A/N: Alright, here is another chapter that didn't turn out the way I planned, but I loved as it progressed. First off, I want to say that I wrote about the twin towers tragedy in New York and made it apart of this ff. I needed a tragic event to happen to keep our ladies apart for a little while longer (Cruel I know) but, you will see my reason for doing this in the future. I hope lol I also want to clear out that I am aware no wars were actually going on before the tragedy of 9/11 happened, but this is fiction and I decided to change things up to make this story work. I hope you all keep enjoying it as much as I've enjoyed writing for you. Happy reading! :) And don't worry! Emma and Regina will be reunited VERY VERY SOON.

Days, weeks, months passed after that horrific nightmare. Sometimes it would still linger in the back of the blonde soldier's mind, but not enough to have her question it anymore. Because as days, weeks and months passed her by she would begin to see more and more, day by day that Regina truly did love her. Not that she ever doubted it, but it gave her a sense of peace knowing it. And just as all those days passed, both women continued a correspondence of emails back and forth as they went on with their lives trying to make the year fly faster.

My Dearest Regina,

School has been great. Sometimes it feels too overwhelming as it tends to get crowded, but once I start feeling like I'm suffocating I always picture us out in that cabin. I haven't gained enough money to buy that land out in the forest yet, but once I become a really famous writer, I know I will have enough to do whatever needs to be done with it.

It's a hell of a drive into the city of Boston just to get to school, but it's fine because I never sleep well anyway. Ruby sometimes offers to drive me there. It's always been her dream to leave this town and live off in the big city, also I think it's because she dreams of dating a college guy. I tell her she should stick with another fellow soldier, we are more romantic. Wouldn't you agree?

I count the time that's left to see you again. I know you feel bad for not being able to come see me as you had planned, but don't feel bad. We will be together for good soon enough.

Ruby says hi, so does Ingrid. And Marco. Oh and all my girlfriend's. I keep telling them I'm going to marry you someday, but they won't let up. Maybe once you're back in Boston they'll listen. I hope work has been easier for you more than school has been for me lately. Say hi to Kathryn for me. Tell her I miss her too and can't wait to see her again.

Love always,

Emma

Regina sat on her bed, her laptop resting on her lap as it was usual every night now. Her smile never failing as her eyes read through one of the many emails Emma sent her day to day, replying to different one on a different day.

My Darling Swan,

Believe it or not, Kathryn and I had a day off today. We went dancing, which was fun but she isn't as easy on her feet as you are. Even with a limp leg, you still have her beat. How sad is that?

Robin's been around again. Although today, he was a no show. Let's hope he is finally giving up on the idea that there could still be something between us. Frankly, I can't wait to be back in Boston and away from here. In the course of my time here, I've grown to love this country dearly, but with Robin here I feel like I am suffocating. He is to me what your nightmares are to you.

Once I go back, everything will be different.

You'll probably be a writer by the time I see you again. Maybe with all the emails we've exchanged in the course of this time together, you could write a book about them. That would be a bestseller indeed.

Give all of my love to Ingrid. I can't wait to meet her.

Yours,

Regina

My Dearest Regina,

This year is soon reaching its end. Where does the time go? Just as this year is almost done for so will be my first year in college. The best part of this year ending isn't that it'll be summer again, but that I'll get to see you.

My leg was killing me the other day. I still have my medication but the pain gets worse when there's rain, I'm afraid. And lately, it's been raining a lot here. Who knew a small town could hold so much water?

I mailed over a gift for you a few days ago. You should have received it by now. I carved it out myself from the trunk of a tree that Marco and I chopped down a few weeks ago. I've gotten pretty good at carving, wouldn't you agree? He told me this story once about a magical tree out in the forest. He said that whatever we made out of it could last forever and no matter what happens, it could withstand anything.

With that being said, there was only one thing I could think of making for you.

All my love,

Emma

Regina looked down at the wooden item in her hand. It was a carved out horse, the wood from the tree trunk feeling so smooth in her hands as she held it. The stallion's features very detailed it made her think that maybe there was such a thing as magic.

