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Capture and Release	By : TaylorKing Category: M through R > Once Upon A Time Views: 9636 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I own nothing Once Upon a Time related, or its characters, and make no money from it

Chapter List
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Silence was the first thing Regina’s brain recognized. Wherever she was, she was lying in peace and quiet. Blankets were settled firmly over her, weighing down her exhausted body. Her head rested on something soft. A pillow. It had to be.
            Slowly, she pried open her eyelids. They were so heavy. But once she got them open, blinked a few times, they felt normal.
            She was in her bed, in her bedroom, at her father’s estate. What on earth had happened? She tried to remember, but couldn’t. All she knew right now was that her throat hurt.
            It felt swollen, bruised. Had someone tried to strangle her? It wouldn’t be a surprise. But come to think of it, her entire body hurt. Slowly, she turned her head, wincing at the feeling as her muscles screamed in protest.
            “Easy your Majesty.” A woman’s voice spoke from the foot of the bed. “No sudden movement.”
            Regina looked at the woman who stood with one hand on the bedpost. She recognized her. Rose-the maid from Charming’s estate. The only woman who didn’t argue when Regina complained her hair was done incorrectly.
            “What-?” Regina’s voice came out dry and scratchy. She quickly cleared her throat, coughing. The swollen sensation didn’t subside. “What happened?”
            The woman sat down on the edge of the bed beside Regina. She took a bowl from the nightstand and held it in her lap. Taking a folded cloth from beside it, she placed the cloth into the bowl. Regina watched her fingers begin turning the cloth over.
            “How do you feel?” Rose asked. The cloth under her fingers was becoming coated with small dark flecks and appeared to be dripping. Regina could smell something strange.
            “My throat-.”
            “I know.” Rose’s voice sounded sympathetic. “This will help.”
            Her muscles ached and felt heavy with lethargy. Regina could only wonder what had happened to her.
            Rose pulled the cloth out of the bowl. Wringing it out, she laid it on Regina’s throat. Smoothing the wet fabric down, she made sure it laid flat. Regina could now smell strong herbs.
            “What is that?”
            “Some herbs, a few oils, water. They’ll help with the pain and any remaining swelling. You’re very lucky, your Majesty.”
            “What happened?” Regina asked again, weakly.
            “How much do you remember?” Rose was reaching for a small bottle on the nightstand. She opened it, poured a few drops onto her fingers. Gently, she dabbed them against Regina’s temples.
            “What is that?” Regina could smell peppermint.
            “Peppermint oil. It will help you relax. Now tell me what you remember.”
            “Dinner last night.” Regina pressed her eyes closed. She inhaled the scent of the oil a few times before opening them. “Or…part of it at least.”
            “That was almost two nights ago, Majesty.” Rose was picking up a goblet from the nightstand. “I need you to drink some water for me.”
            She brought the goblet to Regina’s lips. Regina sipped a bit. Rose pulled it back, holding it on her lap.
            “You ingested a good amount of poison.” Rose told her. “You’ve been very sick since then.”
            Poison. Regina took a deep breath. That explained so much.
            “What was it?” She let her head fall onto the pillow.
            “Arenrose.” The maid smoothed the blankets more thoroughly over her.
            “No,” Regina shook her head. “No, that’s impossible. Arenrose is fatal.”
            She almost immediately started coughing. Rose brought the cup back to her lips.
            “Easy.” The older woman soothed her gently as she drank. “And yes, Arenrose is typically lethal. But thanks to the King, we were able to get the antidote.”
            The King. Charming. Was he here? He apparently hadn’t been poisoned. But what about-?
            “My father?” Regina tried to settle back onto the mattress. “Is he-?”
            “Your father is fine, your Majesty.” Rose put the water glass down and reached for another glass. “Drink some cranberry juice for me.”
            Regina was too tired to fight. She took a small sip as the woman held it to her lips.
            “You are understandably sore.” Rose assured her, putting the glass down. “Arenrose causes a high fever, which can be awful on the body. Also, it causes the throat to swell. That’s why yours hurts now. It’ll be better soon. Once you’ve rested some more, I’ll mix up another dose of the antidote, and maybe make you some regular tea.”
            Regina nodded wearily.
            “The King saved me?”
            “He did.” Rose was smoothing the wrap on Regina’s neck. “Went out into a raging thunderstorm to seek out the Goldenbloom. You rest, my Queen.”
            “Why are you helping me?” Regina murmured, letting her head fall onto the pillow. “You’ve always been nice to me.”
            “Because I believe the King.” Rose told her, tucking the blankets higher. “And I trust his judgment. Many believe that you’ve enchanted the King, bewitched him to save your life. I don’t believe that. I believe the man genuinely loves you.”
