on famously, I see,” Regina said to Robin once they were alone. “I’m glad.”
“She keeps me on my toes,” was his mild reply.
She smiled at him. They hadn’t seen one another much since the realms had become united, mostly because she’d been so busy. “Married life suits you.” There was a touch of sadness at that, for herself, but also happiness for the both of them. Her eyes tracked across the room, “Though she is still a horrible flirt.”
“And I wouldn’t have her any other way.”
“Sometimes I don’t know how you put up with it.”
“I put up with it because I know she’ll be going home with me at the end of the night.” He was looking at his wife fondly. “And just sometimes, her flirting leads us to having new adventures.”
“I’ll bet it does.”
There was a beat where they just watched her. The formerly evil queen was bold and vibrant, audacious in a way that was endearing. Regina watched as she accidentally flirted with one of the dwarfs, and she couldn’t tell which one of them looked more mortified in the first few moments afterward. Half the room laughed, including Robin and Regina.
“We have a lot of fun together, and she doesn’t expect anything more from me than just being who I am.” His gaze returned to Regina, and she felt the weight of those words.
“She’s a wiser woman than I am. Or, was.”
“I think you got there in the end, Your Majesty.” He was smiling at her, and she squeezed his arm. They both looked back toward the other Regina and found her now flirting with Queen Eudora. “We should probably go and rescue Tiana’s mother.”
“Oh, don’t worry. That’s one woman who can hold her own with Regina’s flirting,” she grinned and took his arm, strolling off toward them. The truth of her words became more apparent as they got closer because Eudora was definitely flirting back. “I think you two might have found your adventure for the evening.”
“We just may have.” He didn’t look at all displeased with that notion. She didn’t blame him. “There’s always room for one more,” Robin said as he gave her a sly sideways glance.
“You’re just as bad as she is.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Take what as a compliment?” her other half asked as they came to a stop next to her and Eudora.
“That I’m just as bad as you are,” Robin answered with a wink.
“Oh, you definitely should,” was her saucy reply.
“So,” his gaze slid back to Regina, “what does the Good Queen say to my offer?”
Three pairs of eyes settled on her then, two curious, the other filled with wicked promise. “She’ll have to give it due consideration.”
“Excellent. Hopefully she’ll come to a conclusion that is mutually beneficial for all.”
Who knew? She just might. There were certainly worse ways to celebrate becoming the queen of everything.
Aphrodite couldn't find any words for several beats, as she stared at the Prince. He looked bothered and unhinged in a way she hadn't seen before. He was different than David that way. David wore his emotions on his sleeve and wasn't afraid to show love and affection in public. But James was very different. He was used to masking his emotions and burying his feelings, a result of his harsh raising under George and the mandate of his royal upbringing. Cold and aloof, though he had softened much in the short time since his miraculous resurrection. She saw peeks of it every day in the little things. Like his fondness for his nieces and nephews. His growing relationship with Xander that had gone from hostile to something approaching love and respect. And then there was his struggle with David. He had gone from pure, blinding hatred of his more fortunate brother to reluctant fondness and even admiration with a tiny bit of jealousy he tried to hide.
But whatever he had just experienced had shaken him to his core and she wondered what could possibly have done that until he spoke those six little words.
"I think I found your son,"
"James…" she uttered, finally finding her voice.
"What are you talking about? Eros has been missing for centuries...it's impossible," she admonished.
"He's immortal...is he not?" James asked.
"Y...yes...he would have been, despite his mortal half," she answered.
"I was at the diner and I noticed Chad looking a bit suspicious. Believe me, I know sneaky when I see it and so I followed him into the hallway. That's when he stood before a mirror and started talking to a woman in it," he explained.
"You followed him?" she asked. He nodded.
"Leo is my nephew...something told me I should," he replied.
"Do you know who the woman was?" Aphrodite asked.
"She didn't offer a name...but she looked a fairy dressed in black," he answered and she felt her legs go weak.
"This can't be…" she refuted.
"She had his heart...she's forcing him to get close to Leo. Something about tears," James explained. Aphrodite closed her eyes, as a few of her own tears slipped down her cheeks.
"Leo is a product of true love...she needs his tears of a broken heart. It would be the only way she could pass from the dark realm to the Land Without Magic," she informed.