Ingrid and Ruby were sitting in the living room, their eyes wide and lips parted in shock and fear all at once as they took in the images that played on the news before them.

"What's going on?" Emma came down the steps and into the living room, her eyes gluing to the television set as they soon displayed the same emotions as Ruby and Ingrid's. Only her eyes began tearing up at the sight of two planes crashing into the twin towers in New York. It was the most horrific event on every television set that day.

"It's been all over the news. It just happened this morning." said Ruby, who sat by Ingrid.

"Can you imagine what this will mean for the world?" said Ingrid, shaking her head at the disbelief that anyone would dare to do such a monstrosity.

"It's going to get ugly, that's for sure." Emma finally spoke, her eyes not moving from the television set.

Ingrid stood up, moving towards the younger blonde, "I'm just glad you aren't out there anymore. Can you imagine? You wouldn't be coming home until God knows when."

Emma remained silent even as Ingrid walked away from the living room. She knew what this would mean for the world from here on out. Most of all, she could imagine what this would mean for her and Regina.

Regina ran down the hallway of the hospital, gathering with Kathryn and other fellow staff members as their eyes were glued onto a television that had been brought in for everyone to see the news.

"Can you believe this?" Kathryn linked her arm around the brunette's, "This is horrifying."

"It's more that, Kathryn. I hate to think what this will mean for us." a fellow nurse said.

Regina and Emma didn't talk that entire day. Until Regina was able to arrive to her apartment late at night, instead of sleeping she felt the need to write out an email to the blonde back in Boston.

My Darling Emma,

I'm sure by now you've seen the news. It's everywhere. We have a lot of new patients that just came in, many of them just transferred from other hospitals. It's like the end of the world in here and there aren't enough of us to help.

I've never felt so helpless in all my life.

I suppose it can't go without saying that this event will change things for all of us. Airports are going to be going crazy.

To make matters worse, I was ordered to stay for another year. Or until all this settles down, which I can't imagine when that will be. I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am. I was really looking forward to going home, so was Kathryn. But that doesn't mean I never will.

My question is: Will you wait for me?

Love,

Regina

My Dearest Regina,

Without question. Ingrid once told me that no one can control the things that happen around us, which is true. She says that situations, things that one must sometimes do can be the hardest things we ever have to do. You are where you need to be right now. I'm sure I will still be in Boston by the time things calm down. I'm afraid this situation is only going to get tougher for all the soldiers still out there serving and their families. They'll need someone like you to look after them.

To answer your question. Yes, I would wait. As long as it doesn't take you a hundred years to get back. I'm kidding, of course.

Maybe by the time you get back I will be done with school. Time is flying incredibly fast, sometimes I lose track of the date.

I will wait for your call like every night. Please take care and don't work yourself to death.

Love,

Emma

After another month passed on in the new year. Emma had accompanied Marco to the town's cemetery, both looking down on August's grave as it was the anniversary of when his father had received the devastating news of his death. Neither him nor Emma really knew when exactly did he die. The only one who would know would be Regina since she saw the report, but Emma never thought to ask.

Emma placed flowers that Marco had bought for him, as the older man removed his hat out of respect to his son. His eyes still teared up, just as Emma's did.

"I had to force them to tell me what happened to him on that night." Marco spoke, "They told me that he was still alive when he was placed in an ambulance. Of course on his way to the hospital it seems the ambulance formed part in an accident." His lip shook as he held in tears, "They couldn't pull him out in time."

Emma's tears made their way down, her hand squeezing the dog tags that hung around her neck. She looked down at the one she kept with August's name on it, taking a part of the individual chain she had it hanging from as she handed it to its rightful owner.

"He would have wanted you to have this."

Marco looked down at the dog tag with the missing burnt corner as it was dropped on its hand. His fingers caressed his son's name as it was written on the metallic object. A small smile tugged on the corners of his lips. Soon after, he immediately dropped it back into the blonde's hand, cupping it with his other one as he closed it in a tight fist.

