A/N: Hey everyone. So for those of you following my Mass Effect series I promise I will be getting back to that. Real life kind of suck-punched me however and then kicked me while I was down. On top of that I am back in school for the first time in almost 20 years and have a full class load so my muse stalled. I'm on break this past week and buried my misery in Once Upon a Time fanfic. Don't know how many of you watched the new Cinderella trailer yet, but the song that is featured in that (Nick Murray'sAeon) FINALLY sparked my muse and this is the rushed result. For now the rating is at T, though it does get a little heated towards the end without it being explicit. It's Swan/Queen femslash as a warning in case that is not your thing. Set in season 3 mid-season finale as Pan's Curse is being unleashed on the town. Not- beta'd so all mistakes are my own, and of course I don't own any of the characters or profit in any way from this. Hope you enjoy. Constructive criticism only please.
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"My gift to you….You will have the life you always wanted…"
The blonde watched from her rear-view mirror as the billowing green cloud bore down on those who were gathered at the edge of the town, and she knew those words would haunt her for the rest of her life - erased memories or not.
She started the car and rested her hand on the gear shifter, unable to look away from the dark tearful gaze filled with so much emotion and pain that Emma felt like a large piece of her heart was about to die along with her memories. Pushing in the clutch, she released the brake and slid the car into gear, but did not release the clutch and accelerate as she looked over at her devastated son. This can't be happening again she thought numbly.
Closing her eyes she forced her foot to press on the gas, knowing that the people of Storybrooke would at least survive if she left. Even now, she could see Regina opening the scroll that Rumplestiltskin had given his life for. The two most evil beings in all of the realms….and they had given the ultimate sacrifice to save the ones that they loved. As Emma replayed Regina's last words over and over in her head as she slowly drove forward, she finally processed everything else that had passed between them in those final few moments. Watery brown eyes full of so much regret and something far more, had bravely held her own, baring her soul to the woman she'd never see again. Emma had felt the heat of Regina's magic flow into her body through the desperate grip she had on Emma's gloved hand and she'd felt a stirring deep within her as her own magic awoke and hungrily latched onto the power. Emma had been left a little breathless by the intensity of it and felt the absolute need for something….more. It had overwhelmed her, and she had nearly missed the words being spoken to her….and to what her body and magic were reading in what wasn't being said.
Regina was sacrificing the thing she loved most…..and it wasn't just Henry anymore.
The startling clarity of comprehension hit her so hard it caused her to gasp as if she had been punched. The car came to a screeching halt just beyond the town's border and Henry looked over at her in worry. "Ma?!" he asked, panicking slightly as he saw her hunched over her steering wheel.
She looked back at him with wide eyes, full of shock and pain. "It can't end like this," she whispered in disbelief.
"Emma….if we go back there, they will die," he choked out, tears in his young eyes. He didn't want to lose them either, but if they did this, at least everyone had a chance to go one with their lives.
In the rear-view mirror, Emma saw Regina's magic beginning to mix with the curse, changing it as it bore down on them. With all the magic in the air, she could feel its pull and call to her own.
"Emma look!"
Henry's shocked gasp as he stared at her hands caused her to look down and see the white glow of her own magic manifesting itself and in that moment, a peace settled over her as she knew what she had to do. She looked back at her son her gaze becoming determined. "Do you trust me Henry?"
He paused, still scared, but then a look of utter faith filled his eyes. "Of course….you're the Savior," he said with a tremulous smile. He took her hand and pulled it to his chest. "Heart of the truest believer," he reminded her and she could feel it then. He believed in her.
"Damn right I am," she said with a smirk as she threw the car in reverse and brought them back inside the town's limit. "If this doesn't work you run Henry."
"No! We do this together or not at all because that's what family does."
There was no time to argue and so she kissed his head and reached for the handle. "I love you sweetie."
"I love you too mom."
"Emma what are you doing?!" Regina screamed in terror as Emma exited her car and stalked towards her. The pain of a broken heart and fear for what would happen to her son if they didn't escape was written across the brunette's face and in her eyes.
Emma pushed past her family and Killian who were frantically trying to persuade her to leave, unaware of the magical barrier she used to keep them at bay. She walked right up to the Regina, who was barely holding it together as she struggled to keep the curse even the slightest bit at bay to buy them all a few precious extra seconds. "Emma please," she begged hoarsely.
