A/N: Thanks again to my super-beta Bstix

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Regina curled herself deeply under the blanket draped over her as she pressed her face further into one of the cushions on the sofa beneath her aching head. She felt wretched. She would allow herself one more minute of rest before productivity would have to commence. Regina already felt guilty over sleeping well into the mid morning. She had hoped that would clear herself of whatever illness was creeping inside her. If anything, though, she felt worse than ever. She'd tried to put on a brave face for Henry when passing him in the hallway, but with one look at her puffy eyes and red nose he had instantly told her to go back to bed, despite her protestations that there was no need.

Ignoring the aches that were hanging in every muscle, Regina willed herself to sit up, and began shuffling the papers laid out on the coffee table in front of her. She was determined to get at least a little work done. She brushed aside the rapidly accumulating pile of tissues, adamantly telling herself that she'd put them in the trash can any minute, as soon as she could force herself to get up. It was at the other side of the room; it could wait. No one could see her, she could be less than perfect for just a few more minutes. She stared at the papers, squeezing the pen in her hand. She could do this, just a few paragraphs at a time. If only she could ignore the pounding in her skull and the pressure burning behind her eyes long enough to force them to focus.

Eyes watering with effort and throat raw from coughing, Regina slumped back into the sofa, accepting defeat. There was no way she could even get through reading, let alone comprehend the files enough to be even vaguely productive. After loudly blowing her nose, she growled with frustration. Being ill was something she simply didn't have time for and it irritated her to no end. She hated not being in control of her own body. However, since her solitude garnered a judge-free environment for her weakness, Regina lifted her feet up onto the sofa, tucking them under herself once more as a shiver violently wracked her body. Feeling so vulnerable fully stabbed into her consciousness how very alone she once again was. She doubted she would have allowed Robin to care for her and she definitely wouldn't allow Henry. But knowing that there was nobody there to even want to, that no one would fight her to accept help, caused tears to swell into her eyes before she blinked them away in frustration. Her eyes closed and she held them shut, trying to steady her breathing and let herself melt into the exhaustion if only to stave off the loneliness. Before long she felt her thoughts diminish as sleep overtook her.

Every fibre of her muscles protested as Regina slowly felt herself float back to the waking world. She felt heavy and groggy and coughed roughly, feeling her chest ache and wheeze. She could feel the sunlight piercing through her eyelids uncomfortably, only worsening the vice like throbbing in her skull. Blearily she blinked her eyes, keeping them in a forced squint against the light. Focusing dimly on the room, a figure swam into her vision. She tilted her head upward and the smug, raised eyebrows and knowing smirk of Emma Swan flooded her vision.

Regina groaned inwardly at the folded arms and bold stance of the woman staring at her. It made her feel exposed. How long had Emma been there? Had she just stood staring at her whilst she slept? Immediately Regina felt anger bubbling up within her that Emma had trespassed on a moment of such unguarded vulnerability, unable to defend herself after their last encounter had ended with such tension. In response to her mounting chagrin, Regina did her best to sit up and look as menacing and regal as possible. The violent and unexpected coughing fit that shook her whole body completely ruined the effect.

"You look like hell," Emma stated with a raised eyebrow as she sat on the coffee table, making herself at home and leaning toward Regina.

"Did you want something?" Regina huffed, trying to catch her breath and slumping back into the sofa, giving up any attempt to hold her posture as her muscles angrily protested. "Why exactly are you acting like some sort of depraved bandit, sneaking in here and watching me sleep?"

"Well I'm here because we planned to try out the potion today," Emma sighed, fiddling with the papers that lay half beside and half under her, scanning them lazily for anything of interest. "But since you look like some sort of plague victim, I'm going to make you tea instead," Emma added brazenly as she made eye contact with the debilitated brunette.

Regina felt an odd sense of panic flood over her. She silently admitted the blonde's suggestion of tea sounded delightful, and needed, but letting Emma in like this wasn't easy to accept. However, as she looked as the blonde's inquisitive eyes she fought within herself between her walls of self preservation and the desire to let go and let Emma in that little bit more. Their parting words the night before had been undercut with hostility, yet here she was, without resolution, caring for her. Regina pondered if she looked as awful as she felt and that was the cause of Emma's concern. She mentally assessed her appearance; no makeup, clothes ruffled and creased from sleep, eyes blurry and nose running. Her hands moved to flatten her mussed hair unconsciously, trying to gain some semblance of presentability and regain even footing. Not willing to acknowledge how important it felt to look good in front of the woman.