            Regina closed her eyes for a moment. She felt nauseous. Maybe sleep would make her feel better.
            “Why would I choose the King?” She asked, opening her eyes to look at Rose. “I don’t even really like him.”
            “I understand.” Rose squeezed her hand, an gesture so personal that it surprised Regina. “Don’t worry about it now, your Majesty. Just get some rest. I’m letting no one see you until you’re stronger. When you wake up, you’ll need another dose of the antidote. Then I’ll make you some plain tea. Sound fair?”
            Regina nodded, not openly caring. She closed her eyes, but then opened them again.
            “Thank you.”
            “Don’t thank me. Thank the King.”
******Scene*********

                                                When Regina woke up next, Prince Henry was seated beside her bed. Regina smiled as she turned carefully to her right. Her muscles were still aching from fever and poison.
            “Father.”
            “Oh Regina.” Prince Henry gathered her hand to his cheek. “I thought for sure we were going to lose you. How do you feel?”
            Regina smiled as she squeezed his hand.
            “Tired. But I’ll be all right.”
            “I had my serious doubts of that for some time.” Prince Henry smiled, stroking his other hand down Regina’s cheek. “For a moment, I thought you were dead. The way you collapsed….” He shook his head, shuddering.
            “I don’t remember.” Regina told him, stroking her fingers over his. “I remember dinner. The poison…it must have been in the soup?” Prince Henry nodded calmly.
            “It was.” He thought back with the memory. “If there had been just a bit more in the soup, you would have died for certain.”
            “I would have died,” Regina murmured, “if not for the healer-Rose.”
            “Even she couldn’t save you,” Prince Henry was running his knuckles along her cheek. “She couldn’t have saved you without David’s help.”
            Regina was silent. She stared across the room for a long moment, watching the far wall aimlessly.
            “So I’ve heard.” She murmured, looking over at her father. “Is it true? What she tells me?”
            “That the King risked his own life to ride into a thunderstorm to save yours? Yes, it’s quite true. He barely left your side while you were ill.”
            Regina stared at the empty fireplace for a few moments. Finally, she looked at her father.
            “He didn’t have to save me.” It was a simple statement. Prince Henry picked up the awe in it. Regina was generally surprised he had saved her-while knowing that he hadn’t been obligated to save her.
            “No, he didn’t.” Prince Henry agreed, nodding. “But I know he wouldn’t have done anything else.”
            “Where is he?” Regina glanced at her father.
            “What?” Prince Henry gave her a confused glance.
            “Where is he?” Regina repeated. “If he was so concerned, where is he? Why isn’t he here now?”
            “I’m not sure.” That was true. Prince Henry wasn’t entirely certain why Charming had been more than willing to let him see Regina, keeping back himself.
“I’ll find out for you.” He squeezed her hand. “But you need rest. You can’t push yourself. There could be lingering effects.”
            Regina nodded, letting her head rest back on the pillow. The entire circumstance was bizarre-poisoning, nearly dying, and two people going out of their way to save her.
            “Is this a second chance?” She glanced back at her father. “Are there really people who will give me a second chance?”
            “Don’t get too optimistic.” Prince Henry smiled. “You’re still in this situation because people wanted you dead.”

****Scene*******

                                                Charming couldn’t quite explain why he wasn’t anxious to see Regina. It had nothing to do with his feelings towards her-quite the opposite. He was dying to see her.
            When she was unconscious, it was so much easier to love her. He realized just how ridiculous the thought sounded. Now, awake, he was back to the world of her adamantly telling her how she didn’t like him. He wasn’t sure he could go back to that world after everything he’d done to save her.
            It wasn’t saying that he had done what he had because he expected her to love him as a return. He’d saved her because he loved her, and wanted her alive. But was the Evil Queen the type of person who cared how far someone had gone for her?
            “David.” He turned to see Prince Henry standing behind him. He knew what the old man was going to say. He wasn’t sure he knew what to say. “Regina’s awake.”
            “Good. Good.” David nodded, turning a smile onto his face. “How is she?”
            “Why don’t you go an ask her?” Prince Henry had a look on his face that Charming didn’t like. Expectant, questioning. Why aren’t you with her, Charming, it said.
            “I…wasn’t sure she’d be up to company.”
            “Company in general, or your company?” Charming lowered his head sheepishly.
            “Mine.” Prince Henry took a deep breath, and then reached out and laid his hand on Charming’s shoulder.
            “What’s happened?” The older man asked gently. “After everything, what’s pushing you away from Regina?”
