Disclaimer: The dialogue within the dream sequences is directly from Once Upon a Time TV show. So I do not own the words written within the dialogue of those scenes.

Note: Hope you enjoy this chapter. If you love it... why not leave a review. ;) Love my readers you guys are the best! *mwah*

Chapter 14

Memories Collide

Almost two hours had passed as they continued to fight their way through minions, generals, and tainted lands as Defenders of the Realm, when Regina sighed out in frustration. She threw the offending card in her hand onto the table, showing that the Undead general had entered Monarch City, thus ending the game. "Well this is simply ridiculous. We've played this long and this is our demise? I'm a sorceress! I could easily take a ball of fire to..." She began raising her voice then noticed the looks she was receiving from the other two at the table and stopped, realizing what she was saying. Composing herself, she reeled in her emotions as she tried to backpedal her way out of her slight blunder. "Well… I mean... I'm playing a... sorceress. How can she not just banish the general back to where he came from if she so chooses?" Henry chuckled. "She doesn't have that kind of power, and that's not how the game is played." Regina folded her arms in aggravation. "This game is impossible to beat. Why would you give your son such things?" She turned to look at Emma, who was trying desperately to hold in her own laughter but to no avail. The infectious mood coiled it's way around the brunette and she soon found herself joining in as well.

After the much needed distraction of laughter, they finally cleared the game from the table and placed it back in the box. As Emma put the lid on, she glanced at her watch and noticed the time. "It's not that much longer until New Year's. I didn't realize it was so late." Henry nodded and yawned a little as he took the game from her to put with his stuff. "Why don't the two of you have a seat over on the couch and I will fix some drinks for us while we wait." Regina stated as she stood up from the table. "Can I have some hot chocolate?" Henry asked as he went to plop down on the floor with Maddie, the dog placing her head on his lap. The brunette glanced toward Emma for agreement on the matter before answering the boy. "Of course, dear." Regina went to grab two fluted glasses from the cabinet first. "Actually, could you make that two?" The other woman spoke up when she saw her reaching for the glasses. Regina looked over her shoulder as Emma gave her a small nervous smile, shoving her hands in her back pockets. The brunette gave a faint smile in return and put the two glasses back, setting out 3 mugs instead.

Once the hot chocolate was ready, Regina put a dollop of whip cream on each and sprinkled cinnamon then placed them on a small tray to carry over. She set the tray down on the small table next to the couch and walked over to hand one to Henry on the floor. "Here you are." The boy took the mug and his eyes grew a little wide a moment when he saw the cinnamon and looked up at her with a smile as his brow scrunched slightly in thought. "How'd you know about the cinnamon?" She simply gave him a warm smile and touched his head before coming back and taking another mug to hand to Emma before grabbing her own and sitting down on the couch. Emma arched her brow in curiosity at Regina as she sat next to her, then leaned over closer to her and whispered to her. "How did you know he liked cinnamon in his hot chocolate?" The brunette turned her head slowly to the inquiring woman, looking wistfully into her eyes, and it stirred something within Emma. I've seen that look. I swear I've known this woman before. But, that's impossible. "Hey what channel are we going to watch?" Henry asked as he grabbed the remote from in front of the TV, jarring the two women's attention from one another as they turned towards him.

The boy clicked through the channels and after finding one they all agreed on, a comfortable silence soon fell upon them as they watched the festivities on the screen. Henry had finished his hot chocolate and placed his mug back on the tray then laid down on the floor, resting his head on Maddie, who had found a favorite spot to sleep. Emma placed her hand over her mouth as a small yawn she had been holding in finally escaped, blinking her eyes a few times to try and stay awake. Within a matter of minutes Henry was dozing off as the dog let him continue using her as a pillow. "He really does love that dog." Emma commented quietly as she watched her son drift to sleep. "He always talks about wanting one. Maybe I should look into getting one for him." She silently thought again of the future and what it held for them. Was Regina in it? The blonde continued looking over him, noticing Henry's hand still slowly petting Maddie's fur even in the boy's slumber.