"There's no need," Regina finally uttered, still busy with her own thoughts. However, Emma was already sweeping tissues into her hands from the coffee table and gave her a stern smile which told Regina that the blonde had no intention of listening to her. Typical. Instead, Regina was then tenderly being pushed back to lie down by Emma's free hand on her shoulder. She felt the gentle squeeze of Emma's fingers as she dropped back to the cushions, lacking the strength to physically protest the much stronger woman.

As Emma left the room, Regina pondered how to politely ask the Saviour to leave. All she needed was to sleep off the offending virus, not to be treated like an invalid. Surprisingly, as she heard Emma clattering around in the kitchen, she found an undeniable, strange, warm feeling curling in her stomach. Her mind was operating so slowly that Regina felt she had just began to cover herself more effectively when Emma reappeared before her; holding two steaming cups of tea. Regina watched through hazy eyes as one mug was set on the coffee table before a firm hand was pushing on her feet, forcing them closer to her body to make space on the end of the sofa which Emma promptly filled.

"Sit up," Emma spoke gently, her hand pressing on Regina's back encouragingly. The brunette reluctantly followed the instruction, making sure to add a disapproving stare to her expression and Emma only chuckled in response.

Regina's disdain was short-lived, as sitting upright caused her head to feel oddly dizzy and heavy. She stayed still, urging the sensation to pass. As soon as she the feeling sufficiently ebbed, Emma slowly placed a mug into her hands. Emma may have tried to be subtle by watching Regina closely from the corner of her eye, but Regina could feel Emma analyse each movement as she sipped her own tea.

"It's got honey and lemon in it," Emma said encouragingly as she blew steam from her mug, "it should help." Regina nodded glumly but her lips quirked up just slightly at the gesture.

"Thank you, Emma," Regina spoke, trying to convey her genuine appreciation in the three simple words. The woman beside her just smiled in response. They sat that way for a while, each leaning against an arm of the sofa, quietly sipping tea. Regina used the time to concentrate on suppressing the throbbing in her head and body, trying in vain to will herself well again by thought alone. A deep shiver sprang up her back and Regina pulled the blanket more firmly around her knees before a hand appeared against her forehead.

"What do you think you're doing?" Regina coughed, pulling her head back to dodge the hand pressing against it. The tingling she got from just the slightest contact from the blonde was disconcerting and difficult enough to quash when she was well, let alone now when she felt more than ever the urge to just sink into the blonde's strong arms and let go.

"Stay still and stop complaining," Emma scolded, re-affixing her hand upon Regina's clammy forehead, refusing to let her squirm away. "Where's your thermometer?"

"That won't be necessary." Regina shivered, her teeth chattering. Her whole body felt chilled and all she could think about was nuzzling herself under as many blankets as possible; the ridiculous notion of doing so with Emma briefly ran through her mind. Her fever was lowering her inhibitions exponentially. "You may go, Emma. Really, I don't have the energy to attempt the potion on the border today, so there's really no need for you to stay."

"I know there's no need," Emma said, rolling her eyes, "But I want to. You know it wouldn't kill you to let someone look out for you once in a while. We've been over this, I've got your back."

Regina's heart fluttered at the sentiment. It had been so long since somebody had wanted to take care of her other than their shared son. Regina always deflected Henry's efforts though; it resolutely was not his job to take on. Even as a child, Regina had been cared for by nannies and servants; people paid and obligated to undertake the duty. There had been no one that did so out of any sort of genuine affection. Her father had tried to show her love in her formative years, something that would have been so easy to grow accustomed to as she grew from a child to a young woman, but Cora's control had stopped her father's care barely before Regina had grown above his knee. She needed Regina to grow up strong and independent, that took precedence over everything. Combined, it made the attitude from Emma even harder to comprehend. Regina found herself searching for some hidden agenda, some reason to warrant the dedicated gesture.

