OKAY! So I'm gonna apologize in advance. This was painful for me to even write, and it wasn't planned. The idea happened when I saw someone on twitter talking about the possibility of Emma going "dark" because of Robin returning to Storybrooke, taking Regina from her. Sooooo - this was not what I intended to write. And all I can say is - please don't kill me. Or my family. I actually quite value my life, and I'd like to live it longer than this. Anyway, here goes. Please stay with me after this!
Emma stomped through the forest, glaring at the horizon beyond the trees. The so-called "Queens of Darkness" all walked beside her, although without cracking branches angrily under their feet.
"You can slow down, darling," Cruella said in a mocking tone that had Emma's insides boil, "We'll make it. And if not, we'll catch him."
Emma only shifted her gaze from the trees to look at the face of eyebrows, but didn't bother turning her head. They all pressed her buttons uncomfortably. But they were her only chance.
Ever since Robin Hood came back to Storybrooke, Regina had avoided her. Maybe not avoided her as much as she'd simply been busy. With him. Busy fucking him, Emma's thoughts snarled. She shook her head to clear the sudden fog of anger and disgust that threatened to make her dizzy. Yes. She was busy with Robin. Because he was her "happy ending, true love and soul mate". Emma snorted. Fuck that. After those months Regina and herself had spent together looking for the author, for Regina's happy ending, Emma simply refused to believe that. She could not believe that. Mostly because she didn't want to. No, Robin wasn't her happy ending. Nor was he her true love. And soul mate? Oh please. That stupid tattoo of his did not earn him the right to Regina's love, even if the brunette was dumb enough to think so herself. She was fooling herself, Emma knew as much. Simply because she'd been longing for her happy ending, for love, someone who cared for her, for decades, and here was a man who was willing to give it to her. Emma didn't blame Regina. Not that much, at least. A part of her did think Regina to be an idiot for even considering him as a lover in the first place. But this other, stronger part of her knew Regina had only done it in desperation.
Now this wasn't the point. It could have been any man. Anyone. And Emma would still not think them to be Regina's happy ending. They couldn't be. How could they? How could anyone else be Regina's happy ending, when Emma was convinced that she was the happy ending of the former Queen? She felt it in every ounce of her being. She felt it pounding in her heart, rattling in her bones, running in her veins. Her heart and soul was bound to the beautiful brunette. She loved her. She had fallen in love with Regina. It was a force stronger than anything Emma had ever experienced or could ever have imagined. Sometimes she didn't even understand it. But she loved Regina with everything she was. That much she understood. Some part of her wondered if she'd always loved her. In a twisted way that was. But now it was out and bright and not a day went by that she didn't think about Regina and missed Regina and thought about dropping by at Regina's and about being with Regina for the rest of her life.
But even if she'd felt like this for quite some time, if not forever, how could she tell Regina? How could she ever tell her when she had picked him? The disgusting excuse of a man. Not that Regina really had had a choice to make… She didn't know about Emma's feelings after all… Damn it. Emma mentally kicked herself like she'd done so many times before, for not telling Regina. For not convincing her that what Emma was feeling was real, and that Regina was feeling it too, she just didn't know it yet.
And then Robin had come back to town. Without warning, Regina had been pulled away from her and Emma was left devastated and alone. Heartbroken. Everything inside of her was aching. It was as if taking a simple breath shook her insides in pain. Blinding pain and anger. Furious, blood red, anger. It was all his fault. He'd left. Why couldn't he just have stayed gone. He'd had his chance and he blew it. He didn't even deserve a fucking chance to begin with. If he'd just stayed gone, everything would have been better. Perfect. She would have had the chance to pull herself together and finally tell Regina. And Regina would have realized that she felt the same. And they would finally have the happy ending they'd both been searching for, for so long. But now everything was ruined. Because of him.
This was the reason she was now marching through the forest with the Queens of Darkness, on Robin's trail. They'd come to the Sheriff's station as she'd been sipping an already half empty bottle of whiskey. And they'd given her an offer. An offer she couldn't refuse, in her state of mind. "We can help you get rid of him. If you do us a favor". Emma still didn't know what they wanted from her. They said it was best to stay focused on Robin first. They would fill her in in due time. Emma didn't mind. Whatever they wanted from her, she was ready to give it to them if it meant Robin was out of her life. And out of Regina's.
"We're close." Ursula interrupted her train of thoughts as they all stopped their pace.
Emma swung her head franticly from side to side.
