Be the Hero (Book I)

Chapter VII | Winter

   They had made it back to Storybrooke, all in one piece.  Except Regina's nose was still bleeding from when Ben's brother punched her.  Ben took her arm and walked away from the forest. 

   "Regina, wait!  Let me see you.  I need to make sure you're alright," Ben pleaded, running after her.

   He caught up to her and turned her around.  He cupped her cheek and looked at the red liquid leaking out of her nose.  Taking a handkerchief out, he dabbed the spot with it.  "There.  All better," he said in his divine accent.

"What about your lip?" She asked, holding his arms.

"I'll be fine. C'mon we should go home to Henry," Ben said as they continued to walk down the road.

"Hi!" A little girl shouted out of the blue, scaring Ben and Regina.

"Who are you?" The former queen asked.

"My name's Winter. How about you guys?"

"Benjamin Ainsworth."

"Regina Mills," she said with a faint smile.

"Okay so Benny and Gina. Gotcha," Winter said.

"Where are your parents, dear?" Regina asked, crouching down to Winter's level.

"Oh I don't have parents. They're gone. But I have my brother Derek," she said.  She felt for the little girl.

"And where is he?"

"At Granny's," she mumbled.

"What are you doing out here?" Ben asked, crouching as well.

"I ran away because he's annoying. He always picks on me," she said sadly. "And when I didn't listen him he made me go play in the mud."

"Well he doesn't sound like a good brother," Ben said with a slight bit of anger.

"How old are you and your brother, honey?" Regina asked, holding the little girl's arms.

"Six and Derek's 16."

Regina got up and brushed her legs off and offered her hand to Winter. "Okay honey, we're gonna take you back to your brother," Regina said as Winter grabbed her hand.

Ben started walking faster and faster. "Ben! Wait up!" Regina said.

The brunette sighed as her friend walked alone. "What's wrong with him? Is he on his man-period?"

Regina laughed at her word choice. "Uh no. I don't know actually."

"He's a hunk. Are you dating him?" She asked, looking up at her with her big brown eyes.

"No. No he's just a friend."

...

Granny's

Ben stormed into the diner and instantly headed for the bathroom. "Ben!" Regina shouted as she held the little girl in her arms.

"Maybe he had to go," Winter said.

"Winter! There you are!" Derek said, abruptly sitting up and rushing over to her. Derek pulled her out of Regina's arms.

"Would you stop running away?"

"Would you stop throwing me in the mud."

Ben finally walked out of the bathroom and tried to pass Regina. She stopped him in his tracks. "Ben what's wrong?"

   "Nothing."

   "Don't give me that.  What's wrong, Benjamin?" She asked softly.

  "It's my brother, Jonathan.  He's just so...so-"