Emma reached up and cupped her hands on either side of Regina's face, her magic instantly seeping into the brunette's body, mixing with it and bolstering it. "I'm not running anymore," was the ardent response as she stared deep into those chocolate eyes.
And then to everyone's stunned surprise, she leaned in and kissed Regina for all that she was worth and allowed those emotions that she guarded so deeply to be set free. Her magic surged through her veins and combined not only with Regina's but with something far more powerful than either of theirs. A shockwave rolled off the two, knocking everyone to the ground and blasting the curse back.
Regina felt everything around her fade the moment Emma touched her. As steel eyes bore into her own, promising to always be there for her from this moment on, she felt her breath catch in her chest. And when oh so soft lips leaned in to capture her own, she was shaken to the core as something deep inside her broke free and roared to the surface to accept all that Emma was offering. The kiss deepened, their magic merged, and both women opened themselves fully to each other as something right slid home in each of their souls.
"Oh…..wow…" Henry breathed in awe as he clambered to his feet, grinning and crying at the same time.
As everyone slowly regained their feet, gaping at the Savior and Queen still tightly embracing one another, no one could deny that they had just felt the effects of True Love's Kiss…..and perhaps something even more. Whatever it was, it had been enough to stall the curse.
"Yes! You're doing it!" Henry shouted out to his mothers in excitement.
His exclamation broke through their kiss, and they slowly pulled back a tiny bit until they were resting their foreheads against each other and smiling shyly at one another as they tried to calm their breathing.
"Let's say we save the day, and you and I go have some quiet time to ourselves," Emma suggested with a quirk of her lips.
Regina smiled a bit at that but then looked around and assessed the situation. "Emma, we've stalled it, but I don't know-," Emma's finger on her lips silenced her.
"We stopped your fail-safe together, we can stop this as well."
"Pan's Curse is so much stronger than that Emma."
Emma just smirked. "I'm the damn Savior and you're the all powerful Queen. Surely the two of us aren't going to let some punk ass teenager beat us." She grew serious and wrapped her arms tightly around Regina. "I don't know what to do exactly, but I feel so alive and…powerful right now. My magic knows you need it….take it."
"This could kill us," Regina whispered.
"I have faith in us and so does our son."
Our son. Never had those words sounded so right as they did just then. Regina leaned in for one last kiss and allowed their emotions to coax and build their magic up. The air around them began to shimmer and crackle with the energy she was preparing to harness and she knew they would only have one shot at this. The tendrils of power skittered along her nerves like never before and she realized it was because the Light magic wasn't just Emma's…it was hers as well. She sobbed into the kiss and Emma's arms tightened around her as Regina began focusing a counter-spell in her mind.
The rest of the group had been forced to back away as the magic grew so intense that area around the couple became nothing more than a blinding glare of pale lavender light. What was more astounding were the aftershocks of emotions that they would catch every so often. To anyone who had ever doubted before, there was no denying now that not only could the former Evil Queen still love, she loved Emma Swan deeper than any could have ever imagined. The fact that it was reciprocated only enhanced those emotions a hundred fold and it left everyone breathless and almost aching at the beauty and purity of it.
Bracing herself, Regina opened her eyes and drew strength from her Savior. Then she turned in Emma's grasp, the blonde now bracing her from behind, and raised her hands towards the curse which was starting to creep back towards them. She closed her eyes and called forth their combined magic and unleashed it.
She was strong, and she could wield powerful magic. Emma's magic was equally strong, if not stronger. But as their combined magic burned through her it was nearly too much. Emma grunted and struggled to keep them both steady and grounded as she continued to feed her power into Regina. She almost faltered at the scream that tore from the brunette's throat, but Regina refused to let go knowing this was their one and only shot.
Everyone's awe turned to horror as scream after agonized scream was ripped from the Queen until her voice completely failed her. But through it all, she held her focus as tightly as Emma held her, and bent their stubborn iron will to break Pan's Curse.