"Thank you, for today." Emma stated softly, glancing over to the woman sitting next to her; she wanted to say more but her words fell short as she regarded the brunette's simple elegance as the dim light caressed her face. "You're welcome." Regina answered back, as she felt the other woman's eyes upon her. She slowly turned her gaze away from the TV and fixed it upon Emma. "I enjoy the time I am able to spend with you and Henry." She stated in earnest, receiving a small shy smile in return from the blonde. "The fact that you put him first, it just... it meant a lot, to both of us." Regina's brow arched slightly. "I always put Henry first." She said sincerely, then realizing the words that had spilled forth, she averted her eyes down as she turned away. Emma looked at the woman in slight confusion at her reaction to her own words. The blonde felt there was more there but chose to say nothing and slowly turned away herself as the silence consumed them once more.

Half an hour slipped by with little being said between the two women, both had drifted off into their own thoughts. Regina was still thinking of the blonde's question to her of how she knew he liked cinnamon in his hot chocolate; that was the second occasion that night she had slipped up. Now that she found herself spending more time with them, she realized it was getting harder to hide the truth from them. "Emma, I…" Regina went to start as she turned to look at the other woman, but found the blonde had fallen sound asleep, her head resting against the back of the couch. She gently reached over to pry the mug from the woman's hand to place it on the tray but as she did, Emma stirred and slid sideways, coming to a rest against Regina, her head softly falling on the brunette's shoulder. The mug clanged against the tray as it slipped through Regina's fingers. She froze in place, waiting for the other woman to wake; Emma simply scrunched her brow at the noise but made no further signs of awareness as she continued to sleep.

Gradually, Regina relaxed back against the couch, her movement causing the blonde to adjust more and find comfort as she nestled a little closer to the other woman, her hand coming to rest on Regina's arm. The brunette sat there as the countdown clock on the TV reached zero and watched as the confetti fell and fireworks burst. Turning off the TV, she glanced down at Henry sleeping on the floor, then to Emma who was resting against her. "Happy New Year." She whispered somberly in the silence of the room; the only other noise to be heard was the faint sounds of people outside, celebrating down in the streets. She closed her eyes and rested her head back against the couch, wishing to savor just a few more moments with her family so near. No pretense or games. No questions or uncertainties. Just a quiet moment in time she could hold in her heart to light the darkness.

Regina wasn't sure how long she had been resting there when she woke from a light slumber, finding her head resting against Emma's. She looked around to find everything still and quiet. Maddie, at some point during her short sleep, had gotten up and moved next to Henry instead, the boy's arm wrapped lovingly around her. Slowly, Regina maneuvered herself off of the couch as she tried carefully not to wake the other other woman; Emma stretched in her sleep as she gradually slipped down to lay her head on the arm of it. Regina gently lifted the blonde's legs to place them on the couch and let her stretch out as she removed the woman's boots before going to grab a couple of pillows and blankets for her two guests. She walked over and draped a warm blanket over Henry and placed a pillow carefully under his head, Maddie lifting her own to see what was going on. "Shhh. Stay with them tonight, darling." She stated to the dog and Maddie laid her head back down a little closer to the boy. Regina took a moment to run her fingers through Henry's hair and caress his cheek. "Even if you never remember, you will always be my little prince. Goodnight." She whispered then stood back up and went over to cover Emma, situating a pillow under her head as well. After placing the pillow, she looked upon the blonde's peaceful face as she slumbered and slowly leaned in, her lips but a simple brush away from the other woman's soft temple. But realization at what she was about to do struck her at the last instance, stopping herself as she backed away to stand with a sad smile. She moved to turn off the few lights still lingering and headed into her own bedroom to sleep.

