DAY SIX - TIPPING POINT
Emma hadn't slept a wink. She hadn't even bothered trying to be honest. Since parting from Regina, the previous morning, Emma had kept to herself. Once she had showered she had headed out. Spending most of that time in the forest.
Sometime during the night, the heavens had opened, heavy rain battering its way to the ground. Emma had taken cover under the toll bridge, content to wait it out and watch and listen to the forests inhabitants. Wildlife came and went, on the few occasions her presence was noticed the animals watched her warily and quickly decided that they didn't like the look of her. Leaving Emma alone once more.
The rain started to peter out. The sun trying desperately to break through the heavy cloud. Emma stood and stretched, the sound of her joints popping and creaking echoing under the bridge. Stepping out from her shelter Emma breathed in the fresh wet smell of the forest; and something else.
Emma knew that smell. She tried to determine the direction it was coming from but the rain had made it difficult to pin point. Throwing her hands up in the air she decided on a direction and ran. Emma slid in the mud when she came across the scene.
There was so much blood.
Emma looked took a deep breath and moved closer, it was Alice.
Dropping to her knees she checked for breathing and a pulse, Emma sighed, relieved to find that there was still a chance to save her. But Alice was growing weaker by the second. Yanking her phone out Emma called for an ambulance. Using her free hand to put pressure on the neck wound that was steadily leaking crimson. Satisfied that the ambulance was on its way Emma threw her phone to the side carelessly and put pressure on one of the larger wounds in Alice's side.
Time seemed to crawl while Emma waited for help to arrive, steadily getting saturated in Alice's blood.
Emma could hear yelling in the distance and she called back at the top of her voice. Everything became blurred. The journey to the hospital passed painfully slow and terribly quick. Alice was trundled into surgery straight away and whenever a nurse or doctor approached her Emma assured them that none of the blood she was covered in was hers. She was fine.
Though the blood was beginning to make her feel sick, for all the wrong reasons.
Emma was grateful when she was offered a shower and scrubs by nurse Ratched of all people. She emerged back into the corridor wet ringlets soaking the back of her top. "Any news?" she asked the nearest nurse.
He looked at the Sheriff and shook his head negatively, carrying on with his duties. Hours passed and with each one Emma's mood dropped.
Emma paced agitatedly her fingers tugging through her hair and rubbing at her eyes. Muttering ominously under her breath. Which is how Regina found her when she arrived.
"Emma," Regina made Emma aware of her presence, cautiously placing a hand on a cool pale arm, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Alice is dying, but I'm fine," Emma snapped, Regina flinched and Emma hung her head in shame, "I should've done more."
"Actually, Sheriff we're hopeful that Alice will recover," Dr Whale said entering the corridor, "She's lucky you were there, whatever the animal that attacked her was it was fierce."
"That is good news," Regina said, squeezing Emma's arm, "You have no idea what attacked her?"
"It was strong and brutal," Whale shuddered, the injuries that Alice had sustained were atrocious, "A monster that excels at death and suffering."
"Less dramatic, doctor," Regina coached.
"I don't know," Whale's eyes drifted to the operating theatre door, "A bear, maybe."
Emma yanked her arm free from Regina's gentle grasp and stormed away from them, she'd had enough. She knew exactly what was responsible.
Regina caught up to her in the parking lot with little trouble, "Emma, wait!"
"What?!" Emma barked.
Regina startled but regained her composure just as quickly, "Get in the car," she ordered.
Neither felt the need to speak until the car pulled out of the parking lot.
"This is my fault," Emma declared with surety, Regina didn't respond, "I could've prevented this."
"I fail to see how," Regina watched the blonde from the corner of her eye, "You're not responsible for this Emma."
Emma slouched in the seat, Regina was right, the both knew it.
They had just passed Granny's when Emma launched herself out of the car without warning.
"Emma!" Regina called in alarm, watching the blonde roll to her feet in the rear-view mirror. Slamming the breaks, Regina hit the steering wheel in frustration and pulled over and parked in record time. Regina hammered the door shut behind her, determined to get to the reckless lunatic she cared for before she did something more stupid than jumping out of a moving vehicle.
Emma had Virgil pinned to the side of Granny's diner; her arm pressing heavily against his throat. Regina shared a worried look with Granny, the older woman lifted her chin at the pair of blondes with a severe expression on her face. Regina approached the older woman, if Granny wasn't getting involved yet then she wouldn't either.
"I know what you did," Emma spat at her captive, "You fucking bastard!"
Virgil held his hands up innocently, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I just got out of that cell this morning, then I came right here."