Lavender light chased the swirling green and amethyst clouds from one end of Storybrooke to the other, searing it away in crackling bolts of energy. Long seconds turned into a minute and as they both pushed themselves beyond their limits, they staggered and dropped painfully to their knees, Emma still clutching at Regina giving her every kind of support she could.
Her body shuddering in agony from the overload of magic that had burned through her, Regina grit her teeth and despite the whimpers of pain, she fought to keep the spell intact long enough to undo the damage the curse had started to bring upon their town. That which had started to fade, began to re-appear and the last bits of the curse were being chased down.
Emma forced herself to keep feeding what she to her Queen despite the fact that she was feeling as if a part of her was draining away. Darkness was beginning to creep into the edges of her vision however, and as the Savior struggled to remain conscious, she knew that she couldn't hold it together for very much longer. "Regina," she groaned in warning, her entire body now shaking.
"Al-almost…..there…" Regina panted harshly.
Emma closed her eyes and buried her face in Regina's hair and neck, and with one last Herculean effort, dredged up every last bit of her magic and thrust it at her beloved. It felt like she had just torn a limb off and she screamed as it left her. Regina sobbed as it fused with the last of her own and left her hands in a burning crackle of energy. That last magic bolt hunted down the point of origin deep within the woods of Storybrooke, and scorched away every last trace of the curse.
Both women collapsed to the pavement, Emma never releasing her hold on Regina, both women panting harshly and trembling violently. Exhaustion and pain were threatening to send them into oblivion, and it was a battle they were quickly losing.
"Mom! Emma!"
The terrified cry of their son jerked them briefly into more awareness, but Regina's voice was gone she and couldn't respond. Squeezing the brunette weakly, Emma managed a response. "It's ok Henry," she answered hoarsely. "We're gonna be okay."
By then the group had rushed over and Granny was ordering them to get them covered and comfortable as Archie called for an ambulance. Gentle hands laid warm heavy coats over them both, and under their heads, their touches growing even more gentler when Regina gasped in pain and tears of agony escaped her eyes.
"Shhh, just rest," Snow soothed as she and Blue took over tending to them until transport arrived. "It's over…you saved us all. You can relax now."
Everyone saw, but made no comment over the fact that Regina's once gloved hands were raw and blistered or that Emma was bleeding from her nose and ear and both eyes had ruptured vessels. They helped where they could and those who couldn't just lent the two incredible women their silent support and strength as they began to succumb to their exhaustion and injuries.
They had all just borne witness to a legend in the making. That the Savior had shared True Love's Kiss with the former Evil Queen had been a startling revelation of its own. To realize that it had been strong enough to set Pan's curse back had been amazing as well. But to see that Emma had called forth the Light from within Regina who then combined their magic into something never before witnessed…it had stolen their breath away in wonder.
A few short minutes later, both women were being carefully loaded into an ambulance, the paramedics unable to separate them despite the fact that both had lost their battle with consciousness. With no more room left in ambulance, they small group of people watched them leave and stood there stunned for a little while longer before they all rushed towards the hospital, each lost in their own thoughts.
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Dr. Whale exited the emergency room and was a little shocked at the number of people crowded in the waiting area and outside. "Are my mom's gonna be okay?" Henry demanded to know immediately.
He blinked and then looked down at the boy and offered him a reassuring smile. "They're a bit worse for the wear, but they will be fine Henry. I've been consulting with Blue as I wasn't familiar with how exactly wielding that much magic could affect a person. We've run some tests, and they seem to be on par with what to expect in a case like this," he informed them as he addressed Emma's parents.
"Blue said that the magic that was wielded was far more powerful than anything she's ever come across, including the Dark Curse and obviously Pan's Curse." At a nod of agreement from those gathered, Whale continued. "We all know a magic wielder is protected against their own magic, but a person can only handle so much before it physically starts to harm them. Blue suspects Emma was the anchor and Regina was the focus point as she apparently cast the spell. You probably noticed the burns on her hands? Well she is exhibiting signs throughout her nervous system much like an electrocution victim might. The Queen will recover, but she will suffer some heightened sensitivity and occasional nerve pain for a little while longer. This can be reduced with modern medicine however and with plenty o rest over the next week or two, her body will heal. The burns are moderate, but will heal within a couple of weeks as well and should leave little to no scarring.
