A/N: We've reached the halfway mark! *rings celebratory bell* Is there a bell or something when things reach the halfway mark? Not like halftime, because I have no intention of giving you guys a break, but just a little bell? Idk, sports.

I also noticed that after the most recent chapter was uploaded this story got to 10,000 views! That probably seems like nothing to a lot of fic writers, but it's honestly made me so happy and I love love LOVE every single one of you.

The song in this chapter is from Mr Feels himself, Andrew Belle. Enjoy!

Tell me all about your foreign wars

And all about the photographs that line your drawers

Cause I know a lot about closing doors

But not enough about what opens yours

- Andrew Belle, Oh My Stars

Only a few short hours later, the two women were bustling around Regina's bedroom, gearing up for the morning ahead.

"So you're sure you'll be ok with this?" Emma questioned Regina, her protective streak once again rearing its head.

"Emma, stop being so… you. I'm fine with it, we're going." Regina couldn't help but smile at the woman's concern as she brushed her unkempt hair behind her ears.

"Just checking. It's important you're comfortable, that's all." Emma pulls a turtleneck on over her head and makes an arm signal to encourage Regina to speed up.

"I know. And you're sweet. Speaking of comfortable.."

"You don't have to go in the wheelchair if it means that much to you, but you have to at least hold on to my arm."

"Are you sure you don't want to buy me some toddler reins, too?"

"You're being a big girl today, I trust you." Emma joked as she led them both down the stairs.

By the time the two of them got to the first shops on Main Street, they were holding hands. They would have been the picture of domesticity, if not for Emma's scowl and limp, and Regina's glacial pace and the bags under her eyes.

"I knew we should have bought the wheelchair. I don't think I've ever moved this slowly. Henry will be a grandfather by the time we get to Archie."

"I'm trying my best, Emma. Believe me, I'd rather not be lapped by old women, but there's not much I can do to rectify this."

After a few more minutes bickering, the women eventually were in sight of Archie's office. Regina didn't say anything for a long moment, and Emma considered if maybe she was getting cold feet.

"Would you consider… coming in with me?" Regina eventually asked with trepidation.

"What; to your appointment?"

"Yes. You've become special to me, Emma, and perhaps it would be a good thing for you to see what's been happening with me. If Dr Hopper allows, of course."

"Sure I'll come with you. Sounds good. Well, not good, but.."

"Don't worry, I understood."

Finally, Emma and Regina arrived at the door to Archie's office. Regina took a deep breath in as she prepared to knock, as if expecting a monster awaiting, but before she got the chance Archie opened the door, making the women jump.

"Regina, so good to see you." Archie greeted her warmly, and beckoned her in. "Would you like Miss Swan to stay with you?"

Archie always had been a mind-reader. "If that's alright with you, Doctor." Regina had become uncharacteristically shy, possibly at the realisation of the serious nature of the situation.

"Of course it is. The most important thing is making sure you are comfortable." Archie signalled seats for the two, and they sat side by side. "I'm just going to reassure you, Regina, that this isn't as formal a session as you may think. You are my friend, and I will offer you whatever you need going forward in the future, perhaps without the stigma or pressure you're expecting."

Regina let out a relaxed, yet controlled breath. "Thank you Dr Hopper."

"I suggest that we first begin with a general chat about how you're feeling. Why don't you explain to me your thoughts towards this situation, perhaps in a typical day."

"Well, I wake up about 3 or 4 times each night, so by the time it's morning I'm generally feeling a little tired and… defensive. Emma goes to work, and I tend to stay in bed for a few hours longer, getting some rest. I think about how tired I am, and my dreams, and I try to remember."

"And does it work?"

Regina smiles sadly. "No, it doesn't. The only time it's ever worked is when I've been not thinking about it, but when you have no memories and can't move around by yourself there's not much else to do."

"When you think about your dreams, what is it in particular you focus on?"

"I focus on me. Who I am in them. I get the impression I'm cold, and unforgiving. Not a good person, for all intents and purposes."

"And this bothers you?"

"Of course it bothers me. Nobody wants to believe they're a bad person. But it's becoming more and more apparent to me that these dreams mean something."

"Why do you feel the need to place a link between the person you are in your dreams and the person you believe you are?"

"Because I don't -know- the person I am. These dreams are all I have to go on, even if it's not what I want to hear."

"And this affects how you act?"

"I'd say so. Especially to Emma." the woman looked up at the mention of her name. "It's entirely possible that… I don't want Emma to see that person. When she's in these dreams, it upsets me. I don't want her to think I'm a bad person."

