The moment you are all waiting for is in this chapter! Enjoy!

The moment we're alone, I can feel my heart beating a little faster, but Regina stays quiet, looking out to the ocean. Its constant rhythm, the waves drifting in and out against the splashes of color of the sunset, is breathtaking.

(If we hadn't been shipwrecked here, this place really would be a paradise. … And now is my chance to talk to Regina. We keep getting so close and broken apart at the last minute.)

"Would you like to go for a walk?" She asks me.

"I … Yeah, that sounds great."

Rocky outcroppings break up the smooth sand as we make our way down the beach, pace slow as the tide pulls away from the shore. My fingers briefly twitch at my side, thinking about how nice it would be to hold Regina's hand.

(Oh man, I have it bad. Just spit it out, Emma. The worst thing she can do is say she's not interested. And then I'll be embarrassed for like twenty years, but that's fine. I'll deal.)

"So … I was thinking … I mean, I already know I could be totally barking up the wrong tree, but after what you said when Killian was talking about how you met … Not that it means you're compatible with every woman, and we did meet pretty recently, so maybe you don't even know and I'm jumping the gun …"

"You might want to pick a metaphor, Emma."

I squeak, feeling my face go bright red, and can't seem to fumble out any more syllables as Regina and I keep walking. Eventually a larger rock blocks our path, and I'm ready to turn around and flee right back to the resort when Regina tugs me back.

"We can climb up over this. Give it a try." She encourages me.

With her encouragement, I manage to clamber on top of the rock without much of a struggle. When I turn around to help Regina, her hand hooks around mine, grip tight as starts to pull herself up.

"Do you want to start that again? I'm listening." She says.

(Oh god. Part of me hoped she'd tuned all the mumbling out.)

"It's just that I like you. And you're gorgeous and smart which is totally intimidating, so I don't know if it's anything you'd want or …"

My throat goes dry, eyes about to avert away from Regina's intense gaze, but a light squeeze of her fingers draws me right back. When she leans forward, I can barely believe it, but her mouth captures mine in a firm kiss.

(Holy …)

It lasts longer than I expect, Regina's hand tightly clutching mine as soon as I part my lips, returning the kiss and leaning in. The moment she pulls away, I draw in a sharp breath, rendered speechless.

"It is. Something I want, I mean." She says.

"Oh."

I feel giddy, the heat lingering against my mouth from her lips sending an answering warmth rolling through me.

(I should have guessed she'd be so straight-forward about it.)

"You really do?" I ask.

Regina's arched brow gives me back a double dose of 'really', and I quickly clear my throat.

"I'm just checking!" I exclaim.

After a second's hesitation, I lean forward to kiss her again, and Regina welcomes it with a soft sigh. We stay gentle, exploratory, but there's no need to rush when I have her here all to myself.

"Mm. We should head back before Killian decides to lead everyone else on some jungle adventure." She states.

Both of us laugh and Regina helps me down off the rock. This time when I feel the urge to take her hand, I go for it, and despite a besumed look, she lets me.

I know I do not speak much outside the chapter but reviews are always appreciated! ;)