CHAPTER NINE - TAKE IT OUT ON ME

And I don't know why you never say goodbye
To whatever hell he's putting you through, I can't wait for you
To take it out on me, put your lips on mine.
Let me take his wrong and make it right this time.
You can just come over, you ain't gotta call.
You always got a shoulder anytime it all goes bad, when you're about to break.
When you're mad as hell, you can always take it out on me.

As soon as Hook took the last bite of his dinner, Emma reached over and grabbed both of their plates and carried them to the sink. She lathered the dish sponge up with soap and began to glide it over the dishes in the sink, one at a time.

She didn't mind cleaning dishes by hand. In fact, she found it to be relaxing despite all the confusion she had been feeling lately. Thoughts of Regina filled her head again as she began to wash a glass and she wondered what it was about the woman that made her feel so much more safe. Was it because of her connection to Henry or the fact that they had so much in common? Was it because Regina always challenged her in a way nobody else managed to do, even though it sometimes drove her crazy? Or was it simply due to the fact that she always knew when something was wrong no matter how hard Emma tried to hide it?

Thoughts of Regina quickly vanished when Emma felt Hook come up behind her and brush her hair off her shoulder to one side. He leaned down to kiss her exposed skin.

"Thanks for dinner, love. It was delicious."

Emma mumbled, "Yeah, it's not like I have much of a choice." As much as she hated their fights, she was sick of pretending everything was okay between them. He apologized every time but what good was an apology when it just kept happening again and again on a vicious loop? Suddenly, Emma thought of her parents and her perfect fantasy in her mind with Killian and how she wanted the two of them to be better. She regretted the fact that she made the sarcastic comment and laughed it off, hoping he would think she said it as a joke.

"Seriously, Swan? I'm trying to make a nice gesture here and thank you for cooking. You're my girlfriend and it's your job to make sure I'm taken care of and you've been doing a great job."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Killian, it's not my job to take care of you. You're a grown man. I have no problem cooking for you, but you seem to be stuck in your old-fashioned, outdated gender roles from hundreds of years ago regarding what a woman's duties are and it's really getting frustrating." She sighed before continuing. "I don't want to fight. I just want you to know I'm happy doing stuff for you, but you need to stop expecting it from me and treating me like I'm here to serve you." Emma remained calm and internally patted herself on the shoulder for staying strong and taking a stand.

"I know, love. You're right." Emma's eyes widened as she heard him agree. "Let me show you just how much I appreciate you." He kissed her cheek then grabbed her waist and spun her around before kissing her lips. His mouth trailed down over her jawline and down her neck and when it came in contact with her bruised spot, she winced.

"Ouch, Killian. Please stop that. It hurts." She whispered.

He leaned back and studied the purple bruise that he caused, although he barely remembered it happening.

Suddenly, his eyes darkened. "You know... Regina stopped by the house earlier."

"What? Why? What did she say?" Emma's panic was evident but she didn't know how to hide it.

"She saw the bruise on your neck and came to threaten me. What the hell did you tell her?" He growled, his voice growing increasingly louder.

"I didn't tell her anything! She saw it when she stopped by the station and I told her it was a burn from my curling iron..."

"Why didn't you cover it up with some makeup? How retarded are you?"

Emma's jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She could already tell where this was headed.

She snapped back at him, "Here's an idea. How about you keep your hands off me and I wouldn't have any bruises in the first place! Actually, here's a better idea... why don't you get out?"

She sprinted toward the steps and he chased after her.

"What do you mean get out?" He shouted as she reached the top of the stairs. "This is my home, too, Swan."

"This isn't even my home!" She retaliated and he just looked at her with confusion. Her face just fell and she shook her head.

"Have you lost it? What the devil are you talking about?"

"I don't feel safe here. I want you to leave, do you hear me?"

He gripped her arm tightly and pulled her close to him. "Please, don't do this. I'll sleep on the couch. I'm sorry!"

As his grip tightened, the pain just fueled the fire and made Emma more angry.

"Your apologies mean nothing, Hook! Now take your hand off me and let me go to bed!"

