Chapter 4

The group - consisting of the two demigods, a queen, five soldiers, and a god - trudged up the steep stony mountain. It was hot and there weren't anything around to offer shade. If they were not on their way to Tartarus, Emma Swan would have joked about dropping by a tavern first to have a drink.

She chuckled inwardly and then thought of her son. I will see you soon, Henry.

Regina felt a slight tremor go through her companion's body and turned to see what's happening. Emma was smiling. And then Emma's face turned to being concerned then resolute.

The queen wanted to reach out and ask the hero what she's thinking about. She wanted to thank her for helping her again. Well, not her per se but she'll be among those saved if they succeed.

Their boat trip was filled with lingering gazes when they thought the other one was not looking. The queen tried to be discreet. After all, she is queen and giggling or blushing like a pre-teen over a crush is not something she wanted her soldiers to see. Not that she has a crush on Emma. It's definitely more than that but she's not sure if it's love. Maybe it is. Maybe it's not. Maybe if they survive this, she can explore what exactly it was that she felt for the other woman.

Yes, she tried to be discreet but sometimes she finds herself caught by Killian who would smirk at her knowingly, and also by Emma who would then give her a shy smile before turning or walking away. It's probably a demigod thing, being highly sensitive about what's going on around you.

There were also touches but more from Emma's side. She hardly needs support but Regina never stopped her from holding her hand when they go down the stairs made slippery by the ocean water. She also tried not to show how the slight touch of the demigod's fingers on her back, the brushing of their shoulders when they sit side-by-side or their fingers when Emma handed her a plate or a glass of drink thrill her.

Whenever they were alone, which was rare - in the planning room or the hallway - they never talked about their past. They only talked about strategies or about other people.

Emma once asked her how she finds being queen. It was last night after dinner and they were sitting together watching the soldiers dance and play while Marco taught Killian how to read the map of Tartarus. The map was made of wood and levers and the demigod probably found it too confusing because Marco suddenly hit the latter's head seemingly in frustration. Once she was able to stop from laughing, Regina answered the question. She said that being queen was challenging and sometimes stressful but most definitely fulfilling when she sees her people not merely surviving but living. Happily living.

Regina was still looking at her soldiers when she answered so when there was no reaction from Emma, she turned to face her. Emma was looking at her.

"Emma?" Regina asked. That's when she realized that Emma must not have noticed she was staring because it took a moment for her to react. She watched the demigod shake her head and look away.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Emma cleared her throat. "For staring."

"That's hardly a crime." Regina smiled when Emma looked at her again. "And I'm used to being stared at, being a queen and all." Then in a moment of weakness, yes it was weakness because she never flirts, she added. "And I like it when you look at me."

She watched the furious blush that suddenly appeared on Emma's face and decided to take pity on her lest she become too uncomfortable and leave. She might not get a chance to do this again with Emma. So she changed topics and asked about her son.

Regina was mesmerized at how brightly Emma's eyes lit up as she regaled her with stories of Henry. She learned that Henry is turning eleven soon. She imagined Emma nursing a baby and humming, or singing a lullaby to put him to sleep. Emma said that he's a quiet boy and hardworking and that she's teaching him how to fight with a sword. She imagined a little sword being held by little hands flipping and swiping against Emma's own sword, which would also be wooden. She imagined a little boy getting frustrated because he cannot even come near her mother and Emma would then swoop in and tickle him to the ground. The smile would turn to laughter and they would only stop when tears begin to form on both their eyes. Or when Regina comes out of the hut with a tray of water and a smile for her two loves.

That last thought shook her and she felt a tiny ache in her chest. Emma was a fierce warrior, she's seen that, and seems like a gentle mother. She wondered how she would be as a lover. The ache in her chest grew and she absently rubbed on it.

"Hey, are you okay?" Emma was looking at her with concern and her eyes shifted from her face to the hand in her chest. Or her chest. She didn't mind the latter.

She put down her hand on her side and felt her pinkie finger falling atop another finger. Regina was glad that their hands were not in view of the others because Emma moved hers until it was palm up and Regina moved hers fully atop it. She could feel the callous and the scars and she traced one particularly long gash along the length of Emma's palm.

"Cetus." Emma answered her unspoken question and she remembered that when her hero kissed her hand as farewell that night many years ago, it was with a bandaged hand.

Regina had wanted to kiss her palm at that moment. She wanted to kiss every scar that Emma had in her body because every scar was a testament to how beautiful Emma Swan was inside. She would not wish the scar away because it made Emma Swan the way she was and Regina would not have it any other way.

She wanted to kiss Emma Swan.

But it wasn't the time.

So Regina intertwined their fingers and Emma must have understood because she gave her fingers a squeeze before sitting back more comfortably and looking at the sea and the stars. And they sat in silence, not needing any more words that night, until it was time to go to sleep.

"We're almost there."

Emma Swan looked ahead and saw the stack of rocks which Marco was pointing at. She would have cheered and possibly fist-bumped the queen if it was any other place. She looked at the queen walking beside her. She had wanted to ask her if she was okay because she heard her sigh several times during their trek up.

Emma remembered the past few days. She looked back at the soldiers behind them, looked ahead at Killian talking with Marco, and then at the woman beside her. Emma remembered last night as the two of them talked and held hands under the sky. She wanted to say something, anything that would give the queen a glimpse of what was going on in her heart.