Regina's skin prickled at the cold edge in Virgil's eyes and Granny stiffened next to her. There was more to Virgil than she had initially thought; Emma's fears about the man were not unfounded. And Granny obviously didn't trust the man either.
"Liar!" Emma roared, pressing more firmly against his throat, "Tell the truth."
"I heard about the girl," Virgil choked, he wriggled his head trying to relieve some pressure, "Not clever to walk in the woods alone. Never know what's out there," He smirked, "Lurking in the shadows."
"I know you did it," Emma snarled.
"How could I?" Virgil pushed against Emma's hold, "I've been in town all morning."
Emma looked at Granny for confirmation, the old woman nodded reluctantly, "He's been here for hours," Granny glared over her spectacles and added, "can't say where he was before he got here though."
Emma's nostrils flared. Her facial muscles twitched in barely suppressed rage. Fuelled further by Virgil's smug grin. Her jaw clenched and she shoved him against the wall and released her hold on him. Emma did nothing to hide the satisfaction she felt when he groaned on impact; his grin faltering.
"You'll pay for this Virgil," Emma warned ominously, "I swear it."
Virgil laughed, "You really should seek help." He looked her over, "Before your delusions hurt someone." He flinched when Emma went to lunge at him.
"That's enough Sheriff Swan," Regina said authoritatively, Regina beckoned Emma closer to her with an outstretched hand. Thankful that the blonde followed her silent plea; Regina offered Emma a soft smile reserved only for her.
Virgil leered at the brunette, "My hero."
"Make no mistake, my concern is for my Sheriff's wellbeing. I'm inclined to believe her," Regina warned, pleased to see the man's eyes widen shock, "And if you continue to antagonise her I won't attempt to interfere again."
"You could've done it," Virgil accused.
Emma froze and stared hard at the audacious blond, "What?"
"Well, correct me if I'm wrong Sheriff but if you want to point fingers for this poor woman's misfortune, then maybe you should start with yourself," Virgil spun around addressing the crowd, "After all you were the only person in the forest this morning."
"You son of a bitch," Emma snapped, "I'd never-"
"That is quite enough," Regina cut in, "Sheriff go to the car," Emma looked like she was going to argue, "Now Emma."
Emma was clearly torn between her desire to pummel Virgil and follow Regina's order. Spinning one hundred and eighty degrees on the spot Emma stomped to Regina's car. Leaning heavily on the side she crossed her arms and watched the scene carry on without her.
"Good girl," Virgil mocked, waving at the blonde woman. His head whipped to the side unprepared for the impact of Regina's slap.
"Do not mess with this town Virgil, you have no idea what we're capable of," Behind her Regina could hear the blonde laughing by her Mercedes, but she was more preoccupied with her own growing ire at the man before her, "If it comes to pass that you did have anything to do with Miss Dove's condition, Emma will be the least of your concerns." With that Regina stalked to the car.
The journey to Mifflin Street had passed in silence. Both woman working through the course of events. Emma followed Regina obediently into the mansion and into the kitchen. Emma sat at the breakfast bar, emerald eyes focused on every move Regina made. The brunette busied herself making them both coffee.
Regina felt the piercing gaze, had it been anyone else she would have felt either unnerved or furious at the audacious staring. However, Regina had always enjoyed the fact that Emma struggled to keep her eyes off her, it was satisfying and a little heart-warming that the blonde appeared to only have eyes for her; even when she wasn't supposed to.
Regina placed a mug in front of Emma, her own wrapped in her other hand and held to her chest, she leaned against the worktop and returned Emma's gaze.
Emma looked down at the cup, "I'm sorry."
"Whatever for dear?" Regina asked her eyebrow raising and her lips quirking at the corners.
"For how I've been acting lately," Emma smiled self-deprecatingly, "I promise I haven't gone mad."
"I didn't think that for one minute, Emma," Regina took a sip of her coffee, "I believe you, you know that. It would be easier if I knew why and how, but I trust you. If you say Virgil is responsible for Alice's attack, then I believe you."
Emma nodded gratefully.
Regina drank her coffee, frowning a little that Emma hadn't touched hers. Regina had been getting increasingly concerned about the blonde all week, she hadn't been taking care of herself. Regina couldn't remember the last time she'd seen Emma eat.
"Henry should be here shortly; would you like to stay for dinner? We'd both like to have you here Emma," Regina tried to keep her tone neutral. She didn't want Emma to feel obliged to stay.
"I wouldn't want to impose," Emma muttered listlessly.
"I wouldn't have offered if I felt it were an imposition," Regina pointed out flatly.
Emma had just opened her mouth to reply when hurricane Henry whirled in. He threw his bag down by the door and hopped onto the stool next to Emma's grinning, "Hey moms."
Emma grinned back, "Hey kid."
