Chapter 2

Emma's day had started out great. She had woken up in Regina's arms. She had breakfast with the two most important people in her life. She kissed her girlfriend before both of them left for work and sent Henry off to school. Even her work at the station had been peaceful. Both the queen and Gideon had been quiet that day, so far anyway. She didn't even have to chase after any runaway dalmatians. With no distractions, she was able to get caught up on all her paperwork so Regina would not give her that signature "mayor glare" at the end of the month.

Emma Swan was actually having a good day. That was until she was walking to Granny's later on that afternoon and ran into Maleficent.

When the blondes saw one another they both stopped walking once they were a few feet apart and simply stared at each other for a few moments. It was the dragon that stepped forward and broke the silence. "I think we should talk."

The sheriff nodded and gestured to a nearby bench. The two sat on either side and turned to look at each other before Mal continued speaking.

"I think it's obvious that we both have the same problem, we're in love with the same woman."

"And she's in love with both of us," Emma tilted her head while looking at the older woman. "I want to ask you a question."

"Go on."

"You're with the queen, her darker half, but do you also love the lighter half? Back when you were running around with Ursula and Cruella, you didn't seem to care much for the hero in Regina."

"I had..." she took a deep breath to gather her thoughts, "other things on my mind at that time. That was my time to put revenge before my love, just as she did once. I'm not saying it was the right thing to do, but I could only think of finding out what happened to my child. Nothing else mattered."

"I get that, but…"

"To answer your question," Mal interrupted the sheriff, "I have always loved Regina, both light, and dark. When she first entered my castle, she had the beginnings of darkness in her, but she also had an air of innocence about her still." she smiled at the memory.

"She makes fun of your mother's hope speeches, but it was Regina's words that brought me out of my despair. I fell for her almost instantly. Plus," Mal locked eyes with the younger blonde, "I can assure you that the queen can just as gentle as the mayor."

Emma nodded slowly, absorbing all that Mal just told her.

The dragon tilted her own head a bit and asked "How about you? Do you love her evil half?"

Emma grinned slowly before talking, "Even back when we both hated each other I saw the good in her. She took my son in, gave him the childhood I dreamed of growing up. Even when I learned that all the stories were true, that she really was the Evil Queen, I just couldn't see her like that. I honestly think I started falling for her the moment we met, it just took me too damn long to come to terms with it. So yes," she locked eyes with the other blonde again. "I love Regina, all of Regina."

"So where does that mean for us?"

At Mal's question, the two simply stared at each other. Both could see the worry on the others face, fearing that they could lose their love to the other despite the reassurances they had both received the previous night.

However, neither could see them fighting with the other either. They both loved Regina Mills, the hero and the villain, and that made them respect each other greatly.

Emma opened her mouth to speak only to be interrupted once more, this time by a blast of magic being shot over her and Mal's heads. She instinctively reached for the dragon, pulling her down to the ground with her to protect them from the blast.

"Hello, savior."

"Gideon," Emma mumbled under her breath as she and Mal picked themselves up. "So much for him taking the day off." she thought.

"What do you want?" Mal's voice was full of malice.

"Nothing that concerns you dragon. Leave now! This is between me and her." Gideon stepped forward, his infamous sword clutched in his hand.

Mal saw Emma tense at the sight of the sword. She had heard of the other blonde's vision of her own death by that very sword. She was not sure why, but Mal knew she could not leave the sheriff to face this menace alone. That simply was not an option.

"I'm not one for taking orders," Maleficent spoke while placing her hand briefly on Emma's forearm, letting the younger woman know that she was not in a fight unaided.

Emma looked towards Mal not knowing why she was helping her, but being very grateful for her.

Both women locked eyes for a moment and nodded, each knowing what to do. Emma's hand began to glow with her magic, while Mal's eyes began to shine green with her dragon powers rising within her.

Together, the blonde's attacked with their light magic and fire breath. Gideon was forced back by the women's powers, however, he had taken a charm from his father's shop that amplified his powers. With one sharp thrust, he sent out a force of magic so strong it knocked both women off their feet.

They both laid dazed on the ground as Gideon approached with his sword raised. "I will have your powers savior, and now your villainous friend can also share your fate."

Both Emma and Mal shielded themselves with their arms as Gideon started to bring down his weapon on them, but the sword never hit either target.

