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Capture and Release	By : TaylorKing Category: M through R > Once Upon A Time Views: 9639 -:- 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
- 17
- 18
- 19
There was a knock on the door. Charming’s eyes opened. The knock came again. He ignored it and burrowed himself deeper into the blankets.
            They’d had to get up in the middle of the night to close the windows when a thunderstorm rolled in. But judging by the light creeping through the drapes, the storm had passed.
            Another knock on the door.
            “Someone’s at the door.” Regina mumbled from her nest of pillows and blankets.
            “Mmhmmm. They must be knocking loud if they woke you.”
            “Just get rid of them.”
            “Your Majesty?” The maid’s voice called from the other side of the door. “I have a message from King George that requires an answer.”
            Regina made a sound of annoyance. Charming dragged himself away from her and sat up, letting the blankets fall around his waist. He wasn’t worried about being seen, Regina had pulled her lacy black nightgown back on in the middle of the night.
            “Come in.” The maid entered, and handed him a scroll tied with a purple ribbon. Charming sighed and unrolled the scroll. King George’s game feast…that evening. He openly groaned. He’d heard too many things about George’s game feast.
            “Thank you. I’ll get you a response soon.”
            “Yes, your Majesty.” The young woman nodded. “Ah, breakfast?” Charming reached over and rubbed Regina’s arm.
            “Are you hungry?”
            “No.” Came the muffled response from the blanket. Regina had pulled half of the blanket over her head.   A few stray locks of dark hair were all that emerged. Charming shook his head.
            “Maybe in a little while.” He waited until the maid had left before he tapped Regina with the scroll. “Hey. You need to sit up and look at this.”
            A sound of annoyance came from under the blanket.
            “You’ve made me remember why I like sleeping alone.” Regina sat up, tossing her hair over her shoulders. “What is it?” He held the paper out to her.
            “An invitation to King George’s game feast. Tonight.”
            “Doesn’t surprise me.” Regina skimmed over the invitation. “This is how George does things. If you want to stay in his social circle, you’ll drop everything to go. If you don’t go, you can expect not be invited to anything until next year’s game feast.”
            Charming groaned and flopped back against his pillows.
            “But I don’t want to go.”
            “Unfortunately, you don’t have much choice. Well, you do, but it won’t win you any points with any of the other royals.”
            “What if I don’t care?”
            “You will. If we’re attacked.” Why did she have to be right? Because she was the only one of them with ruling experience.
            “Then I guess we have to go.”
            “No, not ‘we’. You.” At Charming’s disgusted look, Regina tapped one manicured fingernail against the bottom of the invitation. “Men only. No women. It’s always been like that. He only cares about getting the kings’ opinions. This isn’t an event for women.”
            That enticed him even less. The idea of being away from Regina for another night, after just having returned from his mother’s sounded terrible. They’d been virtually inseperable. They hadn’t spent a night alone, and even in waking hours, they’d been in the same room.
            “But I don’t want to leave you again.” He whined, dropping the scroll onto the bed.
            “Doesn’t exactly entice me either,” Regina was pressing kisses against his chest.
            “Mm, what are you doing?” He groaned as her tongue found one nipple.
            “What do you think I’m doing?” Regina kissed up his throat, shifting so she was half on top of him.
            “I have to send George a reply.”
            “George will wait a half an hour while you say good morning to me.” Her lips left his throat and sealed over his as she moved to straddle his lap.
            Charming gathered handfuls of nightgown and stripped them up and over her head. She moaned as his mouth found one of her nipples. He took his time before switching to the other. Regina took his hand, guiding it between her thighs. He needed no further encouragement and began to stroke her clit.
            Regina reached between them and tugged the waistband of his pajama bottoms.
            “Would you be patient?” He lifted his head from her nipple. “We’ll get there.” He pushed two of his fingers into her. Regina’s hips moved with him, and soon she was panting and gasping against him.
            “Mmmm yes….I…ahhhh.” She shuddered in his arms, her eyes squeezing shut in pleasure. Charming gave her no time and shifted her to tug and kick his pants down. Slowly, he guided himself into her hot wetness.
            Regina met him instantly. She lowered herself down all the way to him. Charming wrapped his arms around her, letting her fuck him. Their heavy breathing filled the bedroom’s silence. His nails dragged down her back.
            “I’m so close.”   He loved the look on her face and began raising his hips to meet her.
            “Me too,” he whispered. He raised one hand to rub his thumb against her nipple. Regina began to whimper. Her whimpers grew louder until she cried out. He thrust into her until he came, holding her tightly to him. Regina’s lips lingered on his collar bone for a few more minutes before she lifted herself up to kiss his lips.
            “Good morning.”
            “Good morning yourself.” He smiled at her. “I like it when you wake up like this.” Regina smirked.
            “I’m sure you do.” She kissed his lips again. “And by the way, now I am definitely hungry.”
***Scene***
                                                “I really don’t want to go.” Charming finished writing his acceptance letter. Reaching into the nightstand drawer, he withdrew the flints and lit the candle on the nightstand.
