Hey guys! Well here it is...Chapter 12. I have to say, I am really proud of this chapter. Please listen to the song: Two More Minutes by James Young while you read this chapter. I wrote the chapter to that song and it is quite amazing. I think it perfectly captures how Regina and Emma feel about each other (at least in my mind). Anyways, sorry for the long update time...hopefully this nice long chapter will make up for it. Let me know what you think :)


Chapter 12

"Please talk to her Emma," Mary Margaret begged. "She's really sorry and she wants to explain why she did it."

"I don't want to talk to her," Emma huffed as she tried to move around her roommate that was blocking her way.

The pixie-haired woman moved to once again, obstructing her roommate from passing her. "Come on Emma, she was just looking out for you. I was actually thinking of doing the same thing," Mary Margaret admitted reluctantly avoiding the blonde's eyes. She had been so worried about Emma recently that it didn't seem ridiculous that Ruby had done what she had. "You've been acting weird lately."

"Don't you dare," Emma shot. She was furious at Ruby for confronting Regina and didn't need yet another reminder of the Mayor's nonexistent feelings for her. She was trying to avoid Regina, but everyone was making that seemingly impossible. "While I appreciate what you guys are trying to do, just butt out. I don't need your help."

"Okay I won't," Mary Margaret promised. Secretly she still wanted to talk to Regina, but the risk of Emma ignoring her deterred Mary Margaret from taking action. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked hoping the blonde would open up to her.

"No I really don't," Emma said as she avoided her roommate's eyes. She knew it probably wasn't smart to shut out her friends, but she was too emotionally exhausted to explain. It's not like her friends would even understand anyways. It was complicated and Emma didn't want address the fact that she had been rejected. Emma wanted to apologize to Regina for the whole Ruby situation, but she knew it was just another pathetic excuse to see the brunette. Seeing the Mayor again would just opened all the wounds she was trying to heal.

"Okay then," Mary Margaret said as she finally gave up trying to get Emma to talk to her. "I'm always here if you eventually want to though." There was no point forcing the issue and the pixie-haired woman didn't feel like badgering her roommate anymore so she left it at that. It was bad enough that Emma was shutting out Ruby and Mary Margaret didn't want to suffer the same fate.

"Thank you," Emma said sincerely. "I appreciate it."

Both women looked up when they heard a knock at the door. For a split second Emma hope it would be Regina, but that would be wishful thinking. Her heart sank when she realized who she hoped would be at the door. As Mary Margaret moved to answer the door, Emma began to retreat into her bedroom. If she was who she thought it was, she wasn't ready to forgive her just yet.

"Come in," Mary Margaret said after greeting her friend.

Hurriedly, Ruby ran through the door looking around for the blonde. She spotted the woman trying to quietly creep away, but Ruby wouldn't let her escape so easily. "Emma wait please I'm sorry," she said as she moved to reach her.

"Ruby-…"

"No Emma let me go first…I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did. I just wanted…I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I didn't mean for it to get out of hand. I didn't-…" Ruby rambled. She had practiced a formal apology, but quickly started saying whatever came to her mind. She desperately needed the blonde to understand that she was only trying to look out for her.

"Ruby I'm not mad at you," Emma sighed. It was the truth because she wasn't mad at Ruby; she was made at herself. "Anymore at least…but while I appreciate what you were trying to do, I can fight my own battles."

"You're right, but I'm still sorry," Ruby said looking down at her shoes. She didn't want to lose a friend over such a stupid fight.

"It okay," Emma said as she moved to hug the other woman. She could never be mad at Ruby because Emma knew what she was trying to do for her. Emma couldn't help but feel happy that her friend had tried standing up for her even if Ruby didn't know anything about the situation.

Ruby gladly accepted the hug and pulled Emma closer for a tight embrace. "Okay Ruby you're crushing me," Emma said, her voice clearly strained after only several seconds.

"Oh sorry," Ruby apologized. She let go of the blonde and took a few steps back. Even though she had just been forgiven, she couldn't help but think about what Regina had said about Emma leaving. Maybe it wasn't the perfect time, but she still needed to ask her friend about the truthfulness of that statement. It had been on Ruby's mind ever since then.

An awkward silence filled the room as no one was really sure what to say. Mary Margaret and Ruby both had a million questions floating in their minds about Regina, each seeming completely ridiculous as the next. It was a mystery to them as to what had happened between the two women. They would have to be patient though, Emma had no intention of supplying answer for them just yet and wasn't even sure where she should begin. She would leave it to their imagination for now.

~SQ~

The next day…

"Henry please come out," Regina said through the door. "You are going to be late for school."

"No," Henry responded. "I'm not coming out until you and Emma make up."