"I don't see him," she said drily.
"We have to sneak up on him from here. Otherwise he'll see us coming, and your precious little plan won't work out," Maleficent responded.
She did not like these Queens one bit. They were all snarky and she could not wait to be done with them.
"Fine," she puffed out an annoyed breath, "and how exactly do we do that?"
Maleficent smirked, waving her right hand.
"Magic."
Emma rolled her eyes.
"Great. Awesome."
Maleficent gestured for them to stand in a row, and so they did. With a flick of her wrist, purple smoke engulfed all of them and within seconds, they were all squeaking as the four brown mice they had now taken the disguise of.
Well this is just amazing, Emma thought to herself. She trailed behind as they started making their way over the moist forest ground. After a short while, she heard mumbling voices in the distance. He really wasn't that far away. Emma felt a rush of adrenaline. Her goal was within reach and soon it would be over. Soon she would have Regina all to herself again.
The three little mice in front of her came to a halt as they reached the start of what seemed to be a camping spot. Tents where gathered around this clear spot in the middle of the forest, a bonfire in the middle uniting them all. Clothes were hanging from wires hung from tree to tree, and a river ran close by, where someone was clattering with dishes. All the merry men were here. But where was Robin? Emma squinted and tried to focus. But it was damn hard when you were a shitty little mouse with the eyesight of a blind baby. She heard her own squeaky voice as she tried to say something to Maleficent. As if on cue, all four of them were once again engulfed in the purple smoke that had transformed them to begin with. Emma leaped behind a tree to hide. She poked her head carefully around it, still searching for Robin Hood.
"He's here," Ursula whispered too close to Emma's ear.
Emma shivered. These witches really creeped her out.
"I don't see him," Emma snarled through gritted teeth.
"In the tent at the far left," Cruella whispered.
Emma's eyes darted to the tent. Sure enough, someone was roaming around in there. Hopefully it was indeed Robin. But she didn't have to wonder for long, as the zipper was opened and someone stepped out. Emma felt her stomach turn over as burning anger crept up her face, tinting her cheeks a deep pink. Robin. It was him. In all his disgustingness, it was the bastard who had taken Regina from her. For a second she thought she was going to vomit.
"Fuck. You," Emma muttered under her breath.
"There, there, now," Ursula padded Emma's shoulder, "You'll get your revenge."
Emma's anger mingled with a shot of excitement as Ursula's words reached her. But before she could respond or ask what to do next, her breath caught uncomfortably in her throat and she could have sworn she felt her heart stop painfully inside her chest. Oh god. Regina. It was Regina. The beautiful brunette came crawling out of the tent Robin had come out of just seconds before. She stood tall, hands on her hips and a bright smile graced her gorgeous face. Emma felt a cry creep over her lips and she bit down on it so hard her head started pounding from the tension of grinded teeth. Her knees buckled and she fell to the ground at the foot of the tree she was still standing up against. Regina. Simply saying her name made Emma's gut twist uncomfortably, and the sight of her love was far worse. She studied the figure of the brunette as she moved gracefully around the spot. Her hair had grown so long, and Emma had to admit she liked this far better than how it had looked when she'd first come to Storybrooke. She's so beautiful. Emma had to look away. She had to. It hurt too much. But she couldn't. She couldn't tear away her gaze even if it hurt every nerve inside her body to look at her flawless beauty.
She was torn away though, as Cruella grabbed her shoulder and pulled her upright so she was standing, and then proceeded spinning her around so she was facing the face of eyebrows.
"Pull yourself together. If you want her, you have to stop this pathetic nonsense and get on with our plan."
Emma shook her head violently. She was right. But it was damn hard to focus when you were blinded by pain. She had to remind herself though, that this pain was the reason behind the plan. It made her strong enough to go through with it. Anything to make this go away. She couldn't live without Regina. Emma had barely felt alive since she'd left her. It was like she was floating around in a drunken haze, which she was, most of the time. But even when she wasn't drunk, she felt numb. Dead. If she didn't do this, if she didn't get Regina, she wasn't sure how much longer she could go on.
Emma turned around to face the camping spot again. She swallowed thickly as she tried to avoid looking at Regina.
"Okay. What do I do now?" Emma asked hoarsely.
All three Queens hummed a deep laughter.
"You kill him," they said in unison.
Emma spun around and stared at them with wide eyes.
"What?" she whispered breathlessly.
"Yes. You kill him," Cruella said.
