Two months after returning from the dead, and to her home, Emma was still haunted by the images of her unconscious. Every night when she fell asleep with Regina in her arms, the Savior went back and forth between getting shot at Granny's Diner, and seeing Neal again for the first time in 16 years. It was as though her mind were separated by the two events; two separate driving forces that created a frenzy in her mind.

After her screaming match with Regina, Emma started to feel a small amount of relief. However, it wasn't enough to forget everything she had been through, and everything she had put her family through. It also didn't erase the fact that there was another enemy out there trying to harm everyone Emma loved. Even the almighty Savior couldn't comfort herself.

A month into Emma's recovery, her bed rest orders were revoked, but her status as sheriff was in the hands of the mayor. No amount of begging could return Emma her shield and gun, and Regina saw to it that Emma stayed away from the station. David was more than happy to take on Emma's workload, as his own guilt gnawed at his heart. He'd never forgive himself for letting his daughter take a bullet for him. Never.

In the evenings, Emma was content to spend time with her wife and children. But, during the day, there was a lot on her mind. She and Regina were on speaking terms, but there was a lot Emma hadn't told her wife. They weren't secrets necessarily. She just didn't want to worry Regina. Between running a town, taking care of the family, and finding out who/what was after them, Emma figured Regina had enough on her plate. She was used to having a larger role to play, and being on house arrest put a cramp in her style.

Unbeknownst to Regina, Emma didn't waste her days cooped inside. No, Emma had one secret from her wife- for the first time in a long time, Emma was hiding something from Regina. Once a week- every Wednesday- at exactly twelve p.m., Red stopped by to pick Emma up. Along with her job, Emma's driving privileges were also gone.

Emma made Red swear on Peter's grave that she wouldn't tell a soul about their outings. Although unafraid of her friend, Red still harbored resistance towards Regina. Needless to say, she kept her promise. And, as much as she loved her parents, Emma knew Snow couldn't keep a secret, and she was aware of a strange energy coming from Regina and David. Red was the only one she could trust with this.

The blonde treated her excursions as though they were CIA missions, and she were a secret agent. She knew when Regina was in the office, when she ate lunch, when the kids got recess- everything. It was all carefully planned out for one simple task. For the most part, she'd gone without being made.

"How are you, Emma?" Archie Hopper asked in his normal considerate tone. He sat across from his patient in his vintage chair, his legs crossed, and a yellow notepad on his lap; his hands were folded over the paper as he set his gaze on Emma. The therapist was quick to note the sheriff's fast-bouncing knee. "It's ok, you know you don't have to be nervous." Emma resisted the impulse to bite on her nails as she racked her brain for something to say. "How have you been?"

"Good," Emma responded immediately. Her eyes shifted anxiously to Archie's paper, afraid he'd write it down.

"How's everything at home?" Archie pushed his glasses up the crook of his nose smoothly as he waited for Emma's response. When the blonde said nothing, Archie poked further. "Does Regina know about our sessions?"

"No." Emma's focus fell to her fidgeting hands guiltily. "And she's not gonna. Not anytime soon. Not until we figure this out."

"'This' being whoever King George was talking about?" Archie clarified. "Have you found any new information?"

"If you're asking if I've seen Neal again, the answer is no," Emma remarked with a dull eye roll. "Regina and Gold, they've been going through a list of people from their past, and Mom and Dad."

"And there aren't any possibilities?"

"Most of their enemies are dead... but so was Cora, so that doesn't mean shit." Emma was torn. It was something she needed to talk about, to ramble about so she could think through it out loud. But, it was also a reminder of how little she could help. She hadn't lived in the Enchanted Forest. She hadn't made enemies the way most of her friends and family had. And, if she did, they were long dead- for good.

"How does that make you feel?"

Emma snorted sarcastically and stood up from the tattered couch. "No way, nuh uh. We had a deal: no psychologist cliches. Not here. I only come to vent."

"I thought you said Dr. Whale recommended therapy sessions." Archie never moved out of his chair. He was used to Emma's physical movements, her animations.

"Whatever," Emma grumbled. It wasn't exactly the truth. As she paced back and forth, her arms folded over her chest, Emma shook her head to herself. "This is all just bullshit. I should be out there helping! Not in here or at home! No one will let me do anything! They act like I'm some sorta invalid; giving me orders and instructions. If I don't do them, I get lectured. And- this is the rich part- when I do what they say, there has to be something wrong with me! It's like they forgot I was the sheriff! Hell, they don't even act like I'm the Savior anymore!"