"We need to go tell Snow and David," he said. She nodded, though she was almost catatonic.
"All these years...she had him…" she lamented.
"Yes, but he's alive! We can get his heart back...I don't think he wants to hurt Leo. I heard his say so himself...he's in love with Leo," he reminded.
"All these years I looked and she had him the whole time! She molded into one of her minions!" she cried, as she collapsed into sobs. His arms went around her and he held her while she cried.
"It's not too late…" he assured. She sniffed.
"How do you know? How do you know she hasn't poisoned him against me?" she asked.
"I don't...but even if she did, it's still not too late to get him back. I'm the perfect example of that," he reminded and she looked up at him, realizing the similarities.
"Let's go...we need to warn Snow and David. Maybe if we can explain everything to Leo, he won't shed any magical tears and then we can prevent the Black Fairy from coming to Storybrooke," she said.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that," a voice said, as Chad was suddenly standing in her doorway.
"Eros…" she uttered, as she looked upon him with awe.
"Save your pleas," he snapped, as he brandished a hand held mirror before them.
"Eros...you don't have to do this. Whatever she's making you do...we can help you," James pleaded.
"No...you can't," he responded, as the mirror emitted a blinding flash. They covered their eyes and when they opened them, they found themselves in a very strange realm. James helped her up from the rocky ground, as they looked around at the thousands of mirrors. Aphrodite touched one and found her son staring back at them.
"Eros…" she cried.
"Save your breath...no one can hear you from this realm and you won't be able to interfere," he replied, as he disappeared. James touched another mirror and crinkled his nose, as he found himself looking at Sneezy, who was trimming his beard. Aphrodite sat down on a rock, dejectedly, while James pounded on another mirror, trying to get the person looking into it to hear him.
"It's no use, James," she chided.
"There has to be a way out!" he cried.
"Only Eros can release us...or the Chalice. And Snow and David will never be able to hear us from here," she responded.
"We have to try…eventually they're going to notice we're kind of missing," he reminded.
"But it will be too late then. Leo's heart will be broken and the Black Fairy will invade Storybrooke. She'll destroy everything we love…" she said tearfully.
"We can't give up...Snow and David will never let her destroy the town," he admonished.
"She's the Black Fairy...and once she arrives in Storybrooke, she'll find what she needs and just cast a curse," she warned.
"A curse? But how?" he asked.
"I don't know...but she created the curse and she'll use it and my son to get what she wants. Power and control...and the destruction of true love," she replied.
"I thought Rumpelstiltskin created the Dark Curse?" he asked.
"No...he only stole it from the Black Fairy. She's his mother," Aphrodite revealed.
Regina marched up to the farmhouse with a determined look. Leo was in place and she only hoped this plan worked like it was supposed to. But the way Robin flew out of the house with his bow did not bode well. She put her hands up, as he threaded an arrow.
"You'll leave here now, witch," he spat.
"I'm here to talk...please, you need to listen to me. That woman is not who you think she is," Regina pleaded.
"That woman is my wife! And you have five seconds to vacate our property before I shoot!" he growled.
"Robin please…" she pleaded, as she stepped a bit closer and he was true to his word, as he fired. Regina caught the arrow in her fist and looked back at him, as he became surprised. He had seen her catch arrows dozens of times and it broke her heart at how all those memories were now gone. So she tried a new approach.
"These are the arrows I bought you last Christmas," she mentioned. He looked confused.
"What are you talking about? I made those arrows and you had nothing to do with it," he refuted.
"No...you didn't and if you look closely at this arrow, you'll see why. On all your handmade arrows, you always carve a wavy notch near the middle. You say it's for balance, but I'm pretty sure it's just your way of making them uniquely yours," she stated.
"You think knowing that proves anything?" he challenged.
"Considering you have never told anyone that, yes. Only two people that have been married as long as we have would notice such nuances about each other," she responded. He eyed her with great scrutiny.
"It doesn't prove anything," he claimed. But she smirked.
"That's not what your heart is telling you," she countered, as Marian came out of the house.
"What are you doing here? Get away from my husband, you evil witch!" Marian cried.
"Enough is enough, Zelena. It's time to end this charade," Regina retorted.
"You are crazy...I'm not this Zelena you keep harping about!" Marian yelled.
