Author's Note: Just going to tell you all now - nope, Leopold doesn't die yet!

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This chapter is another one that bounces around a bit, but again, it is setting up for some pretty big plot points. So be sure to pay attention to all the little details! As I've always promised, it'll all come together as we get further along in the story. ; )

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Regina could still feel her.

She brushed her hands against her nightgown, as if attempting to remove a smudge from her palm with the friction she created against the fabric. But there was no spot, no stain present on any piece visible to the eye.

She pulled her hands away, bringing them up to examine them closely. She examined them closely, looking for anything that could be causing the feeling against her fingertips. But even still, her hands tingled with the remnants of the woman in the other room.

Moments ago, Regina had slipped back into her quarters from Emma's chambers, wanting to allow her the sleep she so desperately needed. It had taken her more time than she was willing to admit to put Emma into bed and pull out of her embrace. If she was being truthful, part of her wanted to stay right there with her Knight and sleep, wanting to provide any comfort she could to Emma and keep her safe in her arms. But she had thought better of the idea, and moved back to her room shortly after.

But not before she had held Emma just a bit longer.

Regina was far from being able to sleep herself. Her body felt charged, an electricity pulsing through her veins that she had never felt before. And now she was completely unable to remove any reminder of Emma from her hands. And her arms. And the space against her neck where Emma had laid her head.

She continued to stare at her hands, willing the phantom traces of Emma Swan to remove from the surface of her skin. But as she dropped them to her sides, she knew it was a lost cause.

She didn't know what was happening. She couldn't pinpoint or describe the way Emma's presence seemed to be affecting her so deeply. Even her absence was something Regina was keenly aware of, to the point that she felt completely different without Emma around. She had always been fine with being alone, with being on her own and living the moments of her life in solitude. But now…

Now she found herself craving Emma's presence - just to walk with her, talk with her, find out anything she could, help in any way she was capable. The entire time Emma had been seeing to her mother that day, Regina had been worried sick. She had thought of a few things after Emma had left that could assist, and sent a private transport along with a few of her best guards to help the Swan family. But that was all she was able to contribute, and being separated from Emma without knowing how things were progressing or how she was feeling, had made Regina feel connected to her in a way she had never experienced with another person. As if a rope tied them together, made of metal and iron, it's strength unbreakable.

Regina scoffed. A rope tied between them? Really? What kind of nonsense was that? Her thoughts continued to roll along the same lines, chiding herself for believing in such magic she had only heard of in stories.

As her thoughts moved away from the magical tether, Regina walked to her bed, unable to find a reason not to at least attempt at sleep, and pulled back the blankets to allow her entrance onto its soft surface. As she laid her head against the pillow, her eyes stayed open, and she stared out the large window across from where she lay, the sheath of the first curtain pulled across but not blocking out the bright moonlight and stars from her view. And she stared out into the night sky, her thoughts couldn't be held back, and visions of Emma filled her mind once again.


Two Weeks Later

"Well, well, well - Miss Swan, in the flesh! I can't believe I have the honor of seeing you in person after such an absence." Gold gave Emma a mischievous grin, but Emma only smirked at him as she approached.

"It's nice to see you too, Gold," Emma returned, walking up to the older man. He surprised her by wrapping her in a quick hug, patting her on the back and giving her a once over as he stepped away.

"The royal treatment seems to be killing you," he commented. "Why do you look like you just did battle with the hounds of hell? How many knights have given you a black eye during training? Twenty?" Gold skimmed over her face, understanding that it probably looked like she hadn't slept in days.

Finding out that the King would be gone for two weeks on this new trip had given Emma and the people within the castle intent on helping Regina the time they needed to formulate little plans to keep the Queen safe from the King and his menacing ways. But it also meant that Emma wasn't sleeping normal hours, coming up with ways to keep Regina safe from the King upon his return in planning sessions late into the night. But it had helped, immensely. Instead of providing one big intervention, the group had opted to come up with little diversions - sending Regina to do business of her own in a neighboring village, seeking out medicinal aide from other kingdoms to help in her father's health struggles, and even the one she would be conducting just this night, the night of the King's return, where she would be traveling with Emma to where her parents had taken residence, bringing the supplies the castle physician had made specifically for Mary Margaret's ailment. Emma had been curious as to whether this particular excursion would or would not suffice for the King, but Regina had told her that, if he were to question her, she would simply respond with 'If Emma will put her life on the line every day just for me, then I can do this one favor at the very least for her and her family.' Seeing as the King still held Emma in his good graces, Emma thought that may work, but was still wary. But secretly, the statement had made Emma's heart beat emphatically.

The last night of good sleep Emma had been able to have was...well...was the night she fell asleep wrapped in Regina's arms. She had woken the next morning laid out on her bed, her head against the soft pillow and the blankets pulled up around her form. But she woke still entirely covered in her day clothes, the only thing removed being her boots, which were propped against the wood at the foot of the bed. Regina was nowhere to be seen. And though Emma understood that it was foolish to have expected her to still be with Emma, a part of her felt the painful tug of longing that she hadn't woken up in the same embrace in which she had found sleep.

Emma had found Regina later that morning, and they went on about their day as usual. But Emma felt the difference in their interactions. Though they weren't constrained by any means, there was a change in the way they behaved around one another. Emma had lost count of the times she had sought Regina's eyes in a crowd or during one of her appointments, only to find that Regina had already been staring at her, catching her in the act.

"I am sure I look awful, thank you for the reminder," Emma chided, giving Gold a look. He just laughed at her. "But the work has been...good. Rewarding." Gold nodded his head, keeping his eyes centered on her face.

"You do look...different."

"I thought we had just covered why it is I look different?" Emma asked with a scoff, thinking Gold was giving her a hard time and just trying to re-emphasize her staggered look.

"No, it's not just that," Gold remarked, squinting his eyes at her. "Something else is different. You look…" But his voice trailed off as he continued to study her, and Emma raised her eyebrow towards him. But he suddenly shook his head and walked off. "Ah, it's probably nothing. What is it I can do for you, Swan?"

"I can't just come and see my old master out of the kindness of my heart?" Gold turned from his spot and looked at her with a pointed expression. "Yeah, alright, alright," Emma confessed, wondering how she ever thought that she would have been able to get away with such a ridiculous notion. "I need some help. Some help with...magic." Gold raised an eyebrow at her.