"Emma is suffering from multiple capillary ruptures throughout her body, and we ran a CAT scan to make sure we didn't miss anything vital. All are minor thankfully and our initial concerns of an aneurysm have been laid to rest. She was however in severe shock and we had a bit of a rough go in stabilizing her. Her blood work is all over the place and it will be a day or two before I feel comfortable enough to release her."
"But they will both make a full recovery?" Snow asked.
Whale nodded. "They will. I have them both sedated for now so they can rest and allow their bodies to heal. But once they are settled into a room upstairs, you can see them. They are getting them both ready to move now actually, so if you will excuse me, I want to make sure they get settled in."
Charming and Snow let out sighs of relief and hugged Henry as Whale left to go oversee the transfer, and behind them their friends began offering their congratulations, backslaps, and hugs. Everything had turned out ok.
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Two days later, both women were easing into their clothing as both were still sore from their efforts. Emma's skin was streaked with bruising, and both eyes were still bloodshot from the burst vessels throughout her body. Regina also had some bruising from where Emma had been gripping her tightly, and both hands were covered in bandages. Emma shyly helped Regina with the buttons on her shirt, her fingers ghosting across pale skin for a fraction longer than necessary and enjoying the hitch in the brunette's breath. Dark eyes narrowed at her, but Emma could see the smile that she was fighting to keep at bay and grinned at her Queen before leaning in to kiss her.
She still couldn't get over just how incredible kissing this woman made her feel. She'd enjoyed her time with Neal and had loved him for awhile. And Killian…well there had certainly been a spark there and she had been attracted to him. But deep down, her heart just hadn't been into it and that was why she could never just let herself go with him. Not when it had already belonged to someone else.
The tender kiss lingered for a bit longer before they broke apart breathing deeply and smiling warmly at one another. Emma finished the last button and helped slip Regina's jacket on, who hissed slightly as the sleeves put pressure against her gauze wrapped hands. Emma shot her a look of apology and Regina just exhaled through the pain and offered a tiny wry smile. It was something they would have to get used to.
Emma stepped into her space and settled her hands on Regina's hips and rested their foreheads against each other. "Do you regret it?" she asked into their easy silence.
After they had both awoken yesterday, they'd come to suspect just what exactly their price had been for wielding a magical spell so powerful. Blue had sadly confirmed it- she could sense no magic within either of them anymore.
"Not for a second," Regina told her without hesitation. "I won't lie- I miss it. But don't ever think for one second that I regret you coming back to me. I don't know exactly where along the way I fell in love with you Emma Swan, but when I realized that to defeat Pan's Curse was going to cost me not one but two things that I loved the most…I almost couldn't go through with it," she admitted tears in her eyes at her near moment of weakness.
"For a few moments I felt like I would rather die than to live the rest of my life without you and Henry in it. I knew what I would most likely become if that happened and after all that I had struggled to overcome and how HARD I fought to violent urges…" her eyes closed as the emotional pain of what she'd become and what she'd done overwhelmed her for a few moments. Emma just held her and listened patiently
"I didn't want to become that person again and I didn't think I could continue to endure the fear and accusations without you there. You were this town's Savior, but you were my Protector…..even when I didn't want you to be. But I couldn't do that to you and Henry. I couldn't let your parents and all of these people die after all you had overcome. If anyone deserved the happy ending it was you. When you came back for me and kissed me and told me you believed in us…..I knew short of losing you or Henry, anything would be worth the price to finally have my happily ever after."
Tears sparkled in Emma's eyes. "As I was driving away, it was like I had been sucker punched in the gut. I had finally found everything I had been looking for my entire life, and it was all about to be ripped away from me. The look of devastation in your eyes...I felt like a piece of my heart was dying and I just couldn't give this up. I couldn't give YOU up. I feel like I just lost a limb, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I will never give up on you Regina. No matter what crazy adventure we find ourselves in next, I will always find some way to come back to you."
Their lips met in another deep kiss as tears of joy mingled on their checks. A noise outside their door signaled their family's approach and they slowly parted , but stayed in their embrace gazing at each other for a few moments longer.
"Will you come home with me?" Regina finally asked. She had been working up the nerve to ask that question all day.
