Chapter 7:

No matter how many patients Dr. Mills worked with she could not seem to distract herself from the fact that the really cute sheriff was still in surgery. Her annoying pixie cut haired friend had been by earlier to see if Emma was alright. When she had been informed by the cardiothoracic resident that Emma was still in surgery, she had stayed at the hospital instead of going home. And Regina didn't fail to notice that her resident had conveniently gone missing around that time.

She couldn't stop checking the clock to see if Emma would be out of surgery. Regina had to force herself to not check on Emma's room every five minutes. She couldn't stop thinking about her and about Henry. He was probably still in school and had no idea about how Emma was doing.

What would happen to him if Emma didn't make it out?

The poor adorable boy would probably have to live with that annoying woman Nolan was seeing. The thought sent a cold shiver down her spine. It wouldn't happen. Emma would be alright. Maleficent would perform the surgery the same as she had a million times. There would be no more complications. Emma would be out by that evening.

Another check of the clock. The sheriff would be out of surgery by now. She could just go walk by and ensure that she's alright.

Why did she even care?

Miss Swan was just another patient's mother. Nothing more. Regina sees them all the time. Every day in fact. She meant nothing more than any of them.

Did she though?

The doctor looked at her watch. She could just pass by. It would be very casual. Nobody would notice. It doesn't mean anything. She's still just a patient's mom. A super adorable patient, but a patient none the less. Just another mother. That's all. And Regina would go visit her simply out of a completely normal doctor's concern. She wouldn't even say hi. She'd just walk by and check that Emma was alright.

She made a point of passing by the nurse's station to pick up some charts in order to have a justifiable reason to be in the ICU. From there she could see Emma's room. She peered over her file towards her.

At first Emma hadn't notice Regina standing there. It wasn't until she looked up towards the clock in her room that she noticed the familiar brunette standing at the nurse's station. Her white coat blended in with the crowd of doctors around her. But it was her beauty that stood out. Emma could spot her a mile away. She smiled at the brunette who immediately blushed and ducked behind her file but not before Emma caught the smile that had spread across her face. She couldn't grasp why this woman had such a strong effect on her. Everything she did seemed to captivate Emma, from the way she spoke so kindly to Henry to the way she was now pretending as if her being right in front of Emma's room had nothing to do with Emma having just got out of surgery.

Regina finally looked up from her file and took in the sight of Emma. She looked weak. Regina mouthed, Are you okay?

Emma smiled and went to give her the thumbs up with her right arm. A sharp pain shot through her arm and she cringed slightly. She attempted to cover it up with a smile and a thumbs up with her left hand when she noticed the look of fear spread across the beautiful doctor's face. Regina didn't seem convinced so she mouthed again more seriously, Are you okay?

Emma smiled so wide and nodded adamantly. She sucked up the pain and made a double thumbs up using her right hand. She hoped that would prove her complete okayness. Regina seemed to get the message and smiled in response. Emma couldn't pass on the opportunity of having Regina's attention, she mouthed, you look really pretty today. Regina bit her lip and attempted to hide her blush behind the chart she was holding. But it didn't go unnoticed by Emma.

Down the hall Maleficent was heading to go see Emma. The weight and fear of the surgery was still weighing on her shoulders. She knew that wouldn't leave until she could Emma was completely cleared. As angry as Maleficent was with Regina she still respected her and Maleficent was no stranger to that woman's rage. It was something she did not want to be victim of again.

The doctor didn't fail to notice the way her patient seemed to snap out of her smile when she entered the room. She follows the woman's gaze and saw Regina sheepishly hiding her face behind a file. When the brunette chanced a glance their way she immediately squirmed away upon seeing Maleficent.

Maleficent had to laugh. She hadn't seen Regina act this way in so long, if even ever. The two of them had never been like that with one another. There were no stolen smiles and hiding behind files.

She begins briefing Emma on her second surgery. She informs her of the blood clot, how it was blocking a major artery and how they removed it and she would be just fine. Of course Emma heard nothing of this. She muttered acknowledgement but continued to look towards the nurse's station for any sign of Regina's return.

Maleficent decided to break the tension she was feeling, "So I see you know Dr. Mills." She ushered her head towards the nurse's station.

Emma blushed a little. She tried to keep her cool and explain, "My son was her patient a few days ago."

Maleficent nodded. She had to hold back the mild anger she felt knowing that she and Regina had merely ended it a few days ago. They had been a sour couple for a while, she convinced herself, and they were over ages before they actually said the words aloud. This woman in front of her had had nothing to do with it. Dr. Page walked around Emma's bed to the cardiac monitor. Everything appeared to be in order, this lifted off a small portion of the weight on her shoulders. She made a note of the results in her chart. She checked Emma's IV and ensured that the blood thinners she had prescribed were being properly administered. All seemed to be in check. She looked back down at Emma who appeared to have given up on the prospect of Regina's return.

"You could ask her out you know." Maleficent commented as she checked over Emma's cardiac monitor once more.

"I already did." Emma caved into her desire and chanced another glance towards the nurse's station. Regina had not returned.

"Oh." Maleficent didn't know how else to respond. She was momentarily taken aback by the new knowledge. Her face mirrored the disappointment on Emma's, who had come to the conclusion that Regina was not returning.

"She turned me down." Emma said almost sulkily. This news brought a slight happiness to Maleficent. Maybe their relationship had meant more to Regina than she had thought. The news still surprised her. If there was one thing Maleficent knew about Regina it was how the woman truly believed in the saying, the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else. Maybe there was more to that woman then Maleficent knew. It wouldn't be the first time she surprised her. Still Maleficent wanted what was best for her former girlfriend so she advised Emma as she had once been advised.

"Then you need to be more persistent," she forced a smile which seemed to give Emma some hope. And with that she exiting the ICU and went to check on her next patient.


AN I tried for a quick update. I hope it went well :D I'd love to hear what you think