So I have been gone a while I know. But I have three updates coming for you. Special thank you to Ms. Miller for beta-ing. The chapters are together but I am still working on the last one but in honor of once returning in a couple of hours here you guys go.

Chapter 8: Can You Save Me? Part 1/3

"She?" Emma repeated after the nurse had given her the one name she hadn't wanted to hear. "There has to be a mistake. Did you see the man I came in with?" Panicked the blonde as she readjusted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. Though she doubted it. Hearing the nurse say her name left the fighters skin crawling.

"Yes Miss Swan," the middle age nurse contended. Fighting the urge to shrink away under Emma's scrutinizing glare. "The nice young man made a phone call and asked to fill out the paperwork. Is there a problem?"

Emma mentally cursed her best friend. Before her gaze evened in an apologetic manner toward the nurse. A half hearted smile curved the boxers lip as she shook her head.

"No there is no problem…" Emma thought. 'Beside the fact that the woman who broke my heart, will now also be my care taker. And my best friend abandoned me.' She inwardly added. "Is… Reg… is she here?"

The nurse backed away a few paces, as she ducked her head into the hallway. Emma waited patiently, digging her nails painfully into the metal handles on the wheel chair. Watching as the tips of fingers blanched.

"Yes ma'am. Are you ready to go?" The nurse questioned as she moved forward into the room. "Miss Mills has been properly instructed by Dr. Ariel. If you have any questions or concerns. Feel free to contact us, myself or the doctor directly."

A frown greeted the nurse. Of course Emma had concerns. Her friend was handing her over wounded to her enemy. That in itself was cause for great concern.

X

The blonde sat in the hospital chair, staring at the floor. Watching as her chair skated across its glossed surface. Felt every bump as the chair rolled over thresholds into the next corridor. It didn't matter, no scenario she tried to concoct could get her out of the situation.

She had called Leroy and been distraught when her call went directly to voicemail. For years he had always answered her call. Coming to her rescue, no matter the situation. And the fact that he hadn't this time made her skin crawl with worry as well as disappointment.

But that only added to her list of recipients. She had tried Killian and he had answered, but immediately hung up after she had issued an apologetic 'hello'. Even Ruby had been to busy, but promised to visit once she had an address. Her parents had been livid with Leroy for abandoning their daughter and Lily for putting her in the hospital. But Emma knew they couldn't do anything, she had mostly called for support and to hear her parents voice.

Mary-Margaret and David were living paycheck to paycheck with the occasional help from Emma. So traveling to her no matter how much they wanted to was simply out of the question. After making their daughter swear to daily check-ins they had expressed their love then hung up. Once again leaving the blonde alone to walk to the gallows. At least that's how Emma saw it.

The sound of the hospitals sliding doors pulled Emma's attention. As the courier pushed her to the outside. The boxer welcomed the change of smell. Smelling heavy cleaners and cleansing products were taxing on the senses. So the forceful scent of roses, pine trees, gas and smoke were welcomed.

"Emma Swan?" Asked a unfamiliar voice.

The young woman turned to face a elderly man. Decorated in a black suit with a black tie. And a grey blazer peeking over the buttoned suit. Emma cocked her head at the matching grey dress shoes, before she looked back up to the weathering face. His blue eyes were warm, with wrinkles parading around his eyes. As well as at the corner of his mouth were he welcomed a beaming smile.

"Yes?"

"Ah. Lady Regina sent me to acquire you." He smiled. His accent rivaling that of a English royalty. "May I assist you madam?"

The fighter turned to the nurse we shrugged. "I thought you said Regina was here?"

The driver stepped forward as the nurse prepared a response. "Ah. If I may madam I can answer that." His eyes twinkled. Clearly waiting for permission to continue, which he received as both nurse and Emma nodded simultaneously. "Lady Regina was called to business matters. She wished to greet you properly but was unable to. Also she figured if you needed assistance I may be better suited to the task."

Emma looked at the aging man skeptically. He was tall and attractive enough. If she didn't know he drove for Regina she would have assumed he was a rejected 90's James Bond.

The driver chuckled. "I assure you I am stronger and more sturdier than I appear."

The boxer was prepared to apologize when she felt her vision begin to swim. As she swayed lightly in her chair.

"That would be the medicine working dear. Let's get you in the vehicle shall we?" The nurse commented beckoning the driver. As she and the courier helped Emma to her feet, while the elderly man opened the door. "Now Miss Swan remember to call if you have any concerns. And Mr. I'm sorry doll didn't catch your name." She looked up. Offering the man a wide grin, that bordered mischief.

"Waylon. Waylon Jones at your service." He commented returning a wink of his own.

"… and Mr. Jones will take excellent care of you I'm sure."

Emma dismissed the conversation with a grunt, as she felt herself drift into a state of ease and comfort. A smile parted her lips as she sank into the expensive leather seat. Allowing the medicine to wash over her, as it created her own personal mental utopia.

Regina

Regina paced back and forth in her home office. Rubbing her hands anxiously over one another as she glanced up at the clock. She had believed she was ready to face the blonde again,but had backed out at the last moment. Settling for sending Waylon instead. Somber brown eyes stared at the clock before a sigh fell from her lips, as she looked at the papers scattered among her desk.

Fear had been onereason she had left abruptly, and business was another. One of the several businesses her father had agreed to sponsor, was not yielding the numbers the company had wanted to see. An in turn that was where Regina had been forced to step in. Reviewing monthly figures, creating strategies to assist the company, while also fighting Sidney on not to pull out as an investor. Her father had an eye for business and if he had signed a contract with them there was a good reason behind it.

