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Chapter 9

~Emma~

Emma opened the door when she heard Mal knocking, still shaking a bit from her revelation.

"Thank you for coming. I didn't know who to call."

"Don't worry, sweets, it's what friends are for. Now, tell me what has you white as a ghost and shaking like a leaf."

Mallory came in and set down the food she bought before sitting on the sofa. She had called Regina already and heard her side of the story so she knew Emma had already had quite an evening and hadn't eaten yet. She smiled warmly at Emma and patted the sofa cushion next to her. She was glad that Emma knew she could call her.

Emma sat down and fiddled with her fingers, trying to keep her tears in check. She took a deep breath and looked at Mallory.

"I need to go - I can't stay here. When Regina finds out, she's going to hate me and want me gone."

Mal wasn't expecting this.

"Oh honey, that's nonsense." She put an arm around Emma, her heart breaking for the girl when she saw her flinch. "Baby girl, just start at the beginning. I promise, nothing is ever as bad as it seems."

The blonde tried to relax, tried telling herself that Mal was not going to hurt her.

"I know you read my file, and that's okay, but I know that you know I had a child."

Mallory nodded, her face soft. This is what she was expecting.

"Yes, and you did the most selfless thing by giving him his best chance.

Emma shook her head. "Regina thinks I threw him away - like trash."

Mallory sighed. "Honey, she would never think that."

"I heard her say that. Ask her!"

"Honey, I have talked to her. She didn't mean you - she was talking about Henry's mother. And even so, she didn't mean it. She doesn't know the woman's situation and she knows that what she said was wrong."

Emma shook her head and looked down. "She does know."

"Knows what, honey?" Mal was confused as she watched the blonde.

"Henry's mother's situation. I saw his picture - the day he was born...I saw him...my son..."

Mallory now understood. She watched Emma fight the tears, she understood her fear. Wrapping Emma into a tight hug, she tried to comfort the girl. Here she was, trying to better her life, and she gets hit with this.

"Sweets, don't cry. This is...well this is not expected and I admit, I'm not sure how Regina will react, but we'll get through this."

Emma sunk, she liked it here.

"I swear I didn't know. Everything was closed, I had no idea. I don't want him back. I don't. Oh God this looks so bad, but I really had no idea!"

Emma felt horrible. Whatever was brewing between her and Regina would now be over. Not only that, but she liked her job, she liked the town, and she didn't want to go back to jail.

"If she sends me back, I'll go back to jail. Mal, I can't go back there, I can't!" She pushed off the sofa and started pacing - biting her nails as she freaked. "I'll just run. I'll go and no on has to know where. That way, I don't have to go back."

Mal watched her, feeling so bad for the girl.

"That way, sweets, you'll spend even more time in jail. Just calm yourself, honey. Mama Mallory will make it okay." She stood up and took Emma's hands. "Now, I want you to eat. Sit down, eat, relax, take a bath, and calm down. I'll go talk to Regina." Mal cupped Emma's face. "My dear Swan, I'll make this okay. You're not leaving us." She wiped Emma's tears, kissed her forehead and headed out.

~Regina~

The air was crisp and cool and Mal was okay with that. She honestly didn't know how Regina would react to this, but she knew it was better that she break the news to her. She had called ahead of time so she knew the back door into the kitchen would be open. She came in and saw Regina sitting at the table.

"So? Does she hate me?"

Mal sighed and sat down. "It's a bit more complicated than that, dear."

Regina looked confused and offered Mal a glass of her cider. Mallory took it and looked at Regina.

"She's Henry's mother."

Regina froze, not sure how to react. Mal took advantage of the silence.

"Obviously she had no idea. She saw the picture they had given you on the day he was born - the one the hospital gave you - and freaked out. She remembers that day like it was yesterday, and that face, Regina...she knew it was him. She then heard you make that trash comment, and she ran. She thinks you're going to send her back, back to jail. Regina, she's terrified. She honestly didn't know and she is talking about running away so she doesn't have to go back."

Regina stayed quiet - she was torn. Her heart went out to Emma, that part of her that felt things for her. How scared she must be, how she wanted to comfort her. However, the mother part of her was terrified. Henry was hers - he called her mama.

"Does she want to take him from me?"

"No, Regina. She's smart. She did what was best for him and knows it. She doesn't want him back."

"You sure?"

Mal put her hand on Regina's. "Positive. She just wants to know you're not mad, you don't hate her. She wants to know she's safe."

"She's home." Regina took a breath, wiping her eyes. "Will you wantch Henry? He's sleeping. I need to see her."

"Of course, Regina."

~Both~

Emma had finished her bath, brushed her hair out, and put her pajamas on. She had tried eating, but her stomach was in knots and it only made her feel more sick. Her nails were chewed to nubs and the carpet about had track marks from her pacing. It was taking all she had not to run. Running was all she knew, she even had her suit case out, just in case - but she trusted Mallory. When she heard the knock, her stomach dropped.

"Mallory?" But the blonde was surprised by a pair of brown eyes looking at her. "Regina..."

Emma was barely breathing, close to passing out and Regina could tell. She came in, closed the door, and put the suit case that was on the table, under Emma's bed.

"You're home, Emma. Breathe before you pass out."

Tears filled Emma's eyes and Regina noticed them change from murkey green to vibrant in just that little time that she realized what Regina said. She couldn't help but smile at the blonde.

"Really? You're not sending me away?"

Regina took Emma's hand and brought her to the bed, sitting next to her.

"As long as you're not taking Henry from me, there's no reason for you to leave."

Emma looked at her -tears brimming her eyes.

"I know now, more than ever, that I made the right choice. He's yours, Regina. I promise you, you have nothing to worry about."

"Neither do you, princess. I told you, you're safe here. I'm sorry for what you heard me say. I didn't mean it and I don't think you threw Henry away"

Regina cupped Emma's cheek, that small flinch still there. "I can't imagine what is going through your head and heart right now, but please, don't be scared.

Regina put her other hand on Emma's chest.

"Your heart is racing. Please, princess, just breathe."

Emma closed her eyes. She wasn't leaving, she was still wanted.

"I was going to run. I'm gad I didn't..."

"Me too, Emma. Why would you run?" Regina's voice was soft as Emma looked down.

"It's what I do. When I mess up, I run. Someone hurts me, I run. If I think I'm going to be in trouble, I run before I can be punished. I run. It's how I survive.

Regina's heart went out to her, she understood. She had tried many times to run in her past. She couldn't help but wonder what was worse. Not having parents, or having a mother who hated you. Having a stranger hurt you, or having your own mother hurt you. Either way, they both knew pain.

"No more running, my Swan. If you run anywhere, you run to me."

Emma looked at Regina, their eyes met, and she leaned forward to kiss her. Feeling Regina's arms around her, she felt safe. She didn't even flinch.

Regina, on the other hand, felt hunger. Need. Want. She wanted Emma, wanted to possess her, to watch her writhe under her. It took all she had to stop, knowing her son was at home. The two were panting as she broke the kiss.

"If it's not to awkward, I'd still like to make you that supper. How about Friday around 8? Henry should be asleep, so you don't have to worry about it being weird."

Emma thought about it. It would be a bit weird but she'd be okay. Regina was biting her lip, waiting for a response.

"Yes."

"Good. See you tomorrow, Miss Swan."