SCENE 7

When The Darkness Prevails

Regina paced up and down her study whilst Snow and Zelena sat watching her closely. They had been unable to comfort the older woman and had long since given up trying to get her to talk and now the shock had begun to wear off she was mad! boiling with a rage that she hadn't felt in a very long time.

A big part of her was itching to join her Saviour and simply rip out the outlaws heart and anyone else's that tried to get in her way. How dare he invade her home her own private space and attempt to rape her! What was he thinking?

Angry tears welled in her dark stormy eyes as she paced. The Evil Queen would have crushed his miserable heart the second he had laid a finger on her. Now she just felt shaken and violated and she didn't like it one little bit.

"I'm going to make some tea and check on Henry, would you both like a cup?"

The dark haired woman rose to her feet and sighed when she received no answer from Regina and a quiet yes please from the redhead, she was sure that the brunette was going to wear a hole in the carpet if she didn't stop pacing, but then she did suddenly stop and she frowned to see the colour drain from the Mayor's already pale face and her shaking hands clutched her chest as if in pain.

"Emma!"

"Regina? What is it? What's wrong?"

Zelena was on her feet and joined Snow rushing towards her but they were too late as the former Queen disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke.

"I hate it when she does that!"

Zelena snapped turning to face the smaller woman who now looked extremely worried.

When Regina materialised at the edge of the town she found herself stood behind Will Scarlet who had his weapon aimed at David who in turn had his gun pointed straight at him. It seemed that they were at a stalemate of sorts, so with a flick of her wrist the thief's bow and arrow disintegrated much to both men's surprise.

"Regina thank god you're here, Emma is hurt"

Before David had finished talking the brunette was running towards her Saviour who was sprawled out on the floor, she silently prayed to anyone who was listening that she wasn't too late.

Regina dropped to her knees beside her fallen love tears streaming down her face, this couldn't be happening again, was fate so cruel? Was this her punishment for her own cruelty or plain and simple justice for past misdeeds, whatever it was she had never felt pain like it.

"Emma oh gods Emma!"

Carefully she rolled the Sheriff on to her side wincing at the sight of the arrow embedded in her chest and the blood, So much blood"

"R.. Regina"

Dull green eyes opened and seemed to light up at the sight before her.

"Don't try to speak darling save your strength, I'm here now"

Somehow the Mayor had failed to notice the outlaw stood watching with a look that could only be described as pure satisfaction spread across his blood smeared face.

"It seems you both got what you deserve"

Her head snapped up at his words her eyes full of rage, she saw him swallow hard and start to back up to make his escape but they both knew it was over as she conjured up a fireball and hurled it at him without a second though.

Robin Hood was sent hurtling over the town line his clothes engulfed with flames and was probably dead before he hit the ground on the other side.

David heard the familiar crackle of Regina's fireball and saw Scarlett's eyes widen and in utter fear for his daughter's life he turned for a split second to witness Hood catapulting through the air looking like a human firework and quickly disappearing over the town line.

Emma was still laid on the floor with the brunette leaning over her speaking in hushed tones before she began performing her magic, it wasn't until Charming heard the sound of heavy boots hitting tarmac in a rapid pace did he turn back just in time to see the back of Will Scarlett disappearing into the undergrowth.

With no time to think about what she had just done Regina returned her attention back to the blonde who had drained of any colour and was quickly losing consciousness.

"Keep your eyes on me Swan do you hear me? Don't make me have to kick your idiotic ass"

Emma managed a smile but it quickly turned into a grimace as pain ripped through her chest robbing her of her breath.

"S...so h...hot when you're..m..mad at me"

She managed gritting her teeth as her eyes began to roll.

"Idiot"

Tears flowed freely down Regina's face as she willed herself to get her emotions in check as she placed the palm of her hand over the arrowhead that was covered in blood and sticking out of red leather.

After almost a minute a purple glow began swirling around her fingers as her magic grew stronger and began to alter the very fibre of the deadly weapon that had cut her love down until with a deep growl from dark red lips it suddenly turned to dust beneath her fingers.

Emma had passed out with the pain and had lost a fair amount of blood when the Mayor began to heal the gaping wound that had been left behind, she knew her magic wasn't strong enough to heal her completely but if she could stop the crimson from flowing and reduce the size of the bloody mess then there had to be hope.

The former Queen slumped forward her magic almost depleted as she cupped Emma's face in her hands.

"Please darling don't leave me, I need you, Henry needs you"

She whispered before kissing her tenderly on the lips.

The Sheriff's body jolted as a surge of magic zipped through her veins and left her tingling from her head to her toes, she could feel Regina's erratic heartbeat within her soul and even more amazing she could feel the love the older woman felt for her, nothing had ever come close to that all encompassing feeling that could never be duplicated by another, if there was a heaven then this could only be what it would feel like.

