EPISODE 4: WARMTH

Snow White sighed heavily, her sad, tired eyes watching over her sleeping daughter. She was sitting in an armchair pulled up next to Emma's bed in the spare room of Zelena's home in the woods. Across from her sat Henry in a chair of his own, holding on to his mother's hand while fighting against his droopy lids.

Charming had already gone home with the little prince to put him to bed, and Snow had promised to be along soon. However, she was having a hard time tearing herself away. She knew she needed to take Henry back to her place soon so he could get to sleep, but the boy was being quite the trooper. He was clearly fighting his fatigue, but said nothing of it. Snow was sure Henry was just as reluctant to leave Emma behind.

Regina strolled quietly into the room and took in the scene before her, Emma's family rallied around her in the dim light, watching over her. She felt a pang in her heart at the sight, for multiple reasons. For one, it was a heartwarming sight—a real, warm family, unlike the chaotic one she had come from. For two, she was now part of this family, mostly because of Henry, but also because they had brought her into the fold. She felt even more welcome now that the Evil Queen was no longer a part of her, but she knew in the back of her mind that they had forgiven and accepted her nonetheless.

Finally, she felt the pang in her heart because she too felt the desperation and fear at Emma's predicament, ever aware that they had no idea of how to wake her up. She felt a lump in her throat, but swallowed past it and merely stood near the doorway, watching her son and step-daughter watch over the woman she had come to consider her best friend.

Little Robin began to cry softly in the other room, and Zelena's footsteps could be heard as she made her way to care for the infant. They could hear her humming a lullaby, and Regina could imagine her sister with the baby in her arms, bouncing her up and down gently as she sang the child back to sleep. Not long ago, the image would have been worrisome, but now it made her smile.

"Why is she so cold?" Henry timidly asked. "I can't get her to warm up." He rubbed his mother's hand, but to no avail.

Snow shook her head. "It must be part of the curse, Henry," she responded, "she's cold to me too." Her voice was sad, dejected.

Before Regina could speak up to confirm their theory, Snow spoke once again.

"It's pretty late," Snow whispered, mostly to Henry. "I suppose we had better be going."

Henry opened his heavy eyes and the room swam back into focus. He must have fallen asleep.

Regina suddenly felt guilty at the situation, at having suggested that Emma be kept here instead of with her family. "You're welcome to stay," she offered softly, stepping into the room and placing her hands on Henry's shoulders. "I know there really isn't room, but I understand if you want to stay with Emma."

Snow White stood up, but Henry seemed to contemplate the offer. "I won't stop you if you want to stay, Henry," Snow yawned, "but I bet your mom could use some rest, too. Regina, that is, I mean, and we could all use a good night's sleep so we can figure out what to do tomorrow."

Henry thought it over. "You're right. I trust you mom, you'll take good care of her." He stood and walked towards the door. "Goodnight mom," he added wistfully.

Snow walked towards Henry. "We'll see you in the morning, Regina," she said before walking through the door. Their footsteps could be heard walking down the hall and muffled goodbyes could be heard between them and Zelena before Regina heard the front door open and shut once more.

Regina sat down in the chair Henry had just been in and looked over at her friend, carefully placing the box with Emma's heart on her lap. Soon after, footsteps worked their way down the hall, but Regina made no move to turn to see who it was.

"Gina," her sister greeted as she walked into the room. "Here are some blankets and pillows." She placed the bundle on old couch across the room.

Regina couldn't focus on Zelena's words, and gave no response. Instead, she was lost in her gaze at the sleeping swan, wistfully wishing for her friend to open her eyes.

Zelena made her way to Regina's side and placed her hand on her shoulder, finally getting her sister's attention. Regina looked up at her sister with her dark hues with a lost expression.

"Are you going to be all right?" Zelena asked, her own expression soft and caring, something Regina was still getting used to. It warmed her heart to have her sister in her life as sisters ought to be, instead of as an enemy.

"Yeah," Regina croaked, "I'll be fine." She turned back to the sleeping sheriff.

Zelena was not wholly convinced, but made to leave the room nonetheless, assuming Regina just needed some time alone. As she reached the doorway, however, she turned back and asked in barely a whisper, "She means a lot to you, doesn't she?"

Regina wasn't sure how to answer at first. Her initial instinct was that Zelena was mocking her, but this wasn't the Wicked Witch talking, it was her sister, and Regina knew that her question was sincere. Finally, she found her voice. "Yes," she answered simply. After a pause, she continued, "Emma was the first person to believe I could be something other than a villain. She pushed me, and still pushes me, to believe in myself. When the darkness was free and coming for me, she took it instead. She did that for me, because she wanted me to be free. I owe her so much, and now…"

Zelena stepped back across the room to stand at her sister's side. "This isn't your fault, Regina," she argued. "This was the Evil Queen."

"You said it yourself Zelena, when I came to talk to you. The Evil Queen is me. We were the same person, and this was my idea, long ago when I thought Miss Swan was my enemy. I may not have enacted this curse this time, but I might as well have. It was once my plan, and if I had been stronger—if I could have faced my own darkness instead of letting it free, this never would have happened."

