A Ledger Squared In Blood

by Scribes and Scrolls

This is the sequel to The Debt. Read that story first or this will make little sense. Emma prepares to head home to Storybrooke filled with questions, anger and pain about Regina's actions, as she figures out what to do next. Swan Queen again ... eventually.

10. Chapter 10

A LEDGER SQUARED IN BLOOD

By Scribes and Scrolls

CHAPTER 10: REUNITED

Uh oh.

Emma quickly reached for Regina as she collapsed and gently leveraged her dead weight as best she could onto the bed. She swung the woman's legs up and then stared down at the crumpled form in surprise.

Well, that did not go as planned.

She heard a bang and almost leapt out of her skin, turning to see the open door knocking against the wall in the wind. It sounded so loud in the stillness of the night. She ran over and quickly corralled her belongings back into the sack, which she kicked over to Regina's bed, and then shut the door as quietly as she could.

She turned.

Regina Mills. Had. Fainted. In her arms no less.The look on her face, the disbelief and fear - she had seemed genuinely spooked.

Emma's brow knitted as she lay gently beside her, on her side, gazing at the woman who had confounded her for weeks.

She looked so tired.

The blonde slipped off her gloves, ramming them into her jacket pocket, then gently let her fingertips graze the side of the brunette's face.

"Hey," she whispered, tucking a loose hair back around Regina's ear. "Wake up, Regina. Come on."

She seemed so small like this - hardly the force of nature she'd known in Storybrooke, and not a patch on Her Regal Bleakness she'd spied from below the balcony all those weeks ago.

Eyelids began to flutter open and Emma let out a relieved breath she didn't realise she was holding. "Hey!" she grinned. "Welcome back."

"Emma?" Brown eyes screwed up in disbelief. "What? How..."

"You fainted."

"You're dead!" she blurted, eyes widening.

"Well no need to thank me, but that's a bit of overkill don't you think?" Emma stared at her in complete confusion.

"What?" Regina asked, face creasing. "You. Were. Dead! I saw it. Mother destroyed the cottage. I-I watched you shout at a scout bird and then you walked inside and then... then..."

Hands flew to Emma's concerned face, dusting it, touching, testing to check she was real. "But that didn't happen. Y-you're here."

"I remember shouting at a scout bird," Emma said. "I cursed the hell out of your mother," she grinned at the memory. "But I went home a week or so later. I found the destroyed cottage only this morning when we came back."

Regina blinked away tears. "I saw the ruins, too. I went to check she hadn't lied. It was horrible. Emma, I thought I was walking on your ashes."

The blonde felt the other woman begin to shake so wrapped an arm firmly around her waist and gave a comforting squeeze.

"Hey, Regina, come on, it's OK. Your mother tricked you." She paused. "Why couldn't you have just done a spell to see that I wasn't ... uh ... there?"

Regina growled in frustration. "I don't know such a spell. I mean how often would anyone need to use it to even consider inventing it in the first place, let alone teaching it to others? Spells work on a supply and demand basis like everything else."

For a moment she sounded like her old condescending, lecturing self and Emma almost smiled.

Then arms tugged her fiercely down on top of her until they were nose to nose, the warmth of Regina's trembling body flooding Emma's senses. Suddenly she was enveloped in a bone-crushing hug.

"DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!"

"Do what?"

"PROMISE ME!"

"I, uh, promise not to be unwittingly used in a fake death video by your lying psycho-bitch mother?" Emma's lips twitched at the indignant demand.

The brunette slapped her on the shoulder. Hard.

"Ow!" Emma protested.

"This is not funny. I mourned you! For God's sake," Regina's rough voice cracked and dropped to a ragged gasp. "I mourned you."

And then her shoulders were shaking and tears were dripping from anguished brown pools and Emma gathered her up, soothing her. Sliding one arm around her back, the other stroking her hair.

"I'm so sorry Regina, I had no idea."

And suddenly the brunette was kissing her. It was messy and sloppy and anxious and needy, and Regina's face was tear-stained and distraught but Emma never thought she'd seen a more beautiful sight. Her anguish and pain and much, much more was plainly written all over her face.

Emma responded gently, tasting the salt water and kissing it away, then cupping her cheek, tenderly stroking it.

"I missed you," Regina whispered when they finally pulled away, the urgent, desperate edge fading.

