Title: Eternally Missed
Category: TV Shows » Once Upon A Time
Author: Alwaysbringback-up
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T (for language)
Genre: Suspense/General

Run Girl Run

Pairing: SwanQueen

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the OUAT universe. All characters belong to the show's creators. I promise that my writing is done purely for recreational purposes only. No ill harm is intended.

A/N: Here's the next chapter in this saga! I hope you like it!

Emma can't keep herself from fidgeting as she waits anxiously for Elsa and Regina to arrive to the throne room. Emma can feel her heart pound, as her knee bounces up and down. It's a little amusing to Emma given the fact that her heart was no longer in her body. But no matter, it seems that her heart is able to pick up on her nervousness…even from a distance. Emma's pent up nervousness seems to be begging to be let out. Emma lets out an uneasy breath, blowing a strand out of her face, from the corner of her mouth.

"This is going to be a disaster," Emma announces to the other three people in the room, "I'm not even sure why we're doing this. They're not going to stand for it."

The only thing that seems to calm her any is when Thomas reaches over and places his hand over hers. He gives it a reassuring squeeze.

"It's going to be okay, Emma," he tries to reassure her. "At the very least we'll make them hear us out. They owe us that much."

"They're not going to like what I have to say," Emma says knowingly. "Hell, Regina is going to be pissed."

"After the sacrifice you made," Thomas sighs. "They owe it to you to listen. They don't have to like what we have to say, but…it needs to be said, Emma. Things in the castle are imploding, and if any of us are going to get out, it has to be today…"

Emma jumps, as the door slams open. Regina and Elsa stride towards them side by side.

"What is the meaning of this?" Regina snaps. "You summoned us, your majesty?" Regina gives a mocking curtsy as she comes to a stop in front of Emma. Emma feels a heat overtake her cheeks, and jumps to her feet.

"I apologize for this," Emma says preemptively, "But we needed to talk to you in a place we wouldn't be overheard."

"Is this an intervention?" Elsa asks calmly, her brows furrowing.

"Please, Elsa," Anna says pleadingly as she steps forwards. Kristoff holds on to her hand tightly in his. "Listen to what we have to say."

"Let me guess," Elsa says with an undeniable edge to her voice. "You want me to concede defeat, give up the throne, and go back to Storybrooke."

Emma's jaw falls open in surprise. Were they really all that transparent?

"Elsa," Emma sighs.

"I'm not leaving," Elsa says stubbornly. "That would only be giving Hans exactly what he wants. I will NOT abandon the people of Arendelle!"

"Emma sacrificed herself for you!" Thomas shouts angrily. Emma feels a fair amount of shock at the anger in his voice. Before she can stop him, he is suddenly on his feet, and stalking towards the Queen. "Do you really mean to tell that you're prepared to make Emma's sacrifice all for nothing?!"

"Thomas," Emma says softly as she quickly surges forwards, and places a gentle touch on his shoulder. "Thomas," she implores him, as she turns him around to face her, "It's okay." Emma speaks to him, as she frames his face in her hands and gazes deeply into his striking cerulean blue eyes.

"You gave up your soul for her," he says with tears in his eyes, "Your soul, Emma." It hits Emma hard the way his voice cracks on those several words.

"Everybody needs to just calm down," Emma says quietly as her hands fall away.

Emma swallows thickly as she notices the way Regina is looking at her. It is as if the brunette feels betrayed by Emma, or envies Emma's close relationship with Thomas. Apparently there is a need to talk to Regina about her relationship with Thomas, because it is easy to misinterpret. But Emma only cares about Thomas like a brother.

"Emma," Elsa sighs, "I can't abandon the people of Arendelle now. Not now."

"They will see you killed, Elsa," Emma says as she meets her friend's eyes. "Thomas' eyes and ears suggest there is another assassination plot afoot. We can stay here and try to prevent it, but I can count the number of people on my two hands that you can truly trust. Corruption in the Queen's Guard runs deep."