"Magic? Since when were you interested in magic?" Gold questioned, turning back to Emma.

"I wanted to know if you could conjure something for me. You once told me about a stone you gave to your son." Gold went still and his face blanched. Emma hated bringing up the swordmaster's son, but she was intent on finding a way to procure this magical rarity

"Yes," he responded. "The Protector Stone," Gold paused as he studied Emma. "Why is it you are interested in that?" Emma looked straight into his eyes, her stern gaze making it known to Gold that she was sincere. Gold looked at her skeptically.

"I was wondering if you could make one, for me."


"I am so glad you reminded me of this place. I'd much rather stay here than some dirty old tavern along the path," Regina commented, letting her satchel fall to the floor of the small cottage as she walked through the door, Emma following in behind her with more of their things. Regina spun in a circle from where she stood. "And did you clean?" She asked, looking at Emma with wide eyes and a bright smile. Emma chuckled lightly.

"I may have had something to do with its current condition," she replied. The cottage was in a completely different state than the last time they had been inside its walls. It had been dusted and swept until not a single piece speck remained, the floors had been washed, and the salvageable furniture had been repaired while other pieces had been replaced. There was a working spit and cooking pot hanging in the hearth of the fireplace, and Regina even noticed that the cabinet had been stocked with plates, silverware and cutlery, and cooking utensils.

"Well someone has certainly been busy," Regina muttered, casting her eyes on Emma. Emma stood up straight.

"I may have had something to do with it, but it wasn't me," Emma explained. "I had someone come in and fix it up." Regina looked at her.

"Someone to fix it up? Truly?" Regina smirked at her with a raised eyebrow. "And why was it so important to you that this little cottage be changed?"

Emma looked thoughtful for a moment before replying. "I don't know," she started, raising her head to look around the cottage. "There is just...something about this place. Something that drew me to it even when we here before." She looked to Regina. "I wanted to make it...comfortable. I was hoping to use it as a getaway in the future." Emma attempted to hide the grin that stuck to her face, but was unsuccessful, and Regina saw it immediately.

"You were looking for a way to get away from your duties in the kingdom, hmm?" Regina asked playfully. Emma's eyes went wide.

"No!" She exclaimed. "No, that's not it at all!" Regina started to laugh, and that seemed to ease Emma's concern. "I just wanted there to be a place for an escape, a place to have if there was ever a…" But her voice trailed off then as she stared upon Regina. Regina felt the seriousness enter the room, knowing that Emma had wanted to say, '...if there was ever a need for you to escape.' But she didn't.

"It's alright," Regina replied, turning to the table and sitting down in one of the chairs. "I would too. Hell, I have." Regina stared around the room again, looking at the intricate details that had been placed into making it much more livable than the last time they had been there. The silence surrounding them changed, prompting Emma to move to the front of the cottage.

"I'm going to go grab some water and firewood before it gets too dark outside," Emma commented, walking to the doorway. "I'll return shortly." Regina felt a shiver run through her at the memory of the last time Emma had left her in the cottage alone while she braved the outdoors. But she quickly reminded herself that it was still daylight out, there was no storm, and, thankfully, no horse had run away. They had utilized the barn instantly this time, storing their horses there for the night immediately upon arrival. They seemed content enough that Regina felt there was no worry about a possible escape.

They were stopping for the night before continuing on their journey to where Emma's parents had taken residence, and Regina was glad that Emma had told her that the cottage had been made up. Despite Emma inferring that she had arranged for it in case Regina would ever need it as an escape, there was also something special about the small home they had stumbled upon in the woods, and Regina felt more comfortable here over many places in and around the kingdom. Stopping here seemed like a perfect idea.

Regina scanned around the room once more, taking in the details, until her eyes fell on the bed in the corner of the room. The single, lone bed.

Regina's heart jumped to her throat. There was only one bed? How were they going to manage? Did that mean that Emma would be sleeping on the floor?

Or did that mean that she and Emma would need to share the bed that night?

Regina's mind began to race, and once again she was overwhelmed by thoughts of Emma. Her pulse began to quicken, and her heart thumped wildly in her chest.

Suddenly, Emma walked in with firewood and a pail of water, placing the pail to the side as she shrugged the large pieces of wood out of her arms and into the corner next to the fireplace. Regina watched as she brushed her hands against her black leather pants, letting the dirt and pieces of wood fall from her. Regina watched the movement so closely, mesmerized by the way she moved, even with something so mundane. She was reminded of the way she had felt when she was in this very room, pleading and begging the gods that be that Emma would survive the onslaught of the horrible storm she had been caught in. And then the way she had felt when Emma was on the floor of this very cottage, and she had looked upon her face with such amazement and an overwhelming realization of Emma's beauty. It had occurred to Regina in that moment that she believed Emma to be the most beautiful creature she had ever seen, and it occurred to her now how much even that realization had grown within her in the time since.

Regina suddenly knew that something was different about Emma. Of course, she had always known that Emma was special, unique, and even others within the castle would say the same. But to her, and to her alone, Emma had always been more than just someone she employed, someone she felt safe and comfortable with; more than her Knight.

Emma was…

"Would you like me to grab anything else for you to have with you this night? I only have one more pail of water to fetch at this time." Emma looked at Regina, waiting for her answer. It took Regina a moment to pull herself from her thoughts and find the words to answer Emma.

"No!" Regina yelped, criticizing herself immediately at her abnormal tone of voice. Emma looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "No, I think we have enough here. Would you just check on the horses once more before you retire?" Emma seemed to let Regina's outburst go, and nodded her head in acknowledgment.

"I was already able to see that the workers left a straw bed still in tact in the barn from when they were working out here, so once we've had some food, I'll retire out there. I'll be able to make sure that way that no one wanders off this time around," Emma commented, chuckling lightly. "I've already put some firewood in there, so I'll grab the last pail of water and then be back to start preparations for supper." Emma turned to the doorway as Regina realized what Emma had just told her.

"You're sleeping in the barn?" Regina asked, shock present in her words at the very idea. Emma turned back and looked upon her with a confused gaze.

"Where else would I sleep?"

Regina went silent. How was she supposed to answer that? Of course, just a few moments ago she had been worrying herself over the mere fact that only one bed was to be found in the cottage. But why was it that Regina suddenly felt sad that Emma wouldn't be sleeping in the same room as her? And suddenly Regina realized that part of her felt sad that Emma wouldn't be sleeping in the same bed.