"Hey, me too. Who else did I have to boss me around about my dirty coffee mugs?" She offered an adoring grin.

Regina growled. "I'm being serious."

"So was I. I've been a mess without you." Emma gazed at her then dropped her voice as she said in complete earnestness: "In every sense."

Another bone-crushing hug. Emma felt the hands clutching at her jacket, running down to her ass and gripping her as though staking a claim. The blonde burrowed into her shoulder, enjoying the touches, sighing as she realised she had also missed the scent of the woman so much.

Regina finally pushed her away and sought out her eyes. "I want to tell you... I realised I never did. And I.."

Suddenly she froze and recoiled, tilting her head back sharply.

Emma felt the change and fear skittered down her spine. "What is it?" she asked, alarmed.

Regina gave her an accusing look. "How do I know this is even you? There are spells. It would just be like my mother to trick me and coax all my secrets out of me." An appalled look crossed her face.

"Well it's a bit late to be asking me that after you've kissed me senseless, dontcha think?" Emma asked, eyebrows sliding up.

"It certainly sounds like you, dear," Regina pursed her lips. "But after what has transpired, I would like proof." She tapped Emma impatiently to get off her. The blonde rolled over on to her side again and slid eyes up to brown. Regina sat up stiffly, crossed her arms and glared. "Well?"

Emma sighed and rubbed her face, as if trying to expunge the memory embedded sharply in her brain. "You left me a letter. The world's cruellest letter, I might add..." She gave Regina an irritated look. The other woman at least appeared slightly shamefaced. Emma twisted and flopped on her back to stare up at the ceiling - well what she could make of it in the darkened room.

She gathered her thoughts and exhaled. Then, in a shaky voice, she recounted what the letter said, word for word. Without looking over she could feel Regina wincing in parts, hear her breath catching. She knew by being able to reel off the letter from memory she had just revealed the depths with which it had stung her. And how much it still hurt.

When she was done, turned her head back to eye Regina. "Really? That was your exit plan? 'Thank' me then dump me?"

Regina swallowed. "I didn't want to risk you might stay for me. You needed to get back to Henry. I needed you safe. That was more important than anything else. Even your ... our ... feelings."

Emma's eyebrows lifted at that revelation, but she felt unable to forgive just yet. "I have spent weeks trying to understand your motives. And now you tell me you just wanted to make sure I left? Seriously, Regina? You couldn't just have sat down and had a normal conversation with me about our plans? You had to do some over-the-top complicated scheme to trick me? What the hell?"

"I uh..." A look of complete embarrassment flashed across Regina's face, and Emma suddenly knew the thought of just talking to her honestly hadn't even entered her mind. It made Emma even more cranky. She let out a shuddering breath.

"Do you know how many people have left me in my life? Actually you might know that - you probably have the foster care files on me or something? And yet you still did that to me. Made me feel like I was worthless. It was wrong. Regina ... It really freaking hurt."

Regina gazed back at the outraged face, her jaw working. Finally she glanced away, her cheeks visibly darkening.

"I didn't mean ... I... All I could think was keeping you safe and giving Henry the best mother he could have if I wasn't there. Cora would have come after you again and again if she knew how much you meant to me. She suspected but she wasn't sure. And I couldn't risk losing you."

The blonde chewed her lower lip as she processed her words. Regina sounded genuinely contrite. Not to mention so sad.

The sheriff's anger evaporated.

"OK. Next time, just talk to me? I am not twelve. I can handle an adult discussion. I don't need manipulation or games."

Regina nodded and looked up at her from under her eyelashes. "I want you to know that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life."

The blonde's lips pressed into a line. "Good. I'd hate to think screwing me over was easy for you."

Regina flinched and Emma felt instantly lousy. Shit, no need for low blows.She scrounged around for a new topic.

"So do you believe I'm me yet?" she asked with her most endearing mock pout.

"I doubt Mother could pull off that particular expression, dear. You look like our ten-year-old."

Emma beamed. It was rare for Regina to ever call Henry theirs. A thought struck her.

"Hey," she said, leaning over the bed. "Brought you a present. It's a present only the real Emma would know to bring, I might add."

She pulled out a pair of worn men's shoes from her sack and dropped them on the bed beside the brunette.

There was an astonished gasp. "You saved Daddy's shoes?! I thought they were ashes!"