"Henry this is not up for debate. You are going to school," Regina commanded. She refused to bargain with her son who had locked himself in his room. "Miss Swan and I…" she paused not knowing how to proceed. Saying the woman's name caused her to lose focus and now she didn't know where she was going with that statement. "Henry get out here this instant!" she yelled through the door. She had no patience for this, especially today when she needed to get to work. Regina was done trying to convince her son everything was all right because it wasn't and he knew it.

"No!" he said defiantly.

Regina leaned against the door contemplating what to do. She could kick the door down, but the work of replacing it seemed all too troublesome. She could call Emma and explain the situation. Surely the sheriff would come and help lure Henry out of his room. She could also just let him skip school, but what message would that be sending? Regina closed her eyes in frustration trying to think of a way out. There was no favorable outcome for her with this act of defiance.

She walked away from the door and pulled out her cellphone. She hesitated over the name, Emma Swan, before building enough courage up to press the name. She worriedly bit her bottom lip. "What if she doesn't answer?" she thought. "What if she refuses to help me?" Doubt began to cloud her mind as she held the phone.

But after the third ring Emma answered. "Yes Madame Mayor?"

Regina flinched at the sound of her title, but tried to concentrate at the task at hand. "I need your help," Regina started, but before she could explain Emma interrupted her.

"What's wrong Regina?" Emma worriedly asked. The concern in her voice made a small smile form on Regina's lips.

"She really does care," Regina thought to herself. She had been so nervous that the blonde would refuse to talk to her, but as soon as she said she needed the other woman, Emma was ready to help. The Mayor began to replay Emma's confession of affection in her mind; it all seemed so long ago. The blonde had told her that she would try and make it work. No one had ever made such a promise to Regina before. No one had ever made the effort to get to know her. It weighted heavily on her mind as she held the cellphone against her ear.

"We could have found a way. W-We could have made us work. I-I…I care about you. I would have tried to make it work."

"Regina?" Emma's voice tore Regina out of thought. The panic in the sheriff's voice was being to sound more pressing. "What's wrong Regina? Are you okay?"

"Sorry…" Regina said before clearing her throat. "Yes well Henry refuses to come out of his room unti-until…we make up," she finished. She bit her lip as she finished, waiting for Emma to respond. Would Emma believe her? Would Emma come to her aid?

Regina's heart almost melted in her chest as she heard Emma laugh through the receiver. The Mayor couldn't remember the last time she had heard the other woman laugh. She knew she hadn't caused the sheriff to laugh, but it felt good hearing it none-the-less. The situation only made her chuckle as she realized the absurdity of her son's demands. Regina couldn't remember the last time she had laughed either.

After the laughter had died down, Emma spoke softly into her cell. "I'll be right over."

~SQ~

Regina was waiting by the door, so when the blonde knocked she immediately moved to open it. She had convinced herself that she was eager to get Henry to school instead of seeing the sheriff, but she knew better.

"Hey," Emma said as she shoved her hands in her jacket pockets. Somehow they had managed to find themselves in another situation that required their interaction and communication. It was starting to become more funny than anything.

"Hey," Regina responded as she looked over the sheriff. "She looks the same," Regina thought. But what had she expected? Did she expect a broken Emma Swan to show up at her door, begging for Regina to give her another chance? It was delusional of the Mayor to even consider that outcome. Realizing her gaze was lingering, she quickly moved aside to let the woman through. "Please come in," she added trying to make up for her rudeness.

"Upstairs?" Emma questioned upon entering the mansion. She was afraid something would slip out or that she would say something stupid.

Regina replied with a short quick nod before following Emma up the stairs. Even with the minimal words that had been exchanged, Emma had felt her stomach twinge with anticipation. Just being around the other woman made her extremely anxious.

As the pair reached Henry's bedroom door, they heard a shuffling sound on the other side. Knocking softly on the door, Emma stood back as if waiting to be let in.

"Who's there?" called Henry from inside his room.

"It's Emma," the blonde responded.

"Emma!" the boy cried. His enthusiasm was soon replaced by his curiosity. "Have you and my mom made up yet?" he questioned.

Emma looked over at Regina, hoping the other woman could give her the answer. Regina's dark brown eyes were filled with concern as she pleadingly stared back into Emma's green ones. There was no simple answer to the boy's question. The sheriff closed her mouth and swallowed, trying to buy herself time before she answered.

"I think we're good kid," Emma said looking deeply into Regina's eyes. "No hard feelings," she added for good measure as she smiled at the brunette.

"Really?" Henry cheered excitedly. "That's great because I was so worried-…" he said running to open the door. When he finally got it open he continued, "I was so worried that you guys would be mad at each other forever." He smiled up at them eagerly as if waiting for something to happen.