Emma found the vulnerable look in her eyes utterly endearing and gave her a brilliant smile that reached her eyes and lightened them. "Of course I will."
The smile she received in return just about stole the blonde's breath away, and she couldn't help but stand there grinning like a completely love-sick fool.
"Ugh come ON you two!" Henry mocked complained.
"Henry," Snow chided him gently, though her tone held a great deal of amusement.
The moment effectively broken, the new couple turned to Emma's parents and Regina mocked glared at her son for a moment who just smirked back at her before she focused her gaze on Show and Charming. Clearing her throat she addressed them. "So….you two seem to be handling this newest…development fairly well all things considered," she said neutrally. But it was clear that the former Evil Queen was nervous about their reaction.
"You mean that my former step-mother and greatest nemesis is now my daughter's True Love?" Snow asked innocently.
"Ew! Mom!" Emma whined.
Regina couldn't help it. A burst of truly amused laughter escaped her chest and was prolonged at the sudden look of indignation from her love and the stunned looks from the Charmings and her son. When she'd managed to control herself enough to speak around the occasional snicker, she quirked a brow at Snow. "Touché Snow. I'm impressed," she complimented, and actually found herself enjoying the fact that she was making Snow White smile. Then she looked at her love, unable to completely smother the smirk on her face. "And I'm sorry Emma, but that was just so unexpectedly….me," she offered in apology.
"I am so not letting you two hang out together," Emma grumbled good-naturedly, which made everyone chuckle.
"In all seriousness Regina, after all the Neverland business Snow and I talked and we wanted to try and start putting the past behind us. It was nice to all be working together instead of fighting all the time. And all we want for our daughter is to be happy…after what we felt the other day? How can we argue with True Love?"
"Not to mention it's like the most epic happily ever after!" Henry added excitedly. "I mean the Savior and the Evil Queen!"
"Your mom hasn't been the Evil Queen for quite some time kid," Emma reminded him firmly but not unkindly.
"Geez ma, I know that. But still. Who would have ever thought right? Best ending ever," he declared with a nod of finality.
Everyone grinned at that and Emma reached out to ruffle his hair. "Yeah kid," she sighed contentedly as she wrapped an arm around Regina's waist and looked up into warm mocha eyes a look of complete love and happiness on her face. "It sure is."
"Come on you two! Grandma and grandpa are taking us all over to Granny's to celebrate!"
They both knew they needed to tell them about their magic, but decided it could wait for a little bit longer. So they headed out to celebrate.
It was no surprise that Granny's was packed, the celebration spilling out into the surrounding street. It seemed the Rabbit Hole had shut down for the afternoon and the staff had combined forces with Granny to help cater to what appeared to be nearly two thirds of the town.
It took them nearly ten minutes to make their way through the crowd of well wishers and grateful citizens, and by the time they finally reached a table that was being reserved for the family, even Regina was blushing brightly.
Trying to find some sort of balance, she slipped into full Mayor mode as Granny and Red walked up. Regina looked at Emma, her mask firmly in place once more. "Sheriff Swan, I don't recall approving a permit for a public celebration or the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on a very public city street. Do you?"
"Why no Madam Mayor I don't believe you did," Emma said, smirked at her beloved, knowing that tweaking Granny was her way of trying to cope with her overwhelming emotions right now. "Shall I arrest the whole lot of them Mayor?"
Granny, who was now looking at the Queen in a whole new light, recognized the exchange for what it was. She could even see the amusement in those dark eyes that the brunette was trying to tamp down on. She snorted. "I'd like to see you try pup," she said gruffly as she tousled Emma's hair affectionately.
Red burst out laughing at Emma's protest, and even Regina couldn't hold in her amusement. She did look up a semi-serious expression on her face. "You will make sure everyone gets home safe?"
"Don't you worry about a thing Madam Mayor. Your Sheriff's Deputy gave us the go ahead in your absence, and we've got a few good people keeping an eye on things to make sure no one gets a little too celebratory. Now, after two days of hospital food I am sure you are both dying for some real food. The usual?"
"Oh god yes," Regina all but groaned.
"Usual it is," Granny chuckled. "For the rest of you?"