Regina's hands fell to the worn brown leather, tracing the curves lovingly.

Her head snapped to stare at Emma's. "Thank you," she said with sincerity. Then she gently placed them on the floor and rolled over so she was hovering on top of Emma..

And then there were kisses. Peppered, all over her face. The blonde smiled widely. Regina's adoring look had just made everything worthwhile. For the first time in weeks she felt fantastic. And then the brunette took her mood to impossible heights.

"By the way... I-I really … I care for you." Emma felt soft hands brushing over her chin and lips and she could feel the rapid thudding in the other woman's chest through her cream button-up blouse.

Emma saw Regina swallow nervously as though afraid of the blonde's response. Emma opened her mouth to reply but a soft hand came up to stop her.

"Let me finish. Before, I was afraid. I thought there was nothing worse than baring my emotions. Especially to you. Being vulnerable? It was a weakness. I was wrong. Emma, the moment I saw the cottage fall, with you in it - I saw what I lost in an instant. And all the rest was just empty, pointless pride. When you were gone, I was gone. And I am not wasting my second chance. So. I…" pure fear flashed across her face. "I… love you."

Emma gazed at her for a moment, a delighted smile playing at her lips. "Regina," she exhaled bringing her arms around the warm body above her to pull her tightly against her chest, "you are a maddening woman. And you broke my heart," she admitted. She heard a soft sad grunt. "But I never, ever, not once, stopped loving you. And I just can't imagine there ever being a time when I would."

Regina's head snapped up and her eyes smiled. Her mouth curved, too, but it was watching the brunette's eyes dance with delight that made Emma's breath catch.

"I'm going to do something now I've only ever done once before in my life," Regina smiled, her voice low and sultry. Emma shivered. "I am going to make love," her hand slid down Emma's jaw line and tapped her chin for effect. "And show you how I feel."

The blonde swallowed, her brain nearly short circuiting. "Um, Regina, much as I would like to do that – God, love to - but I'm actually here on a mission." Why did her voice sound so breathless?

Regina's eyes clouded over. "Let me guess, you have a little Storybrooke army stashed away somewhere around here and you want to attack the castle? Hmm? And you're the advanced guard to chat to me about my allegiances?"

Emma laughed at her unerring accuracy. "Something like that. Actually they want to bring down the George/Cora alliance. Failing that, or maybe as well as that, they want to attack Cora and George's castles."

Regina snorted. "Please. If they even so much as show themselves they'll all be dead. There's a magical trebuchet hidden halfway down the ravine that can flatten anyone, anywhere, even before Cora calls in George's army for reinforcements. You saw what it did to my cottage? Imagine what it could do to a small group of people.

"So we attack the trebuchet..."

"You can't - it has a powerful protection spell that sits around it like a skirt. And you toss so much as a rock at that catapult and a forcefield will bounce it back at you five times the speed."

Emma's heart sank. "So there's no defeating Cora."

"I didn't say that. There's still your Plan A. Destroying the alliance."

"We can't do that without a bit of help from you."

Amused laughter burbled from Regina. "My dear," she said fondly, pronouncing the 'dear' with a warmth Emma had never heard before. It made her feel weak in the knees. "You can only do that with my help, and more than a bit of it. It's not something you can poke at around the edges. These are cunning, clever people you want brought down. Do not underestimate them. And you have to be on the inside to destroy this alliance."

The brunette looked fondly at the woman under her and stroked her hair, eyeing her increasingly glum expression with amusement. She lowered her voice conspiratorially, lips tracing Emma's ear. "And as luck would have it I have already put in place a plan that will rip them apart in a few days."

Emma started in surprise.

"You didn't really think I came here to renew maternal ties with the woman who destroyed my life, do you?"

"I did wonder."

Now Regina looked surprised. Her face took on a distasteful expression.

Emma jumped in defensively: "Well I did sneak over to see you once before I left for Storybrooke. I was under the balcony. I saw you actually grasp her hand."

Regina's brows knitted, thinking. Finally she spoke. "Ah, that. I had just found out she was going to be married to the royal boor. I was rather hoping she was doing it for love. A foolish notion it seems. Mother actually worked out which side I was on based on that little conversation."

Emma's eyes grew wide. "Why does she keep you here if she knows you're working against her?"