"I need to grab you the thermometer and some Advil," Emma said, absently running her hand through Regina's hair. Regina was a little flushed by the action, but could not bring herself to put a stop to it. "So are you going to stop being a pain in the ass and tell me where you keep it?"

"You have no problem making yourself at home in my house, I'm surprised you haven't found the medicine cabinet yet. In the bathroom, you can't exactly miss it." Regina managed to get the words out before another coughing fit took her over. She felt a hand stroking smooth circles into her back as she hunched over. All too soon the soothing motion was gone as her coughs subsided and she felt the cushions shift as Emma stood from the sofa, telling her she was going to get the thermometer and not to go anywhere. Where it was the blonde thought she would be going was beyond her.

Regina knew she should use the brief respite and privacy to make herself more presentable, to put back on the mask of regal composure. Instead she listened to her body's call, blowing her nose before laying back down on the couch. She nestled under the covers, using her arm to shield the light from her eyes. Her mind wandered back to the exchange that just occurred. The blonde had broken through her defences. It seemed to have happened very slowly and all at once, but she couldn't deny that Emma was the one person beyond Henry she found herself truly being herself around; the barriers and walls, the masks she wore were all crumbling piece by piece. Emma being in her home, wandering around, helping herself to whatever she liked, as though it were her own. It felt natural.

Hearing the soft shuffle of Emma's socked feet on the carpet returning, Regina didn't even bother to lift the arm from her eyes, choosing instead to try to stay in the little ball of comfort she'd managed to find. As she heard the blonde nearing the couch, she felt her legs being lifted and the cushions dip as Emma sat down and placed her legs back, across her lap. Regina tensed a little at the more intimate contact, but as Emma's hand straightened the blanket, stroking her calf in the process, she felt her muscles relax and give in to the pleasurable feeling.

"Open," Emma ordered, Regina lifted her elbow, peeling half of her arm off her face and cracking open one eye to see herself faced with the thermometer which Emma was holding just inches from her.

"I think not," Regina mumbled, closing her eyes again and trying to ignore the aggravated huff from the end of the sofa. She knew she was sick, she didn't need the instrument confirming it for Emma.

"Just stick it in your mouth and I'll stop pestering you," Emma drummed the fingers of her free hand against Regina's leg causing a shiver to run up her body and goosebumps to pop onto her arms, doing nothing to convince the blonde that she was fine.

"I'll tell you where you can stick it." Regina tried to put threat behind the words, but even she could tell they came out more like a petulant child than evil queen. The rapidly declining ability to enunciate her consonants thanks to her blocked nose was not helping matters and she could already hear Emma trying to hold back a laugh. When she apprehensively ventured a look from under her arm, the blonde was indeed looking at her as though she were an adorable child. She wanted to roll her eyes but the pain in her head prevented it. If only to wipe the expression from Emma's face, Regina relented and swiped the thermometer from her, jamming it into her mouth with annoyance. The device's beep had barely registered in Regina's brain when Emma quickly removed it with gentle care.

"One hundred and three," Emma's eyebrows had shot up and Regina groaned at the numbers. Pills were promptly placed into her hand, and a glass of water presented to her. "You have one hell of a fever. Take those, then bed."

Swallowing down the pills, trying to ignore the shooting pain in her head at the action, Regina officially gave up trying to fight Emma on her demands. She simply didn't have the energy and sought the path of least resistance. She threw the blanket off herself, feeling the cold rush through her down to her bones. Shivering, she moved her legs tremulously to the floor, feeling the room spin as she shakily lifted herself to her feet. Her vision swirled as a wave of dizziness washed over her. She felt hands grab around her waist and tensed biceps folding around her.

"Hey, I've got you. You okay?"

Regina could only manage a stoic nod, allowing Emma's hold to keep her upright. Once she felt she could stand unassisted, she tried to slip from Emma's grasp, though Emma refused to completely let go. Slowly, one step at a time they moved together to through the house. She was glad the blonde hadn't suggested 'poofing' up the stairs; the sensation of teleporting would be overwhelming to her current sensitive state. All planned protests to rid herself of the blonde to look after herself slipped away as she felt her legs wobble.