"I can feel it. Like, oxygen's being sucked out of the air." Emma stated, slightly out of breath. She held her flashlight up as she lead the way deeper into the mine, Regina following close behind her. "Not the oxygen... the magic." Regina corrected the blonde as they rounded a corner. "There it is." She stated as she stopped Emma a moment to walk around her, spotting the jewel hovering in mid-air and emitting a bright blue light up ahead. "Once it stops glowing, it's destruction is achieved. And then... well then we'll see the real carnage." She continued as they carefully approached the source of the light. Regina continued to walk around and stand on the other side of it as they both kept their eyes fixated on the jewel. "I'll try to contain its energy as long as I can." She commented as she looked over to the blonde standing before her.

"It won't be long. We'll have the bean soon and then we'll get the hell out of here." Emma said reassuringly, though her actions said otherwise, as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other and back. She didn't like the feeling down there, or being anywhere near that cursed jewel for that matter. She knew things would be fine once they got the magic bean… they had to be. She looked up at Regina and her heart clenched when she saw the slight shake of Regina's head. "Slowing the device…" The brunette looked up to meet her eyes. "It's going to require all the strength I have." Regina emphasised the last words, trying to convey to the blonde the harsh reality of her choice she had made for them. She couldn't bring herself to say the true words of her actions and hoped Emma would understand the meaning. This was it. This was the price she was willing to pay to protect their son, and hopefully redeem herself in his eyes some day… even if she would not be there to see it.

It was then that Emma realized what Regina had meant back at the apartment, and she felt a lump grow in her throat. "You're not coming with us, are you?" She asked, searching the brunette's eyes for any other answer than the one she felt hanging in the air, but all she was met with was the grave reality. "When you said goodbye to Henry, you were saying goodbye." She finally understood, Regina thought, finding herself no longer able to look the other woman in the eye and instead shifted her gaze down at the jewel between them. Emma could see the beginning of tears glistening upon the woman's lashes as Regina began to speak. "He knows I love him, doesn't he?" A faint somber smile formed upon her lips as she looked to the blonde once more.

Emma cocked her head just the slightest, a pleading look in her eyes. "Regina… no, there has got to be another way." She took a step toward the other woman. "You were right you know? Everything that is happening is my fault. I created this device, it's only fitting that it takes my life." Regina stood there, the certainty of her sacrifice rooting her to the spot. She continued to try desperately to make the other woman understand there were no other true options left. In her mind, it was the only certainty they had of escape. "What am I supposed to tell Henry?" Emma asked with a hint of defiance in her tone. Regina looked down, pondering a brief moment before cocking her head wistfully as she looked back up at her. "Tell him in the end it wasn't too late for me to do the right thing." A brief warm, yet somber smile came upon her face as she looked to the woman standing across from her. For once realizing she had finally broken free of the dark shackles of hate and vengeance that had been holding her. She could do the right thing; she would do it for her son. She slowly lowered her gaze back to the glowing gem.

"Regina, please." Emma pleaded to her softly, wishing the brunette would change her mind. She couldn't say goodbye to someone else again so soon, and she didn't want it to be Regina she had to say it to. The other woman shot her head back up with a doleful expression. "Everyone sees me as the Evil Queen, including my son. Let me die as Regina." She cocked her head to the side once more as she beseeched the other woman to let her do what must be done. Emma's face fell in defeat, knowing Regina had made it final in that moment, and there was no changing that. She turned away in sadness to leave; with the mundane motion feeling heavier with each step taken, so too was the weight on her heart growing. Emma had only managed to take a few steps before she stopped, feeling she needed to confess. "Regina, I…" She turned to speak, but it had already begun. Regina harnessed her magical powers and reached out her hands to contain the gem for as long as she could. Emma's brow creased as she looked from the glowing ball of light to Regina, realizing it was too late. This was truly happening and she… they weren't going to see each other again. Henry was going to lose his mother. A single tear glistened, marking Regina's cheek as it fell; her faint smile showing she was content with her choice. Emma dejectedly lowered her head before turning and heading out of the mine.

