Sorry for lateness. Don't hate me! And I hope my previous fluff fest gave you enough strength to get through this chapter.

I don't own OUAT

Chapter 20. What's in the Dark

Storybrooke Present.

Archie's office filled with laughter as the couple happily reminisced on some of the more fun times they've had with their son. It was nice to get back to this. The happiness, becoming friends again as their marriage starts to seal into place. The cement beginning to dry between the cracks of a broken heart. Of course nothing was solidified yet, time would do that; but for now, it was worth every second.

Emma tilted her head back in laughter, "I swear that was the only time I have ever been afraid of a three year old."

Regina nodded through giggles, "yes, Finding Nemo will never be the same for you will it?"

"No, I'm scarred for life." The couple laughed together. Genuine laughter. The kind that made your heart flutter. A contagious sickness you wouldn't mind catching.

Archie sat back and watched. The couple had definitely come a long way. It wasn't too long ago that the very same beings sat in his office for the first time and seemed as if they would crumple into dust at any moment. They knew it just as much as he did. It was the reason behind his method of time play. To bring the couple back to the parts of their lives where things were better than ok. A way to show them that they have already been through rough times and even if they were scathed, they were still here; together. However, the first few sessions were considered a warm up. A brief journey into the past to soften the blow of what may happen once the truth comes to light. A mattress upon a bed of nails.

As the laughter died down the ginger haired man cleared his throat. He was a bit apprehensive about the current topic, but true healing can't start until you've discovered all corners of a square. "I'd like to point something out." The Swan couple looked his way, giving him their full attention. "During your session's I noticed that there has been somewhat of a theme."

"I hope a good one Doctor," the brunette stated lightly. She was still floating from their walk down memory lane.

"Well," Archie crossed a leg as his hands went up to remove his glasses to clean them with the bottom of his shirt. "From what you have told me, there have been many struggles throughout your relationship. And with all of them you have found a way to fix them on your own."

The duo remained quiet, unsure of where he was going with this.

Archie continued, "But, out of all of them. This particular instance is the biggest, yet, the least fought for."

"What are you trying to say?" Emma inquired. She was done with beating around the bush.

"What I'm asking is…" he placed his glasses back on to his face. "What changed?" And there is was. The question that has so skillfully been avoided since their first session. The one that would, in a way, determine just how solid or broken, their relationship truly was. A time to shed light onto skeletons hiding deep within the marital closet.

Regina shifted uncomfortably. She knew this time would come sooner or later. A secretive reason for not truly wanting to come to therapy in the first place. It was selfish, yes and overall unhealthy; but the brunette knew that she needed to get past that. Perhaps now was the time to test the waters of their commitment for each other. Telling the truth now would either sink or float their boat of trust. But to be completely honest, Regina was almost more than sure that outcome would be negative. Just how far would they sink before either of them needed to gasp for air? Would they work together? Or separate with the notion of unwilling to risk it again?

Emma sensed her wife's uneasiness. It set off a small alarm somewhere deep within her. But for now, she would ignore it until she is given reason to panic. "Well…for me. Nothing." The blonde spoke almost with nonchalance. It was true, on her end anyway. When she was released the only thing she wanted to do was return to her home and drown in the arms of her wife. To try her hardest to get things back the way they were. The way that it was promised. Before Regina stopping showing and returning her letters. Even then the blonde had faith that they would work it out. For the most part she was right. However, the long tedious episode of reconnecting was somehow unforeseen. Whether she was ignorant or hopeful, she wasn't sure. Perhaps both. "All I've wanted since my release was to be normal again."

The psychologist scribbled a few notes. In actuality, he already knew what the blonde would say. With the amount of patients he has seen over the years, he was sure to come across his share of those that were recently released from prison. Each of them had a different story of course. But the one common factor they all seem to possess was the want to return to a normal setting. To get back to that feeling of comfort and familiarity. Emma wasn't his concern in this. Yes, it was important for her to be here as well. They needed to work as a team in order to love as team. However, it was Regina who had him turning the gages in his mind. Something had to happen to make the brunette turn cold. She was just as vulnerable as the blonde. So what happened?

"I see," Archie spoke before directing his eye's to Regina. "What about you Mrs. Swan? What changed for you?"