David was jogging his way over to his injured daughter angry at himself for letting Scarlett escape and knew he was going to be on the end of the Majors sharp tongue when she found out.

As he neared the two woman he slowed down to see the brunette lean down and kiss Emma on the lips then stopped completely and gasped as a swirl of colour engulfed them both before it slowly disappeared as if it had never existed.

"Well I'll be"

David muttered shaking his head and smiling in awe as he watched the Savior's hand reach up and cup Regina's cheek, but then his thoughts quickly turned to his wife and his smile faded.

Emma slowly opened her bleary eyes, a searing pain was immediate within her chest and a gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it, she was about to attempt to sit up and take in her surroundings when a large but gentle hand eased her back down.

"Hey try not to move sweetie, you're in the hospital your safe"

Charming smiled and let out a relieved sigh as his daughters confused green eyes met his gaze.

"R...Regina where is she? Is she ok?"

Swan panicked as the afternoon's events quickly flooded her mind and grabbed at his arm, why wasn't Regina here? She should be here"

"Hey calm down she's with Snow and Zelena getting some drinks, it's the first time she has left your side since you got here. I had to practically throw her out of the room to take a break, I'm sure she won't be long"

Her father's words pacified the Sheriff but only mildly, she could feel her loves anxiousness and fear and didn't like it one little bit.

"Are they all gone now over the town line?"

David frowned not really wanting to worry his daughter but knew he had no choice, she would find out soon enough.

"All but Scarlett, he escaped and at this moment in time I'm not sure if he has left Storybrooke yet, he fled back into the forest, I have a search party out looking for him now. As for Hood we don't know if he made it. Regina hit him with a fireball at close range so it's unlikely that he survived"

Emma stayed silent as he spoke then maneuvered herself into a sitting position with the help of father.

"If Scarlet is still in Storybrooke and Hood is dead he will come for Regina!"

The sound of the door opening to the private hospital room halted their conversation as all of her family except for the Mayor and her sister entered smiling brightly to see Emma awake and sitting up.

Snow and Henry both hugged her being careful not to squeeze too hard and peppered her face in relieved kisses until they were affectionately batted away.

"Regina is talking to Dr Whale honey, she's going to be so happy to see you awake"

"Mom's been really worried ma, she threatened to turn Dr Whale into a toad if you wasn't looked after properly but Aunty Zelena said a rat would suit him better"

Henry added with a cheeky chuckle.

"I'm going to tell my mom that your awake"

That brought a smile to Emma's lips which didn't go unnoticed by her mother as Henry rushed past her and disappeared out of the door.

"You shouldn't be sat out here like an outcaste sis! that's practically your wife lying in that room. Sod the Charmings! Emma would want you with her"

Zelena rolled her eyes when she was once again ignored whilst Regina sat staring at the floor and telling herself over and over again that her Saviour would be ok. Whale had said as much but still until she saw those beautiful green eyes for herself she wouldn't be able to rest.

"Mom? Mom? Ma's awake!"

The Mayor let out a shaky breath and blinked back her rush of tears as she shot up out of the seat just as her son flung his arms around her waist and held onto her tightly.

Letting out a shaky relieved breath Regina stroked Henry's hair sending a silent thank you to anyone who was listening.

"Mom has Robin gone for good? Why did he try to hurt you both?"

Luckily for Regina her sister chose that moment to save the day. She knew she had some explaining to do where Henry was concerned by now wasn't the time.

"Why are you two still standing here? The Saviour awaits! Come on let's go and see our hero"

Zelena winked at the grateful brunette as she hurried them both along and thankfully Henry dropped his line of questioning in favour of getting back to Emma.

"Do you need anything honey?"

Snow asked still fussing over her daughter who barely managed not to roll her eyes. All Emma wanted was Regina and nothing else.

"Snow why don't we give Em a bit of space? She's had a rough day"

The short haired brunette shot her husband the look and was about to protest when the door opened and the Saviour finally felt her world once again come back together.

Regina's heart soared within her chest to see Emma awake and her now sparkling sea green eyes staring straight at her, she rushed towards the bed not caring what anyone else thought, she just needed to touch her, make sure she was real.

Tears filled both their eyes as they embraced both clinging to each other as if their life depended on it, both beginning to feel whole.

"Thank the gods, I was so scared!"

"Hey come on, you of all people should know that I'm not that easy to get rid of"

The Saviour brushed Regina's tears away before finding her lips and kissing her softly.

David had already managed to get Snow and Henry out of the room not quite ready for his wife's reaction to their daughter's relationship with their former nemesis.

Neither of them had noticed that they were now alone and neither did they care if they wasn't because in that moment all they could see and feel was each other.

Regina was the first to pull away her worry quickly turning to anger in her typical fashion as she poked the Saviour in the arm relatively hard.

