The next morning, Emma emerged from her room alone little before 7:00 a.m. She said nothing to the two Secret Service agents came out of the room across from hers and fell into step by her side. Once in the vehicle, Emma leaned back and closed her eyes. She'd heard the team leader call Regina and inform her of their ETA at the residence. Wonderful. I really want to see her right now.
Regina was waiting at the side entrance of the White House when the SUV pulled up. She watched Emma step out, looking hollow eyed and unusually strained. They had to hurry to get her past the press without announcing she had been out all night and up all-night screwing. Regina figured she didn't look all that better than Emma because she felt like hell. Neither of them acknowledged the other. Regina directed Emma in through the service entrance and down the maze of halls to the elevator to the family living quarters.
"I'll be outside with the cars. The plane leaves at 0830."
"Fine."
The ride to the airport less than thirty minutes later had been just as quiet.
Once aboard, Emma stalked down the aisle and threw herself across the seats at the rear. Regina took the first seat inside the cabin, leaned back, and closed her eyes. She hadn't gotten much sleep. None of them had. Between tracking Emma down, then shadowing the hotel the rest of the night, half the team had worked on the one night they all expected to have off. When the plane landed in New York forty minutes later, Regina escorted Emma to the waiting SUV and climbed into the back with her. In an hour, Emma was due to meet with the mayor to handle the New Year's Day Parade.
"Where to Ms. Swan?" Regina asked. Since Emma's disappearance the night before and her late arrival that morning, their entire schedule had been changed. Regina had no idea of Emma's plans and being at such a disadvantage pissed her off.
For once Emma appeared calm. "I need to go home and change."
Regina nodded, passed the message along to the driver and the car following them, and settled back against the seat. She clamped down on her anger. She wouldn't give Emma the satisfaction of knowing how unsettling the episode in the bar had been for her. The hours she had spent with Angelina had satisfied her body, but had not erased the memory of Emma's mouth on hers or the demanding promise of Emma's hands claiming her. It was not a memory Regina welcomed, and the faint bruises around Emma's lips only served to remind her that Emma had been up all night satisfying her needs with a stranger.
Christ Mills don't be a fool. Anyone will do, as long as she is in charge. You just happened to be handy.
When they pulled up in front of Emma's apartment, Regina sent Graham for coffee while she waited in the vehicle. She closed her eyes and thought of nothing. When the door opened again she looked up and then quickly averted her eyes as Emma Swan slid into the back seat and settled across from her. This woman looked nothing like the woman Regina had followed into the gay bar the night before. That woman had been wild, untamed and untamable. Emma was a predator, all the deadlier because she was irresistible. She was beautiful in the way of wild animals, and Regina had fallen prey to her power even as she tried to deny it.
This woman was elegant and refined and showed no resemblance to the creature she had been the night before, the one exception being that she was just unapproachable. The ferocious hunger in Emma's eyes had been replaced by an icy stillness. If there were thoughts behind the green eyes they no longer showed. Her tailored coat was open to expose a fitted suit, the jacket unbuttoned to reveal a silk camisole underneath. The skirt slid up as she crossed her legs. Regina found her every bit as attractive in this appearance as she had been the night before. Neither did she feel any safer all too aware of the pounding in her chest.
In defense, Regina forced herself to focus on the job at hand. This was one of the most dangerous kinds of appearances for Emma, since she would be exposed and highly visible in the midst of a large crowd. When they arrived at the central viewing area, where the mayor and Emma would be commenting on the passing parade, Regina was greeted by the mayor's chief of security, a serious looking redhead in his early forties.
"Captain Mark Goldman," the redhead announced enthusiastically, extending his hand while openly praising Regina.
Regina nodded in response as she returned the firm grip. "Regina Mills."
Looking past Mark, Regina surveyed the podium where Emma will be seated. She frowned slightly, noting that the rear of the elevated platform was open where the trucks and vans carrying sound and the other video equipment were parked. Anyone could approach from that direction, and she motioned for Graham to station several of their people behind the stand. Goldman noted the maneuver and quickly dispatch two of his own staff to join the Secret Service agents.
