Thank you for reviewing! It makes me happy to know that you're enjoying the story so far! I'm sorry I took so long to post. Its been a tough week school wise and I thank you for your patience. Enjoy and I'll update soon.

Chapter 4 Why Are You Afraid?

It was early into the evening when Regina had dropped Henry off at Emma's apartment. He wanted to show her his riding skills after school and they ended up staying there for the rest of the afternoon. Once she had said her goodbyes Snow opened her door just before Regina could head down the stairs.

"Hey, you want to stay a while? David had some last minute things to do at the station and he won't be back for a while."

"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude once he gets here," she said and Snow's heart broke just a little at the fact that she was worried about making David uncomfortable for being there. She really did plan on having that talk with him soon.

"Yeah, he won't be back for a few hours. Besides you'll probably leave before he even gets here." Regina smiled softly in approval and approached her stepdaughter. Snow let her in and closed the door gently behind her. Regina hung her coat and followed Snow to the kitchen where she started making hot chocolate.

"How was riding with Henry?" she asked as she put the mugs in the microwave.

"It was great," she smiled. "Henry is getting really good."

"He'll be a pro like you in no time," Snow said.

"Well, at least I won't be missing out on that," Regina said almost bitterly, her gaze fixed on her hands. Snow looked at her, knowing what this was about.

"He loves you Regina. You're his mother." Regina shook her head and Snow could see her holding in the tears. She wondered how long Regina had been holding this in.

"Lately, I feel like I'm just an Aunt to him. Henry doesn't need me anymore; he has Emma now."

"Hey, don't say that," Snow said as she reached out across the counter and took her stepmother's hand in hers. "Of course he still needs you. You're his mother too and he'll always need both of you in his life. Remember when he had gotten food poisoning a few weeks ago, you were the only one that was able to make him feel better. You knew exactly what to do; when it comes to Henry you always know what to do. That's why he needs you and I know for a fact that he loves you as much as he loves Emma."

"Then why did he choose her?" Her voice was small and Snow saw the flicker of vulnerability in her eyes before she took control of her emotions. Snow didn't know what to say. Emma was his birth mother but Regina raised him therefore creating a different bond so why did he choose Emma. She knew he loved her but she knew he also loved Regina just as much. Honestly, she didn't know. Regina must have read her mind because she sighed, and changed the subject. She didn't want to talk about this anymore and Snow understood. What surprised her though was what Regina had brought up.

"Hey did I tell you Jason is the new vet?"

"No, you didn't. Did he tell you this morning at the stables?" Snow asked with a knowing smile that made Regina glare at her.

"Snow, why are you smiling at me like that?" she asked, clearly annoyed.

"I find it interesting that you just happened to bring him up." Her eyes were sparkling and Regina knew what she was thinking.

"I don't like him," she said in a clipped tone. "I was just merely bringing up a fact dear."

"Can I ask you something?" Her tone was suddenly serious and the humor in her eyes faded making Regina weary of what was in her stepdaughter's mind. Reluctantly, she nodded.

"Why are you afraid to let him in?" Snow knew what that question would bring and she watched as the different torrent of emotions flashed across Regina's face until she finally became angry.

"I'm not and I told you dear, I have no interest in him at all," she stated in a barely controlled voice.

"Then why are you getting so defensive?"

"I'm always defensive."

"Regina!" Snow was having enough. She knew Regina liked him just by the way she talked to him. Their banter in the diner was all the evidence she needed.

"What do you want from me Snow!"

"Just admit it!"

"Admit what!"

"That you like him!" The yelling stopped and Regina simply looked at her knowing this was a losing battle. Those words made her realize that perhaps maybe Snow was right and it did explain why she couldn't stop thinking about him or the way her knees felt weak whenever he talked to her. Snow can see the emotion in Regina's eyes and she seemed to be fighting with what she truly felt. Even though this past year Regina had changed, she still had trouble showing her emotions and Snow knew that this will take time. She had been taught to hide what she feels since she was a child and one year wasn't going to fix it. "I know it's hard for you to open up to him Regina but just give him a chance… give yourself a chance. You deserve to be happy."