Everyone placed their orders, and then Granny left. Ruby stepped up to both women and leaned down to hug them carefully but firmly. "God I'm so glad you two survived that. Emma, you and I have been friends since you got here. But Regina…well we may not have always been on the same side, but I think we understand where we are each coming from. I think had things been a little different we could have been very good friends and I want you to know that if you want, well that offer stands."
Regina cleared her throat but smiled at the tall woman and nodded. "Thank you Ruby. I…appreciate that. Very much."
"Alright, let me go get your drinks and stuff. Be back in a few."
The family sat and enjoyed their meal, everyone occasionally leaving their seats to go chat with their friends. Regina had found some awkwardness in the fact that with her bandaged hands it was difficult and somewhat painful still for her feed herself. But Emma was there to patiently assist her all the while keeping up a conversation to keep everyone distracted. The independent brunette couldn't have been more thankful for her love's thoughtfulness.
Regina stayed seated most of the time, but did nothing to put off anyone who approached her. She watched as Ruby slipped out the side door with a package and headed in the direction of the library. When the young woman returned fifteen minutes later, her happy expression had been replaced with one of infinite sadness.
Slipping from her seat she went over to where the young woman was busying herself with refilling napkin holders and salt and pepper shakers. "Red…..how is she?" she asked quietly.
Red inhaled slowly and then closed her eyes as she sighed. "Not good. Belle's not taking his death well at all. She's shutting everyone out and is hardly eating anymore. I just….well I couldn't really believe he was her True Love you know," she answered fiddling with the napkins. "But she's so heartbroken right now…."
"Maybe he was and maybe he wasn't," Regina told her, laying a comforting hand over Red's, "But he was her first love. And I think you and I both know how devastating it can be to lose that. Especially when it happens right in front of you."
Red's eyes snapped upwards to meet hers and they shared a look of true understanding and shared grief in that brief moment. Red nodded. "Well I'm not going to give up on her."
"And neither will I. Rumple and I may have not exactly been friends, but we understood each other. And she gave him redemption at the end. We'll help her get through this," Regina assured her.
Mindful of the injured hand resting over hers, Red settled her free hand on Regina's arm and squeezed gently. "Thank you Regina."
Regina nodded and then turned to look for Emma. She was starting to feel tired and her medication was wearing off.
Emma had spotted Regina engaged in a conversation with Ruby, so she decided to seek out the one person who hadn't come over to congratulate them. The pirate was perched on a stool outside, drink in hand and watching the crowd with mixed emotions. She knew that she had broken her heart and if there was one regret about everything that had happened, it was that she'd hurt this man in the process after he'd risked his life for her.
"Killian," she said softly coming up behind him.
She watched him take a healthy swallow and then he turned in his seat and looked up at her with a forced smile. "Swan, dear. It's good to see you and the good Mayor healthy and whole. Congratulations on yet another stunning rescue," he told her in false cheer.
She smiled sadly at him and rested a hand on his shoulder, instantly regretting the pain that flashed behind those gorgeous eyes. "Killian, it's okay. I get it…and I'm sorry. If there is one thing I could take back, it would be that I hurt you so badly."
He was silent for a second and then cleared his throat. "Well you know us pirates. Hazards of the trade. And it's not like I haven't had my own trail of broken hearts I've left behind-"
He finger on his lips silenced him and his shoulders slumped in silent defeat. "You were right in everything you said to me on that island. And I want you to know I did care for you Killian. I wasn't trying to mislead you…I was misleading myself."
"I know love," he told her quietly. "I mean we all FELT whatever that was in that kiss. There was no denying it. Was I heartbroken that it wasn't with me? Yes. But you've stuck your neck out for this lot time and again. Hell you gave even this scoundrel a chance. You deserve to be happy love, and from what I felt, there is no one in any realm who could EVER compete with that," he told her affectionately.
Emma looked at him for a few long seconds and saw that he was genuinely happy for her. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "You're a pretty special guy Killian. You'll get your happy ending too."
His roguish smile finally appeared and Emma knew things would be alright between them. "Well as devilishly handsome as I am, I imagine it won't be too long now."
She laughed and swatted his shoulder. But then she hugged him tightly. "Thank you Killian. For everything," she whispered into his ear.
"Anytime love. Anytime," he responded as her returned the embrace.