"Hello dear," Regina smiled, caramel eyes darted to his backpack, "Is that were you bag belongs? Did you enjoy your day with your friends?"
"Yeah," Henry groaned, sliding off the stool he grabbed his bag and brought it back to the stool slinging it over the back. Regina shook her head but let it slide, at least it shouldn't cause an accident there.
"You're both girls," Henry started.
"Thanks for noticing," Emma poked his side, rolling her eyes.
Henry batted her away, and carried on, "Like I said you're both girls so can you tell me, I mean," Henry blushed, "How do you know if a girl is jealous?"
Emma sniggered into her hand, "Well whenever your mom is jealous she gets this look in her eye."
"What sort of look?" Henry looked between his mothers thoughtfully, Emma was looking happy with herself and Regina looked torn between hitting the blonde and smiling with her. Interesting.
"I'll tell you when you're older kid," Emma sniggered some more.
"Emma," Regina looked at Emma reproachfully, "The best thing to do would be to ask Henry."
"Ok," Henry dropped the subject, "What's going on with you two?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Regina asked suspiciously.
Henry resisted the desire to fist pump in victory, "Just that I don't normally come home to both my moms."
"Well I had thought Emma might like to join us for dinner," Regina explained.
"And I didn't want to put your mom out," Emma said getting to her feet, "So I'm just going to..." Emma motioned towards the door with her thumb.
Henry grabbed his fleeing mother, "Nope you've got to stay, it would be rude not to."
"How do you figure?" Emma deadpanned.
"It's rude to throw an invitation back in someone's face," Henry stood straight, enjoying the fact that he was now taller than both his parents.
"I'm not throwing anything back," Emma huffed, "I'm trying to be considerate."
Regina walked between the two, and placed a hand on each of their shoulders, "Henry stop riling your mother; Emma please stay for dinner, Henry and I would be pleased to have your company."
"I…" Emma paused, looking at Regina and Henry. They both looked so earnest, each with their own reasons for wanting Emma to hang around but those reasons were all rooted in care. Emma sighed, "It would be my pleasure."
"Yes," Henry gave a megawatt smile, "What's for dinner?"
Regina squeezed their shoulders and finally dropped her arms to her sides, "I hadn't thought that far ahead," she admitted.
Emma and Henry locked eyes conspiratorially, "Take out," the said in unison.
Acting the part of resigned and disappointed, Regina groaned nodding her head in acquiescence. She was just pleased that Emma would be eating something and Regina could keep an eye on her for a while longer. Maybe she could convince Emma to stay the night. Emma and Henry hunched over a menu's debating the pros and cons of each.
"Hey, Regina, what do you want?" Emma asked, looking up from the menu.
"Surprise me dear," Regina regretted saying it almost immediately when Emma and Henry shared a look that could only be described as an evil.
"Cool," Henry sniggered, "I'll phone it in."
Emma got up and hugged Regina, "Don't worry, it's not nearly as bad as your thinking."
"That remains to be seen," Regina ran a hand through unruly curls.
Emma closed the short distance between them, stealing a kiss, her hands pulling Regina's hips possessively towards her own.
Regina pulled back, whispering, "Henry could see."
"Let him," Emma whispered back, stealing another kiss.
Regina indulged in Emma's affection for a moment longer. Regretfully she retreated a few paces from the enticing blonde. Regina felt her breathe hitch when she saw a look in Emma's eyes she hadn't seen for years. Emma closed them trying to regain herself.
"Stay the night," Regina blurted out, she dropped her head to the floor to hide the blush she could feel blooming on her cheeks. She was a Queen, damn it; she was well educated, refined and elegant. She was not some simpering adolescent with a crush, that couldn't contain herself. Regina fumed with herself internally.
Emma's eyes shot open. She tried to see Regina's face, desperate to have something else to work with. But Regina kept her head down.
"We could play some games with Henry, watch a movie, make a night of it," Regina lifted her head and smiled prettily, she had to save face, "After all the pair of you are making me eat junk food."
Emma was both disappointed and relieved, she considered the offer, "Let's get through dinner first."
Regina couldn't hide her disappointment, turning to leave the room, "Of course."
"Hey," Emma skipped in front of the retreating brunette, "I'll think about it, ok?"
Regina looked deep into Emma's eyes, allowing her vulnerability to be seen, "I just want to help you Emma, and I don't know how to."
Guilt flashed in Emma's eyes, "Just be you. That's all I'll ever need."
Regina kissed Emma on the cheek, "I can do that."
Emma gave a lopsided smile, "Come on we should find the kid and make sure that he's actually ordered the food."
Following the blonde in search of their son, Regina hoped that life could return to normal again soon.