Regina smiled coldly. "Two reasons. She wants me at her wedding - for show. She'd hate to walk down the aisle and have no family on display. And she's not entirely sure what I'm up to and she desperately wants to know. She destroyed the cottage and led me to believe you along with it, and my photos of Henry," she paused and frowned, "thinking it would destroy my spirit and maybe curb my schemes against her. Clearly she does not know me at all well."

"No," Emma whispered. "You would just strike back harder."

"Yes. I would. In fact anyone in Storybrooke could tell you that. She, on the other hand, decided to push me to the edge. I hope she likes the view because I have dragged her there with me. She just doesn't know it yet."

"What is your plan?"

"I have tricked King Midas with a clever tissue of lies. I am expecting him to arrive at the palace soon to confront George. When he does, the world order in this realm will be irrevocably shattered. So it's probably best you tell your parents and their little posse to stay hidden or risk getting smashed about by magical cannon balls."

Emma eyed her closely. "You won't be coming away with me then? Tonight?"

"No. I have to be here when Midas arrives or Cora will suspect I had some hand in the deception. It must seem to be Midas pulling all the strings. And besides, I have a few people here I want to protect when the alliance blows up. People who have helped me."

The blonde raised her eyebrows. "You have friends here?"

"Well don't sound so surprised, dear, I do know how to network."

Emma snickered. "OK, well we need a signal - for when you have completed your plan and are ready to leave. In case we do manage to destroy the trebuchet."

"You can't destroy that. It's impenetrable."

"Maybe so. But I'd still feel better if we knew when you were ready to get out. And what if your palace friends needed our help? You need a way to signal our army."

Regina frowned at that. "OK. Scapulus."

"Huh?"

"There's a demon vulture who lives in the Canyon of Light. I will call for him. If you ever see a vulture sitting on the palace balcony, it will mean the alliance has fallen. Or if it hasn't fallen, it means that I am compromised and will be leaving if I am able. Either way, if you wish to attack despite the suicidal risks from that trebuchet, then so be it."

"Holy crap, you know that creepy bird?"

"He actually happens to be a very loyal ally to me."

"Seriously, woman, you are..." Emma's eyes bulged as she searched for the words.

"Yes, dear?" Regina tilted her head, daring her to insult her.

"Full of surprises," she grinned.

The brunette smirked. Her fingers snaked into Emma's hair. "Indeed I am. Now if we're done with your little mission?"

Emma groaned as the fingers moved to stroke her face. "We are."

"Good, because there are more productive things that we could be doing than masterminding our parents' wars."

The blonde laughed. "Yeah, that is what we've been doing."

"Mmm. Come here."

The blonde slid higher up, under Regina's body until their faces were aligned. Regina latched her lips on to hers and began to kiss her slowly, with intent.

Her lips slid down to Emma's chin and then her neck. She stopped. "What the hell is that smell?"

Emma blushed deeply. "Oh, um, Granny insisted I impress you with her 'honey trap' cologne."

Regina's eyebrows rose. "Taking beauty advice from Eugenia Lucas now? That would be a first."

"Eugenia? Her name is freaking Eugenia?"

"Well why do you think she prefers Granny?"

"Just shut up and kiss me," Emma grumbled. "We don't have much time left before I have to be back. Snow threatened to storm the palace at dawn if I wasn't back by then."

Regina actually laughed at that. "Well that won't be happening."

"Because of the trebuchet?"

"Well that, too. Let's just say no one does any storming in this canyon just after dawn. "

"Huh?"

"Wait a few hours, and then you'll see what happens."

"Regina?"

"Mmm?"

"How on earth did you get your hand down there? I didn't even feel it move."

The former mayor smiled. "A lady never tells."

"Could you move it just to the lef... oh yes, Oh god, yes."

Emma felt the hand that had snaked inside her jeans and underwear begin to knead her.

"You are so good at that, you know?" she husked as fingers dipped inside her liquid and spread it across her folds.

"Hmmm mm," Regina purred.

Two fingers slid inside her and Emma arched back in delight. She glanced down feeling faintly ridiculous, still wearing her jacket, while Regina's fingers performed an incredibly intimate act. She began to pull her leather jacket off.

"No," Regina said quickly. "Leave it on. I like it."

Emma tilted her head. "Since when?"

"Since you died and it was the lasting memory I had of you," the brunette whispered.