The brunette twisted in her seat a little more. Her tanned hands rubbed down the length of her skirt as she picked imaginary lint. Now was the time. To bring the truth to light and hope that the universe wouldn't completely destroy them. A sigh, then a deep breath. "It's…this isn't the first time something like this has happened to me."

The other occupants of the room eye's widened. Especially Emma's. Had her wife been lying to her? For as far as she knew, she was the only one in the brunette's life for the last 15 years. What else could have possibly happened?

"Would you mind expanding, just a bit Mrs. Swan?"

Another sigh. It was already out. No going back now. "My first girlfriend…"

"What does she have to do with anything?" Emma intervened. Jealousy and confusion in her tone.

"Let her finish, Ms. Swan." Archie spoke before nudging his head towards Regina to continue.

The brunette felt more uneasy now then she had in a long time. In fact, it was more fear than anything else. Fear of all the inevitable negative possibilities from what she was about to say. In this moment, she understood why some felt it was easier to lie then tell the truth. The brunette spoke again, "something like this happened before. Danielle, her name was, she was the first person I ever fell in love with." A breath, "and the first to break my heart. During our time in high school she always expressed how she wanted to go to the Navy. Of course I tried my best to persuade her not to, but as faith would have it she went anyway." The brunette shifted in her seat again and looked off to the side. She could feel the burning gaze of her spouse and wanted to do everything to avoid it. It would only stop her from telling the truth.

She continued, "I promised I would wait for her and she said she would too. But, after a year, when I started college; I received a letter from her. Telling me that she couldn't continue such a long distance relationship and wanted to end it. At first, I didn't believe. I thought…hoped, that it was sent to the wrong person." She took another breath, the old memories still held a soft spot. "My theory was proved incorrect however. When Danielle returned home, it was with another woman she met overseas."

"Wait a second," Emma interjected her voice stronger than usual. "This whole thing is about a girl you were with before we even met!?"

Archie quickly spoke up, "I think it's more than that, Emma."

"No, I'm not accepting that." she looked at her wife who was conveniently avoiding her gaze. "You treated me like shit because of some fucking body else? Is that what you're saying Regina?" Her tone held a mixture of disbelief and anger. "Because of baggage you couldn't let go of after being married to me for 13 years! Is that what you are seriously telling me right now?" Even though her tone screamed rage, the truth behind it is that Emma was hurt. It was as if everything she has ever done in their marriage was for nothing. Everything. She was losing to someone who didn't even want Regina half the way she did. How is it that her heart would beat for someone who couldn't, after all this time, put her first? The blonde's jaw clenched in anger as her foot started to bounce angrily with adrenaline.

Regina turned to face her wife. A small scowl on her face for both the way she was being spoken to and for it being in front of someone else. Yes she knew her story would bring up ugly reactions. But, in her mind, if Emma had never sent that message, she wouldn't have caught those feelings again. Remembered that pain of rejection. In her mind, it was more than just a coincidence. It was history repeating itself. And she wanted to make sure that, at that time, she would be prepared. "Well maybe if you hadn't been a coward and came down to actually see who it was. This wouldn't have happened."

There it was again. History repeating itself in the form of an argument they had during the blonde's early days of release now modified to fit current time. "Oh don't give me that. I already told you it wasn't for you."

"Then who was it for Emma!"

"Ladies," Archie tried. The energy in the room was becoming dangerous. However his plea fell on deaf ears as the women continued.

"What does it matter," the blonde asked angrily, "why couldn't you just trust that it wasn't for you?"

"Because I was the one who visited you. No one else visited half as much as I did!" The brunette pointed to herself to make a point. She lowered her voice considerably before speaking calmly. "So who else, was it for Emma?" This question has been bothering her ever since she found out that the letter was meant for someone else all those weeks ago. She knew it was impossible for the blonde to have something along the lines of an affair while in prison. None of this made sense.

There was silence as Emma clenched her jaw again. "Tamara…it was meant for Tamara."

The brunette's eyes widened. Why did this woman come up so often? What significance did she have with her wife that it always comes back to her? The name in itself brought the mayor to a higher level of anger. Simmering but not quite boiling over. Her voice was low as she spoke, "what was she doing there?"

No answer.

"What. Was she. Doing there. Emma." Regina asked again with more precision.