Two large blasts of purple magic shot out at Gideon, knocking the sword out of his grasp and sent him across the street.

The blondes turned around to see the mayor and the queen rushing to their sides. They had poofed themselves there after getting a sickening feeling that both the dragon and the sheriff were in danger.

The brunette's eyes met in a silent truce as they both helped their lovers to stand.

"Are you both alright?" they asked at the same time.

"Yes," Mal smiled at them, "we are."

"Now," Emma added.

The mayor embraced the sheriff as the queen did the dragon, both sighing in relief that they were unharmed.

Before anymore celebration could be done, however, the brunettes looked past the blondes to see that Gideon had got to his feet once more and was now raising his hand, readying his magic to fire.

Without even thinking, the two of them pushed their lover's out of the way and took the full brunt of the magic being targeted at them. The queen and mayor fell back, hitting their heads on the bench. Neither moved after falling to the hard ground.

Mal and Emma's eyes widened as the noticed blood running down the brunettes foreheads.

"Regina!" they both shouted at once before turning their attention to the hurt who had hurt their lovers. Gideon was already preparing for another attack, though he did not anticipate just how much power the blondes rage would give them.

Light magic and green fire hit him once more, this time though it was enough to send him into the building behind him. The force of the impact causing him to fall to the sidewalk unconscious.

With their enemy fully down, they turned their attention to the brunettes who still remained unmoving, yet still breathing.

"Regina! Angel, wake up!" Emma shook the mayor slightly.

"Open your eyes Poppet! Please, open your eyes for me." Mal said doing the same to the queen.

The blondes looked to each of the brunettes as they both began to flutter their eyes open but neither truly focusing. Emma and Mal smiled down at them still.

"Everything's alright now," Mal said while stroking the queen's hair.

Emma mirrored her action on the mayor. "You guys saved us."

Without even realizing that they were both doing it at the same time, Maleficent and Emma leaned down and kissed their lovers on their lips.

Both jumped back though, as a bright light rippled through the air. Before either knew what was happening, the queen merged back into the mayor's body where she belonged. True love's kiss, or kisses, in this case, making them one once again.


Regina drifted back into unconsciousness shortly after she and the queen became whole again. Mal and Emma were able to heal her head wound easily, yet they agreed to take her to the hospital to make sure there were no other injuries that they could not see.

As Regina was being tended to, the blondes called the family to tell them what had happened. Mal called Zelena, who she had become close friends with since the redhead's return to Storybrooke, and Emma called Henry and her parents.

Once the calls had been made the two sat next to each other in the waiting room.

"Henry's on his way," Emma spoke, as she turned to the older woman. "Dad's gone to pick up Gideon and Mom's at work so they'll check in later."

Mal nodded, "Zelena won't be coming either. Apparently, Robyn has started to teethe. She asked me to keep her informed on her sister's condition."

After that, the two became silent. Emma let a deep sigh as she leaned forward and placed her head in her hands. She was deeply worried, wondering if Regina was alright. The brunette's eyes had not reopened since she and Mal had healed her, so the sheriff's mind was running with horrible scenarios about her lover's condition.

Mal could not help but notice how Emma had begun tapping her leg nervously, there was no doubt in her mind that the younger woman was thinking the worst. Gently, she reached out to place her hand on Emma's knee, earning the sheriff's attention.

"I'm worried about her too, but we don't need to be." the dragon had a small smile on her face as she spoke. "Regina is too damn stubborn to die this easily."

Despite the situation, Emma couldn't help but giggle. "That's for sure," she then put her hand over Mal's and squeezed it in thanks.

Mal, instinctively, turned her hand over to lace her fingers with Emma' two looked at each other and found themselves lost in the eyes of the other. They were surprised to find no awkwardness in each others stare. Instead, they both saw comfort and understanding. Yet, they both felt fear. Neither knew what any of this meant for their respected relationships.

They continued to hold hands until they heard someone clear their throat. Looking up, they both saw Whale standing in front of them and both were on their feet instantly.

"How is she?" they both asked at once.

What looked between the blondes strangely before speaking. "She's fine. There was nothing left of her head injury after you both healed her. I imagined her mind just slipped back into unconsciousness to recuperate after the fight and merging with queen again. Other than that all she has is a hairline fracture on her wrist from the fall. She wanted to heal it herself when she woke up but I told her to wait for one of you to do it so it won't take away from her strength."

