I apologize for the preiveous inconvenience.

There was something rather pointless about New Year's Eve, at least according to Emma. It wasn't to say that she thought Ruby's suggestion to spend the night eating as much leftover cookies as they could and drink as much soda their stomachs could handle as they watched movies till midnight, or dawn, which ever came first, dumb or pointless. She quite liked the idea and would have joined her friends at the Lucas residence if not for two things 1) Mary Margaret found out and banned the idea or at least limit the amount of possible sugar intake and the time they would spend up and 2) Sheriff Hunter mandated that she worked at the station that night. In all honesty she should have seen it coming but after the shock she was almost relived that she was spending the night pretty much alone. According to Sheriff Hunter Emma oversaw manning the phones for all incoming calls and then radio them in to Sheriff Hunter and fellow Junior Deputy Graham who were out patrolling by car.

So far it was quiet, it was still early only eleven, and other than some routine calls about what few animals that didn't hibernate and teens who though they were so smart, there was nothing to report to Sheriff Hunter. For now, Emma enjoyed the quite darkness, sipping some hot cocoa, and while it wasn't the most 'fun' New Year's Eve by far she couldn't help but think what her roommates were doing tonight.

While Mary Margaret could be called for lack of better terms a kill joy she was nothing but fair when it came to her girls. While Emma had to work that didn't mean Ruby, Tink, and Mulan could not have fun, not as much fun, or sugar, as originally planned but Mary Margaret did allow them two things. One was the complete absent of her presence, she looked them dead in the eye and said that she trusted them enough to spend the night with no adult supervision. Two she allowed them one friend each even if she knew that one of those friends was going to be Belle and knowing that there is whatever it is between the girl and Ruby. Regardless she left the apartment with word where she was and to be good.

When the door closed behind Mary Margaret Ruby turned and a smile grew across her lips that Mulan and Tink knew just spelled trouble. Unknowing to Mary Margaret Ruby snuck some snacks and hid them throughout the apartment, her stash included but not limited to chips, sodas, cookies, and somehow managed to hide a few pints of ice cream in the freezer without alerting their normally attentive supervisor. Along with that was what Aurora and Belle stashed in their things, apparently this was organized by Ruby herself when she asked Belle and quote: "did you get my message?" Her 'message' was apparently a letter that she slipped to Belle some time earlier with some money and a list of items that if Belle would be so kind to get before coming over to the apartment. While this kind of deception wasn't in Belle's nature it was apparently in Aurora's as she was the one who pulled out all the items with expert ease. Mulan wasn't happy that Ruby, however indirect it was, roped Aurora into this potential punishment rule breaking.

The night started off with root beer floats. While Mulan would state herself that she didn't have the biggest sweet tooth around her friends have learned from experience that no party was complete unless there were ice cream floats, it didn't have to be root beer but Mulan was a stickler for tradition and that meant A & W root beer floats, which thanks to Aurora she got. Belle was content in sharing Ruby's float, she wasn't a fan of the root beer part, so she made herself a sundae with the chocolate sauce and M&M's that she brought with her.

Next was games. It was a bit, not hard more like awkward, with them being an odd number and them kind of knowing what groups they wanted to be in, Ruby clearly wanted to be with Belle and while it was never said in words it was clear to Ruby and Tink that Mulan wanted to be paired with Aurora. That left Tink, but if there was one job the second sassiest person in the group can do it was be the keeper.

After almost three rounds of charades and one fail game of mahjong, Mulan was amused at her friends attempt to play but really, they were all horrible players, it was time for some movies which was the part that Tink was most hesitant about. Tink knew Ruby and Ruby was known for having only one taste in movies, horror movies. Any holiday rather it was Christmas, Valentines, or her personal favorite Halloween, Ruby had a horror movie planned and ready to go. New Year's meant it was time for the 80's horror film New Year's Evil, one of the tamer movies.

This time it seems that Ruby's choice in a horror movie was not because of her twisted love for them. As they got comfortable in the small living room area, Ruby and Belle took up the sofa, Tink curled herself in the arm chair, and Mulan and Aurora camped out on the floor with pillows and blankets surrounding them, Ruby was all too happy to not just play the movie, she seemed to have little interest in the film, but to also have Belle pressed against her chest as her long arms encircled the girls petite frame and to play 'hero' of sorts for her not-yet-girlfriend-but-really-was when Belle showed even the slightest hint of being scared.