"I am happy Snow," Regina said, looking away. Snow stood and walked around the counter. She stood over Regina and tilted her chin so she would look at her.

"I know you are but I can still see the loneliness in your eyes everytime we leave after dinner on Sundays."

"I just…" she trailed off, not being able to put what she was feeling into words. How can she describe the void in her heart that left her feeling empty every single day? Sure she was happy when she was around Snow and Henry but when she came home to an empty house… it hurt her to know that no matter what she was alone at the end of the day.

"It's ok," she whispered, knowing how hard this still was for Regina. "Take your time." A year ago Regina would had snapped and fled the room at Snow's caring tone but instead she held on to it like a lifeline. She took a breath and looked up into her stepdaughter's gaze.

"I miss them so much. I lost Daniel and then Henry… and now I… I just don't want to get hurt. I've been alone for so long Snow." Regina sounded so broken and even though Snow's heart was breaking she was proud. She was talking instead of lashing out with anger like she had done in the past.

"Hey, look at me," she said softly but sternly when she noticed Regina had averted her gaze as if she were ashamed of showing her emotions like this. During the year Regina usually became embarrassed when she showed her emotions to anyone, but Snow was always quick to reassure her. All Cora had given her was a cold emotionless mask and now Snow was trying to pull it off for good. She slowly met her gaze and Snow could see the anxiety reflecting in those brown orbs.

"Don't be ashamed Regina. I know I've said it a thousand times this year but you shouldn't be ashamed of your emotions. Its ok to be scared about this. Love is scary but being alone is much more terrifying and I know you of all people can agree with me."

"Why are you so good at this? You always know what to say dear," Regina whispered, her voice shaking.

"So will you give him a chance?" Snow asked hopefully as Regina pulled herself together.

"Maybe… I don't know."

"Just one date Regina and if I'm right about him liking you then it won't be long till he'll ask."

"Actually he already did," Regina said shyly.

"When? And you said no?" Snow asked in shock. She couldn't believe Regina didn't tell her.

"This morning at the stables. He asked me out for coffee." She wasn't going to admit this out loud but the moment she had declined his offer by ignoring it, she regretted it. Damn, she really did like him. Sometimes she hated when Snow was right and when it came to matters of the heart Snow was always right. "Do you think he'll ask again?" she suddenly found herself saying and Snow smiled warmly as she realized it was Regina's way of admitting she was indeed interested in this guy.

"Regina, he called you mysterious. He's going to ask you again, trust me."

When Saturday had finally arrived Regina had found herself riding Black Heart with Henry on the trail. It's been a week since her talk with Snow and to her relief she hasn't seen Jason once. Even if she had finally admitted she liked him, he still drove her crazy and she would rather avoid seeing him all together. He made her nervous, something she had only felt upon first meeting Daniel and that feeling scared her.

"Henry! Slow him down," Regina called from behind him. Henry was so excited that he can finally ride on his own that he had persuaded both Emma and Regina to let him go riding today and he wanted Regina to be with him. Even though she had a million things to do at the office, Regina agreed. She would always choose to spend time with her son even if she was too busy. She watched him slow his horse and couldn't help but beam with pride. He was a natural and pretty soon he'll be as good as her. When the trail became wide enough to ride side by side, Regina sped up Black Heart's pace and joined Henry.

"I'm impressed," she said.

"Thanks, I'm glad you decided to come." He smiled at her and her heart warmed at the site. It was times like these where she ached to have him home again.

"I come here a lot when things get too much. It's a nice place to think and Black Heart here loves it when I talk to him. Either that or he's just waiting for a treat. Anyway, Henry I want you to know that if you ever need to come here you can always call me. I'm never too busy to spend time with you." Henry nodded at those words and it was quiet for a little while. She can tell by his expression that there was something on his mind.

"Are you ok?" he finally asked. She looked at him in confusion. What would make him ask that?

"Yeah, why?"

"Well you've been acting weird lately."

"Like how?" she asked, getting a little defensive.

"You rushed out of the diner last Sunday pretty quickly and the only time I've seen you act like that was when I caught you kissing Graham and I noticed you've been on edge lately." Regina sighed and brought Black Heart to a stop so that she can look at her son. Henry did the same.