They had only ascended three stairs when Regina's vision dimmed, black spots flickering across her eyes as her legs shook dangerously beneath her. Within barely a second, Emma had wrapped herself more securely around her, taking on her weight and sparing a hand to briefly sweep stray hair from Regina's eyes to check how alert she was. Regina was thankful for the security, knowing if it wasn't for Emma she wouldn't have been able to make it up to her room. She tried to take her own weight, to move independently, but after failing twice she allowed Emma to half lift, half support her the rest of the way.

Arriving in the bedroom, Regina could feel Emma's soft pants against the back of her neck, the effort of holding most of her weight as they'd negotiated the stairs had exerted the blonde and despite her fitness, her breaths were still heavy. Regina felt goosebumps rise along her spine and she closed her eyes, leaning back into Emma's chest, knowing she could pass off the motion as fevered exhaustion, and certainly that was part of it. But she had to bite back a moan at the feeling of Emma's supple chest pressed into her back, her strong arms wrapped completely around her and warm breath still tickling the nape of her neck. If she had been more in control of her faculties, Regina would have felt ashamed and guilty at the move, but in her slight delirium she could do nothing but enjoy it and pray Emma would never let go.

"Come on, sit."

Regina didn't even bother to open her eyes just allowed herself to be maneuvered, letting Emma have full control over her. She let herself be turned and felt the back of her knees hit the bed. Regina became vaguely aware of Emma rustling around her room, drawers opening and closing, only to feel the bed sink next to her, feeling Emma's hip against hers.

"Let's get you changed and under the covers," Emma said as she purposefully spoke at lower register. Regina groaned at the prospect, knowing she'd have to open her eyes. Blinking blearily she could make out the wobbly silhouette of the woman next to her, the blonde hair feeling too bright for her throbbing head.

"Do you want to try, or should I help?"

This was a dangerous situation. All Regina wanted to do was lie down in as many blankets as humanly possible and close her eyes; that goal was her sole focus. She barely acknowledged that she wasn't alone when she lay back, eyes closed and fumbled at the side of her skirt for the zip. Managing to rid herself of the skirt and tights after much wriggling, she mindlessly reached out a hand, patting the bed around her in search of clothes to replace them. Cracking open an eye she propped herself on her elbows to see Emma's outstretched hand towards her, offering pyjamas. The blonde had turned away slightly to protect Regina's modesty and if she didn't know better she could have sworn there was a new flush of colour painted across the woman's cheeks. The thought alone tingled at her heart. After a little twisting and huffing and some unacknowledged assistance from Emma, Regina was soon settled in pyjamas and in bed, clutching the thick duvet firmly around her, feebly trying to resist Emma pulling it off.

"Regina, you're burning up. You can have the blanket to your waist. No higher or your fever is going to land you in hospital." Regina wasn't sure, but she interpreted Emma's tone as one of worry.

Regina began to slumber as she melted into the comfort below her, only to be viciously taken out of her reverie as a wet cloth seemingly splattered onto her forehead. She could just make out Emma perched on the edge of the bed, as she felt the blonde wipe her forehead and neck, increasing the relief from the coolness the wet cloth provided. Before she could think on the situation any further, she felt herself drifting, only aware of the lingering shivers pulsing through her flesh.

Regina had no way of knowing how much time had passed before she felt herself stirring, her head pounding angrily and her whole body aching like she'd spent the last month in battle. She blinked once, twice and then registered the soft motions of a hand stroking her hair, the same cold, wet feeling still being moved around her neck and cheeks. She closed her eyes, the sunlight filtering through the windows too much to handle.

"Regina, you have to wake up for a little bit," Emma said in a volume barely above a whisper. The light through the window was no longer piercing gold but a dusky grey as Regina took in her surroundings, still trapped between feverish sleep and consciousness. Turning her head she was greeted by the sight of a loaded tray, being held precariously in Emma's hands.

She sluggishly shuffled herself over to make room for Emma who promptly sat in the vacated space and placed the tray on Regina's lap when she finally sat up. The movement had once again caused wracking coughs that shook her.. Emma instinctively reacted, rubbing circles into the brunette's back as she held the tray, desperate for the contents to not spill and scold. As Regina breathing finally calmed to something close to normalcy, her eyes opened and processed the tray. It carried a perfect selection for the infirm; a glass of water sat next to two pills, a small plate carrying two slices of dry toast and a bowl of soup that, from what Regina could work out, was some variety of vegetable. She looked sideways at the woman next to her. Emma was biting her lip and looking oddly nervous. Regina tried to place why, but her brain was barely functioning enough to take in basic visuals, let alone emotional meaning.