Ruby apparently wasn't the only one to benefit from the movies genre because while Tink will admit that the movie freaks her out every single time she was doing a better job of keeping herself together than Aurora was. Aurora was to put it simply scared shitless, jumping and screaming loud enough that if they did have upstairs neighbors they be disturbing them. She clung to the closest thing to her which was Mulan and looked like she wasn't going to let go any time soon.

At first Mulan was stiff, she wasn't used to this kind of contact from someone she wasn't on good terms with. It wasn't to say she didn't like Aurora, the strawberry blonde wouldn't be here if she didn't, but just everything about Aurora confused her. She didn't like being confused. When the movie ended Tink went upstairs, glaring at Ruby and saying she sucked and she was going to bed because the crash of her sugar levels was making her sleepy. Belle followed her when she came back from the bathroom, she was supposed to sleep downstairs with Aurora but Ruby had somehow convinced her that Emma wouldn't mind if Belle slept in her bed just this once, rather or not that was true wasn't important. Ruby was hot on her heels, claiming that she was tired as well, stretching and giving a rather impressive fake yawn to drive the point home. That left Mulan and Aurora, they cleaned for a bit, making sure the items that were brought into the apartment under suspicion were put away in a manner that if Mary Margaret did come home earlier than plan they could still try to get away with their crimes. Mulan turned to Aurora to say goodnight but the strawberry blonde's clear blue eyes looked no so clear, it was almost like a tiny storm cloud was behind them getting ready to rage. She was scared. Mulan just smiled and decided to remain downstairs with Aurora. Aurora laid down next to her, arm tucked under her head and her free arm draped across Mulan's torso. Again, Mulan tensed but then she saw Aurora sleeping peacefully next to her, she had no right to deny the girl that.

So, she held on as tight as she could.

In her bed at the apartment Ruby watched with batted breath as the second hand of one of Mary Margaret's clocks ticked on, the hand slowly making its way to the 12. It was almost midnight, she was waiting for this and she still kicked herself that she didn't time the night better, maybe she was counting on a bigger sugar kick or the games to last longer but despite it all here she was watching the clock with a flashlight under her blanket. Maybe waiting was for the best, it let her hear what was going on like Tink's even out breathing and the shutting off the downstairs lights. She stopped hearing Mulan move when she whispered goodnight to Aurora. There was no other movement, no sound other than Tink's soft snoring. It was time.

Lifting the covers, she saw the shadowy outline that Belle's body made in Emma's bed. The red lanterns that they put up still pulsed in a faint red glow thanks to the moon, which was a pretty good size, and the glow of a neighboring street lamp. The soft wolf rug muffled her footsteps as she crossed the short way to Emma's bed where Belle was asleep. Belle's own blanket was pulled over her head and Ruby could just make out the faint glow of a light, of course Belle was reading. Ruby got close enough to where the girl ear was and released a quiet. "Boo." Belle jumped up, scrambling to hide what she was doing. "Hi."

"Ruby what's wrong?"

"It's midnight."

"Really? I thought it was a bit later than that. Why did you wake me to tell me the time?"

"You know what happens on midnight right?"

"Should I?" Ruby groaned and banged her head against the mattress. "Ruby your scaring me tell me what's so important about it being midnight."

"I just can't believe you don't know that a kiss at midnight on New Years can bring luck, good luck, especially to a new romance." Belle just looked at Ruby, she didn't quite get it but the look in Ruby's eyes she didn't need a proper light to see it.

"This is really important to you."

"More than you know." Belle nodded and the next thing that Ruby knew she was being kissed, by Belle. It was a good kiss, not to say that Belle was a bad kisser or anything, but it wasn't a quick kiss, it lasted for what felt like a minute with Belle's lips just pressed against hers, and god it was better than anything Ruby could have asked for. "Wow." Belle chuckled when they finally pulled away, Ruby's face had become more relaxed and her eyes were partially closed. "Just…wow. Thank you, Belle."

"Your welcome." Ruby hugged her, it was quick just like the small kiss she left on her cheek.

"Goodnight Belle."

