Authors note: Thank you for the kind response to last chapter. I think this will be the last chapter and after that an epilogue. ;)

...

"Henry what are you doing, dear? It's two in the morning." Cora groaned as she felt her husband stand up and leave the bed. She had heard he got some call, but she had absolutely no idea who would call at such an abnoxious hour.

"I'm going to Regina." Henry aswered hastily as he opened the closet and grabbed a shirt. "She just called, she said Leo had hit her." His voice sounded worried as he threw on the shirt.

"Darling, you don't really believe that, do you? Regina has always made stuff up, you can't trust the girl." Cora said with a sigh as she slowly sat up and smoothed her hair down. "It's all utter garbage Henry, now come back to bed and sleep."

"I can't believe you would say such a thing." Henry said in a mix of anger and disbelieve. He couldn't grasp the fact that his wife had just called her own daughter a liar about such a thing. He knew Regina and Cora's relationship had always been somewhat...difficult. But he could never guess that Cora could be this heartless. "I'm going, Cora. You can't stop me, I need to help her."

"You'll come back to bed this instant, Henry! There's nothing wrong with Regina. You know she has always been one to draw attention. This is just another one of her many pathetic attempts." Cora was seething at her husband.

"No, I will not. I'm going over there."

"Henry, darling." Cora's voice suddenly changed from a poisonous snap into a sicky sweet one. "You do remember those papers that I got, don't you?"

Henry stopped dead in his movements as he turned to look at his wife.

"Or do you need a reminder?" She asked with a grin. "Well, I may have some signed papers that state all the illegal business that's going on in your multimillion company. Imagine what will happen if something like that comes out - or what if someone sells it to, let's say the paper. You will go to jail, Henry. And is that what you really want? To end up between the criminals?"

Henry swallowed harshly. He knew it was wrong to let himself be manipulated like that. But Cora was right, if this would come out, he would go to prison. And that's a place he certainly didn't want to go.

"So, you'll come back to bed now, right?" Cora asked, still in her sickly sweet tone.

Henry felt so guilty but he still dropped the pants he was carrying in his hands, back in the closet. The door creaked as he closed it and moved back to the bed. "You're right, it's probably attention seeking." It physically hurt to say those words.

"That's right, darling."

God, forgive me, Henry thought to himself as he laid down again. Waiting for sleep that he knew would never come.

...

Saturday February 11th. 3:29 PM.

Downeast Correctional Facility, Maine.

"Officer Lucas?" Regina asked as she made her way to the bars. "What is it?"

"I just came to get you." Ruby said with a small smile. "The jury has reached a verdict."

...

Saturday February 11th. 8:04 PM.

Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building & Courthouse.

Bangor, Maine.

Regina's heart was beating in her chest with a vigor. She had seen her father and Emma sitting next to each other when she walked into the courthouse. Regina was feeling nauseated by the anticipation. Whatever the judge was going to say, it would tell her if she was going to spent the next seven and a half years in prison or if she would be free. Free to be with Emma, to leave all this crap behind and to start a new life. A good life this time.

Her brown eyes followed the officer that was going to give the small paper to the judge.

"Is this really your decision?" The judge asked.

The old woman that represented the jury nodded. "Is it, your Honour."

"Alright." The judge said and nodded. "On the count of involuntary manslaughter, how do you plead?"

The woman looked back at her fellow jurors and then looked at the judge again. "We plead..."

...

"So you went and testified anyway?" Cora snapped as she threw the file containing the papers on the table. "You know what this means, don't you dear?"

"You can do whatever it is you want, Cora. I really don't care anymore."

"Oh, look who had finally stepping up for not only himself, but his daughter too." Cora mocked as she gracefully sat down on a chair, facing her husband.

"Just remember, that if you sent this to the papers, you'll loose all your money too." Henry said. "It's not only me so will loose everything. So go ahead and destroy my business...or my life for that matter. But stay the hell away from my daughter!"

Cora blinked in shock. This was the first time she had ever seen Henry this furious. In a strange kind off way it also made her somewhat proud that her husband had finally gotten a backbone. It had been about time.

But it was exactly that fact, that also made her hate him even more. And then the notion that he was right...

Cora would lose everything that she had. Her husband would go to jail - not that she really cared about that - but that meant she would also lose his money. Or better said, her money.

Of course she could always empty the man's bankaccount and run. But the thing is; running isn't really Cora's style.

It would be a last escape plan, she planned. If everything would go to hell, at least she had a way out.

...

Saturday February 11th. 8:06 PM.

Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building & Courthouse.

Bangor, Maine.

The woman looked back at her fellow jurors and then looked at the judge again. "We plead..."

"Not guilty, your Honour."