"Take the pills and drink. Google says you need to keep your fluids up," Emma helpfully suggested. As Regina nodded despite the protestation of her aching head, she took the pills and tried to drink, Emma kept babbling nervously.

"…And I made you soup. And some toast. I didn't know what you'd feel able to eat, so I made both." Regina gulped down mouthfuls of water, shivering at the cool liquid.

"I don't really know how to do this."

Regina barely heard the words, they were uttered so quietly. Through her haze she finally began to understand Emma's anxiety and the realisation hit her like a tonne of bricks. Of course Emma didn't know how to take care of someone when they were sick, because there had never been anyone to do it for her; to show her how. The loneliness of the woman's past made tears sting in the corners of Regina's eyes. She didn't know what to say. Her flu fogged brain impeded any rational thought, so Regina did the only thing she could think of to comfort the blonde in return and lay her head to her side, letting it fall on Emma's shoulder.

"Thank you." Regina said appreciatively as Emma's arm wrapped around her shoulder, tightly enough to squeeze her upper arm. It was Emma's way of reciprocating the gesture.

Reluctantly, Regina removed her head and her temperature was once again taken by slight force before she could focus on eating the soup Emma had brought. Emma frowned as Regina hadn't shown any signs of improvement despite the medication. Slowly though, Regina methodically ate the soup, pleasing the blonde who played on her phone to give Regina feigned privacy, even though they were still touching. Once Regina had eaten as much of the soup as she could, she quickly fell back into her dreamless sleep.

The darkness seeping through the room was kept at bay by a single lamp when Regina next woke. She reached for the bedside table, trying to reach the glass of water waiting for her there, but her movement was impeded by something solid on her arm. Looking over, she saw the cause of her entrapment, and it was softly snoring, arm clasping Regina's protectively. Emma. She no longer needed water, just enough consciousness so she could stare before falling back to slumber, laying her head against blonde hair.

Total darkness greeted Regina as she woke shivering at some early hour before dawn had broken. Fever taking greater hold, her body quaked in chills. Hiking the blanket closer to her chest, she looked to her side, where her body found the most warmth. Emma was laid fully against the length of her body, fast asleep, but never losing contact. Emma looked peaceful, headphones in her ears, as she hugged a small white stuffed dog. Emma had stayed all day, into the night. Regina finally accepted that she wasn't alone as shifted slightly into the blonde's body. With their breathing synchronized, Regina slept once more, dreaming of the saviour.

The next sixteen hours passed in a flurry of repetitive actions for Regina; waking to trays being brought to her, gulping down pills and water, her forehead cooled with damp cloths filling the small gaps between sleep. As her fever began to clear Regina became aware of the one constant through the whole weekend, Emma. She was there caring for her, stroking her hair, dozing open mouthed by her side. She never left.


Monday afternoon found Regina in her office at town hall. She still felt awful, the flu proving harder to shake than she would like. After an entire weekend spent in bed, Regina had refused to lose any more of her time to recuperation. Emma had fought her on the move, but relented when she realised Regina was no longer reliant on her.

Flicking through files, Regina was mentally counting down the hours until she could go home and retire back into her bed; Emma had been right, she was still drained. She found her mind drifting strangely to the fragmented memories she had from past forty-eight hours. Despite how miserable she had felt, there was a strange enjoyment in it too. Curled up, safe. Being cared for by Emma. Regina's mind dwelled on those shared moments.

The unceremonious crash of the door opening caused Regina to flick her head upwards toward the noise. The only person brazen enough to burst into her office in such a way was Emma, so Regina was shocked when it wasn't the blonde she was faced with.

"Would you like to try that entrance again?" Regina bit out. "You do still have one good hand, so knocking is surely not beyond you."

"Save it, your Majesty."

Regina scowled at the venom lacing the pirate's tone. It crossed her mind to throw him from her office there and then, but of course, as the man Emma loved, the blonde would probably hold the action against her. He would have to more than bodily harm to a door for such retaliation to be acceptable. Regina, therefore, simply straightened her back and leant casually back into her chair, letting her elbows fall to the arms. The actions combined to give off an air of superiority, despite the warring emotions and exhaustion twisting in her stomach.