Regina felt panic rise up her spine and center itself right at the base of where her nerve endings reached out to the rest of her body.

At Regina's lack of response, Emma moved on from the question, seeming to sense that her words had triggered something within Regina after she watched a very unusual reaction cross her features at her question.

"So the barn it is, then," Emma commented. But her eyes stayed on Regina. Regina looked up at her then, trying with all of her might to keep the feelings suddenly coursing through her body like a shooting star to an absolute minimum, preventing Emma from knowing the turmoil raging inside. "Regina, are you alright?" Emma asked.

"Mm hmm," Regina replied, using as little words as possible. Emma only stared at her more intently though, and then Regina watched with fear as she began to walk over, moving closer to her and finally arriving in the spot directly in front of where Regina sat. Then Emma dropped to her knee, prompting her to look up at Regina's face, and Regina felt the emotion like a heavy stone hitting directly in the center of her chest. She had a sudden realization of what exactly it was that was drawing her to this woman. But as quickly as it had become clear, she pushed it away as fast as her heart could erase it.

"I have a gift for you," Emma stated, interrupting Regina's musings. This intrigued Regina immediately, pushing her thoughts back entirely as she realized the magnitude of this gesture.

"A gift?" Regina asked. Emma nodded. Then Regina watched as she turned in her position to pull something out of her rear pocket, and she examined it as Emma presented it to her. It was a stone, black as the night without a moon and completely smooth, not a single blemish present that she could detect. It fit perfectly in the palm of Emma's hand. Regina knew immediately that it was something rare and magical, something that was only seen by very few. "What is it?" Regina asked, her eyes shining brightly while a smile spread across her face as she stared at the stone. Emma looked at her with the same expression, seeming pleased that Regina had already received it so well.

"It's called a Protector Stone," Emma explained. "Gold told me about them when I was still apprenticing with him. He himself had only seen one in his lifetime, because it was one that he made." Regina looked up at her then, her eyes searching Emma's. Emma kept her gaze for a moment before looking at the stone once more. "When Gold was still performing magic for profit, he ventured far away from home quite often, more so than he would have liked, and - as we all know - with those that were part of dark circles and evil talents." She paused then, but continued shortly. "He left his son and his wife behind every time, and as his quests became more dangerous, his family grew more fearful, the magic wearing on them as much as it was on him. His son would plead with him every time Gold had to take leave, begging and crying for him to stay." She paused again while she took a moment to stare at Regina before dropping her gaze back to the stone. "One day, Gold came upon a spell he found for a Protector Stone. And when he read up on what it could do, he gathered the materials and various ingredients in order to make one. To make one to give to his son."

"What does it do?" Regina asked in a quiet voice. She was absolutely transfixed on Emma's features, absorbed in the story and what piece of magic was held before her.

"A Protector Stone does not conduct any magic. It can not protect the holder from death or even pain. But it can help protect the heart." Emma paused, and looked up at Regina. "Or it can ruin it." Regina stared at Emma with curiosity, which prompted her to continue her story. "It understands and reads the one who possesses it inside and out. It knows the deepest fears, and can see the deepest love. When Gold gave the stone to his son, he told his son that, anytime his boy feared that his father was in trouble, all he had to do was close his eyes, grip the stone tightly in his palm, and the stone would provide his son with what he needed to know that his father was alright. When his son tried it, he told Gold that he immediately felt as if his father were standing right before him, and a sensation as if his father was hugging him tightly, making him feel happy and safe." Emma turned the stone over in her palm. "Gold went on to explain that anytime his son feared for his father, or even if he just felt scared or frightened, the Protector Stone would help his heart fight against his fear."

Regina tore her gaze away from Emma's eyes, feeling that connection with Emma tighter than she ever had before. Then she spoke.

"Why is it you said that a Protector Stone could ruin a heart? By what you say, it seems to only be able to bring peace."

"What Gold never told his son is that, if by some chance he were to ever perish on one of his quests, the stone would stop working, unable to pull magic from the love his son had for him in order to power it, for it can not pull love's magic without a tangible being to tether to," Emma explained. "If the Protector Stone stopped working one day, that could only mean that the tether had been broken, because the person had been removed, which in turn can cause grief and pain to anyone." Emma paused. "But what Gold didn't know was that he himself would feel the moment the stone cut its tether from him as well, having never even been aware of its clutches in him in the first place."

"The stone's tether broke from him? But he lives," Regina commented, confused. Emma nodded her head gently.

"The tether broke the moment Gold's son died."

Regina gasped. "How awful," she said slowly, the pain evident in her eyes at the thought of something so tragic. Emma nodded.

"When he returned from the quest, he found his village had been destroyed, and his family had perished. He walked through the remains of the village upon his arrival, and felt the remorse flow through him at knowing what it felt like to have the love of his son ripped from him the moment he passed." Emma sat quiet for a moment, moving the stone around in her palm. "I know it may sound like this stone would be a burden to carry around—"

"No," Regina interrupted, her eyes focused on Emma. As she dropped her gaze to the stone in Emma's hand, she picked up her own and placed it on top of Emma's, feeling the surface of the stone press against her palm as her fingers lightly brushed Emma's skin. A shot of electricity erupted from where they touched, and Regina felt it spread across her and to every corner of the room around them. Her eyes shot up to meet Emma's, seeing the recognition there that made Regina think that Emma had felt the same sensation rush around them.

"I had...I wanted to give it to you, to have and to keep near if there was ever any moment you were frightened or scared and someone couldn't get to you straight away...and I couldn't get to you." Emma paused and continued to stare into Regina's eyes. "I know it may not be able to protect you in the way that I would have liked, bu—"

"Emma," Regina interrupted again, this time allowing a smile to spread lightly across her lips as she stared at the woman in front of her. "It's something I will cherish and carry with me, always." Emma beamed at her, and Regina couldn't help but feel the warmth of her smile crash over her, causing her own smile to widen and spread from ear to ear. Suddenly realizing that their hands were still together covering the stone, Regina gripped its smooth surface out of Emma's hand, and felt Emma pull her palm away. Regina instantly felt the absence of her smooth skin against her own, but in that moment, her feelings didn't scare her. Right now, the way she was feeling was astounding.