"I leave you alone for five minutes and you are rushing back into the arms of your ex."
Emma felt Hook stiffen in her grasp but she just chuckled. Turning around she took in Regina's raised eyebrow and smirked. "Jealous?" she asked as she sauntered over to her love and wrapped her hands around her.
"Of your mongrel pet pirate? Never."
"Hey now! I-," his protest faded as the two women locked in a passionate kiss and his eyebrows lifted. Well now, broken heart or not, that was damned hot. He decided right then and there that they could insult him all they wanted so long as they made out in front of him like that.
"You're pet is drooling on himself dear," Regina murmured against Emma's lips.
She grinned, but continued their kiss for several moments longer. "Can you blame him? Shall we?"
"Yes," Regina sighed in mild relief. While she had been enjoying the attention, truth was she was overwhelmed and tired and the pain was starting to come back.
"Let's get you back to your home."
"Our home," Regina corrected before she could stop herself.
Emma's eyes opened wide and Killian muttered something about needing a new beer and politely excused himself. "I'm sorry, that just came out. I don't mean to pressure you. I mean we just-" Regina sputtered before Emma cut off her panicking ramblings with a deep kiss.
When they breathlessly broke apart, the smile Emma was wearing made Regina's heart ache. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen and tears came to her eyes though she held them in check. "You really mean that?" Emma whispered.
"Yes," Regina exhaled firmly.
Emma threw her arms around Regina and held her as tightly as she dared, knowing the Queen was likely to be hurting again soon. "I love you," she whispered into her love's ear and Regina brought her own arms up and held Emma to her tightly, wishing she could use her hands just then.
"I love you too dear."
"I wish we could just poof home right now."
Regina chuckled and allowed the amusement to ease them back from the intense emotions. "One of these days I am going to break you from using that term dear."
"Not likely," Emma grinned back at her. "Let me get my parents. I want to pack a few things up from their place. Do you want me to see if they can keep Henry one more night?"
"No, I miss him and I think we could all use a little bonding time alone."
"I'd like that too."
"It's going to take some time to get used to seeing that," Snow admitted to David as she leaned into his shoulder.
"Seeing our daughter utterly in love with the Evil Queen?" David responded as they watched Emma and Regina in yet another prolonged embrace.
"No. Well I mean yes there is that. And the fact that well….she's our daughter and we are now apparently going to be subjected to some very gooey PDA. I just meant the look of pure happiness in Regina's face. She was such a beautiful person before I accidentally got Daniel killed," she said with a sad sigh. After experiencing everything after her ordeal with Cora, Snow had felt horrible for all the pain she had inadvertently caused Regina. "But seeing her like this, it's like she's returning back to who she was before her mother took her innocence away. I'm truly happy for her."
David smiled down at his wife, surprised and proud of her growth over the last several months. And of his own. A part of him was still uncomfortable with the fact that his daughter was the true love of the former evil queen. But he chalked it up to a father's protectiveness over his daughter. He knew his daughter was happy and so was Regina and he knew only good could come about from this union. He also knew she would protect Emma with everything she had and that was enough for him.
"Me too," he agreed as he placed a kiss on Snow's brown." Looks like they're ready to head home. Let's go get our things."
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Later that night, after they had both had spent a relaxing evening with their son, talking about anything and everything, the two women headed up bed. "Well, he seemed to take the news pretty well," Emma commented as she began undoing the buttons on Regina's blouse for her.
She didn't miss the increased breathing under her fingertips, but she forced herself to keep her hands and voice steady and her eyes on Regina's. Regina cleared her throat and nodded. "He did. Although his casual comment about us maybe needing some time for it to heal has me a little worried."
Emma nodded in understanding. When they had told Henry of the price they'd paid he'd gotten a sad look in his eyes for a little bit but was more concerned about how they were handling it. They had been honest with him in that both of them felt the ache in them where it had once been. But they had reassured him that it would be okay and they would adjust. He'd gotten that look that Regina had decided was a scary combination of both herself and Emma. It was almost like he was looking right through them. Then he'd smiled. "Maybe you have lost your magic. Or maybe it just needs some time to heal as well."