"Please, Elsa," Anna says quietly. "Let's retreat and regroup. I promise you. I'm not asking you to give up the fight completely. But we need time to gather the proper forces at our back before we can fight back."

"What are your thoughts, Kristoff?" Elsa inquires.

"I stand with the three of them, my Queen," Kristoff says with an accompanying nod.

"Very well," Elsa nods. "What point is there in resisting? I have a feeling I'd only be prolonging the inevitable. If I die, then we truly lose the fight and Hans wins. But you should all know, I'm not happy about this."

Emma lets out a sigh of relief. And she feels the collective sense of relief palpable in the air.

"Good," Emma smiles. "Which brings us to the second half of the discussion."

"Which is?" Regina questions.

"Getting Elsa out of the castle," Emma says quietly. "Regina, I don't think I have to tell you how your services are needed."

"Excuse me?" Regina asks in confusion.

"Given that we can only trust a handful of the Queen's Guard," Thomas elaborates, "The chances of Elsa making it from here to the gate are extremely small. You are going to need to teleport her out of the castle, and back to the portal."

"No," Regina shakes her head. "I'm not leaving Emma behind."

"You won't be. We'll meet you at the portal in three days time," Emma voices confidently. "We've already secured horses in the stables. And if it comes to any fighting, Thomas and I can protect Anna and Kristoff."

"Perhaps you didn't hear me," Regina spits as she glares at Emma. "I said that I'm not leaving you behind!"

"Regina," Emma groans.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Regina says angrily. "You were on the brink of death two days ago. And now you think that you're ready to fight?"

"I feel much better," Emma argues. "I can handle this, Regina."

"I made a promise to Henry, Emma!" Regina says passionately, "I made a promise that I would bring you back! Not that I would bring Elsa back in your place!"

"And I promise you that I will help you keep that promise," Emma says obdurately. "We'll see you in three days time. And I'd say that you could come back for us, but Elsa will need protection. And your magic isn't strong enough to transport all of us. Someone has to protect Anna and Kristoff."

"I really hate you right now," Regina says with a rare vulnerability in her eyes. Emma notices how Regina's eyes are glistening with unshed tears.

"I know," Emma replies.

It is several minutes later, in Elsa's bedchamber, that everyone says they're temporary goodbyes. Emma feels a fair amount of shock as Regina pulls her into a tight embrace, and buries her face in the crook of Emma's neck.

"Promise me that you'll be safe," Regina orders her. Emma closes her eyes, her breath hitching as she feels Regina's lips graze the skin of her neck. "Promise me that you'll be there in three days time."

"I promise, Regina," Emma says honestly as she pulls back to gaze into Regina's doe-like brown eyes. "I promise that I'll be right behind you. Everything will be fine."

Emma stops breathing as she realizes, for the first time, that Regina is only inches away from her now. For some reason, the woman's close proximity has Emma's heart racing out of control in her chest. She feels the pounding of her heart as acutely as if it were really in her chest beating against her ribcage. Emma silently wonders if she affects the brunette in the same way. They're close enough to each other that they are breathing the same air. Emma closes her eyes as she finally gives in and breathes in the delicate scent of Regina's perfume. It smells like apples, and it is just so intoxicating. Emma suddenly feels the overwhelming need to find out if the older woman tastes as sweet as she smells. With her eyes closed, Emma allows herself to focus completely on her other senses. She can feel the Queen's warm exhalation against her cheek, and the electricity in the older woman's touch.

"It's time," Anna says quietly as she releases Elsa from a crushing embrace. "Be safe, you two."

Emma's eyes flicker open to see Regina looking back at her with such intensity; she's not sure how she hasn't caught on fire. Regina feels her body start to come alive, as her desire continues raging out of control. Quickly, Regina's grip loosens on Emma's wrists as the short-haired brunette allows herself to become distracted by other things. She too, finds Emma to be completely intoxicating.

Reluctantly, Emma lets go of Regina completely. She tries to ignore the pang of regret she feels as she does so.

