Chapter 10

Shifting back down onto her feet from stretching up and lowering her grip back to strong arms which are still securely wrapped around her, Regina breaks the kiss before resting her forehead against Emma's chin as she gives a contented sigh. Letting out a smile at the sound, the blonde presses a light kiss to the top of her head then trails her hands up from the brunette's waist to her back, bringing the young woman into a hug. Dropping her arms and curling them in front to bury herself in, Regina also smiles as she enjoys the moment of simply being hugged.

"This is probably the longest period of time that anyone has ever gone without actually speaking after they have first kissed..."

Letting slip a giggle into the woman at the blondes words, the brunette responds with a teasing tone. "Well I'm just trying to figure out whether you're hugging me because you enjoyed said kiss or it's you telling me that you feel sorry for me because the kiss was terrible and you're trying to let me know gently.."

Automatically tightening her grip, not willing to let go, the sheriff scoffs. "Says the one who is burying herself in..probably because she is trying to hide the fact that she is gagging.."

Lightly hitting the blondes chest as she laughs, the brunette tilts her head back and looks up at the woman with a beaming smile and a slight glow to her face. "The kiss was perfect.."

"Does that mean we can do it again?" Raising an eyebrow and grinning in hope, Emma watches as Regina leans up to kiss her again.

"Eeew!"

Pausing midway, both women turn to find Mia stood in the doorway, attempting to be grossed out and pull a face but failing miserably as she smiles behind her hand.

"Don't think I cannot see you smiling kitten" stepping back and out of the embrace, Regina glares playfully at her daughter as she slips her hand into Emma's.

Removing her hand from her mouth, the small brunette questions. "Mommy's happy?"

Nodding with a smile, the brunette replies. "Mommy's happy"

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Staring ahead at the wall in front of her while watching a shadow move back and forth, taking over her view, Regina turns her head towards the pacing blonde within the corridor.

"I told you that you would be bored..."

Pausing in her step, the anxious sheriff moves to sit beside the somewhat calm woman. "I'm not bored. I'm agitated..annoyed. Why do they need to keep you waiting like this? You have an appointment time, they should stick to it" Emma explains with a mumble towards the end before sighing in frustration.

"They're just busy.." The brunette tries to justify before seeing her usual doctor approach the pair.

"Regina, we are ready for you now, if you would like to follow me" glancing towards the blonde, the doctor raises an eyebrow. "Sheriff, what brings you here?"

"I came with Regina. For support" the blonde replies not really wanting to explain their new found relationship with the doctor.

Gesturing to the office door, Regina sighs. "Let's get this over with" Following the doctor through with Emma right beside her, the young woman sinks into her usual chair and waits for her update.

Watching the pair, the doctor sits behind his desk and gives a sympathetic look towards his patient. "Unfortunately there is nothing new to report. It's the same as before so the best thing now is to give you your usual dosage of chemo and check again in a couple of weeks"

Nodding along as she listens intently, Regina clears her throat and sits forward as she wants to ask a question. "I'm aware of the current medication I have been receiving but is there any other way we could make this more simple? To put it bluntly, I'm wasting what time I have left in this hospital, for hours of treatment that isn't going to cure me. I would much rather be at home with my daughter"

Checking through his notes, the white coated man then scans through his computer. "We can put you on tablets for oral use. You would have to take them twice a day without food and as I must warn with any medication there are side affects" passing over a printed out copy of the list, the doctor waits for Regina to read.

Accepting the list and folding it up to put in her bag, the brunette shrugs. "I don't care about the side affects. What's the worse that can happen that's not already happening"

Reaching across to give her shoulder a comforting squeeze, Emma looks towards the doctor. "Is she entitled to a prescription or will she have to pay?"

Despite listening to the blonde, the doctor directs his answer towards his patient. "Unfortunately with all the other treatment that you've already had, your insurance won't cover the full price so a payment will be needed" handing over another leaflet, this time with prices depending on the amount, the man makes a suggestion. "We can set up an instalment plan if you'd like?"

Shaking her head as she skims through the information, the young woman looks away. "I..I cannot afford it. My usual treatment will have to do"

"Okay then..if you would like to wait in the corridor, I will send for a nurse to take you to your room"

Rising quickly out of embarrassment, Regina heads for the door and out into the corridor. Feeling a hand take hold of her wrist, the brunette turns to face the owner, growing teary. Being tugged forward, she rests herself against Emma and gives a deep sigh as the blonde runs a hand up and down her back.

