Hello readers. I'd like to *again* point out that (as stated in the description) this story is ANTI KILLIAN AND ANTI CS. If you don't like that, simply don't read it. Please don't give a "bad" review just because you don't like an anti Killian story (that you were warned about in the description and in the first chapter). Sorry…that just made me a wee bit upset. Anyway, here's February's installation.

Read~Enjoy~Review

Ch. 4

Emma was enjoying her time with Regina, just talking and laughing with her. Though her parents were amazing through all of this, she was glad to get out of the house for a while, glad to not constantly think about what had transpired and what was yet to come. However, that changed with Lilly and Mal came, as Emma expected it would.

"Emma! Oh Emma, how are you?" Lilly asked, coming over and hugging the blond gently. "I can't believe this. I can't believe I didn't know this was happening. I'm so sorry I'm such a shit friend, Emma."

Emma shook her head as she hugged Lilly back. "It's okay, Lil. It's not your fault. You're not a shit friend at all. I hid it, he made me hide it."

"Emma Swan do not go blaming yourself. I won't have that."

"Well, Lilly, I won't have you blaming yourself either." Emma gave her friend a look.

"Fine, then we'll blame who really is to blame. Killian." Lilly said, giving a nod. "You're taking him to court, right?"

Emma gave a nod. "I don't have much of a choice, honestly. It's what everyone wants."

Mal came over and put an arm around Emma, hugging her softly. "It's what you want, Emma, or you wouldn't be doing it. I know you and I know you're scared, but if you didn't want to do it, you wouldn't."

Emma couldn't argue with that. "You're right. I guess a part of me does want to see him punished, I'm just…the trial scares me."

Mal nodded her understanding. "I'm sure it does. Gold reached out to me to be a witness for the cuff that was on you. There's not much I can say about it other than you couldn't have done it yourself and how it drained you of more than your magic. But, if it helps, I want to do it. I also want to talk about how we found you. I know it's going to be hard, Emma, but it is what needs to be done." Maleficent looked at Regina. "This is when I wish we were in the old world. It would be so easy to just take him out."

Regina let out a laugh. "I agree. I've thought a lot about how good it would feel to crush his heart, believe me."

"So have I." Emma admitted quietly. "So many times, I had thought about it. Sometimes I wish I had done it. It would have been worth it."

Lilly put a hand on Emma's arm. "You're too good, Emma. That's why you didn't. That's not a bad thing."

Emma gave a shrug. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Yes, we can." Regina said as she put food on the table. "Let's eat."

Although Emma was enjoying her time, a few hours later, she felt exhausted. Her body was still healing, and it was starting to get sore again. She tried hiding a yawn but failed miserably."

"Would you like us to take you home?" Maleficent asked.

"No, I'll be okay, but thank you." Emma said as she sat back on the sofa. "I mean, if you don't mind me staying a little longer, Regina?"

"Of course, I don't. Let me see these two out and I'll be right back."

Emma hugged Mal and Lilly and then rest her head on the back of the sofa she was still sitting on. When Regina came back, she came and sat by Emma, taking in the deep bruises on her neck. It took all she had to not heal them.

"Emma? Did you bring your pain pills?"

"I didn't exactly have time, remember? Someone poofed me over here."

Regina chuckled. "That's right. Can I do what I did earlier for you and take the pain away?"

Emma licked her lips and turned her head to face Regina. "Please?"

Regina softly touched Emma's bruises and used her magic to temporarily take the pain away. Emma sighed as she felt it leave her body, her energy seemingly going with it. "Regina? Would it be rude of me to ask if I can stay here tonight? I'm just so tired, but I'm enjoying a chance of scenery."

"No, it's not rude at all. I have the guest room all set up actually. I've had it set up since you were in the hospital, just in case." She stood and reached for Emma's hand. "Come on. I'll get you all tucked in. Plus this way, you'll be here to spend time with Henry tomorrow."

Emma took Regina's hand and went up the stairs with her. "Is he coming home tonight?"

"No, but he'll be here in the morning."

"That's okay. I've been having nightmares and I don't want to scare him." Emma stated as she sat on the guest bed.

Regina frowned and sat down next to her. "Nightmares? About what happened?"

"That and about the trial." Emma sighed. "For some reason, it's also brought back memories of my past experiences and I have nightmares about that too."

"Emma, if you have any tonight, please call for me. I want to help you through it."

Emma sighed. "You'll know, Regina. I think I've been waking my parents up ever since I've been home. I don't mean to, but I can't keep quiet apparently."

