"This isn't gonna end well for us, is it," Emma asked her as they were entering the motel.

"Most definitely not." Amy's lips then started twitching in an effort to conceal a smile. "But her face when she saw you with that chainsaw was so worth it."

"You shouldn't be laughing; we were actively participating in the destruction of the environment."

"You were actively participating in the destruction of the environment. I was simply enjoying the show from the sidelines."

Oh, and what a show that had been.

The collision of an unstoppable force, also known as Emma, with an unmovable object, more commonly known as Regina.

Thrilling to watch, despite knowing it would undoubtedly backfire on them.

"Miss Swan?"

They turned to find a very uncomfortable looking Granny. "Oh, my, this is terribly awkward."

She raised an eyebrow, sharing a glance with Emma, before asking. "What is?"

"I need to ask you to leave."

"What?"

Granny raised her hand in a placating gesture. "Not you, Miss Cassidy. Just Miss Swan. I'm afraid we have a 'no felons' rule. It turns out it's a city ordinance."

Well, that was fast.

The two friends glanced at each other, the same thought passing through their minds.

Emma was the one that spoke it. "Let me guess. The Mayor's office just called to remind you.

The woman in front of them looked apologetic, despite it not being her fault. "You can gather your things," she said, before turning to Amy, "and of course, Miss Cassidy, you can stay for as long as you want, but I'm afraid your friend needs to leave."

"Yeah, okay," she scoffed, entering the room to start gathering their things.

No way in hell was she going to leave Emma alone.

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She did, in fact, leave Emma alone.

Regina had requested a meeting with her and, despite Amy's most vehement objections to that, in the end her friend had decided to go alone.

Which was stupid, because it was quite obvious that Regina had something in mind. In the end, the Mayor had managed to drive a wedge between the newly reunited mother and son, which had severely pissed off said mother. Emma had called her to tell her what had happened and let her know she was would be paying back Mary Margaret the bail money before leaving town. Because they were leaving, apparently.

So, here Amy was at Granny's, their rendezvous, drinking away her sorrows, while Emma was spending some time with her mother. Not that either of them had any idea.

"You look like you need to talk," Ruby said, taking a seat in the stool next to hers, sliding her a chocolate muffin as well.

"Well, there's not much to say, really. We're leaving town tonight," she replied, before thanking her for the muffin with a small smile.

The woman sitting next to her visibly deflated. "Oh."

"Yeah..."

"Is this about what Granny did? Because maybe I can convince her to-"

"No, no, it's okay. It's not about that," Amy said. "We just can't really stay here anymore. Have to go back to our lives."

"No, of course."

They remained in comfortable silence for a bit, before Ruby asked her, "But you are going to visit, right? I mean, it'll probably be better for Henry if you did."

"Honestly? I don't know what Emma's going to do but I, personally, have no intention of ever setting foot in this town again. Not as long as some people are remain here," she muttered the last part, but the other woman heard her.

"Gold?"

Amy nodded. "Among others."

Ruby nodded, something she wanted to say on the tip of her tongue, before rolling her eyes and excusing herself after Granny called-or yelled, really-for her to get back to work.

She looked around absentmindedly, observing those around her who had no idea of what they'd lost. She had said to Ruby that they needed to get back to their lives. But this, all of this...It used to be her life. It would have been Emma's, as well, if it weren't for Amy and the other two.

"Hey," Emma's voice startled her out of her thoughts.

She turned around to see not only her friend, who had a big smile on her face, but the little devil as well, who had a similar expression. "Hey. What's going on?"

"So, uh, change of plans. We're staying."

"We are?"

"You are?" she heard Ruby call out from the table in the corner, the order balancing precariously on the tray, as she looked at them with wide eyes and a grin.

"Oh, yeah."

Setting down the order, Ruby walked over to them. "Well, that's great news," she said, smiling at them and patting her on the arm before walking away, muttering something about 'celebratory drinks'.

Amy heard her friend snicker beside her, which made her turn to look at her questioningly.

"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "I just love how oblivious you are."

Henry nodded in apparent agreement.

What?

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Oh, God, not him.

"What a mess," he exclaimed, looking around as he slowly made his way to her.

"Not for long," she said, turning to face him. "What can I do for you, Mr. Gold?" She really did not have time for him.

"I was just in the neighborhood, thought I'd pop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits."

Regina chuckled. "Well, it's been a good day. I just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance."

"Emma Swan? Really?" Regina hated how his eyes always seemed like they saw more than any of them, even now.

"Yes. I imagine she's halfway to Boston by now."

He dared to pick an apple from her tree, laughing. "Oh, I wouldn't bet on that." Ignoring her scowl, he continued, "I've just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy and that friend of hers," he paused. "Amy, was it? Thick as thieves, they all looked."

She felt the blood in her veins freeze. "What?"

He smirked, the bastard. "Perhaps you should have come to me. If Miss Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help," he said. "For a price, of course."

Regina couldn't help but let out a small laugh at his words. "I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore." She turned her back on him, focusing on her tree.

"To which deal are you referring?"

Why couldn't he just leave? "You know what deal."

Recognition flashed in his eyes. "Oh, right, yeah. The boy I procured for you. Henry. Did I ever tell you what a lovely name that was? How ever did you pick it?"

That despicable, little imp. "Did you want her to come to town? You wanted all this to happen, didn't you?" she asked, something inside her already knowing the answer. "Your finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Where did you get him?" The bastard remained silent. "Do you know something?"

"I've no idea what you're implying."

"I think you do." His sly smirk was the most irritating sight she'd had in years. He knew something. "Who is this woman, his mother, this...Emma Swan?"

"It is curious you're only asking about her and not her friend," he said, his vexing smirk only growing. "But replying to your question...I would say you think you know exactly who she is."

No, it can't be.

Except it could, if Amelia was with her.

He continued. "Now, I really must be going."

She blocked his path. She was going to get the answers she wanted. She was the Queen, damn him. "Tell me what you know about her."

He wasn't having any of it. "I'm not gonna answer you, dear, so I suggest you excuse me."

"Please." he added, when she remained unmoved, taking a bite out of her apple before throwing over his shoulder as he was walking away.

Oh, she knew it in her heart, this was Amelia's doing somehow. They-both of them-planned this, that much was certain. What she didn't know was what to do about it.

Regina had always been lost when it came to the Knight.

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