Later That Night

Regina lay flat on the bed inside the cottage, staring up into the darkness of the ceiling. In the middle of the forest, the night was darker than in the castle without the hustle of the servants working through the halls, the markets and village outside keeping torches lit and areas alive with activity, and the moonlit sky casting bright lights down onto the reflective exterior of the castle's walls. But here; here there were no servants, no markets, and the moon was blocked by the thousands of trees that sprung up from the floor of the earth.

Regina had never been in pitch blackness quite like this before, and alone at that. She had to keep reminding herself that she wasn't truly alone. Emma was just 100 feet away, ready and able to protect her should anything happen. Yet Regina wished that Emma was closer.

She thought about that further, wondering if perhaps it was just that Regina wanted to know Emma was close in these new surroundings, bringing some semblance of the assurance that she felt when they were in the castle. But as her thoughts roamed, and her memory provided her with glance after glance of moments she shared with Emma, even from just this night alone, she began to wonder if what she really wanted was just...Emma.

Regina suddenly turned over onto her side abruptly, attempting to move the thoughts from her mind, pushing against it with what little stubbornness she could gather at such a late hour. She felt her face scowl, seemingly perturbed at the fact that she couldn't seem to keep her thoughts about Emma in safe areas, instead of roaming around in ways Regina was sure were not typical.

But after minutes continued to tick by, and sleep had yet to claim Regina from her own racing thoughts, she sighed heavily and closed her eyes out of exasperation. When she opened them a few moments later, they immediately found the Protector Stone as it lay on top of her travel clothes in the chair next to the bed. She didn't know it, but a smile immediately began to spread across her lips at the thought of the gift from her Knight. The thought and care embedded in such a heartfelt gift surprised Regina initially, until she listened to Emma tell the story of Gold and his son, and knew how much Emma wanted to always be there to protect her. Regina could not have been more grateful for Emma than she was in the moment she saw the truth in her eyes showing how much it meant to Emma that she stay safe. But Regina began to understand that it wasn't just that Emma was doing whatever was possible to keep her safe; it was that Emma was never going to give up trying. To have this brilliant young woman seek out a precious and rare magical stone that would help her feel protected in the moments where she might not be able to, made it absolutely clear that Emma didn't want there to be a single moment ever again where Regina would have to be afraid. And that made her realize that she was strong, that she didn't have to fear the King, that she could build on her own confidence and increase her resolve, no longer having to cower in the way she had for so many years because, unlike what she had cognitively been trained to believe back then as having no other alternative, there were other alternatives.

There were many other alternatives, in fact, as even the past few weeks had shown. And now, especially with the plans in place implemented by those friends she kept close within the castle walls, the possibilities were endless. She had found a strength she didn't know existed. She had found courage that she thought had died out years ago. Her father had always been her support, but what she had needed was a savior. A savior to show her that there was always a way to beat the evil that lurked in the world. She knew this now, and she had even been acting on it without realization. She knew her world was changing, was growing beyond the confines she initially thought were in place, was becoming something she had always hoped it could be.

All because of Emma.

Emma had vowed to protect Regina, but Regina was beginning to realize that it wasn't just protection that she wanted to have in her life. She wanted someone to remind her of everything she had learned recently, to remind her to never give up on her own fight, to never fall back into a state of emotionless monotony.

She wanted Emma.

As these thoughts crashed through her head while she stared at the Protector Stone, she realized how true that statement was. Everything she had been looking for in a friend was found in Emma. But there was so much more there. So much meaning and connection and electricity between the two of them that Regina had never expected to find.

Regina suddenly shot up in bed and grabbed for the stone, her back aligned straight against the back as she clasped it in between her hands. She closed her eyes tightly, wrapped the stone in her fingers, and held it to her breast.

Within moments, Regina felt a warmth spread through her, a small kindling at first, but closely followed by a swell of heat as it rushed through her body, spreading across her entire form like wildfire. Regina even became breathless as the stone began to vibrate ever so lightly between her palms. She felt its magic reaching outwards, past her body, past the cottage, throughout the entire realm, tethering to those she held dear. Visions of her father, of Alice, even of the castle physician played through her mind quickly, one right after the other, until a massive beacon of light erupted in her mind's eye, blinding her with its brilliant rays behind closed eyes.

Regina suddenly felt wrapped up in the most clutching embrace, as if the world was cradling her against its thrumming heart, protecting her from the evils it possessed that could harm her. And she suddenly knew…

It wasn't the world holding her, it wasn't the magic of the stone wrapping her up.

It was Emma.

She was wrapped in Emma's arms, held tight and close, shielded against all that could make her weak.

Just as quickly and in a bright rise of light, she suddenly saw the tethers form, bright gold ropes stretching as far as the eye could see in the shadowy world embedded in the Protector Stone. She saw the faces of those that it tied to, the ones that had whipped through her mind's vision just moments before. That was until she looked straight ahead, witnessing an angelic white tether building and stretching straight from the core of her body directly out into the world in front of her.

As it reached the end of it's line, Regina looked up and saw that at the end of it was the real Emma, lying asleep in the straw bed of the barn, her blonde hair surrounding her face and the even breathing giving her a look of serenity and calm.

And as Regina stared upon her, her heart exploded, pulsating violently as it beat hard against her rib cage. She watched as the pulses began to vibrate against the white tether, absorbing each rapid beat of her heart's call. She looked on as a kink in the tether formed around a single beat, following it as it traveled the length of the rope, faster and faster until it was only wisps away from Emma's form. And as it cascaded into Emma at the other end of the rope, Regina watched Emma sit bolt upright in the bed, waking in sudden shock, as if she had felt the pulse of Regina's heart envelope her completely.


The Next Morning

Emma ran to her father and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly as he embraced her, his hand immediately cradling her head.

"How is my wonderful daughter?" David asked, burying his face in Emma's hair as they continued to embrace. Emma let a few moments pass before she pulled away from him to look at his face.

"Better now," she admitted, smiling up at her father. "How is she?" she asked, the concern unable to be hidden from her gaze.

"Better," David remarked, giving Emma a nod of his head, indicating that his statement was true, but that Mary Margaret still had a ways to go. Emma nodded in return.

"I have brought some provisions," Emma began to explain. "And a visitor."

"A visitor?" David asked, his brow curling with intrigue. "Killian?"

"No," Emma replied, a smile crossing her face as she turned around to face the way she had come. "Not Killian."