"You better hope you are, because only Zelena can stop a magical attack," Leo said, as he appeared and tossed a lightning bolt at her. But she played her part and screamed, as Robin tackled her to the ground.
"You tried to attack her!" Robin cried, as he jumped to his feet.
"She's not Marian," Leo protested.
"You're both insane...do it," Robin said to her. Marian opened the ink holder in her hand and hit them both with squid ink, immobilizing them. Regina looked at him in surprise.
"Marian said that she had some squid ink for protection. I didn't think we'd need it, but she was right. Now I'll be calling the Sheriff and demanding that he arrest you both. I don't care if you are his son," Robin spat, as he took his phone out.
Snow giggled, as they lounged on the couch in her office. On the way there, they had picked up some hot cocoas and lunch from Granny's. And now were currently sharing dessert, which they were intent on feeding to each other, as she was draped in his lap.
"You have chocolate on your lips," she purred, as she made sure he was watching her suck some frosting off her finger.
"Yeah? You going to do something about it?" he asked, his eyes slightly glazed just from gazing at all the seductive things she was doing with her mouth. She shifted and straddled his lap.
"You mean like this?" she questioned, as she kissed him hungrily, thrusting her tongue into his mouth, kissing him deeply. As their lips parted, she took a sharp breath and he gazed at her with such awe that it threatened to steal her breath again.
"Even when I think it isn't possible, it happens," he said with reverence. She cocked her head to the side in question.
"You manage to make me fall in love with you a little more every day," he whispered and the heat rose to her fair cheeks.
"David…" she hummed dreamily.
"It's true...and I know things have been stressful lately with the Queen back and Jekyll...I know he makes you more uncomfortable than you let on. And I just think it's time for us to have date night again to unwind a bit. There is that new place," he mentioned.
"Aesops," she said. He nodded.
"What do you say? I'm sure Em will watch Bobby and Summer," he said, as he stood up and swept her into his arms, as he swayed slowly.
"Then we can get a drink...and dance...and other stuff," he tempted. She beamed, as their lips met again.
"I think it sounds wonderful," she agreed, as his phone rang. He answered it, as Snow rested her head on his shoulder.
"What?!" he cried, alarming her.
"Robin...I know you don't remember us right now, but Leo would never…" David started to say, but Snow could hear the other man shouting in response, cutting him off. David sighed.
"I'll be right there," he said, as he hung up.
"What's happened?" she asked wearily.
"Regina and Leo hatched a plan to get Zelena to show her true colors. Unfortunately, she saw it coming and played the perfect Marian. Leo launched a magical attack at her and instead of Zelena using her own magic to deflect, she played the victim. Now Robin wants me to arrest them both for attempted assault. He wants to press charges," he explained. Snow's eyes widened.
"Oh no...this is gone too far. We have to figure out a way to stop her," she said, as her eyes then widened.
"And I think I might know how!" she exclaimed.
"Snow...they tried that already. If we use the chalice on Marian," he said, using his hands to gesture air quotes on the name Marian.
"Then it could backfire on us too," he reminded.
"But we won't be using the chalice," she said, as she took out her phone. His brow furrowed, as he saw her dial Belle.
"Belle...it's Snow. Do you remember when you told me about the time you used that special mirror on Gaston back in our land?" Snow asked.
"You mean the one I used on him and the ogre?" she asked.
"Yes...the one that can expose a person's inner monster if they have one. Do you still have it?" she asked.
"It's in Rumple's shop," she replied.
"Great...I know you're not speaking to him, but do you think we could borrow it? I think it might just expose Zelena if we can play this right," Snow said.
"Of course...I'll call him now. He won't refuse me," she agreed, as they hung up.
"Do you think it will really work?" David asked.
"I think it's our best chance to show Robin that the woman he's playing house with isn't Marian at all," she replied.
Getting the mirror from Belle was sped up when they called Emma and she poofed them to the shop where Belle handed it off to them. Emma then poofed them to the farmhouse, where they saw Regina and Leo immobilized.
"Can you move?" Snow asked.
"Not yet...squid ink. It's starting to weaken though," Regina replied.
"I want them both arrested, Sheriff," Robin demanded.
"Hold on...let's not escalate this anymore than it already has," David said.
