Chapter 9: Queens Don't Wear Orange
Cora Mills, a.k.a. the Queen of Hearts, should've felt quite accomplished with herself, but she didn't.
She had broken out of the Storybrooke Jail, but she was still clueless as she ransacked through her old paramour's shop trying to find something, anything, that would tell her where he had taken her son.
He hadn't put wards on the shop to keep her from entering—thank God—unlike his house that Cora had unsuccessfully tried to break into a few minutes ago.
She couldn't even remember where he lived. She doubted that she'd actually find something in the shop either, but she had to try. She needed to find her son before Pan got to him.
Or at least find Pan and try to cancel their bargain. But Cora didn't even know how to do that. Or if Pan would even cancel the bargain, he'd probably try to make a new bargain with her if he knew she wanted the boy to live.
That's what Rumple would do.
Cora scowled as she thought of her ex who seemed to be raising their child. She had never wanted Rumple to have any part in the boy's life, which was why she had been so frightened.
Until that wizard had taken her boy away. She wanted to kill that man. Make him squirm. But first she had to reclaim her son.
Which was why she was ransacking this God forsaken shop, even though she was pretty sure Rumple had left nothing for her to find. Nothing of value anyway. It was probably locked up in that house or at his her new girlfriend's library. Cora had tried to go there too, and surprise, surprise more wards.
Did he really think she'd go to the library to visit his…whatever that girl was to him? Okay, she might've wanted to kill Belle. But she wouldn't be obvious.
Though, she did have a tendency to be obvious throughout all those years.
What can you say she liked a show? She did not like doing her own dirty work. Looking through this store was just absolutely impossible.
Trust Rumple to be a pack rat. Actually, that surprised her a lot.
She remembered those brief moments when they were together, if you could call it that. The man was meticulous when it came to organizing things. So, there had to be some pattern to this madness here, at leas that's what Cora told herself. Though looking at it, she couldn't make sense of anything.
And even if she did…could she find something useful. Because so far nothing screamed useful to Cora: creepy puppets, a stupid unicorn mobile, and a sword. How did he sell any of this crap?
It was amazing that he was still in business, let alone the richest man in town. Then again, she knew that this shop was based a lot on Regina's imagination.
She only hoped her other child had more of a vivid imagination.
She tried to remember all she could about the boy in the few glimpses that she had of him. She hated herself for wanting to kill her own flesh and blood, days ago she wouldn't have cared. She would've rationalized with herself that it was okay.
That was when she didn't have a heart. Having a heart, just seemed to make everything so difficult.
She forgot how it felt it feel, how it made her feel so vulnerable. She hated feeling vulnerable, and without her magic…
She needed to help her son.
Surely, there had to be something in this god-forsaken shop that would help her. She thought about the one other time she'd been here, when she gave him the blood globe. Maybe he had it in the back room? If she used it she could find Harry.
God, that name.
She still couldn't get used to it.
It was weird how much she thought of the what ifs, in the past day. Then again, being forced into a jail cell would do that to a person. Focus on all the things you regret in life, that and plotting to escape.
How ridiculous easy that was. Even without her magic. Trust Emma Swan of all people to trust an alcoholic dwarf. Oh yes, it made so much sense to give him his own jail cell key so he could lock himself whenever he got too drunk. Some pervasive version of the honor system that was. But it had paid off, for Cora at least. She had used some of those pick-pocketing skills she had long ago picked up from her father.
Her nose wrinkled at the thought of the miller. She always referred to him by that now, not by his name.. She had never really viewed him as much though. He hadn't really given her much, other than a roof over her head. And compared to everything that she did for him…well, he owed her more than that.
That was why she had tried, so hard to provide for her children. But look where that had gotten them. Her eldest was God knows where. Hopefully, happy, but with Cora's luck that was doubtful. Regina hated her, and Cora really couldn't blame her for that. And Harry, well, Harry was probably being told what an awful person she was by his father.
Cora sighed heavily, hating the fact that Rumple hated her. It wasn't that she loved him. Maybe at one point she thought she loved him, but her feelings for her son's father were complicated. She knew the imp hated her now, and as much as she had plans to get him back only a few days ago, she knew it wouldn't be the same. Plus, right now she could only imagine how much poisoning he and Regina were doing to Harry's mind.
And that bookish toy of his…
The thought of her pretending to be her son's mother made her blood boil. This would not do at all.
Cora tried to calm herself down as she kept looking around the shop for a blood globe or something. In her frustration she grabbed the unicorn mobile and threw it at the door as it opened.
"What the…"
Cora turned to see a shocked Snow White looking at her.
It was remarkable how much the woman looked like Ava. Same snide look of privilege marked all over that flawless face, it was something you were born with that was something Cora had learned so long ago trying to immolate and failing at it.
"Well, if it isn't Snow White all grown up." Cora said trying to figure out what she could do to disable the woman if necessary.