Emma felt that she was not alone in her feelings but it has been years since they last saw each other. They were not able to spend much time together - they were introduced, a warrior to a princess, then she was fighting a sea monster to protect her, and then they were saying goodbye – but in those few occasions, they had… moments.

At first, she just assumed that it was war that made her feel things about the then princess but every once in a while, she found herself remembering those days and yearning for another chance; even just one day to see Regina once again.

Now she had almost five days with her and they are probably walking to their deaths. Emma only wished for a day but now she found herself wanting an eternity.

Maybe if they survive, she'll ask her mother if she could ask for immortality as a reward. Immortality for her, Regina and Henry.

But she's getting ahead of herself. She had to know first if they were on the same page. Seeing the door to Tartarus looming in the near distance, Emma came to a decision. It's now or never, Swan. She took a deep breath.

"My Queen, Regina, I -"

Regina turned to look at her at the same time Marco ran towards the rocks. The queen looked at her questioningly but Emma had lost her nerve. Emma offered a smile. "Looks like we're here." Then she walked towards Marco and Killian to check the door.

"I need a moment to open the door." Marco touched the door with both hands and became silent.

"Any day now, old man." Killian joked, trying to mask the anxiety he was feeling. He was a thief, a former pirate. He was not a hero like his fellow demigod. Who would have thought that someday, he will spend time with The Emma Swan, a queen, and soldiers without being put in prison. Fun times. He chuckled.

As he let his eyes wander over his companions, he saw one soldier murmuring - bowed head, eyes closed, and clasped something in her right hand. Killian squinted and saw that the object was a wooden horse. His eyes widened with realization and shouted, "No, stop that!"

Everyone turned to look at him as he ran towards the soldier and slapped the object from her hands. He grabbed the woman by her shoulder. "What were you thinking!"

The other soldiers ran towards their comrade, their swords drawn. It was Regina who spoke.

"No. Killian is right." She pointed to the horse on the ground. "She was praying."

The moment it dawned on the rest what pushed Killian's buttons, was the moment a green puff of smoke appeared on the side and a voice spoke from within.

"Fortunately for me." The smoke cleared and Zelena took a step forward. "It's been so long, Emma Swan."

Emma drew her sword. "Where is my mother?"

Instead of answering, Zelena looked at the soldiers. "I'm almost insulted that you only brought a few soldiers. Killing you all will be easy." She looked at the queen.

Emma took a step towards the queen intent on protecting her but stopped as she caught herself. It would not do to show the god of war a weakness. But it was too late.

"My, my, my, definitely interesting. Maybe I will spare you," Zelena pointed to Regina, "and let Emma watch me torture you very slowly. Before I kill her."

"If there will be anyone tortured, it would be you Zelena." Marco said while continuing to open the door.

"Well old man, maybe I'll start with you."

Zelena transported herself near the other god but Emma had read her plan and was just in time to deflect the sword as it was coming down on the crouched body of Marco. The others watched while the goddess and demigod fought and slashed at each other with swords. After a while, one soldier tried to catch Zelena from behind but the goddess of war moved to the side and with a swipe of her hand not holding the sword, sent him flying. He dropped on a pile of rocks where he hit his head.

"Puny mortals, you don't stand a chance against me!" The four other soldiers, incensed with the death of their comrade, charged towards Zelena. The goddess kicked Emma and caught her by the stomach which sent the latter stumbling on her back.

Emma tried to stand up immediately only to falter from the pain on her leg. Looking down she saw blood trickling her right. The queen helped her up. Seeing that there were only two remaining soldiers still fighting with the goddess, Emma pushed Regina towards Marco and Killian who were smiling with glee as they watched the door to Tartarus slowly opening. "Go!"

The queen removed the arm pushing her. "No! I will not leave you."

Before Emma could reply, Zelena was once again in front of her. "Ain't that sweet of her, demigod?" The goddess sneered and brought down the sword on the queen.

Once again, Emma was able to deflect the sword. She pushed at it and gave a kick. She heard Marco shout something and whatever he said was probably interesting enough because it caught Zelena's attention. This provided Emma the opportunity to swing down the sword once the goddess fell on her back. Emma and Zelena watched as the sword impaled the goddess by the right shoulder.

Emma would have finished off Zelena when she felt an urgent pull on her shirt and saw it was the queen tugging her towards the door. Killian was waving his hand.

"We need to go inside now!"

Emma nodded and they ran towards Marco and Killian.

"Go!" Marco urged.

When the two demigods and the queen were inside, Marco pushed the map of Tartarus to Killian. "Remember what I told you."

Emma, realizing that Marco was not coming with them, held on his arm. "You're not coming?"

Marco smiled. "I need to seal this door to make sure that Zelena will not be able to go through. She doesn't know this place so she will not be able to find you inside."

Emma wanted to argue but Zelena was already standing up and the door was already closing. She stepped back and looked at the old god. "Thank you."

"You can thank me when you beat them, Emma Swan."

Emma was able to nod before the door finally closed. They cannot hear what was happening outside but the hero had a feeling that it was the last time anybody will be seeing Marco.

It was a hand on her shoulder that shook her from her reverie. She looked behind her and saw Killian looking at her with eyes mirroring the sorrow in her own. "Come on Swan. We've got a titan to beat."

To be continued.