Emma shivered. Kill him? The thought hadn't crossed her mind. And now she felt stupid. Of course that's what they had meant. But fuck. Could she really kill him? Take another life? She looked down at her hands, realizing they were shaking. She curled them into fist. Inside her chest, her heart was beating too hard and out of rhythm. As she stood there, panicking, she felt something inside of her click. As if a switch had been flipped. Yes. She looked up, her gaze resolute. She had to. If she wanted Regina, if she wanted her love, if she wanted them to be together and live out the happy ending they were destined for, she had to kill him. But it will hurt Regina. The thought made her heart ache. She didn't want to hurt Regina, not ever. But if she wanted them to be together, she had to, just this once. It was for the best. She knew it was. Sometimes, we have to make bad choices in order for better things to happen. Yes. She would do it. She was going to kill Robin Hood.
Emma looked at the Queens, her head held high.
"How do I do it?" she asked, her voice steady and stern.
An evil grin spread across Maleficent's face. Here goes, Emma thought.
"Magic."
Emma rolled her eyes again.
"Of course."
She stepped back to her position behind the tree, her body pressed as close to it as possible. She'd never used her magic to kill anything other than magical monsters. But it had to be the same thing. She was sure she could do it. She already felt her magic spark around in her hands, making them itch.
"Come on, darling. Get your revenge."
Emma's heart spun out of control as adrenaline shot through her body again. Yes. She narrowed her eyes as she smirked. Yes. My revenge. That's when she suddenly felt a hand on her back, and she was pushed out from behind the tree, entering the camping spot in a cluttered stumble forward. She remained on her feet and managed to find her balance again. Behind her she heard quiet giggles. Bitches. That's when she heard a familiar voice that made her insides turn warm and liquid.
"Emma?"
Her name coming over Regina's lips made Emma smile blindly, and for a second she forgot why she was there. That was, until Regina asked her.
"What are you doing here?"
She held her breath. What was she going to say? Should she kill Robin just like that? Or explain? She hadn't really thought this through, now that she was standing here. Damn it.
"Eh…um… I'm here to…to."
"She's here to make things right."
Maleficent's voice came from behind Emma, and she looked back to see all three of them come out from behind the tree.
"What are you doing?" Emma whispered angrily.
"You were about to mess up, darling. We had to help."
Emma felt anger boil up inside of her. She knew they were right. But it still pissed her off. Regina spoke up again. She was angry.
"What are you doing here?" Which one of the Queens Regina was referring to, Emma wasn't sure. But it earned her a mischievous laugh from all of them.
"We're here with dear Emma," Ursula answered.
"Emma, what are you doing with these witches? They're bad company." Regina was confused now, and she looked to Emma for answers. Her dark eyes on Emma made the blonde shiver.
"They offered to help me," Emma said slowly.
"Help you? What could they possibly help you with?" The disgust in Regina's voice was evident.
Emma swallowed thickly. She looked into Regina's eyes, her heart fluttering inside her chest.
"Get my revenge."
Regina's eyes widened, and Emma could have sworn she saw fear cross her features quickly.
"What?" she whispered.
This was when Robin spoke up.
"Okay, I've heard enough. You've entered private property. And I'm not fond of what you're bringing into my home. I think it's time you leave."
Emma growled, and before she could think of what she was doing, the white force of her magic threw Robin several feet backwards into a tree.
"Robin!" Regina yelped in panic as she ran to help him up, "Emma, what are you doing?!"
Emma stared at her hands. Suddenly she felt scared. She didn't know if she could go through with this. The pain in Regina's eyes hurt her physically.
"I'm…. I just…. Um…."
"Don't let her get to you, Emma. You have to keep going if you want her," Cruella's voice was manipulating, and as much as Emma didn't want to be manipulated by anyone, she couldn't help feeling how she was won over.
"If you want who? Emma what are they talking about? Please, what is going on?" Regina was panicking now, and all Emma wanted to do was wrap her arms tightly around the brunette and never let go.
"You have to do it Emma. Don't listen to her. Do it. Kill him."
Regina's eyes looked as if they were going to pop out of her beautiful head.
"Kill him? Emma. Emma no, please. Why? Why are you doing this?"
Emma didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She simply proceeded to stand there, her eyes darting from Regina to Robin, still fumbling around on the ground. Her arms where stretched out in front of her, her fingers spread. All she had to do was blast him. Blast him and it would all be over. But she was frozen on the spot, her thoughts running wild. The voices of Regina and the Queens of Darkness mingled in her head and made her so confused. She didn't know what she wanted anymore. She just knew that everything hurt.