Regina walked forward with her satchel hung over her shoulder containing the items the physician had set to provide to Emma's mother. Emma watched her approach and her heart thrummed in her chest at the sight of her. She had come to discover that she thought that Regina looked her best whenever she was in comfortable clothing, and not the elaborate dresses and costumes that came with being Queen. When she went riding with Regina, or escorted her on journeys where they were to travel, she noticed that the woman seemed to be brighter, happier, and more free, strictly from being released of the confines of her elaborate wardrobe. Wearing light brown leather riding pants, a loose peasant blouse, and a sturdy leather vest with fur trimmings along the edges, Regina was a sight Emma felt weak looking upon. With her hair tied in a messy braid that hung to the side, she looked happy.

"Oh!" David yelped, watching his Queen approach.

"Mr. Swan," Regina remarked as she arrived to where he and Emma stood. "I hope you do not mind that I accompanied Emma on her journey today. I apologize for inviting myself without permission, but I so wished to see how Mrs. Swan was improving." Regina looked on at David earnestly, and Emma could only smile. After a moment and no reply from her father, she turned her head to face him, her eyebrow raised as she witnessed a blank look on his face, unable to respond.

"Father?"

"Right!" David shouted, broken of his spell with Emma's words. Emma chuckled softly and saw Regina hold back a laugh out of the corner of her eye. "Yes, of course, your majesty, of course. Please, please come in."

"Thank you, Mr. Swan," Regina replied.

"Oh please, call me David, I insist," David replied, a grin crossing his face. Regina returned the sentiment, beaming brightly at him.

"Then I insist that you call me Regina," Regina commanded.

"Oh, your majesty, there is no need for that," David remarked sheepishly, bowing his head to her.

"Nonsense," Regina replied. "Your daughter does." And then she moved into the small house, brushing past both David and Emma as she made her way inside. David's jaw dropped and he turned his face to look at Emma, his eyes wide.

"Do you, really?" David asked, shock and excitement written across his features. Emma laughed and then shrugged her shoulders, following Regina inside. David was left at the threshold with a stunned look.

"Emma!" Mary Margaret exclaimed from the animal skin and leather recliner she sat in next to the large fireplace in the center of the home. Her arms outstretched immediately, reaching for her daughter as she walked through the door. Emma saw Regina standing in a corner next to the entrance door, keeping herself hidden so that Mary Margaret would get a chance to see Emma first. Emma looked directly into Regina's eyes to thank her for waiting until she could have a moment to spend with her mother.

Emma rushed to Mary Margaret's side, bending down and wrapping her arms around her fragile frame. Her mother gently squeezed her, the strength in her embrace weaker than she remembered. But when she pulled back to look upon her mother's face, she saw that some of the color that had been drained the last time she had seen her had returned.

"How are you feeling?" Emma asked gently, her hands clasping Mary Margaret's as she sat on the edge of the recliner.

"Better," Mary Margaret replied, using the same description as David. Emma smiled at her.

"I brought you something."

"The supplies and healing remedies from the castle physician, correct? Oh Emma, please be sure to thank the Queen as much as possible. She really is giving so much to our family and I am so grateful." Emma's smile grew at her mother's words, knowing just how to introduce her surprise.

"Why don't you thank her yourself?" Emma asked, and knowing that Regina had heard the whole conversation, she watched as the Queen stepped out in that exact moment and made herself known in the room. Mary Margaret turned in her chair to cast a glance at the movement that had caught her eye, and she gasped, tightening her hands around Emma's as she gazed at Regina walking towards her.

"Oh my god, Emma!" Mary Margaret squeaked. Emma turned to watch Regina approach slowly, her smile growing wide as she watched her bend down to be on Mary Margaret's level.

"I am more than happy to assist where I can, Mrs. Swan," Regina commented, her smile bright and her eyes tender as she looked upon Mary Margaret's stunned but over-the-moon expression.

"Did you hear that, Emma?" Mary Margaret began, still keeping her eyes on Regina. "She called me Mrs. Swan!" Emma laughed, the pure joy and amazement in Mary Margaret's eyes evident as she continued to stare at Regina. Regina let out a light chuckle herself.

"I hope you don't mind my intrusion, but I wanted to see for myself that you were getting better," Regina explained, placing a hand against Mary Margaret's forearm. "If there is anything you need, anything you desire, please do not hesitate to request it of me. I will see to it that you have everything you need to make you comfortable."

"Oh, there is absolutely no need, no need at all, your majesty. You have done so much already, I wouldn't ask for anything further." Regina took a moment to let her smile fall and to stare into Mary Margaret's eyes.

"I owe you an abundance of gratitude though, Mrs. Swan," she began, catching both Mary Margaret and Emma off guard.

"You do?" Mary Margaret asked. Regina nodded. David suddenly appeared, walking around Emma to stand by Mary Margaret's side, interest etched in his face as he looked upon Regina with the same wonder. Regina looked to him, then returned her gaze to Mary Margaret.

"Your daughter has been a god send, Mrs. Swan," Regina began to explain, and Emma's heart began to tighten in her chest. "She has proven herself irreplaceable many times over, and has contributed to the new ease and effortless ability my life has become in the time she has been in my cohort." Mary Margaret beamed, slipping back and forth between looking at Regina and looking into Emma's eyes. Emma felt shy, but when she saw the look on her mother's face, she could see how much effect it was having on her to hear these words.

"She has always had a strong work ethic, a sincere dedication to her craft and her responsibilities," David remarked, placing his hand on Emma's shoulder. Emma looked up at her father and smiled.

"I learned a lot of that from you," Emma commented, watching David smile in return. Then she turned to her mother. "And you." Mary Margaret looked on at her with such adoration. She pulled a hand free from Emma's grasp and cupped her cheek tenderly. Emma lay into her touch and saw the tears begin to gently fall from her mother's eyes.

"It shows in great measure," Regina supplied, watching the family together. "I have never had so dedicated an employee in my time in the castle." Regina then turned to look at Emma, and pulled her hand from the spot where it rested in her lap to place it against Emma. Emma immediately felt the current of electricity flow from the spot where they touched, her heart beating rapidly in response, as it always did. She captured Regina's eyes and stared into them deeply, holding her gaze longer than was necessary. But Regina didn't shy away.