"You keep it." He smiled, holding onto the blonde's fist, "It belongs with yours."

Emma shook her head, "Marco-"

"No. Don't argue with me." He paused as Emma remained quiet, "You were out there with him and you did everything you could to try and save him. It's yours. I want you to keep it."

Emma gave him a head nod as she was then pulled into a warm and thankful hug by him.

"You're a good girl, Emma. August would be proud and grateful for what you did. Like I am." said Marco, causing a few tears to fall from the blonde's green eyes as her arms wrapped around the man in a much tighter hug.

Regina smiled warmly at a patient she had just finished seeing, "My name's Regina, if there's anything you need, please feel free to let me know or Kathryn." She rushed out of the room to get to her next set of patients, grunting as she unexpectedly ran into one of the doctors on that floor today. "I'm sorry-"

"I'm sorry." Robin's eyes lit up at the sight of Regina, "Regina," he chuckled, "What are the odds?"

"Robin? What are you doing back here?" Her brows furrowed.

"Well, after what happened I was able to get my job back. This hospital needs more doctors." replied Robin.

"I think they meant good doctors."

Robin chuckled, not letting her sarcasm get to him, "I'm not going to take that personal." His eyes fell upon the swan pendant that hung from her neck, "Nice necklace. That's unusual even for you. I always thought you were more of a horses kind of woman."

"Well, it just goes to show you. You never really knew me all that well. If you'll excuse me, I have other patients to attend to." She looked at the man's hand as it caught her by the arm, preventing her from leaving.

"Well, let's change that," said Robin, looking into the woman's eyes as he spoke, "Have dinner with me tonight."

"I'm busy." replied Regina.

"Doing what?" He asked.

"Not your business." Regina yanked her arm away from his grip, "Excuse me."

Robin chuckled, following the brunette with a single head movement as she walked away, "You know, someday you'll change your mind and come back to me." It wasn't a shout, but it was loud enough that he knew she had heard him.

It was late once Kathryn and Regina left the hospital, walking out side by side as they waited to see a cab.

"I can't believe that douche bag got his job back. And to top it off, he had the nerve to ask you to dinner." Kathryn scoffed, shaking her head in annoyance.

"It doesn't matter. I wouldn't accept even if I was single."

Kathryn sighed, "Well, thank God-"

"So, you are seeing someone."

Both women turned to the voice that was suddenly right behind them, gasping for life as their eyes fell upon Robin.

"Jesus! What is it with you scaring the shit out of us like that?" asked Kathryn, her hand on her chest. "Are you following us?"

"No." Answered Robin, his eyes moving towards Regina, "I was coming out of the hospital just like you."

"Well, you could have let us know you were right behind us." replied Kathryn, her head turning towards a cab, "I think I see a cab." She told the brunette, rushing to pull it over.

"So, how come Romeo isn't picking you up?" he asked Regina as her brows furrowed.

"Who?" She asked.

"Your new boyfriend." He paused, a small smirk on his lips as the brunette rolled her eyes, "You know, I could offer you two a ride."

"We're fine, Robin. Thank you."

"Regina, let's go!" Kathryn shouted, already hopping in the back seat of the cab.

"Have a good night." The brunette nodded towards the man, walking away.

Robin watched as she walked, "He's not another soldier, is he?" He dared to ask, causing the brunette nurse to turn back around.

"What did you say?"

Robin smirked once again, "Your boyfriend. It's not another soldier, is it? I just wouldn't want you to have to lose him too like you lost Daniel."

Regina's expression hardened, her eyes dark as she glared his way. Her lip almost curling with anger. But instead of arguing about someone who was long dead and with a man who only made her nauseous, she turned back on the balls of her feet and walked towards the cab as she left. Leaving a grinning Robin as he walked towards his car.

"Only a matter of time, Regina. Only a matter of time." He murmured to himself, pretty determined to win back the brunette's affection like he once had it.