"Ow what was that for?"

Swan rubbed her arm knowing exactly what was about to ensue.

"Your such an idiot do you know that? Do you think so little of Henry and I to go getting yourself shot by one of those forest dwellers? Do you know how close to your heart that arrow was? Do you even care? If I hadn't of arrived when I did your idiot father would most likely be occupying another bed in this hospital"

Emma sunk back against the pillows pulling the annoyed brunette with her and kissed her temple, she knew her love always used anger when she was worried and couldn't help but smile.

"Of course I care. I love you both more than anything as well you know, now stop being mad at me and kiss me some more, it helps with the pain"

The Mayor tried and failed to keep the smile from creeping on her lips, she would never hear those words enough from her Sheriff.

"I doubt that very much Swan and you're still in big trouble, but I guess that can wait until you're feeling better"

She whispered back before letting herself get lost once again in her loves talented mouth.

Snow watched from behind the closed door through the glass window her eyes widening suddenly as she watched her daughter pull the Mayor to her and kiss her.

"Oh my god David they are.."

Charming scratched his head looking rather sheepish.

"Oh yeah about that Snow, it seems that Emma and Regina are.."

He paused not sure how to continue without causing his wife to blow a gasket.

"Shagging might be the word you're looking for Charming"

Zelena chuckled throatily loving the sheer look of horror on Snow White's face.

"Yep that's right The Evil Queen and the Saviour are at it like the monkeys from Oz"

David sighed deeply and rubbed his forehead.

"Thanks for the visual Zelena but your really not helping"

Snow shook her head her mouth gaping as she turned back to watch the unsuspecting couple kissing.

"B..but it's Regina I had no idea, did you?"

The prince glared at the redhead who smirked back at him then shook his head before kissing his wife's forehead.

"I am as shocked as you but I am sure Emma will explain everything when she is up to it. I don't even think Henry knows"

"I knew before they did Grandpa"

Henry had a grin on his face when his grandparents both spun around to face him eyes wide with shock.

"I knew they would find each other eventually I just didn't think it would take so long"

"Henry! Y..you knew? Do they know you know?"

The Author chuckled and shook his head.

"Are you happy about this?"

The brunette asked her face growing redder by the second.

"Why wouldn't I be grandma? Their my moms and they love each other, we can finally be a family"

"Snow I don't think this is really the time to ta….."

"I suppose you think that this is ok?"

Snow snapped spinning around to face her husband with an accusing glare.

"It's Regina!"

"This just gets better and better, whiter than white Snow White is a homophobe! The Saviours going to just love you...not!"

Zelena let out a bark of laughter turning on her heels to go and find a vending machine, she needed tea to go with the coming entertainment.

David sighed deeply as his fears were confirmed.

"The truth is I don't know what to think but right now all that is important is that our daughter is alive and like it or not If it hadn't been for Regina I'm not so sure that would have been the case"

Knowing her husband was right Snow nodded but her expression remained concerned and her unusual silence that ensued made for an unsettling atmosphere.

"How much to you remember darling?"

Regina asked sat on the bed next to the blonde with their fingers entwined together.

Emma sighed deeply meeting the brunettes gaze, she felt responsible for it all and wished she had gone about revealing her true feelings in a gentler manner maybe then no blood would have been shed and Robin would still be alive, that was if he was dead, she wasn't sure if they would ever know for sure.

"I kinda hit Hood again for telling my dad about us and saying nasty shit about you"

The Mayor raised an eyebrow and couldn't keep the small smile from her lips.

"My knight in shining armour"

She whispered squeezing the hand she held tightly in her own.

The Saviour smiled wryly, she did feel that exact way a knight protecting her Queen.

"I don't remember much more, one minute I was about to push him over the town line the next I was on the floor and then all I could feel was you, your magic, your love"

Her smile widened as she remembered how it felt to be engulfed by Regina entirely with every fibre of her being drowning in her love it was totally arousing, but she kept that fact to herself.

"I think I might have killed him Emma, the look of satisfaction on his face when he thought you were dying. I didn't think twice"

The former Queen lowered her head shamefully, part of her would have liked to blame her evil side for her actions but she couldn't, she would do it again without a thought.

"If we wasn't here in Storybrooke I would be sitting in a cell right now"

"But we are sweetheart and normal rules don't apply here we both know that, you did what you had to do"

Emma assured strongly whilst tugging on the brunettes hand to get her to look at her which she eventually did.

"You saved my life, I owe you everything"

The Mayor shook her head and with her free hand touched her love's face.

"I would do anything for you Emma you owe me nothing except your heart"

"Old habits die hard my Queen and my heart you own"

Swan shot back smirking when dark eyes rolled skyward and was about to lean in for a kiss when the door to the room opened and Henry came in followed by her parents and Zelena.