Emma watched in amusement as the two security chiefs secretly checked each other out, the way two dogs would while surveying a common territory. She was pretty sure Mark Goldman had some kind of crush on Mills from the way he looked at her, Emma was even more convinced. For a brief instant, she felt a flare of jealously. There was no doubt that Mills was one of the most beautiful woman she had ever seen and she didn't doubt that there were plenty of women, and men for that matter, looking for her attention. The fact that it bothered her even for a second irritated her. Emma turned her back to their activities, focusing on the mayor and his entourage. She certainly had no intention of allowing Regina Mills to occupy anymore of her thoughts than necessary.
While she offered casual responses to mayor's small talk, Emma tried not to think about the previous night, or the fact that each time she had brought a cry from her willing conquest, she had wished it was Regina responding to her caresses. She had been aware that the body squirming beneath her was not the woman she had been holding for an instant in the bar. Nor could she forget what touching Regina did to her.
The desire that radiated from Regina's body then had been breathtaking. The lightning response had excited Emma so much that the lingering effects had carried her to a climax as she made love to the young stranger. She never undressed, never let herself be touched, but she would come anyway thinking of Regina. Even now she couldn't put it from her mind. Regina's steady breath, the lift of her hips in Emma's hands, all of it had ignited Emma's passion in a way that no one had been able to do in a long time, as long as she could remember. Even thinking of it now stirred her once again. Jesus let it go. She won't give in. She's all about the rules and regulations.
"Are you ready Ms. Swan?" The mayor's aid asked politely, receiving an automatic smile from Emma.
"Yes of course."
Fortunately, she could do this kind of event without a conscious thought. She had been in the spotlight since she was a young adult. She smiled at the right times, she made the right complimentary remarks about the performers, and she was altogether gracious and charming. The camera loved her which made everything easier. In any lighting, she looked flawless and all around stunning. Because of her personality and her appearance, she was frequently asked to attend at media events. She did it because she had to and she cared about her father's image.
Nevertheless, each appearance took its toll. She was aware of the men staring at her with very badly disguised looks of lust. She would not have tolerated it under any other circumstance. Had it happened on the street where she is not immediately recognizable she would have made it very clear she was not interested. She was tired of being an unwilling player in the charade. That's why she lived her life at night, she shed her public persona and grasped what little she had of her own life.
For some weird reason that afternoon she was actually aware of Regina Mills standing just behind her out of the camera shot. The knowledge that Regina knew the truth about her made the event more tolerable, her presence reminded Emma who she really was. When the event was over she thanked everyone, and turned tiredly away. Regina was instantly by her side.
"Ready to go?" Her tone was gentle. Emma's exhaustion was clear.
"God yes."
Emma didn't relax until they were in the SUV again on their way back to her apartment. Regina sat across from her in silence. However, it was not the awkward silence of the earlier ride from the airport, but rather a comfortable regathering of energy after the stressful afternoon. Emma had to admit that she felt safe. Despite all the years of this kind of experiences she had never quite gotten over the feeling of being vulnerable. There was something about Regina's presence that allowed her to forget for a moment that millions of eyes were on her. It wasn't that the dozens of others before Mills hadn't taken the job seriously but Emma had always known it was the job and not her they were working for. What made Regina so fascinating, and at the same time annoying, was that when she focused on you you knew you had been seen.
"Thank you for handling that so well." Emma said.
"You're welcome."
"Come up stairs Commander," Emma said as the vehicle came to a stop in front of the building. "We can go over the schedule for the rest of the week."
Regina quickly hid her surprise at the unusual invitation. "Certainly."
When the rear doors opened, Regina stepped out first. She glanced quickly up and down the street, confident that the area was secure, and extended her hand to Emma. It was an automatic gesture and she did it without thought.
Emma hesitated for just a second and then took the offered hand. The grip was firm and cool. She ignored the tingling in her fingers. "Thank you."
The other members of the team escorted them to the private elevator that went only to Emma's penthouse apartment, then left to take the second elevator to the control room just below it. As the elevator doors opened on the top floor, Regina exited and out of habit visually swept the hallway. In one swift movement, her gun was drawn. She quickly turned towards Emma, who had stepped up next to her, and grasped her around the waist. She pushed Emma back into the elevator shielding her from the foyer with her own body.
"Stay behind me," she ordered as she slapped the lobby button. "Graham," she said urgently into her microphone. "Seal the building. No one goes in or out. Have team one meet us at the elevator. We have a code red."
"What's going on?" Emma demanded anxiously.
"We're evacuating," Regina held up one hand to silence her, still speaking to her second in command. "There's a package outside Cobra's apartment door. Call the bomb squad."
