Regina's POV~

I hear the words and they sound like life.

Free, beautiful, desperate, longing.

That what the voice that calls them sounds like.

"Regina," it says.

One time, two times, three times.

And each time is more magical, more pleading, more gorgeous.

I see her blond hair whip around the corner and she stumbles to a stop in front of me.

And I can't breathe. She's so stunningly pretty. Her blonde hair is pulled into a stylish pony tail, and a bright red dress is shaped around her figure. Chills run up my arms as I remember that this is the woman that I kissed; the woman who kissed me back. The woman I love; the woman I'm too scared to love because nothing has ever made me feel this way before.

I stand up from my bench. I found refuge here after our kiss. I'd hope the fresh air would clear my head, but it's still raging with my burning thoughts.

"You can't marry Robin." She says suddenly.

The words are like lightning. Sudden, unexpected, fierce, and beautiful. I've longed to hear them, to hear the reason behind them. And now that I'm about to, the apprehension is rushing up my veins like electricity.

I want to run to her, to pull her into my arms again and tell her that i understand, that I already know. But I can't. Forever the Queen, I have to play it cool.

"Why not?" I say. I want an answer. I want to hear her say it. If she loves me as I doubt she does and yet helplessly need her to, I need to hear her say it.

Her eyes fog over with all the boiling emotions she's feeling. A strand of lovely blonde hair escapes her ponytail and falls across her face, framing its perfection.

"Because you don't love him," she says as the breeze makes her hair dance. Her words full of passion and vigor. "He can't make you happy Regina, because you don't love him. You can't expect someone to give you happiness if you can't give them love in return."

"But Emma," I say breathlessly, "No one can give me happiness." My eyes fill up with tears. "No one loves me."

Emma's whole face burns with disbelief. "You really don't know, do you?"

I stay still, so she lets out a sad laugh, shaking her head.

"God," she says, more to herself than to me. "You really don't know." Looking up, she smiles softly. "You have no idea how much I love you, do you?"

Her words fill me up with what I've been missing for so long. My broken soul, my bleeding mind, and my dying heart are all healed with her words. My soul is pieced back together, my mind is bandaged, and my heart is pumped full of life.

"You love me?" Now it is my face that is full of disbelief.

"Oh, Regina. Those words had no true meaning until I found you."

She steps closer to me, taking my hands in hers, linking our eyes and pouring everything she has inside of her into me through our gaze.

"I love you," she says. "Madly. I've been in love with you for years. My whole life has consisted of running, but I can't run anymore. I found a reason worth staying."

She cups my face in her hands, forcing me closer. The intensity of happiness that I feel right now is almost unbearable. It's all just too perfect.

"Don't marry him Regina," she pleads. "Not being with you would kill me, but what would be even more painful would be seeing you unhappy. You've been unhappy you're whole life, why would you chain yourself to it once more? I have the key Regina. I can free you. Give me the chance, and I will do my best to give you everything you've ever wanted. I might not be able to do that, but I can sure as hell try."

I let out a teary laugh and a genuine smile. "Oh god Emma, of course you'd be able to. The only thing I've ever wanted is you."