"Goodnight Ruby." Ruby left her bed in favor of her own, she kind of figured out that she wasn't supposed to be in what Ruby called their bedroom but as Ruby settled into her bed she did the same. Just two more pages then it was to sleep.

The cold air of almost January sent a shiver down Mary Margaret's spine. She was yes leaving the apartment for the night but she wasn't going far, just across the street. This time it was she who called Cora asking if the older woman had any plans for the night, she was happy when she said no. In the pass week or so what happened in Boston was playing through her mind, now that Christmas was done she guessed her mind needed something else to stress about. She took what was said, her actions, and asked herself what did she want?

She wanted a future, that was a given, but what was so bad about the now? Not once had Mary Margaret indulge in the now, always thinking about what was going to happen in an era of time that hasn't even happen yet, maybe now was the time to do that and to be selfish while doing so. So, she planned, and tinkered, and then planned some more before getting to this very moment, standing outside Cora's front door fully prepared and no matter what she wasn't going to back down.

She smiled when Cora let her in and with one final breath of confidence she entered the fresh hold. Dinner was great and the after-dinner wine was the perfect time to casually ask questions, while Mary Margaret was set on taking this rather large step she just felt more comfortable if they were alone, which they were. After her last glass of wine Mary Margaret asked Cora if she could use the older woman's bathroom, Cora just smiled at her and told her to use anything she liked. Alone in the headmistress' private bathroom it was time to bring her plan into reality.

Cora was in her office when she came out of the older woman's bedroom. From her place just outside the hall Mary Margaret could hear that Cora was talking to someone about something she wasn't quite sure but taking a quick peek around the corner it wasn't serious. Cora's body was still relaxed, she walked around the small space with a slight sway, the skirt of her dress swayed with her full hips. The wine glass that Cora had in her hand now rested on the corner of her desk, her fingers played with the rim of the glass as she spoke. When Cora turned to look at her she went silent. Cora didn't gape, gaping seemed beneath a person like Cora, but she did stare, her eyes dilated to the point where the blackness of the pupil almost over took the dark chocolate brown color of the iris. A blush formed of Mary Margaret's cheeks at just witnessing those normally warm milk chocolate eyes turn to that darker color.

Mary Margaret knew that her outfit of choice was bold and extremely out of character for her. After long and intense debates with herself her final choice was a blue babydoll lingerie set with matching panties that on any other day she wouldn't be caught dead wearing. The top bra part was solid, inviting but not over showing, while the remaining part of her set was free loose see through lace that was lined with smooth blue ribbon. The panties were tiny, much smaller in size that she was comfortable in wearing, and a thong to boot. The only make up she wore, not that she wore much, was a light plum lipstick, the color in her opinion looked a lot better than the classic bold red color.

"Let me call you back." Cora hung up the phone, it was at no near graceful, it clattered against the desk and was almost an inch away from hitting the wine glass. There wasn't that much open space between them, in two strides Cora was face to face with her, kissing her soundly. It was deeper than any of their previous kisses, teeth clashed and Cora's tongue filled her mouth. Their breathing was deep and bodies pressed together, apparently Mary Margaret wasn't close enough even with Cora's arms wrapped tight around her waist, she was backed into a wall so hard that her bare shoulder was almost scrapped by an edge of what she could only assume was a picture frame.

Her lips were not enough for Cora, she moved from them to her neck, licking and sucking, almost desperate to taste, feel, Mary Margaret's skin. It was almost animalistic how Cora ran the flat of her tongue across her neck, teeth scrapping causing dull red marks that while they stung still added to the knee weakening pleasure that coursed through Mary Margaret's body. And while this was all fine, more than fine, and dandy, this wasn't what Mary Margaret truly wanted and the longer she let Cora's wickedly talented tongue taste her skin the more her mind went blank, the more her resolve was taken away from her. With as much strength, what little remained, in her arms she placed her hands open onto Cora's shoulder's and pushed. Cora didn't move an inch but it did get her attention and she removed her mouth from her neck.