She fought to wiggle out of his grasp and when he didn't let go, she yanked her arm back harder. Hook loosened his grip at that same moment and Emma rolled backward down the steps, landing with a thump on the center landing step and smacking her head against the railing.

She yelled out in pain and tried to move as she fought back the tears stinging her eyes, refusing to give him the satisfaction in seeing her defeated.

"Emma, oh my god! Are you okay?" He rushed down a few steps in her direction and Emma put her hands up to throw him back with her magic, but her hands just started shaking as she saw him darting toward her.

He leaned down beside her and helped her stand up. "Baby, are you okay? Does anything hurt?"

"Of course I'm fucking hurt!" Emma couldn't say anything else, she just grumbled and slowly stood up. "Please," she whispered with tired eyes. "Just go sleep on the couch tonight."

He nodded in defeat and walked down the rest of the stairs and into the kitchen. Emma didn't care to keep watching him, she slowly climbed the steps, pushing away the pain she felt pulsing through every inch of her body.

She wiggled under the covers in an attempt to find comfort. But she was too furious right now to sleep. She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Regina.

I really don't appreciate you showing up at my house. You're not making anything better, you just made things worse.

Her phone chimed moments later and she read Regina's response.

Worse? What happened? I swear, if he hurt you, I will kill that pirate without even batting an eyelash.

The thought of Regina defending her made her feel loved, but she also didn't want anything like that to happen to Hook. She remembered the way he used to be when they first moved in... how happy they were. She ignored Regina's message and placed her phone on the nightstand but it started ringing three seconds later.

Before Emma even said hello, she heard Regina fuming on the other line.

"Emma, I'm here. What happened? Are you okay? I can poof over and come get you if you need -"

Emma interjected. "I don't need saving!" As soon as the words left her mouth, a pang of guilt washed over her. Part of her wished Regina were here to protect her in times like this when she wasn't strong enough to defend herself. She wanted Regina to make her pain go away.

But then Emma remembered it was partially Regina's fault. If she hadn't shown up here, maybe Hook wouldn't have gotten angry in the first place. Or maybe it was her fault, she thought. Maybe if she just did what she was told or if she had covered the bruise better, then she wouldn't be in this mess.

"I know you're strong, Emma. Nobody is doubting that. But I also know you don't like to ask for help or be vulnerable. You don't have to push me away, though." Regina whispered over the phone in a soothing voice, trying to comfort Emma.

"Stop calling me! Nothing happened. I'm fine! I certainly don't need your protection, I can take care of myself so stop making things worse because I'm handling it." She clicked the end button before Regina could say another word.

The sting hit both women at the same time, despite them being apart.

Emma felt numb to it at first but it felt as if Regina was forcing her pain to snake its way inside her and face it. But she refused to feel hurt. So instead, she just felt frustrated and didn't know what to do from here.

On the other side of the silent phone, Regina let out a loud sigh as she realized Emma hung up and clutched her pillow tightly to her chest. All she wanted to do was save Emma somehow and take away her suffering. It was as if she felt responsible for her pain, even though she knew the only one responsible here was that pirate, and Regina gave in and did something she hadn't done in a long time. She let the tears fall from her brown eyes.

Both girls suffered, just a few miles apart, pushing through the pain until they drifted to sleep.

Another nightmare forced Emma awake. She rolled over and let out a breath of relief when Hook wasn't in the bed beside her. She glanced at the clock and the bright red numbers informed her that it was a little after 1 am.

She sat up and inhaled slowly through her nose and let the air out of her lungs through her mouth to try and calm herself down. Her breathing was jagged and uneven and suddenly the events that occurred just a few hours ago consumed her. She threw the covers off her body and looked down, noticing a handful of new bruises beginning to form from her fall. The worst part was how much her head ached from where it hit the railing.

Then she remembered Regina's voice on the other end of the phone. Sure, Emma was furious, but just thinking about the other woman seemed to be helping her calm down a bit. She climbed out of bed and ran to her closet to throw on sweatpants then tiptoed down the steps.

Hook was passed out on the couch and a glass of rum was on the coffee table in front of him. She gave him a look of disgust and slowly closed the front door behind her as she braved the cold air and walked away from the house.

When she reached her destination, she pulled out her phone and called Regina, who answered after one ring.