The elevator door slid open and four other agents quickly surrounded them. Regina led the way, walking directly in front of Emma to block her body from any possible sightline. The group hustled the startled woman across the lobby, through the double glass doors and into a waiting vehicle. Within seconds the SUV was speeding through New Year's traffic.
"Clear the civilians from the building," Regina said as she listened on her radio to what was happening in the command room. "Keep them all together for questioning. I want a list of every person who was in the building within the last week. I'll advise you when we reach the safe house."
"What?" Emma demanded. "Where are we going?"
"Temporary quarters." Regina responded.
"For how long?"
"Until I can assess the degree of threat."
The safe house turned out to be a large suite in the top floor of one of the most exclusive hotels uptown. As soon as they entered Regina was in communication with Graham once again. Meanwhile Emma was left to pace in silence in the sitting room. The instant Regina ended the call Emma confronted her.
"Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
"Someone left you a present. Until we find out what and who you are not allowed to go back, you are not safe at home."
"And I suppose you think I am going to stay here?" Emma asked quizzical.
"I don't have time to argue with you. Your safety, not your comfort, is what is important. Once I have some idea of what was in the box and how someone could get that close to leave it at your door without our surveillance getting it. I can give you some idea of when you can return. The entire security system needs to be redone, and your apartment needs to be checked for anything."
"What about my work?" Emma asked intently. She couldn't quite keep the tremor from her voice. "All of my work is in my loft. It's protected from fire but not from a horde of careless Secret Service agents tramping through my apartment."
Regina recalled the stacks of canvases and works in progress that filled over half of Emma's loft space. The artwork was irreplaceable and quite possibly priceless. What she saw in Emma's eyes was not concern for the material loss but for the loss of her creations. For an artist to lose her work was the same thing of anyone losing a body part.
"I understand," Regina said immediately. "I'll talk to Graham and make sure everyone is aware of what's in your apartment. We have to look at everything. There could be almost anything hidden basically anywhere. If someone was able to penetrate our security to leave a package outside your door we have to assume they had access to the interior of your apartment as well. I'm sorry. It's the best I can do."
Emma searched Regina's eyes and found sincerity as well as empathy in the depths of her dark brown eyes. "Thank you." She whispered softly.
"As soon as we have things under control I'll have someone bring your clothes. Is there anything else you want?"
"A different face?" Emma grimaced. "Can you have someone bring me one day of peace?"
"How about a six pack of beer and pizza?"
Emma laughed in spite of herself. "If that's the best you can do Commander. You are one lousy date. However, considering the limited resources at hand I'll take it."
As it turned out, it was six hours before Regina was satisfied that there was no immediate danger at the apartment. The package wrapped in plain brown paper had been left by Emma's door and did not contain a bomb. The dogs sent in to investigate were completely uninterested, and there wasn't anything to excite them in Emma's apartment either. Agents had searched the loft and found no evidence of tampering.
Graham was on his way over with the package and supplies for a few days stay. Regina estimated it would take that long to change all the locks in the building, recheck the security clearances on the cleaning crews, maintenance, and the occupants of the other apartments, and review all the visitors of the building in the last week. She hadn't told Emma of the timetable yet and wasn't looking forward to doing it. Until they had a better idea of what exactly happened she couldn't let Emma leave the safe house.
Regina intended to stay on site personally for at least the next several days. Graham was already arranging around the clock coverage at the safe house. The suite had two bedrooms, a large sitting area, a bar, and a wide screen TV. They would be cramped but they will all have to manage.
A knock at the door brought her to attention. She crossed the room quickly, reaching into her jacket to release the snap on her shoulder holster as she moved. She relaxed as Graham announced his arrival.
"What have you got for me?" She asked immediately.
Graham lifted a shoebox size package in his hands. "I've got this, bomb boys and evidence techs are done with it."
"Excellent." She indicated that he join her at the table in the sitting area. Emma appeared at the door of the master bedroom just as Regina was reaching for the package. Their eyes met and Regina read the question that Emma couldn't bring herself to ask.
"Join us, Ms. Swan, please." Regina said quietly. At Graham's quick expression of surprise, she just regarded him steadily. She didn't need to give an explanation. It was her call to make.