"You don't have to be quiet. If you're having nightmares, you can't help it, Emma. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Emma shook her head. "I don't think so. Well, not for the nightmares, but do you have extra pajamas I could borrow? If my magic was cooperating, I'd get my own from my room at my parents, but it's not lately."

"That's because you're healing. It'll come back, Emma." Regina said as she stood. "I'll be right back."

Emma nodded and laid on top of the bed as she waited for Regina. The bed was soft and comfortable, and she found herself falling asleep before Regina came back in. She did, however, hear her and her eyes snapped open as the brunette used her magic to change her. "Thank you." She mumbled.

"You're welcome. You do know the bed is warmer if you go under the covers, right?" Regina asked with a smirk.

"Yes, I was just going to wait until you got back so I could change. I didn't know you'd do that for me." Emma said as she sat back up and shifted the covers. "Thank you so much for getting me out of the house today. I feel like I'm going to be thanking you for a lot in the days to come."

"You don't have to thank me for anything, Em. This is what friends do. Now, get some sleep. If you start feeling pain, please let me know." Regina stated as she tucked the covers up over Emma.

"Thank you, Regina." Emma stated, unable to keep her eyes open.

Regina turned the light off and left the door just a crack open before going into her own room.

Emma slept soundly and peacefully for a couple hours. Then, her dreams turned into a horrible nightmare and not only Killian, but foster parents from her past were coming after her. She felt hands around her neck and she tried to scream out and lash out and stop them.

"Emma…Emma honey, it's just me. Shh. I've got you, Emma. You're safe." Regina's voice broke through Emma's nightmares and she felt her arms around her. Regina softly rocked Emma as she held her tightly from behind. She whispered comforting words into the blonde's ear and was glad to feel her start to relax. "That's right, Emma. You're okay. You're safe." She cooed and felt Emma grip at her arms, holding them in place.

"Don't leave me." Emma whispered through her tears. "Stay with me, please."

"I'm not going anywhere, Emma. I've got you." Regina whispered back. She could feel Emma shaking and her heart broke for the blonde. She didn't know if Emma was scared or crying or both. "Emma, it's okay."

"No it's not okay!" Emma said, her anger coming through. "Why, Regina? Why? Why do people think it's okay to hurt me? What makes me less of a person than anyone else?" Emma sniffed and sat up, tears streaming down her face. "What made it okay for my foster parents to hurt me? What made it okay for Neal to use me, turn his back on me, and betray me? What made it okay for Killian to berate me, degrade me, abuse me, even rape me?" Emma finally was letting it all out and while it made Regina sad, she was also glad the blonde was letting it out.

"Nothing, Emma. Nothing makes any of that okay."

"I'm a person! I have feelings! I have emotions and a heart and soul." Emma let out between sobs. "What gave them the right to treat me like trash?"

Regina took Emma's hands. "Nothing, Emma. Nothing gave them that right. That's why you're fighting back. That's why you're going through with the trial. You're showing Killian that he had no right to do this to you, that he will not get away with it." Regina moved her hands to cup Emma's cheeks. "You can cry and yell all you want. I think it's good for you. However, you will not let them make you think you deserved it. Emma, you're right, they had no right. You are a person, a wonderful person. It's not your fault they refused to see that."

Emma was still crying, but not as angry anymore. She softly pulled away from Regina and hugged her knees to her chest. "I'm sorry I yelled at you." She said quietly as she lay her head on her knees.

"Emma, you have nothing to be sorry for. You were mad, scared, upset. I know you weren't yelling at me because you were mad at me. Emma, I'm here for you. Yell, scream, cry, hell, smash up everything in this room if it'll make you feel better." Regina reached over and ran her fingers through Emma's messy hair.

Emma looked at Regina and sighed. "I'm tired. I just want to sleep." She took Regina's hand. "Will you maybe just hold me? Just until I fall asleep?"

Regina nodded and laid down, waiting for Emma to lay down with her. With her back to Regina, Emma laid down and curled up. Regina wrapped her arms around her and nuzzled her nose into her hair. "I've got you, Emma, I'll stay with you."

It didn't take long for both women to fall asleep, and finally, Emma was able to get peaceful sleep. When she woke the next morning, she was disappointed to feel that she was alone. However, she couldn't stop her smile when she smelled coffee and bacon. After stopping in the bathroom, she went downstairs and poured herself a cup of coffee. "Making me breakfast, Madam Mayor?"