"You have to remember, Emma," Cruella put a hand on her shoulder and it made Emma jump on her spot, "Regina was the one who left you. She's the one who broke your heart, by choosing this man over you."
What? No. Emma's eyes widened as panic shot through her body. No, no that wasn't it. Robin was the cause. It was his fault, not Regina's. Regina just wasn't thinking straight. That's why Emma had to do this. To make things right, to help Regina to understand.
"She's the reason behind all your pain, Emma."
No! Emma's thoughts were screaming inside her head, but no matter how hard she tried, it was as if she was physically unable to speak.
"It's her fault. Robin is simply a fool in love, just as yourself. Regina is the one who caused this."
No. Stop it. Stop! It's not true. I love her. And I know she loves me. She has to. Stop! Oh god what's happening. Emma felt a tremor creep up her spine and she started shaking violently. What's going on, what is this? As the Queens continued to talk, the shaking became more persistent. She couldn't control it. It was as if something stronger than her was taking over her mind and body.
Regina looked at Emma in confusion.
"In love? E-Emma… what is she saying?"
Emma didn't look at her. She couldn't. Her body and mind was frozen, and she was unable to as much as blink.
"Regina broke your heart, Emma. She deserves to pay for it."
NO! No, no, no. Stop it. Please. Stop.
Maleficent put a hand on Emma's other shoulder.
"Emma, darling – you have to make things right."
Emma felt something fog over her thoughts. Like a dark film was slowly wrapping everything in its hold. She felt herself slipping away, losing control of her mind. Her legs were trembling so strongly she wasn't sure how she was standing upright. What are they doing to me? I can't help it. No. Don't make me do this. What do you want from me?
"Emma," Ursula joined the other Queens and put her hand on Emma's back.
"You have to kill her."
NO! Emma heard her last thought scream so loudly she wondered if they could hear it. Then her eyes shut tightly, and she stopped shaking. The rapid beating of her heart slowed down unnaturally, and all her panic left her like the morning mist from the sun. With her eyes closed, she smirked. And when she opened them, they were glazed over by something dark. Something that wasn't Emma.
The Queens all laughed in triumph.
"It's done," Maleficent was the first to speak.
Regina rose from her spot next to Robin.
"What did you do to her?" her voice was a low growl and her hands curled into fists by her sides.
"Oh nothing much. We simply took control over her primitive mind," Cruella answered nonchalantly.
"She was so blinded by her pain and her anger. It was almost too easy. We didn't even have to convince her when we showed up at her doorstep. Just a little mental push and she was onboard," Maleficent padded Emma's shoulder gently. The blonde was still standing frozen on the spot, hands outstretched and her gaze narrow and cold, looking at Robin. The grin on her face would have made any child turn around and run.
"Of course convincing her to kill you, was a bit more of a challenge, as you just witnessed."
"But still so easy." The three Queens laughed in unison.
Regina gulped and took a cautious step forward.
"Emma?" she said quietly.
The blonde's emerald eye's shot to Regina so quickly that it startled the brunette, and she leaped back. The look on Emma's face made her shiver. There was no doubt that she wasn't herself.
"Emma. Emma it's me. Regina."
Emma snarled and her hands started shaking slightly.
"You…" her voice was raw and lower than usual. She stepped closer to Regina, pointing a stiff finger at her.
"You!" she growled this time.
Regina took a deep breath and stepped forward again.
"Yes. It's me, Regina. Emma, listen to me. This isn't you. You have to fight it. Fight back. Don't let them control you. Are you listening to me? You have to stop this. You don't want to do anything reckless."
Emma growled loudly and with a flick of her wrist, she sent Regina flying across the spot where she fell to the ground with a loud thud.
"Regina!" Robin leaped towards Regina, but before he could reach her, Emma sent him flying in the opposite direction.
"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Emma's growling voice made birds rise from their nests and fly to safer territory.
Emma stood still for a while, one hand stretched out towards Regina, the other towards Robin.
"Anyone who moves gets a second go. Is that understood?"
Regina shivered. Emma's voice was terrifying. Everything about her was terrifying in these moments. She had to make her stop.
"Emma…"
"SHUT UP!"
Emma snapped her fingers, and Regina felt the blow of a hand slapping across her cheek forcefully. She let out a cry, and held a hand to her cheek.
This isn't Emma, she thought to herself. Don't get angry with her. It's not her.