Neither had a response for that at the time and Henry had let the matter drop. "I just hope he doesn't get his hopes up too much."
By now Emma had fully unbuttoned Regina's shirt and her hands had settled on Regina's waist, her thumbs gently circling soft skin. "He's a strong kid. He'll be okay," Emma reassured her. Then before she lost control she stepped back. "I'm going to go change in the bathroom. If you need anything I'll be right back."
She turned to leave but Regina's soft voice stopped her. "You don't have to leave."
Emma swallowed hard and turned back around. "Are….are you sure?"
A smoldering look entered Regina's eyes. "Yes," she purred as she stepped into Emma's personal space.
Emma groaned as she felt her body respond strongly to the scent of apples and something else that was uniquely Regina. "Sweetheart, you're in pain, your hands can barely take any pressure and I don't want to hurt you."
"Then make me forget," Regina whispered against her lips.
Emma's breath left her shakily and her entire body trembled with desire. God she wanted this woman so badly. Her hands settled gently on Regina's hips, her thumbs softly stroking tantalizing flesh. She captured soft lips with her own, losing herself for awhile in the sensations. Slowly she guided them both backwards, towards the massive bed, her fingers pushing the silky shirt off her lover as they reached the edge of the bed.
Wrapping her arms around her Queen, the blonde moved her kisses from her mouth, across her jaw, and trailed her lips down the smooth column of the brunette's neck to nip and suck gently at her pulse point. A groan filled her ears, and arms tightened around her own body, though the bandaged hands held away.
Emma sighed into her lover's shoulder, and rested her head there for a minute as she placed soothing kisses along the soft skin and eased them both down a bit. When she knew she could speak without her voice shaking she lifted her eyes to meet vulnerable brown.
"I want nothing more than to make sweet love to you my Queen," she husked, smiling as she felt Regina's breath catch at the endearment. She leaned in to kiss her passionately to back up her words before she let them both down gently.
"I feel a 'but' in there somewhere," Regina sighed a few minutes later as she rested her forehead against Emma's afterwards.
"But….I don't want to rush this. You deserve to have this done right. I want to take you out to nice dinners and shower you with flowers and gifts and all those silly cliché things. And I want our first time together to be when we aren't both loaded up on medications and in pain," she told the brunette, admitting to her own aches for the first time.
Regina pulled back at this, concern in her eyes. "Emma, you said you felt fine. Why didn't you say anything?"
Emma smiled at her in assurance. "I'm just sore sweetheart, but a little more rest and stretching and I'll be as good as new," she promised.
She wasn't quite expecting the suddenly hooded look directed her way. "Oh I think I can help you with that…stretching," the mayor all but purred at her.
Emma blinked and then laughed. "Oh my god I cannot believe you just said that," she teased.
Only slightly embarrassed at herself for saying the admittedly cheesy pick-up line, Regina blushed but chuckled as well. "Yes, well, your crass ways seem to have rubbed off on me Sheriff," she sniffed.
The intense mood thankfully broken, Emma just smiled affectionately at Regina and then kissed her softly once more as she helped Regina out of her pants and then into a nightgown before stripping quickly out of her own and pulling the borrowed nightshirt over her own head.
The two slipped into the bed, Regina's bandaged hands resting on her torso as Emma snuggled carefully up against her side and wrapped a warm and protective arm around her waist. "I wish I could touch you right now," Regina told her into the silence.
Emma raised up on her one elbow and looked down at the brunette in the darkness of the room. Gently she took one wrist in her hand and eased the hand up to rest ever so slightly over her left breast. "You are my Queen, right here," she whispered.
The hand against her chest twitched, and a noise escaped the brunette's throat as tears filled her eyes. Emma smiled lovingly at her Queen, and the hand fell away as she leaned in for one last tender kiss. That night they fell into a deep sleep, wrapped in the warmth and love of each other and comforted by the fact that no matter what they may face, they would no longer have to face it alone.
That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence
If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny
Don't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and use the chance
To return to innocence
That's not the beginning of the end
That's the return to yourself
The return to innocence
Don't care what people say
Follow just your own way Follow just your own way
Don't give up, don't give up
To return, to return to innocence.
If you want then laugh
If you must then cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny.
"Return to Innocence" by Enigma