A/N This idea has been eating away at me for weeks; I just had to get it out. The story was supposed to be a one-shot, but it's turning out to be longer than expected. In realization of that I'm breaking it up into chapters. This particular Swan Queen was inspired by an amazing song "Scarlet" by In This Moment. I would recommend that you listen to it first just to help with the effect.

type this in after youtube: /watch?v=9dMkELynLUo

All quotes that are italicized are lyrics from Scarlet by In This Moment. I've used them throughout the story in order to try something different. You may either think of them as some other voice echoing throughout or both of the women thinking it. Whatever you wish, it doesn't really matter. I also couldn't resist using lyrics from The Promise by In This Moment. Both songs are so perfect for this story.

This isn't intended to be a majorly long story; I'm thinking probably 10k words, so another chapter or two. If you're looking for a fluffy Swan Queen, please turn back now. This is by far NOT fluffy and filled with rainbows and butterflies.

I'm still working on Under the Veil and Bullet to the Heart; I'll have those updated as soon as I can. I hope you enjoy! I'm nervous about this one...

One last thing: This takes place right after the curse is broken.

The cold wind slapped against Emma's face as she rushed down towards the Mills Manor; her blonde curls were flying rapidly around her face as her breath entered and left her lips fast. She knew the mob would be there any second with pitchforks and torches, but she couldn't allow them to steal her piece of the prize. She couldn't believe what had just happened in a matter of minutes. As soon as the curse broke Regina had bolted out of that hospital faster than lightning. Emma came to realization that everything her son had been saying was true. What made the entire situation worse was the fact that the White Knight had been secretly sleeping around with the Evil Queen; however, she had no idea of this during the curse, so was it that big of a deal? Of course it was! If the town found out about this she'd surely be in the same predicament as Regina.

"They can never know just what we've done."

By the time she rounded the corner, she saw the raging mob. Pitchforks and torches were an understatement. Granny stood at the head of the crowd, crossbow in hand. Others had whatever kind of object they could grasp on their way in their hands. Emma's grip tightened on her father's sword and she pushed through the crowd to find Regina tied up to her beloved apple tree. Her eyes were dark with fear as she struggled against the rope.

Her movements stilled when the sword pointed out, only mere centimeters from the brunette's chest. Brown, fearful eyes met strong green ones as lover to lover gazed into each other's soul.

All of this time she has been my faithful enemy, yet I was too blind to see it.

"Kill her!" someone shouted from the angry crowd.

"Burn the witch!"

The anger for all that Regina had done was encouragement to plunge that sword deep into her chest. The blonde's knuckles turned white as her grip became deadly, the sword beginning to shake.

This is what she deserves, Emma thought, It's easy.

She pressed the tip of the sword against the brunette's throat causing her to gulp, eyes never leaving one another. This had to be the end. Revenge for everything the evil witch had done to all of these people. Revenge for taking away a family Emma always yearned for.

Vivid images of the night before flashed across Emma's mind. Hot skin against skin, deep long sighs of endless ecstasy. It had happened all so fast. Just as fast as their desire sparked, Emma was walking out of the mansion with the poisonous pastry in her hand.

She tried to kill me.

"They will never know all the blood we've shed. The scarlet cross we bear until the bitter end and they, they can never know just what we've done."

"No…" Emma whispered and turned her back to the queen. The fear in the queen's eyes was pure. Real. "This is not the way." Everyone gasped, some screamed with objection while others threw their weapons of choice into the air. "If we kill her then we will be no better than she. There will be no death in Storybrooke so long as I am still sheriff."

Several more objections skyrocketed until an arrow came buzzing through the air and split an apple hanging in the tree. Everyone stiffened at the action as the muddled apple dropped to the dirt.

"Everyone back down. You heard the sheriff."

Emma snapped around to see her roommate readying another arrow. Actually, Snow readied her bow and arrow. On her right was Charming who was gazing with longing at the sword in his daughter's hand.

This isn't fucking happening, Emma swore inside of her head. The sight was an odd one and there was no way she'd be getting used to this anytime soon. She nodded thanks to them both before demanding that Regina be unbounded.

"Miss Swan, let me explain," Regina begged as they walked into the sheriff's office. Emma grasped the mayor and pushed her, but not too harshly, into the jail cell. She refused to meet her lover's beautiful brown gaze as she shut the bars and turned the lock.