"I'm not going to say goodbye," Emma whispers softly. "Instead, I'm just gonna say that I'll see you again soon."

"Wait," Regina says urgently, as she latches onto Emma's left wrist.

"What?"

Regina, in a fit of boldness that is quite rare, even for her, reaches out for Emma. Her palm slides over the blonde's high cheek bone. With a smile, she allows her thumb to glide over Emma's strong cheekbone. From there, Regina's hand ghosts over the blonde's ear and settles in Emma's soft, wavy, bright blonde hair. Emma moans softly as Regina's hand applies sudden pressure to the back of Emma's neck, and the brunette's fingers start to play with the strands of hair at the nape of Emma's neck. Emma's eyes inadvertently dart down to Regina's lips, as the older woman's tongue darts out to moisten her lips. Emma's eyes fixate on the brunette's glistening lips for a time, before flicking back up to Regina's chestnut brown eyes. Emma swears that she could never get tired of looking into Regina's eyes.

Emma's eyes flutter closed as Regina moves the last couple of inches, and Emma feels the gentle pressure of soft, pliant lips against her own. It instantly feels like heaven. Noses brush together as the kiss quickly deepens. Emma's hands reach up to rest on Regina's shoulders, before ultimately slipping into the brunette's shoulder length brown hair. Silken strands ran through her fingers, as Emma tries to keep some sort of hold on the invaluable woman who is kissing her. Emma's lips part a small fraction as Regina teasingly runs her tongue along the edge of the blonde's lower lip, seeking entrance. The younger woman can't help but let out a long moan as Regina's tongue slips inside the warm cavern of Emma's mouth in order to mate with its counterpart.

Emma is not above admitting that she never wants it to end.

Regina's chest feels tight as she ceases breathing in favor of lengthening what she considers to be a most perfect kiss. It is easily the best kiss that she's ever shared with anyone. And for that very same reason, Regina is terrified. She can't help but feel as if she's in serious trouble. The intensity of her feelings for the woman in front of her is only growing. A moan escapes Regina's lips as Emma bites down on the silken muscle inside her mouth, causing it to sting briefly. Regina retreats as air becomes a necessity and the kiss breaks. The two women lock eyes briefly. The two women might have stayed like this for hours, had they not been brought back to the present by Elsa's clearing throat.

Emma suddenly sees what she can only assume is regret cross over Regina's features, as the brunette pulls away.

Regina can't seem to get enough air, and so she takes in oxygen through labored rasps.

"Emma," Regina breathes between labored breaths.

"I know," the blonde, offers a gentle smile.

Emma watches sadly as Regina takes Elsa's hand in hers, and the two of them vanish in a cloud of deep purple smoke.

"Well," Thomas is the first to speak. "I believe that it's time for us to get out of here." Emma nods, lifting her pack onto her shoulder.

"The last one out, make sure to turn off the lights," Emma comments. This earns the blonde a pointed look from the rest of her party. "What?" Emma shrugs, "It's just an expression…"

Emma follows the group out of the thrown room. They make their way through countless back hallways, avoiding anyone in Queen's livery or the Queen's Guard. They make it to the stables just before nightfall, and secure their packs on the back of their horses, with Thomas standing guard.

Emma quickly slips her right heel into the stirrup, and steps up into Daishar's saddle. With a smile and a soft greeting, Emma pats the neck of beautiful chestnut horse with a white diamond on his muzzle. She runs her fingers through Daishar's mane.

When Emma asked what she should name the beautifully stunning horse Thomas had purchased for her, Thomas told her that Daishar meant "Glory" in the Old tongue. She decided to keep the name. Thomas assured her that he was a thoroughbred and could handle just about anything.

"Let's ride," Thomas says as he opens up the door to the stables, and then quickly hops up onto his horse. "Don't stop riding for anything. It won't be long before they realize the Queen is missing and start stopping everyone passing through the gates. Emma nods, and pulls the Red hood over her face, shielding her face from view. When they hit the main road, leading out of the keep, Thomas kicks his black mare into a gallop, shouting at others littering the streets to get out of the way. They ride in diamond formation, with Thomas leading, and Emma bringing up the rear. Anna and Kristoff ride side by side in the middle.