            “I wouldn’t say it’s pushing me away.” Charming sighed. “It’s just….” He stared off over the gardens to the countryside beyond. “How am I supposed to react to her? After everything I went through to save her, how am I supposed to address a woman who openly doesn’t like me?”
            “Because you saved her life-twice-in the last week.” Prince Henry assured him. “That speaks for something. I’ve seen her, talked to her. Go to her. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.”
            Charming wanted to run to her, wanted to run up the stairs and grab her, tell her he loved her and was thrilled she was alive…but instead he swallowed hard, nodded, and glanced towards the doorway.
            “Ok, I’ll go talk to her.” Prince Henry nodded to him, pushing him gently towards the door.
****Scene********
                                                Charming took the stairs slowly, one at a time. He paused at the top, looking down the hallway. Regina’s room was the third door, on the left. He was going to open the door, go in, and try not to make this uncomfortable for both of them.
            He stood outside the door for a moment before putting his hand on the doorknob, and turning slowly. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing the door again behind him.
            From the bed, Regina’s eyes opened. She lay resting against pillows. Charming couldn’t deny, she looked much better than when he’d seen her last. Not good, not by any means, but better.
            For a moment, the two just looked at each other.
            Finally, his emotion got the best of him. He crossed the room to her and dropped down to the bed beside her. One hand went to cover hers, which were resting on her stomach. The other fell on her forehead, as it had many times since she’d been sick. Gently, his fingertips rubbed against her temple. Regina didn’t pull away, she simply stared up at him from those gorgeous dark eyes.
            “You’re alive.” He breathed, his fingers not leaving her forehead. She wasn’t feverish now. But she was a grayish pale, and she had dark circles under her eyes. It was too much like she’d looked in the dungeons.
            “Thanks to you.” She whispered, her eyes focused on his. “Or so I hear.”
            “I did what I had to do.” He told her, not taking his eyes off of hers. He leaned back, lifting his hand off of her forehead, but not moving his left from her hands. “How do you feel?”
            He couldn’t stop the fingers of his right hand from seeking out the hair at her temple. Gently, he stroked against it, wanting to let it free.
            “Ok.” Regina answered honestly, still looking up at him. “Tired. Sore.”
            “You need rest.” He told her gently. “Sleep.” Regina nodded. Her lips parted to answer but the sound of the door opening stopped her, and she finally broke eye contact with Charming.
            “Sorry to interrupt.” Rose was now moving into the room. “But you need another dose of the antidote, your Majesty.”
            Regina shot another glance at Charming before nodding.
            “Fine.” She agreed.
            “Am I getting kicked out?” Charming sat back, moving his hands off of her.
            “You can stay if the Queen agrees to it.” Rose told him as she began mixing another dose of antidote.
            Charming looked at Regina, uncertain as to what he would hear. But she simply nodded quickly.
            “He can stay.”
            “Then there is no issue, your Majesty.” Rose poured the concoction into a glass vile. “Want to try and sit up?” Regina closed her eyes, shook her head. “Understandable.”
            Rose nudged Charming from his spot. He moved to the foot of the bed, watched as she brought the vile to Regina’s lips. Regina made a face as she swallowed the tonic.
            “It’s so bitter.”
            “You most likely don’t recall,” Rose put the empty vile aside, “but Arenrose is a very sweet poison. And the tale is that the sweeter the poison, the more bitter the antidote.”
            “It’s not a lie.” Regina coughed.
            “Tea?” Rose asked. Regina shook her head.
            “Sleep.”
            “Even better.” Rose murmured, pulling the blankets higher over her. “Don’t stay long, your Majesty.” She warned Charming as she crossed to the doorway.
            “Of course not.” Charming rose, moving to Regina’s side.
            After the door closed, he looked down at her.
            “I’ll let you sleep.” He laid his hand on her cheek. “I need you healthy sooner rather than later.” Regina gave him a faint smile.
            “Don’t worry about that.” Charming returned her smile, before leaning down to kiss her cheek.
            “I’ll see you later, Regina.”
            “Goodbye, Charming.” Her eyes fell shut, and he took it upon himself to get up and start for the door. “Charming?”
            Her voice startled him, so he turned back to look at her. Her eyes were open again, watching him.
            “Thank you.”
            “Of course.” He paused at the door. “Sleep.” Regina nodded, and her eyes closed again. This time, they didn’t reopen.
******Scene*******
                                                Charming awoke the next morning with more confidence. He had to see Regina. He had to talk to her, to see how she responded to him when she was stronger.
            He met Rose in the hallway, coming out of the bedroom.
            “Your queen will live, your Majesty.” Rose assured him. “She’s stronger this morning. It will probably be another day before she’s up and more like herself, but I see no lasting effects. I believe she’ll be just fine.”
