A/N: Okay obviously this story is going to be longer than I thought but I have it all planned out in the mess I call my brain so don't worry! There more than likely won't be an update during the work week unless I have a few spare hours but I am going to try. I'm really liking this story its so different and damn should I say realistic? Like they could be some couple on the street. Anyway, I digress. I gave Henry a forgiving part in the story because I think the Henry on the show is an ass (excuse my French). Rumple will be making another appearance later on as well. I hope you found his minute insertion in this chapter interesting. Thanks so much for all the follows and feedback. It gets my blood flowing and the muse to talking so don't be shy!
Emma sat on a bench near the docks and watched the sun rise. She lifted her head slightly letting the first rays of day warm her face because for the past two days she had never felt colder. She had gone from sleeping at her parent's home to Red's, but at this point, living in her Bug seemed a better option.
She smiled at a passerby and fellow citizen but only got a scowl in return. It set her nerves on edge, and it was only a fraction of what Regina usually got of that she was sure. Emma actually smiled knowing Regina relished their fear but their hate…their constant overwhelming hate had to weigh heavily. An uncomfortable ball of emotion began to churn in her stomach as she realized the sheer dislike the citizen's of Storybrooke had for her at this point based on the company she kept. Emma snorted at the irony since she was the one to save them all in the first place.
This is what it felt like to have no one in her corner.
Lonely and desolate as hell, but it should have been something she was used to. All that changed when she decided to stay in this strange little town. She developed friendships and found the son she was sure to never see again. Then, there was the icing on the cake. She'd found a woman who ripped her open and tunneled inside so deep that she left pieces of herself everywhere. She'd found Regina.
A little voice whispered reminding her that Regina had been in her corner. The little voice screamed that when they were together none of this town's bullshit mattered, and now she was literally knee deep in it. The rest of her was submerged in regret.
Emma had asked herself at least a million times by now if this was the coward's way out. So far, there had been no answer. There had been a million more times where all she wanted to do was return home and make things right no matter how long it took or how much she had to give. Then, she remembered that feeling. She was drowning and utterly overwhelmed by something she could not fix. She sucked in a deep breath to fight the prickle of tears behind her eyes.
Seconds later, Emma blinked and pulled on her sun glasses as the sun's rays became blinding. The momentary warmth provided had faded away as quickly as it came. Emma had a feeling that she would never be warm again.
Hanging her head in supplication for the burden on her shoulders, Emma didn't see or hear anyone approach her. "Sheriff Swan?"
Emma glanced up in surprise. Someone was talking to her. Rumplestilskin peered at her expectantly. Belle, the woman attached to his arm smiled serenely.
"Gold," Emma said by way of greeting.
"Ah, let's dispense with the formalities of this world shall we? Feel free to call me by my real name."
Emma smirked even though she wasn't feeling it. "I'll think about it."
She peered at him for several seconds. The swarmy smile was the same, but there was a softness in his eyes. He actually looked happy.
"How's your family?" Rumple asked.
Emma ground her back teeth together to keep from cursing. "They're doing."
He tsked. "Not that one. I know they must be insufferable at this point. Your real one."
Emma glared, but the softness in his gaze remained. Her heart was squeezed by an unseen force causing Emma to gasp. "We're…doing." Unable to hold his gaze, she looked away.
"Try harder, Sheriff Swan."
When she looked up again, they were walking away. Emma stood, and asked herself once more if she was being a coward.
Regina's eyes opened in increments. She peered groggily around study and was thankful that she had chosen the sofa to sleep. Slowly, she took stock of her body. Her tongue felt as if it were wearing a hairy coat several times too small. Her limbs were laden, and her head pounded, reminding her that she had sought solace in a bottle once again.
She eased into a sitting position despite her body's loud protest. The bed…their bed would have been much more comfortable, but Regina couldn't bring herself to lay in it alone. There were other rooms, but even they held reminders. She glanced bleary eyed at the grandfather clock to see that the hour was later than it needed to be. Henry was going to be late for school.
Henry. At least she had waited until he was asleep to drown herself in liquor. She didn't want another incident like the days prior. Still, he had returned. It was a shock, and Regina tried to ignore the warmth it garnered because inevitably, she knew she would sabotage it just as she had everything else. However, for him, she would try to show some level of normalcy even though there was none.
Regina stood on wobbly legs and ambled toward the study door. When she opened it, the smell of coffee wafted toward her. A searing bolt of hope pierced her before it was mired down in the impenetrable dark clouds that covered her. It didn't keep her from projecting. "Emma?"
There was only silence.
Regina swallowed ordering herself not to make that mistake again. Demanding her heart to realize that that ship had sailed. It spasmed anyway. When she pushed open the door to the kitchen, there was a lonely coffee pot filled to the brim. Moving further in, Regina saw that beside it was a couple of slices of raisin toast and a note.
Mom,
I made sure to make a healthy lunch so don't worry. I made coffee strong like you like it and there is some toast. It will probably be cold when you get up but I just found out that there is a reheat button on the toaster. How cool is that? Never knew anyone would want to reheat toast. Don't forget to shower today. I love you.
Henry
The spasm turned into deep throbbing. Regina leaned against the counter for support. It shouldn't be like this. He should never have to see her in this state. He should never have to take care of her. He deserved…he needed so much more, but Regina knew she didn't have the strength to give it to him. She hated herself a little bit more because of it.
She bit her lip hard to hold back the tears, but it did nothing to hold back recent memories.
