Held In Stasis

Chapter 13

Emma flipped around facing Regina. "How do you know my mother?" She asked.

Her parents had never told her much about her mother's mortal enemy the queen. Only that she was evil and that she had tried to kill her mother on various occasions. They hadn't told her what she looked like or what her name was or even how she and her mother knew each other merely that she existed and had disappeared a long time ago before she was born.

"You didn't tell her dear? Don't you think she deserves to know?" Regina asked laying a hand over heart. "I'm hurt that I meant so little to you." She added with a mock pout.

"Leave my daughter alone you old hag." Snow snarled grabbing for a spear on the nearby wall. She held it out in front of her displaying a surprising amount of strength.

"Old hag," Regina murmured still pouting her lips slightly, "I still look the exact same. No thanks in part to what your Prince Charming did to me. You though are looking a bit worse for wear."

"What is she talking about mother? What happened?" Emma asked still standing in front of Regina despite what she was hearing.

Snow bit her lip, "It doesn't matter Emma just come up here where you'll be safe."

"It does matter. Tell me what happened or I'm not moving from this spot." Emma folded her arms across her chest even taking a step backward so that she was a bit closer to Regina. With her back to her love and facing her parents she missed the smirk that drifted over Regina's blood red lips nor the way her eyes light up at the sight of her standing against her parents as she was.
Snow hesitated clearly not willing to speak out about such things but Regina remained silent allowing the dark haired woman who looked much older than she did now to speak her peace.

"She blames me for ruining her life." Snow said softly the same words she'd once spoken to James.

James looked over at her with a soft look his sword still held firmly in front of him to defend both himself and his wife should the evil queen attack.

"Did you?" Emma asked still shielding Regina with her body.

Snow lowered the spear she was holding the blade clinking as it hit the stone of the dais. Her eyes were downcast as her shoulders drooped as though the pressure was too much. Emma almost relented at her mother's obvious pain but she didn't move knowing they would just attempt to attack Regina if she did and while she was sure the woman was capable of defending herself she still wanted to be of some help protecting her.

"Mother did you ruin her life?" Emma repeated her question.

Snow squeezed her eyes shut before nodding her head. "Yes." She finally spoke aloud.

Emma stared at her, her green eyes a bit wide as she took it in. "How could you?" She asked instead before she turned to face Regina. "I'm so sorry." She murmured, "I didn't know. I wouldn't have asked you here otherwise."

Regina shrugged, "You didn't know." She repeated, "And really how could you? I was dead remember?"

"You weren't dead." Emma protested but then she frowned turning back to her parents, "You tried to kill her didn't you?"

"Emma," James began, "please listen to us. She is evil, there is no redeeming her. You must stop this madness and come up here with your mother and I so that we can deal with her."

"No." Emma shook her head, "You don't deny it then? That you tried to kill her? Was it you father or was it you mother? Which one of you tried to kill her?"

"Emma," Her father began again.

"No! Answer me! Which one of you tried to kill her?" Her voice rose in pitch sounding a bit hysterical.

Everyone in the hall watched as a look of horror passed over the princess' beautiful face. "I can't believe you." She spoke again. "Which one of you did it? Which one of you tried to cut her down?" She demanded.

"I did." Her father finally spoke. "She was determined to hurt our family Emma and I stopped her."

"Well who could blame her after what you did to her!" Emma yelled before she turned to face Regina again. "Take me with you. I don't want to be here any longer."

"Emma!" Snow screamed as Regina held out her hand without a word.

Emma didn't hesitate to take her hand and together they disappeared in a puff of smoke as her mother collapsed against her father screaming at the disappearance of her only child.

Emma opened her eyes the moment she felt solid ground under her feet. She was still holding Regina's hand with one of her own. Her other arm was thrown around the older woman's neck. They were standing quite close together but Emma didn't mind in the least. Of course she was still upset with everything that had happened. She couldn't believe her parents would be so cruel to the woman she loved so dearly. How could her mother hurt Regina so badly? She didn't understand it. Regina didn't immediately break free of their contact so Emma took a chance and leaned into her holding her tightly. "I'm so sorry." She murmured near her ear. "I had no idea they had hurt you so badly."