            “Sometimes you have to do things you don’t want to as king.” Regina licked honey off of her fingertips. Charming grumbled as he dripped wax onto his letter, sealing it.
            “You know what goes on at George’s game feast, correct?” He looked over his shoulder at her. Regina nodded, sipping from her teacup.
            “Please, it was the one day a year Leopold had sex with someone other than me.”   Charming sighed heavily. He’d hoped he had heard wrong.
            Rumors told of a lot of eating, a lot of drinking, and a lot of sex with various prostitutes hired by the King.
            “Regina-.”
            “I’m not worried, Charming.” She looked over at him. “Really. Anything that happens….happens.”
            “Nothing is going to happen.” Charming lay the letter on the nightstand as he moved closer to her. “I promise. You’re all I want.”
            Regina studied him before she reached over and stroked his cheek.
            “I hate the idea of spending a night away from you,” she admitted.
            “Then you won’t.” He leaned over and kissed her lips. “I’m coming home tonight.” Regina frowned.
            “Charming, it’s a two hour ride. You’ll be drinking. The party won’t break up until at least midnight.”
            “I don’t care.”
            “You’re an idiot.”
            “To be fair,” Charming smiled, “you tell me that over a lot of things.”
            “And I mean it over a lot of things.” Regina shook her head.
            “I don’t care.” He reached up to stroke her hair. “ And I mean that.”
            “Of course you do.” Regina stretched. “You should call the maid to get that letter moving.”
            Grumbling, Charming rang for the maid. When she had come and taken away the letter, he flopped back against the pillows.
            “What if Midas is there?”
            “He probably will be.” Regina picked up her teacup and settled beside him. “How did you get out of that one anyway?”
            “You really want to know?” Charming rolled his head to the side to look at her.
            “Yes.”
            “Are you sure? The version I told him?”
            “Yes.”
            “All right,” Charming sat up to face her. “’King Midas, as much as I’d love to marry your daughter, I have to prove myself to the other kingdoms. And what better way to do that than by imprisoning the Evil Queen? Bringing her to her knees for me-literally-will show everyone the type of man I am.’”
            Regina watched the expression on his face. It was darker than usual. She was a bit impressed, and a bit turned on. Slowly, she leaned over to kiss his lips.
            “Very impressive, my dear. You never stop surprising me.”
            “It impressed Midas. He left me alone. So I guess I just have to impress him again tonight.”
            “Well, tell him how you’ve completely brought the Evil Queen under your spell.” She flicked her tongue against his lips.
            “Mm, yes…that I’ve completely entranced her and she submits only to me.” Charming nipped her lower lip as he stroked her hair.
            “Well don’t tell him that,” Regina frowned as she pulled back. “I enjoy a good sex game as much as the next person, but I will always fight you for dominance in this relationship.”
            “All right,” Charming pulled her back to him. “I will tell him that I am so fantastic in bed that he should be glad his daughter didn’t marry me because he would never see her again.” That made Regina laughed.
            “Arrogance again, Charming.”
            “Mmm, come here.” Charming lifted her onto his lap. “I’m coming back to you tonight.”
            “Unless it’s too dangerous.”
            “I might not even let a storm stop me this time.” He kissed her lips quickly. “Come on, let’s get moving. It won’t be long before I have to get ready to leave.”
***Scene****
                                                In order to make it to King George’s castle by 6:00, Charming had to leave no later than 4:00. So it was just after 2 when he and Regina entered the master bedroom.
            “This shirt is a mess of wrinkles.” Charming stood in front of the mirror, attempting to smooth it down.
            “Getting rid of the wrinkles wouldn’t make that shirt any better.” Regina was standing behind him dressed in a diamond covered black velvet gown. It had a high collar that came up and brushed against the dangling diamond earrings she wore.
            “All right,” Charming stared at her in the mirror, “what do you suggest?”
            Regina turned, disappearing into his dressing room. He heard her rummaging inside.
            “Try this.” She returned carrying a black shirt in her hand. With one motion, she pulled off his white shirt and handed him the black one. Charming shrugged the shirt on, carefully tucking it into his black trousers. It did look better than the white one.
            “Here.” Regina was holding out a black vest with delicate gold embroidery. He’d never worn it. A tailor had convinced him he needed it. He pulled it on, buttoning the front set of buttons.
            “Not bad.” He turned back to her, but she was gone again. A moment later, she returned with a black jacket. “Everyone’s going to say I’m spending too much time with you,” he told her as he put on the jacket.
But looking at his reflection, he did think he commanded more authority this way. Something about this outfit screamed respect.
“Black suits you too.” Regina kissed his cheek gently. “Now come here and let me take that outfit off of you.”
“Mm.” Charming turned back to her, instantly catching her face in his hands. He drew her lips to his, kissing her slowly. Regina’s arms wrapped around him. He nudged her towards the sofa.
She stripped away his jacket, vest and shirt. Charming fumbled the buttons on the back of her gown before growling his frustration.
“I hate these dresses. Why on earth can’t you wear something simpler?”