God, she hated this no magic thing. It made her feel so weak. She hadn't felt this way in a long time and she hated it. Even more than the guilt she constantly felt. Although, that was sort of compensated by actually feeling emotion. Being able to actually rationalize emotions felt so weird.
Snow White blinked at her knelt down and picked up a piece of glass fragment of a unicorn that had fallen on the floor. "This was mine. Well, Emma's."
"Seems you're daughter's a little to old for that." Cora countered.
"Aren't you supposed to be in jail?" Snow White stared at Cora. There was something about the way she was looking at Cora that felt oddly familiar. She couldn't place it though, and rationalized it must have something to do with Ava.
"I made bail." Cora lied, she had heard the term on one of those reruns of Law and Order that the pirate was so fond of. She hoped it would shut the princess up.
It didn't.
"You don't have any money." Snow White said.
Really? How did she know anything about Cora's finances? Cora was a queen after all.
When Cora asked this Snow White laughed. Something that Cora found completely out of the princess' character, or at least what she knew about the princess. Which was more or less assumptions based on her mother.
"You're forgetting different realm," Snow White said. "You're not considered a queen here."
"And you're not considered a princess." Cora said giving her that Mills' signature glare. "Now go away, I'm busy."
Snow White shook her head and instead walked into the store. Cora eyed the woman. She was dressed in black, not really fit for a fairytale princess. Cora then realized that Snow was probably at the boy's funeral.
God, why was she feeling this…whatever it was.
She wondered briefly how Regina was today. Again, why was she feeling this feeling?
It made her feel so weak. A part of her, admittedly, liked the fact she could actually feel things for her children. Not being so consumed with power and rage was sort of refreshing. But she hated all of the other feelings she felt. Most of all, she hated how it made her feel helpless.
Which was why she was really considering asking Snow White how the service was. Not that she really cared about Henry. Not even now, that she could feel. Oh, she felt a smidgen of guilt, but she had never really known the boy.
Manipulated him, yes. But actually got to know him, not so much.
She really wished she hadn't done that to Regina. It would make their difficult relationship even more difficult.
Snow White finally spoke, "You're going back to jail."
"Really," Cora said smirking at Snow White. "How do you plan on accomplishing that?"
Because as far as Snow White knew, Cora still had her magic. And Cora was going to mooch off of that as much as possible. And personally she figured she could come out pretty successful if she actually had to use force against the princess. As much as she hated to admit it, growing up as the miller's daughter had given her a pretty mean right hook.
Snow White laughed. God, did Cora hate that laugh. It was just like Ava's.
She hated that she still held so much hatred towards Ava, not because she was willing to forgive or any of that bull shit, but because it still had so much control over her life all these years after.
Though, not so much before. When she didn't have a heart. Oh, sure, she killed Ava. Got her revenge. But that was for Regina, she really didn't give a thought to the woman at all.
Until now. And it wasn't so much about Ava. It was more or less the life she could've had with the king.
Regina's king.
It seemed so twisted to her now. But at the time, it made so much sense. Stupid heart. She wanted to rip it out of her body. But she couldn't: no magic. So instead, she let Snow White keep irritating her under her skin.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Cora said when Snow White didn't give a monologue about how good prevailed and how she was going to stop Cora and blah, blah, blah, blah. But instead, Snow White sighed and stepped closer to where Cora was as if it didn't bother her that she was next to an all powerful sorceress as if she didn't care that a ton of broken glass and all sorts of things on that floor.
Cora looked at Snow White's shoes and was surprised with how high they were. For some reason, she didn't think the princess would be one for ridiculously tall shoes. That was Regina's trademark. Not that Regina really needed them she was already tall enough. It was a trait she had inherited from Cora's side of the family. Noble women were to be dainty little waif of things, like Snow White. Regina didn't try to fall into this norm. She liked her stature and tended to wear shoes that made her even taller. First boots. And then when she became queen ridiculously tall shoes. It seemed to have carried over in this realm, but everyone seemed to enjoy high heels here.
Which Cora found to be ridiculous, she might have started wearing the clothing here but she was not going to result to shoes that made her taller than her paramour. Though, she guessed she didn't exactly have a paramour at this time. But still, they had to be hard to walk in.
Snow White smirked as she looked at Cora. Smirking was not very princessy, she was about to point that out when the woman opened her mouth. "I know that you're not from around here, but you'd seriously think Gold wouldn't protect this place?"
"There weren't any spells." Cora said.
And Snow White started laughing just as a police car pulled up.
Cora groaned. She was not going back to jail. She told that to Snow White, because again. She lacked impulse control.
"Well, I don't think you have a choice." Snow White said. "Unless you poof away, but somehow I don't think you're going to be able to do that."
Cora glared at her, "I can poof away if I want to."
The princess laughed as Sherriff Swan walked in. In a dress of all things.