Once Emma took the seat on Regina's right at the small table, Regina carefully examined the exterior of the package. The only thing on it was Emma's name in black Sharpie. No postal stamp or any other identity markers. The wrapping appeared to be normal packing paper sealed with Scotch tape. Carefully, Regina lifted the tape and removed the paper to reveal a cardboard box. A little bit of fingerprint powder stuck to everything inside and out. She unfolded the flaps and removed a single sheet of paper. She looked at it for a second then placed it on the table for Emma and Graham to see. A muscle in her jaw tightened as she read the hand-written words.
You are so beautiful. Why do you waste yourself on those who are unworthy? I know how rare and precious you are. I can forgive your sins. I am watching. I am waiting for your sign.
"Oh my God." Emma breathed. She suddenly felt cold as if a strange hand had run over her naked skin. Unconsciously, she leaned closer to Regina.
"Have Suarez return this to the lab for a handwriting analysis and get me a readout on the paper." Regina instructed, her voice hard and cold. You son of a bitch. You will never get this close to her again.
"Got it." Graham replied quietly.
"I want twenty-four-hour real-time photo surveillance of the street in front of the apartment building. Assign our best tech person to it. I want to see any repeaters, any loiterers, and anyone who seems the slightest bit out of place." Regina kept her hand flat on the table, she had the overwhelming desire to punch something. Just hours ago, Emma had been exposed to the view of thousands. The night before she'd been wandering the streets of D.C. with a stranger. From all reports, she'd been vulnerable for weeks. And we've been sitting around doing nothing to protect her. Well that is over now.
"It's a stalker, isn't it?" Emma questioned, hoping there was a different answer.
"I'm afraid so." Regina responded. This was the worst possible news. Stalkers were unpredictable and difficult to identify and frequently did not have some police record. Everywhere Emma Swan went she would be in potential danger. Regina's job had just gotten a lot harder, and considering the difficulties they already had the work ahead looked challenging and exhausting.
"When can I go home?" Emma asked quietly.
"It will be at least a week." Regina replied honestly.
"Are you kidding me?!"
Regina laughed. "I really wish I was."
"Should I get the chief of staff on the line Commander?" Graham questioned.
"I'm getting to it." Regina sighed. "I just wanted to go over the tapes from the video cameras, first. Have you got them?"
"Please don't bring in Blanchard." Emma said urgently.
"I have to. You know that." Regina responded.
"Can't you wait? If you inform the White House this will be all over the news tomorrow. I'll never have another moment's peace."
Regina looked at her across the table. There was something close to pleading in her eyes.
"Can you give us a minute here." Regina said to Graham.
Graham looked like he wanted to protest but gave up and went out in the hall.
Regina leaned toward Emma and said gently, "This is serious. I can't keep something like this form my superiors."
"Don't tell me you are worried about getting in trouble." Emma laughed in disbelief.
"That's not the issue. If this escalates and gets worse, I may need more help. I'm not willing to jeopardize your safety to protect your privacy."
"We are not talking about my privacy." Emma's voice rose, and she made an effort to control it. "We are talking about my private life and that's what I don't want on the news."
"Is it really the news you are worried about?"
"Perhaps it isn't. But in the end, it is all the same." Emma briefly touched Regina's hand, surprising them both. "There's not much difference between stalked by a creepy admirer or by a swarm of reporters. Either way I am a victim."
Regina shook her head, ignoring the surge of empathy. Ignoring too, the lingering heat of Emma's fingers on her skin. "Even if I thought it was possible, I wouldn't do it. You haven't exactly made it easy for us to protect you. I simply can't trust you."
"And if you could? If I promised to follow the letter of the law? Would that buy me some time? You might have this all cleared up in a few days."
By sheer luck maybe. Regina walked to the windows overlooking Central Park. The decision should have been simple. Protocol demanded that at the first sight of any threat she intensify the security measures around the subject. Not notifying her superiors would certainly place her own position in jeopardy. On the other hand, this was the first time she even had the slightest cooperation from Emma Swan. She would need that cooperation if she was to have any chance at all of containing the situation. That made tactical sense, and, at least for the moment she had plenty of manpower to stay within the margin of safety. From twenty stories up she watched the horses and buggies winding their way through the lamp lit streets of the park. Across the room Emma remained silent but Regina could feel her gaze on her back. More than that she could remember the look in her eyes. Emma had been vulnerable, and, more than that, afraid. Regina tried to pretend that didn't affect her decision.