Regina's initial reaction was to pull away from her true love but she felt the grip on her hand tighten and heard the words "please don't" murmured quietly, so she didn't and instead turned with a genuine smile on her face to look at their son.

"Hey kid come here"

Emma said patting the bed beside her and totally ignoring the strange expression that her mother had on her face.

"Your mom and I need to..."

"It's ok ma I already know"

Henry climbed up onto the bed grinning from ear to ear.

Regina shot Snow a filthy look that was returned with equal venom as she assumed the big mouthed princess had once again blabbed her business.

"You do? How? We have only just…."

"Ma come on it's been obvious for years that you loved my mom, and you felt the same right mom?"

Regina raised an eyebrow and smirked, she had a raised a smart boy and was more than pleased that he had skipped the idiot charming gene.

"Yes Henry I do love and have always loved your mother, I always will"

Emma felt her heart swell knowing what a huge admission that was for the usually hard faced Mayor.

"I thought you loved Robin Hood?"

Snow glared at the former Queen with her arms folded defiantly across her chest when the woman in question whipped around to face her.

"Mom? What the hell!"

"Grandma low blow"

"Snow now really isn't the time for this"

"Oooh here we go"

David attempted to get his wife to look at him but she stood firm staring straight at the brunette accusingly.

"No I want to hear how suddenly she claims to be in love with my daughter?"

"It's not a claim it's a fact not that it's any of your damn business but then that's you all over isn't it Snow? Poking your nose where it isn't wanted"

Regina rose to her feet as she spoke her chin jutted out in front of her proudly, her eyes blazing with anger.

"I won't let you ruin my life a second time"

"That's not going to happen right mom?"

Emma glared at her mother really not expecting this conversation quite so soon she totally was not in the mood for it now.

"You're the damn poster girl for true love why would you want to cause us trouble?"

"True love?"

Snow scoffed glancing at her husband who shook his head at her sadly.

"It's true Snow I saw it myself after Regina saved Emma's life. They are meant to be together"

"And if you can't or won't accept that then I suggest you leave"

Swan added reaching out for Regina's hand who then with a sigh sat back down next to her.

"Emma!"

Tears pricked the princess's eyes she could see the determination in her daughter's face and it scared her because it mirrored her own. How could she except this? After everything!

"I can't believe you mom for the first time in my whole shitty life I am happy, truly happy. I have the greatest kid in the world who is only like he is because he was raised and loved by the most incredible woman I have ever met and she loves me too so as Regina just said I won't let you ruin either of our lives for a second time so please just leave us alone"

The hurt in Snow's eyes was palpable as her mouth gaped open in shock.

"I think you both need to calm down now, this isn't getting us anywhere"

David said pulling his wife into his strong arms as he immediately went into protective mode.

"I have nothing left to say dad I think i have made myself clear, all I want is to get out of this place and be with my family"

"Emma darling….."

Regina started but paused when green eyes stared back at her pleading for support, as much as the Charmings got on her very last nerve most of the time she was more than aware that she was the cause of their fragile relationship and she really didn't want to be the reason that it broke down entirely.

"This isn't your fault sweetheart, my mother knows what happened this morning and yet here she stands giving us shit"

Emma glared once again at Snow and shook her head.

"I don't need you mom I never have you saw to that remember? I love her, really love her and I couldn't give a rats what any of you self righteous pains in my ass think"

"I think you have made yourself clear enough Emma"

David snapped feeling his wife sag against him and crumble under the weight of her daughters cutting words as she fought back her tears.

Swan felt the pangs of guilt at the hurt in her mother's face as she was led out of the room that was now in silence, but damn it! she wasn't going to let anyone come in between her and her one true love, not a chance in hell.

"Well that went well, you certainly gave her what for Saviour"

Zelena commented gleefully and completely ignored her sisters glare.

"But as entertaining as this has been I need to go and feed my munchkin. Regina I will call you"

She said walking over to the door but stopped and glanced back over her shoulder and flashed a bright toothy smile.

"As nauseating as you both are I'm really happy you two finally saw sense. Henry and I were on the verge of planning operation get a grip!"

Emma chuckled and returned the smile then rested her head against the Mayor's shoulder as a sudden wave of exhaustion hit her.

"Henry seriously?"

Regina asked, smirking as her sisters laughter faded as did the click of her heels as she left.

"Aunty Zelena insisted on naming it that mom and believe me there were much worse names than that"

Henry reached out and took the brunettes hand in his own before doing the same to Emma.

"Henry darling are you sure your ok with all of this? We had planned on telling you together but as you know Robin Hood happened"

"I'm more than ok mom, we all finally get the family we have always wanted. This is our happy ending right?"

Regina glanced down at her Sheriff who was still resting against her shoulder and was met with the most beautiful smile that made her heart sore.

"Yes Henry I think you may be right"