*Present Time*

Emma's laughter filled the dungeon. Her eyes looking far off as she reminisced, a smile nearly constant as she spoke of her first days with the Queen.

Snow White cringed. She had always wondered how Emma went from running away to living with the Queen. She never imagined it was quite literally, the instant she stepped into the Dark Kingdom.

Finding out Emma had lashed out easily wasn't a surprise. She knew her daughter never contained her temper. Emma was always a wild child with a violet streak neither Snow, nor her husband could control. To hear Regina set Emma up to see how she'd react wasn't surprising either.

But that didn't mean it wasn't disturbing.

Emma paused in the story to regard her mother. She loved the constant flinches and winces as she spoke of the beatings to the servant and prisoner. Because this was nothing. A few beatings had her cowering. The woman had no idea what she was in for.

"Emma?"

Anything the knight was about to say to attempt to traumatize her mother, was instantly forgotten. She spun around and her smile turned soft and genuine as the Queen that still occupied her dreams, came into view.

"There you are, darling." The Dark Queen gave her own smile, one that would stun the populations to know ever graced the evil woman's features. But it was always there for her knight. Well…when she was good.

"Sorry, Regina, I didn't want to wake you. You looked too…perfect." Emma smiled and stepped closer towards the Queen. The older woman came forward as well and rested her hands on Emma's shoulders, the knight hugging her waist the second she was within reach.

"You know I don't like you missing when I wake." She gently scolded, completely ignoring the fallen Queen inside the cell as she leaned into the knight. If she would have looked over, she would have seen the complete shock in her expression at the sudden change in demeanor.

"Very sorry, my Queen. I promise to make it up to you." Emma grinned, her arms hugging tighter to bring the woman closer. "Anything my Queen wishes."

Now the Queen did glance over Emma's shoulder to the woman huddled in the corner. She caught her eyes and smirked before taking Emma's chin to pull their lips together. Her gaze didn't deviate as she kissed the Dark Knight and the White Queen seemed unable to look away either.

Regina had the sudden impulse to take things quite a bit farther with Emma. She knew her dark lover wouldn't object. Not if the Queen asked. She could have Emma on her knees in a heartbeat, giving the Dark Queen pleasure without another care in the world.

It was quite tempting.

Despite her desires though, she pulled back, noticing green eyes had turned quite dark. It seemed she wasn't the only one with wandering thoughts.

"Not now, darling." She spoke to Emma, but also to herself, pulling farther away from the temping lips of her love. "You need to be at the training yard, did you forget?"

"No, I just got caught up reminiscing with Mother here." She smiled at Regina and the Queen lifted an eyebrow.

"Really? About what?"

"About us. When I first got here." Emma kept her smile as she looked into her Queen's eyes. When she was with Regina, nothing else in the world mattered. And that was clear in the complete devotion shining in her eyes.

"Ah, I see. Well, you need to get going. Your new recruits are waiting." Regina leaned in and gave her knight one last kiss before separating their bodies. She knew if she didn't, they would never leave this spot.

"Yes, my Queen." Emma bowed her head and reluctantly turned away from the intoxicating woman. She did look back once before disappearing around the corner, though.

The Queen watched her go. She knew Emma would look back. It was always a habit. Looking for approval, for reassurance, for just one last look. And Regina always waited for it before turning away.

Once she had, she moved back towards the cell. Seeing the disgusted looks crossing the woman's features each time she and Emma were affectionate helped Regina to understand why her knight had spent the morning telling their story.

"So, where did my Emma leave off?" She saw the subtle flinch from her choice of words the White Queen failed to suppress. It amused Regina. If the other woman didn't know who Emma belonged to by now, that was her own ignorance. It shouldn't still surprise her.

*Flashback*

The Queen took her time strolling the halls. She had a surprisingly good night's sleep and felt rejuvenated. Ready to deal with her new permanent guest.

She had left Emma in her rooms again, though this time, the doors were securely locked and even more heavily guarded. She had considered confining her in the dungeon, but keeping her with those disgusting animals felt wrong.

Dealing with Emma was a learning process with her. Clearly, she wasn't easily controlled. Regina was used to snapping her fingers and getting instant compliance. But then Emma wasn't like any other she had dealt with.

She saw the way Emma got lost in the moment. She wasn't hearing Regina. She didn't comprehend the commands. She went somewhere. Somewhere Regina couldn't reach her.

That's what she needed to figure out. How to reach her when the darkness took over.

Coming up to Emma's door, Emma paused by the guards outside, making eye contact with one.

"You remember what we discussed?" She got an immediate nod. "Good. Stay with me. If I tell you to, step in and stop her. But only if I say so, is that clear?"

"Yes, your Majesty." Came the quick and respectful reply.

"Good."

Regina waved her hand and the locks on the doors could be hear disengaging. She and the single guard stepped through, and paused inside to take in the room.

Regina almost expected to see the room trashed. Her mind has possibly too closely related Emma to a wild animal. She needed to remember that was not exactly the case.

The room was as pristine as it had been before Emma moved it. The bed was even made, much to the Queen's surprise. She looked about and her brow knit as she didn't immediately spot the princess. When here eyes landed on the open balcony, they widened.

She hadn't thought of that. The Princess was unpredictable and the Queen came to the sudden and frightening realization of what might have happened. She should have put up a boundary spell, her mind frustratingly supplied.

Storming across the open space, the Queen all but ran to the balcony doors. She grabbed the railing and looked over before movement out of the corner of her eye had her spinning to the side.

"Majesty?" Emma looked startled by the Queen's sudden presence. Even more so by the relief in her expression before it was quickly schooled away.

"Emma…there you are." The Queen nearly stuttered and mentally scolded herself for the slip up. "Follow me." She instructed and turned quickly back into the room. Emma's eyes landed on the other in the room and narrowed slightly. "Emma, this is Graham. He is the Captain of my Guard."

Emma looked him up and down, noting the traditional uniform, but looking slightly different on this man. He also carried himself differently. While still remaining at an attentive and respectful stance, he had a less structured, less militant look. It was subtle, but Emma noticed. There was also something about his eyes. Darker, more alert…almost animalistic if she was being honest.

"He will be joining us today." Regina continued, noticing Emma's skeptical reaction. She brushed it off thought and turned towards the door. "Come." She left the command there and excited the room without looking back.

Emma looked Graham up and down again. He was staring at her and Emma realized he was waiting for her to move, watching her intently. She frowned as she wondered if the Queen thought she'd lash out against her. The realization didn't sit well and the frown stayed in place for their entire journey to the training yard.

Once they made it outside, Emma's eyes were moving about the area, taking in the enclosed area. There were several separated circular areas seemingly for practice fighting or dueling. There were walls with assortments of weapons and gear. Anything they could need to practice with. It seemed the Queen didn't skimp when it came to her guards and soldiers.

Emma found herself very interested in the new environment. She wanted to make use of it, but knew better than to do anything without permission. Especially right now. After spending the night on lockdown, she was eager to find a way to prove herself trustworthy. If she could get a chance, that is. She just needed to stay in control.

Unfortunately, her bad habit of getting lost in her distractions hadn't changed overnight. So she didn't see the look exchanged between the Queen and her captain. She didn't see the nod and she didn't see the man's quick movement until it was too late.

One second she was standing facing the weaponry and imagining their use, and the next, she was lying flat on her back, the breath knocked from her body and a painful stinging to the back of her legs.

All thoughts of self control instantly evaporated and as Emma sprung to her feet and faced the armed captain, she only saw red.