"I'll keep it quiet for now assuming there are no other threats." Regina turned from the windows her hands deep in her pockets. "As long as you cooperate with me."
"You've got a deal." Emma relaxed a great amount.
"At the next sign of contact I will have to advise the chief of staff. That is the best I can do."
"Thank you."
Watching Emma intently, Regina leaned one shoulder against the wall. She'd been up all night the previous evening chasing Emma and then chasing away Emma's ghost with sex. It was almost midnight. She was exhausted and she still had hours of work to do. "You have any idea who might be doing this?"
"Why should I?" Emma responded surprised and defensive.
"This might not have been the first attempt at contact." Regina said gently. A quick flash of horror on Emma's face made her stomach clench. "Anyone strike you as behaving unusually?"
"No."
"Someone who tried to approach you at the gym or the gallery? Maybe in a bar?"
"No, no one."
"Someone you spent the night with?"
"You saw for yourself." Emma said steadily, her eyes fixed on Regina's face. "The women I go home with have no idea who I am. If they know anything at all they know me by Jennifer."
"Your middle name." Regina observed. "And what about their names? Can you give me any kind of list? Any address?"
"Not unless you think the names 'baby', 'honey', and 'sweetheart', will do you any good." Emma responded sarcastically.
"What about someone you have seen more regularly?"
"There hasn't been anyone." Emma said flatly.
Regina ran a hand through her hair and sighed involuntarily. She had hoped there might be a lead among Emma's sexual encounters. If the stalker was indeed completely anonymous to Emma in any way it would only be through chance that they catch them.
"All right then." Regina said. "When Graham gets back, I'll need you to look at the security tapes with us. Perhaps you will recognize someone going in or out of the building."
"Fine." She felt like she had been up for forty-eight hours and looking at Regina it was clear she was exhausted too. The agent's usually pristine suit was wrinkled, and she had dark circles under her eyes. Emma had a sudden urge to brush the tousled hair back from her forehead. She had an even more disturbing desire to slip the suit jacket off Regina and guide her to the couch. The next moment she saw herself unbuttoning Regina's shirt. She stood suddenly forcing the images from her mind.
"I'm going to take a nap if you're going to have me stay up the rest of the night." She said harshly.
Regina glanced at Emma's stiff back as she crossed the room and slammed the bedroom door behind her. Then she slumped down on the couch tiredly, allowing herself a few minutes of rest before the long night began. The next thing she knew there was knock at the door and movement in the room. She opened her eyes in time to see Emma reach for the door.
"Emma!" Regina was across the room before Emma could turn the knob. Grasping her forearm Regina said sharply, "Let me do that."
"What?" Emma asking in surprise. The security chief had her gun drawn and the look on her face was intent. For the first time Emma truly appreciated the severity of the situation. She also understood that Regina Mills was completely serious on protecting her. It was clear the woman would put herself in danger to protect those around her. Emma felt sick thinking out Regina getting hurt trying to protect her. Emma hesitated for a moment keeping her hand on the door knob.
"Step behind me, please," Regina ordered steadily as she gently drew Emma's hand away. Putting herself between Emma and the door, her gun now shoulder length, she said, "Who's there?"
"Lucas and Graham." Graham replied.
Regina opened the door to the length until the security chain caught it and looked out into the hallway. Graham and the young female agent stood in the doorway. She lowered her gun and opened the door to let them in. As they passed by, she checked the hallway one more time, then holstered her weapon and secured the door.
"Have you got the tapes?"
"The tapes and dinner." Graham responded unpacking several bags. He looked at his boss knowing she must be tired and hungry. The president's daughter was watching the commander too. He couldn't quite describe the look on her face but it seemed to be a mixture of fascination and uncertainty. There was something else there as well, something that reminded him of how men looked at women. It was the first time he had seen anything so obviously sexual between the women. He wondered for a moment if the commander was aware of it or even if Emma was.
"Right," Regina said briskly. "Everybody grab whatever you want to eat and let's start looking at these tapes. Ms. Swan, I'm afraid I am going to have to ask you to sit through this with us. It will be long and boring but you might be able to recognize someone."
"Of course," Emma said in a strangely subdued voice. "Didn't someone promise me a beer?"
Regina looked at Graham with a raised eyebrow. "Graham?"
"Coming up," he said as he reached for the phone to call room service.