"When can she leave." Mal knew how much Regina had detested going to healers in the Enchanted Forest. She couldn't imagine she enjoyed hospitals any better.

"Soon. We just need to get her paperwork in order and she's free to go."

"Can we see her?" Despite Whale's reassurances Emma wanted desperately to see for herself that Regina was truly okay.

Whale gestured for the woman to follow him before leading them to Regina's room before leaving to fill out the brunette's release papers.

The blondes entered the room to see their lover sitting up in bed, holding her right wrist gently. She smiled when she saw them walk in.

"How are you feeling Poppet?" Mal asked softly as she stopped at the foot of the bed while Emma went to sit next to the mayor's hip facing her.

"I'm fine, I promise." Regina's face turned unsteady as she looked between the blonde's. "How are the two of you?" she asked cautiously.

Emma glanced back at Mal before answering, "We're fine. More worried about you to be honest. Let me see your hand, Angel."

Regina placed her wrist in the sheriff's gentle grasp. She could feel light magic flowing through her hand. After a few moments, Regina flexed her wrist and was rather relieved to feel no pain.

"Thank you." she smiled at Emma who nodded in return.

The room went silent after that. None of the women were quite sure what to say. Regina for one was internally freaking out. With the queen now part of her again, she was terrified of the possibility of having to choose between the other two women.

The silence was broken when the door swung open. Henry hurried into the room and to his mother's side opposite of Emma.

"Mom! Are you okay? Ma said you got hurt."

"I'm fine Henry," she smiled up at her son. "Thanks to your mother and Mal's magic."

Henry's shoulders sagged with relief as he returned the smile "I'm glad you're okay. So...you and the queen? Is it true?"

Regina tensed at her son's question. Her mind raced with memories of a ten-year-old boy who looked at her with hatred in his eyes.

Emma must have read Regina's expression because she reached over and squeezed her hand comfortably. When the brunette glanced at her she gave a short, encouraging nod.

Regina understood, but still looked worried as she answered her son. "Yes, Henry. She and I are now one again. I...I hope you're okay with this."

Henry simply shrugged, "It's not like I ever fully hated her. I didn't like that she was threatening grandma and grandpa, but it's like I told you before, you're not a villain, you're my mom."

The mayor's eye glistened with unshed tears as she heard her son speak. She relaxed further when Henry wrapped his arms around her, hugging his mother.

Emma smiled at the sight and placed her hand on her son's back as she leaned over to kiss him on the head. She was so proud of how had grown over the last six years.

Maleficent felt tears in her eyes as well, yet it was for a much different reason. She remained standing at the foot of the hospital bed, watching on as the small family embraced. Her heart broke as a single thought passed through her mind. "I'm not a part of this."

She quickly wiped her eyes before clearing her throat. "Well, now that I see that you're alright Regina, I think I will be heading home for the night."

Regina raised her head to look at the older blonde. "You...you don't have to Mal. You know you're free to stay as long as you want." She tried to keep her voice even as she spoke, as she was actually dreading the idea of Mal walking out that door. She was worried that the dragon might not come back.

Mal waved her hand dismissively, "It's been a long day for us all and I can use some rest. I'll call Zelena for you later and tell her you're okay. Maybe I'll drop by tomorrow to check on you," she talked while avoiding Regina's gaze, knowing her tears would surely return if she did.

As she reached the door she turned to look at Emma, "Take care of her."

"I will." the younger blonde said in a soft, yet serious tone. Emma was tempted to ask Mal to stay as well, she just was not sure whether she would be saying it on Regina's behalf or her own.

Maleficent walked out of the hospital room and made it onto the street outside before her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She quickly poofed herself to her home before the tears finally spilled down her face.

When Mal left the room Henry spoke up, turning to his mothers, "What was that all about?"

"Nothing for you to worry about my little prince," Regina spoke with a small, forced, smile for her son's sake, but inside she was falling apart.

Once again, Emma was able to read through Regina. She could tell the brunette was barely holding it together. "Come on, let's go see if Whale has those forms ready yet. I think we should all get home and get some rest."

Henry left first saying he would go wait in the bug which, he drove to the hospital. Being able to drive the bug had been Regina's least favorite thing about their son getting his license.