“Don’t you think it’s gorgeous?” Regina smirked as she lay back on the sofa.
“Of course I do.” Charming gathered up handfuls of her skirt, pushing them up around her waist. “It would just be much easier if I could simply pull your dress up over your head and throw it aside.”
“Wouldn’t be particularly ladylike.” Regina was working open the buttons of his trousers. She reached inside, freed his length. Her hand wrapped around him and he groaned as she stroked.
Charming tugged her hand away. Regina smirked, settling back as he rubbed his tip against her entrance before pushing in. She moaned, let her eyes fall closed.
“Yes….” She pushed up against him. Charming groaned against her as he began moving inside of her.
“Oh fuck…yes Regina.”
“Mmm that’s it. Just like that.” Regina’s head rolled back on the sofa arm. Charming nipped the underside of her jaw before moving his head up to nip her ear.
Her moans increased as he increased his thrusts. Her eyes opened and met his just as her whimpers grew more urgent.
            “I…oh!”
            “Fuck Regina!” He pushed himself hard into her as he came inside of her. Regina groaned as she felt him deep inside. She wrapped her arms around him, nuzzling gently against his cheek.
            “I’ll survive without you tonight.” She murmured, stroking his cheek.
            “You won’t have to.” He kissed her gently. “I’m coming home.”
            “If you insist.” Regina nudged him off of her. “Come on, let’s finish getting you ready.”
****Scene****
                                                It was just before 4:00 when Charming finished getting his horse prepared and lining up his guards. Finally, he determined himself ready.
            “The Queen is your number one priority.” He advised Captain Treyburn. “But I’ll be back tonight.”
            “I will take the best care of her.” Treyburn assured him. “And your guards are with you, your Majesty.”
            “I’ll be home late, but I’ll be home. I assure you of that.” Charming turned from the Captain to face the castle. Regina was leaning in the doorway, her arms folded under her breasts. As Charming approached, she pushed herself from the wall.
            “I’ll see you tonight,” he told her as he took her into his arms. Regina smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck.
            “Just be careful.” She whispered, pulling herself to him. “Don’t take an unnecessary risk.”
            “I won’t. And don’t worry about anything. I mean it.”
            “I’m not.” Regina met his lips lightly. Charming returned her kiss. He didn’t care who saw. He hated the idea of leaving her, but he was the king and he had to do this. He was the one who needed that reminder.
            “All right, I’m going.” He kissed her cheek as he pulled back. “Don’t wait up.”
            “Wasn’t really planning on it.” Regina took a step back from him. “Go.” He kissed her cheek again before turning and boarding his horse.
            “All right, gentlemen. Let’s go.” Charming nudged his horse. He and the three guards started out of the gate, off into the countryside.
            Regina watched him until he was out of sight. She smirked. Now it was time to put her own plan into action.
            “Captain Treyburn.” She strolled calmly towards the Captain of the Guards.
            “Yes, your Majesty?” Treyburn turned to face her. Regina reached into the bodice of her gown and withdrew a folded piece of paper. She held it out to him in her index and middle fingers.
            “You know the local gypsy camps in the area, yes?”
            “I….do your Majesty.”
            “You will take this to them.” Regina held out the piece of paper. “And tell them that the King wants everything on this list-immediately.”
            “Immediately?” Treyburn echoed, his fingers lingering just above the paper.
            “No later than tomorrow morning.” Regina smiled as the guard finally took the paper.
            “My apologies, your Majesty, but the King will be furious with me if I were to leave you here and something should happen.”
            Regina frowned and cocked her head to one side, watching the Captain.
            “The King is keeping you on staff to do as I say, Captain, not to think. And, if I know the King the way I think I do, he’ll be equally furious if he comes home to find out I’m horribly disappointed with you. It would be a shame if he came home and I had to tell him such things, wouldn’t it?”
            The look on Treyburn’s face showed his displeasure in the situation. Finally, he sighed.
            “I will not go myself, your Majesty. I’m required here. But I will send my best man.” Regina smiled, gave him a quick nod.
            “Fair enough. Thank you, Captain.” She turned. “I’ll be in the orchard until dinner.”
***Scene****
                                    “Well if it isn’t the great King David.” King George looked a combination of pleased and smug. Charming forced a polite smile as he handed off the reins of his horse.
            “You thought I would miss your game feast? Hardly.” George chuckled.
            “And how are things in your kingdom? Seems like it’s been a quiet summer for you.”
            “Things are fine.” Charming nodded. He knew full well George was fishing for gossip, but he wasn’t about to give in that easily. “The Queen sends her regards.”
            “Ah Regina.” George smiled. George had a soft spot for Regina-Charming had known that all along. “How is the Queen?”
            “Regina is lovely, thank you.” Charming forced himself to keep the smile firmly on his face. “I would have brought her, but…well….” He winked, motioning around him. George chuckled, patting his shoulder.
            “Well, perhaps I’ll have to make an exception for her. I’ll expect to see you both at my harvest event.”
            “We’ll be there.” So he’d done it: solidified their social circle merely by showing up. George nudged him towards the rest of the crowd.
