Regina's POV

"Well, you have me now. And I have no intention of going anywhere so you better get used to it!"

Those words echoed in her ears through her dreams, dreams that were undoubtably full of the woman who's arms she was currently tangled in. Unsure if it was the previous night or what, but each time she awoke next to Emma seemed better than the last. She held in a chuckle as the blonde snored lightly against her neck. Their night together had been a revelation for her, hell she had only been with one other woman in her life and sex had certainly never been like it was now. Before it seemed more like a chore, something to pacify the other. But with Emma, everything seemed like it was happening for the first time. Thinking back to their wild one night stand to now, she couldn't believe how serious things were getting. She knew she should be worried about jumping into a relationship this soon after her divorce, but didn't she deserve happiness as well? It wasn't like Emma was her girlfriend, they had only just decided to start seeing each other last night. She hoped she was the only one the blonde was seeing because she knew she wanted more. The thought frightened her. Panic suddenly set in at the thought of another potential heartache. Untangling herself, she sighed as her demons decided to surface.

"Love is weakness, Regina. And this sickness you have is unacceptable, it's unnatural...I shudder to think what people will say when they find out that my daughter is...well, different."

Her mother's words thundered in her head, cutting like a knife. Before she could stop herself she was crying and on the verge of hyperventilating. Not wanting Emma to wake and see her like this, she went to the adjoining bathroom and turned on the steaming water to let the shower help wash her tears down. What in the hell was wrong with her, why was she having an anxiety attack after such a wonderful night? Had Cora's verbal abuse really damaged her so deeply that she couldn't enjoy anything without having a breakdown? Clutching herself against the tiled wall, she sobbed uncontrolably.

"Regina, is everything okay?" a soft set of hands gripped her shoulders. Great, I'm going to scare her off. Attempting to regain composure, she straightened up before replying.

"Fine, dear. I was just showering." Still refusing to turn around, she felt the blondes hands caressing up and town her arms a gesture that was doing a wonderful job at soothing her.

"Come on, I know you were crying. I could hear you from bed, was it something I did? Because I promise, whatever it is-" Regina turned around quickly, eyeing the blonde. Concern was evident on her face.

"No...God no, you're perfect..." she could feel herself flush and the declaration. "I just have anxiety spells that hit every now and again. I was trying to spare you from having to see it, you must think I'm insane."

"You don't have to hide from me," she whispered as she took Regina in her arms. "I already told you I'm not going anywhere."

Nestling her head in the crook of the taller woman's neck, she let out the deep breathe she didn't realize she had been holding. Strong arms tightened around her giving her some small measure of comfort. Before long, Emma let go. Assuming she was leaving, she was surprised when she took the washcloth from the rack and lathered it up with soap. Turning her around, Emma began soaping her back and gently alternating between washing and massaging each inch of her. There was nothing sexual about their shower, but it was hands down the most intimate moment Regina had ever shared with anyone. Every touch radiated warmth and affection, something she was not accustomed to. Kathryn wasn't exactly the warmest person and her upbringing had been far from loving.

"I'm sorry-" she began when they left the shower and were drying off. Emma cut her off immediatley.

"Don't you dare apologize to me. We all have skeletons in our closets, there is nothing to be ashamed of. But I am here, if you ever want to talk." Looking into those magical green eyes, she saw something she hadn't seen before: pain. Pain and understanding. It seemed there were more layers to Emma Swan than she originally thought. She stood on her tip toes and kissed Emma and smiled. "So I'm perfect, huh?"

"Miss Swan, your ego has inflated to a dangerously high rate."

"Don't blame me, you are the one stroking it."

"I could stroke something else if you prefer, dear."

"Mmmm, I think I would like that very much," Emma said as she picked her up with one quick swoop, carying her honeymoon style to the bed. Their love making was playful and fun, two words she never thought she would use to describe sex. It occured to her that maybe she had been missing out on much more than she thought. She had been clueless for the past twenty years, and was determined to let Emma teach her everything she needed to know about really living. Every kiss her lover placed on her sent a searing touch straight to her core. When she came, it felt like time stopped and there was no one but her and Emma. Looking up at her from her vantage point between her legs, Emma shot her a mischiveous grin, and began devouring her again.

She vaguely registered that she was moaning loudly, but couldn't control herself when she touched her like that.

"FUCK! Holy shit...EMMA, oh God!" Crawling back up and kissing her deeply, Regina could taste herself on Emma's lips. Pushing her on her back, she gazed down at her beautiful blonde. Running her fingers against the contours of each muscle, she could feel the other shudder.

"Come on, baby. Don't be tease, I seem to recall you promising to stroke something," she waggled her eyebrows.

Unable to deny her anything, she immediately plunged herself into the blonde. She smirked at how wet the blonde was, and the effect she could have on her. It wasn't long before Emma came with muffled cry. Regina eased her down from her high, and placed light, open-mouthed kisses against her upper torso and neck before snuggling against her chest.

"Dammit woman, you are going to be the death of me," Emma joked.