"She has become my friend," Regina commented, then turned back to face Mary Margaret. "I owe a great debt to you and your husband, for allowing me to keep her while you recover. And for that, I want to provide any provisions I am able to assist in with your recovery. Even…" But then Regina cut herself short, seeming to stumble over the words that had almost escaped her mouth. She dropped her gaze from Mary Margaret and stared at the floor, closing her eyes. Emma looked upon her in confusion, wondering what it could have been to have thrown Regina off from her track so easily. She watched as Regina took a deep breath and lifted her gaze back to stare at Mary Margaret, pressing forward. "Even if that means that she not return with me at the end of this trip."

Emma shot up from her seat quickly, dropping her mother's hand. "Regina!" She clamored, a sense of panic rushing through her body at the thought of leaving Regina alone.

"Emma! Where are your manners?!" Mary Margaret chided.

"No, no," David interjected quietly, taking Mary Margaret's hand and capturing his wife's attention. "Apparently, Emma calls the Queen by her name." Mary Margaret looked utterly confused, turning her attention back to her daughter and the royal standing in her room.

"You do not have to do this," Emma said quietly, addressing Regina solely as she watched her slowly stand from her seated position. "I appreciate the sentiment, truly. But you do not need to 'allow' me to stay here."

"Emma, if you want to stay, you can. I'm not 'allowing' you, I'm encouraging you," Regina responded, looking into Emma's eyes. As Emma stared back, she saw that Regina was trying to put on a face to convince Emma to stay with her parents while her mother recovered. And if Emma were being honest, there was a part of her that did want to stay and assist with her mother's recovery. Part of her had been worried multiple times regarding her mother's health while she lay awake at night in the castle. But this, letting Regina return to the castle, to Cora, to the King, seemed harder to accept and allow to happen.

As these thoughts crossed her mind, her gaze having stayed with Regina, she suddenly saw a movement behind her eyes, a flash of an emotion that told Emma everything. An emotion that pleaded for Emma to stay with her, to stay by her side, to be near her. But it disappeared almost instantly, and Emma realized it was because Regina was having her own internal battle, holding her feelings back in order to do what she thought was best for Emma. And Emma suddenly knew that she would never rest easy unless she stayed by Regina's side, for being apart from one another would be its own lamenting torture.

"I choose to go with you."

Emma watched as Regina sucked in a quick breath, leaving her mouth slightly open at Emma's words. She felt her own body pulse with the truth behind what she had uttered, even in front of her parents.

Emma didn't see it, but Mary Margaret had been watching the exchange between her daughter and the Queen, moving back and forth from each of their faces as the conversation had continued. And suddenly, she could see what it was that was holding them together. She knew it well, she had known it herself since the first moment she had met David when they were young, and she would know it for the rest of her life, recognizing it as only those that had the ability as they had experienced it.

"Forgive me, your majesty," Mary Margaret interjected, breaking the connection Regina held with Emma. "Would you mind giving me a moment alone with Emma?" Emma turned to look at her mother with her brow furrowed, but Regina immediately nodded her head.

"Of course," Regina replied, turning her back to Emma as she began to walk away.

"Here," David stated, dropping Mary Margaret's hand and moving around the recliner to join Regina. "Show me what other provisions you have brought and I'll unload the horses and let them see to water and some sustenance in the barn." Regina nodded graciously as David moved to her, extending his arm out, which she took while smiling at him as they exited the small house. Once they had gone, Mary Margaret turned to her daughter.

"Sit down, Emma," Mary Margaret ordered, watching as Emma dropped to the edge of the recliner again. Mary Margaret didn't break her gaze, even as she grabbed Emma's hand and held it tightly. Emma looked at her with confusion that soon turned to concern, and Mary Margaret knew she was worrying her daughter. However, the words were hard to form in regards to the question she wanted to ask, so she felt the need to structure them carefully. But as she looked upon Emma and saw in her eyes that which she had seen earlier, even now as she stared at her mother, she understood how to proceed.

"How long has it been?" Mary Margaret questioned. Emma's gaze turned to confusion again, not quite comprehending the meaning behind the words.

"How long has what been?" Emma asked, tilting her head to the side as she tried to understand what her mother was asking of her.

"How long has it been that you've been in love with the Queen?"


Three Days Later

Regina stood at the balcony off of her chamber room, staring off into the sky as twilight set in, the mix of blues and purples melding together with the dark of night. She stood in a lavish gown, crisp white and dotted with diamonds that hung off her shoulders, revealing a tasteful V across her heart. Preparing for a ball she was to attend with the King, she felt the gentle groove of the Protector Stone stored in the small pocket against her breast that Alice had sewn in for her just that morning.

Regina closed her eyes against the dying light of day, and felt content wash over her. Even though she would be spending the evening on the king's arm, she felt that confidence thrum around her, harboring the understanding that she was stronger now. Emma would be there as well, kept close as her personal guard, and Regina felt her confidence only boost at that thought. It had been a full day that she had gone without seeing Emma, as she tended to the preparations for the ball with the other Knights. And if Regina were being truthful, she was truly looking forward to seeing the young woman after her absence, bringing up memories of how Emma's presence seemed to be her saving grace.

Emma.

Ever since the night in the cottage, Regina had understood that Emma had come to mean more to her than anyone had ever done. The stone had shown her the deepest parts of her heart, and right in the middle had been Emma. Regina understood almost immediately. It was true, Emma had rescued her from a life of abuse and terror, so it was only clear that the young Knight would be important and special in her life.

Bu there surely was nothing more to it than that.

Nothing.

"Oh, Regina, you look absolutely stunning."

Regina whipped around from the archway of her balcony and stared upon her mother's face as she entered her quarters.

"Mother," Regina addressed blankly, her words lacking any emotional inflection. She turned back to the night sky as her mother drew closer.

"You have been so absent these past few weeks, I haven't been able to have a moment alone with you for some time," Cora commented, inspecting the surface of Regina's vanity. "Hmm, there's some dust here still. Regina, you'll have to tell your servant to do a better job at dusting the surfaces of these things. It really isn't good work." Regina closed her eyes and breathed heavily at her mother's complaining. Knowing very well that Juliana had been the one to dust her quarters the past few days, she had thought the young girl had done a spectacular job.

"As you wish, mother," Regina responded, keeping her back to Cora.

Cora took a moment to study her daughter, keeping quiet while she watched her stand away from her, seemingly uninterested in her presence. She became curious, sensing a change in Regina's demeanor, a change in her stance even. Something was...different.