            “Go. Enjoy your first game feast. You’ll find it’s a lovely event.”
            Charming wasn’t sure he agreed with George’s definition of “lovely.” The stories of drinking at the event were not underestimated. Within his first half hour, he found himself with two shots of whiskey in his hand. And after finishing those two, he found a mug of mead in his hand. Furthermore, several of the kings in attendance were friends of the late King Leopold’s. As the drink flowed more easily, their questions rose.
            “Leopold always said the best thing about the Queen was her body.” King Phillip was watching him slyly. “The stores he told-.”
            “Are not ones I care to hear.” Charming looked at the much older man. “I assure you, gentlemen, the Queen and I have a different relationship.”
            That did not help his situation. The men exchanged glances and smirked.
            “Ah, so the rumors are true,” King Winston leaned across the table anxiously, “you married the Queen for love.”
            Technically they weren’t married, but Charming knew it wouldn’t hurt to leave that rumor out there.
            “That’s what it would have had to have been.” King Grant looked disappointed. “There is no other reason to have married her.”
            “Not from what I’ve heard,” Phillip chimed in. All three men laughed. Charming rolled his eyes and got to his feet. He’d had a lot to drink-a lot. He’d lost count of his shots, and he knew mixing mead with them was probably a terrible idea.
            “And how, exactly, would you gentlemen like it if I spoke this way of your queens?” Charming asked.
            Bad question. The three men looked at each other, shrugging.
            “My father arranged my marriage forty years ago.” King Winston shrugged, sipping his drink. “I saw my queen for the first time on our wedding day. I stayed faithful to her for twenty-four hours. We have four children together-the times I was with her were successful.” The old man rose to his feet and wrapped an arm around Charming’s shoulders.
            “Let me give you a piece of advice, boy. That queen will do you no good-you won’t even get an heir from her. Get rid of her. Her family was never that highly looked up…well, her grandfather had his moments. You can do better. You’ll do more harm that good with her. Marry yourself a better queen. If it’s the sex that keeps you around, keep her as a toy. We’ve all seen her-that’s what she’s worth.”
            It took everything in Charming’s power not to punch the old man. But his anger boiled in him. He had to stay calm. If he developed a reputation for beating up old men for insulting Regina…it would be no help for him.
            “I would have liked any of you to speak of Queen Eva like that to Leopold.” He turned. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I’ll take my time elsewhere.”
            He heard the mutterings behind him. Finally the words came from one of the men:
            “There are dozens of beautiful women here, King David. Screw one of them-you’ll realize there are better fish in the sea.”
***Scene***
                                                It was fairly early, but Regina had shut herself into her bedroom with a book. She was trying to pretend she wasn’t anxious. She wasn’t worried about what happened at the feast…was…wasn’t. The idea of some other woman touching Charming…..
            Her fingers clenched into fists.
She had no right to be jealous. Part of being royalty was accepting the fact that the King regularly slept around on the Queen. The problem was that with Leopold she hadn’t given a damn-she’d welcomed it.
With Charming….the idea of him touching someone else, kissing someone else….
Damn it, he was hers.
Regina bit her tongue even though she hadn’t spoken. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t love Charming.
But did she?
There was a knock on the door. Regina looked up. She still hadn’t heard from Treyburn.
“Enter.”
“Evening, your Majesty.” Rose entered the door. “You’re up here early.”
“Exactly where else should I be?” Regina glanced up from her book. She was settled on the window seat….why she was so close to the window, she wouldn’t admit.
Rose simply gave her a look and went into the dressing room where she began putting laundry away. Regina stared at her book for a few more minutes until Rose returned to the room.
“Are you changing now?”
            There was no reason not to. It was early, but getting out of her current heavy clothes sounded enticing. Rose unlatched the mass of buttons on the back of her dress, unlaced her corset and traded them with her black dressing gown, robe and slippers. Regina sat at her dressing table as Rose worked pins loose and freed her long hair from its elaborate knot. She tossed it out before picking up a brush.
            “You don’t have to pretend you don’t miss him.” Rose pulled the brush through Regina’s hair.
            “I never said I missed him.” Regina met the other woman’s eyes in the mirror.
            “You don’t have to.” Rose scooped up a handful of hair and began to work out a knot at the ends. “Your Majesty, you fool no one. It’s obvious how you look at him-and your reactions when he’s not around.”
            Regina rolled her eyes.
            “How on earth do you think you have the right to speak to me like this?” Rose shrugged, not stopping her work on Regina’s hair.
            “Forgive me, your Majesty, but there aren’t a lot of people you have with which to discuss this matter. Merely pointing out that I am listening-if you do wish to discuss it.”
            Regina lowered her eyes, focusing on the tabletop for a few moments. She considered. Finally, she looked back at Rose.
            “I can’t love him.”
            “Why?” Rose began brushing the underside of a clump of Regina’s hair. “Tell me why you can’t.”
            “There are a number of reasons.”
            “I have nowhere else to be at the moment.” Regina sighed heavily.
