She had never held someones heart in her hand. At least, not figuratively speaking. Having been the Evil Queen, of course she had done so literally. It was an idiotic saying, now that she thought about it.

Regina shook her head, her face lit up by her smile as she continued to stare into the piercing eyes of Emma Swan. In this moment, nothing mattered to her other than the love she could plainly see swimming within those pools of emerald-green. She had no idea how much time had passed since Emma had said the words, nor did she much care.

And as they stared - Emma waited, content to do so forever if need be. To watch the emotion, the thoughts, the words that wanted to come but could find no voice to speak them. That was what she saw in Regina's eyes, they had always been her most expressive feature. They held her secrets, her lies, her truths and most importantly, the love she felt in return.

But even though she decided she didn't need to hear them, that she needed no confirmation for what was so clearly obvious within the brown depths, lips parted and spoke them anyway.

"I love you, Emma Swan."

She was wrong, so very wrong. She wanted- needed to hear them. Repeatedly, she had to record them and play it on a loop, over and over and.. "Say it again."

Regina laughed and raised her hands to Emma's cheeks, repeating the words even as she leaned into to capture her enticing pink lips. "I love you."

The kiss was unlike any other, familiar yet different - this wasn't the kiss of beginnings or lovers. This was no spur of the moment, no gesture of afterthought. This was two souls reuniting as one, it was the cheesy sought after kiss that eluded people their entire lives, the kind that actors practiced to look perfect for the screen in those god awful romantic comedies they both despised. It was perfect.

When they pulled apart for air, Emma blinked as her heart fluttered within her chest. "Did you uh.. feel that?"

Regina blushed even as the sass spilled from her mouth. "You mean did I feel as though I was playing a part in some badly written chick flick?"

Rubbing the back of her neck, Emma nodded as her own cheeks flushed red. "Yeah, that."

"I did."

"Right.." Emma feigned a cough to cover her embarrassment and stood from the bed. "Lets um.. not do that again."

"Agreed." With a smirk, Regina came across the bed on her knees and grabbed Emma's wrist before she could move. Clasping her hand around the back of Emma's neck, Regina pulled their mouths together in a much more familiar way before ending with a playful nip to her bottom lip. Standing from the bed, her hand remained firmly clasped around Emma's wrist as she led them from the cabin.

They had barely set foot on deck with their breakfast when Hook came over, excitedly spouting words neither of them were able to understand. When Emma finally shouted his name and got him to stop babbling, Regina spoke up. "Would you like to try using words in the form of coherent sentences, perhaps more calmly this time?"

Hook rolled his eyes, twice upon noticing the smirk from Emma. "Well Your Majesty, I thought you might like to know that we can finally see land." As his arm swept out behind him, they both followed the gesture and their eyes widened at the sight of the island in the distance.

Their panic set in almost immediately, simultaneously. Thoughts raced within their minds, strangely similar in nature. Emma didn't think they were ready to face what was on that island, Regina wasn't even sure what they would find on the island - nevermind being ready for it.

And how long had it been since they were last focused on Henry?

They looked to each other then. So caught up in their own fantasy world, they failed to realise that this was going to happen. They had been a distraction to each other but as their relationship developed, they became lost in one another. Emma still didn't know anything about magic, Regina still wasn't on the best of terms with anyone aside from Emma - and perhaps Hook, if she could ever admit that he actually meant something to her.

It was as the regret set in, the shame for allowing their thoughts to drift from their son that Hook intervened. "Ladies."

Both sets of eyes rose and he flashed them a smile. "Constant worry would have served no purpose. You found a distraction in each other, happiness and if I'm not mistaking the nauseatingly smitten looks you've both been wearing lately, love."

That was no excuse. Even if they were to overlook the fact their son's abduction had slipped their minds, there was still the matter of readiness. They had no plan once they reached the island, no way of knowing where they needed to go.

Regina opened her mouth to voice these thoughts, but the raised eyebrow from Hook had her snapping it shut again. "Your son will be happy for you. With the two of you working together, I have no doubt that you will find him and.. once we figure out the way back to Storybrooke, he will have his family - safe and complete."

It was the thought of family - such a simple word that meant so much to the both of them - that had them both smiling and Hook rolling his eyes once again. "Good, pity party cancelled."

Waving off the twin glares, he moved back to the helm as he spoke over his shoulder. "From the look of it, we're still a few days out which means we have time to come up with a plan. So you two deal with that, and please include the other vomit-worthy couple because I am tired of putting up with them."

"Putting up with who?" Emma snorted at the sound of Snow's voice as she and Charming appeared on deck.

"The Notebook cast, dear." Regina and Emma both grimaced at the look of delight on Snow's face, groaning at the words they knew were about to come from her mouth.

"I love that movie." Yep, those were the words.

David came to stand beside them and leaned against the railing, nodding his head as though they needed his affirmation to believe Snow White - of all people - would be a fan of the genre that made a workout of their gag reflexes.

With a muttered, "Of course you do." from Regina, Emma dismissed the conversation by bringing about the matter of the much more important topic, their son. "Hook says we have a few days to come up with a plan to save Henry."

In a swirl of smoke, Rumpelstiltskin startled them all with his grand entrance, smirking at their surprise and giving them a small bow before he spoke. "That won't be necessary, dearie. I already have a plan, Miss Swan and I'm afraid I won't be needing the assistance of this ragtag band of misfits."

Recognising the signature attire of the Dark One, Regina stepped forward curiously. "What are you up to, Imp?"

Rumpel wagged his finger at her. "Now now, that would be telling."

Knowing what he was capable of, the worry and anger pooled in her gut as she took a step toward him and snarled. "If you get my son killed I will..."

"You'll what? Destroy my happiness?" He interrupted. At her look of annoyance, he emitted a shrill giggle that caused everyone but Regina to flinch. His expression darkened immediately after, his insanity gone for the moment.

"Do not forget that I am the one who taught you everything you know. Save your threats for the ones who fear you, Your Majesty." With the utterance of her title, he left them all behind and vanished the same way he had appeared.