"Are you looking forward to the ball this evening?" Cora asked. Regina felt the smile cross her lips at the thought of going to the ball and seeing Emma.

"Yes, yes I am," Regina responded, her voice soft and warm. Cora picked up on the change immediately.

"Regina," Cora stated with inquiry. "There is a change within you. You seem...happy." Regina let this observation fall around her, and she realized that she was happy, happier than she had ever been.

"I am happy, mother," Regina replied with confidence.

"Oh, Regina! Have you finally let your feelings grow to love the King?" Cora asked, her voice rising and hopeful as she clasped her hands together under her lips. Regina's face fell and her eyes went wide as she heard the words spoken from her mother. She felt the anger and betrayal at her mother grow immediately within her, gripping her heart in a vice as she realized that Cora would never stop pushing her to be with the man who had single-handedly ruined all her chances for love.

"Mother," Regina began slowly, letting each syllable draw out. "I will never love the King."

The room went still, as if even the sounds of nature itself muted against the tension surrounding the two women.

"Oh you don't mean that, Regina. It will just take time," Cora finally responded, refusing to acknowledge the tone of Regina's voice and the sincerity embedded in her words. Regina felt her anger rise again.

On the other hand, Cora was completely overwhelmed with the thoughts coursing through her mind. Something was different with Regina, that much was clear. She had actually said she was happy. Cora knew this to be impossible, no matter how hard she tried to force Regina to enjoy the King, she knew deep down that the King was a monster. So how was it that Regina could be happy? Cora's mind was driving thought after thought, as if it were making attempts to win a race. Then suddenly, she decided to try a different tactic. Quickly conjuring a diversion, she heard the knock on Regina's door that she had just summoned. Walking towards the door to answer it, she was welcomed by a man carrying a large, wrapped square.

"What's this?" Cora asked, prompting Regina to finally turn around. As Regina approached with a quizzical look, she replied.

"I don't know. A gift?" Regina responded, eyeing the item as it was brought in. Cora was secretly glad to hear that it had caught Regina's attention.

The gift stood almost 10 feet tall while being about 4 feet wide. It was thin, but not paper thin.

"Maybe it's a portrait?" Cora asked, turning from Regina then back to the large gift. "Thank you," she said, turning to the man who had brought it in. As Cora watched him walk out the door, she saw the man completely disappear into thin air before the door had fully closed, glad to see that her magic had worked.

"But I haven't sat for a port—"

Cora suddenly waved her hand to whisk off the covering off the large gift, and once it had vanished, it revealed a large looking glass, reflecting both her and Regina from top to bottom.

"Oh, a looking glass," Cora remarked with disappointment. "Not nearly as personal."

"Personal? Mother, what are you talking abo—"

"I wonder sometimes if the people really love you."

Regina froze, taken back by her mother's comment. She began to feel the anger reach a boiling point within her, tearing across her heart, leaving a trail of smoldering ash in its wake. Her mother had hijacked her marriage, hijacked her life, hijacked her chance at love. How dare she begin to speak poorly of the people of the kingdom, the one beautiful quality she had to live for as Queen under Leopold. The people were the ones that truly made her feel regal, not having her stand at the arm of the King. They were the ones who believed in her, who sought her out in times of trouble, the person able to help and provide and give in ways she was blessed to contribute. Her people were her heart. And her mother was stomping all over them.

"I'm doing my best, mother," Regina growled, her voice stern as the hurt flooded her words. Cora turned away from the looking glass to look at her daughter, and knew she had ignited the fire within her that she was hoping would provide her the answer to Regina's change in demeanor.

"Oh of course, sweetheart. I am sure that you are," Cora commented, walking over to Regina and grabbing her hands. "I just think...well, I think the people are starting to see how much you...dislike...the King." Regina looked at her mother in complete shock. She knew very well that she kept up the charade between her and Leopold to the point that only few knew of the true state of their relationship. But she was also surprised to hear her mother acknowledge the animosity she had towards the King, despite her constant pushing for her to enjoy the company of Leopold.

"Mother," Regina began, but Cora interrupted her.

"What have I told you about interrupting me, Regina?!" Cora spat, throwing Regina's hands down. Regina stepped back, watching her mother's face grimace, and as if a cloth wiped across her gaze, her expression suddenly changed back to calm and collected. "I'm sorry, dear. But I have told you time and again how much I dislike your interruptions." Regina just stared at her, her brows knit together. "Regina, the people...you're going to need the people to be on your side. You're going to need a following, a cohort, a personal army." Regina stared at her mother with concern.

"The King is not strong." Regina scoffed at her mother's words, hardly able to believe that she thought Leopold to be a weak man. "It's true, Regina. The King's not a strong man. The kingdom will be yours, if you work for it. You can dethrone him, take the power for yourself, rule this entire realm. But you must have the people know of your power, of what you are capable of."

Regina stared at her mother, shock completely covering every feature of her face. What was she going on about?

"Raise the tributes, form a personal guard, let everyone know where the new power lies, and you'll hold the hearts of your people, in your hand." Cora grinned wickedly at Regina as she stared at her mother, completely overwhelmed by the idea that her mother had just instructed her of the ways to take away power from Leopold. Why would her mother want Leopold gone? Cora consistently tended to Leopold, working with him, providing him with support and aide, going along with his orders to appease and please him. In fact, on numerous occasions, Regina had often wondered if her own mother harbored feelings for the lecherous man.

But what could be the purpose of removing Leopold from the throne? Why put Regina in power?

And then Regina realized. Her mother wanted the power, not for Regina, but for her own use. Manipulating Regina had been her mother's favorite pastime for Regina's entire life, and this was just another ploy to give Cora what she wanted, all at Regina's expense once again. Regina's face contorted into a scowl, staring into her mother's eyes. Maybe a few months ago, this tactic would have worked. Maybe, Regina would have cowered to her mother's glares and instructional threats immediately, putting into place the actions she had ordered because she thought there was no other way, her mother convincing her she would not be of worth without following these demands. Maybe, Regina would have done whatever her mother had said.

But now; now that she had the confidence, now that she had the strength and the determination, the strength and determination that thrummed next to her heart from the small but so very precious stone, Regina would have no part in Cora's plans.

"Is that what you would do, mother?" Regina asked, turning away from Cora and walking back to stand under the arch leading to the balcony. Cora scoffed behind her in a forced laugh.

"That's exactly what I would do." Regina let a small smile touch her lips, a pompous shake of her head as it dropped slightly.

