Regina took a careful shower when she sobered up, hoping Emma would come back. She was just pulling on a shirt and underwear when she heard a hard knock at the door. Emma must have forgotten her keys. What if Emma thought she was unstable? What if Emma was telling the truth, that she had just been looking out for Regina's claim on Henry?
Thoughts were too jumbled in her head, she rushed to the door to clear them, she needed to see Emma.
But it wasn't her…..
…
A man in a dark suit was standing in her doorway, and he smelled like gin.
"Really Regina, this. This is what you left me for?" Leo knocking her out of his way as he moved past her into the apartment. She regained her balance with the help of the door frame, still a bit fuzzy from her drinking.
"I didn't invite you in, leave now." Her voice was low but he just sneered at her.
"She must be a better lay then Ruby eh? What was it you called her again? A cheap whore? Like your Swan girl." He took her empty class and filled it with the wine she had almost finished off.
Regina's hands balled into fists, she winced with the movement.
"My Regina," he said taking stock of her hands, "she treats you no better than I do." He smiled ecstatic over his drink.
"I…" she tried to defend Emma, "had an accident earlier….she wasn't home."
She had a bad feeling about where this might go. She had an overwhelming need to tell Emma and Henry she loved them. She was about to panic and scream but instead backed up into the kitchen keeping her eyes on Leo as he advanced. She was hoping to lunge for a kitchen knife, to be able to fight back for once. And… she almost made it.
Leo was faster, shoving her into the fridge faster than she could twitch.
"You bitch! You just up and leave and suddenly there are too many people asking questions and reporters swarming your disappearance. Why couldn't you just roll over and die? I am disgraced!"
He started pushing down on her windpipe. Her hands clawing at his desperately trying to reclaim some air.
"You're going to tear her apart. Like everything you touch. You ruin everything, you're worthless…"
And just as Regina started to black out, she collapsed to the floor. She didn't feel as her body took on the impact of the floor. She saw August pinning Leo to down against hard wood. And looked over to see Henry silently screaming in the door. She closed her eyes.
…..
Emma knew she shouldn't have run. Hopefully the groceries she bought and the dinner she was about to cook would help make up that it. Regina had just over reacted. But Emma could see where the fear was coming from. They needed to have a good long talk when Henry went to bed this evening. She groaned walking up the stairs. If she would have just talked to Regina first, there wouldn't be broken class and blood she needed to scrub from her floor.
She shivered at the thought of the slices across tanned hands. That was her fault, wasn't it?
A tear slipped down her face as she rounded the corner on the stairs she heard a thud and she saw her door sitting wide open, and she saw Henry scream.
The groceries plummeted to the floor without a second thought, she flew to the door scooping up the kid and saw August tackling a man to the floor. The man was dressed in an expensive suit. Her eyes scanned the room in terror as she held her hand over Henry's eyes. She was frantically searching for a glimpse of Regina. She hesitantly moved around the island counter, seeing Regina pushed up on an elbow, coughing with her other hand clutching at her throat.
Emma set Henry down and pulled Regina over into her arms. She was alive and breathing, and in her arms. She wrapped her other arm around Henry and started rocking.
"It's ok…" it was more for her than anyone else.
August managed to pry Henry and Regina from Emma's arms as she reached after them.
"Emma the paramedics are here and they need to look at her."
Regina's face was calm and her hand kept in contact with Emma's. Emma blinked rapidly not remembering what had happened.
August wiped the blood from his mouth and brushed Emma's hair form her face, "It's ok kid, your family's ok."
Emma shook as Regina rubbed her arm. When Emma opened her eyes again the paramedics were long gone.
"Regina…." Her voice laced with vulnerability.
Regina placed Emma's hand lightly on her throat and opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
The back of Emma's finger tips brushing across her neck.
"If I would have just talked to you… you would have never hurt yourself and I wouldn't have run and he…"
A nasty sob erupted from her own throat. She shook her head as Regina tried but failed to reach her with touch alone.
August sat down next to them.
