CHAPTER 2
Emma sat replaying the nights events in her head. She was trying to find any clue of what had gone on.
She had never seen nor heard Regina like that before. And Henry was Regina's life. No matter what she thought of Regina in any other way, the woman was an excellent parent and she loved her son to death.
Snow walked in with a look of surprise on her face, "Did you sleep on the sofa?"
"Yeah," Emma said over the rim of her coffee cup. "I gave Henry the bed."
"Henry? When did he get here?" Snow frowned. She was pretty sure Henry hadn't been there when she went to bed last night.
"Regina called me at 2 am and had me come and get him."
"What? Why?"
Emma sighed and put her coffee cup down. "Your guess is as good as mine. She told him that he was going to be staying with me for a while and practically threw us out the house."
Snow's frown deepened, "That doesn't sound like her."
"I know. That's why I'm going over there as soon as it's time for decent people to be up and find out what's going on. I'm going to go and shower," Emma hopped off the stool and made her way to the bathroom upstairs.
As she soaped up, she remembered the smells of bleach, soap, and shampoo radiating off of Regina. She hadn't wanted to say anything to Snow or Henry but she could tell that Regina was scared last night. And truth be told, so was she.
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Regina picked herself up off the floor and dragged herself upstairs. She didn't even want to look at herself as she took her 3rd shower in less than 8 hours. She just needed to feel clean again. She knew it would take a lot more showers before that happened though.
She pulled on a turtleneck and dress pants. She went and made herself some coffee and took it into her study. She curled up in a chair and stared at what was left of a dying fire.
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Emma left for the mansion before Henry had a chance to wake up and pester her to come along or 100001 questions that she couldn't answer.
She rang the doorbell and waited. She rang it about 5 more times. She knew Regina was home. She resorted to banging on the door and calling out, "I know you're in there!"
When she continued to get no answer, she reluctantly got into her car and headed for the diner. She knew whatever was going on she needed to have more energy than her 4 hours of sleep last night. She headed for the diner to grab some coffee.
She ordered a cup to go and was reaching into her pocket for her wallet when she remembered, "Ruby!" she shrieked.
Ruby had been pouring the coffee. It spilled as she jumped at the yell, "What the hell – WHAT?!"
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean – I'm sorry. But, you're a werewolf."
Ruby looked around, "Way to tell the world Emma. What's that have to do with anything?"
"You have wolf senses. And you're a deputy. I need you. We have a case."
Ruby looked over at Granny who stepped up. "Go ahead, child."
She looked over at Emma, "Okay then. What's the case?"
"I'll tell you on the way. Come on."
For the third time in less than 6 hours, Emma pulled up to the Mayor's mansion. She had filled Ruby in on what had happened the night before on the way over. When she pulled up and looked over, she let out a big sigh and hurried out of the car.
Snow, David, and Henry were at the door. Henry was banging and screaming for his Mom.
Emma grabbed her parents and pulled them aside, "Why'd you bring him here? I left him at home for a reason."
"Well, we didn't know that. And anyway he said if we didn't bring him he'd just come on his own," Snow said.
Emma shifted her weight on her legs and put her hands on her hips, "I think – I think what happened was bad. And I don't think Regina wanted him to see her like this. I'm pretty sure that's why she had me come and get him."
"Well no one told me that."
Emma rolled her eyes and went over to Henry. "Henry, you're going to have to go back with Snow and David."
Henry was still banging on the door. His face filled with incredulity. "What? No! Something's wrong with my Mom. I'm not leaving."
"Yes, you are. Look kid, I promise as soon as I know, I'll let you know," Emma looked over to David for help.
"Come on Henry," David practically had to drag him away.
Now that it was just her and Ruby, she turned to her, "Obviously she's still ignoring everyone. I'm going to see if I can get in the back." Emma walked around the house to the back door. She saw a broken window. Now, she was alarmed. She climbed inside and ran to the front door. She let Ruby in and told her to call David and get him over there right away.
"There's no need for that," Regina called from the doorway to the study. She was leaning on it and looked like she'd fall down if she moved away from it.
Emma's jaw dropped and she gaped as she took in the sight before her. Regina's hair was still hanging in front of her face and she still had her arms wrapped tight across herself. But even with a turtleneck Emma could see what looked like a bruise peeking out above it. Her cheeks looked flushed and she'd obviously been crying. There was also bruising on what she could see peeking through the hair covering her cheek and her lip was busted.
Ruby and Emma exchanged a shocked look. Emma walked slowly over to Regina as she slunk back, tears pouring down her face. "Regina wha- "
Regina began hyperventilating. Emma tried to reach out a hand to her but she pulled away. She sank down to her knees and then fell out, unconscious.
Ruby and Emma stared at one another again. Then they stared back at the unconscious body of the woman who had never lost control before.
"What now?" Ruby asked Emma.