Emma

Things had been weird.

Actually, no. The thing was - things hadn't been weird. Things had been exceedingly normal and that was weird. Regina had taken an ample amount of time off of work with little complaint from her boss and while this had bothered Emma at first, suddenly the house felt like Christmas vacation. Bonnie cried less. Ollie was elated at all times, happy to have both of his mommies and madly in love with their house guest. Even Henry had only one temper tantrum in the last two weeks. He had been up on the highest floor, as usual, just outside of his room and screaming down at them about a forgotten homework assignment. Before long Mal had stepped from the bathroom just beside him post shower, clad in a very tight spaghetti strap tank and skin tight and expensive looking Levi's. Henry had turned very red in the face and disappeared through the door of his room, making Mal stare after him confused and his mothers laugh until they cried. Even Emma had been delighted that Mal meant she woke up every morning to her wife still in bed instead of up and running out the door.

They took the children to their usual activities, Mal along for the ride whether it was Emma who took them or Regina.

They cooked dinner every night and shared a bottle of wine once the kids were asleep.

Everything was perfectly normal.

Only...

The three of them would laugh at a joke and while Regina was joining them, Emma was sure she could see a small touch of something unpleasant in her eyes. At night, they would get ready for bed as usual and Emma would turn to grab a shirt, naked from the waist up and find Regina staring at her with a vague look on her face. Emma would get out of the shower and find Regina glaring longingly at her designer clothes hanging in the closet. She would see Emma watching and jump, rushing to dress with a wink or give a small kiss to Emma.

Emma understood where Regina's mind was; it was clear. But what wasn't clear was if she should try and talk to her about it or if she should give Regina space to work her thoughts and feelings out and let Regina come to her.

Instead, Emma did her best to decide how she felt about it. Regina wanted more from her - sexually - that much was clear. That was fine with Emma, all Regina needed to do was say the word and she would find the time. She was desperate for it even. She would even make it hot, steamy, and rough, just the way that Regina had always liked it despite her general state of exhaustion. More than once she wondered if asking Mal to take the kids for ice cream and then bending Regina over a desk – table – any sturdy object - would be enough to calm whatever was happening in her wife's mind. Maybe it would remind her that she was fucking hot and Emma loved her and wanted her. She even debated telling her about all the nights when she would lay in bed next to a sleeping Regina, trying to talk herself into waking her or with a hand lightly touching her thigh, daring it to move and hoping that Regina wouldn't reject her.

The thing was, it wasn't as simple as that.

And how did she feel about the thing that she thought was really making Regina twitch?

How did she feel about Regina using her abilities again? Did Emma want to begin using her own? Was it safe? They knew their limits. It had to be safe by now. Should she worry about the children anyway?

But… the clock tower had never really been the same…

Then again perhaps it was for the children that cornered them into beginning again. They spent so much time trying to support Ollie in everything he was - but what if he began to display the signs? He was fascinated with the parlor tricks that Mal did for him. What happened when he got angry about something minor and accidentally set the couch on fire? Surely he would do better - he would adjust better - if he saw his mothers using their abilities too. It was the same for Bonnie. The odds are that one of their kids would probably have it, right? No, the odds were both of them would have it.

What was the right move to make next?

Or maybe Emma was overthinking all of it and all that Regina was feeling was the usual tingle - the usually uncomfortable current that came about annually around this time.

They needed to talk about it. They needed to pretty badly.

Emma didn't get very long to think about bringing it up.

She woke a few days later and to her shock, her choice had been made for her.

Emma groaned, pulling herself sluggishly and maybe a little bit resentfully from the warm sheets. She could hear Bonnie's gurgled complaints from the nursery and yet she wanted to get back into bed. It was too early! She yawned and tried to run her fingers through her tangled hair. Regina was still sleeping soundly, something that did not surprise Emma in the slightest. Mal and Emma had stayed in last night, but Regina had said she had an errand to run after dinner. When she finally came home, hours later, she smelled of incense and old stale air. Emma had assumed then that, like she sometimes did, she had spent a few hours of meditation in her vault. It wasn't a big deal, she had done it before. Though usually in times of great stress and that worried her a bit.

Regina had gone to bed immediately with few words to spare for anyone.

Emma pulled on some PJ bottoms before she stumbled into the nursery to quiet Bonnie who, upon seeing her, pulled herself up to her feet and yowled like a hurt puppy.