"I want to touch you." Cora smiled at the look on Mary Margaret's face, it was flushed with heat and yet while her eyes were soft the firm determination could still be seen. This was a huge step for the teacher and Cora was extremely interested to see where it would go. So, while Cora led Mary Margaret to her bedroom she relinquished all control to the younger woman. Mary Margaret started off bold, very bold indeed, by un doing the belt to Cora's wrap dress, it parted and fell to the floor leaving Cora in her matching dark red pantie set. Slowly her hands explored, fingertips gliding effortlessly over a sea of light tan skin, running her palms over area's that she until this very moment had not dared to touch. Cora just hummed as she brought up one hand to play with short black hairs, it drove her crazy how slowly her lover was touching her but if this is what it took then she'll bite her tongue. Mary Margaret did not disappoint, before she knew it she was relieved of her underthings and she was flat on her back with the teacher straddling her hips. Cora could not remember the last time she found herself in this position but coming from Mary Margaret it was a welcomed surprise. While her lover remained dressed she continued to run a single fingertip up and down her body, it was hesitant as much as it was used to stimulate, courage building.

"I don't know what to do next." Mary Margaret's smile shy as was the light pink blush that painted her cheeks. Cora just smiled, this was huge and she was just waiting to ride the rest of the wave with her lover. If she just needed a little encouragement Cora was happy to oblige. She didn't move from her place on her back, her goal was comfort not to undermine, so she crooked her finger, bringing Mary Margaret closer to her, kissing her soundly on the lips, hoping it said 'follow your instincts'. When Mary Margaret pulled away she pulled off the only thing that covered her skin, her pale flesh glowed under the soft light the shadows emphasized her breast and stomach in a way that made them different, yet they were still the same places that Cora's fingertips have explored. They both let out a whimper where their fronts freed of any barriers touched for the first time, Mary Margaret's nipples just grazed the edges of her areolas and those hard peaks teased her already pickled flesh when the younger woman adjusted herself so that she was kissing her collar bone. Mary Margaret's lips were feather light on her skin with the occasional flick of tongue. Her forehead pressed against her collarbone, it made it awkward for Cora who had to turn her head to the side just to breath. Cora gasped when she felt Mary Margaret's hand against her lower lips, it was sudden and awkward because Mary Margaret's fingers felt too small against her swollen labia and her palm rested a bit too heavily on her clit. Mary Margaret's palm created a friction that felt harsh as much as it was pleasurable, and her fingers fumbled, not even going any deeper than surface, but somehow it was enough.

Cora let out a groan as something that could be called an orgasm washed through her, it wasn't the most powerful orgasm of her life but considering this was most likely Mary Margaret's fist time bringing pleasure to another woman let alone an orgasm, Cora chalked it up to a milestone. At the same time Mary Margaret let out a choked whimper and Cora thinking that something was wrong gently placed a hand on the shoulder that was quivering inches away from her face, it made the young woman tense more and Cora just knew what happened. Cora wouldn't speculate nor pry into what happened, though she had a good idea of how, she silently used her hips as leverage to turn herself and Mary Margaret so that they were facing again.

"I broke a rule." Mary Margaret whispered looking bashful, face flush and Cora just smiled at her.

"I'll allow it this once." Mary Margaret's eyes fluttered almost shut as Cora caressed her cheek lightly with her thumb. Cora kissed her softly and she could feel Mary Margaret relax even more into her until her breathing became shallow. Cora just smiled and grabbed the throw that she keeps at the foot of her bed purely for decoration to place over them for warmth and some modestly. Taking a pillow, she carefully picked up Mary Margaret's head then lowered it onto one side while she took the other. Cora was still to overly stimulated to just fall asleep, so she just focused on her breathing and somehow watching a sleeping Mary Margaret with her skin, her pale skin that was still lightly tickled pink, almost glowed against her deep red comforter naked except for the yarn throw blanket just barely covering her breast, was soothing, oddly soothing. Cora didn't fall asleep, but she was relaxed enough to close her eyes and somewhere along the way fell into something like a light sleep. Until…

The streets of Storybrooke were dead at this hour. It snowed another three inches the day before and those who were out were the ones that Regina wouldn't associate herself with. Before it went completely dark, around five or so, she left her house after feeding her mother some lie that if the older woman truly knew her daughter Regina would be forbidden to leave her bedroom until break ends. However, her mother was too distracted to question her true whereabouts and Zelena was at the hospital to take advantage of the double hours, so she didn't need to duck her nuisance of a sister. It was way too cold to be hanging around the stables, but this was the only place where they could be alone, her mother had too much influence and Daniel's father never liked her.