            “Loving me gets others hurt.” Rose was silent for a few moments.
            “I know a little of your past, your Majesty. I know you lost before.”
            “I lost because of his love for me.” Regina held Rose’s eyes for a moment. “If he had never loved me…he would have lived.”
            “And you wouldn’t have experienced his love.” Rose ran the brush from the top of Regina’s head down the back of her long hair in smooth strokes. “Your Majesty, you must weigh the pros and cons here. Living without love isn’t worth it. You had to have done something to have deserved this man’s love.”
            Regina chuckled. She thought of Daniel. Her mind regularly drifted to the way he used to look at her. It was not unlike the way David looked at her. The difference was, she fought her own emotions when she saw it on David’s face. She’d never fought it with Daniel.
            “I was young. And innocent.” Regina smiled at the thought. “Daniel and I were young together. We thought we had a future together.”
            “You still have a future.” Regina shook her head.
            “No, I don’t. I lost any chances I had of a future the day Daniel died. My dreams of children died. My dreams of any real happiness died.”
            “Tell me,” Rose laid her hand on Regina’s shoulder, “you can’t have children?” Regina shook her head. “I thought not. But are you not happy with the King?”
            “No, I am happy with him.” Regina had to admit it. She had to say it out loud. David made her happy. He could make her happy in ways she didn’t realize were possible.
            “Then you do have a future of happiness. You just have to stay open to it.” Rose squeezed her shoulder before returning to Regina’s hair. Regina considered her words…but there was something else tugging at her.
            “I have no idea how to love someone else again.” It was the first time she said it. She wondered if others suspected it. But it was true. Love scared her so badly, she had no idea how to let it in again.
            At her words, Rose sighed and laid down the hairbrush.
            “Let me tell you something: my husband died twenty years ago, leaving me alone with an infant. When he died, I thought my world would stop with him. But I had to carry on for my son.”
            “You have a son?” Regina questioned. She was surprised not only by the story, but by the woman’s confession. Rose simply nodded.
            “He’s in his twenties now. He’s married, with a family of his own. I see him every now and then-especially on holidays. But my point is that he was the reason I kept on.”
            “I don’t have a reason to keep on.” Regina sighed. “I never did.”
            “Just because you didn’t at the time doesn’t mean you can’t start again.”
            “But I can’t-.”
            “You can love him again. Trust me,” Rose smiled, “it is possible to love another man after losing one.”
            Regina arched a brow curiously.
            “Do tell.” Rose laughed, brushing Regina’s hair again.
            “That’s a story for another time, Majesty.”   The maid placed the brush back on the dressing table. “Tea?”
****Scene****
                                                Personally, Charming had never been partial to blondes. He had been with blondes, but they weren’t his favorite. He preferred brunettes, but redheads had always been a decent second choice.
            But this particular blonde had taken it upon herself to climb onto him while he’d been talking with several other guests, and she’d remained after they’d left.
            He was horribly drunk-everyone at the damn party was-so it seemed natural that they’d begun kissing, and that she’d begun moving his hands around on her body.
            But his brain was fighting it. He didn’t like her breasts, they were entirely too big. She was trashy…the kind of woman whom he would have appreciated five years ago. Now he’d upgraded. As easy as it would have been to get her dress open, he was uninterested.
            She seemed to sense it, because she broke the kiss she’d been pressing against his lips.
            “You are the only one at this party who isn’t interested.” Charming chuckled as she sat back.
            “You are quite correct.” The woman-whose name he had never picked up-stared at him for a moment.
            “The rumor is that you truly love your queen.” Charming nodded, meeting the woman’s blue eyes.
            “It’s true. Every word of it.” The woman smiled.
            “It’s very sweet.” She slipped off of his lap. “But I suppose that means there’s no persuading you.”
            “No matter how intoxicated I get,” Charming stood up. It was past time he headed home.
            He told his guards to fetch and ready his horse while he said his goodnights. He knew he had to find King George-and he did. But his heart sank when he saw who was with him.
            “King Midas.” Charming shook the older man’s hand. Midas looked him over. Even in his high intoxication, Charming felt the intense study he got.
            “King David. Royalty looks like it’s treating you well. I hear you nearly caught the great Robin Hood.” Midas smiled.
            “Well, I’ve tried. But failed. Much like everyone else.” Charming had to put that in. He wasn’t going to be the only royal in the room that was blamed for missing out on the legendary thief. “And you? You are well, I take it?”
            “Very much so. My daughter will be marrying in the spring. I trust you’ll be attending?”
            Poor Abigail. Charming wondered who Midas had found to marry her. She deserved better than the men her father forced on her.
            “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it. Regina and I will be there.”
            “Your greatest conquest,” Midas chuckled. “I’ll expect you-unless, of course, you’ll be expecting your heir by then.”
            Every time someone said that tonight, Charming wanted to punch them. But he held his tongue, swallowed politely, and nodded.
            “We can only hope.”
            “You should stay the night,” George tried to tell him. “Go home in the morning when it’s light.”
