A.N. I listened to Please Remember by Leann Rimes for this chapter. :)

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"Where is she?" Hook's eyes dance quickly over each area the light from his flashlight catches. "Regina, where the hell is she?"

Regina stares down at the dagger, her eyes focusing on Emma's name. She softly whispers an answer. "I don't know."

"But she's here, right?" The pirate asks. "I mean, there's the wind and all the rain and - "

"Darkness." Snow exclaims as she clicks on her flashlight.

Regina's eyes snap up to catch Snow's and she nods her head. She feels an energy close to her, a soft whisper against her ear. A warm caress along her cheek. She closes her eyes and takes a breath, letting the air fill her lungs before she exhales slowly.

Hello, Regina.

Dark eyes widen as she hears Emma's voice in her own head.

Emma?

Yep, it's me, in the flesh .. well, in the brain, I suppose.

How .. why .. where are you?

Outside.

It's raining outside.

She can hear Emma shrug. I have an umbrella.

Emma ..

When did that start?

When did what start?

You calling me Emma .. kind of like our son statements. I mean you hated me, it was always Miss Swan this and Miss Swan that. My son this and my -

Enough. Where were you, where did you go?

The Bermuda Triangle. Fun fact, it's actually a circle .. I sent you a postcard, it must have got lost in the mail. How long has it been anyway? Since I .. got swept away?

Less than an hour.

Seriously? Jesus, Regina, you really know how to let a girl breathe.

Get in here now!

No.

You have to do what I say.

Aah, but you didn't say it, now did you? I love loopholes.

Regina turns her back on the rest of the group and walks to the door, her eyes scanning outside, trying to see if Emma is indeed there. She can't see much though through the heavy rain that is falling.

Besides, it's not going to work.

What isn't?

My mother's brilliant idea. The one you detest so much. Hook kissing me with True Love to free me.

How do you know about that? I -

It's kind of banging around inside your head, like a very pissed off Incredible Hulk smashing the walls, wanting out. You are quite angry about this. Why?

Regina flings open the diner door and rushes down the steps and walkway until she is standing in the middle of the street. "Emma Swan, get out of my head and get your ass here, this instant!"

Emma appears in front of her and she is indeed holding an umbrella. She extends it out to the older woman. "Here, I think you might need this. It probably would have been a good idea to tell me to stop the rain before coming out here, ya know."

Regina glares at her and she puts her hands up. "Just saying, Regina. You kind of look like a drowned rat." She flicks her wrist and the rain stops.

"Get in that diner and kiss the pirate!"

"Nope, not gonna happen. You can't command sexual favors of any kind even something as trite as kissing. It's in the handbook. Oh, I forgot to tell you, I'm a part of a union .. neat, huh? The Dark One has a union, I have to pay dues but we all have our crosses to bare, I suppose."

Regina stares at her for a moment and then she begins to laugh. A laugh that reaches her stomach, tumbling around until she is bending over as she grips her sides.

Emma thinks it's the most beautiful sound she has heard in awhile.

Pure laughter coming from Regina.

She smiles and is quite proud of herself for this feat before her face falls as she sees the army of all that is holy and good, stampeding into the street.

Regina hears the footsteps and turns herself, facing the group as she wipes tears from her eyes.

"Oh god, Emma .. we were so worried. We - "

"It wasn't even an hour, Snow .. I'm fine." She rolls her eyes.

They all continue to stare at Emma until even Regina has to turn and face the blonde again and for the first time she really looks at the younger woman.

Her hair has dark ebony streaks running through sunshine yellow, and it's cut short. The length touching just at her shoulders. Regina has to resist the urge to step forward and run her fingers through it as she takes in what Emma is in fact wearing. She has on black leather pants that hug smooth thighs and cup a perfect ass, with toned arms and supple breasts being shown off by a dark purple tank top.

Regina's eyes linger over her chest and Emma smirks, golden eyes dancing.

Too bad about that sexual favors clause huh, your Majesty.

Regina blushes and snaps her eyes up to meet Emma's.

What in the world are you wearing?

Clothes. And don't act like you abhor leather .. I've seen you rock a pair of leather pants a time or two.

Hook steps forward and the movement makes Emma narrow her eyes. "Don't even think about it."

David and Snow exchange a look, because how does Emma know? Did Regina tell her? They all look around confused until Hook breaks the silence.

"Come on love, let's get you back and dressed to your old self, shall we .. " He inches forward and once again finds himself sailing backwards, this time his face hits the pavement.

"There, kiss that." Emma sneers.

Regina has to cover her mouth to hide a smile. She wants Emma back as much as the rest of them but the sass in Emma is something to be desired and she admires it.

She can't help but think her and Emma would have been quite a pair back in the Enchanted Forest, if the Evil Queen ever met up with the likes of one Dark Emma Swan.

I would like to think so too.

Regina sighs. She forgot Emma can hear her thoughts, or whatever she is doing.

At least, just try and see if the kiss works, Emma .. do you want Henry to see you like this?

Emma's eyes soften with his name and she crosses her arms in front of her chest, glaring at Regina. Don't use the kid, Regina .. that's hitting below the belt.

I'll do whatever I have to Emma, to get you back. I owe you that much .. you .. you saved me and -

Stop it. I don't need your pity.

"It's not pity, damn it!" Regina quickly covers her mouth, her eyes darting to the others as she realizes she spoke out loud.

"What's going on here?" Snow's eyes narrow and she looks at Emma, who swiftly looks away and then at Regina, who looks embarrassed.

"Are you two .. talking with your - "

"Apparently, Emma and I can communicate inside our .. heads?" Regina shrugs and looks down at the dagger she has been holding onto in a closed fist. The warm blade feels nice against her skin, as if it's a part of her now and she kind of likes it.

Like she is holding Emma in a way.

Emma arches an eyebrow at her and she quickly slips the dagger inside her jacket pocket and glances away, her eyes find Robin's for the first time since this whole ordeal started and she forces a smile to her lips. A reassuring smile that is probably more for her than for him at this point.

"Emma, what am I thinking?" Snow asks with wonder and a dash of hope in her eyes.

"I have no idea." The And I don't care is left unsaid but can still be heard in her tone.

The old Emma would have tried to soften that blow, to acknowledge the hurt look that crosses her mother's face but this Emma, has no desire for coddling.

"Look, this has been swell and all but I've got places to see and darkness to be so .. Regina, if you would be so kind as to hand over the dagger, I'll be on my way."

"What?!" Regina, Snow and David yell at the same time.

Emma taps her foot in annoyance and puts her hand out. "The dagger, Regina. Now."

Regina takes a step forward, an old familiar defiance taking root in her. "No. I think not."

Emma laughs softly as she steps forward, bringing herself inches away from lips that deserve to be kissed and dark brown eyes that seem to melt a little darker as she whispers along the shell of an ear, "Don't forget, Regina, I know what you think."

A swirl of red and gray smoke circles around her and then she is gone.

Regina watches the two colors fade away into the night air and that eluding thought is there again, pressing against her.

She needs to remember.

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