"Even if you are a bad person?"

"I don't know who I was before. Nor do I know the parameters of our relationship." Regina takes a deep breath. "I've been placing a lot of weight on these dreams, and it seems like I'm right to, but I don't want that to be the case. I want Emma to think I'm a good person now, because I want to be a good person know. I don't know anything about my life, but I do know that the past is the past, and foreign to me. It's there, but it's… shrouded. And if I'm going to live like this, I need to try and make my peace with that, instead of flying off the handle or questioning loyalty. And that's why I'm here."

"It's great that you're being so candid, and recognising that perhaps your though process is faulty is the first step to correcting it." Archie looked across to Emma after saying this, and saw the look of admiration for Regina in her eyes.

Emma had always flip-flopped on humans and their capacity for change, but this all but confirmed it was possible; that anything was possible if you had the will power. And if there's one thing Regina has, it's will power.

Emma, still feeling overcome after the thoughts Regina had revealed while they were with Archie, decided the two women should stop at Granny's on the way back, even if just for the chance for her to collect her thoughts.

As Emma opened the door and stepped back to allow Regina entrance, she heard what was undoubtedly a squeal from Ruby.

"Regina! You're out, and you look great!" Ruby had always been cheery, but this seemed almost over the top as she ran over to take Regina's coat from her.

"Hey, Ruby." Emma said pointedly, as if to provide evidence of her presence.

"Hey Em! Sit down you two, I'll bring you whatever you want. On the house. It's just so great to see you getting better!" Ruby ran back behind the counter.

"I uh.. Wasn't aware you and Ruby were such good friends?" Emma questioned carefully as they sat down."

"She called me about a week ago to check on me, and a couple of times since. I enjoy talking to her." Regina answered simply.

"Well, you seem to have made quite an impression on her."

"We're friends. And luckily she has enough energy for the two of us."

"Sure, sure. I just didn't know, that's all." Emma tried not to sound bitter, even though it's all she could taste in her mouth.

"Don't be jealous dear, you know she could never take over from you." Regina had meant it as a joke, but there was an unspoken weight in the words.

"Good." Emma smiled with a hint of earnest meaning still present in her expression. "Anyway, about Henry.."

"Yes, Henry. Let's have dinner with him."

Emma was a little shocked, but Regina's tone suggested insistence. "You're sure?"

"Yes. I've been avoiding him for too long. He's my son, and this isn't fair on him. Besides, I think I should like to get to know him."

"You will. He's a great kid."

"If he's yours, he will be." Regina smirked sarcastically.

"Alright, miss charming." Emma turned serious for a moment. "What you said, with Archie… people don't say things like that about me. Ever. And especially coming from you, I mean you should be thinking about yourself right now. Anyone would expect you to. But you're thinking about the effect your actions have on others, and trying to make other people happy."

Regina waited for Emma to continue. "Was there a point you were trying to get to?"

"Not really. I'm just… proud. Of you." Emma admitted, embarrassed, a flush of red colouring her cheeks.

"Well, I'm glad I've had such an effect on you. I'm proud of myself." Regina smiled a smile so true and sincere that Emma was sure she'd never seen anything quite like it before. Emma continued to look deep into Regina's eyes to prove her sincerity, until they were snapped out by Ruby delivering their drinks.

"Drinks, ladies." Ruby eyed the two of them suspiciously, sitting back in their chairs suddenly as if they'd been caught in a compromising position.

"Thanks, Ruby." Emma looked up at the woman briefly, before her gaze returned to Regina. "So Henry? Tonight?

"Tonight sounds good. I'll cook."

"If you're sure you can…"

"I can, Emma. Have a little faith."

"Alright, well I should get to work for a few hours. Do you want to stay here?" Emma rose to her feet, and Regina joined her a few seconds later.

"Yes, I'll spend a bit of time with my new friend I think." Regina's use of friend in reference to Ruby, and the hopeful note in her voice made Emma once again appreciate the innocence of Regina since the accident, and how, deep down, she had clearly always been longing for a family and friends of her own.

"Ok, I'll pick you up later." Without putting much thought into the action, Emma moved over to Regina and gave her a tight hug. Regina seemed a little shell-shocked at first, and tense to the touch, until after a brief moment she relaxed and wrapped her arms around Emma's back.

"Goodbye." The two women pulled apart after this interlude, and, however short it was, Emma was sure that this signified another new facet to their friendship.

A/N: I know a few people wanted to see some more of Ruby and Ruby/Regina's friendship, and don't worry, there's more coming up!

Don't forget to review!