When the cold became too much they moved to Daniel's pick-up truck with its loud motor that somehow fitted the battered in desperate need of a paint job truck. It wasn't much of an improvement because the heat was crappy but being with Daniel filled her with this warmth that grew when he wrapped his arms around her and lightly kissed the top of her head. It was peaceful and everything that Regina wanted, loved, about Daniel, but lately…

"Regina…" He said her name in a way that made her heart run cold. He wanted to talk, that's all he wants to do lately, talk. Regina just didn't want to talk because they would end up fighting and Regina didn't like fighting with Daniel. She pulled away from him, his arm fell from her shoulder with a hard thud against the console and her heart filled with a cold hollow feeling that she never liked. Daniel sighed and started his truck with a low grumble. The screeching of the tires and the engine that to Regina sounded like rocks trapped in metal desperately trying to escape made her tense because she just knew where he was taking her. Her eyes stung with tears and she focused on keeping her breathing steady as to not worry Daniel because the last time she cried in front of him he took her into his arms and it made her feel so mailable that she agreed to something she normally wouldn't. She trusted him enough to know that he wouldn't take advantage of her but lately they've been so on edge she didn't trust herself in that state around him because she was already desperate to keep him.

They stopped at a light that at 2:30 in the morning shouldn't be red and she watched as some college boys in hoodies with sloshing beer cans walked across the intersection, one fell in a snow pile and his friends just laughed at him. Half way through the intersection Daniel's truck jerked when the worn tires caught a patch of ice, it rolled back before jerking forward and Regina's heart jumped because it happened every time it rained, and she told Daniel time and time again to get new tires, but he just brushed it off like it was fine, he got through it every time. Not this time.

One of the back tires blew causing the truck to lean to the side, skidding across a patch of black ice. In a panic Daniel swerved the truck in the opposite direction causing him to go onto the side walk hitting a lamp post head on. Regina's grip became iron clad to the edge of her seat, she felt one of her fingers going through one of the holes in the worn leather and as much as she hated to admit it she was glad when they stopped. She didn't know when she closed her eyes, but she opened one, seeing her own legs in the yellow light, then the other, she felt queasy and her head hurt from when she hit the back of the seat rest. The back of her neck felt sticky and she didn't need to find the wound to know that she was bleeding.

"Daniel." Her voice cracked, and she felt something that wasn't saliva drip from her lips as her mouth was filled with the rustic copper taste of blood. The upper half of Daniel's body was covering the steering wheel, head making contact with the dashboard and arms limped at his side. There was this low groaning sound and Regina watched in shock and horror as the lamp post swayed back ward then forward, taking out the windshield when it crashed onto the roof. The only reason why she knew she screamed, because she doesn't even remember making the noise, was the dull ache that she felt at the base of her throat every time she breathed, in and out slow and steady. Her fighter instincts finally kicked in and she desperately tried to find the latch to open the door, but she remembered at the very same moment her fingertips encountered a void that the handle to open the door from the inside broke off some time ago and Daniel always had to let her out. She was trapped, bleeding and scared she started to pound on the window yelling desperately for help.

"Regina!"

By the time two in the morning rolled around Emma had to call in the big guns, aka Sheriff Hunter, to deal with the disorderliness that came out of the Rabbit Hole as New Years ended. He came back with two guys that he placed into the holding cells, but his face told Emma that he wasn't surprised. He told her that she could take a break and to take a walkie if she was leaving the building. She did end up leaving the building because one of the guys turned green and she didn't want to be around for the inevitable, she was not cleaning up vomit. She contemplated going back for her jacket that she left draped on the back of her chair but shrugged it off, she wasn't planning to be out for more than five minutes.