"Oh God, Regina. Of course," she said and let her arms fall. "Do you mind if I unbutton your shirt at least?"

"By all means."

Emma made short work of Regina's old-fashioned peasant-style blouse, ripping it apart and deciding there were some real pluses in visiting a land with no bras. The soft breasts bounced free above her, deep red nipples hardening in the cold night air. Emma leaned forward and licked them appreciatively, feeling Regina's fingers still dancing inside her as she did.

Regina moaned. The blonde realised just how much she had missed the sound. Her eyes flicked to the brown orbs watching hers with desire. She had forgotten this sight, of Regina slowly becoming undone. There was no sensation more erotic.

"I want you," was all Emma could think to say, nuzzling the breasts. "I need you. And I love you."

In reply Regina lunged forward at her neck and began to nuzzle her urgently. She slipped her fingers more powerfully into Emma, thumb skidding over her clit.

They didn't talk after that. Emma couldn't even remember the first time she came hard, under Regina's slippery fingers. She did remember later burying her face between her quivering legs until her soft cries and pleas floated up to Emma's ears. And she remembered seeing tears sliding down the brunette's face shortly afterwards, until the other woman captured Emma in more searing passionate kisses and murmured endearments in her ear. Endearments so impossibly sweet the blonde could scarcely believe it was Regina uttering them.

Much later she watched the silhouette of the former mayor arching above her, shuddering, face alight, eyes burning into hers as Emma drove fingers deep inside her, urging her to come once more.

Even later still, she recalled the brunette clinging to her and half-whispering, half-begging for her to please, please don't leave her again. Emma's heart almost broke at the anguish and need she could feel in the trembling body clutching at her shoulders, and tangling in her hair.

When they finally collapsed in a mess of limbs under the covers, still partially clad, with jeans hanging off one leg for Emma, and Regina's unbuttoned cream shirt still clinging to one arm and a shoulder - although she now wore nothing else - Emma heard the softest sound near her ear. It was as she curved herself around Regina, just as they had all those nights before in the cottage. "Stay," the throaty voice whispered. "For as long as you can. Please?"

"Mmm," Emma agreed softly and kissed her hair. "Wake me before dawn, though. I want to see what you're talking about in this canyon. And I should get back before my parents worry."

"Yes. But sleep now," Regina husked. "I'll wake you in time to get away."

. . . . . . . . .

Regina had not slept well in months. She had therefore never missed a Canyon of Light display in all the dawns since she had returned to the palace. Being surrounded in Emma's arms however had given her an overwhelming sense of calm and relaxation that pushed her into the deepest sleep of her life. She did not naturally wake before dawn.

Neither did Emma.

A light rapping on the door stirred her and she gradually opened her eyes, wondering what the weight was pinning her down. Eyes flickered open to see a sea of blonde curls and the lover she had believed dead draped over her hip, chest and thigh. She couldn't contain her smile.

The knocking resumed. Suddenly her eyes snapped wide open. What if it was one of Cora's guards? Or Cora herself? Although Mother never knocked. Before she could call out to stall the visitor, the door cracked open and a familiar blonde head appeared, face filled with concern.

"Majesty?" Rosemary asked, huge worried eyes seeking out Regina's. "You didn't come down to the kitchen after first light like you always do and I was worried because yesterday you..."

Her eyes widened as she took in the fact Regina was not alone. Indeed, a clearly naked woman was wrapped around the royal. And apart from an askew shirt, the brunette seemed in a similar condition.

"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to intrude!" her face flushed the deepest red. And the horror in her features was not something Regina would soon forget. "Please forgive me, I'll go. Your Majesty."

Emma's eyes slowly fell open and she rolled over to see who had woken her. She offered a fond glance at Regina but on seeing her consternation and attention on something by the door, she let her blue eyes wander further. She wrenched a sheet up over them both as she encountered a stranger's pretty face with huge eyes blinking at them.

A face which promptly disappeared as the wooden door shut firmly.

Oh hell, Regina scowled.

"Is this very bad?" Emma asked quickly rising and searching for her clothes. "Will she tell Cora?"

Regina watched appreciatively as jeans slid up her lover's legs and forced herself to focus. "No. She's one of the friends I mentioned earlier."

Emma, zipping up her jeans, frowned. "Then why does she look like you just stomped on her favourite kitten. Didn't she know you liked, ah, the ladies?" Emma smirked a little.