Emma tossed in her sleep, wanting to tell her dream self to go back; don't leave her there. A tear escaped and stained her cheek as she continued to sleep. The slight noise in the silence awakened Maddie from her own slumber, the dog raising it's head to look over in the direction of the blonde woman on the couch. The dog stirred and tried to get up off the floor as Henry's arm slipped off of her. Maddie padded over to where the distressed woman lay and nuzzled her gently before scooting closer to the couch and resting her head on the woman's stomach, calming her almost instantly. Once Maddie sensed she was no longer needed, she walked in a circle a few times before plopping down in front of the couch, laying as close to it as possible as she felt the need to protect the human. Emma slowly slipped into another dream...

"You did it?" Emma asked as she walked into the diner, looking to David. "Yeah." He answered back, a little winded. It was then she noticed the blood where his shirt sleeve was ripped. "You okay?" She questioned as she went to touch it. He looked down where at it as he moved his arm away a bit. "Yeah it's grazed. It's fine." After making sure he was okay Emma stepped back and turned towards the others in the diner. "Okay. Let's get going. Henry." She went to her son and reached out for him. Henry stood there looking around behind her. "Where's my mom?" Emma had been dreading that question on the way over, knowing it was to come. "Regina can hold down the self destruct device long enough for us to escape but…" Henry's brow raised, not getting what his mom was going on about. "But what?" Henry asked with an undertone of worry in his voice. Emma took a breath to try and prepare herself, knowing what these next words were likely to do to him but she had to give him the truth. "She won't survive."

Henry was quiet, staring at her as he took in what his mother had told him. Then it finally sunk in what she meant and it hit him like a rock. "No." He shook his head. "No!" He stated again, more forcefully. "Henry, I'm sorry. I promised her I would get you to safety." Emma apologized and explained as best she could her reasoning. "But we can't do this, she's family!" The boy protested back at her. "We don't leave family behind!" The blonde creased her brow and placed her hands on the side of her son's shoulders. "This is what she wants. We have a way out, we have to take it." She pleaded with him in desperation, knowing they didn't have much time, but the boy wouldn't accept it. "We saved her from being killed by the wraith. How is this any different?"

"The wraith." Mary Margaret commented causing Emma to look up in her direction. "What?" Emma asked, a bit confused how this talk of the wraith was of any help. "We sent it through a portal, why can't we do the same thing with the self-destruct?" The other woman asked as she looked over at her. "Because we don't know if it's going to work?" Emma stated back, feeling she was stating the obvious and looked at the woman as though she were crazy. "It could." Mary Margaret continued to suggest the idea. "Yeah." David chimed in coming to stand by them. She looked between the two of them "It's too risky. No one will go along with it." With that others began to chime in that they would go along with it because it was the right thing to do. It's what they should and will do. Emma was baffled at the reaction from people around her. She reached out as Henry moved over to her and wrapped her arms around him tightly in a hug. "I know we haven't had a lot of chances to be parents but, let us do this one? Let us do the right thing. It's not too late." Mary Margaret appealed to the blonde. "I just don't want him to be alone. I don't want him to grow up like I did." Emma stated softly, her eyes beginning to water. She could tell both Mary Margaret and David wanted to say more but before they could, the ground began to shake violently under them, knocking them apart from each other.

"This plan could fail." Emma started as she got her footing once again. "We use that bean now; we can get away for sure. We will survive." She continued as she pointed to the pouch David was holding. "But it's wrong! Emma I killed her mother." Mary Margaret protested in earnest. "You did that to Cora because you had to." Emma reasoned against the woman's statement. "I did it because it was easy; it was a mistake. There were other paths, harder paths. And I wish I had taken them." Mary Margaret walked over to her. "So please Emma, honey. Let's take the hard path, because if we don't… we'll be building a future on Regina's blood." Emma looked at her son then to up to the other two people standing in front of her, all three pleading to her with looks in their eyes until she finally gave in. "Okay."

