A/N: Thank you all for so many positive reviews on Not Yet The End! In an effort to fill in the gaps, this fic will be an amalgamation of one shots detailing SQ's relationship at various points in their journey in Neverland, all leading up to the events in Not Yet The End. Standard disclaimers: I own nothing. Reviews and suggestions welcome!
With both elbows resting on the coarse wooden railing of the Jolly Roger, Emma stared out at the calm sea and into the darkness, wondering just how her life came to be so ridiculous.
Wasn't having the most famous fairy tale couple for parents, her biological son raised by an Evil Queen, and her first love being the son of the devious Rumplestilskin enough? Apparently the universe didn't think so. So after ogres, enchanted zombies, and Cora's sick and twisted witchcraft, Emma Swan, previously an orphaned lone wolf, found herself trapped on a pirate ship in another world with a sleazy captain, her parents, a witch, and an imp. All for Henry.
Her heart twisted at the thought of her missing son. Please let him be ok, she silently begged whatever power was listening. She reflected on her day, about how a siren had posed as her son, and how she completely lost it, jumping into the dangerous Neverland waters, and nearly drowning in her desperation to reach "Henry." She would have died had it not been for Regina, who had realized Emma's error and pulled her out with magic just in the nick of time. After the rescue, the Queen remained in her chambers, locked away for Emma's doting parents as they fussed over their daughter.
Her musings were interrupted by light footfalls, as the former Mayor slinked her way to the ship's stern. Speak of the Devil. Emma watched from the shadows as the Queen grasped the railing, and lost most of her dignity and grace as she vomited straight off the ship.
Concerned, Emma quickly and quietly approached Regina, who was now taking deep breaths with her forehead resting on the ship.
"What could you possible want from me at this hour, at this exact moment, Miss Swan," Regina's biting tone was nearly enough to stop Emma in her tracks. Nearly.
"Relax Regina, I just wanted to make sure you were ok," Emma retorted, with just a bit of impatience. Why on earth was Regina constantly prickly? They had worked together in the mine to save Storybrook, and Regina had saved her ass this afternoon, but the moment Emma tries to extend the olive branch, the Queen reverts back to defensive mode.
"As you can see, I'm just fine, and have no use for your assistance, so you can just…" Regina's snark was cut short as she once again turned her face to the sea to expel her stomach's contents. This time though, she felt a gentle hand sweep her hair back, and another rub up and down her spine.
When Regina was finished, exhaustion took over, and she leaned back into the Sheriff's form, allowing the Sheriff close in her vulnerability.
"Look Regina. If we're going to rescue Henry, we have to put aside our differences. You're not alone anymore. We're all here for him, and we need to be strong for him."
She felt Regina try to pull away, so Emma tightened her hold.
"Please just listen. I'm scared. I think about him every moment. I know you do too. You've heard me cry at night, just like I've heard you. We have to stop avoiding it Regina. We're both his mothers, and we should be able to lean on each other."
It was perhaps the most eloquent thing Emma had managed to say to Regina since they had arrived in Neverland a few days prior.
"You can't do what you did today," came the Queen's rejoinder. "That scared me too."
It was the most honest Regina had been to the Savior's face since beginning their journey.
Silence descended upon the two women, as they looked out across the waves, Emma's arm still wrapped around Regina's tiny frame.
"Come on, you should get some sleep," Emma said, gently exerting some pressure on Regina's shoulders.
As the padded across the deck, Regina brought them to a stop, and stuck out her hand. Emma looked at her questioningly.
"Well you wanted a truce, didn't you Miss Swan?" Regina was petulant in her reply, a small smile breaking through.
Emma took the proffered hand and squeezed gently, her heart fluttering in a not so unpleasant way.
"Truce."