The brunette shook her head. "This isn't funny." Regina glanced down and began to button up her disarrayed shirt. "I will have to go after her. Smooth things over."

Emma, reaching for her bra stopped cold and turned to look at her. "You? Running after someone to smooth things over? Who is this girl?"

"A servant. She, uh, likes me. Has a little crush." Regina pursed her lips.

The blonde scowled as she hooked her bra. "And did you and she ... you know, when you thought I was dead? Comfort was it?"

"Don't be absurd. I never laid a finger on her."

"Did you want to?" Emma asked silkily, finding her tank-top swaying from a wardrobe handle where she'd flung it last night.

"She is an ally. She is sweet. And she has the same aims that we do. But as for anything more? Nothing could ever happen."

"Why not? She seems attractive enough," Emma growled, shrugging on her red jacket.

"Because she was NOT YOU!" Regina rose in irritation. "And I can't believe you thought I'd forget you in less than a month." The brunette shakily pulled on tight black leather pants, hands trembling with fury.

Emma's arms came around behind her, circling in front of her waist and squeezing gently. "Hey, I'm sorry. I just have never seen you worry about people's feelings before."

Regina's head snapped up in outrage.

"Well I mean aside from your lover, or your son," Emma hastily amended. "But that's good. You know. Friends are good," she finished lamely.

Regina cocked her head, well aware of the unspoken subtext. That she was finally growing if she could maintain healthy friendships.

She sighed and glanced outside. Dawn was well and truly over. Damn it. She leaned over and reached inside her bedside table drawer and pulled out a small rectangle. It looked like a thin piece of glass but it was far more valuable than that.

Regina strode to the windowed doors and held it to her eyes.

Oh no.

"What's that?" Emma asked picking up her sack, and sifting through it, making sure she had everything.

"It's the magical realm's equivalent of a telescope. And Emma, we have a problem. I think you've left your departure too late."

She handed the rectangle to the blonde and watched as she found what Regina had seen. A miniature zoomed view of Snow and James, looking worried and angry, and a motley band of former Storybrooke residents. They were stealthily moving their way up the ravine. Not only were they getting dangerously close to Scapulus's territory but if a scout bird saw them, Cora could activate the trebuchet and turn them into small smears that matched the red earth below.

"Shit! What do we do? I have to warn them," Emma looked panicked as she handed back the glass.

"We can't warn them. But we can send them back," Regina said. She opened the balcony doors and lifted her arms, muttering a spell that would do the trick nicely. A low mist suddenly rolled in out of nowhere, filling the bottom of the ravine and reducing visibility to only a foot in front of the invaders.

"The scout birds won't spot them; Scapulus won't see them. They'll have to turn back now as they can't see the way ahead," Regina said with satisfaction.

"Well that's just great but what about me?" Emma said, anxiety rising. "How the hell will I be able to navigate the swelter pools if I can't even see where they begin and end?"

Regina stared at her. She'd forgotten about those. She thought hard, trying to recall the incantation. She raised one arm and began to recite the spell.

"OK, you have about an hour. I basically froze the pools for that long. You'd better get a move on though."

Emma nodded. They suddenly locked eyes and realised there was no certainty everything would play out as they hoped. No certainty of ever seeing each other again.

"Regina, I..."

"Me, too."

"I am sorry we didn't get the chance to find this in Storybrooke," Emma said softly, "I think we wasted a lot of time being confused by what we were really feeling for each other."

"I admit I was a little paranoid about you wanting to take Henry off me…" Regina conceded with a tiny smile.

"A little?" Emma teased back.

"I do regret we couldn't have had more time," Regina continued, seriously, "It feels like we've been through so much and … we might still lose each other."

"Not gonna happen," Emma said firmly. "Now listen to me – no heroics. I know your mother deserves everything that's coming to her, but don't you dare risk a hair on your head to do it. We'll find another way if we have to."

"My hero," Regina mocked with a small smirk.

"I mean it. You're my woman. I will tear Cora limb from limb if I find out anything's happened to you." Emma's chest rose and fell sharply, and Regina gave a pleased smile, wrapping her arms around her.

"Standing up for me again, my dear," she husked. "A girl could get used to this."

"Better believe it," Emma said, sticking out her bottom lip obnoxiously. Regina couldn't resist leaning in the short distance and kissing it.