Emma's eyes scan in every direction, searching for trouble. It isn't until they finally break past the castle's gates that she starts breathing.

They ride for hours.

By the time that Thomas pulls up on the reins in his hand that they come to a stop in the middle of the countryside.

"We'll rest here for the night," he announces as he leads them off the North road and into a small pathway into the woods. "I'll take first watch."

With shaking legs, Emma swings her left leg over Daishar's back and drops to the ground with a thud. Emma lets out a grunt as her legs aren't strong enough to hold her up, and she falls to her knees with a gasp of surprise. She feels a flush of embarrassment flush onto her cheeks as she feels Thomas help her to her feet.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly. "You must be exhausted."

"I'm fine…just weak," Emma says with a grimace as she starts tending to her horse.

"I've found a hollow we can sleep in," Anna announces happily. "It should be plenty warm in there once we get a fire going."

"I'll gather some firewood," Emma announces, ignoring Thomas' look of concern. As Emma weaves her way through the woods, picking up small branches, and kindling, she feels much of her remaining strength leave her.

By the time she makes it back to the hollow. Thomas has removed all of the saddles from the horses, and has secured their feeding bags around their muzzles. Emma offers him a reassuring smile and ducks into the hollow. She feels like she might be intruding when she notices the way Anna is curled up against Kristoff. Emma drops the firewood into a small pile and starts arranging the firewood in a small tent, with kindling in the middle.

She holds up a hand when Kristoff shifts against the redhead, in order to free himself from under Anna's slumbering form.

"Don't worry about helping," Emma says softly. "I've got this."

Kristoff watches closely as Emma inverts her wrist and holds her palm skyward. Emma closes her eyes and focuses her efforts on what Regina has taught her. In time, she starts to feel the crackle of energy in her fingertips. Emma smiles as she feels her hand grow warm, and she opens her eyes to find a healthy sized flame flickering above her hand.

"Hah!" Emma laughs happily as she reaches out to touch the kindling, which catches fire immediately. The flame in her hand flickers out, but Emma no longer needs it. She leans closer to the kindling and blows on it gently, stoking the flames. In no time at all, a fire is raging and crackling in the small hollow. With a small sigh of victory, Emma unrolls her bedroll and settles down on it, closing her eyes.

The next awareness she has is of someone shaking her awake.

"Emma!" the harsh whisper in her ear has her thrashing. Someone has clamped their hand over her mouth, to muffle her screams. "Shh!" Thomas wills her. "You have to be quiet, or they're going to find us." Emma nods, holding her breath as she waits for Thomas to release his hold on her mouth.

As he does, Emma lets out a quavering breath.

She is back in the land of the living now, and not in the hell she remembers with each passing breath. There is nothing to be afraid of.

"What happened?" Emma asks.

"You were screaming, and you wouldn't wake up," Thomas tells her in a hushed voice, "They're searching the woods."

"Who?" Emma asks numbly.

"I think you know," is all he says in a harsh whisper.

"The Guard?" Emma persists.

"Yeah," he nods. Emma tries not to let the fear she sees in Thomas' eyes alarm her. But it's hard to be calm at a time like this.

"We didn't go far enough off of the trail," Emma says quietly. "They're going to find us."

"I know," Thomas agrees.

"God," Emma groans, "What do we do? Do you know how many of them there are?"

"Maybe 20?" Thomas replies.

"Give me Elsa's ring," Emma commands, as a thought arises in her mind, "And her gloves."

"Emma, no," is all Thomas says.

"I'm going to lead them away from here," Emma says as she stands up. "I'll meet up with you at the next town."

"No," Thomas repeats. "Emma, I won't let you do this! Regina won't…"

"I can do this, Thomas," Emma argues, "I have the best chance of any of us. I can fight, and I can use magic if I have to."