"I'm here to talk about Emma."

"Has something happened? Is she alright?"

As much as Regina would rather ignore the excuse for a man before her, she felt her attention piqued by the mention of Emma.

"She's coping, no thanks to you," Hook snarled, his lip curling.

"Excuse me? What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Regina only barely restrained herself from reacting to the accusation. Instead she gave a cool, emotionless response; a twitch in her fingers, nails turning white, the only tell of how the statement had affected her. She wracked her brain for the source of Hook's words, coming up blank as to how she was being blamed and what exactly for. Regina bristled and quashed down the feeling. Emma was Henry's mother, she was family. Though it was true that she had once tried to poison and curse the woman, that was ancient history. They protected each other, fought for each other, risked their lives for each other, they were family. She couldn't be the reason Emma was struggling.

"She was the dark one or have you forgotten that? She took in the darkness and almost lost herself to it because of you." Killian's hook flailed as he spat the words toward Regina.

Regina was lost. What did Emma having been the dark one have to do with anything? As if she could forget it. The fact that Emma sacrificed herself, gave her life willingly for her wasn't something she could or would ever forget. The guilt and the gratitude was permanently etched into her mind and her heart.

"I am well aware of the past. Why is it you insist on dragging it up?" Regina responded cooly.

"Because the way you're making Emma use magic, it seems like you've forgotten"

She looked at the man shooting daggers at her and felt every alarm in her head telling her to shield herself. She didn't trust him. She didn't understand why Emma, and others, did.

"She's the saviour, the town needs her. That isn't my choice, it's the reality we are faced with."

Regina scowled. If there was anyone in the town who viewed Emma as more than just the saviour, it was her. How many times had everyone else, her parents, the pirate himself, even their own son, told Emma it was her duty to help, to be the saviour for them all, that it was her destiny. The two of them were working together; now she stood by Emma's side to try to be a hero with her rather than the villain she was battling. Of course that would make it a problem for Killian.

The pirate suddenly loomed over the desk, hand against the wood, invading Regina's space.

"So, she needs to be making potions, fixing every breach of the town line? You could easily handle it on your own, but you force her to assist you, to push herself to the edge." Killian's sarcasm laced every word. Regina refused to cower back from his assault, refused to give any ground, so the pirate pressed. "She is pushing herself, draining herself to try to impress you. To make you happy and you let her."

Emma tries to impress me? Regina had to catch herself at those words, it was jolting to hear them spoken. She had an inkling of Emma's need to meet expectations, to please everyone. Regina was certain this desire was a lingering result of her childhood, of never been good enough, never even being seen. It stung Regina though, that she might be evoking such strong emotions from the blonde unintentionally. If she could she would hold Emma until she saw that wasn't true. A slow blink as she reined herself in was all Regina allowed, but she could feel her resolve slipping, she could feel Hook's words getting under her skin. He was wrong though, if there was one thing she believed in, it was the strength and independence of Emma Swan. She wouldn't betray their friendship by engaging in idle chatter with Killian. Reaching for her pen on the desk, Regina looked back to her files.

"She's not a child," Regina sighed, "nor is she my property or anyone else's. She is quite capable of making her own decisions. If you have concerns, you should be taking them up with her, not me. Now if you don't mind, I have work to do. Not all of us can sponge off the saviour."

The final cutting remark obviously angered the man across the desk who slammed his hand onto the wood and spat his words at Regina.

"She fought with everything she had to come back from the darkness, she almost destroyed herself." Hook shouted, as he began to pace back and forth in front of the desk, "Do you think she's suddenly over that? That you can just pick up and forget it ever happened? Because she hasn't. You keep letting her use her magic every time you click your fingers and you will push her over the edge. I will not let you do that to the woman I love. I won't lose her again."

As Hook's finger jabbed aggressively toward her, Regina's control over her body snapped and she jolted to her feet.