"You know, when you stood up for me in front of Cora, when she attacked me, I had never felt so loved in my entire life," Regina said softly. "I will never forget that. I still don't think I have the words to properly thank you for it."

"No one gets to hurt you and get away with it," Emma growled.

"The same goes for you," the brunette said sternly. "Don't you dare get yourself killed again. I am only just getting over the shock of having you back this time. If anything happens to you, there will be consequences."

For the briefest of moments a darkness flashed across her eyes as she felt the rage growing at even the thought of losing the blonde. It was only when Emma stared at her, faintly alarmed, that she realised she was scaring her a little, and forced herself to shake it off. She wondered if she'd ever completely lose that dark side of herself. The demons. She tried to smile but her lips trembled.

"Never again – hear me?" she ordered.

"I hear you," Emma agreed.

Both women stared at each other, memorising their lover for the longest of heartbeats.

They leaned forward, kissed passionately, powerfully, hands winding into hair until they pulled apart, breathless.

"Go now," Regina said pushing her away with difficulty. "And be careful - Cora's room shares this balcony at the other end. Make sure you're not seen going over the edge."

"I'll be safe. Make sure you are, too. Henry needs both his mothers. He said as much."

The brunette's breath caught and she pushed the instant gut-wrenching response down as far as she could, pursing her lips. "Goodbye," she whispered, eyes begging Emma to be safe.

"See you soon," the blonde grinned shaking her head at Regina's finality. She looked her warmly in the eye. "Love you, Regina."

And within moments she had dropped to her knees and crawled away, disappearing all too quickly over the lip of the balcony and into a foggy haze below.

Love you, too, Emma, Regina whispered to herself.

. . . . . . . . .

Regina entered the kitchen with a feeling of dread that worsened the moment she saw a puffy-faced Rosemary, and a steely-eyed Clarice comforting her.

Cook, for her part, seemed to be pummelling bread dough with more vigour than was absolutely necessary, lips in a thin disapproving line. Uh oh. She had clearly finally joined the dots.

Clarice rose and met her at the door, arms crossed. She hissed: "Really, Your Highness? Whatever happened to not hurting Rose?"

"This is none of your business, Clarice."

"Rose is my business. Does she look fine to you?" Clarice snapped softly and they both turned to examine the blonde holding herself miserably in the corner.

Regina sighed and cleared her throat. "Rosemary, could I have a word with you, please?"

Clarice put her hands on her hips, blocking her best friend's path.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" the redhead hissed at Regina insolently. "Are you planning to break her heart twice? I mean unless that was the reincarnation of your great long-lost love splayed out in your bed then you're nothing more than a..."

"It was."

Clarice's mouth dropped open.

"What?" she croaked.

"You heard me," she said sharply, no longer tolerating the other woman's disrespect.

Clarice sensed the shift and dropped her head. "Uh ... how come… you didn't know she was alive?"

"Cora," Regina snarled.

It was all she needed to say.

Clarice nodded and flushed a little. "Apologies for assuming, Majesty," she said contritely. She turned to the blonde curled up in the corner and said softly. "Rose, sweetie, Her Majesty would like to talk to you."

The fiery redhead turned back, dipped her head respectfully and left the room, shooting a sympathetic glance back as she left. Whether it was for Regina or Rosemary, the brunette wasn't sure.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Regina led Rosemary out to a secluded garden and they sat on a bench, eyeing a bed of blooming white lilies.

"I didn't mean to hurt you, Rosemary. I honestly did not know she was alive," the brunette began softly.

"She is the woman you thought was buried in the cottage?"

"Yes."

"So she is your great love? Your true love?" the blonde asked.

Regina couldn't contain the joy as she nodded. Her lips twitched and eyes sparkled. "She is."

Rosemary regarded her. "Then I am happy for you," she said. "I hated the thought you would take just anyone to your bed when you knew how I felt for you. But now, I see, you were waiting. For her."

The brunette smiled again. "Perhaps I was."

Small pale hands daringly reached over and squeezed Regina's. "I am sorry for reacting the way I did. It was an awful shock, Your Majesty. I do admire you so."

Regina looked at their entwined fingers and gave her a reassuring squeeze. "Let's not speak of it again. But I want you to know I do care about you. And I believe you will find your own true love one day, dear. And she will be much better than me," she said with a self-deprecating smirk.