            “Nonsense.” Charming looked over his shoulder at the guard who stood holding his horse by the reins. “It’s not far-and my horse is ready.”
            Both men looked a bit suspicious, but they’d both been drinking so much they had no way to judge. Actually, Charming found luck on his side because they both seemed distracted. He was going to have to give alcohol more credit.
            “Sire, are you sure about this?” The guard who helped him onto his horse looked concerned about this plan. Charming nodded his consent. He shook his head, trying to focus as best he could.
            “I’m not worried.”
            Of course he wasn’t. Alcohol did that to you.
****Scene****
                                                            Regina was curled up on the window seat. The pane of glass next to her was closed, but the one near her feet was open. The voices of the night guards were undistinguishable murmurs from below. Regina rested her head against the glass, sighed.
            She was tired. It was late, so it was expected. She should go to bed…but she’d been holding out….
            She knew it was ridiculous to expect Charming home tonight. Leopold always showed up in time for dinner the next evening with most of his hangover gone. Fortunately, he had gotten so much from other women the night before he had no interest in her.
            Regina was jarred from her thoughts by a tapping on the window. Glancing up, she saw a glowing ball of light hovering just on the other side of the glass.
            “Good evening, your Majesty!” A small voice called. “May I come in?”
            Regina wasn’t overly concerned about a fairy, so she flicked the latch on the window and pushed the glass apart. The ball of light fluttered inside.
            “Thank you.” Regina could see the tiny blonde in the ball of light. She bowed, her blonde ponytail bouncing. “I’m Tinkerbelle.”
            “Tinkerbelle?” Regina knew the name. “Wait, you helped Charming while I was sick.”
            The fairy beamed and nodded.
            “I did! I took him into the swamp.”
            “Then I suppose I owe you my life as well.” Regina couldn’t help but smile, even though she was curious as to why this fairy was here. “What brings you here tonight?”
            “I’ve been meaning to come. I wanted to see you. I…hope that’s all right?” Regina shrugged.
            “I don’t get many visitors.” The fairy smiled shyly.
            “Then I’m glad I came. How are you?”
            Very few asked her that question. Regina wasn’t one hundred percent sure how to respond.
            “I’m fine. I don’t have an ill effects, if that’s what you mean.”
            Tinkerbelle looked far too excited. She clapped her tiny hands.
            “Good! I’m glad! The King must be thrilled.” Regina nodded, a faint smile on her lips.
            “He is.”
            “He loves you, you know that right?”
            “I know. Everyone knows.”
            “And it doesn’t make you happy?” The fairy looked sad. “You needed love. I always knew that. No one becomes evil with love.”
            “I’m glad to see you have that type of faith.” Regina sighed.
            “You don’t believe him?”
            “No, I do.”
            “Then what is it? Why aren’t you happier?” Regina didn’t answer. She was tired of talking about her “love”-feelings-for Charming.
            “I don’t know.” Regina answered simply. She hoped that would be the end of the topic. But the fairy looked perplexed, and then smiled.
            “I know what you need.”
            “More love?”
            “No-you need to know the future.” Now that surprised Regina.
            “Really?” She asked curiously. “You can do that?”
            “Pixie dust can do anything. Give me your hand.” Regina was suspicious. She’d never heard of fairies being able to tell the future, but what could it hurt? She extended her left hand.
            Tinkerbelle sprinkled the glimmering dust over her skin. Regina watched the light shimmer and swirl. But she didn’t see anything.
            “This is ridiculous.”
            “No, not it’s not. I can see……” Tinkerbelle watched the light and smiled. Regina supposed this wasn’t entirely crazy. She knew other magical beings that could have visions. Maybe fairies could too. “I see….” She frowned. “Someone…someone bad.”
            “Someone bad?” Regina echoed. “That could be me.”
            “No…no… it’s not. It’s someone else. Someone is coming.”
            “No one’s coming.” Regina sighed irritably.
            “No, someone is.” The fairy insisted. “I can’t see who.”
            “Of course you can’t. I could get the same reading from a gypsy fortune teller with a crystal ball.” Tinkerbelle gave her an annoyed look.
            “Trust me.” She looked back at the glowing ball, titled her head curiously, and then smiled. “But it’s not all bad. I see a little boy….Henry.”
            “Well now I know you’re crazy.” Regina started to pull her hand back.
            “Wait!” Tinkerbelle said it so adamantly that Regina froze. “He’s not all. A little girl. Blonde. Emma.”
            “They’re certainly not mine.” Regina rolled her eyes. “I can’t have children. Maybe they’re Charming’s. By someone else.”
            By whoever he was fucking tonight….
            “No, no. I couldn’t see them if they weren’t yours. Pixie dust doesn’t lie. These are your children.”
            “Impossible.” Tinkerbelle broke the connection before looking up at Regina, shaking her head no.
            “Not at all. Doesn’t that excite you?”
            “If I believed you, it would.” Regina said honestly. Tinkerbelle shrugged and flew up to face Regina.
            “Have a bit of faith, your Majesty. Don’t let the bad one who’s coming win. Your happy ending is on the other side of that.”
