Disclaimer: OUAT and all its characters belong to Adam Horowitz, Eddy Kitsis and ABC.

7) Physical Intimacy

Emma was frustrated to no end.
She had barely seen Regina all week and after two weeks of being together practically 24/7 she felt as someone had downed a bucket of ice water on her.

She knew Regina was incredibly busy after their spontaneous trip and it was her own fault that Regina was probably avoiding her too, but that didn't mean she had to like the reality of the situation.

Killian living with her and Henry was as awkward as it could get. He was sleeping on the couch, of course, but it felt weird to have him around when all she could think about was Regina.

She had cursed herself more than once for being the responsible adult she was at the moment, but they deserved better than a chaotic mess.

All of them.

She had wanted to talk to Killian twice this week – once she had gotten called away for a disturbance at the diner and the other time Killian had been down after receiving the news that he couldn't get the Jolly Roger back 'cause the ship wasn't even in Storybrooke anymore.

He had been pretty devastated and she hadn't want to add to that.

But they would need to have that conversation somewhen soon 'cause she wasn't sure how much longer she could stand the current situation.

She wanted nothing more than to be with Regina.

She wanted to take her out, she wanted to hold her, kiss her and after all these years of longing – she finally wanted to make love to her.

Didn't look like it would happen anytime soon though.

Emma took a look at the clock at the sheriff's station, realizing it was time to go on patrol, so she put on her jacket and headed out.

Driving through the streets of Storybrooke always calmed her down 'cause she loved living in the sleepy little town.

Who would have guessed?

What was even more surprising was that Regina had stuck around.

Emma had always thought Regina would get sick of it eventually, especially with people being so narrow minded and nothing really to do in town, but Regina had surprised her, probably the both of them, by running for office and becoming the mayor.

People didn't necessarily fear Regina, but they needed a long time to warm up to her 'cause she wasn't the most sociable person. It made her a great politician though.

Storybrooke had improved greatly since Regina had been put in charge and Emma was incredibly proud of her best friend.

As she drove by Town Hall Emma noticed that the lights were still on in Regina's office.

Emma frowned 'cause it was past 10 pm and Regina should be at home and probably even sleeping.

She stopped the car and entered the building, not sure what to expect.

Emma knocked, but didn't wait for a reply and entered the office, only to frown at the sight before her.

Regina was sitting at her desk in deep concentration, reading some report, dark circles clearly visibly under her eyes, a massive pile of folders on her desk.

"Gina?"

The brunette jumped and glared at her, obviously only now realizing that someone else was in the room, "What are you doing here?"

"The question is...what are you still doing here? I'm doing my job. I was on patrol, but you should be home by now", Emma shot back.

"I have work to do."

Emma walked over to the desk, "Regina, you look exhausted..."

"It's nice to see you too", the brunette snapped.

"Have you eaten? Knowing you probably not", Emma winced at her own statement. Regina had a tendency to work herself into the ground at times, especially when she didn't want to deal with her emotions. She should have seen that coming from miles away.

Regina finally looked away from her file and openly glared at Emma, "Is there something you wanted, Sheriff Swan?"

"Let me take you home..." Emma suggested, but the brunette's expression only got darker, "Absolutely not!"

"Not like that...gosh, Regina! You need a break. You look like you're ready to faint...come on...these files will still be here tomorrow..."

"Emma...just go home", Regina sighed in annoyance.

"I know you are mad at me...I know, okay? But I'm leaving here without you", Emma stated, all determined and confident.

Regina stared her down, but the blonde never wavered.

"Fine."


The short drive to the mansion was silent and uncomfortable, but Emma was not to be deterred.

She escorted Regina to the door and entered the house after the mayor, not sure if she was welcome or not, but adamant about making sure that Regina would be okay.

"Go into the kitchen. I'll fix you a sandwich in a minute...I just want to turn on the water so you can take a bath afterwards", Emma stated confidently and was surprised to see Regina actually following her order.

She had come to see how tense Regina had to be when the brunette had gotten out of her chair in the office. Regina must have spent the bigger part of her week behind that desk and Emma felt guilty for simply whisking her best friend away without thinking about the consequences.

She headed upstairs in the bathroom to get everything ready and returned to the kitchen only a few moments later. The running water could be heard in the distance.

Emma threw together a sandwich for Regina quickly and brought it over to the table, together with a glass of orange juice.

She was sure she had never seen Regina wolf down food like that.

"Want another one?"

But Regina only shook her head and Emma wasn't sure what to do. She felt bad and she was worried, but she didn't want to overstay her welcome 'cause it wouldn't end well for her if she did.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked carefully, but Regina only shook her head again.

Fidgeting with her hands Emma gestured into the direction of the front door with her head, "I better get going then..."

She was almost at the door when she heard Regina's heels clicking behind her, "Can you stay for a bit? I know you're on night shift, but..."

"It's alright. If something were to happen they would call my cell...just don't tell the mayor that I'm not doing my rounds", Emma answered and winked.

A small smile appeared on Regina's face, "Just this once."


The next thing Emma knew was that she was sitting in the bathtub, Regina leaning against her, the warm water surrounding them like a cocoon.

She was massaging Regina's stiff neck and shoulders, trying to make Regina to loosen up and feel better.

Emma was glad that Regina hadn't pushed her away, but she surely had wished for better circumstances.

The brunette was completely exhausted and Emma's heart ached 'cause she wished that she could have been there for Regina, knowing full well that the only one stopping her from it was herself.

She got out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel round her body quickly before she held another one up for Regina, who got up and stepped right into her arms, letting herself get covered in the fluffy towel by strong arms.

Emma led Regina over to the bedroom where the brunette sat down on the edge of the bed while Emma rummaged through the closet to find Regina some pajamas.

When she heard the towel drop to the floor and Regina simply slide under the covers she turned around and eyed her best friend a little helplessly.

"Just lie down with me for a bit", Regina mumbled, obviously fighting sleep and exhaustion.

Emma nodded and walked over to the other side of the bed, let her own towel glide to the floor and got under the cover, keeping a respectable distance from Regina, who had rolled onto her side, watching Emma with interest.

"I know what you're doing, Em", Regina moved closer to her and Emma turned to face her, "What do you mean?"

"You're beating yourself up over the whole situation. You don't want to hurt me. You don't want to hurt anyone. The thing is sometimes it can't be avoided that someone gets hurt."

Regina moved a strand of hair behind Emma's ear, her fingertips running down the blonde's neck and shoulder, "I don't want to fight. I just want to be with you, but I realize that it might not be the right time."

Emma pressed her index finger against Regina's lips, "Don't even think that. We deserve this...we deserve to be happy. And together. I'll figure something out...I just need to find a place for Killian since he can't get the damn ship back."

She ran her fingertip over over Regina's lips and down her jaw.

Regina's hand slid over Emma's collarbone, over her breast, all the way down to her stomach 'causing the blonde to pull her closer. Emma let her own hand roam over Regina's back, enjoying the sensation of feeling her skin under her fingertips.

It wasn't sexual, but it was the most intimate thing Emma had ever experienced. Being so close to the woman she had loved for so many years made her feel so incredibly alive and she realized that, although she had longed for the day where she could be with Regina, the moment was perfect as it was.

Emma felt so much closer to Regina than she could have ever imagined and she made a silent promise that she would bring order to the chaos that was her life

Wrapping her arms securely around Regina, holding her against her chests, their hearts beating against one another.

This was their chance, their beginning.

And Emma would not waste it.