"What is there to explain, Regina?" she yelled, throwing up her hands. Her green eyes burned with furry, but deep down inside was a feeling of loss. It took all of her might to force down the tears just begging to escape. She had never known love, but the moment the fire was lit, it spread out in an uproar of chaos.

Regina inched close towards the blonde and reached out a hand through the cold bars. Her soft, slender fingers caressed the sheriff's cheek with bottomless affection and regret.

This wasn't how things were supposed to go, Regina thought.

Both of their eyes danced with an ocean of emotions screaming to release at the same time. Finally Emma looked at Regina and placed her own hand on top of the latter, slowly pulling it down.

"You tried to kill me," Emma said bitterly.

"No," Regina replied back, trying to conceal her emotions, "It would have only put you under a sleeping curse."

"Was this your plan the entire time?"

"Emma, please…" She looked back over to the woman who said her name. She would have loved to see the mayor behind bars any other time, but now?

Memories of their long night flooded through once again and she stepped away, forcing the thought out. Her heart was breaking with each silent moment. She pushed herself up onto the desk and glanced over at the mayor who had loosened her grip on the bars, but still refused to move.

Emma's life was becoming so much more complicated with each breath. Her head was confused. Jumbled. Nothing made sense. Actually, the only thing that made a bit of since was Henry's fairytale book that was undoubtedly true now that the curse had broken. It was the closest thing to truth she'd ever find in this world. Ironic? It didn't make since to Emma Swan either. What baffled her even more was how far she and Regina had come in such little time only to have the mayor try and poison her. Why? Why was it when things started to go good they crashed and burned? The blonde grumbled and put her head in her hands in defeat.

"What do we do now?" Regina asked softly.

"We?" she snapped her head up, "There is no we. But me? I have no fucking clue at this moment. Your role is simple. You're staying put."

Emma glanced up at the clock and upon seeing that it had grown late, she hopped off the desk. She gathered her belongings, trying her best to ignoring the eyes burning into the back of her skull.

"You're just going to leave me here?" the mayor asked with disbelief. The pathetic look Regina wore could shatter the strongest hearts. Emma had never seen the woman so torn and it hurt to see it. In the past few weeks they had grown oddly close even though they hated each other's guts (At least that's what they told themselves). Regina's mask had begun to fall and for a moment Emma had a chance of seeing her true colors, but just as quickly as it fell, it shot right back up.

"I've had an entirely long day, Madam Mayor. My son was poisoned and almost died because of you. I slayed a fucking dragon for fuck's sake and come to find out that my parents are Snow White and Prince Charming. Then I had to deal with that mob that wanted to kill you," the brunette shivered, "So forgive me, your majesty, if I share no sympathy for you having to stay overnight behind bars.

Emma scurried over to the other cell and bundled up the extra sheets before sliding them into Regina's. The mayor now sat on the edge of the cot, looking down at the ground. They bid each other a silent farewell before the blonde disappeared from the room leaving Regina in solitude.

Regina had never felt so miserable in her entire life. She attempted to unlock the cell, but for some reason her magic wasn't working. If the curse was broken then shouldn't magic be back? She sat with her back against the cold cement wall, her knees drawn up and her head buried into them. For the first time in years she felt true tears well up and slide slowly down her cheeks. She was never one to live in regret.

There was no shame in what she had done to the kingdom. She still loathed them all, especially Snow White for indirectly killing her one and only happiness. What she did remorse was what she just did to Emma.

She couldn't deny the growing feelings for the blonde that she had acquired. In a way they had always been there, but she hid it away from herself. As much as the sheriff made her want to claw her eyes out there was that special gravity pulling them together. Last night's affair was forever imprinted upon her heart for several reasons.

The moment Emma had walked into her house that fire lit up. That infuriating red jacket glowed bright like their burning desire for one another. One simple kiss. That was all it took before they were pushing each other into the wall and then onto the couch in the foyer. The air had been filled with moist, hot air escaping their lips. No one was ever able to make Regina feel the way she did when Emma was around.

"It's haunting, this hold that you have over me. I grow so weak. I see you and everything around you fades and I can't see. You can never know what it is you do to me"

Regina wanted to tell her. She needed to tell her the reasoning behind everything, but she was scared. There was the one emotion that always pulled her away from falling for the blonde. Fear of losing Henry. He was her entire heart and soul and no one would ever change that. That very first day Emma brought Henry home was the moment she realized that the one thing she loved was slipping from her grasp.