Emma gripped the side of the couch as the ground shook in her dream. Tossing her head to the side she mumbled something as she fought desperately to keep control while her dream began to confuse her and shift out of focus. "Regina." She called out softly in her sleep as her other hand gripped the blanket around her. She felt as though she was falling into an abyss, her dream world swirling around her like a vortex of energy. She squeezed her hand that was holding the couch even tighter. Maddie sat up and licked her hand gently and nuzzled it till Emma finally began to loosen it, the chaos in her mind gradually settling. The dog nuzzled her nose under the blonde's hand till Emma calmed once more, slowly stroking Maddie's head absent-mindedly in her sleep. The dog rested its head on the edge of the couch as she continued to be petted, and kept watch over the blonde as she slept.

Regina stood there, still holding her powers against the jewel to contain it. "I can't contain this much longer." She stated and Emma could see how worn out she was getting. Regina gave her a look of regret, feeling as though she had failed all of them, shifting her gaze from the blonde to Henry standing over with the others. Emma slowly walked over to her family. "Mom. Dad." She spoke, holding back from crying as she moved in to hug them tightly one last time, with Henry squeezed in between them. Regina watched on at the scene with pure sorrow in her expression, and within her heart. She had failed her son. While the others clung to one another, she... had no one. She slowly shifted her gaze back to the jewel as her brow creased in defeat, knowing it was only a matter of time before she could no longer hold back it's destruction.

When Henry looked over at her and saw the pain in his mother's eyes, he maneuvered out from the other's arms and walked over to where Regina stood. She looked up and choked back tears when she saw him. "I love you Henry. I just wish I was strong enough to stop all this." She broke down at that moment and looked away, no longer able to hold back the tears. Henry wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug, closing his eyes as he clung to her even tighter. "I'm just not." Regina choked out softly as she leaned her head against her son's. The brunette's last words hit Emma as she thought of something. She pulled back from her parent's embrace as the idea began to take root. It might be completely crazy but, maybe not. With eyes wide she glanced from Regina, to the jewel, and back again as she slowly approached. "You may not be strong enough…" Her expression changed to one of conviction. "But maybe we are." She looked at the brunette, raising her brow as though silently asking if they should give it a shot because what do they have to lose? Regina's non-answer was answer enough for the blonde as the others moved out of the way while Emma prepared herself to try her hand at her own magic to help.

Reaching out towards the glowing force, Emma began to feel a slight tingle in her fingers before the energy soon attached itself, growing stronger by the second as her own magic force joined the mix. She felt the jolt as it latched on to her, causing her body to shake slightly as she tried to contain it. She noticed a faint smile appear on Regina's face as the brunette began to feel the pressure ease off, feeling it was slightly more manageable again. Regina looked up to see Emma struggling to keep herself in check, realizing it was taking a lot from her. They both lowered their eyes to the glowing mass between them to focus when they felt the intensity begin to grow. Regina's her own hands began to shake violently as the combined magic grew stronger; both women using every ounce of their being to keep it in check. Just when Emma thought they were about to lose all control of the harnessed magic, a blast originating from the jewel burst forth and sent them flying back.

Emma jerked awake and bolted up in a sitting position on the couch, small beads of sweat glistened on her brow as she tried to catch her breath. She looked around disoriented in her surroundings as a slow panic began to form, still reeling from her intense dream. When her eyes fell upon Henry sleeping soundly on the floor close by her she touched her chest in silent relief. Maddie woke with a yawn and stretched before getting up to check on her charge that her human left her to watch over. The Beauceron whined a little and pawed at the couch causing Emma to shift her gaze to her. It was then that her memories began to surface from the night before; she was in Regina's apartment. Last thing she remembered, they were watching the countdown to New Years. She looked around for any sign of the brunette but all was quiet except for her and Maddie. Scooting her legs up so she could make room for the dog she patted the cushion in front of her as the Beauceron jumped up on the couch with her. "Guess she's still sleeping hmm?" She whispered to Maddie as she scratched behind her ears