"And what would that look like, exactly?" Archie suppressed his instinctual "therapist" tone an replaced it with one of casual interest.

"Gee, I dunno, maybe like me getting off my ass and doing some actual work! She took away my fucking badge, Archie! Mayor or not, she's also my wife! She knows how much it means for me to do my job. Now... Now I can't do anything, and I can't-"

"Protect your family?" Archie inferred. While Emma had not been a client of his for very long, she'd been a friend for nearly two decades. Even when he wasn't in doctor mode, he could read her body language. When Emma fell back onto the couch with a loud huff, Archie took his chance to say more. "Emma, you've been through a great ordeal. Your whole family has. I know it's frustrating for you, but this is going to take time. You shouldn't feel as though you're failing anyone, especially not Regina or the kids."

"I never said that," Emma growled defensively.

"You didn't have to. Emma," Archie leaned forward, "you've been the sheriff for, what, 19 years? And you've been the Savior for... well, since the curse broke. That's a lot of responsibility to carry around. I'm sure no one expects you to accept the change that easily."

"So, what? I just sit on the couch all day and watch TV while my family, including my kids, go up against whatever the hell it is?"

"You know that's not what I'm saying," Archie replied patiently. Sensing Emma's unease, Archie dropped his notepad and pen on the table and took of his therapist persona. "May I speak openly? Off the record?"

Emma shrugged uncaringly and held out a hand, "It's your office. You can do whatever you want."

Archie nodded graciously and took a deep breath. "From day one, your parents have always had our backs. And, when you came along, we all had yours, even if it was just for a moment. After you assumed your position as the Savior, perhaps we all put too much of our concerns in your hands. Then, you and Regina married and it unified the town again. What I'm trying to say is, everyone takes care of everyone, Emma. It shouldn't be on just your shoulders to worry about your family or the town's welfare. It's ok to take a break now and then."

"But look at what's already happened: Cora and Pan got to Henry and King George got to me... I wasn't even on a break then! Imagine what would happen if I was."

Archie smiled in slight amusement, "Emma, you're already are."


Emma's session with Archie ended at one thirty. The former sheriff had more than enough time to get home and prepare herself for the rest of her family's return. Snow often offered to visit with Emma while the kids were away, but Emma assured her worried mother she was fine- that she could handle a few hours alone. Although the discussion didn't go very well, the end result was in Emma's favor.

In her time alone, other than walking aimlessly through the house and thinking, Emma worked on her own to find out who they were up against. She'd hide herself away in the study, blare David Bowie through the home, and conduct her own research. However, it wasn't research, so much as... blueprints. Emma thought it made the most sense to use Henry's book, and create flowcharts from there.

On plain, white printer paper, Emma created hasty scribbles that only made sense to her. Normally, she put one name down in the middle of the canvass and went on from there. Emma had connected every member of her family to each other at least once; either through enemies or heroes. In the end, the everyone their family had crossed, dead or alive, made it onto the paper. Although, Gold and Regina often wound up being the most prominent... antagonists. Emma would always receive the same results: nothing. Former adversaries like Ursula or Anita were either deceased or they never made it to Storybrooke. All of the mental running around was headache inducing for Emma.

99% of the time, Emma would burn or shred the papers when finished. If Regina found out she had been going back on her promise of staying away from work, Emma knew she would be toast. However, she wasn't so naive to believe she could keep it from the mayor for much longer.


It was six o'clock in the evening when Regina came home from a long day at work. Emma was in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner: Regina's infamous lasagna. She'd finally been able to perfect it.

Dani, Dakota, August and Faith were all scattered throughout the house. Dani, ever the typical teenager, was in her room with her headphones in and homework on her desk. The twins were in the living room, fighting over the remote. And Faith, the biggest mommies' girl was helping Emma set the table.

Regina kept a straight face when she walked through the front doors. Emma heard the lock click, called for the kids to join them in the kitchen, and sent Faith to fetch her oldest sister. The blonde mother just set the main course down on the table when she saw Regina's taught expression.

"You ok, babe? Bad day?" Emma asked with genuine concern. She moved to kiss Regina on the cheek, but the brunette dodged the affection. "Gina, what's wrong?"

Dani and her siblings started to file into the dining room when Regina spoke. "You four, stay here. Emma, come with me." Dani gave Emma an "uh-oh" look; to which, Emma responded with a "start eating" expression. She let Regina drag her into the study and waited for her wife to tell her what was going on. "Before I ask you this, is there anything you have to say?" Regina questioned briskly. She stood by the door in her blood, read mayoral suit, arms crossed.

"Um, well, I don't know what you're going to ask, so no," Emma said, completely lost.