She didn't want to lose Henry; in fear of this she had reacted on impulse with dire foolishness. She wanted Emma. That much was true, but she knew they could never be more than secret lovers. Emma could never know that Regina was the Evil Queen. The only way to end this torture was by slipping the pastry into her hands and letting the poison do its work. That was her safe haven. Poison. However, the entire plan backfired and both women almost lost their son.

Things would never be the same again though. The Savior had been awoken and ever since the day she was born she was an enemy of the Queen. Regina had always wondered what would have happened if the Charming's had failed to send Emma away in that wardrobe. The curse would have never been threatened. Perhaps they would have had some chance at love, but Henry most likely would have never been born.

She shook her head in a rapid motion, attempting to clear her mind and stop the overbearing sobs cascading down her face, but it was all futile. Her life was over. Everything she had gone through to give herself a new life was in ashes.

"I, I am the misery you crave and you, you are my faithful enemy"

The apartment was absolutely silent. Emma cracked an eyelid open and peered at the glowing numbers on her nightstand. 3:05 am. Sleep was useless. Hours upon hours she tried to shut her mind down, but rest evaded her. She sat up, the sheets falling from her shoulders sending a chill down her spine, and she silently sighed. Her eyes burned with exhaustion, but her mind ran rapid. She couldn't get the pathetic image of Regina behind bars out of her head. She pictured the brunette curled up under the rigid sheets. Alone. Miserable.

She forced herself out of her warm bed and slipped quietly down the stairs, passed her sleeping son on the couch. A soft smile touched her lips as she watched him sleep peacefully.

Regina had the same exact predicament as the sheriff. No matter how hard she tried to close her eyes she couldn't fall asleep. She kicked irritably at the rough, scratchy sheets. She'd give anything to feel her silky sheets against her skin and for the first time she realized how lucky she was to live in such prestige.

Finally her red, achy eyes closed in defeated fatigue, but just as she was on the verge of sleep she heard the tap of boots coming down the hall. Her eyes shot open and she froze. Her first thought was that someone had broken in and was here to end her. Whoever it was though was failing miserably at sneaking. She scrunched her eyebrows as the figure walked into the room and became clear.

"Sheriff?" the mayor called out in confusion. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, making sure her they weren't deceiving her. Emma remained silent as she walked up to the cell and unlocked it. "What are you doing? What time is it?" By this time Regina had her feet hanging off the cot. Emma motioned for her to put her shoes on and to come with her. "Where are we going?"

"Home."

The brunette had never been so confused. She followed the sheriff into her buggy and as much as she wished to make a snarky comment about its filth, she resisted. She was grateful to be out of that miserable, lonesome cell. The last time she had been imprisoned was when Snow and Charming had captured her and attempted to execute her. Oh how long ago that was.

The ride was awkwardly silent. Either both were overwhelmed with exhaustion or none wanted to admit to the situation. Whatever the reason, it wasn't clear. When they pulled up to the mayor's house Emma got out to walk Regina up to the door feeling protective for some reason. She hoped that Regina would let her inside and not slam the door in her face.

The key slid into the lock and she turned the knob. Beyond the door was solitude. The door slid open and as the mayor took a step in, Emma placed a hand on her arm. Their unreadable eyes met.

"Regina," she spoke softly and a bit unsurely, "I never intended to steal Henry away from you." The brunette took in a long deep breath before stepping inside.

"I know…" she whispered from over her shoulder. Her hand remained on the door, unsure of what to do. Behind her she could hear Emma fidget awkwardly.

"You're obviously the better parent for him. I'm not mother-material nor did I ever want to be. It's just that I care for him and—"

"—Miss Swan," Regina deadpanned, cutting off the sheriff's nervous ramble.

The moment the older woman turned back around to face the latter something sparked inside of their eyes. Regina's pain was beyond vivid battling with the last ounce of control she had left. Emma came to her rescue and practically leaped onto her pressing her lips roughly against red, apple tasting ones.

"This hunger seems to feed on me; a sacred sin, a dying breed."

Instantaneously Regina's hands found their way into blonde curls as Emma wrapped her arms around the mayor's slim waist, pulling them close against one another. The blonde's tongue slid across the latter's lips and was received gladly with a moan.

"You, you're everything I want and I, I'm everything you need."