"How observant of you, Miss Swan." Regina said with a smirk. "Eggs or pancakes?"

Emma thought for a moment. "Eggs, over easy please. I'll make some toast; would you like some?"

"I would, thank you."

The two of them worked side by side and Regina couldn't help but feel that she really liked this. She knew not to push anything as Emma was far from ready, but it was nice. After the two ate, Emma volunteered to clean up, however, Regina told her to rest as she was still recovering. Emma was about to argue when Henry came in.

"He mom. Ma, I didn't know you'd be here." He said, hugging Regina and then Emma. "Did you stay the night?"

"Yeah. After our company last night, I was too tired to go home. I like the change in scenery as well. I heard you wanted to spend time with me today?"

"Yes. I know I haven't been around, and I'm sorry, but I'd love to spend time with you today."

"What do you want to do first? Ride horses or go to the amusement park." Emma joked, knowing she couldn't do either of those.

"How about we play Halo?"

"Sounds perfect." Emma looked at Regina. "Would you like to join us?"

Regina was about to decline when she decided she didn't really have anything else to do. "You'd have to show me how."

"Wait. Mom, you're really going to play? I've been trying to get you to play for years."

"Yes, well, I have time today."

It took a while but finally, they had taught Regina how the control worked and the three were shooting aliens and saving the world. Around two, Emma's phone rang and she paused the game. "Sorry, it's my parents. I'll be right back."

She took the phone into the kitchen and talked to them before coming back out. "I guess Gold wanted to know if I was coming to jury selection on Monday."

"Are you going to go?" Regina asked.

"I'm not sure. I don't see why I have to, but Gold thinks it's a good idea if I'm there."

"Emma, I know his past isn't great, but I believe him when he says he has your best interest at hand. Maybe you should be there."

"I told him I'd let him know tomorrow." Emma looked at the two. "Guys, I hate to say this, but I'm really hurting and I'm tired. I think I am going to head home. Henry, please don't be mad."

"I'm not mad, Ma. I know you're recovering. Want me to drive you home?" He asked with a grin.

"No but thank you. My dad is picking me up. He was on his way home from shopping anyway." She looked at Regina. "Thank you for getting me out of the house for a while. Also…thank you for your support last night."

"Any time. I mean that, Emma, any time." Regina looked at Henry. "How about some lunch and then we keep playing? This is fun."

Emma smiled at her son and the way he beamed at his other mother. She was about to say something when she saw her dad pull up outside. "If you get bored tomorrow, Henry, I have something I'd like to talk to you about."

"I'll come by and see you tonight, if that's okay. After you get some rest."

"That sounds great." Emma was a bit stiff, but she got up and hugged her son and Regina before heading out to her dad's truck. She was in pain and didn't want to show it, but David could see it. He respected her enough to not get out, but he did offer her help. "It's okay, dad. I got it." She got in and winced. "I'm not going to lie, I may need help getting out."

"Of course, Ems. I'll help you. How was your night last night?"

Emma told him about the visit with Maleficent and Lilly and even told him about her nightmare and how Regina got her through it.

"Emma, when you're feeling better, I think you and I should go out and I'll show you how I let out my anger. It's healthy to get it out, and I have a feeling that through out this trial, you'll need ways to vent your frustration."

"Okay, that sounds good."

Once home, David helped Emma out of the truck and into the house. She sat on the couch and sighed.

"Emma? You okay?" Snow asked as she came into the room.

"Yeah. I just sat down and forgot to get my pain pills. I'm hurting so bad right now. I should have asked Regina to temporarily relieve the pain again."

"I got it, Em." Snow went and got Emma's pills, a pillow and her blanket, and a glass of water. She brought it back and handed the pill and water to her daughter. "Emma, let me take care of you. What ever you need, I can help you. Are you hungry?"

Emma took her pill. "No. Regina made a big breakfast. Mom, I'm sorry. I'm no good at asking for help, you know that. However, I am trying." Emma looked at the pillow and then her mom. "Cuddle? I…I feel better when someone is holding me."

Snow smiled sadly as she wanted to take care of her daughter but hated that she was going through this. She sat down and put the pillow on her lap, so Emma could lay her head on it. When she did, she started running her fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp. "Just sleep, Emma. I'll stay here as long as you sleep."

Emma cuddled with her blanket and closed her eyes. "Thanks, Mama."

Snow smiled as she watched her baby girl drift off to sleep. She knew they had a hard road ahead of them, but she'd be with her every step of the way.