Part Twenty Nine

Note: Just a small chapter for today.. I'll make it up to you soon! And thank you so much for your reviews, you are amazing :)


Emma stilled when Regina's lips pressed against her own, causing a tornado of feelings whirling through her body. She shivered when the brunette's hand ran from her cheek to the back of her neck, pulling her closer. Breaking down her walls all at once, her lips smoothly matching the brunette's movements.

She found herself leaning in to deepen the kiss and completely lost herself in the moment, feeling the electricity charging their bodies. Every inch of her skin tingled and she grasped onto Regina's hips, pulling her impossibly close, both moaning quietly at the touch.

Regina's knees were shaking, completely breathless with the passionate and longing kiss they were sharing. Her heart beating rapidly when she realized that Emma not only kissed her back, but took over control almost immediately.

Her head was spinning with the endless stream of questions that flowed through her mind. What the hell is going on?! If she doesn't want me, why is she returning my kiss? And why the hell is she kissing me like this?

She could feel it in every fiber of her being, this wasn't just a meaningless kiss. And it most definitely wasn't one sided, feeling the blonde's need through the insistency of her lips and tongue. She could quite literally feel Emma's body buzzing with desire. Her actions were so much more of an answer than her words would ever be.

Regina suddenly pulled back slightly, her eyes flicking down to the blonde's lips. She caught the hitch in Emma's breath at the sudden loss of contact and forced herself not to lean in again, just to let it happen. I don't understand it! I can't lose this! I can't lose you..

She didn't face the blonde for a moment, realizing that it would become too real if she looked up at her. Emotions flowed through her, although her face remained stoic. She needed a different approach and took a step back, placing her trembling hands on her own hips to steady herself.

"I'm sorry…" she said softly, looking off in the distance, avoiding eye contact with the blonde.

Emma's heart was pounding and she found herself bare and utterly exposed with the unexpected and passionate kiss. It took her a moment to snap back into reality, finally processing the brunette's words. Sorry? She frowned and shook her head slightly, confusion pooling in her emerald orbs.

"For what?" she breathed, off balance with the desire that still flooded through her.

She tried to search the brunette's eyes, but she wouldn't look at her, her stomach clenching in the process.

"For forcing you into something you obviously didn't wanted.." Regina stated, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

She turned her head toward Emma again and caught her gaze. Overwhelmed with the intensity she found, both uplifting and heartbreaking. The blonde's jaw dropped and the blood drained from her cheeks, obviously taken aback with her words. Thank God my senses were right..

"What? No.. That's not.. Regina, no!" Emma cried out, completely caught off guard, her eyes wide in shock.

Her heart dropped at the thought of Regina thinking she wasn't the one for her. Unable to cope with the fact that she blamed herself for what had occurred between them. It was all she'd ever wanted! The passion and comfort the brunette had provided through the night was something so unfamiliar, yet so desperately wanted. It made her feel safer than she ever had in her life.

She swallowed around the huge lump in her throat and could feel her mask slipping dangerously, desperately trying to keep it together.

"You didn't force me into anything.." she whispered, meeting the brunette's gaze again,

her lower lip trembling.

Regina's eyes flashed with confusion and growing curiosity, her heart swelling with hope. She watched the blonde's features washing over with different emotions, her eyes pooling with tears that were desperately trying not to fall. Just tell me what's going on inside that beautiful mind of yours, Emma..

Emma wanted to stop pretending, so badly she wanted to stop. But at the same time knew she needed to proceed. She stared at the brunette who was quiet for what seemed like forever. She bit her lip, conflicted between the comfort she wanted to provide Regina and the still nagging concern that Maleficent would harm her if she'd open up.

"So?" Regina whispered, her eyes revealing her vulnerability. "Where does that leave us?"

Emma's eyes fluttered closed and she sighed deeply, her shoulders hanging in defeat. A heavy silence fell upon them, Regina waiting for Emma's answer, Emma waiting for some kind of signal what to do. She wanted to tell her, but her tongue refused to move.

"I can't do this anymore.." Regina suddenly said, her voice slightly trembling, throwing her hands defensively up in the air. "Please, make up your mind, Emma…"

Emma couldn't suppress a whimper as she stared at Regina's features. Crushed to see the softness of her face, not demanding or accusing, although she had every right to be. She found herself at a crossroad, although there didn't seem to be a right direction. There had to be another way to face her fears, without losing the woman she loved.

Emma ducked her head and missed how the brunette raised her eyebrows challengingly. She turned to leave, only to be stopped by Regina's hand circling around her wrist. She snapped her head back and stared deeply into the brunette's expressive eyes, her breath catching in her throat.

She felt their fingers slowly tangling together and although Regina remained quiet, she read the unspoken questions in her eyes. Begging her to open up, begging her to stay, begging her to fight whatever it was that bothered her.

She stared down at their collided hands briefly and felt how shockwaves coursed their way up her arm, charging something deep inside her, followed by a moment of clarity that hit her, hard. The fierceness that boiled up inside of her suddenly becoming all too clear.

Realization dawning on her that there had been only one person who provided her with that kind of strength. A strength that fueled her power to face her demons, to cope with her pain.

It had been Regina who encouraged her to fight, to stop running. Knowing very well that she'd only managed to revive that kind of fierceness in the brunette's presence. Maybe she wasn't strong enough, but together they most definitely were.

A moment later all her secrets were rolling off of her and she couldn't stop them. She didn't even want to stop them. Regina breathlessly listen to her words, her tears falling freely, their hands clutching even tighter together.

She could tell how overwhelmed the brunette was, but found herself stunned with the power she managed to radiate. Almost as if she was making sure that Emma would be able to proceed, comforting her in every possible way, ignoring her own increasing anxiety. Creating a bond between them that went even deeper than their earlier connection. She wasn't alone anymore, they were in this together.