The second time Regina opened her eyes that fateful day she blinked in confusion. She didn't remember moving to the couch. She glanced around the study. Nor did she remember cleaning up the glass. She groaned as she sat up and then gasped in shock to see the minute wounds from her fall bandaged and Iron Man staring up at her.
"Good. You're awake."
Regina did a double take. "H-henry?"
"I brought you some coffee. It's pretty strong. I put a few extra spoonful's in." He smiled undoubtedly proud of his own accomplishments.
"You can't be here. You can't see me like this." Regina pleaded.
Carrying a tray, he walked further into the room as if she had never spoken. "I know you're sad, and I'm not leaving. Not again. Okay?" Green eyes held determination. He stood tall and defiant.
It reminded her so much of his mother that it nearly took Regina's breath. So, she gave in. "I don't think this is the best idea, but okay…for now."
His face scrunched. "I love you mom, and I'm not going anywhere…for good." Henry didn't wait for her response. He sat the tray on the desk and handed her a huge cup of coffee. "I only put one sugar in."
"How did you know?"
"Mom told me. I help her make the coffee sometimes."
Times when she refused to get out of bed Regina knew. She looked away. "How…how is she?"
"Not good. She's trying to hide it, but it's not working."
Regina sat in silence and regret. Emma was the last person she wanted to hurt.
"Do you think you could eat something?" Henry asked, interrupting her thoughts.
Regina opened her mouth in warning.
"Relax, mom. It's just toast." He looked at her fondly. "I'm not stupid." Henry rolled his eyes.
Regina gave him her best impression of a smile. "Toast would be perfect."
He handed her a saucer with pieces of toast and Regina devoured it as if it were a rare delicacy. She nearly moaned at her first sip of coffee.
He smiled proudly and asked. "Are you going to stay in here all day? I could help you look for some books to read? I know when people are sad they sometimes like to be alone. I have a lot of new comics so don't worry about me." He sat down on the sofa beside her.
"I don't know Henry. I—"
"Well, if you need me." He took the last item from the tray, a walkie talkie. "Just use this."
Regina was actually touched that he would share these with her when before it was something for him and Emma alone. Her smile was almost genuine this time. "Thank you, Henry."
He nodded. "Oh and mom?" Henry's nose scrunched up cutely. "Could you maybe take a shower?"
Regina almost laughed…almost. "Are you implying—"
Henry nodded vigorously. "Yes."
"I don't think that will be a problem." Regina assured him.
"I'll get your soaps and stuff from upstairs." He offered and stood.
Fascinated by him, Regina watched as he walked toward the door. "Henry, I—"
"I know, mom. Be right back."
Now back in the present, Regina felt even more bone weary, but despite it, there was an urge to power through. She re heated and finished her toast before ambling toward the downstairs shower.
Emma watched for Henry as the school bell rang. He was in the first group to peel out of the doors. She shook her head at his enthusiasm, knowing where he got it from. She waved, and her heart clenched as he beamed and ran in her direction.
"Hey, kid-oof!"
He charged at her full speed ending it with an octopus hug. Emma returned it greedily, holding on for dear life. He was most decidedly in her corner.
He pulled back. "You okay?"
Emma nodded. "Why do you ask?"
Henry eyed her knowingly. "Because I can barely breathe."
She chuckled and reduced her hold. "Sorry about that."
"It's okay." He paused and looked up at her thoughtfully. "Are you taking me home because I really don't want to go back to Grandma's." His eyes were pleading. "I don't like them very much right now. Plus, I promised mom that I'd stay with her."
Laughter exploded from Emma. He was definitely her kid because she didn't like them much right now either. "No, I'll take you to our house unless you want to stop at Granny's for a milkshake?"
He shook his head. "No, I want to check on mom."
Emma swallowed. "Yeah." She did too, but she was in no way ready.
Silence lapsed between them as they got into the police cruiser.
"You said our house." Henry muttered.
"I did."
"But you're not living there."
"My stuff is." So was her heart.
Henry stared at her as she pulled from the curve. "She misses you. She won't say, but I can tell. Just like I can tell that you miss her too."
"I do miss her." Emma whispered.
"How come I didn't know how sad she was until now?"
"Because your mom is very good at hiding things when she wants to. We both did a good job of it as long as we could." Emma took the statement to heart because she was sure that Regina was hiding her feelings awhile before it came to light even for her. "How is she?"
Henry was silent.
"That bad?" Emma gasped.
"I got her to eat and take a shower."
Emma sighed. "Henry, you shouldn't be the one—"
"No, I know that. It should be you."
There was total silence.
Out of the mouths of babes.
When she pulled up to the mansion, Henry hopped out but not before saying good bye and stating his love. Emma sat there with the engine running idle, hoping to get a peak.
The door opened and Henry barreled into his other mother just like he did her. A pained look crossed Regina's face, and there was an obvious reluctance to return the affection. In the end, Regina did. Henry disappeared into the foyer, but Regina remained in the door way.
Emma's gaze ate her hungrily. She was gaunt, pale, but still the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. It took everything Emma had in her not to run toward Regina, wrap around her and tell her everything wasn't going to be fine. It hadn't worked before, and Emma was highly suspicious about it working now. Regina had to take the steps to accept the help offered. So instead, Emma waved.
Regina leaned against the door jab and stared. Their eyes met and their connection simmered underneath. Regina didn't turn away, and she didn't hide. It wasn't much, but it was something. That …Emma would take. Slowly, she pulled out of the driveway.