"I've just had a stressful week," she said. "I'm fine Henry. You don't need to worry about me."

"Are you sure it's not anything else," he asked as they started moving again.

"Positive."

The subject was dropped and as they rode the trial they talked about nothing important. They had already made it back and were a close distance to the stables when suddenly Black Heart started to get nervous. Regina looked behind her at Henry to see his horse getting nervous as well and from her experience she recognized what they were afraid of. Just like she expected she can see a snake slithering from the bushes and sitting in the middle of the path. It wasn't poisonous but she had been told by Black Heart's previous owner that he was deathly afraid of snakes.

"Henry, back up now!" she ordered as she tried to calm Black Heart. He was neighing and she tried to keep him in control.

"Mom! What's wrong?" she heard him ask and she turned to see that he had backed up enough that his horse was already calm. Unfortunately she was too close to the snake that Black Heart was really freaking out.

"It's okay boy shhh," she said softly, desperately trying to soothe him but it had no affect and then he started rearing up on his hind legs.

"Mom!" Henry cried out in fear as she grabbed the reins tighter and tried to hold on at the same time trying to stay in control. She managed to hold on and the next thing she knew Black Heart turned and raced down the trail, passing Henry. He was so fast and his movements were so jerky to the point where she couldn't hold on and she soon found herself falling to the floor. Pain was all she felt and she couldn't even move nor hardly breathe. Black Heart kept running and all she saw as she lied there were stars. Her vision was darkening and she was pretty sure she hit her head. The last thing she remembered was a man's voice shouting her name before everything went dark

"…'gina."

God her head was killing her and that voice… that same voice she had heard before passing out, was so familiar. She heard the voice again and she can feel herself coming around.

"Regina, can you hear me?" She slowly opened her eyes and can barely make out the face in front of her. It was fuzzy for a second before it started to clear and when she saw who it was she frowned in annoyance and maybe even embarrassment.

"How many?" Jason asked, holding up two fingers.

"Two," Regina replied weakly, trying to get her bearings. She instantly sat up but winced at the pain at the back of her head. Her hand flew to her head and winced again when she felt the tender bump.

"Woh, don't sit up," he said gently as he lied her back down. His voice was soft and caring and she realized they were in the stables. She was lying on the floor and for the first time noticed Henry kneeling on her other side. It was then that she realized Jason must have carried her back.

"Mom, are you ok?" he asked, his voice full of worry and she hated how much she had scared him.

"Yeah, honey. Just a headache," she whispered, closing her eyes at the pain and wrapping her arms around Henry when she felt him hugging her. "I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear before he had pulled away.

"You need to get to the hospital. You could have a concussion," Jason said, watching her closely.

"I'm fine," she said as she sat up again, this time ignoring the pain and looking at Black Heart's empty stall.

"Where's Black Heart?" She couldn't keep the fear and worry from her voice and Jason could see it all over her face.

"I sent one of the stable hands to go get him. He'll be fine but you need to get checked out." The playful bantering he always saved for her was gone and replaced by concern. She didn't know it but he was scared to death when he saw her falling off that horse from the distance.

"I said I'm fine!" she snapped as she quickly stood but lost her balance at the wave of dizziness that suddenly overwhelmed her and she felt Jason steadying her and holding her against him. He grabbed her arm and put it around his neck so that she can use him as a crutch.

"No, you're not," he said sternly, clearly not putting up with her stubbornness. "You're lucky you didn't break your neck from the way you had you had landed. I'm taking you to the hospital."

"I don't…" Regina was about to protest that she didn't need an escort when Henry suddenly spoke up.

"Mom, please. I thought you were dead the moment you landed so please just go get checked out." The fear was evident in his voice and now that she looked closely she can see that he had been crying. She sighed in defeat, not being able to deny what he wanted.

"Fine," she mumbled. "But I want to know the moment Black Heart is back and safe in his stall." At the tone in her voice there was no room left for argument and Jason had already knew she was going to say something like that.

"I know which is why I told the stable hand to give me a call the moment they find him."