A.N I just would like to thank everyone for the reviews that have been coming in. I'm glad you guys are enjoying this as much as I am writing this. I am sorry for such a delay in the update, I had been sick and very busy with my job. Please do keep reviewing, you guys inspire me to do my best with this story. I'm not sure as to how long this will go, but I do know that there is a lot that is going to be happening within the next chapter or so. Once again I do not own Once nor any characters. This is just for my entertainment. Thanks! =]

Emma moved across the study and sat on the sofa in front of the fire place. Regina handed her a glass of cider and sat across from her with her own glass.

"So where do you want to start? I mean I know you must have a lot of questions you would like to ask me." Emma said nervously holding on to her glass with both hands and her elbows resting on her knees.

"I do have a lot of questions, that's for sure." Regina paused while taking a sip from her glass. "Why did you leave without saying anything? And why for so long?"

Emma sighed, she knew this was coming. But she didn't think that she would be explaining about that now. "I was actually on active military, I had just came home from doing a year tour in Iraq. I came here to visit Ruby and Granny. That's when we met. You sparked something inside of me that I didn't know was there anymore. You made me feel normal, I was drawn to you. In the span of the four weeks we were able to spend together, I had forgotten about my military life. I didn't watch the news like I normally did, to keep updated with the war, because I was more worried about spending time with you." She paused taking another drink of cider allowing it slowly down her throat. "I am...was a Marine, the war took a turn for the worse and I got called back to duty. I did leave a letter for you, and I meant every word, but I left out the fact that I was a Marine because I didn't want you to worry about me."

Regina, now speechless, looked at her with wide eyes.

"Yeah I know stupid right?" Emma said looking down at the amber liquid in her glass and shook her head. Regina, still speechless, got up from her seat walked over and sat next to Emma. She placed her glass on the coffee table that sat between them, than turned to Emma and slapped her across the face.

"OUCH! Wh...what was that for? Not saying I don't deserve it, because I know i did." Emma said as she rubbed the side of her face.

"That, Ms. Swan, was for lying to me in that letter." Regina replied "And this is for making back home safe."

Regina took Emma's face in both her hands and kissed her. Emma melted into the kiss, it becoming more passionate by the second. Lips upon kiss swollen lips, tongues fighting for dominance, hands roaming wherever they wanted. Regina breaking away first both breathing heavily as their foreheads touched.

"I missed you every day, and I am sorry that i couldn't write to you. I wanted to, I really did, but it was bad over there. So bad." Emma said as a tear ran down her cheek. "The...the things I saw over there Regina..." She paused and looked Regina in the eyes as the tears filled own, "No one should see that."

Regina moved closer to Emma and wrapped her arms around her.

"I'm so sorry dear. I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that." Regina said trying to sooth the blonde by rubbing her back with Emma's head on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry? You shouldn't be. I'm the one who kept you in the dark about things. I like you Regina, like a lot." She said as she sat up and looked at her as she dried her eyes, gulping down the rest of the cider she had in her glass. "I came here to tell you everything, that's what i intend to do. I was deployed back to Iraq, I was a Gunny Sargent, I was in charge of my own team and tank. We got hit by a RPG and was flipped. I lost four of my brothers that day. I was taken hostage and beaten for months until another team came and got me out of there. It took them about 6 months to find where I was taken to. I worried about Henry, Ruby, and you. I begged and pleaded for just one more chance to see you, Henry, and Ruby. Every moment i was awake I begged." Emma cried, with her head in her hands. It truly was breaking Regina's heart to see Emma like this. She gathered Emma in her arms once again, and tried her best to sooth the woman as much as she could.

The storm outside started to get worse again, the rain coming down much harder than before.

"Emma.." Regina whispered, as Emma lifted her head from her hands. "The storm is getting much worse. I think you should stay here, since we both had been drinking." Emma knew Regina was right and that it was best if she slept it off at her house. They both have had too much to drink, between The Rabbit Hole, and the cider they were drinking now. And with how emotional Emma was, Regina knew she didn't want to be alone.

"I have one request if that's okay." Emma said in between sniffles

"Of course dear, what is it?" Regina asked

"Please don't let me sleep alone tonight. I don't want to be alone." Emma said while wiping away her tears.

Regina gave her a soft, loving smile. "Of course dear, You can sleep next to me in my bed. Sound good?"

"Yeah that sounds good." Emma said as she was finally calming down

"I think we have had our fill of cider for tonight. Let me put this away and we can go lay down if you like." Regina said as she stood up and grabbed the cider and empty glasses. She placed the cider back from where she got it from as Emma stood up and followed Regina out of the study. They made their way up the stairs and towards Regina's room. Once they reached the top of the stairs, there was a bright flash of light and milliseconds after a loud, ear piercing crack of thunder rumbled across the sky. They both jumped and covered their ears at the sound. The storm seemed like it was only getting worse and worse by the second.

