A/N: HAHAHAHahahahAHAHAHHHHH I'M TRASH! and the best part is that i know it, okay. i'm SO sorry that i made this family wait like forever for this and honestly (was it even worth it, that's the question you must ask yourselves) i'm very very very sorry. School got literally so hectic and i about went into cardiac arrest from everything, plus I'm kind of a sloth and it was just a downhill roll that i couldn't stop ok. anyway I'm back now and the sad thing is that right now i have some other prompts to do BUT i'm like kinda losing motivation for this story (which makes me SAD af) and so i can't decide if i'm gonna do them or just begin to wrap it up with the ending i had envisioned. so basically i'm either gonna finish these prompts (and hope it doesn't take forever) OR crush all of your hearts because this ending is going to get rough before it gets cute, i haven't decided. OKOK this is long enough and bottom line thank you so much for all the reviews and support and everything and especially the patience because i know it's not easy.
THAT'S all i've got to say, and so yes, read on x
Emma hated the heat.
She downright deplored anything above a solid eighty degrees, and no one had warned her that the temperatures would be well over one hundred for their stay in Israel. Granted, Emma knew she should've thought about it, seeing how it was the middle east, and it would be their summer season, but that wasn't the point. It was sweaty, itchy, and just plain nasty. Emma rolled her anger back, though, because she was allowed to wear a simple linen button up and pants, whereas Regina was forced to dress in her usual attire, dress slacks, her top, and blazer, all of which Emma knew couldn't possibly be anything less than blistering.
If Regina's face was any indication, Emma was about spot on. The blonde agent's brow creased in worry as she watched Regina step away from the podium, the Israeli Prime Minister taking over. As soon as Regina was off of the podium, Emma began to work her way up to the stage, navigating various checkpoints easily with her credentials. When she finally reached the backstage area, her heart dropped when she saw Regina being surrounded by members of the Prime Minister's staff.
"Hey, hey, hey," Emma jogged over to the huddle of people, butting through as politely as she could, "What's going on?"
One of the aides looked up to Emma, his eyes wide with worry, "She's too hot, ma'am."
Emma's heart sped up and she pushed past the final barrier of people, kneeling down in front of Regina. The blonde placed her hands on the brunette's knees, the woman who was currently next to Regina giving Emma a quick nod before retuning to the group of staff.
"Alright, Gina," Emma said softly, tucking some of the brunette's hair behind her ear, "Can you talk to me?"
Regina nodded, removing one arm from her stomach and grabbing Emma's hand tightly, "My head is killing me, I'm nauseous, and I'm pretty sure I was close to passing out, Em."
"It's gonna be just fine," Emma turned to the people behind her, "Did we bring any water? Any at all?"
A few of the members shook their heads, until one woman stepped forward, "It was supposed to be stocked, but we were in such a rush that it somehow got overlooked."
"Does anyone have any water?"
There was no answer.
"Really?" Emma cried, "Nobody has any?"
Emma shook her head and focused her attention back to Regina. Un-fucking-believable. Emma kept her hand on Regina's knees as she pulled out her radio, her concern growing exponentially as she took in Regina's flushed skin and rapid breathing.
"Graham, I need you to have a car waiting. She's gonna have to cut the second address out."
"You got it. What's going on, Emma?"
Emma placed her hand on Regina's forehead, but pulled her hand back as if she'd been burned.
"She's burning up, I'm pretty sure she could be close to the heat stroke arena, and no one has any fucking water."
"We're on our way, Em."
The blonde slid her radio back into her pocket before offering her other hand to Regina. Emma pulled the brunette up, wrapping an arm around the woman's small waist and holding the brunette to her chest briefly.
"I can't leave yet, Emma." Regina croaked, burying her face in the blonde's neck.
"Why the hell not?"
Regina sighed, "It would be terribly rude. I have to at least shake his hand and take a picture."
Emma fought her frustration and kissed Regina's temple softly, rubbing a hand up and down the woman's back.
"Please make it quick, Gina. As soon as you're done we're going back to the hotel and I'm getting this under control."
Regina nodded, squeezing Emma's shoulders before stepping back and returning to the side of the stage. Emma watched with wonder as Regina hid her grimace in the form of a confident smile as she walked across the stage once the man was done speaking to congratulate the Prime Minister's victory. With practiced professionalism, Regina shook the man's hand and posed for several pictures, even giving a few words to a crowd of reporters. Emma waited with baited breath in case she had to get Regina herself, but true to her word, Regina returned a few minutes later, walking across the stage with confidence though Emma could see the exhaustion and fatigue in the brunette's face.
As soon as they were out of the public eye, Emma wrapped an arm securely around Regina's waist, lifting the light brunette and holding the woman to her chest in an embrace so familiar that Regina instantly felt calm wash over her as she wrapped an arm around Emma's shoulder and leaned into her blonde agent.
"I'm really hot, Emma."
The blonde looked down at Regina upon hearing the soft words, "I know, sweetheart. We're almost to the car."
Sure enough, Graham was right through the last gate of security. Emma breathed a sigh of relief once she realized he was the only one in the car. He hopped out quickly and opened the door, allowing Emma to easily slide into the backseat of the SUV with Regina.
"How's she doing?"
Emma turned to Graham briefly, "She's still too hot for me to be comfortable, but we should be good once we get to the hotel."
Regina let out a small whimper, her hand resting on her forehead as she shut her eyes. Emma returned her focus to the brunette, her hands moving softly and skillfully over the President's body.
"Do you mind if I take this off?" Emma tugged lightly on Regina's blazer, "Gina, I need to get you cooled down."