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Pushing the front door open as they reach Regina's apartment, Emma guides the weakened brunette inside with an arm securely wrapped around the back of the woman's waist and her spare hand keeping a firm grip to shaking fingers. "Couch or bed?"

"..bed..."

Closing the door with a slam of her foot, the blonde leads her down the corridor. "I'll give Cora a call once you're settled, maybe she can keep Mia the night?" Feeling the frail woman stop in her step, Emma glances across to see Regina go pale and panicked.

"..Emma.."

Realising straight away what is needed, the sheriff quickly switches direction and into the bathroom before the brunette begins to heave as she lowers herself to the floor and leans over the toilet seat. Remaining beside her, the blonde sits next to her as the shaking hand she had hold of turns white from gripping and clammy from the shock to her body. Gradually coming to a stop, Regina takes a couple of deep breaths then sits back against the wall exhausted. Standing up, Emma pulls on the chain to flush then gives the brunette a brief look to check she is okay before darting out and grabbing a bottle of water. Returning in seconds, the blonde sits beside her once again and passes the bottle over. "Try and sip..don't want to get dehydrated"

Simply nodding, Regina lifts the bottle shakily and manages to take some water before slowly lowering her head down against Emma's shoulder, prompting the woman to circle her arms around her and pull her close to rest. Pressing a kiss against her scarf covered head, the sheriff then stares ahead as she bites her lip while her eyes gloss over. "..feel any better?.."

Nodding against her followed by a small 'hm', the brunette then clears her throat to find her croaky voice. "..it's times like this..I wonder if I should stop. I was doing it for Mia, to have more time but if all she is going to see is this..I don't want her last memory of me to be this.."

Squeezing tightly as her lip trembles at the tired woman's words, Emma lets out a sniffle. Lifting her head at the sound, Regina trails her eyes up to meet the sad blondes. Reaching up with her hand, the brunette strokes the side the of her face. "..I'm sorry.."

Covering her hand with her own, the blonde leans into the touch then kisses the brunette's palm. "Don't be. It's okay..I just feel so helpless..I can't help you and I really wish I could"

Giving a small smile, Regina replies. "..Emma..dear you must be blind if you cannot see how much you're helping me. You being here gives me strength and you're involvement with Mia in such a short space of time is more than I could have hoped for"

"Well Mia is special.." Emma smiles back at the thought of Regina's mini me. "As for you-" being cut off by the phone ringing, the blonde begins to shift out of their embrace. "I should get that. It's probably Cora"

Holding a hand out towards her, the brunette stands carefully with the extra aid then leans against the sink. "I better freshen up.."

Leaving the bathroom to answer the phone, Emma sits down upon the couch and lifts the device to her ear. "Hello?"

"Emma? Oh you're back. Good. Is Regina okay?"

"She's okay Cora. A little sick but that's to be expected. We was wondering though, would you be okay to keep Mia for the night? Just until everything settles down.."

"Of course! Like I'm going to say no to keeping my grandchild. However I do have the little madam beside me and she would like to speak with her mother.."

"Hold on.." Rising from her seat, the blonde heads back towards the bathroom and pokes her head around the door to find the brunette dabbing her face with a towel. Covering the phone piece, she smiles. "Hey Mia wants to talk to you. Cora said she will keep her"

Immediately smiling at the thought of her daughter on the other end, Regina accepts the phone. "Hello?"

"Oh thank god you're okay dear. I'll just pass you over.."

Following the blonde back out to the living room, the brunette sits down as a small voice makes an appearance.

"Mommy?"

"Hi baby..I'm missing you very much right now. You're going to stay with grandma for the night but i will see you tomorrow"

"Miss you too. Grandma said I can have a cookie before bed...mommy are you poorly again?"

"Only a little bit kitten. It's the medication I'm having, remember what I told you" feeling the seat dip down beside her, Regina curls up into Emma's side on instinct.

"I'll give you big cuddles tomorrow!"

"Make sure you do! Now be good for grandma and Zelena okay? I love you"

"I will. Love you too mommy"

"Bye baby" hanging up the phone, the brunette exhales deeply before turning her attention to the woman she is curled into. "Are you staying?"

Raising an eyebrow, the sheriff scoffs. "Of course I'm staying! I'm not leaving you on your own. You're my priority at the moment"

Smiling at the choice of words, Regina kisses her cheek. "Thank you. I've never been someone's priority before"

"That's needs to be amended right now"

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Reluctantly leaving the apartment the following morning once Cora and Mia had arrived, Emma heads home to shower before making her way to work with the promise of calling at lunch time. Entering the sheriff station, the blonde pulls out her phone and answers on the first ring. "Hello? Thank you for coming back to me this morning. Are you still available for later? Great thanks"

Lifting his head at hearing his daughter come into the office, David smirks at the phone call. "Regina?"