Closing her eyes as the other brushed a stray strand of brown hair back in place, she reveled in the feather light touch. When she opened her eyes again she couldn't help but stare at Emma with admiration. In less than a month, she had melted the icy walls she put up around her heart and had her feeling things she had never felt before. It seemed to her that everythings she knew until this point had been wrong because with her, it was like she was learning everything all over again.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what, dear?"

"I don't know, like you just figured something out..."

"Honestly? I never knew sex could be so fun and playful. When I'm with you, it just feels natural, not like a chore."

"A chore?" she asked incredulously.

"Well... I mean...It's just that in the past, it's not been...my ex...oh god. Why am I bringing this up?"

"She was an idiot. If I had the pleasure of being with you for as long as she did, I would have showed you every day how much you mean to me. You are a queen and deserved to be worshipped as such. Making love isn't a chore, it's supposed to be playful and fun."

"Emma..."

"I'm serious, I plan on showing you for as long as you let me. You are supposed to be happy, Regina." Smiling, she leaned over and placed a light kiss on her lips. Content with laying in bed with each other, their stomachs had other plans, both growling at the same time.

"Guess we need to get up and dressed, speaking of which. D'you have some clothes I could borrow? I'd rather not walk of shame it to my room in last night's clothes."

"That depends..." Regina started sheepishly.

"On?"

"Are you going to think I'm crazy if I tell you that I have the clothes you loaned me?"

"Nah, I don't complain when hot women are obsessed with me. Especially when they are as sexy and good in bed as you..." Regina responded by throwing her pillow at her. "Hey! See, what did I say?"

"Miss Swan I think I have inflated your ego enough for one day," she replied as she began rummaging throught her suitcase for clothes. Finding a pair of black slacks and a light sweater she grabbed the clothes she had worn yesterday and tossed them at Emma. Pulling on the outfit, she shook her head in the direction of the bed where the blonde was still laying naked. "What are you doing?" she asked as the walked back to the bed as Emma stood up.

"Enjoying the show. I mean, damn, you even make putting clothes on sexy."

"If you plan on eating, you probably should stop there and put on some clothes because you sauntering around my room naked does things to me."

"Well, I guess you can show me those things later..." she teased, before picking her underwear off the floor. Grabbing her clothes off the bed, "I'm going to go freshen up, go order us some food woman!" she joked as she swatted her playfully on the ass before closing the bathroom door behind her.

Rolling her eyes, she made her way back to the small kitchen looking for a room service menu.

"Oh. My. God. Reggie could you have been any louder, I mean really?"

"Astrid you almost gave me a heart attack! What the hell are you doing here?"

"Uh- well my suitcase is here. It's not like I can walk around LA in Graham's sweatpants and oversized tshirt. Plus I kind of needed to get packing, we do have a flight in a few hours."

"Shit! I forgot we were flying directly back out."

"I bet you did. Sex is that good, huh?" Regina's eyes bulged at her friend. After all these years she should expect these sort of comments, but still they took her by surprise. "So where is she? I'd like to meet her."

"She's getting dressed, and hopefully you will be gone before she comes out."

"Aw, come on Reggie..."

"Hey, did you find a menu? If you want we can go out and pick something up, whatever you-" the blonde stopped in her tracks as she rounded the corner and saw the two woman arguing. "Oh, um..."

"Hi! I'm Astrid, Reggie's best friend. You must be Emma, I've heard SO much about you." Astrid's appraisal of her clothing did not go unnoticed by Regina.

"Oh, er...Nice you meet you...I didn't meant to interupt."

"Nonsense, Astrid here was just leaving."

"Actually, I was stopping by let Regina know our flight is in a few hours. We really need to be getting to the airport, Graham's downstairs with the car waiting."

"I can go, if you want. My flight isn't until late this afternoon."

"I'm just going to go pack your bags," Astrid said excusing herself. The two looked at each other, unwilling to pop the perfect bubble they had been living in since last night.

"Do you really have to go?" Regina whined.

"I should, I need to pack anyway" Still Emma lingered, letting her left hand caress up her side.

"What about breakfast?"

"Raincheck? Tomorrow morning instead?"

"Deal-"

"Reggie, ready to go?"

Looking at each other, Emma gave her a crooked half smile before leaning in and placing a quick kiss on her lips.

"I'll see you soon," she promised. "Nice meeting you," she turned and said to the assistant.

"Nice to meet you, too. I'm sure we'll be seeing each other more in the furture."

When the blonde left, promising to call her later that night, Regina sighed. She grabbed her purse and followed Astrid to Graham and the waiting car.

"Gina, you'll never guess who I just ran into!" he teased.

"Shut it, both of you. I'll not listen to this all the way home."

Laughing at her expense, the drive to LAX seemed to take twice as long as usual. Despite her friend's constant teasing, she couldn't help but think about last night. One things was abundantly clear, she was falling hard and fast for Emma Swan. Despite her earlier breakdown, hell despite everything that had been going on lately, there was nothing she would change.