"Okay, okay, okay." She hissed, moving fast to quiet her before the entire house was up.

Just as she was picking her up there was a large thunk and a yelp from the next room over.

Regina came tumbling in a few moments later, nursing her forehead. She peered through a bleary eye at Emma before she fell with a crash into the rocking chair in the corner.

"Uh... you okay, babe?" She rocked Bonnie slowly, hoping to get her back to sleep for a little longer before breakfast.

Regina seemed to be glowing with a slightly green sheen, her eyes were bloodshot and her hair was a rat's nest of chaos. She let out a noncommittal grumble at Emma's question and held out her arms for Bonnie, rocking lightly.

Concerned Emma reached and felt her forehead. "Jesus, babe!" She disappeared into the bathroom and reappeared a moment later with the thermometer.

"No, Emma I'm fine."

"No. No, you're really not."

"Emma."

"Regina!" She felt like she was on fire. There was no way that Regina was going to insist her way out of this one. Not this time.

Regina's lips pressed into a thin line but she went silent and opened for Emma to stick the thermometer under her tongue.

Emma waited anxiously, watching the thermometer rise.

97.5

98.3

99.8

100.2

101.1

Before it finally settled on 103.5.

"Jesus!" Emma pulled Bonnie from Regina's loving caress and one armed and clumsy pulled Regina to her feet as best as she could.

Regina swayed and nearly tipped, her sweaty brow furrowing. "I'm fine, Emma. I just need a cup of coffee."

"Absolutely not."

"Moms?" Henry appeared around the doorframe, his hair tousled and in his Star Wars boxers.

"Henry!" Emma breathed, grateful. "Here. Take her downstairs, please. Mom is sick."

"Emma! I'm fine!"

"Stay down there in case she's contagious, okay? Get Ollie too?"

Henry just nodded, rubbing his eye as he took zombie like steps to take Bonnie.

"Emma, I'm fine!"

"Nope." She pushed Regina out of the nursery and into their bedroom.

"Emma, really."

"Regina, if that temperature gets any higher, I'm taking you to Whale. So get - into - bed." Emma shoved again and Regina was in bed.

The moment that Regina hit the mattress she relaxed with a bodily sighed, as though standing had been a great strain. Still she protested. "Really Emma, I have things to do today."

"Mal can entertain herself." She quickly began unbuttoning Regina's pajama top, making Regina's eyes, which had just slid closed, burst open.

"Well if that's where this is going then I won't complain about staying in bed. It is Friday."

"One." Emma said with a quick kiss on the lips. "I have so many errands to run today. And two." She gave her another quick kiss, wondering about germs. "You have a fever. Not. Happening."

For a split second Regina's spirit looked so dashed that, horrified, she considered asking Henry to get breakfast for himself and Oliver and asking Mal if she would watch their daughter so that she could go to bed with her wife but then a bead of sweat rolled from Regina's temple into her hairline and Emma shook her head. No, she couldn't.

When Regina was completely undressed she covered her only with the sheet and then disappeared to get her some Tylenol and a glass of water. She watched Regina, ever the stubborn patient, take the pills and then fall asleep before Emma was able to cross the floor.

She dressed and quickly headed downstairs.

"Morning, guys." Henry had gotten Ollie up and was halfway through feeding Bonnie. "Thank you." She roughly kissed his forehead and then just to be sure, felt the foreheads of Ollie and Bonnie as well. It seemed that whatever Regina had caught, it was sticking with her for now.

Henry was just gathering his school things and his brother when Mal stumbled down the stairs yawning.

"Come on kids, we're late. Let's go, let's go. Oh, hey Mal."

"What's wrong?"

"What? Oh. Nothing. Regina has a fever so we're running late."

"Regina has a fever?"

Emma watched something she couldn't name pass over Mal's face and she wasn't sure she liked it. She could never make up her fucking mind when it came to Mal and it drove her nuts.

Every time she decided that yes, this was her predominant feeling when it came to the woman, something would change it. She would watch Mal and Regina teasing in the kitchen, Regina chopping a carrot to throw in the pot - only to have Mal giggle and swish her fingers and the carrot become whole again - and she would decide that while it might be unfair, she didn't like Mal. Then she and Regina would come home and find Emma in absolute tears because Bonnie had screamed all afternoon and Mal would take her into her arms with such a genuine concern that Emma would be sure she had been wrong. It was infuriating. She couldn't figure out where she stood.