"Please," Thomas begs as he hands over Elsa's items, "Be careful. Emma, if anything happens to you…I'll never forgive myself. Hell, Regina will kill me."

"Nothing is going to happen to me," Emma assures him, though she knows that she can't promise it. Emma quickly slips on the gloves and Elsa's ring. She pulls up the Hood around her face but lets her hair spill out. It's a close enough shade to Elsa's that they might buy it. Briskly, Emma grabs her short sword, bow, and quiver, and makes her way out of the hollow. Mercifully, Daishar's saddle is already on. Emma quickly throws herself up into the saddle, unties the reins from around one of the lower branches, and turns Daishar back towards the path, kicking the strong thoroughbred to a gallop.

Emma feels a spike of alarm as she shoots past a Captain in the Queen's colors.

"It's her!" he shouts, "It's the Queen!"

Emma takes a shuddering breath. She can feel a surge of adrenaline start pumping through her veins.

"Hah!" Emma shouts, as she wills her horse to go faster and faster. She crouches low in the saddle, melding herself with Daishar's neck. By the time she breaks onto the North Road she has half a dozen men following closely on her heels.

Emma jumps in alarm as she hears, and feels, an arrow whiz by her head, missing her by a matter of inches. Emma clumsily hangs onto the reins with one hand as she struggles to pull an arrow out of the quiver at her back. Emma realizes with a spike of alarm that she's never shot an arrow from the back of her horse. But she figures that she's going to have to learn how to do so pretty quickly, or she's going to be full of arrow holes before she ever makes it to the next town.

(Three days later...)(At dusk)

Regina finds herself pacing back and forth in the meadow, on the third day. Elsa has been trying to calm her down for hours, reassuring her that there was still plenty of daylight left, and that she shouldn't worry. But the truth is, there isn't much daylight left, and they haven't seen any sign of the others.

The sun is just sinking below the treetops when Regina hears the thundering of horses' hooves in the distance. She lifts a hand to her face, shielding her eyes as she struggles to make out the animals and their riders through the dirt and dust that they are kicking up into the air. It isn't until they reach the base of the hill, that she realizes there are only several riders. Regina's heart suddenly sinks into her stomach as she looks for Emma's red jacket. But the deep red leather jacket is noticeably absent.

"No!" Regina whispers with tears building in her eyes, "You promised, Emma. You promised!"

Regina clenches her jaw, her breath straining in her lungs as she struggles to calm herself down. Thomas and his horse are the first to come to a stop in front of her. He quickly dismounts, with a somber expression and walks over to Regina. Regina can feel Elsa at her back, and Regina reckons that the blonde's expression isn't much better than hers because Thomas immediately looks guilty.

"I'm sorry," he says quietly.

"Where is she?" Regina says hotly as her vision blurs with her tears.

"We met a company of the Queen's Guard," Thomas explains. "There were too many to fight at once. So…Emma led them away. They thought she was you, Elsa."

"That doesn't answer my question," Regina hisses. "Where is she now?"

"I… I don't know," Thomas confesses, "She was supposed to meet up with us at the next town, but she…" Thomas gulps over the boulder-sized lump in his throat.

"She never made it," Anna says softly.

"No," Regina shakes her head in denial.

"Regina," Elsa's voice is soft in her ear.

"Don't!" Regina says harshly. "Don't say a damned word." Regina huffs as she lifts up a hand to scrub at the tears in her eyes. "You should go through the portal. I'll wait here for her."

"Regina," Elsa sighs.

"Go!" Regina shouts as she whirls on the blonde woman. "Get out of my sight!"

"Come, Anna, Kristoff," Elsa says softly.

As soon as Anna and Kristoff have unloaded their things from their horses they follow Elsa through the portal, leaving Regina and Thomas standing under the setting sun.

"This is your fault," Regina says calmly.

"I'm sorry," is all Thomas says, "I'm so so sorry."

A/N: Please hit the review button if you're feeling kind! Thanks for reading!