Emma Swan was doing dishes when her phone chimed in her pocket. After wiping her hands on her jeans, she pulled out her phone.
Regina: Would you please come over to help Henry with a school project? I am unfortunately very sick and would like to avoid contact with Henry in order to prevent him getting sick as well.
Emma smiled. She had never gotten such a friendly (Was it friendly? It was friendly enough.) invitation from the Mayor. This wasn't exactly a warm invitation into her son's life, but it was a start.
Emma: when should i come over?
Regina. Any time today or tomorrow would be acceptable.
Emma: b rite over. ~10 min.
Henry opened the door. He was still wearing pajamas. And they had little dinosaurs on them. He was entirely too adorable for Emma not to tousle his hair.
"Hey, I don't know if your mom told you, but I'm here to help you with some kind of school project."
"Yeah, I have to conduct an experiment using the scientific method."
4 hours later and Emma and Henry had one completed science project.
"Well, I should probably check in with your mom. Let her know how it went."
"It went great! There was explosions and everything!"
"There sure was. I think I'll leave that part out when I'm telling your mom, though." Emma turned to find Regina and inform her about the experiment
"Hey, where is your mom, anyways?"
"She's probably in her room. Second door on the right when you get upstairs."
"Thanks."
Emma creeped through the dark upstairs hallway until she found Regina's door. She knocked hard twice.
"Come in" sounded a muffled voice from within.
Emma turned the knob and opened the door slowly. Regina was curled up in a ball under a fluffy grey comforter.
"Regina?"
Nothing.
"Regina, are you okay?"
Regina looked up at Emma with a look of disgust.
"I just thought that I should let you know how today went." Emma took a few steps closer to Regina. "It was a lot of fun. And I think Henry really understands the scientific method."
Nothing.
"Are you okay? You look like shit."
"Thanks." Regina deadpanned.
"What I mean is are you okay?"
"Obviously, I am not okay. If you would please leave, I would like to get back to sleep"
"No," Emma fidgeted. "I mean… I mean that someone should be taking care of you. I could take care of you."
"I don't need anyone. I have a 102° fever and all I want is to be left alone in peace."
Emma sighed. "Fine, but I'm bringing you a glass of water."
"Whatever." Regina finally retreated entirely into the warmth of her comforter and Emma went in search of a glass of water.
Emma walked quietly upstairs with a glass of water in hand. It even had a bendy straw. (That was Henry's idea. Not hers) She entered Regina's room quietly and cautiously. Regina wasn't visible underneath the fluffy bedding, but in the quiet Emma could hear the faintest of snores. Emma smiled to herself and set the glass of water or Regina's nightstand.
She stood gazing at Regina's form under the covers for several seconds until she realized that she probably should have put the glass on a coaster. She sets moves the glass onto yesterday's paper, which is sitting on Regina's nightstand. She smiles at Regina and her delicate snores. She paused briefly to look at Regina again before leaving as silently as she came.