They stood right in the threshold, door open, in the middle of the late night. Lover to Lover. Enemy to Enemy. The Savior offering her heart to the Evil Queen. Regina bit down onto the blonde's bottom lip.

"This is dangerous," Regina whispered against the blonde's soft lips knowing that they were treading into deep, black waters.

"I know," she replied, lacing her fingers with the brunette's and leading them into the house, closing the door with a kick of her boot. The indecency of the last part didn't go unnoticed by the mayor, but she chose not to comment.

Emma was digging her grave by partaking in this deadly sin; however she couldn't build up enough reasons to care that she was siding with the Evil Queen. This was her wish; her final death note was signed with a blood red kiss.

"They can never know just what we've done; we risk everything tonight."

The brunette took hold of the blonde's hand and led her upstairs. The desirous passion between the two was suffocating; hearts continued to speed as they inched closer and closer towards the bedroom, the place Emma never had the pleasure of visiting before. This was a first and hinted at how serious the situation between her and the mayor had grown.

This was the absolute truth too. Regina never, ever brought up just anyone to her bedroom. Something deep within her told her that this was right. No matter how badly she wanted to push to blonde away she knew it was only because she was fearful of the consequences that would face the blonde.

Their lips met once again as Emma gently laid Regina down onto the soft throw. In one swift motion Emma's jacket was slid down her shoulders and off along with her shirt shortly afterwards. The brunette leaned up and planted a kiss on her collarbone.

Sooner than later their clothes had been thrown in several directions. Their hot, sweaty bodies moved against one another, lip-locked as their breaths moved rapidly. Emma's hand travelled down the brunette's flat stomach, sending shivers through her. Regina arched underneath her as the hand cupped her warmth.

A long moan slipped out of the blonde's lips when sharp teeth came down upon her neck. Regina trailed her nails down her back leaving long, red marks. Two fingers slipped inside of the brunette and she gasped against skin, biting harder. Soon her hips matched the steady pace of Emma's fingers, moaning in pure ecstasy. Regina's eyes rolled into the back of her head as the speed increased

There was something pure about this moment. The times before had just been adrenaline and sweat; however, this time there was loving affection in every action. There was no wine distorting their thoughts; the moment was pure.

"They will never know all the blood we shed; the scarlet cross we bear until the bitter end and they, they can never know just what we've done…I will never let you go"

Regina's teeth sunk into pale flesh causing a mix of pain and pleasure to escape from Emma's lips. The queen smiled into the skin before sucking the pain away and wetting it with long strokes of her tongue. The Savior was hers. Emma was the Evil Queen's White Knight no matter what. She knew that no matter the consequences of this night, Emma would protect her. Words weren't necessary to convey such a message, but they both knew this was truth after tonight.

There was no way Emma was going to let anyone touch her queen. The past didn't matter to her; Regina had changed. It didn't matter that she had tried to kill her. It all honesty she understood why, in this weird twisted way. They craved the misery and thrived off the scarlet love.

"Emma," Regina called out as her hips lifted off of the bed. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she tried to get ahold of her breath. Green eyes stared into tear stained chocolate globes. The younger woman grew concerned and leaned down to wipe the steady tears away.

"Regina?" Emma worriedly whispered against her cheek, kissing every inch of her face softly and sweetly. Their fingers intertwined and the blonde kissed her knuckles. A genuine, serene smile broke out across the older woman's face. It was such a beautiful scene.

"I'm okay, darling," Regina softly replied and stroked Emma's hair. She reached up and cupped her face. Emma nuzzled against the warm hand.

Something came alive inside of the queen; it was something that she thought had died years ago, but now she knew it was still there. Emma laid her head upon the brunette's chest and listened to the soothing beating of her heart. No matter what anyone said Regina had a strong, loving heart. It had been broken, shattered, turned into ice, but Emma managed to hold it in delicate fingers and bring it back to life.

"They can never know just what we've done."

Regina squeezed the blonde's hand before reaching for the covers and pulling it around them. She laid one last kiss upon the blonde's lips and soon they fell asleep.

Whatever the future held, it didn't matter. What mattered now was the swan was the queen's. Emma had silently given her knight's oath to forever and always protect her majesty no matter the consequences. She would go down swinging because she knew the true Regina. The one who had the most loving, caring heart she had ever seen.

A/N Please, please, please let me know what you think of this. I've never written a story based off of a song before.