With only minutes left to the hour before Regina agreed to meet Emma, The Queen paced heavily in her chambers contemplating what Emma's plan could possibly be...

"...I just don't understand why she asked me to meet her by Red's chamber..." Regina thought aloud as she paced. "Claudius," The Queen called out to her prized guardsman, "You know I've always valued your honest opinion for as long as you've served me. What do you think Emma Swan has planned? Should she be trusted..?"

Claudius, clad in his armor as he stood just inside the doorway of the room, turned his head to face The Queen directly as he spoke, "My Queen, Ms Swan has stayed within the walls of your castle for several months now. She knows she is free to leave at any time she desires, yet she stays by your side."

"Mmm.. Go on.." The Queen replied with narrow eyes.

"As you know, My Queen, I would give my life to protect yours," Claudius drew in his breath, taking several steps away from his post at the door, closing the gap between them, "I know the feeling of the fire burning deep inside, fueling my ultimate goal to fully protect and serve you, no matter the cost. And I recognize that same fire burning deep in Emma Swan's eyes."

Straightening her back, folded arms now at her sides, The Queen raised her head slightly and said, "Claudius, thank you. Perhaps you're right, I -"

"With all due respect, Ma'am, I know I am. That woman loves you more than any person could love another."

Exhaling the air she had sucked in before her guardsman cut her off, Regina replied, "Alright then. We should be on our way. Best to not keep Emma waiting."

Bowing his head in acknowledgment, Claudius moved to open the chamber door as The Queen moved passed him and out into the castle halls.

***

Just outside of Red's chamber door, Emma stood nervously glancing at the clock on the castle wall.

"We've been standing here staring at each other for several minutes now," Mulan observed as she stood with Emma, "What is it you want to discuss?"

Nervous still, Emma focused her attention on Mulan, "What if I told you I had a pretty good plan to take Aurora and Red's hearts back from The Queen?"

"I'd say 'tell me more'..." Mulan cautiously replied.

"...ok.." Emma said as she felt beads of sweat begin to form on her brow, "...well, I do have a plan to get this done however, it's going to take a lot of teamwork and compromise on all our parts."

"Compromise?" Mulan's face grew more serious as she listened to Emma's plan.

"Yes, compromise." Emma repeated.

Just as Emma spoke, Mulan's gaze looked passed her, focusing on someone approaching.

"What..?" Emma said as she turned around to see what the distraction was.

"Mulan..." The Queen said acknowledging her presence, "...I should've known you'd be involved; considering we were to meet by Red's Chamber." Mulan straightened her posture at The Queen's words, and Regina continued, "Such an honorable pet you are..."

Sensing the tension, Emma stepped between the two women, just as Mulan furrowed her brow and attempted to approach Regina.

"Alright," Emma said sternly, "Regina, thank you for coming."

"Out with it Emma," Mulan demanded, "I don't know how much more of this I can take!"

The Queen smiled, and Emma responded, "Ok. Mulan, can you please bring Red to join us?"

Mulan's eyes shifted from The Queen to Emma, "No. Not until you explain to me what's going on."

Emma took in her breath as she spoke, "Well, here it is.." She began, "Regina and I... we're sort of... on the same team."

Emma glanced in The Queen's direction, hoping she'd offer some input. The Queen instead, looked on.

"Excuse me..?" Mulan replied, "Exactly how do you mean that?"

"What I mean to say is - " Emma offered before The Queen cut her off; "What she to say is, we're all fighting the same demons here."

Emma glanced back at Mulan for her reaction, however, she only appeared more confused than before.

"In other words, there's a greater villain Mulan, more of a villain than Regina could ever be -"

"Emma!" Regina cut her off, "Do you still think I'm such a villain?!"

Mulan's eyes widened at Emma giving The Queen a half smile.

"The point is," Emma continued, "we all have a common enemy at the moment, and I was hoping we could work together to defeat it."

Mulan crossed her arms taking in the sight of both women.

Emma glanced at The Queen before continuing, "...and to 'sweeten the pot' maybe Regina can return Aurora's heart to you..."

"EXCUSE ME?!" Both women replied at the same time, turning to face Emma head-on, "Aurora's heart?? I have nothing of the sort!" The Queen replied proudly.

Emma placed her hand on Regina's arm, "Yes, you do."

After a few moments passed and Emma explained to Regina how she came to possess Aurora's heart, Emma then turned to Mulan; "If Regina promises to return Aurora's heart to you, will you help us?"

A moment of silence passed before Mulan added, "... Ruby's heart as well."

"?!" The Queen instantly replied, cupping her hand into a choke hold, as she raised it. Mulan, now frantically grabbing at her own throat, started gasping for air as her feet kicked and dangled about twelve inches off the ground.

"You insufferable weakling!" The Queen spat between clenched teeth, "How attempt to demand something of your Queen!"

Horrified, Emma grabbed Regina's arm that was holding a grip over Mulan, as she pleaded, "Regina ! Please, I beg you to stop!"