And among other things it was her responsibility to see the fortitude of his efforts come to pass.

Forcing herself not to think of Emma, she distracted herself with the reports. Scrutinizing every detail, until forty-five minutes had passed and was welcomed by the sound of laughter parading loudly through Regina's home.

"To right you are Miss Swan." Came Waylon's voice, as the brunette lowered her pen. Gazing at the study for she had slightly ajar. Pushing away from her desk, as she went to go examine the scene.

Emma

Emma let out a guttural sound as she pulled the phone away from her ear. Only to find her call had gone directly to voicemail for a third time. Her mother soothed her, rubbing her fingertips up and down Emma's spine. Frowning at the amount of anguish her daughter was in.

For two months she hadn't seen or heard anything from Elsa. And for those months she had called every hospital. Begging for any information on Elsa Arendelle. Each attempt had broken her heart slowly, as each call turned her away. Some had even taken the time and gotten to briefly know Emma. Expressing sympathy toward the blonde, but still nothing had happened and Emma had begun to fear the worst.

"Don't give up sweetie." Mary-Margaret cooed. "I'm sure she is fine. But maybe she just needs time?"

Emma scoffed as she batted her mother's hand away. "Two months?"

The pixie haired woman bit her lip. Even she had to admit two months seemed excessive.

"And what hurts most is she won't talk to me. I haven't heard anything from her since Peters verbal assault and her being whisked away to God knows where. Maybe Peter was right," Emma stated defeated. As she wondered out of the living room and out the backdoor to their patio.

The soft patter of feet against wood told the blonde her mother had followed her.

"Emma?" Mary-Margaret called. Only to be greeted by silence as her daughter stared out to the small forest beyond their home, as the older woman settled beside her. As she raised her hand taking Emma's face gingerly in her hands. Forcing her daughter to look at her.

"That boy isn't right. And if you hadn't asked us to stay out of it I would give him a piece of my mind." She forced, earning a half-hearted smile from her daughter. "You are different, but that only makes you even more special. Perhaps I sound like a mom saying this. But I've never met someone so forgiving, loving, passionate or as amazing as you Emma. You bring a certain light to even the darkest of people. And some just aren't sure how to accept that. But Elsa did. She saw what your father and I have always seen. Don't give up just yet. If she saw it once she'll see it again."

The pixie commented. Using the pads of her thumbs to wipe away the stray tears that Emma had shed.

"Thanks mom. I just want to know," but she didn't get a chance to finish before the doorbell cut her off.

Mary-Margaret looked down at her wrist watch. Her brow furrowing before looking back at Emma.

"It's too early for your father. I wonder who that is?" The older woman questioned as she stepped away. Moving toward the door as the frantic repeating of the chime continued. "Coming."

Flipping the door lock to its side, Mary turned the door. And was surprised to see a very out of breathe August, hunched over. Resting his hands on his knees as he attempted to catch his breath.

"August?"

"Emma. Thank God you're home." He said in between ragged breaths. "You and your mom need to come with me."

"August what's wrong?" Concern laced through her voice as her emerald eyes finally fell to his oceanic orbs.

"Em I found her and it's not good."

Emma julted back to the present at the sound of the car door slamming. It took her several blinks to get oriented, as she also began to recall the hell she had been forced into. The boxer gazed around the spacious area of the modified town car. Shivering as she took in its unblemished upholstery and the pristine feel. In her medically induced haze she hadn't given herself time to take in the stoic atmosphere. But now that she could, she couldn't escape the tinge of sadness she felt.

"Impersonal isn't it?" Waylon asked catching the blonde's eye as she looked at him.

"Yes."

"Lady Regina means well I assure you. I have known her since she was a wee mistress. Her life has made her become withdrawn and impersonal. Her armor is quite legendary." The driver stated as he opened her door widely. Extending his hand to the boxer.

Emma couldn't explain why she felt the need to talk to Regina's driver. He was Regina's driver after all. But the warmth behind his eyes welcomed Emma and she had succumbed willingly.

"That night… I thought I saw something in her. Something that I saw in someone very dear to me a long time ago."

The pair walked side by side up the bricked walkway. Well Waylon supported while Emma leaned.

"Miss Swan." The elderly man said as he came to a stop. Forcing the boxer to stop as well as she searched his face. Nodding for him to continue. "I don't mean to impose or trifle in your affairs but perhaps Lady Regina also saw something in you. Something that she once knew and had a long time ago." He admitted sadly.

A wave of sadness crashed over the blonde as they resumed walking. She had never considered Regina was looking for more. How could she, when she hadn't given her a chance. Nor the right to explain. No, she had been so distracted by her pain of being hurt, that she had ignored Regina's.

Emma watched as Waylon inserted the key before she spoke.

"Perhaps we are simply both stubborn."

A boisterous laugh erupted from the man as he pushed the door open.

"Right you are Miss Swan." Waylon smiled as he pushed through the door, dragging a reluctant blonde along with him as he walked.

"If you'll show Miss Swan to the guest room in the upstairs quarters it would be greatly appreciated Waylon."

"Promptly lady Regina."

Emma felt her smile fade as she listened to the sultry voice. Before she dragged her eyes upward. Brown and green orbs met with a wave of uncertainty. Regina offered a small grin, hoping to demonstrate there was no hostility or ill will toward her. A piece of the VP knew not to expect anything in reciprocation. But when Emma returned a knowing nod, a swell of hope warmed in her chest. Suddenly the day seemed brighter, looming with possibilities of a second chance.