"Your son tried to attack my wife!" Robin cried.
"I know you don't believe us...but this woman is not Marian," David retorted.
"Oh not this again! Are you or are you not Sheriff of this town?" Robin snapped. David clenched his teeth.
"I am," he answered evenly.
"Then I expect you to do your job," he demanded. David made a move like he was going for his handcuffs, but instead pulled out a mirror. He flashed it in Marian's face and the magic imbued object captured her reflection.
"What the hell are you doing?" Robin demanded to know.
"Just using a magic mirror to capture your "wife's" reflection. If she's who she says she is, then you have nothing to worry about," David announced, as he held the mirror up. They all watched, as Marian's reflection was shown at first, but then her eyes glowed red and morphed into the face of Zelena, the Wicked Witch, stunning Robin.
"It's a trick!" Marian accused, but they were now all staring at her.
"What?" she questioned.
"M...Marian...your skin is turning green," Robin uttered. She growled and clenched her fists in rage. In a puff of green smoke, gone was Marian and in her place stood Zelena.
"If you think you've won, sis...think again. He still doesn't remember you and if I have my way, he never will," she hissed, before poofing away, just as the squid ink finally wore off.
"I...I don't believe it…" he uttered.
"I know this is a lot, but everything we've told you is true. We're your family," Regina pleaded, but he still looked at her skeptically.
"I'm sorry...I don't remember," he apologized. But Regina smiled.
"It's okay...in time you'll get everything back. In the meantime, maybe coming home with me would be a good idea," she suggested.
"You really think that's a good idea?" he asked wearily.
"I have many guest rooms. You and Roland are welcome to them. It's been your home for twenty-years and it might help to bring back your memories," she replied.
"Robin...you can trust Regina and us. I remember curse memories better than anyone and you might think that everything was okay. But deep down, you felt something was off with Marian, I know you had to. I promise you...give Regina a chance and you won't regret it," Snow pleaded. He sighed.
"Well...we can't really stay here," he said, as he went back inside to get Roland and returned a few moments later.
"I'm assuming since this is supposedly our home, I don't need to bring clothing or belongings?" he asked. Regina smiled.
"No...everything you both will need is there," she confirmed, as they turned to leave. Snow and David put one arm around each other's waists. Then Snow put her free arm around Leo, while Charming put his free arm around Emma.
"I guess it's a step, right?" Leo asked. They nodded.
"He'll get there and Regina will find a way to return his memories if he doesn't get them back on his own," Snow replied, as she looked at her husband.
"Do you think we can do date night out next week? I think I'd just like another quiet night at home," she stated. He smiled and kissed her head.
"Me too," he agreed, as they stopped walking and Emma waved her hand, as they all disappeared in a poof of white smoke.
Zelena screamed in rage, as she reappeared down by the Cannery.
"Those wretched heroes…" she seethed, as the Evil Queen appeared in a puff of purple smoke.
"What happened?" she demanded to know.
"Snow White and her Prince happened...again!" she cried.
"They used some magic mirror to show my true colors to Robin! Now he knows I'm not Marian!" she cried.
"That's...unfortunate. But all is not lost," the Queen stated.
"How do you figure that? He doesn't have his memories back yet, but you know it's only a matter of time before Regina figures out how to restore them," Zelena argued.
"Yes, but the whole point to this plan was never actually stealing Robin from her, at least not permanently," the Queen revealed. Zelena looked confused.
"Then what the bloody hell was it about?!" she shouted. The Queen smirked and put her hands on Zelena's flat stomach.
"It's about making sure Regina learns that she can't just toss her blood relatives away like trash. And now...you'll always be a permanent presence in their lives," she stated. Zelena still seemed confused and then looked down at the Queen's hands. Realization suddenly dawned on her.
"You mean…" she uttered. The Queen smiled.
"You're about to give Robin something that Regina never has. A child," she revealed.
"I'm…" Zelena said with a gasp. The Queen nodded.
"Pregnant," she confirmed.
Jekyll and Whale removed their safety goggles, as the potion they created boiled over the Bunsen burner.
"Well, I'd say it's just about ready," Whale said, as he turned the small lever and the liquid poured into a vial, before he corked the top.