Regina didn't respond immediately but she did bring her other arm up around Emma. "How could you?" She finally asked. "I didn't tell you and they didn't either."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Emma pulled away just enough to look at her.

Regina sighed, "I was trying to protect you. I didn't think you should know something like that." She finally answered.

Emma's eyes softened, "Of course I should've known. They're my parents. They're supposedly these great people that never do anything to harm anyone but clearly they both hurt you very badly."

Regina shrugged, "I'm evil remember? Things are black and white in this world. What hurt was inflicted on me I rightly deserved."

"That's not true at all!" Emma cried, "You didn't deserve to be hurt, no one does. No matter if they're black or white as you put it."

Regina sighed, "Now that you're here, what am going to do with you?"

Emma smiled, "I can think of a few things. I'm sorry I made you bring me along like that."

"I wouldn't have brought you along if I wasn't willing." Regina pointed out still not making a move to step away from Emma which pleased the blonde immensely.

"I know. I'm just glad you don't hold my parents crimes against me."

Regina hummed softly but didn't say anything. Emma studied her face, "You don't do you?" She asked.

"Of course not," Regina answered immediately.

Emma was too in love to use her common sense about this woman. She merely smiled and pulled her as close as she could which was saying something since they were already quite close. "May I kiss you Regina?" She asked softly, looking at Regina's beautiful red lips refusing to meet her eyes.

Regina merely smiled and leaned forward slightly. Red lips met pink and Emma felt like there were dozens of fireworks going off in her brain as she lost all focus on the world aside from the soft flesh pressed against hers. This was how their first kiss should've been, she thought hazily still seeing stars.

When Regina slowly pulled away Emma followed trying to catch her lips once again. Regina lifted her hand from Emma's waist laying her finger against her lips to stop her. "You'll pass out if I keep kissing you like that." She remarked softly which earned her a small smile and a kiss pressed to her finger. She watched as Emma pulled away finally looking around. "Everything is so…black…"

"I went through a phase." Regina murmured dryly.

"I'll say." Emma muttered, "Black is a good color for you. Though I must confess I'm rather fond of you in light blue."

"Light blue," Regina cocked her head, "I haven't worn light colors in a long time."

"I can see that. Your father gave me a painting of your remember? You were wearing a light blue dress. It was a really good color on you." Emma shrugged. "Of course I think the "evil" queen wouldn't even be caught dead in a light color so I suppose I'll have to make due with my second favorite color on you."

"Which is," Regina prompted after Emma trailed off.

"Red." Emma grinned at her.

"Is it because I was wearing it in the coffin?"

"No…well yes… but not totally; it's just red looks so good on you and it was the first color I ever saw you wear so I suppose it has some sort of sentimental value to me."

"Ah well then I suppose I'll have to wear it more often then." Regina smiled at her which caused Emma to grin back.

"I suppose you will."

"Emma, what are you doing here?" Henry's voice interrupted them. Dressed in the same dark finery as his daughter he was every bit the royal Emma had once imagined him.

"Hello Henry." She greeted with a smile stepping back a bit from his daughter. She didn't however release her hold on Regina's hand. She noticed Regina actually dovetailed their fingers before she turned to fully face her father.

"We had a bit of a snag at the party. We decided it was best to come back here. "Regina explained as her father smiled. He really was quite fond of the young blonde.

"Well I'm glad you've come to visit."

"Actually if it's all right with both of you I'd like to stay for a while." Emma looked at Regina and then Henry.

"Well I can only speak for me but I would be delighted to have you stay." Henry offered looking at his daughter.

"You're welcome here." Regina offered softly giving Emma's hand a tender squeeze.

Emma smiled back and nodded, "Thank you both. I really appreciate it."

Author's Notes: Sorry this didn't get up sooner than now guys. I got really sick with either food poisoning or the stomach flu not sure which one yet. Still dealing with the remnants of it. I stayed home from work today and just slept all day. Anyways, let me know what you think like always and you guys rock! When I was awake I was able to use my phone to check your reviews and they made me smile so much. Thank you for sticking with this story and making this such a pleasurable experience for me. ~ Bella