Zelena frowned, her bright green eyes downcast as she looked down at her sister. She had her own grief to contend with, having just lost her true love, and knew Regina was mourning just as well. It was hard to imagine how she must have felt with this burden on her as well.

"You'll find a way to wake her," Zelena assured, "I'm sure of it. And we'll stop the Evil Queen, and we'll stop Hyde, too. I've got your back now, and we're a force to be reckoned with." Her eyes glittered slightly at the proposal, standing side-by-side with her sister instead of across from her, fighting on the same team.

The brunette looked up at her sister once more and gave her a weak smile. "Thank you, Zelena. It means a lot to have you on my side."

The redhead smiled back and gave Regina's shoulder a final squeeze. "You best get some sleep, you'll need the rest for tomorrow."

Regina nodded and turned back to Emma, leaving Zelena to exit into the room across the hall where her sleeping baby rested.

Emma was sleeping soundly, her chest rising and falling with her steady breaths. Regina found herself imaging that the sheriff was simply asleep as usual, and that in any minute her eyes would flutter open, her emerald hues looking towards Regina. But of course, she did not awaken, and wouldn't without true love's kiss.

"Emma…" Regina whispered, reaching out to grab the blonde's hand. It was cold, just as the others had said, as though the woman was ice. It was the only real indicator that this was no ordinary sleep. She had been expecting the cold, but the depth of the chill startled her and she dropped Emma's hand back onto the bed.

She sat still for a moment, her mind blank and tired. Then, for some reason unbeknownst to her, Regina opened the box in her lap and lifted Emma's heart and held it before her face. It was bright, and healthy, but cold, just like the rest of Emma.

With a worried frown, Regina turned her gaze from the pulsing heart back to Emma's peaceful expression. With a sigh, she reached out to Emma again, wrapping her fingers around the sheriffs. They were cold, frighteningly so, but the longer Regina held on to them, the warmer they became.

At first, nothing about this struck Regina as strange, until her son's words echoed in her mind. I can't get her to warm up. Stunned, the sleepy brunette also realized that the heart she held in her other hand was growing warmer as well, just faintly.

Alarmed, Regina dropped the sheriff's hand once more and quickly placed her heart back in the box, and then placed the box on the nightstand. Her heart was beating quickly, almost painfully. She could hear the blood rushing in her ears. What could this mean? Why did Emma warm to her touch, but no one else's?

She sat painfully still, ever aware of how loud her heart was beating over the quiet. The only other noise she heard was Emma's slow, steady breath.

Emma looked so peaceful as she slept, but Regina knew she was suffering. Sleeping curses came with horrendous nightmares. Nonetheless, Regina was taken by the woman before her. She was used to the sheriff's fiery attitude. Even when the blonde was being friendly, she was passionate, and she had been the only person to ever really stand toe-to-toe with her as equals. Now, she was so still, and it was almost unnerving. Yet, the brunette couldn't deny the grace, the beauty, that she saw in the features of the other woman. Her soft lashes resting upon her elegant cheeks, those soft lips—a unique mixture of features from both Snow White and Prince Charming. She made a fine Savior, a knight in her own right—truly, Regina's knight in shining armor, not that she would ever admit that out loud.

Robin had been there for her, believed in her, but Emma had been the first. With Emma things were open, raw. They connected from the beginning, even as enemies. The difficulties in their relationship always came from Regina herself, from the selfishness and fear she had held in the beginning. With Robin, everything around them seemed to be fighting to tear them apart, right up until the last moment.

Why am I thinking these things? Regina thought. I'm so tired. I'm not thinking clearly.

She sighed and rubbed her temples. Damnit Emma, nobody else gets in my head like you do. Even when you aren't even awake, it would seem.

She looked again towards her sleeping sheriff, her mind muddled. The room around her had grown dark, the only light coming from the small lamp on the nightstand. The dull glow illuminated the sleeping woman, casting a quiet yellow sheen over her face and highlighting her features.

Slowly, Regina reached out once more, gently wrapping her fingers around Emma's. Yet again, she was astonished to feel the warmth spread into the slender digits of the other woman. She leaned in closer, cupping Emma's hand with both of hers, feeling the heat rise across Emma's palm and through her wrist.

Why is this happening? Regina's exhausted mind questioned.

Curious, Regina reached up with one of her hands towards Emma's face. She hesitated with bated breath, and then stroked the sleeping sheriff's cheek. It grew warm wear her fingers grazed the flesh, her skin growing a slight shade of pink. Quickly it faded, and Regina sat back, still holding on to Emma's hand.

Suddenly, Emma's fingers twitched, and, startled, Regina nearly flung the hand away from herself. She fought this urge, however, and stared at their hands in shock, waiting to see if it would happen again.

Great, she thought. Now I'm imagining things. Maybe I really should get to sleep.

She sighed and rested her eyes, but they soon shot back open. Emma had moved again, this time linking her fingers with Regina's.

Regina's eyes darted back and forth from Emma's still face to their interlocked hands.

"Emma…" she whispered again, and this time did not fight against her urges. She lifted the sheriff's fingers and leaned forward, pressing her lips against them.