"Well, the thing is…" Regina started, then took a deep breath. "I don't want to be you."

The silence that fell over the room was palpable, swallowing up both Regina and Cora completely. Regina turned slightly, her head moving to the right as her peripheral vision showed her that her mother stood perfectly still in her place behind her. Moments passed in complete silence, with no movement or utterance from either of them, until finally, Cora broke the quiet.

"You have made a big mistake, Regina." Cora's body visibly vibrated with anger as her words escaped, low and menacing. "You are changed, and I will find out what it is that has changed you. If you are committing treason in any way to this kingdom, or to Leopold, you best believe I will make sure that the days of your happiness are numbered."

Regina spun in her stance, facing her mother full on and seeing a murderous look behind Cora's eyes. "I will never allow you to find my happiness, mother. You can be sure of that." And with that, Regina stalked past her mother, pushing past the looking glass and out into the foyer, before reaching the hall where Alice stood waiting to escort her to the royal ballroom, leaving Cora behind.

Cora breathed heavily, the signs of rage vibrating off her small frame. Her eyes burned with deceit and deception, harbored for Regina and the thought that her own daughter could be the one to derail her entire life's work to becoming ruler of Misthaven. Her hands clenched into fists as the anger overtook her body, and she suddenly screamed out, a booming, echoing, crippling scream of frustration that bounced off the walls of Regina's chambers, freeing itself out into the night off the balcony.

And the looking glass shattered, breaking into millions of tiny little pieces, crumpling to the floor as Cora's red and dangerous eyes appeared, staring at the place it once stood.


Two Days Later

"Ah, Miss Swan, prompt as usual I see," Granny said from her desk as Emma approached.

"Always trying to be punctual for you, Granny," Emma replied, smiling at the older woman behind the desk. "Where am I set to go this morning?"

"The King would like you to visit his library as soon as possible. He has someone he wants to introduce to you." Emma looked at her skeptically.

"Introduce to me?" Emma asked.

"That's what was conveyed to me. Now hop to, the King will be waiting."

Emma left with a thank you and a goodbye, walking out the door and making her way down the hall towards the King's apartments. Curious as to what was about to occur, Emma felt her barriers building once again as they had always done when she was meeting with the King. She had made a point of steering clear of the man since his return from his trip, and had been successful thus far. And though she had expected a call from him to arrange a meeting at any time, she had never expected for another person to be present.

Arriving at the King's library, she knocked on the door immediately upon arrival and waited until the King's voice echoed from behind the wood.

"Enter!"

Emma walked through and quickly scanned the room, finding the King at his desk, and another man standing beside him, bent at the waist as they stared at papers the King was holding until they saw Emma appear.

"Miss Swan, thank you for meeting us here." Emma bowed her head to her King, and then let her eyes fall on the new man. He had dark hair the color of velvet, almost black. His eyes were a soft green, yet filled with sharpness and set with purpose. He wore an elaborate suit of armor, decorated heavily with medals and honors above many that Emma had ever seen. He was built of thick stock, strong and sturdy, his muscles pressed against the material of the cloth he wore beneath his armor. His beard wrapped around his mouth, stretching up to his ears. As Emma finished her overview of him, he smiled at her, causing Emma to feel uneasy yet, better that he was here in the presence of both she and the King.

"Miss Swan, I would like to introduce you to my new personal guard," he explained, indicating the man next to him. The man walked around the desk and approached Emma, walking up slowly to her and stretching out his hand.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Swan. I hope you do not mind that the King granted me the pleasure of arranging this meeting in order to introduce myself to you." The man had a soft voice with a slight accent, and it should have eased Emma's tensions in the presence of the King. The man seemed to be kind, caring, but yet he worked directly for Leopold now. Was it possible that the King actually hired a decent man? She wasn't about to let her barriers drop just yet, but something about him made the room feel less threatening.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr…" Emma started, letting the last word trail off as she was still unsure of the man's name.

"Oh, please, call me Arthur," he insisted. Emma nodded her head.

"It's nice to meet you, Arthur," Emma replied, shaking his hand.

"You two will be working together quite often from now on," the King began to explain, not looking up from the papers on his desk. "So I would like it if you two spent some time together formulating plans to cross information and provide the necessary reports that I have asked of the both of you to one another." He finally raised his head to look at them both. "Is that clear?"

Emma turned to face the King and nodded her head. "Yes, your majesty."

"Absolutely, your majesty," Arthur replied next. Then he turned back to Emma. "Miss Swan—"

"Emma, please," Emma insisted. Arthur smiled.

"Emma." He paused. "Would you accompany me on a walk through the grounds so that we may converse on our future?"

The way Arthur used his words still made Emma feel uneasy, but she tried to push them away, for he was being kinder to her than any that had worked for the King thus far. She was still unsure of his nature, but she thought it best to keep up the charade to the King that she was loyal to him in the presence of Arthur, as she had been doing since her appointment to Regina's personal guard.

"Of course," Emma replied.

"Your majesty, I will return shortly," Arthur stated, addressing the King and bowing to him.

"Of course, of course," the King replied, not looking up from his desk again. For good measure, Emma bowed to the King as well, and then turned to follow Arthur as he strode out the door of the library and into the halls.

"Thank you for agreeing to walk with me," Arthur stated as soon as they were outside of the library. Emma nodded. "I preferred to speak with you alone rather than have the King hanging over our every word."

Emma felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise, and she looked at up Arthur in contemplation. Her unease must have been evident though, for Arthur's eyes went wide at seeing her face and he began to speak again.

"I only mean to say that it is much easier to talk of the more pressing matters away from the King's ears," he explained quickly, his voice going high at the speed of his words. "Especially when it comes to...sensitive topics…" At this, Emma stopped abruptly and looked straight into Arthur's eyes. His piercing gaze pushed back at her, but his eyes remained soft and sensitive, as if trying to show care. Emma was truly unable to decipher this man.

"What sensitive topics do you speak of exactly?" Emma asked softly, still keeping her eyes on his face. Arthur seemed to take a deep breath, and then looked both to his right and his left before centering his eyes back on Emma. Then he bent low, close to her face, and dropped his voice to a whisper.

"Sensitive topics such as how the King abuses the Queen, and all of the precautions you are taking everyday to prevent it from happening."

Emma stared at him blankly as her heart dropped to her feet.