Rosemary gasped: "Never, majesty. You are perfect!"

The brunette arched an eyebrow. "Well I can't say I have ever been called that before.

"By the way, Rosemary, there is something else. If you ever see a demon vulture on the balcony, you are to get Cook and Clarice, and anyone else you love and trust and flee the castle at once. Do you understand?"

"I... yes." Her eyes held fear.

"Soon this regime will fall and I would hate for you to be caught up in it. That will be the signal it is over. There may not be time for me to rescue you. But Emma - that is the woman you saw me with this morning - has friends and they may come to help. If they do, it is safe to go with them. But of course I will do everything in my power to help you if I am able."

"Thank you, Majesty."

"Now we'd best go or people will talk," she teased.

"Ohh, I wish," Rosemary said with a faint blush.

They walked in companionable silence back to the palace.

A shadow was waiting and Regina's face fell. The formidable and furious shape of Cora Mills greeted them at the door like an asp poised to strike.

"Leave us," the older woman barked at the servant.

Rosemary looked at her in alarm and scurried away.

A sick sensation flooded Regina's body.

"What are you playing at now, child?"

"Whatever do you mean, Mother?"

"This valley has not had a natural mist in thirty years so when one slides up my balcony this morning, what am I supposed to think?"

"I have no idea, Mother. I was as surprised to see it as you."

"Perhaps," Cora ground out, eyeing her daughter closely. "Or perhaps you are hiding secrets from me, hmm?" An arm snaked out and grabbed a fistful of hair yanking Regina's head back.

"What are you up to? You think I can't recognise one of YOUR spells? Do you think me a fool?"

"N-no Mother."

"It was HER wasn't it?"

Regina swallowed in fear. "H-her? Who?"

"That pretty little blonde." Cora snapped her head back even further and pain lanced along Regina's screaming neck.

She had to force her hands from trembling.

"You were just with her," Cora snapped. "The servant girl. Are you hiding the fact you are involved in sexual congress with the kitchen staff? Perhaps you slept in a little later with your filthy tryst and wanted to blind my scout birds? She seems your type nowadays. Just like the dead Swan girl?"

Filthy tryst? Regina's brain sputtered. Because her mother's own sex life was so perfectly vanilla.

The brunette swallowed. It seemed to be an admission of guilt because Cora let go of her hair.

"I thought so. Trust you to go for the help yet again. You are truly pathetic, Regina. If it wasn't for my wedding, I would consider dropping you into a swelter pool right now for shaming me like this."

Regina's eyes narrowed. Well tell me what you really think, Mother.

"I suppose I could just drop her in instead..." Cora commented thoughtfully.

Panic flooded the brunette but before she could react a messenger ran up to them. "Majesty?"

Both their heads snapped to look at the boy. "King Midas is on his way. He wishes an urgent meeting."

Cora's eyebrows rose. "What does he want?"

"I don't know, Your Highness, but he was insistent on seeing King George and he says it involves you, too."

"All right, how long before he arrives?"

"He's already cresting Razorback Mountain."

Regina's eyes rose. He must have left almost immediately after her secret meeting to be so close.

"That is all," Cora snapped to the messenger who raced away. "I will have to make preparations," she said to herself.

She glanced at Regina. "Perhaps it wasn't your mist after all. But don't let me catch you with her again.

"Now, I must get ready. What could he want? Perhaps a new alliance? The old one fell through when George's unappreciative imposter son ran off before the wedding to Midas's child."

Regina merely nodded and watched as her mother ran through theories. Predictably they were all grandiose and centred on her impending marriage. Not one hit on the truth. Which wasn't surprising.

The brunette glanced through the windows. The mist had lifted. Emma would be back with the Storybrooke army by now and hopefully convincing them to stay out of sight until Regina could bring this alliance down herself.

"Are you even listening to me at all? I swear at times you are as useless as your father," Cora snapped. "Well go and get cleaned up." She paused and sniffed, an appalled expression crossing her face. "And what is that revolting perfume? Never mind. Wash and return in time for Midas's visit. Hurry!"

Cora left in a swirl of wafting silks and self-importance and Regina watched her go, feeling oddly detached.

Soon, very soon, all hell would break loose.

A small smile threatened the corners of her mouth.

She couldn't wait.