CHAPTER 6

Emma burst into the station at a full run, "What happened?"

David was cleaning up the cell. The cot looked like it had been sliced through and the insides of it were ripped out. "After you left he started throwing things around. He was screaming for Grace and for us to let him out the entire time. I couldn't get him calmed so finally I called the hospital and they said that he'd have to be admitted to the psych ward. They sedated him and he's being held in the secured area. They said we could come back and see him tomorrow."

Emma slumped against the doorjamb. This had been a long emotional day for her. And it still wasn't over. With almost no sleep to go on, she didn't know how much more she could take.

David came over to her and put his hand on her arm, "Are you okay?"

"No." Emma shook her head and stood straight. "But the job's not over yet. I'm going to go over to Regina's now. I'll call you later to check in."

Emma got into her car and stopped to get some coffees. She was sure Regina could use something too. Then she realized that she hadn't eaten all day. She was sure neither had Regina. She ordered dinner for two and waited at the counter.

"How'd the interrogations go?" Ruby asked her as she slumped in her stool waiting for her order.

"Terrible." Emma shook her head. She just didn't know how someone could justify what had been done to Regina. "You know the worst part is none of them are even a little sorry. They're not even afraid of getting caught. Whale said this town will turn him into a hero. And what's sad is he's probably right."

Ruby looked strained, "I hate to say it Ems but he's probably right."

Emma looked around, "Sometimes I really hate this town. If it weren't for Henry I'd so be out of here. Now Grace is staying with us. And I can't even tell her for how long."

"Emma, you know that's not your responsibility right? I mean, being Sheriff doesn't mean you have to take it all on."

Emma pursed her lips and shook her head, "But as far as everyone is concerned, being the Savior does."

Ruby put her hand over her friend's and gave it a warm squeeze. She knew that Emma carried most of the town's burdens and how unfair it was to her. She also knew that there just was no easy out.

"Order up," the cook called.

Ruby handed over the bag to Emma, "Tell Regina I said I'm sorry. And if she doesn't mind," Ruby chewed her lip, "I'd kinda like to see her myself. When she's up for visitors and all."

Emma grabbed the bag and tiredly walked away. "I don't think she will be for a long time Rubes. I'm not even sure she's going to see me. But I will try. And I will let her know."

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When Emma pulled up to Regina's house, it was once again completely dark. She walked around to the back and prayed she'd have some luck.

She knocked and waited. "Regina, it's me, Emma," she knocked again. "I brought dinner." After still more knocking and no answer she slumped against the door. "Look, I've had a long crappy day and I'm running on low blood sugar here. I just want to eat in peace and I can't do that without making sure that you're okay. So please, let me in."

She sighed with relief when Regina stood in front of her with her arms crossed. "You think you're going to find peace here?"

Emma looked into her eyes and said sincerely, "I think that seeing you actually made my day worth it."

"That bad huh?"

Emma let out a slight chuckle, "You don't even want to know. Can I come in please? I brought us both some food."

Regina stepped back and let Emma inside. Emma put the food down on the kitchen island and then began rooting around for plates and silverware. "I got you some coffee. Although I probably should've gone with wine instead."

Regina had been leaning against the cabinets. She stood up straight and pulled down some plates and silverware. She grabbed a bottle of wine and some wine glasses. She handed them to Emma then followed her into the dining room.

Emma unloaded her food and handed Regina hers. Regina accepted it but made no move to open the container.

Emma poured them both glasses of wine. This Regina did accept and began to sip at her glass.

"You're not going to eat?" Emma motioned to the closed container.

Regina merely shook her head. After taking another sip of her wine, she looked at Emma, "Why are you here?"

Emma swallowed the mouthful she had just forked up. "I told you. I needed to make sure that you were okay. And I wouldn't be able to have any peace tonight if I didn't have an answer."

Regina quirked an eyebrow, "And I look okay to you?"

Emma studied her. She looked the same as she had this morning. Emma frowned, "Why haven't you healed those?"

Regina's head snapped back in surprise. She knew Emma was referring to the bruising and scars. "Magic is tied to emotion. And right now my emotions are all over the place. If I tried healing them, I could end up doing more damage."

Emma gave a slight smile.

"What?"

"I thought that you were going to throw me out on my ass already. I wasn't even sure that you were going to bother to let me in. I'm glad you did."

Since Regina had no idea why she hadn't either she said nothing.

Emma finished her meal and then went into the kitchen to put her plate away. She walked back over to Regina and asked, "Can we talk now?"

Regina studied her for a minute then stood and led her into the study. She began toying with the fire.

Emma sat on the sofa and thought about her morning here. Regina had felt so small in her arms. And Emma could feel her sobs right through to her core.

So much had changed since this morning. She had so much more information that she never knew before. Most of it she never bothered to know about. But all of it had completely changed her outlook on her family and their relationship to Regina.

Regina sat in a winged back chair and pulled her legs up. She wrapped her arms around them and looked at Emma expectantly.

Emma moistened her lips. "Are you ready to tell me what happened yet?"

Regina let out an acerbic laced breath. She just shook her head.

"Fine, then. I'll go first." Emma ran her tongue across her lips and sat forward. "Jefferson said that he wanted to give you back your memories. The memories of what your …," she wasn't sure what to call him, finally she had to go with the only word she knew that did fit, "husband did. Locking you away and beating you."

Regina averted her face and took in a shuddering breath. She remained quiet.

"But he did more than just that didn't he?" Emma's voice thickened with emotion. She readjusted her seating. "Please tell me."

Regina just continued to shake her head, "There's no point," tears had started to make their way down her face.

Emma stood and knelt next to her chair. "I need to know. We only have 48 hours and then I'll have to let them go. If I don't get any answers from you, I'll have no choice. Please help me so that I can help you."

Regina wiped her eyes, "You think this is helping me?"

"I can't make everything go away. I can't change what happened. For that you're right. I am useless. But I am here as your friend. I do want to ease as much of your pain as I can. I just -," Emma put her hand on Regina's arm. "I want to be here for you."

Regina stood and walked out of the room. "You can leave now Sheriff Swan."

Emma stood there listening to Regina make her way upstairs. She pulled out her phone and called her parents. Thankfully her Dad picked up. "Emma? What's going on? When are you coming home?"

Emma bit her lip glad that he couldn't see her. "I'm not. Not tonight. I can't – Regina needs me. I called to let you know not to worry."

"Are you sure that's wise?"

"I have no idea. I'm done with thinking for the day," she had no idea what to say to her Dad but this was not a conversation she wanted to have over the phone either. "How's Henry?"

"He's anxious for information about his Mom. And Grace is the same."

"Just – just tell him that I'll talk to him in the morning. And," Emma swiped her hand across her face, "I have no idea what to do about the Grace situation. We're just going to have to take that one day at a time."

"I'll let them both know you'll be around tomorrow. Take care Emma."

Emma disconnected the call and threw her body back down on the sofa. She picked up a throw on the back of the sofa and laid down. She was asleep within minutes.

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Regina went back downstairs after showering and was shocked to find Emma sacked out on her sofa. She thought of waking her and telling her to leave but she really didn't want to. At least with Emma here, she felt a small measure of comfort.

She lay on the sofa opposite from Emma's and pulled a throw across her. Much to her surprise, she also fell asleep.