That looked really out of place on her. Ava, would really have a fit if she saw her granddaughter. As bad as Regina's obsession with ridiculously high heels were, at least she had a regal ladylike quality about her. And Cora knew Regina knew what fork to use for a cheese course. She doubt Emma Swan even knew what a cheese course was.
She seemed to love McDonald's though.
God, that was torture on it's own. Not to mention the drunk's love for that pop star.
"Gold is going to be pissed." Emma said as she pulled out her handcuffs. "I can't be sued over this, right?"
"Do I look like a lawyer?" Cora snapped since she assumed the woman was talking to her since she was acting like Snow White didn't even exist.
Well, that was something good of this whole mess. She ruined Ava's precious daughter's relationship with her daughter.
Though, she was nowhere getting that feeling of satisfaction that she hoped for.
Emma glared at her. "No, I know you're an inmate. What are you doing here, anyway? Do you really think Gold is going to help you?"
Cora sighed. "I'm not here for his help. I want to find my son."
Emma sighed heavily. "Your son?"
"Harry, horrible name."
"Just Harry is Belle's son."
"His name is Harry, Emma." Snow White corrected.
"Mary Margret, I think it would be best if you left."
Cora was surprised at Snow White's reaction. Rather, seeing hurt on her face which she'd guess would be the woman's face. She just saw anger.
Interesting.
"I think I have a right to hear what she has to say, Emma."
"Bull shit." Emma said. "You don't have a right. And it would be against Cora's constitutional rights to be here. I think. God, Regina needs to hire a competent DA. I really should get Gold to run for the position."
Cora snorted. Though, if anyone would be a competent DA (which she assumed meant lawyer) in this town it was her ex. He knew how to twist things just like a good attorney would.
"Oh, that would just end in disaster." She heard Snow tell her daughter.
Emma rolled her eyes. "Mary Margret, I am just barely tolerating your presence right now. Don't tempt me to arrest you, because you know I want to."
"Emma!"
"Just go."
The princess frowned, but eventually did leave. Though there was something about the whole thing that felt odd to Cora. Soon it was just Emma and Cora in the shop alone.
The woman stared at Cora intently for a moment. There was something odd about the way she was looking at her. It was just weird and creepy. But finally the blonde said, "He really is your son isn't he. He's not Belle's and Gaston's, but yours and Gold's. That actually explains a lot."
Cora looked at Emma. "You actually believe me?"
Emma frowned. "I…on this there's enough evidence to believe you. Well, there's not enough evidence not to believe you. But, if you're looking for Gold, he's not in town. Neither is Just Harry."
"Harry." Cora corrected and inwardly cringed again at that name.
"Uh, yeah." Emma said. "I think they went on vacation. I want to know why you think he's in grave danger, Cora?"
Cora glared at her.
"I can help." Emma tried to offer.
Like she could actually help.
She might've been considered the Savior by many Storybrooke residents, but she was a disgrace of a savior in Cora's not so humble opinion. Although, she did have to admit the blonde had more on one occasion got the better of her. She blamed the pirate for that.
Though, she had to give it to Hook that he hadn't got caught yet. She had a feeling she knew how he did that.
And if she ever found the cheating bastard…
She really shouldn't have cared though. He was a screw, but somehow it stung more than it should. When she didn't have her heart, it was pride. Just pride being bruised. But now, well, there was something else about the whole thing that she hated.
It wasn't that she like Hook. Well, not that much. But it was nice having someone look at her that way again. It reminded her of…of those times with Rumple.
And that hadn't been anything.
Just great sex, and the possibility of something else. Having someone fuel your desires like that, Cora had forgot about that. And while Hook didn't put her on fire like her son's father did, he had his uses. And she admitted she liked the way he touched her at times. There was a bit of a betrayal there that stung and it made looking at Emma Swan even worse than usual. Because not only did she have to see proof of her failure that had resulted in Ava besting her, but she had to see once again one of Ava's progeny winning over her.
Maybe she should get in the poison apple business.
"Cora," Emma said breaking her out of her thoughts. "Are you even listening to me?"
Cora rolled her eyes. It was a Mills specialty the eye roll, that is. While most of the things about her upbringing she tried to banish, this was one thing she kept. And she had passed down to Regina. "You offered me your useless help."
"It's not useless," Emma said. "I can try to figure out where Gold and…er Harry went. And relay them the message."
"I don't want Rumple involved." Cora spat.
To be honest, she didn't want Rumple raising her son at all. It irked her that right now, that he was the sole parent to their boy. He was never even suppose to know the boy existed.. Yet, now he was the only one out there that could protect their son from Pan and he didn't even know it.
Emma laughed at Cora's remark. "I think that's a little impossible don't you."
Cora glared at her. "He wasn't supposed to know that Harry existed. He is not suited to be his father."
Emma sighed and murmured something under her breath that sounded like Cora wasn't fit to be Harry's mother.
Cora glared at her, "Why are you offering to help me then?"
"I'm not offering to help you," Emma said. "I'm helping Just Harry. For Henry."