"Quite...I believe the Mayor will be quite pleased with our work," Jekyll mentioned stiffly. Whale hadn't said anything all day, but he wasn't stupid. He knew Jekyll was upset that he had shown up at all and obviously hadn't taken his advice about pining after Snow White. The bespectacled doctor muddled around looking for a larger unbroken beaker to put the rest of the potion in when he noticed a fluffy white scarf on one of the tables next to one of his research manuals. His brow furrowed, for he didn't remember it being there earlier. In fact, he remembered Snow specifically wearing the scarf earlier that morning. He felt a pulse of hope at the thought of seeing her again, especially with a plausible excuse and turned to the other doctor.
"I believe we are done here for the day if you want to be on your way, Victor," Jekyll said politely. Whale shrugged.
"Sure...I can drop this off at the Charmings on my way," he said.
"Oh, there's no need...I can take it to the Sheriff," Jekyll protested.
"Charming was pretty specific in asking me to bring it to him though and I try to avoid pissing him off," Whale countered, as he went to make a trip to his car with a few things. Jekyll fumed at that. It was typical expected behavior from that over muscled Prince. He was actively trying to keep him away from Snow White and it made his every nerve burn with anger. He was just another in a long line of people that had tried to tell Jekyll what he could and could not have.
All through his schooling, he had been told that his aspirations were mad. That one could not split themselves in two. But he had pressed on and created his serum, only for the head of the academic community to reject him and label him a quack to the entire field. Then he thought perhaps if he could not have fame and success in his professional life that he could at least find a great love in his personal life. But there had been nothing but rejection on that front as well. Mary Lydgate had rejected him in favor of Hyde. Then Rose Red refused to give up on her Fandral. And now...Snow White, perhaps the most alluring and intriguing of all the women he had ever fallen for. Beauty that was matched with her brilliance, fair and radiant as any he had ever seen, and kindness that seemed unending. But once again, another lover stood in his way to having the happiness and love he believed he deserved. He picked up the scarf and couldn't resist the overwhelming urge to bring it to his nose, allowing him to inhale her scent. Spoken for in every way or not, he couldn't help wanting her or needing her. His mind raged at the thought of not having her and he clenched his fists, as he tried to fight the madness inside his own head.
"Poor Doctor...rejection from another lovely female. It must be irksome that they not only find you undesirable, but creepy as well," Hyde goaded, as he walked into the lab.
"Really Doctor...you should at least pursue a woman that is unwed and not in love with another," he chided.
"Shut up!" Jekyll spat.
"Yes...I'd say right about now, Snow White is curled up in the arms of her beloved husband, perhaps with one of the several babies he fathered to her. I bet they could even be reading more of Rose Red's fairy tale to that little tyke and casting love filled looks at each other, as her romance reminds them of their own," Hyde surmised.
"And then...they'll finally reach that part about what you did and Snow White will realize that her beloved is more right about you than she thought. That you're not as harmless as she thinks...that you're the real predator," Hyde hissed and Jekyll slammed his fists down on the lab table, rattling the glassware.
"Shut up!" he cried again, but his alter ego only chuckled.
"You are so pathetic...if getting rid of you didn't mean eliminating myself, I'd actually do them a favor and squish you for them," he drawled. Jekyll grabbed the syringe and held it threateningly in front of him.
"I may not be able to kill you...but I can nullify your immunity to magic with this," he threatened. Hyde chuckled.
"But you won't...or you'll have no reason to traipse off to the Charming household and regale your success to object of your...obsession," he countered.
"You...you stole that scarf, didn't you?" Jekyll asked.
"Actually, that was me. You're welcome," the Queen responded, as she appeared.
"Now...be a good little minion and show Snow White the potion you made and return her scarf," she replied.
"What do you get out of this?" Jekyll questioned. The Queen smirked.
"I get Snow White looking over her shoulder. I get her wondering if she's being watched every moment of every day," the Queen said, as she handed him a mirror. He looked at it and it showed him the very scene in the Charming's living room that Hyde had described.
"I get her feeling fear and desperation when you refuse to leave her alone. And I get Charming's anger and violence when he realizes his wife has a tried and true stalker. And a dangerous one that knows a thousand and one different ways to incapacitate a person with the prick of a needle," she hissed.