After a moment or two, Regina's face softened, and she slowly lowered her hand releasing the air tight hold she had over Mulan.

Still Gasping to catch her breath, Mulan pushed her words out, "You expect ME to fight on the same side as that woman?!"

"This is new for all of us Mulan," Emma answered, "Regina May have reacted harshly.. but it won't happen again."

Mulan stared coldly at Regina.

", Regina?!" Emma said, turning her attention to Regina.

The Queen scoffed at Emma's words.

Emma raised her brow at Regina's reaction, and repeated "right?!"

Taking a few seconds before answering, The Queen relaxed her face, "Ok. !"

"Alright, what...?" Emma asked.

The Queen rolled her eyes, "...Alright it won't happen again.."

"Thank you, Regina." Emma replied.

"Now, can we please get this show on the road?" The Queen pleaded, "I think it's fair to say we've all been waiting long enough.."

"I'll agree to that." Mulan replied still staring at The Queen.

"Alright." Emma agreed, Looking back at Mulan, "Red should be out here with us. She is just as much a part of this as anyone of us."

Mulan let out her breath, turned to face the door and replied, "I'll be right back."

"Thank you Mulan," Emma said, "I really appreciate what you're doing for us."

Mulan turned her head to the side, she replied, "Don't thank me yet. Ruby hasn't agreed to anything, and if she doesn't want any part of this, we're both out."

"Oh, I'm not worried about Red," The Queen replied with a smile, "I've never known her to not want to do something if it meant helping ." Ending her words with a wink.

Emma and Mulan both stared at The Queen after her statement.

"I wouldn't be so sure anymore." Mulan quipped back before disappearing through the door.

Emma turned to The Queen, "What the fuck was that supposed to mean?!"

"You know exactly what it means, Emma." The Queen replied, "Don't be so naive."

Emma looked toward her, eyebrows raised.

Rolling her eyes, The Queen repeated, "Emma. You know what I meant. I can't erase my past. Not even my past relationships with others; that includes Red. "

Emma took a deep breath and let it out slowly, relaxing her shoulders.

"Yea. I get it." She offered.

"Do you?" The Queen questioned, "I love you, Emma. Not her. It is important that you know that."

"I do."

***

Red turned her attention to the door as Mulan closed it behind her.

"Mulan, what is it?"

As she approached the center of the room, Mulan spoke, "It's The Queen. She stands outside your door. She says she needs your help with something."

"Of course she does. That's what I'm here for." Red replied with a small smile. She closed the book she was reading and stood up from her bed, "Alright Mulan, take me to her."

"Wait." Mulan protested, holding her hand up in front of her, "Emma Swan is with her as well. If you agree to help The Queen, you will be helping her alongside Emma Swan as well."

"Oh? And what does she have to do with all of this?" Red asked, eyebrows raised. "After all, what could The Queen want with both of us?"

"I don't know exactly." Mulan answered, "It's not just the two of you either. The Queen also asked for my help as well."

Red thought for a moment. She looked around the room stalling for a minute before speaking, "Alright then. Let's see what they need, shall we?" Red Replied with a quick smirk before walking past Mulan toward the door.

"Ruby, wait!" Mulan again pleaded, "I know in the past I've tried to convince you that Regina controls your heart, and I know you still don't believe me.."

Turning around abruptly, Red cut off Mulan's words as she explained, "What does it matter then!?!"

"Ruby please, I..."

"No!" Red raised her voice, "What does it matter Mulan?! If The Queen truly controls my heart, than I have no choice whether or not I do as she commands, right?"

"Well I mean.. no, maybe not, but .."

"Exactly." Red agreed, "Stop judging me then on what I really believe, if you seem to think I have no choice in how I feel! I know what I feel is real, whether or not believe I'm under some kind of spell."

"Of course," Mulan replied quietly, "My apologies, Ruby."

"And stop calling me Ruby. My name as long as I serve The Queen, is Red."

Mulan let out her breath walking back toward the door, and opened it for Red to walk through.

"Ah! Wonderful!" The Queen remarked when the two women walked out of the room joining her and Emma.

"Not so fast," Mulan exclaimed, "Emma, tell us why we're all gathered here. Why do you need us."

"We both need your help." Emma explained, "in fact, the entire kingdom depends on it."

After Emma explained what happened with Chernabog earlier, Mulan and Red where a little taken back.

"You want us to help you defeat this Demon?" Mulan confirmed.

Taking a glance from Regina back to Mulan, Emma replied "...yes. Please."

Emma continued, "Mulan, you are the wisest and most successful warrior I've ever known. And you, Red.. I've seen the wolf in your eyes. I know you'll be a huge asset to this team.."

The Queen offered a coy smile.

"And," Mulan looked in the eyes of The Queen, "...what of the hearts?"

"They're yours." Emma answered.

"... you help us defeat Chernabog." Regina added.

Mulan and Red looked to each other for a few moments, "Alright," Red quipped, "we're in."