The women both stood as their son left the room. However, before she even took a step, Regina reached out for Emma who she took in her arms. Regina kissed her deeply, needing to feel the love from the sheriff after she saw the older blonde walk out the room.

"I love you," she murmured in the sheriff's ear.

"I love you too," Emma brought her hand up to run it through Regina's hair to try to sooth her as they separated. She tried to smile reassuringly at the mayor, but Regina's spirit sank a little further as she could tell Emma's heart was not in it.

"Come on," Emma prompted as pecked her on the cheek and wrapped her arm around her lover's waist. "Let's get you home," and Regina allowed herself to be led out of the room.


They drove home in mostly silence. Henry was the first to speak, asking his parents if it was still okay for him to spend the night at Violet's like he had already planned. Both women quickly agreed, knowing that they would be better off having space to talk when they got home.

As they walked through their front door Emma grabbed Regina by the hand and led her into the living room, gesturing for her to sit on the sofa. "You sure you're feeling okay? No soreness or anything?"

"I'm fine Baby, I promise I am." Regina tugged on the hand still in hers, bringing Emma down to sit beside her. "You don't have to worry about me."

"I know," the blonde mumbled quietly as she laid her head on the mayor's shoulder. "To be honest, I'm actually more worried about something else right now…"

Regina wrapped her arms around Emma, holding her tightly against her. "I love you, Emma. You know having the queen back inside of me doesn't change that right?"

"I do" she pulled back from the brunette's arms to look at her. "I know you will always love me Regina, but I saw your face when Mal left earlier. You were heart broken. You might be happy being with me, but I know there's a large part of you that is scared of losing Mal forever. And that means that something needs to change for us."

"What are you saying?" Regina's voice shook as she whispered out the question.

Emma stood and took a deep breath, "I'm not totally sure what I'm saying, but I think we need a little time to figure it out. I….um I think I should stay with my parents tonight."

"No!" Regina practically jumped to her feet with a pleading look on her face. "Emma no. Please, Baby, don't leave me, not after…" she trailed off, not knowing if mentioning Maleficent again would help her situation.

"Hey, hey, calm down," Emma said soothingly as she reached out to place her hands on the mayor's cheeks and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'm not leaving you, Angel. Not permanently anyway. I told you a long time ago, I couldn't break up with you even if I wanted to, it would kill me...I just think we need a little time to clear our heads and think about what this means for us, all of us."

Emma didn't voice it, but part of the reason she wanted to be alone was to think about Maleficent, as well as Regina. The look that the dragon gave her at the hospital still lingered in her mind. She had no idea what that meant.

Regina wanted desperately to fight Emma on this, to beg her to stay. The last thing she wanted was to watch as another lover walked away from her. However, she knew this was one battle she was not going to win and part of her also knew that Emma was right. They did need to consider everything that had happened that day.

"Very well." Regina straightened her posture, doing her best to put her 'mayor mask' on. "Will you be needing anything from upstairs?"

Emma was still able to see past the mask, yet she decided to let it go given the circumstances. "No, I still got some stuff at the apartment."

Regina nodded and escorted Emma to the door, opening it for her.

Emma turned back to her and kissed her briefly, yet lovingly, before stepping outside. "I'll call you sometime tomorrow, Regina. I love you."

Regina nodded once again and gave the blonde a small smile, she did not trust her voice enough to speak.

She watched from the front door as the second woman who had stolen her heart got into her bug and drove off. Regina slowly closed the door and leaned against it. Suddenly, her knees began to shake as tears began to flow from her deep brown eyes. She slid down to the floor, wrapping her arms around her legs, and began to sob harder than she had in a long time...since Daniel died. Even though neither blonde had broken up with her, a large part of her still feared that this could be the end.

Meanwhile, Emma arrived at her parent's apartment but could not bring herself to move from the bug just yet. The sadness on Regina's face as she left haunted her mind. Tears had clouded her vision on the short drive over and it took several minutes to get them to slow down after she parked.

Once she wiped the wetness from her face she reached for her phone and brought up a number she had rarely used.

"We need to talk. Meet me tomorrow at Granny's?"

It was not long until she got a reply.

"I'll be there."

Emma sighed, hoping that by the next day the three of them could figure something out.