"I believe you have to go to school young man," Regina said trying to keep her voice from being too stern. She was relieved that Emma had managed to convince him everything was fine, but at this rate he would miss his first class.

"Aw Mom," Henry whined. "Emma just got here!"

"Kid you have to go to school and your Mother has to go to work," Emma said crouching down to look at him at eye level.

Regina couldn't help but bring her hand to cover her mouth. The way Emma interacted with Henry was almost too cute to watch. In that moment, they both had the same pout they used to get what they wanted on their faces. To Regina, it was both precious and heartbreaking. She didn't even bother to tell Emma that she could handle it because she was Henry's mother.

"Mom what's wrong?" Henry asked directing his attention to the other woman. "You guys are still fighting aren't you?" he said dejectedly. Henry knew it was too good to be true. His plan had failed yet again.

"No-no Henry…" Regina said crouching down to Emma and Henry's level. She brushed Henry's hair before cupping his chin. "I'm just happy that's all," she said smiling at her son. She blinked away the tears that were dangerously close to falling.

Emma could tell the brunette wasn't lying even if Regina wasn't looking at her directly. "That's all I want for you," Emma thought. "I just want you to be happy."

Henry seemed to accept this answer as he pulled the two women into his arms. "I knew you guys would make up," he said softly.

It took everything Regina had not to sob right then. This had all been her fault and she knew it, yet somehow Henry had always managed to find a way to forgive her. Now in the embrace of her son, she realized how she was hurting her own son. He only wanted what was best for her. He thought Emma was the best thing for her. The infuriating woman that had managed to soften the hardened barriers around her heart had been able to make her feel again. "When did I get so damn emotional?" she laughed in her head as she tried to ignore the closeness of Emma to herself. The Evil Queen wouldn't have thought twice before crushing someone's heart in her bare hand, but she couldn't do it to the woman that was suppose to break the curse. "Oh the irony," she thought as she hugged her son tightly.

"Okay kid we need to get you to school," Emma said without letting go. "And your Mom and I need to get to work." Her own emotions were running high as well, but she couldn't explain why. Being with Regina and Henry made her feel complete, like she had her own family. The sad truth was that she didn't have a family. She had no one, but that's how it always had been and she had been okay with that. Why was now any different?

"Fine," Henry said as he broke the hug. He just stared at them. He could see the tidal wave of emotions on the brink of destruction in both of their eyes. It pained him to see them like this, but they'd figure it out. Even if he knew that they hadn't completely made up, they were well on their way now. It was only a matter of time.

"Want me to drive him?" Emma asked, now focusing on the brunette.

"Um…yes. That would be great. Thank you," Regina said as she rose to smooth her skirt. She had almost forgotten that she had a pile of paper work waiting for her at her office. Today had certainly taken an unexpected twist.

"That reminds me," Henry said coyly. "Emma do you want to have dinner with us tonight?" He was waiting to ask her later in the week, but he couldn't help himself.

"Oh kid…I can't today I'm sorry," Emma said as she too, rose. As much as she wanted to, that could end up being a disaster in itself. She didn't even know if Regina wanted her there anymore. Even with everything that had happened today, she thought there was no way the brunette was ready to see her again. Things couldn't just go back to normal after all.

"Miss Swan I think both of us would be grateful if you came," Regina said looking at the blonde. Her comment had evidently surprised Emma, as her eyes grew wide with shock. She didn't know if it was a good idea for them to be in the same room, but she had to see Emma again. Something in Regina wanted to keep the other woman at her side.

"Are you sure?" Emma cautiously asked. They both knew that this would be dangerous, especially around Henry.

"Yes," Regina said. It looked like they were both ready to take that chance as their eyes connected.

"Okay then I'll be there," Emma said now looking down at Henry. As much as she wanted to see Regina, she was mainly doing it for Henry. For some reason she couldn't bring herself to say no to the boy.

"Great!" Henry said clearly pleased with himself. "You can take me to school now," he said as he moved past the two women towards the stairs.

"Give me a second," Emma called back.

"Take all the time you need," he said smiling before he ran down the stairs. He didn't really mean it, but he wanted to give them some privacy. Evidently they wanted to talk and Henry didn't want to get in the way.

"I honestly don't know where he gets it from," Regina said refusing to address tension. "He has never acted like this before." The brunette couldn't remember a time when Henry had actively gone out of his way like this go get something he wanted. And right now, he wanted her to talk to Emma. He had made that perfectly clear by not only pulling this little stunt, but also by inviting the blonde to dinner.

"Kids I guess," Emma said awkwardly.

Now that they were alone, they didn't know what to do or say. They knew they didn't have time to do this right now, but even when they did, what would they say? They stood silently, just looking at one another. It was the same silence they had shared on the beach; it was peaceful. They didn't need to say anything at the moment. It wasn't the time or place to have this conversation, so they just enjoyed each other's silent company.