Regina's heart stopped in her chest as she couldn't quite believe the words she had dreamed of hearing since the first time she stepped a foot inside of Downeast Correctional Facility. It must have been some cruel trick of her mind. She had just imagined that 'not' in that sentence. The juror has said 'guilty'. That must be, right?

Though the arm that was suddenly flung around her neck told her something entirely different. Regina would recognize that red leather anywhere. It was Emma's arm.

She was free.

It was over.

Everything was going to be okay.

"I- I can't believe it, Emma. Is it true?" She carefully asked as she buried her head in the crook of Emma's neck.

"Yes." Emma chuckled in happiness. "It's true Regina. Everthing's is going to work out, you're free."

Tears of relief and happiness rolled down Regina's cheeks as she hugged the blonde tighter. The moment she lifted her head off the red leather clad shoulder, her eyes locked with her father's.

Regina slowly pulled away from Emma's arms when she saw her father coming closer.

"Regina, I'm so glad you're safe again." Henry said softly as he stood there awkwardly, unsure whether to hug his daughter, or to stay put. His hands clenched and unclenched as he looked for any sign that would tell him what to do.

"Daddy." Regina whimpered softly as she quickly buried her head in her father's chest to stop the tears that wanted to fall. He may not have been there for her the way a father was supposed to, but he was still her father and he was the only real parent that she had. He was her only family she could count on.

"Oh my little girl." Henry said softly as he wrapped his arms around his daughters shaking body, biting the inside of his cheek to stop his own tears. He looked at Emma with was a look that was all gratitude and happiness and smiled at her before pressing a kiss on his daughter's head.

Emma smiled back as she watched the small family reunion with mixed feelings. She was immensely happy Regina was out - don't get her wrong. But on the other side, Emma was terrified of what was going to happen next. Regina needed a place to stay and Emma would love it if the brunette came to her, but Emma was still a little worried that she wasn't good enough. Her apartment was small and cheap, something she knew Regina had never lived in before. And what if the brunette didn't need her anymore? It wasn't hard to need someone in prison, but out here in the real world I was a completely different story. Maybe Regina wouldn't even want her anymore.

Oh god, Emma hoped that that wasn't true because she truly loved Regina with all her heart.

And she was praying the brunette felt the same.

Regina stepped out of the embrace and instead went to stand next to Emma again. "I want to leave this place, Emma." She said softly as she grabbed the blonde's hand and squeezed it. "Do you-" Regina began but then faltered. "Would you mind if I spent the night at your apartment?" She asked quietly.

Emma's face broke into a brilliant grin. "Yes, of course, I would love that." Even if it was for one night, it was still one night with the woman she loved.

"I will get the car, and we'll get your stuff first thing in the morning, alright?"

Regina smiled . "That's alright."

Emma nodded, the smile still plastered on her face as she released Regina's hand and started to walk towards the exit, only to be stopped by the brunette's hand on her shoulder.

"Emma, wait."

Emma turned around with a confused expression. "What's wrong?"

Instead of answering Regina pulled the blonde into a short but loving kiss, which left Emma speechless. "I love you." She whispered against Emma's lips and then finally let the blonde go.

"Love you too."

...

The car ride towards Emma's apartment was silent, but not awkwardly so. Regina and Emma both just had a lot to think about. After Regina had said her goodbyes to her father she walked towards Emma's yellow bug and stepped in without really saying anything.

Not that Emma needed words seeing that Regina's loving look had been enough to know that everything was fine.

At least for now.

Emma stopped the engine and took a deep and relieved sigh. "Well, we're here." She said with a smile and then stepped out.

Regina followed the blonde towards the third floor and they stopped in front of a white door. There was a golden 3A nailed onto it, that glimmered in the light of the lamp that was hanging next to the door.

"I know it's not much, it certainly isn't what you're used too. But, you know." Emma started rambling as she opened the door and let Regina in.

The brunette looked around the small apartment. Emma certainly hadn't been exaggerating when she said her apartment was the size of a shoebox, but there was also a certain appeal about the place. It was cozy and just so... Emma, she guessed. "It's perfect."

Emma's jaw almost hit the ground as she turned to look at the brunette. "Really?! You really think so?!"

"Yes." Regina nodded with a chuckle. "I really think so, and you know why?" She asked as she took a step closer to Emma - who was now only a tad longer, because of her heels - and wrapped her arms around the blonde's neck. "Because it's your home."

Emma couldn't describe how happy those words made her. "I love you, you know that?" She said with a smile and pecked Regina on the lips.

"Oh, but I do Emma. So why don't you give me a tour?" Regina said in a low and sultry voice. "And start with the bedroom."

Emma mentally groaned with pleasure as she quickly took Regina's hand and pulled her in the direction of her bedroom.

Home sweet home...

...

So let me know what you thought and I'll try to get the epilogue up as soon as possible! ;)