"There's nothing you want to tell me?" Regina asked again.

"Should there be?" The only thing Emma could think of was her sessions with Archie.

"All right then, I'm just going to be transparent. Are you sleeping with Red?"

If it was a joke, Regina wasn't laughing. Emma's jaw detached from her face and landed on the floor. "Excuse me?" she sputtered.

"Are you having an affair with Red?" Regina repeated. There tears already stung the back of her eyes as she fought to keep her composure. "Answer me, Emma!" she choked out.

"No I'm not having an affair with Red! Why the hell would you think that?" Emma snapped back. As soon as she asked, she understood.

"Well, I've been informed that Red has come to our house on more than one occasion. So help me Gods, Emma, if you are sleeping with that woman in our home-"

"I'm not! We're not!" Emma shouted. "You honestly think I'd cheat on you?!"

"Unless you give me solid reasons to believe otherwise." Regina's voice was hard, commanding. Emma hadn't heard her wife so angry in a very long time. Even after getting shot, Regina was more hurt than mad at Emma. "Well?!"

Emma's face turned the color of a rip tomato and she felt the heat behind her eyes. "I swear, it's not like that, Regina. I would never hurt you like that."

"Then what is it, Emma? Hm? Because from where I stand, that's exactly what it looks like!"

After pressing her face into her hands for a solid 10 seconds, Emma looked up at Regina with nothing but love and respect. She took careful several steps forward and controlled the emotions in her voice. "Red has been coming over, but it's not for that!" Emma said quickly. "She's... she's been giving me a ride somewhere."

"Where?!" Regina demanded. Emma felt her lungs contract as she inhaled deeply. In that very brief pause, Regina stomped her foot fiercely. "Dammit Emma!"

"Archie's!" Emma blurted out. "Red's been taking me to Archie's," she confessed with closed eyes.

Regina's face fell in devastation of the fresh information. That was it? Emma was going to Archie? "Wha- Archie? Why?"

Emma chewed on her bottom lip in embarrassment. She could hardly bring herself to meet Regina's eyes. "To talk," she said simply. "You remember the last check up with Whale? You walked out for a second, and he suggested I talk to someone."

"Someone other than me?" Regina questioned, instantly hurt by the phrasing.

"In a way," Emma mumbled. When Regina's glare burned a hole through Emma's forehead, her shoulders fell forward. "Ok, not really. He didn't actually say 'Talk to Archie.' He just said, 'Talk to someone.'"

"And you chose Archie over me? Your wife?" Regina was fuming. No, that wasn't a strong enough word. She was... she was contemplating using magic on Emma. Not to hurt her, though. More to... make her sit and tell the truth. If only she could have made a potion...

"Gina, it's not like that," Emma tried to say.

But, the damage had already been done. The fire in Regina's dark irises had extinguished, and just like that, the mayor was back. "Dinner's going to get cold," Regina said through gritted teeth. "The kids are waiting." She turned to reach for the doorknob, but Emma stopped her. "Emma, I love you, but right now, I don't want to be anywhere near you. I suggest you make yourself comfortable on the couch tonight." With that, Regina snatched her sleeve out of Emma's grasp and left the study. And Emma.


Dinner was tense, to say the least. All of the Swan-Mills children knew there was something wrong between their mothers. They'd heard bits and pieces before the women returned, but not enough to get the whole story. Like Henry, the rest of the kids were always curious. And, like their brother, they'd all inherited their parents' skills of deduction and observance.

Emma helped the kids with homework, per the norm, and when it came time for bed, said goodnight to them the same way. Faith and the twins were the easy ones to tuck in; Dani was the hardest. The two mothers stood awkwardly in their daughter's room, ready to kiss her head and turn the lights off.

Dani sat upright on the mattress, legs folded like a pretzel, and her purple pajamas draped loosely over her form. She had her dark, brown hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, and her brilliant green eyes revealed a slight amount of fear.

"Are you guys ok?" the 13 year-old wanted to know. She'd been worried about her parents since Emma'd returned home from the hospital, especially when they fought. Although their arguments weren't too often, when they happened, they were serious.

Emma and Regina stood at least four feet apart, unlike their usual embrace. "We're fine, dear," Regina answered slowly. If she even so much as blinked too fast, Dani would read into it.

"You didn't sound fine earlier," their daughter said courageously. She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on top of them. "You know you can tell me straight up. I'm not-"

"A little kid," Emma smiled wistfully. "We know. You say it all the time."

"I mean it all the time," Dani countered. "If... you guys are breaking up, you can tell me. I'm old enough to handle it."