Most mornings there was Starbucks waiting for Emma downstairs, brought by Mal after her daily poof to the next town to get her drink... which was sweet. A few nights before Emma and Regina had returned from Henry's AcDec meet to find that Mal had cooked dinner for them. She had also made sure that Ollie had finished his homework and had taken his bath all before they got home. It had been so relieving having one less thing to do that Emma's mind had swayed - again. But now, this look, she didn't like it. What she liked even less was that the look had only lasted a second before Mal's face had masked over into a neutral look of concern.

Finally, Mal asked, "Is it - I've heard that holding it in can make you sick around -"

"No, Mal. We get through them every year just fine. That's not it." She had barked a little and she hadn't meant to.

Mal's eyebrows slowly rose. "All right. Should we be worried?" she asked. "I can get someone to see her if need be."

"I'm not sure. I don't think so. I guess we'll see how she is this afternoon. Guys! Let's - go! You're late. Look, five minutes until the bell."

"Mom, I'm going to get detention if I'm late," Henry whined.

"Well then move."

Mal shifted, beside the door, her eyes drifting up as though she could see Regina through the floor. Maybe sense her up there was more accurate. Either way, Emma wanted her to stop it. She could take care of her wife.

"Perhaps I can help." Mal offered and before Emma could turn to her fully, Mal had flicked both hands and in a swirl of mauve both boys disappeared.

Emma's heart leapt into her throat, stopping and starting all at once. Anger blasted through her like heat and for a moment she was angry that she considered decking her.

Mal was grinning widely. "Now no one will be late." But the grin faded quickly. She looked back at Emma and the smile dropped. "That made you angry. Okay, why the hell did that make you angry?"

Emma took a few deep breaths and pulled out her phone to call both boys. "Are you alright?"

She didn't respond to Mal until she got a chipper yes from Henry that they had arrived a block from school and that he was seeing Ollie where he needed to be.

Hearing that they both were okay did not make her heart beat any slower. "Mal." Emma hissed between her teeth. "I know that Craft is nothing to you and I get that, I do. But Regina and I agreed when Oliver was born that we would not use it on our kids. There are just too many dangers. We both have seen its price over and over again. I assume you know why the clock tower is like that, right?"

"I do."

"Great. So while I'm glad that my kids aren't going to be late um, please don't do that ever fucking again." It was as polite as she could make herself.

Mal's eyebrow popped, clearly offended, but she said in her most formal tone, "Of course, Emma. I apologize."

Emma nodded stiffly and turned away, heading upstairs to get ready for her day before she said anything she would regret.

Emma ran a few errands around town then stopped at home to drop off the groceries and check on Regina. Mal, to her surprise, was not there and Emma found that she was relieved. It was nice to feel like her house was her own for a moment, even if the odds are the absence was thanks to their interaction that morning.

Emma searched through the cupboard for a can of soup but was annoyed to find that they didn't have any. Soup didn't last long in their house, not with how much Ollie loved it.

She chewed her lip for a moment. She could make one fresh. She would rather give Regina something fresh. But where was the time? She didn't have it.

She glanced over her shoulder just in case Mal - who could be weirdly silent - had shown up again. When she saw that she was alone she grabbed a bowl and closed her eyes. In a swirl of lightly white fog, the bowl was filled with Regina's favorite soup. As usual, Emma had to hold her stomach as her skin crawled and her head swirled before she was able to grab the thermometer and start upstairs. She just didn't get it. She didn't get why that pulled on Regina so much. It sucked. It was like suddenly being hungover.

She didn't use it often, she rationalized and Bonnie was asleep and the boys were gone. She wasn't going to let herself feel guilty.

In their bedroom, she set the tray of food down on the bedside table and gently woke Regina.

"Oh god, did I sleep through the alarm?" Regina sat up quickly and then spent a moment looking confused at her bare chest. "I don't remember falling asleep this way." She looked at the clock and seemed to mentally stumble, confusion growing.

"You woke up this morning with a fever, babe." Emma stroked her forehead soothingly and was pleased to find it wasn't quite as warm. "Here." She stuck the thermometer under her tongue.