"Death is too good for that little retch...and since taking away her Charming has proven to be difficult, I can at least relish mentally torturing her until she or her husband finally snap," the Queen added.
"I...I won't do it. She'll never want me the way I want her," he said sadly.
"Then make her pay for her rejection," she goaded.
"Or better yet...find a way to take what you want. You've been denied for too long. It's time that you finally get what should have been yours with Mary and Rose," she hissed, as she gestured to the scarf again and he clutched it. The look in his eyes could only be described as manic and the fantasies in his head began to take over. The logical part of his brain warned that he was close to complete psychosis, but any rationality he had was gone.
"NO!" he screamed at them and then grabbed the scarf, as he still clutched the potion.
"I will go give these to Snow and then that will that. You will not manipulate me," he spat, as he stalked away. When Whale returned from his car, he found the lab empty and with a shrug, he left as well after locking up.
For the first few weeks of Rose Red's time in the Land of Untold Stories, she and Jekyll managed to hide her presence from the elusive Hyde, whom Rose had only heard about and had yet to see. During that time, Jekyll taught her many things about science, which Rose learned was like a form of magic. The Doctor was never specific about what the purpose of the potions he was working on was, but assured her it was for the betterment of mankind. Rose assisted him and naturally asked periodically about his research on a portal. The Doctor, whom had fallen deeply in love with Rose in her time there, placated the raven haired beauty with texts that talked about portals and ways to create them. But that didn't last long and Rose began to grow impatient, for she was deeply worried about Fandral in his cursed state and feared for his life. Yet the Doctor kept promising he would find her a portal and sent her to gather some necessary herbs for him in the garden.
But not long after she began gathering the herbs, a man captured her and dragged her to this illusive warden she had only heard about.
"Mr. Poole...please be gentle. This fair creature is my guest," Hyde chided. Mr. Poole released her and she backed away from them.
"You're him. Hyde...the man Doctor Jekyll warned me about," she said fearfully. Hyde chuckled.
"Oh yes, I am sure the good doctor told you many horror stories about me, but the truth is that you have nothing to fear from me, Rose Red," he stated.
"And why should I believe you?" she questioned skeptically.
"Because I am the one that has been searching for a portal to send you back home. But I am afraid it is the doctor that continues to sabotage my efforts," Hyde revealed. She gasped.
"I don't believe you...why would he do that?" she cried.
"Isn't it obvious?" Hyde asked, as he stepped closer to her.
"Jekyll is in love with you...he wishes for you to remain here in definitely," Hyde revealed.
"But I am married...I am in love with my Fandral," she protested.
"Yes, well, the Doctor thinks that you'll eventually forget about your Fandral and fall for him if you stay here long enough. He's a bit delusional that way and doesn't take rejection well," Hyde answered. Her shoulders sank, as she wondered if she would ever be reunited with her beloved and a tear slipped down her cheek. Gingerly, Hyde reached out with a gentle touch and wiped it away and they stared at each other.
"He said he would help me, but he lied. How can I know that you are not lying about helping me as well?" she asked.
"You don't...except that I know you have good instincts and right now, they are telling you that I am not the real danger," he replied.
"If that is true, then why can we not lock Jekyll away where he cannot hurt anyone?" she questioned. Hyde put a hand to his forehead, like he was in pain.
"I'm afraid that will become quite apparent in a moment. Promise me you will not tell him what I have told you...your safety depends upon it, Rose Red," Hyde pleaded. She swallowed, as she looked into his eyes. There was such affection there and she felt a warmth from him that Jekyll did not have.
"I promise, Mr. Hyde. But I don't understand…" she uttered.
"You will…" he promised and she gasped, as he started to convulse violently. She watched in horror, as Hyde became Jekyll and the doctor lay his possessive gaze on her.
"Rose...did he hurt you? Did Hyde touch you?" he asked. Before she might have thought it was in concern for her well being, but now she saw past that. His hand on her arm felt possessive and his eyes were mad with lust. She swallowed thickly and her heart thrummed rapidly in her chest. But she did as Hyde asked of her.
"N...no...he did not harm me or touch me," she responded.
"But he frightened you...oh I am so sorry," he said, as he pulled her into a hug, which surprised her. She wanted to push him away, but now she was afraid to anger him, for the real monster had been in front of her all along...
