A small whimper rang through the house waking Regina. She sat up slowly listening carefully to make sure she wasn't imagining it. Another whimper came followed by a soft "no". With that Regina immediately threw the covers back and all but sprinted to her son's room. Henry was fast asleep letting out small snores. There was a small scream this time coming from the guest bedroom. Regina cautiously looked to see if the noise woke her son, but he was in a deep sleep.
Regina quietly closed his door and made her way down to the quest room. She opened the door and peered in on the restless blonde. Emma thrashed and whimpered in the bed. Suddenly she sat straight up in the bed and held her arms out in a pushing movement while shrieking.
"Go away!" Emma let out, opening her eyes taking in the sight before her. Her breathing was heavy and she wore a glare that would make anyone cower in fear.
Regina slowly walked over to the bed.
"Emma, it was a dream, again. You're ok. Remember, you're in my house." Regina whispered softly trying to make eye contact with the blonde. "You haven't hurt anyone. It's safe."
Regina knew better than to touch Emma until she calmed down. The first night the blonde stayed in the mansion, Regina had placed a hand on the younger woman's back to try and comfort her, only to be thrown across the room by Emma's magic.
"Dream," Emma whispered, looking up to meet chocolate eyes, "Regina's house. Safe."
"Yes, dear you are safe, everyone's safe." Regina said taking that moment to climb onto the bed and pull Emma into her arms. This would not have happened a few weeks ago, but she found that the physical touch calmed Emma down, and helped her sleep.
"Regina, I'm so sorry." Emma sobbed out, clutching the brunette's pajama shirt.
"It's not your fault, the darkness is trying to fight you, but I know that you are stronger." Regina cooed rubbing circles around Emma's back.
Since Emma had returned, after letting the darkness attach itself to her, Regina thought it would be best if she stayed at the mansion; in case of any accidents Regina could use her magic. Emma's temper was worse than ever, almost everything set her off. However the nights were the worst part. She dreamed of terrible things that she could do to other people. She dreamed of torturing someone, just for looking at her wrong. Emma woke every night in a cold sweat screaming. If Regina could help, she tried, but most nights were harder than others. The only time Emma ever slept well was after Regina came into her room. Emma wanted to ask the older woman if she wouldn't mind sharing her bed, but usually stopped herself.
It was Regina who finally said something the next day. "Emma, I've noticed lately that you seem to sleep better after I come into your room."
Emma just looked up and couldn't help the glare on her face.
"I was wondering if you would feel safer sleeping in my bed tonight?" Regina said, trying to read the younger woman's face. "With me."
With that Emma's face softened and she continued wash the dinner dishes.
"I suppose we could try, but I don't see the point. I haven't slept well in weeks, Regina. And you think that just because I share a bed with someone that will change?" The dish she was washing broke in two, slicing the palm of Emma's hand.
Emma brought her hands out of the water, and examined the cut from the dish. She made no move to heal herself; she just let the blood drip onto the floor. After a few moments of silence Regina slowly waved her hand and the blood was gone, along with the cut. Emma shot a glare to the woman next to her.
"I don't see why that was necessary." Emma made short work of the rest of the dishes by flicking her wrist angrily, causing Regina to flinch.
"I will not have you bleeding all over my house. As for the bed situation, I'm only trying to help, but forget I asked." Regina snapped tossing the dish towel aside, storming out of the kitchen. Emma picked up the discarded towel, and in seconds she had it in flames. Her anger seethed, but she knew better than to go after Regina.
As Regina pulled her covers back she heard her bedroom door open, and looked up to see Emma standing awkwardly at the entrance.
"I'm sorry, about earlier; I didn't mean to be a bitch. Sometimes it's just easier than fighting it off, you know?" She was looking down slightly, but Regina could see the tears running down her face.
"I understand." Regina said walking over to the other woman and leading her to the opposite side of the bed. She pulled the covers back and Emma slowly crawled under them. Regina made her way to her side and slid beneath the comforter lying on her back.
A few hours after Regina had fallen asleep, something woke her. Emma was curled in a tight ball as close to the edge as possible, shaking. The brunette wasted no time trying to wake Emma up. Emma just rolled into Regina's arms and fell back asleep, giving the older woman no choice but to wrap her arms around the slender figure in front of her and hold tight.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you, Emma." She whispered squeezing tighter, resting her head on the other womans. "I wish I knew how to fix this.
The sun threw the window woke Emma. She opened her eyes slowly and unconsciously nuzzled into Regina's warm arms. The movement woke the other woman, who looked down at the green eyes below her.
"Did you sleep okay?" Emma asked not making any effort to move away.
"I don't think my sleep is what we were worried about was it. The question should be yours to answer." Regina whispered moving her body down the bed slowly so she was face to face with the other woman.
"The best sleep I've had in a while." Emma replied with a small smile. "I still dreamt but this time someone was there telling me I was better than that."
"Who was it?" Regina questioned, although she had a strong feeling what the answer would be.
Instead of replying Emma leaned into Regina placing a small kiss on her lips. She pulled back and looked into chocolate eyes, before leaning in further and kissing the brunette with more force. There was a flicker of lights, and a black cloud seemed to create itself over the bed. Regina began to kiss back and that was all it took. Suddenly the house shook with a jolt and Emma gasped heavily, feeling something leave her body.
"What was that?" Regina said sitting up quickly.
"True loves kiss," They heard a voice say from the doorway. Henry stood there with a grin across his face. "True loves kiss breaks any curse."
"In that case" Emma giggled, feeling much lighter that earlier. "Why didn't you ask me to share a bed with you earlier?" She asked Regina, who in turn gave Emma a playful shove.
"I see you've gotten your humor back." The brunette said, leaning into Emma placing a small kiss on her lips. "I've actually missed it."
