A/N: Writer's block is a bitch, but a late update is better than no update yes?
"Good morning Miss Mills."
A young female nurse came into the room smiling brightly at her. It didn't feel like a good morning. She couldn't sleep and her body was aching.
"I just need to check your dressing"
She gave the woman a nod to go ahead and she set to work.
"Any word from the police?" The nurse asked.
"None. However, I am certain the cameras will reveal the culprit or at least give a general description."
"For your sake I hope so. It's a terrible thing to have happened. " The nurse gently lifted up her hospital gown and she fought the urge to pull away. She was by no means a modest woman, but being so on display in her weakened state was uncomfortable. However, this woman was just doing her job she had likely seen far worse. For that reason she relaxed just a little more.
"Everything checks out okay but I'm going to clean the area just to be sure. Give me a moment and I'll be back."
She nodded again and the nurse left.
In her absence she tried to spot a clock in the room but the hospital frustratingly didn't have one. She didn't like being unaware of the time of day. It couldn't have been too late in the morning Emma would have been here if it was.
"So you're a teacher?" The nurse was back and trying to make some small talk.
"Yes... I teach English."
"Oh that's my favorite subject!"
She raised an eyebrow at the redhead. Somehow she didn't think that was true.
"Really? "
"Yeah. I've read all of Shakespeare's work, and I love Steinbeck and Bradbury." The woman lifted her gown again and was prodding around area with a wet cloth.
"Excellent choices. However, I suggest you read some Jennifer Basset if you haven't yet."
"I suppose I'll have to." The woman replied as she continued with her task. It was easier dealing with the pain when her mind was distracted. Perhaps small talk wasn't always so bad. However she didn't know what to say now.
"There may be some side effects from the medication you're on. Have you been experiencing anything abnormal?"
"No. Just sore."
"That's expected." The nurse quickly finished cleaning around her wound.
"Just tell us if you notice or feel anything strange. "
"Okay."
"And don't worry I'm sure you'll be out of here soon." The nurse was already heading out.
"Excuse me." The woman stopped and turned back towards the bed. "What time is it?"
"Oh. It's 8:34."
"Thank you..." She smiled and carried on her way.
Emma had never been an early riser so she tried to suppress the pang of sadness that came with discovering just how late into the morning it actually was.
She sighed and relaxed back into the hospital bed. Maybe if she closed her eyes she'd fall back asleep. She didn't want to think about Emma, the museum, Gold, her job, her recovery. It was all too taxing and would without a doubt consume her if she stayed awake, nothing but the hospital walls to entertain her. So she tried again. Eyes shut and head back she lay there with her limbs gradually beginning to feel heavier, like several stones weighing them down, she emptied her mind and slowly succumbed to the sleep that had been eluding her before. Her peaceful slumber lasted for about an hour until a warming, familiar hand was brushing against her cheek.
"Regina." Her eyes fluttered open. "Hey..."
Emma was smiling lovingly down at her like she was the most important thing in the world. The sensation made her forget about Emma's late appearance. It didn't matter anymore.
"I almost didn't want to wake you...but I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten about you. "
Emma's thumb gently caressed the side of her jaw while those beautiful green eyes washed over and absorbed every single inch of her face. Regina was at a loss for words.
"Well?" Emma chuckled. "Don't I get a hello?"
Emma retracted her hand and she was shaken from her thoughts,and out of that heart fluttering torrent Emma had put her in.
She smiled at Emma and nodded.
"Hello Emma."
Emma returned the smile and sat down on the side of her bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"I hate to sound cliche but a lot better now that you're here."
Emma beamed at her but it quickly faded.
"Really though. Are you...in pain?"
"No. I imagine it's the medication though."
Emma stared at the tops of her sneakers before speaking.
"If theres anything you need just ask okay?"
"Emma, I'm injured not handicapped."
"Yeah but I don't want you to feel like it would be a burden if you did need something."
"If I do you'll be the first person I ask."
Emma didn't look reassured but she didn't push the matter any further.
"I wasn't sure if you would want Henry here so Mary Margaret is watching him right now."
"Its probably best he doesn't see me like this..."
She felt helpless and she knew she looked like a mess.
"Regina... Are you upset with me?"
" No. Of course not! Why would you think that?"
"I cost you your job-"
"That I was already planning to leave."
"But-"
She gently grabbed Emma's wrist.
"I'm not upset. If you thought I was that's only because I was hoping you would have shown up earlier. That's it." Their eyes locked and Emma understood.
"Sorry..." Emma smiled sadly and placed a kiss to her forehead. She didn't want an apology just Emma's affection. She had missed her and that kiss wasn't enough. She hooked her hand behind Emma's neck and gently pulled her in for a tender kiss. Emma hadn't been expecting it so she nearly stumbled onto the bed and had to break them apart.