            Charming smiled. It was the type of news he’d hoped for.
            “Can I see her?”
            “I see no reason why not.” Rose nodded to the door. “So long as she is up for visitors.”
            “Here’s to hoping she is.” Charming reached for the doorknob, letting himself in.
            The rain that had been hanging on had finally left. The doors leading to the balcony had been opened, and the warm morning air was blowing in. Regina was sitting up in bed now, with the pillows supporting her from behind. Her dark eyes watched Charming as he moved into the room.
            “Well, look who’s feeling better.” He smiled as he sat down on the bed beside her. This time was different. He kept his hands to himself, intentionally not touching her.
            “I am, thank you.” Regina returned his smile before returning to simply watching him.
            She looked better today. Some of her color had returned. Her hair had been taken from its ponytail, brushed out and now hung in long thick curls down her back.
            In truth, Charming had no idea what he should say to her. He knew feelings didn’t change overnight, especially with Regina. So he waited, gave her the chance to take the lead.
            “So the story is that you nearly killed yourself attempting to save me.” Regina turned her eyes to him. “Is it true?”
            “Nearly killing myself is a bit of an exaggeration, but I suppose it could have happened.” Charming caught himself laughing a little.
            The entire story poured out. He told about the fairies’ help, about the horse falling in the mud, about uncovering the blooms in the swamp, and about trying to get out of mud soaked hill country in a thunderstorm. When he was finished, Regina shook her head.
            “I thought the Blue Fairy was out for my head. Why was she saving me?”
            “Maybe a favor to me, maybe because she wants to give you a second chance, either way, she saved you long enough for me to get the antidote. And she sent Tinkerbelle with me, and I never would have made it without them.”
            “Then I owe them my life too.” Regina lowered her eyes. Her face looked serious. Charming was getting the idea that she had realized just how serious this was-people wanted to kill her, they had almost succeeded.
            “Well, there’s most likely one other who is far less happy with you than before-the horse.”
            Regina looked up, a small smile creeping across her face.
            “Then I owe him a sincere apology, and maybe an apple.”
            She was different this morning from what she had been. Maybe it was just illness, maybe it was realization, Charming couldn’t say for certain. But he had a suspicion that Regina’s poor temperament may have settled a bit.
            “Nothing feels strange to you?” Charming pressed gently. “Nothing hurts? Everything is all right?” Regina nodded.
            “I’m fine, Charming. Just a bit tired.”
            She didn’t look fine, but Charming wasn’t arguing. If she said she was fine, then he wouldn’t argue unless she gave him reason to be proven right.
            “How’s your arm?”
            “What?”
            “Your arm.” Regina nodded towards his left arm. “How is it?” Charming had almost forgotten about the wound he’d obtained. It hurt every so often when he moved it the wrong way, or if he slept on it, but other than that it was nothing more than an annoying bruising sensation.
            “It’s fine.” He assured her, reaching up to touch it lightly. “It’s healing. It will be gone soon.”
            “Good.” Regina followed his fingers with her eyes. “You were lucky. If it had gone all the way through, it would have caused far more damage. And taken much longer to heal.”
            Charming nodded, looking at his arm rather than her face. Was that concern? He couldn’t be sure. He guessed you were obligated to express concern for a person who had tried to save you. Still, he was rather impressed that Regina was upholding these thoughts.
            “We were both lucky.” He looked over at her. “Either, or both, of us could have been killed in that attack.”
            Regina studied her fingernails. Charming suspected it was an intentional avoiding of the topic.
            “You don’t have to worry.” He advised her. “We’re going to work out the security details, make sure everything is tightened. Once you’re better, we’ll worry about the details.”
            Regina finally glanced at him, but still said nothing. For once, Charming was finding her completely unreadable. Normally he could pick up something: dislike, annoyance, acceptance, something. But right now, she was totally unreadable. Her entire persona was…blank.
He wondered if it was a cleaver trick. Had she successfully succeeded in masking her emotions from him in some strange attempt to throw him off? No, he doubted that almost as soon as he thought it. She was still recovering from the poison. That would have taken a great deal of effort, one he wasn’t sure she had the strength to uphold.
“I should let you rest.” He wouldn’t push her. They’d actually conversed a bit. So far, she’d kept social and peaceful with him. He wouldn’t ask her to go beyond that now.
“It’s…probably not a bad idea.” Regina surprisingly agreed. If she was agreeing, it was truly best he left.
“Then I’ll see you later.” He rose to his feet. Pausing, he took the initiative to lay his hand against her cheek. Regina’s eyes flicked to his hand, and then back to his face. She gave him a quick nod as he withdrew his hand before turning to leave the room.
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