"Everyone just shut up!"
Quiet fell over the spot. Even whatever animals were still nearby fell silent. It was as if even the leaves on the trees stopped moving.
Emma turned her attention to Robin.
"You. You BASTARD. You took my love from me. You TOOK her. She's not yours. She's mine."
Emma squeezed her fingers tight, and Robin started pulling at a hand that wasn't around his throat as he gasped for air that wasn't going to get through his lungs. Emma's eyes narrowed further, small emerald lines of anger starring at him as he fought for his life.
Regina watched as long as she could. But she wasn't going to sit by as Emma killed Robin right in front of her eyes. She stood up.
"Emma! Stop it! You're killing him!"
"I know that!"
Emma's head spun around and looked at Regina, not losing her grip around Robin's throat.
"I thought I told you to shut up!"
Regina proceeded with caution. Screaming at Emma in panic wouldn't help, even if that was what she felt like doing.
"Emma, please. Listen to me. Please fight it."
"I'm done listening to you!"
Emma raised her hand, and Robin was lifted into the air. Swiftly, she started swiping her hand through the air, and Robin banged against a nearby tree again, and again.
"EMMA!" Regina couldn't stay calm anymore, "Emma, please stop it, please. Why are you doing this? Stop!"
"YOU DON'T GET IT, DO YOU?" Emma's voice was a loud scream now rather than a growl. The pain in her voice was evident.
"I LOVED you, Regina. I still do. And I can't believe I thought for even a second that we had something. Something unique. Special. I should have known you would pick him. It was ALWAYS about him. But that doesn't mean my heart is not broken! You broke my heart, Regina. And you didn't even have the courtesy to say goodbye. Or tell me that you're sorry. You just left me to my own pain and misery. What an idiot I was for thinking you could ever love me back!"
Tears were streaming down Emma's cheeks now, and she was holding back sobs between her shrill screaming. Her chest was rising quick and shallow.
"You have to pay for what you did. I have to make things right. Don't you understand?"
Suddenly, Emma let her hand fall to her side and Robin fell to the ground, unconscious. She took five big steps until she was standing right in front of Regina, their noses almost touching.
"I have to kill you."
Regina shivered. She could feel Emma's breath on her face. Her emerald eyes were looking scrutinizing into her own. She felt as if Emma was looking right through everything she was. She didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to do. And it wasn't often that she was struck dumb. But someone who wasn't Emma Swan was standing before her. And she was going to kill her.
Emma lifted a hand to Regina's face. Her fingers brushed lightly over her cheeks and danced across her lips.
"I don't want to kill you. But I have to."
Regina swallowed.
"Why?" she whispered.
Emma tilted her head slightly. She frowned.
"I don't know. But I have to."
She wrapped her hand around Regina's throat and her eyes darted to the brunette's lips. Slowly, oh so slowly, she leaned forward. She looked into Regina's eyes again as her own lips made contact with Regina's. The brunette's eyes widened and her heart fluttered inside her chest. Emma closed her eyes and reveled in finally feeling Regina's lips against her own. She pressed a little harder, her lips pushing against Regina's. Even if Regina wasn't breathing, she felt herself relax oddly. She looked at Emma's suddenly calm face. Regina could feel something happening inside her. Warm sparks shot from her stomach and crawled over her skin, making her shiver. The tip of Emma's tongue darted across her lips, and without thinking, Regina parted her lips and let her in. Their tongues crashed together and finally, Regina closed her eyes. For what felt like forever, they were entangled in passion. Regina's heart was pounding rapidly, and she pushed harder, trying to get as close to Emma as she possibly could. Her hands crawled up the blonde's sides, across her face, ending in soft curls and she pulled her closer. Emma never released her grip around Regina's throat. She didn't move anything other than her lips and her tongue.
Regina tried to understand what she was feeling. It felt oddly comfortable. Almost… familiar. She didn't know why she didn't stop it. It just felt right. But her thoughts were running wild and she couldn't make coherent sense of anything. She couldn't think straight. She could only feel. And her feelings were strong. Even if she didn't know what they meant or what to make of them, they were strong, and they made her keep kissing Emma.
Suddenly, Emma pulled away. She smiled warmly into Regina's brown eyes, and the brunette smiled back. For a second, she thought Emma wasn't going to kill her. But then the blonde's voice sounded hoarsely.
"Goodbye, Regina."