The brunette shook her head and allowed Emma to tug the garment off, and then olive fingers were fumbling to unbutton her white oxford until Emma took over, easing that article of clothing off as well. The brunette's pants came off next and Regina curled onto her side, breaths still coming out quickly.
"Em, here."
Graham reached back and handed Emma a chilled bottle of water.
Emma breathed a sigh of relief, "You're a lifesaver."
The blonde maneuvered back onto the seat, gently holding Regina's head in her lap.
"Sweetheart, I need you to drink this."
Regina's eyes blinked open slowly and she reached a shaky hand towards the blonde. Emma gently grabbed Regina's hand and eased it back down to the woman's side. The agent tenderly held the bottle to Regina's lips, helping the brunette to drink as much of the water as she could get down. Emma wove her hand into brunette strands and continued to help the President drink out of the bottle.
They arrived at the hotel a few minutes later, and Emma sprung into action. She quickly hopped out of the vehicle and picked Regina up again, tucking the woman securely against her chest and holding Regina's warm body protectively to her chest. Graham had Nolan waiting, and between the three of them they were able to get Regina up to her room without any hiccup. The two men bowed out at that point, Graham already having requested a case of water be brought up for the President.
Emma laid Regina on the bed carefully, running a hand gently along the woman's cheek, "Regina?"
"Mhm," the brunette opened her eyes and twined her fingers with Emma's, "Em…"
The blonde agent swept her hand through Regina's hair and leant down to softly brush her lips with the President's.
"I'm right here, Gina," Emma whispered, nuzzling the side of her girlfriend's cheek, "I'm gonna start a cold shower, and then we're going to get you cooled off. I don't feel like a hospital visit."
"Does anyone ever feel like a hospital visit?"
Emma smiled, brushing back locks of brunette hair, "There's my girl."
The blonde placed one last chaste kiss on Regina's forehead before turning and leaving the bedroom. She found the bathroom quickly, turning the handles on the ornate shower with haste. The stream of water was cold, but she knew that it was what Regina needed. Returning to the bed, Emma scooped the brunette back into her arms.
"It's gonna be cold, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Emma nodded, "I'm sorry."
Regina sighed, turning her head into the blonde's shoulder, "It's okay. It'll help."
The blonde agent raised an eyebrow at this, having expected far more resistance from the woman. They ended up in the bathroom and Emma carefully set Regina on the lid of the toilet.
"Arms up, sweetheart."
Regina did as told, lifting her arms so that Emma could tug her tank top off of her. Emma dropped the black camisole on the floor before nimbly reaching around and unhooking the woman's bra. Regina stood then, sliding her underwear down her legs before turning back to Emma.
"How long do I have to be in there? Can we just skip to the cuddling?"
Emma smirked, there it is.
"No, Gina. You've gotta get cooled off."
The brunette watched curiously as Emma stripped down to her bra and underwear before pulling out two fluffy towels from the bathroom closet. Regina let out a startled yelp when Emma turned and strode forward, wrapping an arm under the woman knees and around her shoulders.
"What on earth are you doing?"
The blonde agent walked towards the shower, "You didn't think I'd actually make you go sit on the floor of some shower under freezing water, did you?"
Regina couldn't help but smile, "I love you, Emma Swan."
Emma grinned, "If this isn't love, I don't know what is."
The blonde finished the words with a smile before stepping them both into the cold spray of the shower.
Regina let out a harsh breath as the icy liquid cascaded down her bare body, curling into Emma's chest in an effort to feel the blonde's body heat. Emma herself bit her cheek to keep from crying out, the water was very chilly. She forced herself to focus instead on Regina, rubbing her hands up and down the brunette's (now goose-bump covered) arms. Regina buried her face in Emma's neck, her slight form beginning to shiver as her body temperature dropped.
"I t-think it's w-working, Emma," the brunette chattered.
Emma moved her hand from Regina's hair to feel the woman's forehead. Satisfied with what she found, the blonde placed a soft kiss to Regina's shoulder.
"It is, Gina. We can get out after a few seconds."
Regina nodded, tucking herself back into Emma's neck.
True to her word, Emma stood a short time later and lifted Regina out of the shower, allowing the brunette President to plant her feet on the soft bath rug. Wrapping one of the towels around Regina's shoulders, Emma ran into their room quickly, grabbing one of her old bootcamp shirts and a pair of Regina's underwear. She returned to the brunette and helped dry Regina off, gently moving the towel over Regina's body before handing her the clothes she had brought.
"Thank you, Emma." Regina said quietly, pulling the shirt over her head, "I honestly think that you're the only thing keeping me going."
Emma leaned forward and captured Regina's lips softly. The brunette found herself pulling Emma closer, running her hands over the blonde's still cold back as they kissed.
"All in a day's work," Emma whispered, pulling back, "Now I'm gonna get changed before you're the one treating me for hypothermia."
Regina brought her thumb to her lips, biting her nail with a smile as she watched Emma bustle around the room. Making her way back to the bed, Regina climbed in again, pulling the blanket on the other side down for the blonde. It didn't take long for Emma to find her way back, and Regina once more found herself wrapped up in the pleasant embrace of her agent.
"You'll tell me if you start to feel hot again, right?"
Emma lightly trailed her hand along Regina's side, her other tangled in damp brunette locks.
Regina nodded, closing her eyes as she felt Emma's hand drift onto the soft skin of her back, "Of course. Though, I'm feeling alright now. You made sure of that."
The President placed a small kiss on Emma's neck, snuggling much as she could into Emma's body.
"I always have to double check with you, Gina," Emma whispered, closing her eyes.
"I know, Emma Swan," the brunette could help the warmth that flooded her heart, "I know."