"Warn a girl next time." Emma laughed as she quickly returned with a proper kiss. She smiled into, enjoying the feeling of contentment that always seemed to accompany the feel of Emma's lips, and even just being around her.
"Emma." She breathed. "Move in with me."
Emma stilled in her arms. She knew it. It was too soon she was asking too much.
"Really?"
She nodded unable to push down the emotion rising in her throat.
"I'd love to...but that would mean Henry too."
" There's plenty of room and I would never ask you to choose I would love it if you both moved in."
"Wow." Emma smiled. "Yeah. I'll move in." Emma's eyes shimmered and she pressed another kiss to her lips.
"My name is Mr. Porter and I will be your teacher for the remainder of this year. "
She already didn't like this man he had an air of snobbiness around him and nobody could ever replace Regina.
"I won't tolerate any foolishness and I don't like being interrupted. Any questions you have must be accompanied by a raised hand and you will sit in your assigned seats. Understood?" The man scanned the room with beady eyes. He looked like a rat she found herself thinking. "Now everybody line up against the wall so I can place you in your seat."
"Emma Swan." Of course she would be seated closest to his desk- Regina's rightful desk. The remainder of the class was seated and she felt uneasy at a sudden observation she made. Everybody else was alphabetically seated except her. Why? Was the school making him monitor her behavior?
"Now open your lit books to chapter 8 ."
"We've passed chapter 8." Neal said.
"I am the teacher and your previous teacher did a horrible job. The subject matter must be covered again." His voice was stern and almost thundering but that's not what had her itching to storm out of the room. His words were harsh and presumptuous. Regina was an excellent teacher. Besides how could he already know their intellectual levels? Still she followed through with his instructions and all of their books were quickly opened on top of their desks.
"Read the section. Then write down your reaction to the author's words and summarize his main point." That was all he said before sitting down behind Regina's desk. He glared them down and they were propelled into motion.
She watched him begin ruffling through the desk and an anger began to stir. Regina's things were still in there. She had no time to retrieve them. He had no right.
"Miss Swan." He mumbled. "I do appreciate it when I have your attention however it isn't warranted at the moment. Do your work."
She clenched her jaw and cast her gaze down. He was smirking at her. She could feel it and she heard it in his voice. He continued rifling through her stuff and she fought the need to yell out. Then he just stopped. She lifted her head back to him and felt her stomach drop. He had Regina's phone. Why did she leave it here? Oh no please let there be a pass code. The smirk on his face continued to grow and it was clear she didn't have a pass code. Fuck.
"That's not yours." She couldn't help it. She wasn't going to watch him violated her privacy. "You're right but it's not yours either."
He was still going through it and his eyebrow shot up. He snapped it shut and leaned forward in her chair.
"Well well Miss Swan it seems you were offered a chance to earn extra credit. " his voice lowered so nobody else could hear. "You're in luck. I just so happen to be that kind of teacher. " she felt sick. Regina wasn't like that she wasn't like that. What a pervert!
"I don't need extra credit.' She ground out.
" hmm we'll see." He smirked once more and she angrily buried her face behind the textbook. She was going straight to Gold's office after this shit.
He chuckled and went straight back to looking through Regina phone. Nope. Not gonna happen.
In one swift motion, she slammed the book shut, ripped the phone from his hands and headed for the door.
"Miss Swan.' He growled. " Do not leave."
"Or what?" She stopped to wait for his reply.
He sputtered for a proper retort and when he didn't have one she carried on feeling a victory smirk tugging on her mouth.
The high didn't last though as she made it to Gold's office.
"You may enter." He said casually.
His eyes lit up upon seeing her. "Ahh Miss Swan what can I do for you? Though shouldn't you be in class?"
"Yes... But you see its about Mr. Porter...I want to file a complaint. "
"I'm sorry. I'm afraid I can't take it. Your reaction to his presence is expected. Simply because he's not Regina no?"
"No! He's a pervert and beyond rude."
"Miss Swan I can't help but feel that this is some sort of attempt at rehiring Miss Mills."
"No! He was rifling through her things and he made an inappropriate suggestion directed towards my behavior."
"I'm sorry... But I'm going to have to ask you to return to class. I'll keep your complaint in mind but teachers are in short supply and I'm afraid I'll have to keep him around. If something else arises don't hesitate to tell me."
She huffed in frustration and left the room. She respected Gold so she hoped by staying on his good side he would see for what he really was, a creep.
After the school day and a quick call to Mary Margaret Emma drove straight to the hospital. Regina was being released today and she wanted to be there for her.