There was something calming about the night, the wind was cold but not biting and the lighting was soft. It was calm, refreshing, and she accidently walked down further than she attended, and panic filled her because its dark and for a moment she's lost. But Storybrooke wasn't so complicated that she couldn't remember the street names that will take her back to the station. When she turned to go back there was a cringing screeching sound then the crushing of metal that Emma has heard before. When she turned back there was a worn-out blue pick-up truck with the front smashed against a lamp post. For a solid minute Emma just stood there staring at the lightly smoking truck until something inside her kicked her brain into gear and it screamed at her 'do your job!'. She fumbled with the radio, hitting a button that caused a screeching sound that made her teeth clench. It didn't stop when she pressed the button that allowed her to communicate but she didn't know what she did, and she cursed herself for being so clumsy to screw up her only means of contacting the Sheriff. And she would have messed with it, taken time to fix her stupid mistake, if she didn't pick up a faint cry that filled her body with a ping of something. She didn't know what the 'something' was but it was a person and it was her job to help. She didn't run, didn't trust herself to cross the twenty feet without falling, and the closer she got she could make out more and more details like the two people in the front and she damn whished her walkie still wasn't making that screeching noise to report that she really needed help, and she be damned if she couldn't say she tried because she still pressed the transmission button to report what she was seeing. Then the lamp post fell too fast and yet too slow as Emma's green eyes watched it rock then fall with a 'crunch'. Her heart stopped cold when the light of the falling lamp post shifted to highlight the face of the passenger.

Regina.

Regina was in the car. Frantically trying to get out of said car. Pounding on the windows and yelling for help. Without hesitation Emma dropped her screeching walkie and ran. There was ice near the curb and the snow piles were too high for an even footing and Emma clung to whatever part of the truck that she could because the only thing that mattered, was important, was to get Regina out.

"Regina!" They looked at each other through the cracked glass and the look on Regina's face, it was pained and relief all at once. Emma tried and yanked as hard as she could on the handle, but the door refused to budge. Still holding on to the handle she scanned the window to find a point in the window and punched. She punched and punched her hand ached and cracked in protest, blood showing up in imperfect circles, but she continued until her hand went through the window. The window shattered, shards of glass fell, and Regina tried to cover herself as much as she could. Emma used the hand that wasn't screaming with every movement to clear the bigger shards, the glass biting her skin, but now she had an opening, a way to get to Regina. The hand that was bloody and curled protested when she tried to open her hand again because she needed as much leverage that she could get to lift Regina through the window of the car. They fell into the snow but they both had enough mind to crawl over the snow pile and roll onto the side walk. They both gained enough footing and Regina looked relieved to be saved but only for a moment before turning to the truck again, panic and scared.

"Daniel." Emma looked to the truck again and ignored the protest of her muscles as she the best she could with a twisted ankle and bum hand, her job wasn't done. But the air went still then 'BOOM' the truck went ablaze. Emma was taken aback, ankle giving out, but she was determined to save whoever Daniel was for Regina, no matter how little. She got up again, but she didn't get far, a hand fell on her shoulder and Sheriff Hunter just looked at her with a look in his eye that said 'don't'. Emma spared one last glance just as a fire truck rounded the corner and knew deep down in her gut that he was right.

There was nothing that could be done for Daniel.

Cora awoke with a groan. Her head felt heavy having been woken from her slumber by a sound that to her sounded like screeching. When she gained some focus, she realized it was the phone ringing with intensity. Figuring it would just stop Cora ignored it and relaxed into her pillow again but it didn't stop, the 'finally' she whispered out only lasted a second when the phone came to life again. Groaning in protest Cora rolled to her other side, Mary Margaret's arm that was lightly draped over her hip as well as the throw fell from her waist, and she fumbled for the phone, the cradle fell to the floor, but she was too tired and peeved to care.

"Hello?" Though her mind was still fuzzy she registered that it was Sheriff Hunter's voice. When her brain registered the words 'Regina' and 'hospital' she, like her brain, snapped and barked at her him to repeat what he just told her. Her tone calmed when he told her that Regina was okay, physically, and she said she would be at the hospital as quickly as she could. Before hanging up he asked her for Mary Margaret's number because Emma was also injured, and he didn't remember the number. Cora said not to worry about it, she'll take care of it, she said it in a way that didn't hint that the teacher was still asleep on her side next to her naked, but he didn't question her. Cora got up and dressed, ran a brush through her hair before pulling it back in a loose bun that she secured with a large claw clip, now came to waking Mary Margaret. Cora gently jostled the younger woman's shoulder, she mumbled but didn't wake, just rolled onto her back. In any other situation Cora would have found this adorable, and it was, but this wasn't the time to dwell on it. "Mary Margaret." Cora kept her tone of voice soft but made sure it was loud enough to hear. Mary Margaret sighed then her eye lids fluttered open, pale green eyes cloudy and confused. "Get dressed and meet me down stairs. I'll explain then." Cora could tell that Mary Margaret wanted to ask questions but nodded. "Feel free to anything." Cora left, closing the door behind her then headed to the kitchen to grab coats and her keys. There was left over coffee in the pot thanks to her eldest daughter, she placed it in a mug, heated it, then took a large gulp. Her heart pounded harder due to the spike of caffeine, Zelena made coffee way too strong. By the time Mary Margaret came down in a pair of slacks and a sweater as she placed in some sugar and cream, she handed the teacher the mug and her coat then out the door they went.