            Regina momentarily considered the fairy’s prophecy. But she quickly shrugged it off. This was crazy. Too crazy for her to believe.
****Scene****
                                                After Tinkerbelle left, Regina got up from the window seat. She placed her book on the nightstand before entering the dressing room. Sitting down at the dressing table, she opened one of the drawers and withdrew a velvet bag. She dumped its contents into her palm.
            A black gemstone which glowed blue lay there.
            The blocker.
            Regina turned her left arm over. She waved her fingers. The cut she’d concealed appeared in her skin.
            She hadn’t actually intended to remove it. Secretly, she didn’t mind living without magic, so there was no real need to push the matter. But there was something about having a piece of stone beneath your skin that at times became…uncomfortable.
            She’d been rubbing it in annoyance for an hour now-not concentrating at all on the book before her. Charming was around, taking care of whatever he needed for the afternoon, but not in her immediate presence.
            Rose had been in and out of the chambers. She was cleaning, putting things away, and generally keeping an eye on her queen.
            Regina’s attention caught when she heard the lock click on the door. She raised her head, turning to look back at the maid. Slowly, Rose approached her, knelt beside her.
            “I can take it out.” She looked at Regina’s left arm, where her right fingers were still wrapped around flesh covering the annoying piece of stone. Regina’s brows shot up.
            “Charming will kill us both.”
            “Not if he doesn’t know.” Rose’s gray eyes held Regina’s brown ones.
            Regina was momentarily stunned. Rose was intentionally going against Charming’s wishes. Why? Why on earth would she be willing to do something so risky as to return Regina’s magic?
            “Why?” Regina asked. “You know what you’d be doing-the power you’d be giving me.”
            “I don’t think you’ll use it.” Rose took Regina’s left arm in one of her hands, detached her right hand from it. “I think you’re content enough you don’t want-or need to use it.”
            Regina’s brain was going a hundred miles a minute. The maid trusted her more than the king? That was unbelievable. But Charming swore he did trust-did want what was best for her.
            He did right? He did trust her?
            Regina bit her tongue. If she had her magic, and didn’t use it, she could truly find out if he trusted her. And in the event something happened…she might need it. She could have stopped the attack on the carriage that afternoon….could have stopped the arrow into Charming’s arm.
            “I’m trusting you.” Rose’s gaze never left hers. “This stays between us. The King does not have to know.”
            No, Charming didn’t have to know. Not right now at least. She’d bring it up again when the time was right. If he agreed, then there’d be no problem. If he didn’t….well….
            “Yes.” Regina breathed, nodding to the other woman. “Do it.”
            Rose spent the next half hour numbing the area. The blade of the paring knife she used was still warm from being boiled clean. Regina still felt it as the blade sliced into her skin. It took only a few moments for Rose to cut around the four corners. Once she had, she carefully pealed back the skin. Regina was surprised to find that the blocker was actually quite pretty.
            “That should do it.” Rose looked up at her. Regina nodded, gently lifting the blocker out of her flesh. Laying it on the table, she waved her fingers. It took a moment, but the candle on the table before her lit. Regina smiled.
            “That did indeed. Thank you.”
            “Don’t make me regret this.” Rose got to her feet, collecting the bloody knife.
            “Not a word.” Regina murmured.
            “I’ll clean that up for you.”
            “No,” Regina waved her fingers, concealing the cut. “Charming will ask.”
            Charming was none the wiser. She’d met him for dinner, and they’d even had sex that night with nothing more than a faint grimace from her when she’s bumped the sore but not visible gash. She’d had no reason to use magic. That was, until, the night he’d asked her about removing hearts. She’d been shocked. How else did he think she could remove hearts? She supposed she couldn’t fully fault him. The stories had said the Evil Queen could remove hearts-they didn’t say how. Magic was her realm-not his.
            But it saddened her that sometimes, he was the naïve prince she’d always thought.
            Regina picked up the blocker, rubbed it between her fingers. She’d kept magic hidden from Charming for two weeks now. He didn’t ask anymore. Neither of them pursued the topic. In private, she used it with Rose for simple things: ironing, heating water. Even Rose had to admit she found it much more useful.
            Finally, Regina dropped the gem into the bag and returned it to its drawer. She could not deny she had developed feelings for Charming. But she cared more about herself than she did him. And she needed a way to protect herself. She was going to do it-even if it meant lying to him.
****Scene***

                                                Charming didn’t remember much of the ride home. He knew he’d nearly fallen asleep and fallen-twice. Maybe it had been a bad idea-but he wanted to be home. He wanted Regina. He missed her…needed her.
            “Your Majesty!” Captain Treyburn caught him as he nearly fell lowering himself down from the horse.
            “Told you I’d be home,” Charming muttered dully. He was too tired to stand.
            “We have to get you upstairs.”
            “Regina-.”
            “Sire, I am not waking the Queen at this hour.” Charming had no idea what time it was…nor did he care.
            “But I-.”
            “Sire, in the morning.” The guard’s arm was around his shoulder. “You do not need to see the Queen tonight.”