The sound of a key in the door caused both to look up over the couch as the door opened and Regina came in quietly with a bag in her arms. When she heard the tags on her dog's collar clang, she glanced over to see Emma sitting there. "Good morning. Sorry if I woke you." She stated in a hushed tone as she turned to head into her kitchen area and set the bag on the table. Emma couldn't help herself as she broke into a smile just from seeing the other woman. "Good morning." She whispered back, throwing the blanket off her as she got up from the couch then walked over to where Regina was pulling things from the bag she had set down. "And you didn't wake me, by the way." Emma stated as she picked up an item off the table to look at. "Some really strange and intense dreams did." She continued as she put the item back down then noticed two new toothbrushes and arched her brow. "Oh?" Regina looked up at her with concern. "It's nothing. Just... crazy dreams." Emma brushed it off with a shrug of her shoulders. "So what was so important that you had to go out at…" She glanced over at the clock. "7:30 in the morning?" The blonde asked, changing the subject. "Well, I needed a few things anyway, so I decided to step out and get everyone some breakfast and picked up a couple of toothbrushes and such since I figured you probably didn't bring any, the impromptu sleepover after all." Regina commented lightheartedly as she took the breakfast items over to the counter to begin preparing them. Emma blushed as she looked down at the remaining items and then back up to the brunette as she walked away.

"Yeah, um sorry we fell asleep on you last night." The blonde apologized as she shoved her hands in her back pockets. "Why didn't you just wake us up?" Making her way over to where the other woman stood, Emma glanced down and caught her reflection in the toaster. Her eyes grew wide in embarrassment at the mess that was her hair. Mortified, she reached up and ran her fingers through it quickly, trying to salvage any dignity she still had left. Here is this woman who looks flawless and you look like shit, Swan. "You were both sleeping so peacefully, I didn't see the need to disturb you." Regina responded as she dropped the small container into the coffee maker and pressed start. "Besides, the streets would have been full of idiots at that time of night and I'd rather you and Henry not be out in that." Emma smiled softly to herself at the notion the brunette worried about them.

Regina set out a platter and took the fresh bagels out of the bag, placing them neatly upon it. "Would you mind getting the butter and cream cheese from the fridge and place some in the dishes here?" She pointed out the small cup like dishes then headed over to get the cutting board and fruit. Emma nodded and retrieved the condiments placing them as instructed and returned the remainder to the fridge. "So… I, just wanted to say thank you for the other day at the party." The blonde stated as she shut the refrigerator door and turned to look over at the other woman. "I know I didn't really say it then when I should have." She moved to lean against the counter as she watched Regina cutting up the fruit. "Yes, well stubbornness can make one forget their manners." The brunette stated as she continued cutting. Emma rolled her eyes and sighed in slight annoyance at the retort made. "Look, I am trying to thank you and apologize here for how I acted the other day. Give me some credit." She picked up one of the strawberries still laying on the counter and popped it in her mouth. Regina quietly laughed at how easy it still was to get under the blonde's skin. "Really? I certainly didn't hear an apology." The brunette stated in an even tone, masking her amusement. "Nothing even remotely sounding like the words 'I'm sorry', unless my hearing is escaping me."

Ugh this woman is so infuriating; I could scream. Emma pushed off the counter and stood up straight. Part of her wanted to slap the other woman, while the other part of her... "Regina." The brunette put the knife down as she finished and turned around, finding the blonde standing there with a sharp look in her eyes. "Yes?" Regina questioned with creased brow, not quite understanding the look. Just get it over with. Emma thought to herself before she took the few steps that remained between them and reached her hand up as she seized the woman in a kiss. Placing her hand on the woman's neck, she caressed it as she continued the kiss, her other hand finding it's way to rest upon the brunette's hip. Regina caught unaware, reached back to brace herself on the counter as a burst of energy washed over them. It took a few seconds to realize what had happened before her eyes slowly began to close as she kissed back. Regaining her balance, she moved her hand to Emma's cheek as the kiss continued, deepening with each moment. Her other arm snaked around her waist to hold the blonde close against her. Memories poured into Emma's mind as though a dam had burst, filling the gaps she didn't even know existed.

When the women eventually pulled away from the kiss, desperately needing air, both of them stood there staring into one another's eyes. Where one was seeking confirmation, the other held back their silent fear, until finally one braved the unanswered silence. "Regina? I… I remember."