#Took some things from Xena Gaberielle's Hope.

[soulmate-friend]

My Hopes Went Up In Smoke.

It was the perfect distraction, setting the car on firing to throw Regina off track, she wouldn’t suspect the demise of the animal shelter at first. Setting the car on fire was just fun and games, to test Regina’s loyalty to them. But of course no matter her loyalist or how trustworthy she may seem to them, they knew, they knew she cared too much for the redhead, and the redhead probably knew too much of their plans. So the animal shelter was the perfect target for their message. 

Regina drove to the crime scene of the burning car, of course the Charming clan would be there, no matter how hung over she felt she knew how to keep her cool even though her head was bounding with a raging migraine. 

“I’m sorry.....” she said quietly, if she talked in a normal tone her head felt like it was going to explode and it was written all over her face. no matter how “put together she looked” in terms of clothing and makeup, you could tell how drained she really felt. “This was their idea of fun.” 

“Seriously? Setting a car on fire?” Emma asked with annoyance laced in her tone. Regina shrugged “I had to play along, believe me this was NOT my idea of....fun,” Regina shot back. 

“I’m just worried.....how long can you keep this up Regina?” Emma was sincere in the question, she was worried about Regina and how long she could up this villain façade, because that was just it. Regina was no longer a villain, she was a hero. Emma had a hunch that , Cruella, Maleficent and Ursula knew that, they were just testing Regina’s limits. As long as Regina kept up her little game the people she loved were safe. Henry, Abigail, they would be safe......Abigail didn’t like this, Regina playing undercover with these three especially with Cruella involved she couldn’t trust them as far as she could throw them. And she hated to say it even Maleficent. Abigail and Mal did always have an understanding, she even became fond of the dragon at one time, but right now she knew Maleficent was desperate. And desperate people can do dangerous and hurtful things. 

......

There it was, the place that was meant to protect these mongrels'? It disgusted Cruella. A smirk fell on her face the moment they stepped out of her car to investigate the building. It seemed empty enough, the annoying little brat didn’t seem to be working at this time perfect timing, they had no means to kill the brat, no that wasn’t what they were for. Cruella rolled her eyes as she felt Maleficent hesitate. “Well...get on with darling, we don’t have all day,” she huffed. 

Maleficent side eyed. the woman in fur as she stared at the shelter, the redhead was harmless, she knew this much. She was sweet, albeit a tad bit annoying at times, but Maleficent knew this would crush Abigail, she poured her heart and soul into place, into protecting these animals, they relied on her. This didn’t feel right. Maleficent swallowed a lump in her throat she was actually feeling....guilty?

“Must we do this? Is the shelter really that important?” she asked, nearly forgetting herself, wishing she could take the question back. this was pathetic, her caring for a mortal? She should want to do this, a message for the Charmings, to get her daughter back. That was the only thing she cared about. Abigail should be the last thing on her mind. 

“Awww has Maleficent grown feelings for the redheaded little snippet?” Ursula cooed mockingly. 

“She’s my friend.....” Maleficent barely whispered. The only person she would dare call a friend. Even before Regina, Abigail would never betray Maleficent the way Regina has, the way she herself is about to betray Abigail. 

“Then maybe you should go ahead and join the band of heroes if you care so much. And us as we get our happy endings while yours hangs in the balance.........” Cruella taunted in her ear. Maleficent stared hard at the shelter and swallowed one more time before willing a fire ball in her palm. It was nothing personal........it her was life. 

........

Ashes, the smell of smoke, ashes flying and twirling in the air. Hopes and dreams, crushed, demolished betrayed. They relied on her they were her everything, besides Henry. Everyday she put her heart and soul in this place, in the animals that lived here, that felt comforted, protected. All of it, it was all gone, gone up in flames, because someone decided to give people a chance. Abigail was no fool, despite what some may think. She knew who did this. She knew who was responsible for the death of her animals. She didn’t even hear the cars pull up behind her as she stood, blankly in front of the burnt building. Her name being called sounded like muffles, as if she were underwater. That’s what she felt like now, as if she were being pulled under water, not able to shake the pressure. 

Abigail!  

Regina.....it was her fault.......she betrayed you. She let those monsters in town. If it weren’t for her your animals would still be here. 

Abigail....!

Please go away.......

Abigail......

Abby...

“Meow......” one squeak was not lost on her. Her mind slowly came back to focus, her head turned to the sound. A small terrified kitten, hiding and shaking behind the still standing door frame. Without a second thought Abigail rushed to the terrified kitten, not caring if something could fall on top of her and crush her. “Meow!” Abigail followed the sound in the burnt building. 

“Abigail! Abigail what are you doing?!” Regina shouted from her car and rushed after the redhead. Regina stopped when she saw Abigail bend down and pick up the tiny animal. She winced at the sight as her heart ached for her best friend. Regina vowed that the next time she saw Cruella she would rip her heart out and crush it without hesitation. Or give it to Abigail so she could do it her self. but Regina sighed and shook her head, that wasn’t Abigail.....she wouldn’t sucome to revenge, her sweet kind, caring Abigail. So full of love, hope, she always gave others the benefit of a doubt, sometimes to a fault and that’s when Regina was afraid Abigail’s heart would get stomped on. 

Abigail came out of the burnt building, some parts were still standing, but everything was black, charcoal. The kitten in Abigail’s arms meowed again, and looked up at her, as if she knew she were safe in this human’s arms. the kitten was dirty, covered in black soot. Abigail wrapped the shaking kitten into her sweater and stood back in front of the shelter once more, to truly look at the damage, as if to will it away. as if to go back in time when it was still here. 

Abigail swallowed a lump in her throat, a lone tear fell from her eye on her cheek. She didn’t care what Regina said, she was bringing this kitten home and keeping her. This kitten looked at her with so much hope as did Abigail, perhaps that what they were to each other......perhaps that’s why this one kitten survived. “Hope....” she whispered to the kitten. “That’s what you are.....my Hope.” 

Regina waked up behind her friend and gently placed her hand on her shoulder so as not to startle her. “Abigail.....” she whispered, what could she say? Abigail’s life just went up in smoke. “I am.......there’s nothing I could say to make things better,” she tried 

“Then don’t....” Abigail hissed harshly, turning to Regina, her eyes red with tears, letting all of them flow. Regina let out a small gasp at the sight of her friend. She looked angry, she had every right to be.....but at her? “You brought them here...you invited them in,” she said angrily with no flinching or stuttering, holding on tightly to Hope. 

“Abigail...I was just. I was trying to give them a chance......like you did for me. I thought they wanted to change. I had no idea they would this....I swear to you,” Regina vowed, her voice laced with venom, but towards Abigail, no all this was towards the monsters who did this. 

“No but you played into their games! You were a pawn in all this....and you led them here, you led them here Regina so fix it. Until then.........I can’t trust you,” she whispered, not believing the words she was uttering. A part of her wanted to see the hurt on Regina’s face, the hurt in her eyes. she wanted someone to feel her pain. Oh she wanted them to feel it sure. But she wanted Regina to know she wasn’t off the hook. Abigail scuffed and started walking away. The Charmings stood behind Regina stunned at Abigail’s reaction towards Regina. 

“Abigail!?” she called out with hurt and confusing in her voice. “Don’t follow me!” Abigail called over her shoulder as she opened the passenger side to the car and safely placed Hope on the seat next to her and went to the drivers side, buckled herself up and drove. She didn’t know where she was driving but anywhere was better then here.