All of the characters belong to ABC/Disney/Once Upon A Time. I am just writing this for fun.

Trigger Warning: Domestic Violence

Just something I've been playing around with in my mind, based on snippets of images and gifs that occasionally pop up here and there on Tumblr…

Chapter 1: You Deserve Better

Regina found herself arguing with her lover next to a barn in a clearing in the woods. The peaceful chirping of crickets served as a stark contrast to the mood in which the two lovers were. Disappointment had been happening too many times lately in their relationship. What should have been a romantic, evening stroll along a path in the woods, turned into another inevitable moment of bickering. For the life of her, Regina could not even figure out the moment when the conversation shifted. It always seemed before she realized it, she and Emma were arguing, again. Moreover, Emma's comments ticked her off, again.

Regina had it for the last time with Emma's smart-alecky remarks trivializing their issues, but before she knew it she was lunging at her girlfriend. Emma, having grown up in foster care, switched into her defense mode and gave it right back to Regina. As she slammed Regina against the wall, she yelled, "Don't you EVER do that again!"

Regina replied in a soft, shaky voice, "You're scaring me."

Emma spoke through clenched teeth, "You did this."

Emma was still breathing hard reeling off the sudden rush of adrenaline. Regina, seemingly stunned into silence, found herself at a loss for words. As angry as Emma was at Regina for putting her hands on her, she could not stand the thought of something happening to Regina if she let her make her way home alone. Ironically, it occurred to her that the most dangerous threat to Regina at the present moment was her. She looked down and sighed, "I'll walk you home."

They made their walk to Regina's home in painful silence. Once they arrived at Regina's front door, Regina asked Emma, "What are we going to do? What should we do?'

Emma answered, "I think we should take some time and space away from each other."

Regina lashed out anger, "Just for that ONE time!?"

Emma, disappointed, replied, "I can't do this right now. I can't," and began to walk away.

Regina called after her, "No wait, I'm sorry. Please don't go. We said we wouldn't go to bed angry, right?"

Emma stopped in her tracks and made the mistake of looking into Regina's eyes. Against her better judgment, she turned around and gave a sad effort of a smile to Regina. They both made their way inside.

Regina and Emma's footsteps and the door shutting were the only sounds. The house was unusually quiet as Henry was staying with the Charming's for the weekend. Emma simply tossed her jacket over the arm of the sofa and plopped down next to it. Regina hung up her jacket in the closet and sat down on the opposite side of the sofa. She began wringing her hands with nervous energy, looking for the right words to say. Regina was too ashamed to look her in the eyes. She never imagined she was capable of physically harming the one she loves. Her voice broke as she simply said, "I'm sorry," and started sobbing.

Emma slid next to her and replied, "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have provoked you. And I certainly shouldn't have retaliated."

Regina halted in her crying as she had a flashback to her father saying something along those lines to her mother after her mother struck him with her hands for the countless time. Emma sensed the change in her lover. Regina was able to sit up and look Emma in the eyes that time. "Emma, regardless of whatever words come out of your mouth, you don't deserve another human being hurting you. Don't you ever say or think that again. You don't deserve me, but, if you give me a chance, I'd very much like to try and make it up to you."