"In case you have forgotten, Emma held the darkness at bay, she never gave in to it, you confuse your weakness for hers." She shook her head at him in disappointment. "And whilst you were wallowing in your own self-pity, down in the underworld she used everything she had to save you. So, if anyone has benefited from the saviour's over exertion, I believe you need to look a little closer to home." She fought to hold back her anger that incited the darkness bubbling within her, calling her to grab his heart, to make the man bend and cower before her. She folded her arms tightly over her chest to subdue the urge. Settling on pity for the man's oblivious ignorance seemed safer. Trusting Emma, trusting the honesty of their friendship, using that to stay in the light. That was safer. "Your melodrama does you no favours. I know and trust Emma. If she were in any danger, she would tell me. You underestimate me. You underestimate her."

"Really your Majesty, you think she would come to you?" Hook scoffed, and Regina felt her insides sink. "I'm her true love, I see into her in ways you will never know. Emma isn't honest with you. She tortures herself to help you out of guilt."

Those words bit deeply into Regina, like claws ripping into her flesh. She tried to hide the tremble in her voice, not willing to show any weakness, nor give Hook the satisfaction.

"What?"

"The Evil Queen and her god damned happy ending," Hook roared.

"My happiness is no concern of yours."

"No, but you've made it Emma's and she is my concern." Regina didn't like how calm was beginning to seep into Hook's features. It unsettled her as his voice softened. "She needs time and space. Being around you, all weekend no less, is destroying her"

"I never asked her to stay," Regina assured defensively.

"You don't have to. She blames herself for you losing Robin. She knows you're alone now, so she's there for you out of guilt. She has to keep you company because she promised you your happy ending."

"I don't want or need her pity," Regina spat, her insides squirming as she swallowed a lump in her throat at the idea that Emma only spending time with her out of obligation, her savior complex governing. In that moment, she physically hated Hook. Hated him for throwing these words at her and bringing up these feelings. Hated him for having Emma when all she had was emptiness and a friendship that she now questioned. If anything Hook was saying was true, their relationship wasn't what she thought it was.

"Then stop accepting it. Because Emma won't stop trying, running herself into the ground because you've made her feel it's her duty. Let her live her life. What happened to Robin wasn't her fault. How long are you going to let her grovel to you for it?"

"I don't blame Emma for what happened." It wasn't a lie. Regina had never correlated Robin's death to Emma's actions.

"Then tell her that and then she won't feel the need to babysit you." Hook sought and held eye-contact, ensuring Regina fully absorbed these words.

"You need to leave." Regina could feel her hands shaking as she clenched them out of sight. Tiny sparks of magic clung to her fingertips and spat into her palms. Jaw set, Regina could feel the battle raging within herself. The need to lash out to stop this feeling of wanting to break. Not now, not in front of him.

"Emma doesn't need you right now. She needs to be free, to be loved, to know she is everything. She was finally letting herself be happy. But being around you, it takes that from her. Are you really still so bitter, so...evil, that you will keep Emma from her happy ending, just because you've lost yours?" Hook continued to press. He could see the effect his words were having. Regina's masquerade wasn't holding.

"Get out." The anger flowed through the two words as Hook's simple mention of 'evil' had hit a nerve deep within Regina.

"Stop hurting her. Give her space to heal from the darkness. Let me take care of the woman I love. Let her be happy. With me."

Regina could only breathe when she was finally alone, relieved she hadn't had to physically remove Hook from the room. Shaky breaths did nothing to calm the whirlwind of thoughts spinning through her mind. Regina gradually lowered herself back into her chair as she contemplated the pirate's hurtful words. Was it possible that Emma had been pretending since they returned from the underworld? Was her guilt the only reason they had this comforting routine? A weekly "take-out" night, family dinners, the domesticity had felt so real. But now it felt more like betrayal, a pitying lie. Was that why Emma had cared for her, cared about her?

Her head fell to her hands as she tried to process all that had been thrown at her. She tried to be strong, but the thought that she was denying Emma her happiness overcame her mindful desires and a few tears escaped her closed eyes. Her sadness for her friendship's foundation was once again replaced with rage towards Hook; her rage at feeling lied to and being betrayed, her rage that once again she was alone. Villains don't get happy endings. Frustrated, she picked up an ornament on her desk and heaved it in the direction the still open door. As it crashed to the ground, shattering, the sound mirrored that of Regina's heart.


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A/N: This was a really tricky chapter to write for me. No idea if the emotion comes across at all. Please let me know? :)