Sliding her phone back into her pocket as she removed her jacket, Emma sits on her chair. "Oh..no..it's..business.."

Frowning at the response, the deputy watches carefully as the young woman turns her computer on and stifles through the stack of papers on her desk.

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Turning her computer off for a break as it drew close to lunch time, Emma lifts the phone to make a call but pauses at hearing footsteps approach the office door. Noticing two figures in the doorway, the blonde places the phone back down. "You have to stop doing that"

"I'll just take your grilled cheese back to granny's then.." The brunette teases as she turns to leave with Mia giggling beside her.

"Don't you dare!" Standing quickly, the sheriff walks up to the pair. "Anyway what are you-"

"Don't you- I'm allowed out of the apartment..besides I told you the air does me good. It's not like I'm doing a marathon" Regina cuts in with a scold.

Sniggering, Emma takes the takeout bag and lifts Mia with her spare arm gaining a squeal. "Hey kiddo"

Wrapping her arms around the blondes neck into a hug, the small brunette mumbles against her. "Hi Emma"

Carrying the tot to her desk, the sheriff grabs a chair and gestures to the brunette. "Sit"

Rolling her eyes, the woman sits down with a remark. "Yes master"

Placing Mia down onto her sheriff chair, Emma heads to the other side of the office to the fridge for some juice and drinks.

"Emma you're cell is ringing"

Head inside the fridge, the blonde grabs what she needs. "Can you answer please?"

Shrugging off any doubt, Regina takes the phone and answers. "Hel-"

"Emma?! You're bug is gone!"

Clearing her throat as she holds the phone away from the sudden outburst, the brunette replies at the familiar voice. "Madam mayor? It's Regina, Emma is just coming"

"Oh I'm sorry honey.."

Holding the phone out towards the blonde who returns, Regina states the facts that she has been told. "Apparently your vehicle is gone"

Eyes widening, the sheriff takes her phone back. "Oh.." Walking away slightly, the blonde cringes at the same outburst she is receiving. "Okay mom. I've got this.."

"Emma, your car is gone. It was there after you left this morning and now it's gone"

"Its..it's in the garage.."

Listening in to the conversation, the brunette sits forward in her chair as she sees through the lie.

"Don't worry about it okay? Right..see you later" sighing as she hangs up, Emma turns towards the two brunette's to find one munching on her sandwich oblivious and the other staring at her with a pursed lip.

"What exactly was that about? You may have convinced your mother dear but I know for a fact your car isn't at the garage. What is going on?" Crossing her arms to prove she means business, the slightly paled woman waits for a response.

"I..look it doesn't matter. I have my squad car..it's all I need" shoving her hands nervously into her pockets, the blonde bites on her lip.

"Try again"

Sighing in frustration, Emma pouts. "Regina!"

"Emma!"

Looking down to her boots, the blonde replies quietly. "I sold it.."

"What? Why?" Appearing concerned, Regina takes her arm. "Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No. I just needed the extra money"

Suddenly realising, the brunette shakes her head in guilt. "It's my fault. You should be working not staying off to be with me.."

Taking hold of her hand, Emma crouches beside the woman's chair. "No! It's not. I'm not struggling, trust me. I just needed some money.."

Staring at her with worry, Regina repeats her question. "But why?"

Briefly closing her eyes, the blonde then meets her gaze before answering truthfully. "For you"

"For..me?"

Nodding, the sheriff glances over to Mia who is playing on her chair with her juice. "With my savings and the car money...you can have the tablets.."

Looking shocked, the brunette grips onto her hand. "Emma no! I cannot ask you to do this.."

"Too late. It's done. Now all that's left to do is for you to give your doctor a call and set up a payment plan. No more 6 hour hospital visits" staring at Regina again seriously, Emma then drops a smile hopefully.

Launching forward and wrapping her arms around the blondes neck, the brunette hugs her tightly, burying her face into the woman's neck as she grows teary and lets out a choked sob.

Stopping her chair swing, Mia looks over worried and wide eyed but smiles a little as Emma winks and nods that it's okay.

Moving back slightly, Regina plants a soft yet meaningful kiss onto the blondes lips then smiles as she rests their foreheads together. "Thank you"

Smiling back, the blonde pecks her lips again then her nose. "Your welcome"

A/N: things are going to start changing soon! ;)