They hadn't been alone like this in a long time and the need to touch made them both painfully aware of the fact. Regina swallowed the lump in her throat before taking a step towards the blonde. "If you don't want to come to dinner…I understand," she said trying to keep the sorrow out of her voice. She wanted Emma to come, but she didn't want her to feel obligated. She couldn't help but feel responsible for pressuring Emma to agree to come.

"I want to," Emma said.

However, their eyes and mouths were having completely different conversations. Their mouths were saying the words like actors playing a role, but their eyes longed to share a different story. Their eyes screamed with aching desire to pull the other into their arms. They both wanted to apologize. They both wanted forgiveness. They both wanted each other. Tension like this was almost too much to bare at times. They weren't touching, but electricity was buzzing widely around them like gasoline that would ignite at any moment, incinerating them both to ash.

"Emma I know I said take your time, but I need to go," called Henry from downstairs. He had been patiently waiting, but after five minutes he was quickly growing impatient. To his displeasure, Henry didn't even hear them talking.

"Be right down kid," Emma called back. She didn't want to leave, but she knew she had too. "I'll see you tonight."

"Okay," Regina barely whispered. She hated to watch the blonde leave, but she had work to do, not that she would be able to focus at all today.

"Bye Regina," Emma said before turning away. If she didn't leave now, she didn't know if she would ever have the strength to leave. It was like tearing a piece of her off and leaving it behind. She knew she would see Regina again, so why did it hurt so badly to leave her now?

As the blonde walked down the hallway, Regina couldn't help but call out to her; "Emma."

The sheriff turned to face the Mayor with hopeful eyes. Regina paused before walking over to close the distance between them. She wanted to tell her she was sorry. She wanted to say she did in fact care for her, but no words came. They were now breathing the same air floating a mere inches between them. Emma's eyes alternated between concentrating on Regina's lips and eyes, silently asking permission. She couldn't help herself. The proximity of the Regina's lips were far too alluring to ignore. She had to control herself not to pull the other woman into a searing kiss she desperately longed for.

"Yes Regina?" she asked quietly, trying to keep her eyes on the brown ones in front of her.

Regina brought her hand up Emma's cheek, her thumb stroking the other woman's face. Emma could see in her eyes that Regina was contemplating what to do. The inner conflict was written all over her face. It was a mix of guilt, longing, and sadness.

Regina knew what she wanted, but was questioning if it was the right thing to do. She thought touching Emma's face would be enough, but it only left her wanting more. With tension and emotions running high, she didn't know if it would be wise to give in. Henry was downstairs and they didn't have much time.

"I-I…"

But that was as far as she got before she started to lean in to Emma's pink lips unconsciously. Their kiss was soft as if they would be their last. It was gentle like they were trying to savor the moment they knew wouldn't last. If only they could stop time completely and revel in the moment forever. It was an addictive feeling that they had both missed dearly.

Emma's hands instinctively fell to pull the brunette closer. Today had been completely overwhelming, but she didn't dare consider the consequences. She had received a call from Regina only to come to her house and convince Henry to come out his room. She hadn't anticipated that she would be locked in the embrace of the person who had previously broken her heart.

Regina's hand moved to the side of Emma's neck while the other ran through her beautiful golden locks. She had been afraid to even call the blonde for help, but now she was kissing the sheriff. Not only was she kissing the blonde, but Emma was kissing her back with the same passion, the same longing. They ignored the need for air as their bodies pressed together, perfectly intertwined.

"Emma!" yelled Henry. It broke the two women out of their embrace. Emma pulled back, but not before quickly pecking Regina on the lips. She gave the brunette a smile and ran down the stairs. If she stayed any longer, she knew she would have ended up on her back in the hallway.

Regina was at a loss of words watching the sheriff leave. "What have I done?" she thought as her eyes widened with realization. She had given in to her desire to kiss the blonde. She had let her need cloud her judgment and now she would have to deal with the consequences. It was wrong. She shouldn't have done it. It would only make things more complicated. Regina couldn't move. She was frozen in place like a statue with her thoughts flying widely around her head. It had felt so good, so why did she feel terrible afterwards?

She snapped back to reality when she heard the door slam shut. She closed her eyes for a long moment before she moved towards the stairs. As she headed out the door she couldn't help but feel guilty. She was conflicted. She knew she should tell Emma the truth about Henry, about her feelings, about everything; but she couldn't risk losing her. Not again.


Ugh so conflicting...got to love how desire wins out over judgment though. I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did. If you have time, please leave a comment. If I have time to write these chapter then you have time to leave a few words of encouragement :) Thanks for reading! Have a great week.