"I think I should text Ruby and let her know that I'm staying here tonight." Emma said shyly, to which Regina nodded in agreement. So she took out her phone and quickly sent a text to Ruby. Seconds later her phone buzzed with a reply from Ruby stating that it was a good plan, and not to worry about Henry, because Ruby was already watching him. It was moments like this that Emma loved her best friend. She was always one step ahead of her when it came to Henry.

Once they reached the bedroom door Regina turned to Emma and said, "There is a spear toothbrush in the top right drawer, feel free to use whatever you need." A smile spreading across her face, as another crack of thunder shook the house, seconds later the power went out. Leaving both of them in the dark. Emma took her phone back out and turned on the flash light she had on it.

"Here this should help us see, do you have and candles?" She asked

"I do they are down stairs though, do you mind joining me so i can see where I am going?" Regina asked

"Sure, not a problem. I would feel weird to just be sitting in your room anyways. You know I don't see you being the type who wears tank's and sweat pants." She said as she finally realized what she was wearing.

"Well I don't wear them often, but every now and than on Sunday's I do like to relax and watch TV or movies. I would never wear them outside the house though." Regina replied smiling as she reached the bottom step and started towards the kitchen.

"I would love to see you wear this, even if just once." Emma smiled

"Oh you would? And why is that?" Regina asked

"Because I'm sure you would look hot as hell in it." Emma said as she reached the kitchen. Regina just laughed as she walked over to the cabinets by the fridge and pulled out two candles.

"And what makes you think that dear?" She teased

"Because I find that nothing is more sexier than a woman in nothing but a tank top, and sweats, there's just something about it that drives me crazy."

"Is that so?" Regina asked, raising her eyebrow as she walked over to where Emma was standing by the island counter.

"Oh it totally does." Emma replied

"Noted" was all Regina said as she looked in one of the drawers for a lighter. When she found one she lit both candles and Emma turned off her flash light on her phone. They made their way back up the stairs, Emma following Regina who held both candles in her hands. The smell of vanilla filling the air and her senses. They walked into the bedroom, Regina placing a candle in the bathroom so Emma could see while she was in there. She than made her way to the side of the bed she normally slept on and placed her candle on her side table. She waited until Emma was finished in the bathroom before going in there herself and changed for bed. Most nights Regina slept naked, she loved the feel of her silk sheets against her skin. So tonight she decided on a tank top and short shorts. She rubbed her body in lotion, as she did every night, than she blew out the candle before leaving the bathroom. Emma sat there on the edge of the bed so deep in thought. Regina made her way over to Emma and sat next to her.

"Are you are darling?" She asked placing a hand on Emma's leg.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just never thought that I would be here with you again." Emma said as a lump formed in her throat.

Regina moved to kneel in front of her, "Hey, hey, hey now." She placed both her hands on Emma's legs, "It's okay now, you are here with me. You are back home, there's no need to worry." She said rubbing her hands over Emma's legs.

With the alcohol still fully running though their systems Regina knew she needed to lay Emma down before she got to deep in her thoughts.

"Here lets get you to lay down. You need to rest dear." She said as she moved Emma back on the bed, and placed the covers over her.

She turned to talk to her side of the bed, but was stopped by Emma's hand on her wrist. She turned to face Emma, "Hold me?" was all she heard. A voice she knew was Emma's, but sounded nothing like her. She smiled and bent over to kiss her forehead.

"Of course, whatever you need I'm here." She whispered to her.

She walked over to her side of the bed, blew out the candle that was still lit and climbed under the covers. Emma moved closer to her as she wrapped both arms around her.

"I don't know what it is, but I feel at home in your arms Regina." Emma said

"Well I guess it's only right, because I feel whole when I'm in yours." She replied

"Regina..."

"Shh, you need your rest Emma." Regina cut her off and gave her a little squeeze. "We will talk again later okay?"

"Okay, goodnight Regina." Emma yawned

"Goodnight Emma, sweet dreams dear."

Regina laid there, holding onto Emma until she was sure she was asleep. She never did move or let go of her. She thought about all of what Emma had said to her. Her mind was racing, so many questions, so many thoughts. But all she knew for sure was she never wanted to loose her ever again. She wanted to be there for her, to help her, to be with her. She wanted Emma Swan, and of course Henry as well, to be in her life forever. She was just about to fall asleep, when Emma started twitching. Regina held her closer and tighter, figuring it was only a bad dream, and that it would be over quickly. But she was wrong.

Emma started screaming in her sleep.