She bought her a giant teddy bear to cuddle with in the passenger seat and left it there as a surprise. She knew it was a bit childish, that Regina would roll her eyes at first but deep down she'd secretly cherish it.
She smiled back at it and headed into the hospital.
Regina was sitting upright, talking with a nurse and when she caught her eye the smile was instantaneous. The nurse turned upon noticing the shift in Regina's face.
"Hey." She said. "I didn't mean to interrupt. I can step out if you need me to."
"No. Its okay. " Regina replied. "Stephanie was just going over the healing process."
Regina nodded for the nurse to continue and she stood off to the side silently listening in.
"As I was saying you need to make sure the area is properly cleaned and monitor it for any signs of infection. I'll demonstrate the proper way to change your dressing before you leave and." she turned to Emma. "you can watch as well. Just in case she needs any help." She nodded at the nurse and walked over to the pair. Regina shied away from her gaze and she wondered what she was thinking. Was Regina embarrassed? She didn't have time to further question it though as the nurse just delve right into it.
"It's important to clean and wash your hands before and after changing the bandage." The Nurse rose and did so at a sink in the corner of the room. During this time she sat on the edge of Regina's bed and reached for her hand but Regina refused to even look at her let alone hold her hand. It hurt but she tried to understand.
"I hope you aren't squeamish." The woman replied and it pulled her away from staring at the vacant look on Regina's face to the still bleeding wound in her side. She had expected it too look better than it did by for Regina she kept her surprise at bay.
"You shouldn't get the wound wet yet and definitely don't use any cleansers, soaps, antibacterials or alcohols on it." She said this time specifically to Regina. "Changing the dressing is easy. After discarding the old dressing You just clean the area like so." Regina bit her lip as the nurse took some gauze and dabbed on an ointment to her stitched up wound. "This is the only approved antibiotic you should use. The hospital will provide you with it before you leave. " about ten seconds later the nurse was finished paying it. "Now you just apply a new, clean and dry bandage. Then you're done. See very easy ladies."
After the new dressing was in place the nurse returned to the sink and Regina shifted uncomfortably in the bed.
"Regina what's wrong?" She whispered.
"Not now." Regina hushed back.
"Ok."
"Your risk of infection has decreased but you can never be too sure. You shouldn't do anything to strenuous and I would highly recommend you stay in bed for at least another day or two due to the location of your wound. Do you have any questions?"
"Yeah. "
Both turned to her surprised she might have blushed if she didn't feel so concerned.
"How often should she change it and how do we know that an infection isn't occurring?" She ignored Regina's heavy gaze as the nurse quickly gave her reply.
"When the dressing gets dirty or it bleeds through. I'd recommend once a day. Also just monitor the area for any excess discharge and if she has a long lasting fever there is reason to be concerned." The nurse smiled softly. "Anymore questions?"
"No."
"All right then. Miss Mills I will be back shortly with your discharge papers."
"Thank you Stephanie."
"My pleasure."
The nurse left and Regina instantly retreated into herself. This wasn't at all how she expected Regina to behave and it worried her.
"Will you talk to me now? What's got you so...quiet?"
"I'm sorry Emma...I don't feel like myself right now. And this is just a lot to take in."
"Just remember I'm here for you."
Regina gave her a watery smile.
"I know and I love you for it."
This time Regina let her take her hand and a relief found her.
"When I tried to touch you earlier. Why did you pull away?"
"Emma..."
"Please. I won't judge you for it." After a moment of consideration Regina opened up.
"I didn't want to feel dependent on you...and I was feeling exposed. I don't like the situation I'm in Emma and I don't like the idea of burdening you with this. You have enough to deal with."
"You are not a burden Regina. If anyone should be one it's me. I have no money, a kid and I still live with my mother. You do realize me moving In with you puts a huge guilt on me. I have very little income to offer you. Its not fair." The shock on Regina s face told her she hasn't even considered finances. "I don't even have a job Regina...I'm a loser."
"Money doesn't matter to me and you're going to school to pursue a job. That is far from losing. I want you to move in with me because I don't think...I truly don't think I can do this alone." There was a small quiver in her voice and she realized she had never seen Regina start to cry like this, where she was struggling to hold them back but failing miserably against her will. The sight tugged at her chest painfully like someone caught a hook in her heart. "You've changed who I am Emma. The old me could handle this but...I can't. I don't- " she took in a shaky breath."I don't want to be alone anymore."
She found tears welling in her own eyes and pulled Regina into her, doing her best not to cause her injury any more pain
" You have me."
Regina's hands gripped at the back of her shirt, like she were afraid to loosen her grip for just a second in fear of losing her, and It made her heartache even more.
"I promise you will never be alone."