Once Emma was gone, the group was confused and panicked. Charming and Snow clung to each other like a life preserver, and Hook hung his head in his hands. Regina tried to take solace in Robin's embrace, but slipped out of it to comfort Henry instead.

They all mulled about, questioning where Emma had gone and what they could do. Regina shook her head at all their questions, because she truly had no idea what could be done. Finally the group decided they should ask the former dark one himself once he had regained consciousness. Snow begged Regina to let her use the dagger to summon Emma, but Regina successfully convinced her that it wasn't a good idea. Whatever had transpired with her, Emma needed some time to compose herself and gain control of her new influx of power. Regina convinced them to let her take the dagger where she could protect it magically. Regina thought it best to just give her some time, and reluctantly everyone agreed. So for the time being, there was nothing to be done. Everyone wearily retreated to their homes to try and get some much needed rest. She wasn't sure why, but Regina turned Robin down in his request to spend the night with her at the mansion. She was still trying to wrap her head around what had just happened, and really just wanted to be alone.

XXXXXXXXX

Regina tucked a worried Henry into bed and kissed his forehead. She smoothed out his hair and smiled reassuringly at him. "It'll be alright, Henry. We'll find her. I promise," she said softly.

Henry nodded and pursed his lips together. "I know you will. You two have become a good team together." Henry furrowed his eyebrows slightly before sighing out curiously. "She saved you. "

Regina took in a deep breath and quirked a small smile. "Again. I know. And I promise you, I will do everything I can to bring her back to you. I know how much you need her in your life."

Henry took her hand and squeezed it gently. "We all do."

Regina cocked her head to the side and thought for a moment. That statement was a little more true than she cared to admit. Instead of answering, she simply nodded and gave him one more kiss on the forehead before retreating to her own room.

Regina laid down on the bed and pulled the heavy comforter over her silky nightgown. She sunk into the softness of her pillow and her mind immediately went to Emma. Where was she? What was she going through? Was she safe? In pain? How could they help her? Why would she sacrifice herself like that, for Regina of all people? How was she supposed to help Henry through this? He loved Emma. His life would never be the same without her. Truthfully, Regina's life would never be the same either. Regina found herself thinking of a future in which Emma was permanently the dark one, or worse, one in which Emma never returned. Regina's stomach turned sour at the thought. She thought about all the broken hearts that would be in Storybrooke. Henry, Snow, Charming. Hook. Was Emma really in love with Hook? What could she possibly see in a man like that? She was way too good for him. Emma was the savior, the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. She was well above the one handed pirate. She was a princess, for crying out loud, she deserved royalty.

Regina found herself trying to think of anyone that could possibly be good enough for Emma when she suddenly had to shake herself from the subject. She had almost considered that she didn't want to see Emma happy with anyone. She almost thought that the only place Emma belonged was with her and Henry. Luckily Regina stopped having that thought before it took root in her mind and grew too large for her to eradicate.

Slowing her breathing, Regina was finally able to slowly fall asleep, slipping for the first of many times into an erotic dreamworld where she had to face a very surprising realization.

****Regina's dream***

A light purple mist swirled around her, blinding her to her surroundings. The mist was cool, but not cold. Regina reached out to touch it as it swirled around, and found it soft and comforting. She could see nothing but the mist, which was charged with a dangerous yet intriguing energy. Regina felt afraid, but something else as well. She felt anticipation, an excited anticipation, like she knew something was about to happen. Something was there in the mist, just beyond her sight. She felt it watching her, leering. She could sense it move around behind her, causing Regina's breathing to pick up. She didn't move, just stood there, breasts heaving. She waited, finding her excitement building and pooling deep in her belly. Regina recognized the feeling as arousal, and felt her skin pepper with goosebumps as the presence came up right behind her. Her eyes flittered shut as the pressing of lips through her hair to the back of her neck caused a bolt of electricity to shoot directly to her core.

There was something familiar about the presence. Like she knew who it was, but in her dream haze she couldn't put her finger on it. Who ever it was, she was completely turned on, and was finding it hard to contain the moan that so desperately wanted to emerge from her throat.

When a hand ran down Regina's arm, her eyes squeezed shut and her head lolled back. Her breathing was erratic as she felt desire rushing through her body like a churning river. She felt a body step up until it was flush with her own, the pressure against her finally releasing a gasp from her lips.

She wanted to open her eyes. She wanted to turn and see who it was that was affecting her this way. But she couldn't. No matter how she tried to will her body to movement, the dream or the dream weaver behind her wouldn't allow it. She felt a hand come up and pull her brown locks to the side, baring her neck. Regina's head rolled to the side against her will. She felt like she was melting into her own arousal as a soft kiss was placed just below her ear. She felt lips hovering over her ear, and the anticipation returned. Finally a soft whisper echoed into her ear and through her brain. Her loins constricted as the word reverberated through her core. "Regina."

Regina shot up from her bed, chest heaving as she looked frantically around to find she had jolted from her dream back into reality. She threw the comforter off her body and ran a hand down her sweat soaked brow. She got up swiftly and entered the bathroom. She turned on the cold water and splashed it vigorously on her face. She was flushed from her lingering state of arousal that had followed her from her dream world back into reality. She looked at her reflection as her breathing started to recover, memories of her encounter crowding her brain. She swallowed and as she remembered exactly what had jolted her awake. It was her surprising reaction to her name being whispered; her reaction to the soft, lustful, erotic, arousing voice of Emma Swan.