Regina frowned the young woman on the bed and a piece of her heart broke off. She was utterly mortified that her and Emma's bickering gave their children cause for concern of splitting up- not to mention disappointed in herself.

"Dani," Emma sat on the bed, "your mom and I are not breaking up. There is absolutely no chance of us ever being apart. I promise you that."

"Emma's right," Regina agreed quietly. She sat on the other side of Dani and put her finger under Dani's chin. "Sometimes couples argue, but that doesn't mean we're getting a divorce. No matter what happens, your mother and I are sticking to our vows."

"And we're going to do whatever we can to keep this family safe," Emma added. She and Regina exchanged a nano second of eye-contact before Regina broke away.

"Moms?" Dani's voice softened and Emma was reminded of her fragile her daughter could. Like Regina, behind her strong facade, Dani had a gentle soul. "I love you guys."

"We love you, too," Regina said. She leaned forward and planted a tender kiss on Dani's forehead. "Sleep well, my darling."

Emma kissed the top of Dani's head and beamed at her. "You're a great kid, you know that?"

"Maaaa," Dani groaned.

"Sorry, sorry. You're a great teenager," Emma amended. "Get some sleep smart-aleck."


Once all of their children was finally asleep, Emma and Regina had time alone- however brief. Emma had just started to take out a fresh pillow case and blanket from the closet when Regina stopped her.

"No couch," said Regina.

Emma paused in mid-reach, "Huh?"

"I'm not having the kids wake up to you sleeping on the couch. You'll sleep in our room, but not with me." Regina said nothing more as she disappeared into their bedroom. Emma trailed after her wife dutifully, her arms still full with linens. Regina flipped the light on and pulled the covers back on her side of the bed. With a graceful wave of her wrist, Regina conjured a baby blue cot at the foot of the bed. "There. That should be fine."

Emma stared at the small bunk, dumbstruck. "Seriously, Gina?" she groaned. "Can't we just talk about this?"

"Now you want to talk?" Regina asked in amusement. "I'm sorry dear, but you had many chances, and it's clear you didn't take them." The brunette hid herself under the plush blanket, the perfect mask.

Emma wasn't buying any of it. If she knew her wife, she knew Regina would never let it go. Her frustration would just boil until they had another fight, and Emma was getting tired of it all. There was no point in masquerading as though they were happily married, when they were obviously in a rough patch. Emma wanted to be honest.

"Ok, well, I'm taking a chance now, Gina," Emma declared. She let the bedding drop onto the floor and jumped into her side of the bed, her arms outstretched for Regina's shoulders. The mayor was quicker than Emma, though; she evaded her wife's attempts swiftly. With Regina sitting erect and her gaze on the wall, Emma took the plunge. "You wanna know why I didn't tell you about Archie? Ok, fine, here it is: I was scared. I didn't want to disappoint you... not the way I disappointed myself." Regina's eyes flicked to Emma's, and the blonde knew she had her. "Get it? I was scared, Gina." Emma tapped into what she'd learned from her sessions with Archie. The one thing he always told her was that it was all right to feel. "You've been doing so much, babe- too much. I've been feeling useless here at home. You're doing what I used to do, Gina. You get to go out and be with people... take care of them. And when you're done with that, you come home and take care of us. The kids are in school all day, you're at work, Dad's at work, Mom is... Mom. I just... I don't know where I fit into this anymore." Emma took a moment to collect her thoughts and let her heart rate slow down. "I know what I did Gina. I know that I hurt you in ways that I can't fix the way I want to. But, I need to be able to do something. I have feel like the sheriff again, hell, even the-"

"Savior," Regina breathed.

"Yeah," Emma agreed. "I miss being able to protect you guys. I miss feeling... in control of things. I know that sounds bad, but it's true. At home, while you're all doing stuff, I just feel... lost."

Regina heard the desire in Emma's voice, and she listened with an open heart. As she peered up at the blonde, she saw the solemn expression on her face. Regina was still hurt, and she didn't want to let go of it so quickly. "Emma, I know you miss being The One. I know how much it means to you to be able to help others and protect your family, cater to our every whim. But you have to know that you can't always do that. I didn't take your badge away to punish you, Emma. I'm not that sadistic. I took it away to protect you. That was my way of doing so. I'm sorry you feel out of control, I really am, but honestly, you have to get used to it because someday, we're going to get older and we're not going to be able to do the things we used to. Yes, I'm out with people, but I'm not socializing. I'm looking for any possible suspects who could hurt our family. Your father, Snow, Gold, Belle, everyone, they're all trying to help us. Just because your badge is gone, doesn't mean you are." Emma listened intently as every word washed over her like warm water; it was comforting, yet also painful. "I told you this before, and I'll say it again: being the Savior doesn't make you invincible, Emma. For years, you took care of me, our children, and the majority of the town. I know it hasn't been easy, and I know there have been times when I left you in the dark. But that was a long time ago. I'm not just the mayor or the Queen, Emma, I'm your wife. And you're not just the sheriff or the Savior, but my wife. Whether you like it or not, sometimes, you need saving too. I just wish you'd let me."