101.1

"That's so much better. This morning it was 103 something."

"Really?"

"Yup. Here." She put the tray across Regina's legs and then crawled around her so she could sit beside her. "You have to eat that."

Regina looked as though she would rather not, but Emma glared so she took a sip. "Where's Mal? I took time off so she wouldn't need to spend her time alone."

Emma shrugged. "She's not here. With the sabbat coming, I would bet she's with Ruby again."

"Oh." Regina took another long sip.

They sat in silence as Regina finished her bowl. Then when it was done Regina sighed, resting heavily on Emma's shoulder.

"Do you think you could sleep again?"

"Hmm?" Regina sounded as though she were already in a doze.

Emma wrapped her arms around her and kissed her temple. "Go back to sleep."

So Regina did, held tightly in Emma's arms as Emma relished the closeness.

After a while, Emma knew she had to get up and get going. Bonnie was sleeping too long and she had too many other things to do that day. She turned and let her Regina on the pillows. She pushed her hair back and smoothed the sheet over her.

Then she and Bonnie ran the last bit of their errands.

Only, there was traffic outside of Storybrooke and Emma had spent too long staring into the shop windows of clothing stores in the mall, debating going in and trying things on before she gave up and left, because clothing shopping with Bonnie would be a nightmare. While Emma meant to be home by the time the boys were out of school she instead didn't get back until after five that evening.

"Boys?" She called over a screaming Bonnie as soon as she walked through the door.

"In here," Henry called.

She rounded the corner into the living room and was surprised to see Regina and Mal sitting and sipping cups of coffee with Henry and Ollie between them, pages of homework strewn across the table.

"Oh! Err, hey! How are you feeling?"

Regina beamed at her. "I'm feeling better now. Thank you. I think I just needed to sleep." Regina reached for Bonnie but Emma just stood, unresponsive and staring. "Emma? What?" Regina finally asked, her eyes uncomfortable.

"Mommy got a haircut!" Ollie grinned and recognition dawned.

That was what was different - except. No, there was more. Her hair was shorter, as if it had been trimmed and it shone a radiant chestnut but - her skin, it also seemed to glow richly healthy, like it hadn't in a while. She looked amazing.

Emma felt herself pull in a deep breath and gulp. "I see that! It looks good, babe. Where did you go?"

But Regina was busy playing with Bonnie and didn't answer.

Mal, however, was still looking at her stiffly. Emma's eyes rolled. Apparently just as Emma was having a hard time reconciling her feelings with Mal, it seemed as though Mal had been struggling today too. What's more, it seemed as though Mal had finally settled on her feelings and the outcome was not a positive one.

"Hen, don't forget about soccer tonight. Coach said to bring your goalie gear. Ollie, your recital is tomorrow."

Ollie looked up, his pale cheeks that were so much a mix of his mothers blanched.

"Awe, don't be nervous. But don't forget that tonight is the dress rehearsal, okay? Bring your costume."

"Okay, Mommy."

"Hey, sweet pea." Regina cooed and he willingly let himself be pulled into Regina's arms for a hug.

Henry left soon after and Emma drove Ollie to his rehearsal not long after that. When she arrived home again Bonnie was playing mindlessly on the floor while Regina and Mal chatted easily.

"So, what should the adults do for dinner?" Mal's lazy grey eyes rolled over them.

"Actually. I was thinking." Regina's eyes narrowed and then with a sudden snap, the table was decorated with three plates full of thick steak, potatoes, and greens.

Emma's jaw fell slack. What the hell had just happened?

Regina turned to Emma her eyes glittering with obvious pride. Emma's open mouth snapped closed. She felt like she had just been blindsided in public. She hadn't expected... she had no choice but to clean up her face.

She knew that Regina had been considering - but she hadn't realized.

Now suddenly the glow - the hair - she felt stupid for not seeing it the moment she walked in the door. "Uh-" fell from her lips dumbly.

"What do you think? It's your favorite, filet mignon with a butter and brandy reduction."

It was the meal she had eaten on their second date and it had indeed been her favorite since then.

Regina's face was so clearly hopeful, so open and waiting that Emma couldn't dash her spirits by letting her know just how surprised she was by this sudden change of their tandem life choice.

"Uh," she said again and then noticed those smoky grey eyes had found her and were staring, a look of smug satisfaction making the beautiful face shine.