Archie sat back and observed. The sight before him was both painful and frightening. But it needed to happen. You can't clean a room in the dark.

The blonde sighed in frustration as she slowly looked to the side. It was her turn to release her demons. "She came to try and offer me a plea, which would have given me two years off my sentence."

"And what was that plea?"

There was a beat of silence before she spoke again, "to leave you."

"What?"

"She wanted me to divorce you in return for lowering my sentence. Maybe I should have done it now, since I mean absolutely nothing to you and you were planning to divorce me anyway." The blonde answered with spite. Her hurt feelings from the earlier confession getting the best of her.

Deciding to take the high road this one time, Regina fought back the urge to retaliate. Her curiosity pushing forward. "Why would she want you to divorce me?"

"To be with her like I was before I met you." Emma stood from her seat now, grabbing her jacket and heading towards the door. "Although, from what you told me right now. Even she wants me more than you." With that the blonde exited the office slamming the door behind her.

Regina sighed; her wife's words hurt more than she thought they would. There were so many emotions playing in her right now. Dancing on the fine line of her sanity. She was pissed that part of the reason of this whole thing was because Emma had a relationship with a woman who had become borderline obsessive. Trying her best to ruin them. To brake them. And she fed into it, like a pawn.

Shortly after their explosive session the mayor drove herself home. Her body on autopilot as her mind reeled from the events and new information. The last few years of their marriage had been dictated by others. An unintentional endeavor to test the bonds of their love. And they failed, both of them. Secrets were never a way to maintain a relationship yet each of them allowed it. Choosing to feign ignorance of the consequences. How childish.

Since when was it ok to let things get this far gone. To no longer feel safe. To question the place in their lovers heart. After 13 years…after 13 long years of togetherness who, in their right mind, would ever let someone else control them. The sanctity, love, strength and most importantly…trust of their marriage. To make them dance like marionette puppets to the beat of estrangement. Using the strings dangling from tattered hearts as leverage.

Parking the car in the drive way, Regina stepped out with determination. They needed to get to the bottom of this, of everything. No more secrets. No more half-truths or perfecting the skill of walking on eggshells. It was time to trudge forward and breathe deep. Walk with a purpose…together.

Upon entering the house the brunette could hear clanking of glass from the study. She placed her things down to pad over to where she assumed her wife was. As she entered, the negative energy in the room wrapped around her. It was almost enough to make her want to wait. Give the other woman time to calm down. However, her pride seemed to outweigh common sense, so she continued inside the room. "Emma, we need to talk."

Brown eyes caught sight of her wife standing near the mantle, a drink in hand while leaning against the wall. Her body language reeked of annoyance. No, more than annoyance. This wasn't an emotion that could be pinpointed by a single word. It was one that had to be dissected into sublets. A cluster of fallen misery. Avoiding eye contact, the blonde swirled her drink around a few times before taking a sip. She licked her lips before speaking; "not now Regina, I'm done with talking."

The brunette knew she should let it go. That now wasn't the time to press this. But she needed to talk. She wanted to explain her story with Danielle so Emma would understand what she meant by it. To reassure her that she does love her. More than anything. But on the other hand, she needed to know more about the mystery behind the relationship of Emma and Tamara. To know why, all those years ago, did they go to that party? Sure at that time the blonde had said it was for her friend KJ, but was it really. Could what happen in the bathroom that ultimately started the increasing spiral of their less than welcomed situation be more? She needed to know; and it had to be now. The mayor spoke a little more firmly this time. An era of no nonsense, "no, we need to talk about this now."

The blonde threw her head back as she finished the rest of her drink before pouring another. Her grip was tight on the canter. Bare skinned arms tensed strongly showing off her well-toned biceps as veins that only throbbed when Emma was angry began to protrude. She was not in the mood. "Regina, if I talk to you right now I'm liable to punch you in the face. So let it go." The blonde stated rather seriously.

The brunette seemed taken aback by the words. But only momentarily before her own anger started to come to surface. She was done being spoken to like some kind of street whore. And most importantly, did not take kindly to threats. Regina's face tensed as she spoke in a conniving matter, "yes another way to end up in jail. I guess old habits die hard."