"Em, she's ok. She won't be able to talk for a while but she'll be ok. They said the cuts on her hands weren't too deep and Henry was fine when his mom was cleared to stay at home." He set his hand on Regina's shoulder when she opened her mouth to speak.
"It's ok, I'm just glad you're both ok." Regina nodded her thanks and turned to gaze back at Emma.
"You're in shock Emma."
Emma glanced up suddenly, "Henry! It's his birthday…" Her eyes threatened to spill over again.
"Emma he just wants you two to be ok, you weren't responding for hours…" Regina rubbed at her arm which August lifted her up then reached down to help Regina. "I think it would make all the difference if his mom's made it in to say goodnight.
They found Henry in their bed, wiping at his tired little eyes. He had the brightest smile as him mothers sat down and snuggled under the covers. He quickly pulled them down under the covers.
"Thanks uncle August. I love you guys."
…..
Emma jolted awake, it was late morning and Regina was nudging her with a bowl of food.
Silent eyes pleading with her to get up and join the living.
Emma rubbed at her eyes then gently took the bowl with a quiet thank you.
Regina sat down on the bed next to Emma as she spilled some food causing the brunette to smile.
Emma wiping at her face slightly embarrassed, "Did you eat?"
Regina sighed opened her mouth to speak, when no sound came out her hand drifted to her throat as her mouth closed and she distractedly nodded.
Emma set her food to the side and pulled Regina in for a hug.
"I was so scared you…"
Regina could feel Emma's breaths quicken she squeezed and pulled back looking at Emma and cupping her face with a soft genuine smile.
Emma glanced around the room.
"Where's the kid?" Emma looked confused. Regina sighed.
"Sorry" Emma offered up with a slight blush.
Regina walked over to the desk and returned with a pad and pencil.
August took him to the candy store.
Emma took the pen and wrote back.
Oh ok. How are you feeling?
Regina's finger tips brushing against Emma's as she took the pen. Glancing at Emma's face that was glued to the pad of paper they were sharing.
I'm alright. Just glad you came back for me, thank you. I'm sorry… I know the fight was…my fault and I…
Tears splattered on the page.
Emma grabbed Regina's hand and kissed Regina on the cheek. Placing her arms around a slim waist.
"That doesn't matter, I over reacted. I don't know what I would do if…"
Regina yanked Emma's shirt to crash her lips into the blonds.
She pulled back only to messily scribble something on the paper, hand shaking as she handed it to Emma, anxiously awaiting a response.
"Make love to me?"
Emma looked up into Regina's eyes, into scared pools of lusty black. She could see right through her.
Emma's breath hitched, Regina was so beautiful in that moment.
"But you're hurt…" Emma set the book to the side, as Regina's tears started to fly down her face.
Regina nodded, eyes closing.
Emma reached up her fingertips and brushed at the salty tears. She moved and saw Regina's face drop, till the woman was pulled back into Emma's lap.
The blond held her tightly, Regina snuggling back into her. Emma gently stroked her side. Regina needed to feel loved right now, and more than anything safe.
Emma kissed her head.
"I will make love to you if that is what you really want. But for now let me just hold you for a while ok? I need this."
She felt Regina nod against her collar bone. Regina shifted and nuzzled into Emma's neck, a firm hold was felt on her hip. And she breathed easily. Her eyes grew droopy. Within a few moments, Regina was slightly snoring and drooling a little on Emma, but the blond didn't mind.
Regina slept for a few hours. When the blond finally felt her stir she looked down and saw slender hands rubbing at sleepy eyes.
She gently rolled Regina over, the brunette face maintaining the same expression. She lightly kissed her neck, felling the brunette shutter, whether it was from the bruising or herself, she didn't know.
She drifted her face to meet Regina's, her eyes were pools of black. And Emma kissed her sweetly. Letting her hands run all over Regina's body, finally making it down to her core, at Regina's insistance. She felt Regina gasp as she moved inside of her, whispering in her ear, "I love you." Tears sliding down her own face.