Regina felt Emma's hand squeeze her throat. Everything closed painfully, and Regina's lungs started burning. She tried to raise her hands to pull away Emma's, but Emma was holding her frozen on the spot, using the magic of her other hand. Regina felt how her brain started to shut down, and darkness was creeping around her gaze. She tried to speak, to beg Emma to stop, but the blonde only tightened her grip. A single tear fell down Emma's cheek, and Regina knew that the real Emma behind this façade was in more pain than anyone could ever imagine. It made Regina's own heart twist painfully. Emma. Of all things, I wish you could hear me.
A swiping sound echoed in the treetops. Suddenly, Emma stiffened and her eyes widened unnaturally. Her grip around Regina's throat loosened, and a breathless whisper creped over her lips. She opened her mouth as if to speak, but instead she stumbled backwards, falling to the ground with a loud thud. Regina screamed as she looked down at her.
"NO!"
Regina fell to her knees at Emma's side. Coming from outside her chest, an arrow had pierced Emma's body.
"No, no, no."
Sudden panic made Regina tremble, and her hands darted all over Emma's body, as if willing it all to stop. She heard a loud thud and looked up. Robin was leaning against a tree, eyes half closed, panting. In his hands was his crossbow. His face was pale and he was sweating, pain written all over his features. No.
"What have you done?!" Regina cried with a shaking voice, "Why did you shoot her, why?"
Regina couldn't help the tears that washed down her face.
"She…. she was… k-killing you, R-Regina."
"I don't care what she was doing! You shot her!"
Regina looked down at Emma again. The blonde was looking up at her, her features soft. Her emerald eyes were shining from the tears lingering in them. This was the real Emma. She was back. Regina could feel it.
"Emma," Regina whispered and cupped one of the blonde's cheeks, "Emma."
Emma smiled slightly. She raised a hand slowly, grimacing as pain shot through her chest. She held a hand to Regina's chest.
"Hi…"
The soft whisper made Regina laugh warmly through her tears. She reached up to hold Emma's hand in her own. The blonde's eyes fell shut for a moment.
"No, no Emma, Emma stay with me. Please."
Emma struggled to open her eyes, her eyelids fluttering shut multiple times before she managed to lock gazes with Regina.
"Please don't leave me," Regina's voice was almost inaudible, but Emma heard it. A soft gasp crept over her lips. She tried to speak, but the pain was too much.
Regina didn't understand what she was feeling. Everything inside of her was twisting in pain. Her gaze was blurry from the tears that wouldn't stop streaming down her face, and she was shaking so violently she feared she was going to break. She couldn't lose Emma. When their lips had touched, something inside of her had clicked. It was as if Regina finally understood. Finally listened, to herself. It was as if she could see for the first time in her life. And now her heart was aching, because before her laid the one person that had always had her back. The one person who had always trusted her, who she could always count her. The only person who understood her. The only person who had always believed her. And she was dying.
Emma was dying.
A sob escaped Regina's lips, and she closed her eyes as if to shut out the pain. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and looked into Emma's. She was crying. Her shirt was covered in blood, and it was already pooling around her, mixing with the dirt. Regina leaned into Emma's hand and tried to ignore what was happening. The arrow. The blood. The pain. For a moment, she just wanted to enjoy looking into Emma's eyes. It was as if she really saw them, for the first time. Her heart skipped a beat when Emma smiled softly at her.
"Emma… Stay with me. Please. I… I…"
"I know," Emma cut her off, her voice barely a whisper, "Me too."
Regina smiled and kissed the palm of Emma's hand. Emma's eyes fluttered again, and another shot of panic made Regina's heart pound harder.
"Emma!"
Before she knew it, she was leaning down, her lips on Emma's again. They were so cold. Emma barely moved them when Regina pressed her own against them. She was too weak. Regina closed her eyes, her tears dripping down on Emma's face, mingling with Emma's own. She felt a hot breath on her lips, and she lifted her head slightly to look at Emma.
Her eyes were closed. Suddenly, her hand fell from Regina's cheek.
"No…" Regina's voice cracked at the single word.
"NO!"
Without thinking, Regina started shaking Emma violently.
"No, no, NO!"
"Emma! Emma, come back to me! Come back to me, please. I can't live without you, Emma. Please. Emma! Emma, I love you. Do you hear me? I love you, Emma! Come back to me."
But no matter how hard Regina shook her, Emma didn't wake up. She didn't open her eyes, smile her breathtaking smile, laugh her beautiful laugh or tell one of her dumb joke. She didn't.
Because Emma was dead.