Three hours later the pizza boxes were empty, a six pack of beer was gone, and daybreak was not far away. They had watched tapes from the previous two days and found nothing out of the ordinary. It was unlikely that anything would turn up in the tapes from earlier in the week but they reviewed them anyways. Beginning with the morning shift, agents would begin to interview all the employees that worked in the building as well as anyone who was known to make a delivery.
"Let's take a break everyone." Regina said with a sigh. "Graham, Lucas, brief the others on what we need from the interviews. I'll stay her with Ms. Swan. Let's plan to update on anything at noon."
When the two agents left Regina turned to Emma. "You should get some sleep. This afternoon I want to go over anything you can remember from the last few weeks that might have been out of the ordinary."
"Right." Emma stopped at the door to the master suite, turning to look at Regina. Quietly she said, "You should get some rest too."
"My thoughts exactly." Regina smiled slightly and gave Emma an oddly gentle look. "I know this is hard for you. Just bear with me for a few days and hopefully we can get back to normal."
"Normal?" Emma said with a little bit of sadness. "Commander I wouldn't recognize normal if it hit me in the face."
Regina stared thoughtfully after her door closed between them. She could feel Emma's loneliness left in the air and it felt surprising like her own. She pushed the thought away and stretched out on the couch finally giving into her fatigue.
When she awoke, momentarily disoriented, she found a light cover her been placed over her. The curtains were drawn and the room was in near darkness. There was a sound of quiet breathing in the still room. After a moment, she could see the shape of someone sitting nearby.
"Couldn't sleep?" Regina said into darkness.
"No, I always have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep anywhere other than my own bed." A hint of sarcastic laughter followed. "That's probably why I never spent the night with someone."
"Leave the door open and try again." Regina suggested. "Sometimes just the sound of someone breathing is all that we need to hear."
Emma was stunned. She hadn't meant to say anything and the gentle response caught her off guard. She couldn't remember the last time she allowed anyone this close. It frightened her and she automatically went back to her long-practiced defense. "I think it might be better if you joined me in the bedroom. I can guarantee you at least one of us would get sleep, eventually."
Regina shifted to a sitting position and spread her arms out along the back of the sofa. She could barely see Emma's face in the shadows. "I'm unavailable."
The words came quietly and in a tone, that might have suggested regret. Nevertheless, the put down stung. Emma knew that in her heart her offer had been serious. She had wanted to fall asleep with Regina by her side.
"You certainly seemed available last night."
"That was just biology." Regina said calmly.
"Biology." Emma snorted. "Is that what we're calling it now? You were hot and you were ready. Deny it if that makes you feel better but I know what I felt."
"I'm not denying anything. What I am saying is that nothing can happen between us."
"Relax Commander. I'm not asking for a lifetime commitment." Emma eased herself out of the chair and approached the sofa. She leaned down placing her arms on either side of Regina's body. Their faces were only inches apart. "Why pretend you don't want it?"
Regina remained motionless. The air around her was charged with sex. Heat radiated from Emma's body and the faint scent of excitement caused her own blood to surge. She was quite sure that Emma could tell she was aroused. She couldn't alter the pounding of her heart or the quickening of her breath. "What will it take to convince you?"
"Tell me you don't want me to touch you." Emma whispered as she leaned even closer. "I can assure you I am just accomplished as any professional you might find to take care of your needs."
"Ms. Swan I do not want to have sex with you." Regina said in an even voice. She was surprised at the accuracy of Emma's information gathering. She was far from embarrassed however. There was very little difference between the casual sex that Emma enjoyed and what she herself wanted in privacy. "All I need from you is your cooperation."
Emma heard the finality in her voice. She had been rejected before but never by anyone she wanted quite so much. What angered her the most was that she could sense how much Regina desired her. Regina Mills represented everything she could not have in her own life, independence, self-determination, and freedom. Knowing this fueled her urge to strip the self-contained agent of her restraint. For just those moments at the peak of release she'd wanted to hold Regina's will in her hands. At least that's how it had started.
Now there was something else, something much more dangerous. Now she wanted the comfort of Regina's presence in the dark. Slowly she straightened. "If you keep me cooped up in this place for very long I won't be responsible for my actions."
"I promise to make this short and painless as possible." Regina recognized the admission in her voice and laughed softly. "I'm sure you can be trusted no matter how long it takes."
Don't be so sure Commander. If I have to be this close to you twenty-four hours a day I'm not sure I can trust myself.
