Author's Note: I do not own Once Upon a Time or its characters. Just a fan.
Regina walked by the dock as the sun was setting. The sight of the last rays of the day didn't even register to her though.
Hook had taken Emma and Henry out on his boat hours ago. The only reason she even knew was because she overheard Snow talking to Belle about how the three were going out for the day to get away for a bit.
She thought back to the conversation she had with Emma a few days ago.
"I'm not the one holding us back," Emma said. "I would tell my parents about us. I want to tell them about us. I am tired of sneaking around. I am tired of not being able to touch you in public. I am tired of these snarky remarks we make to each other in public."
"Emma, we don't have to talk about this now," she said.
"You never want to talk about us. If I am just some fuck buddy to you, why don't you tell me now and I'll leave. But if you want to take this to the next level then you have to talk to me."
Regina stood there. She was looking at Emma, but all she could see was Daniel – Daniel dead in the stable. She couldn't through it again.
"Regina, talk to me," Emma said taking her hand.
Regina pulled away, "I'm sorry. But you and I have no future."
Torn from her memory by the sound of horn, Regina saw Hook's boat coming into the dock. She turned before she could see Emma.
She had made her decision. She couldn't go through the heartbreak of losing Emma like she did Daniel. But now she knew – when it came to love all heartbreak felt the same.