***Scene***
                                                Regina awoke with a start. Daylight was coming through the drapes she hadn’t closed last night. Squinting at the clock over the mantel, she saw it was only 8:15.
            She’d been a fool to think Charming would actually come home last night. Hopefully he’d at least come home fairly early. And hopefully he hadn’t been with more than one.
            She didn’t know why she cared-and she wished she didn’t. Kings cheated on queens-that’s what they did. Charming was a king-so it would be what he did.
            Regardless, she cared. Reaching for the bell, she rang it anxiously.
            “Your Majesty, it’s 8:15.” Rose gave her a suspicious look as she entered the room five minutes later. “What on earth can you want?”
            “Charming never came home last night.” Regina snapped. “Someone has to-.”
            “Your Majesty.” Rose raised her hand, stopping her. “The King came home late last night. But he was in no condition for us to wake you.”
            Of course he wasn’t. Regina rolled her eyes in annoyance. But at least he was home. He wasn’t passed out on a whore at George’s estate. At least not at the moment.
            “I’m getting dressed.” Regina told her, throwing off the covers. “But I’m eating upstars.”
***Scene****
                                                Charming awoke to sunlight beating onto his eyelids. He groaned and threw one arm over his eyes.
            He felt like hell already. He didn’t want to move. Actually, he wasn’t completely sure he wasn’t still drunk. He buried his face deeper into the crook of his arm.
            The sound of a throat clearing caught his attention. Lifting his arm, he saw Regina’s form silhouetted against the blinding sunlight.
            “Please close those curtains.”
            “No.” He heard her laugh. “Who do you think opened them?”
            “Regina, that is not funny.” He pulled his arm over his eyes again. Regina’s soft chuckle met his ears. A moment later, the mattress moved as she sat beside him.
            “You look like hell.” She told him. Charming lifted his arm to look at her. She looked amazing. Wine red velvet dress with a v-neckline trimmed in diamonds. The dress emphasized every curve of her gorgeous body.
            “I’m glad-because I feel like hell.” Charming dropped his arm over his head. “Can I at least get a kiss?”
            “No. You smell like a mixture of tobacco and mead and whiskey. It’s absolutely vile.”
            “Mm.” Charming couldn’t remember smoking himself, so perhaps the tobacco wasn’t his. “Nothing happened last night.”
            “Really? By the looks of you, I’d say something did.”
            “No, I mean women-wise. One came onto me, but I got rid of her. Nothing happened.”
            He felt Regina’s hand on his cheek. Her fingers were cool. Or maybe he was just that hot from alcohol.
            “I wasn’t worried.”
            “Glad to hear it.” He muttered. “Please stop moving the bed. I’m really going to be sick.”
            Regina’s laughter filled the room. Charming opened one eye to squint at her.
            “I’m glad this amuses you.”
            “I’ve never seen the results of George’s game feast first hand. This is…quite impressive.”
            “Would you at least get me coffee?”
            “No, but I’ll have the maid do it.” Regina ducked her head to kiss his forehead. Her lips felt good on his skin. “I’ll be back.”
            She closed the door feeling better. He’d pushed off one woman-at least that he remembered. She supposed she’d take him at his word. What else could she do? If neither of them remembered, they’d never know.
            After she’d retrieved coffee from the maid, she was heading back into the bedroom when a voice caught her attention.
            “Yes, Captain?” She turned to face the Captain of the Guard who joined her in the hallway.
            He held out a burlap bag to her. Regina smiled, placed the coffee cup on a hallway table.
            “Your requested items, your Majesty.” Regina smirked as she took the bag. Opening it she glanced inside and nodded.
            “Take it to my chambers. I’ll want it there. Thank you, Captain. I appreciate the help.”
            “It is my job, your Majesty.” He took the bag back from her and bowed before turning and disappearing down the hallway. Regina picked up the coffee cup and pushed the door open.
            “Ok, here you go.” She sat down on the bed beside him. “Drink this.” Charming pushed himself up, immediately putting a hand on his forehead.
            “Oh hell.”
            “Yes, you really did a number on yourself.”
            “Clearly.” Charming took the coffee and sipped it. “I’m going to be in bed all day.”
            “Yes, you are.” Regina stroked his arm with her fingernails.
            “Tell me what I missed here.” He looked over at her. “Talk to me. Distract me.”
            Regina considered the conversations she’d had the night before. She couldn’t say any of them. He’d want to hear them-but she wasn’t telling him. Would Tinkerbelle’s prophecy come true? Charming would decide it would. She didn’t want to risk that.
            “Nothing.” Regina smiled. “I read a book and stayed up as late as I could for you, but I fell asleep.”
            “Understandable.” Charming smiled. “But I’m home now.”
            “Yes you are.” Regina leaned over and lightly kissed his lips. “And I have a surprise for you.”
            “Oh do you?”
            “But not today. I want you feeling better for this.”
            “All right.” Charming reached out for her hand. “I’ll take your word on it.” Regina winked at him.
            “Drink your coffee.”
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Capture and Release