Thoughts clouded Emma's mind: I hope I see her again, she had a 'fire' personality it was nice chatting with her. Although, we only talked for a few minutes... I wonder what's her story.

Emma takes out a map from her bag and starts to write on the edges. 9/21 met a brunette, goddess in the woods, her name was Regina. Her eyes like the color of honey. So fucking beautiful.

The blonde looked at all the notes and nodded with a sad sigh. Studying where she was on the map, she thinks she should go find some water after all that damn running. Oh good! There's a lake around here somewhere. She walks smoothly, with a small limp, the way her compass is pointing, North.

From a far distance Regina slowly follows Emma, like a sheep and it's shepherd. I just don't want her to get hurt… wait, what am I doing? I just met this woman, this 'Miss Swan'. sigh. She continues her distant path behind the blonde.

"Come on B!" called Ruby. A giggling Belle skipped her way to Ruby, planting a soft kiss on her lips. The couple stripped themselves down to their undergarments and slowly sunk into the lake. "Mmm, I love night swimming." said Belle happily. Ruby made a satisfied grunt and nodded her head leaning in, to only kiss Belle once more.

Emma made it to the edge of the woods, looking over to the lake. Stopping, to the sound of crinkling leaves behind her. Turning around getting ready to defend herself, the voice calmed her. "Miss Swan, it's only me, do not be so frightened"

"Regina!" She hugged her, then as if she was burned, pulled away, blushing violently. "Pfft, frightened? Me? Nah!"

"Babe, did you hear that?" questioned Ruby. "It's just the wind, calm down, will you?" Belle replied, with a playful eye roll. Then the sound was heard, again, the distinct rustling and whispering in the woods that surrounded the clear patch of land. "Uhhh, B, I don't think it's 'just the wind'…" Ruby stated worriedly. Ruby grabs Belle's hand in the water and pulls her into the tall grass that enclosed around the lake to hide.

"Shhh" Ruby shushes.

"I didn't even say anything…" Belle said annoyed.

"I have my pistol under my shorts, I think I can get it." The brunette with the red streaked hair says as she already makes her way up on the dead, yellow grass.

"No, Ruby.. Rubes!" Belle loudly whispers. She ignores her and grabs the gun in her shorts.

"Come on out, you creeps!" Ruby growls, body dripping wet.

Emma whispers, "Crap! We're gonna die!" Regina shakes her head, "Shut up and follow my lead." The two walk out of the woods with their hands raised. Ruby let out a sigh of relief and puts the gun away, and Belle gets out of the water to stand by her. "Phew, that was close!" Emma muttered standing close to Regina.

The couple at the lake had slight tans, both had blue eyes, one had straight brown hair, with a streak and the other with wavy, brown hair.

"Well, we didn't mean give you two a big fright " says Regina teased, looking at the soaked couple.

"Pfft, me frightened? Nahh." Ruby states, with a wolfish smile plastered on her face. Belle nudges Ruby and scoffs.

Regina huffed, "Seems like you.." pointing to the brunette with a red streaked hair, "and you" pointing to Emma, "will be great friends!" she said sarcastically. Both of them seem to act tough when put on the spot, Regina thought comically.

Clearing her throat she introduces them, "Well, I'm Emma and this is Regina." she motions to the scowling girl.

"You did not have to introduce me, Swan. I can do it myself and I don't need your help otherwise!"

"Yeah, right, says the one who was following me!"

"Ahem.. well, nice to meet you two! I'm Belle and this is my girlfriend, Ruby, but you can call her Rubes" She introduced while hugging her arm. Ruby gazed at the strangers, smiling, and they were left with only their rhythmic breathing. Awkward.

"Well we have an extra room at the cabin, the cabin was passed down in my family, and one of my ancestors built it" Ruby bragged.

"Oh, that would be just great." Regina replies lamely, ignoring Ruby's boasting. Then looks over at Emma, and they locked their eyes together for a second before returning their attention back to the couple.

"You two are so cute together, is it like a love, hate thing?! Sorry! I just had to ask! Also, there's only one extra room and you two can share have it." Belle rambled, ending with a wink.

"We're not a couple…" Emma stated, almost sounding sad. Ruby murmured something into Belle's ear, probably scolding her for assuming. The corners of Regina's mouth curved into a sad smile as she followed the trio into the cabin.

Walking into the cabin there was a living room and two doors leading to two rooms. The rooms were identical, there was another door, in the center leading into a bathroom with a shower, sink, toilet, and laundry machines. In the front room was an archway leading into a kitchen and past the kitchen was a dining room.

Wow, what a perfect, little cabin. Weird that it just sits here in the woods. I wonder what- Emma's thoughts were cut short by the sound of Regina's voice. "How long are you two staying here?"

Ruby thought for a moment then answered, "About a week or two. And may I ask, what are you two doing out here?"

"Oh just looking for the Sha-" once again Emma was cut off by Regina saying, "Nothing special, just exploring" as she glared at Emma.

Emma laid awake next to Regina that night, she couldn't sleep, her thoughts were swimming around her head frantically. Is Regina mad at me? Why did she cut me off? Why doesn't she want them to know about The Shadow?! She finally drifted off to sleep, after thinking about it all.

Emma stirred a bit in her sleep that night. The nightmare rolled through her mind, but it wasn't a nightmare, it was a memory.

Author note: Emma's memory will be seen in the next chapter. All mistakes are mine, and sorry that my last chapter was short. /

TBC