A/N: Prompted to me by the amazing mind of Morganlafay. It starts off short but I promise the chapters will grow longer in time! Gotta start it off somehow. (; I hope you all enjoy!

The cloud of purple rolled on. All over town, people were clinging to each other, stealing the last seconds they could with their real loved ones. Who knew what that purple smoke would do to them once it passed by. After all, the last time something like this came rushing toward them they had been cursed to another world. Which would also explain why Regina remained unconcerned. To any passerby, she could even be called happy with this strange phenomenon. Which she was. But that happiness could only go so far. Even the return of magic couldn't hold back the knowledge that she had once again lost.

"I'm so sorry, Daniel," she whispered as her mind insisted on reminding her that the curse was no longer. That was the hardest part of it all, knowing she had failed her lost lover.

The thoughts were interrupted by yelling outside her home. Her eyes snapped open. Since the smoke had done nothing that they were aware of, they had finally rallied enough to begin forming a mob. Her lip curled into a sneer as she watched them calling for her blood. How many times did she have to show they couldn't take her down. Her magic was far too powerful for any of them to hope to confront her. Though she must admit, now that Rumplestiltskin knew of Belle's survival, she couldn't count on him to remain out of things for long. She had to find a way to overcome his power. And what better place to start than the source of the returned magic? To find that, she just had to follow the power.

The magic inside of her tugged at her, leading her in the right direction. If there was one thing Regina had learned about magic, it was to follow the flow of power and not try to fight it. Even if it led her into the middle of the forest. She hated the forest. But if her magic wanted to lead her there, then there she would force herself to go. She really should have worn better shoes though. Walking through the brush and roots in heels was not a smart idea. To finish her walk barefoot or stumble along the rest of the way. Her decision was made for her when one of the heels snapped off.

"Fuck," she kicked the shoes off into the trees, not caring where they landed. What use would they be to her now? "We better be close," as if the magic could hear her. She stomped along the rest of the way, which thankfully was not much farther.

The tugging sensation disappeared when a well came into view. "So this is where the imp ran off to," she murmured as she drew closer. Her fingers trailed along the wall until they came to a rest on a plaque. 'Mystical Waters.' Her brows perked. Lake Nostos. Why hadn't she thought of this in all her years in Storybrooke? Oh right, because it was a waste of time and never helped her before. Her eyes roved over the words, pausing on 'that which was lost.' Again Daniel rose to the front of her thoughts. That which was lost. As the tears started to spill over, she couldn't help but scoff at the next part. Nothing could bring back Daniel, no matter what promises it made.

"I don't know how much longer I can stay strong, Daniel." She leaned on her hands against the well, using it as support to keep her upright. "I miss you so much." Unable to maintain her composure anymore, Regina let her tears flow freely, finally allowing herself to feel the pain she had so long kept at bay. "I just want you back," she whispered as she watched a single tear spill from her face and fall down, down into the depths of the well.