"Emma, it's the middle of the night. Are you okay? Do you need something?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Can you let me in?"

Regina was confused but ran down the steps in nothing but her silk pajama set and opened the door, letting the cold air hit her as she took in the sight of Emma: Fragile and eyes full of sadness, wearing sweatpants that were struggling to stay up on her slender hips, a white tank top that left little to the imagination, smudged mascara, hair up in a loose ponytail.

Emma's entire body shook and Regina didn't hesitate as she pulled her inside and wrapped her in her arms. She didn't know if she was shaking from the cold night air or from something else, but as soon as Emma was in Regina's warm arms, she let a tear fall but quickly wiped it away. Regina noticed but didn't say a word.

"It's okay, Emma. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." She whispered against the blonde's hair, running her ringers gently over her back.

Emma leaned away for a moment and locked eyes with Regina, who noticed that her green eyes looked darker and more afraid than ever before.

Then, something jolted Emma to do something she didn't expect to ever do. Before she knew it, she pushed Regina backward against the wall and kissed her, gently but full of need.

Regina pulled away and looked at Emma. "What was that for? What's going on?"

"I need you," Emma whispered and Regina's stomach fluttered and she gasped softly. Emma stared at her and whispered, "Please, Regina."

"I'm not going anywhere." The brunette took Emma's hand, interlacing their fingers, and pulled her onto the sofa so that Emma was on top of her.

Emma leaned in and kissed her again and Regina parted her lips, allowing Emma's tongue to slip inside. Regina made sure to be gentle as she let her hands wander down toward Emma's hips, tracing imaginary circles over the sensitive, barely exposed areas of her hip bones where her tank top bunched up. Emma had one hand laced through Regina's hair, holding her tightly as if she was afraid she'd pull away, little did she know, Regina had no intention of going anywhere.

Regina rolled them both over so she was on top of Emma now and she sat up and pulled her silky top over her head and threw it to the side.

Emma took a minute to memorize every inch of Regina's exposed body before sitting up and kissing her neck, trailing her open mouth along her delicate collarbone then down to her breasts. With each kiss and light suck, Regina's moans grew louder and Emma felt warmth pool in her core. She leaned back and pulled off her tank top.

"God, I've wanted this for so long." Emma moaned as Regina's silky, warm, tanned skin brushed against Emma's soft pale skin. "I just didn't think I could ever have it..."

Their mouth's connected once again, both eager to have their lips on each other. Regina pulled away to make a trail down Emma's jawline then kissed down her toned stomach. She teased Emma with her fingers as she traced small circles at the hemline of her sweatpants and Emma's soft moan was enough of a cue for Regina to quickly remove any remaining articles of clothing that separated them.

Emma laid back on the couch and Regina stopped to take in the sight. When she saw all the bruises on Emma's body, she frowned but didn't say a word. Instead, she kissed every single one and then waved her hand over each and used her magic to make sure they weren't causing Emma any pain or discomfort.

"Thank you," Emma whispered, her eyes full of warmth and appreciation.

Regina nodded then began to tease Emma by kissing up and down her inner thigh until Emma begged.

As soon as Regina's warm mouth made contact with Emma's sensitive clit, Emma arched her back and tried her best to contain her moans.

Emma came quickly but it caused her entire body to convulse in waves of pleasure that she had never experienced before. As she came down from her high, she pulled Regina up to her, holding her tight as she kissed her again with even more need than she thought was possible.

Regina gasped against Emma's mouth as the blonde glided her finger up and down Regina's soaked folds then buried two fingers deep inside of her. Regina struggled to keep her lips on Emma's as her moans grew louder with each thrust but Emma couldn't get enough and kept pulling her back to her, eager to have their lips together. As Regina came, Emma bit lightly on the brunette's bottom lip then kissed her forehead as she calmed down.

Regina brushed a stray hair that fell from Emma's ponytail out of her face and smiled at her before kissing her again and whispering, "I hope I helped."

Emma nodded but the sadness in her eyes returned when she realized she needed to leave. She stood up and got dressed quickly.

"You can spend the night here. You don't have to go, Emma."

But it was too late. Emma was already out the door before Regina could finish her sentence.