Kathryn looked over at an angry brunette as she joined her in the cab, "What did that asshole say to you?"

Regina shook her head as she looked out the window, "Nothing."

"Something. I know that look Regina, he got to you. Didn't he?"

"Just leave it alone, Kathryn. Please." The brunette pleaded.

"Fair enough," the blonde nurse nodded, "But we are going out for some much needed drinks."

"No, Kathryn-"

"Yes. We need them. We've had a stressful day and with that asshole working back in the hospital, I can only imagine your day became even more stressful than mine. We were supposed to be back home by now. You were supposed to be with Emma and yet we are still here. We need that drink."

"Easy, I got you." Kathryn whispered, holding onto the brunette as both friends had one too many drinks. Their plan being only going for two drinks, but two soon turned into four, which turned into six and so on. It's a good thing they weren't driving.

The lights turned on as Regina reached for the switch, searching her scrubs pockets for her phone.

"What are you doing?" asked Kathryn, stumbling her way into the living room area, leaving Regina standing by the door.

"Shh, I have to call Emma." Regina whispered.

Kathryn ran her way towards the brunette, wanting to reach for her phone as Regina placed it by her ear, "I want to talk to her!" What followed next was a grunt from both friends as Kathryn had knocked them both down as they landed on the bare floor in a fit of laughter. "Please, let me talk to her." She whispered, laying her head on Regina's chest.

"Alright, but be quiet." Regina whispered, looking at her hand which was now empty. "Where's my phone? Kat-" She groaned, as her best friend was now suddenly passed out right on top of her. "Kathryn?" She shook her but the blonde would absolutely not budge, all she could do was look around as she suddenly heard buzzing coming from behind her. It was her phone, which Emma was now calling her back. "Shit." She grunted, twisting her body with the best of her abilities as Kathryn had her pinned down.

As she was finally able to reach for her phone, she quickly answered, "Hello?" She whispered.

"Are you alright? I heard a loud noise and when you didn't answer I got worried."

"Of course, I'm alright." She smiled, chuckling at the sound of the blonde's voice on the other end of the line, "It's so good to hear your voice."

"It's good to hear you too. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, soldier." Regina sighed, laying flat on the floor with Kathryn still on top of her. "I've failed you, haven't I?"

"What? What are you talking about, Gina? You've done no such thing."

"I have." She sighed, holding back tears that now burned at her eyes, "I haven't been able to go home. I should have been with you already. It's been a year, Emma."

"I know. But that doesn't mean you'll never come home." It absolutely melted her heart how understanding and calm the soldier sounded through all this. Of course, Emma knew she was intoxicated. She could tell right off by the sound of her voice alone, but that didn't bother her one bit. "Hey, once you tell me that you're on that plane to fly back to Boston, I shall be at the airport waiting for you."

That was all Regina needed to hear to smile and have her day become all better, "You promise?"

"I promise. I'll be the one with flowers and a welcome long red carpet that will lead you to your carriage for the day."

At Emma's words, Regina couldn't help but laugh, which was all Emma needed to hear for the night, "You are such a child sometimes."

"I'm twenty now. No longer a teen. I think that qualifies me as a rightful adult in your eyes."

"You'll always be that teen to me, Ms. Swan. Acting like a fool in love." Regina chuckled.

"Well, if you're going to be any kind of fool, that's the kind to be."

"I'm so sorry I missed your birthday." said Regina, her tone sad once again.

"You can make it up to me when you come back home." Emma paused, "You are, aren't you?"

Regina made a pause of her own before answering truthfully, "Of course I am, you idiot."

"Promise?"

Regina nodded, "I promise."

"Get some rest. I love you."

"I love you too." The nurse dropped her phone as the call hung up, her eyes watering as she did miss Emma terribly. And she hated that she had to miss her birthday, but weather she remembered her promise tomorrow morning or not, she promised herself that by Emma's 21st birthday, she would be back home in Boston celebrating with the woman she loved. No matter what.