The hospital felt… dull for a lack of better words. The florescent lights gave the building a green grey tint that made it feel like as though Mary Margaret was walking into a bad movie. Despite being told by Cora, then by Sheriff Hunter who met them at the front desk, that Emma was okay she couldn't help the feeling of dread that settled into the pit of her stomach like a large jagged rock. Cora was led to where Regina was, her injuries weren't as extensive as Emma's, so she was already patched up and in a hospital room, Mary Margaret gave the headmistress a nod of… encouragement? Affirmation? She didn't think too hard on it not as she was led into x-ray where Emma was. Emma sitting on a small hospital bed as her arm rested on a table so that a nurse could examine the blonde teens hand. With thin tweezers and a wince from Emma, the nurse pulled out a thin sliver of glass from one of the teens bloody and battered knuckles, adding more to the pile of bloody pieces of glass in the sterile metal bowl. The nurse told Mary Margaret that once she got all the pieces of glass out of Emma's hand that her next stop was x-ray, but she could feel two, possibly three, broken knuckles. Emma rolled her eyes when Mary Margaret gave a chocking sob and brought her into her arms.

Emma in fact did break two knuckles and had several fractures, her hand was going to be in a cast for close to three weeks.

After telling her that she would have to stay in the hospital over the next day the nurse left Regina alone in her dark hospital room. Not even bothering to change out of her tattered and soot stained clothes Regina climbed onto the bed and curled into herself. While she never out right asked she didn't need to because she just knew. Daniel was gone. He was dead due to either the crash or the fire and if Emma didn't show up when she did there was a good chance that she would have suffered the same fate. But here she was alive, a little battered but breathing, to stare out a small hospital window because Emma Swan had to have been at the right place at the right time.

The door to her room opened but she didn't feel like nor could summon the energy to lift her head to see who it was. When no one entered but the door remained opened was when she finally lifted her head. In the doorway was a balloon, it was hard to tell the color, but it was one of those foil circler ones due to the shape of the shadow, and around the corner was head of blonde curls. Emma poked around the corner, Regina scrunched her eyebrows together as Emma used a boot to push the balloon further into her room before hiding behind the corner again.

"I know you're there Emma." Emma come out from where she was hiding, her right arm was in a sling and her left was behind her back. Emma just gave her a small smile that Regina even if she didn't have the energy to return it, her upper lip hurt whenever she moved it.

"I just… wanted to make sure you were okay, not that I have any right to check up on you just because I saved your life." Emma gave her that stupid grin she gave whenever she thought she was being clever. It didn't escape Regina that, while trying to be teasing about it, Emma was using her words against her, and for the briefest of moments she felt better until she remembered where it was that she said those words to Emma. Miners day, in the stables with Daniel, riding the last good waves of autumn, him whispering in her hair that he loved her as he kissed the back of her neck. A happy care free memory that carried her, gave her the courage, to finish out the semester, now panged her heart with cold sharp jabs of sadness, grief, and the last thing that she wanted was to look at Emma Swans with her nothing-is-wrong smile.

"Go away." Emma's face fell, her smile turning into a pout that rivaled a kicked puppy.

"What?"

"Do you not understand simple English Ms. Swan? I said go away." Emma's eyes widened as she took a half step back. She couldn't understand why Regina was being… mean? But without any other choice she left without a fight, she was tired, and Mary Margaret was practically bouncing to take her home. She just hoped that whatever was going on with Regina would clear up.

Alone in the dark Regina turned into her pillow and gave into her gut-wrenching sadness. She cried into her pillow that gave off a septic smell that just made the stinging in her eyes worse. Damn that Emma Swan and her need to make things better because Regina was fine before she came to town, into her life, and she was better off without Emma Swan.