Emma slipped into unconsciousness that night in the fetal position, since that's the only way she fit onto the army cot. All that was missing was a stuffed animal and a pacifier. After her talk with Regina, the two felt a little lighter, though, by no means had the conflict dissolved.

Regina slept soundly in her bed, while Emma thrashed under her thin sheets. In the depths of her mind, Emma was back in Granny's Diner with David and King George. She saw the shiny, black barrel aimed for her father, and she felt her legs carry her forward. Frame by frame, Emma saw it all over again. There was nothing she could do to stop the bullet. In the blink of an eye, Emma shoved David to the floor and the small scrap of metal shot straight through her flesh, pierced her artery, and exited through her back. The stray bullet soared into the wall and all that was left was silence.

"Emma, it's all right! Wake up!" The unconscious blonde felt strong hands wrapped around her arms as her whole body shook ferociously. "Emma!" Regina's voice rang through her ears. Slowly, Emma opened her eyes and noticed the light on the bed stand was turned on. Regina sat over her, her brows furrowed as she examined her wife. The convulsing stopped, but Emma still felt the burning in her chest, her lungs out of air and her throat dry as a desert. Regina lifted the blonde off of the cot and the two sat together, leaned against the bed, Emma in Regina's hold. She noticed her shirt was soaking with sweat and gradually came to understand. "You were there again, weren't you?" Regina asked tenderly. She didn't need for Emma to answer her question, as she already knew. "It's ok, you're safe. He can't hurt you again."

Emma was overcome with a multitude of emotions: embarrassment, fright, confusion, love. They all mixed together into one large blanket that shrouded over the blonde. The nightmares she'd been having were inescapable. It didn't matter that she never mentioned them, they were always with her. She hadn't even told Archie about her sleepless nights. Through all of the reminders to her kids that things happen, Emma never listened to her own advice.

"I'm sorry," Emma gasped through strained inhales.

"Shhh, don't be," Regina comforted. She tightened her hold around her frightened wife and scooted closer. "Do you remember our first night together?" She didn't wait for a response. "Your parents had Henry, while we went to Granny's. It was our eighth date, and you made the immature comment about hitting double digits. Anyway, you ordered your regular burger and I ordered my regular salad." Regina smiled at the memory. "You wearing black pants and a maroon turtleneck. Your hair was pulled back into a ponytail. It was the first time I'd ever seen you with your hair up. And your eyes, Emma. When you talked, they sparkled. We ate and dinner ended around seven. Then, we went back to the manor and we had the whole place to ourselves. There was this moment of uncertainty between us. The way you lingered by the front door, your hands in mine. It felt as though the world was standing still, and all I saw was you. The moon landed perfectly on you the window, and lit up your face. Eventually, we made our way to the bedroom. If I recall correctly, you made the first move. Things got serious and, well, you know the rest. The next morning, when I woke up and your were next to me, I felt protected, Emma. You gave that to me; a safe haven." At this point, Emma's breathing had slowed down considerably, and the sweating ceased.

The couple sat there for a few minutes and Regina rocked her lover rhythmically. No matter how upset she had been with her wife just hours before, it had nothing to do with how much Regina loved Emma. She'd seen the way Emma's face fell when the family would leave in the mornings. She'd heard the blonde's aggravated moans at night when she was asleep. And, Regina had known how much Emma had been struggling. But, they all were. Nothing made the situation any easier, and everyone knew that. It was now Regina's turn to take care of Emma.


A/N - Hi! I know it's been about a week since my last posting. I had some more family issues arise that needed my attention! I missed writing for you all! "Zoemay2010" asked for a fic with Regina thinking that Emma was cheating on her with Red. I do NOT take credit for that idea! I realize this could have feasibly been a standalone story, but there's so much more going on and I thought this fit perfectly! This will be updated as soon as possible, but not as quickly as some other fics. I didn't want to post it until I knew the direction I wanted it to go in. Anyway, here it is! I hope you enjoy it! Stick around, maybe you'll see something you like :-)