And that was it. The last straw. The final nerve of her patience has snapped. With a new rage Emma threw the glass in her hand across the room. Not even bothering to look its way as it shattered against the nearby wall. "FINE YOU WANT TO TALK REGINA!" Fury, "LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW AFTER 13 YEARS OF FUCKING MARRIAGE, YOU LET SOMEONE ELSE DETERMINE IF YOU WOULD FIGHT FOR ME!"

"OH AND THE FACT THAT YOU FUCKED THE WOMAN WHO CAUSED THIS MEANS NOTHING!"

"NO IT DOESN'T BECAUSE AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE YOU SHOULD HAVE ATLEAST CHECKED WITH ME!" A pale hand slapped against the near wall in an attempt to control her anger. She took a breath and spoke through gritted teeth, "the difference is that I have never, ever, given you a reason to give up on me. I have tried my best to make sure you were happy, always." Booted feet took a few steps forward towards her wife, "I went through hell with your mother for you, and I worked my ass off to make sure we were ok, I supported you with any and everything. I even gave you a literal piece of me to carry because it would make you happy. Everything I do, I do for you. And you don't appreciate any of it." Correction, this was not anger. This was hurt. "After all the ways I have tried to prove my love for you. YOU STILL CAN'T MOVE ON FROM SOMEONE WHO COULDN'T GIVE TWO SHITS IF YOU EXISTED RIGHT NOW!"

Regina grew wide eyed as the guilt consumed her. Emma was right. She let a pervious relationship from more than a few years ago determine their fate. Yet she hadn't even realized. The brunette remained silent, trying to pick her words carefully before speaking.

The blonde continued, "What am to you Regina? Huh…was I just some fucking replacement?"

"No of cours-"

"DON'T FUCKING LIE TO ME REGINA! WHAT AM I TO YOU?"

"Everything. You're everything to me."

Emma placed her hands on her hips, a deep scowl evident, "obviously everything isn't good enough for you if you still wanted to throw me away."

The brunette's heart ached, "Emma, listen to me…I'm sorr-"

"NO SHUT UP!" Rage, "THE ONE TIME…THE ONE TIME THAT I NEED YOU. TO BE RESCUED BY YOU. FOR SOMEONE TO BE BY MY SIDE. AND YOU COULDN'T BE THERE FOR ME. SO FUCK, YOUR IM SORRY." Emma stormed out of the room grabbing her jacket and heading towards the front door.

Regina in tow, "Emma, wait-"

The blonde quickly turned to face the other woman, "you know what hurts the most, Regina. The fact that on any given day, at any point in time; I would move heaven and earth for you if it meant that you could be happy for just a minute longer." A pause, "and you couldn't even write a damn letter for me." Emma quickly put on her jacket and turned the knob to the front door.

"Emma please," the brunette stated with tears in her eyes. This wasn't supposed to be this way. "Don't go…just…please."

The blonde sighed with her back facing her wife; she turned her head slightly behind her as she spoke, "you can't always get what you want."

The front door slammed shut as Emma disappeared into the street. Her yellow bug carrying her away.

Pale knuckles rapped on the old green door. She paced around the small staircase. Her mind and body no longer knowing what to do with themselves. It seemed as if everything was a lie. How stupid to love someone who doesn't even want you in return. How dare the emotions inside her heart stop her from seeing the truth? To be made a fool. Left on the cross streets of abandonment and insecurity. To wonder, why did things get this far. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Emma had always heard people say that love was for the fools. And like a naive child she didn't believe. Knew that it was only said by those who never got the chance to experience it. But, now, she saw the truth. Words like that could only be said by people with knowledge of all the dark undersides of love.

Love was for the fools. She knew that now.

She just wished it didn't hurt this bad.

The door soon swung open revealing a surprised Mary Margaret on the other side. Instantly she knew something was wrong. Call it a sixth sense, but, something told her that keeping her spare room prepared was necessary. And she was so glad that she had listened. Her brown eyes looked over the disheveled emotional mess that was her friend. A look of pity and concern framed the pixie brunette's face, "Emma…are you ok?"

The blonde tried to form a reassuring smile but it only twisted into tears, "help me."

Mary Margaret placed a hand on Emma's arm and quickly ushered the crumbling blonde inside.

Ok so before I get any hate reviews lol. This needed to happen. Eventually the truth was going to come out and it needs to be deal with before they could truly move on and be happy. Ok? So don't hate me.