Part Six: The One With The Conscious

"Is it cheating if you try to seduce your wife even though she doesn't know she is going to be your wife yet?" Emma asked.

"Excuse me?"

"I mean if you went back in time and met your wife before she became your wife and then you, I don't know, seduce the woman in the past, are you cheating on your wife in the future?"

"I…don't think so," Archie said "If she is the same woman, I guess not"

"She is," Emma said sitting heavily on the couch "So, just to be clear, it's okay if I try to seduce the past version of her right?"

"This is all hypothetical, right?" Archie asked "Perhaps you should consider making an appointment with my secretary"

"You don't have a secretary, Archie," Emma said rolling her eyes.

"Right," Archie said "What are you doing here again?"

"I found Pongo," Emma said "He is tied up to the desk outside"

"My secretary's desk?" Archie asked.

"You hired a secretary?" Emma asked confused.

"I'm in the process too?"

"Since when?"

"Since…I'm not sure," Archie laughed "For as long as I can remember"

"Oh! Right" Emma smiled embarrassedly at him "Yeah, I should get going"

"Are you sure you don't want to make an appointment?" Archie asked "We can discuss more of your time traveling issues"

"I wish," Emma murmured under her breath "But I have to go back to the station"

"Okay, but you know, my door is always open if you ever want to talk," Archie said and rose from the armchair.

"Thanks," Emma said and rose from the couch as well.

"Of course," Archie said and held the door open to Emma "Whenever you want to talk"

"Oh, by the way, you need to get him a new collar," Emma pointed at Pongo after walking past Archie.

"What?"

"Pongo. The hook on his leash is loose" Emma said "That's how he keeps running away from you"

"Oh! Thank you" Archie said "I had no idea!"

"Of course,"

Emma smiled politely at the man and walked out of his office. It was a bit of a walk back to the Sheriff's Station now and that made Emma realize that Storybrooke wasn't as small as she once thought it was. She missed her old bug. And her powers. Poofing was legit the best thing Regina ever thought of her. Well, that and the knee thing, Emma smiled.

She crossed the street not really paying attention to her surroundings. As she walked back to the station, Emma thought about the only thing that kept on running over and over and over again in her head, from the moment she woke up in the morning to the moment she went to sleep at night. How the hell was she going to get back home? Back to her timeline! God, what an unbelievable mess she was in. Emma looked at her watch to look at the time. Almost eleven in the morning. Perhaps she should swing by Granny's and grab a little something to eat. Better yet, she should get lunch for her and Regina and then stop by at the Mayor's office. Regina might even let her hold Henry again. God, he was such a cute little baby.

Emma was just about to take the detour to Granny's when she saw Regina's Mercedes speeding up the street. Emma tried to follow the car by running after it and she saw from a distance Regina carelessly park the car in front of the hospital and then hurry inside with, what she supposed was Henry in her arms. Did something happen with Henry? Emma's heart raced inside her chest as she started to run with all she had in the direction of the hospital.

She quickly made her way inside the hospital, not bothering to ask the receptionist where they were. Emma knew Regina was going straight to Whale and the only floor the man always seemed to be in, was the third. The elevator was taking forever to arrive and Emma gave up after aggressively pushing the button. She ran up the stairs, two flights at a time and when she arrived on the third floor, she ran down the corridor. She saw Regina behind the glass door and stopped for a second to catch her breath before walking up to her.

"Regina" Emma said entering the room "What's going on?"

"Miss Swan?" Regina said her eyes tearing up "What are you doing here?"

"I saw your car on the street," Emma said a little out of breath "Did something happened to him?"

"Yes, he's sick" Regina cried "My son is sick"

"What?" Emma breathed out "Whale, what's wrong with him?" Emma asked getting closer to the gurney Henry was in.

"Nothing!" Whale said "As I told the Mayor before, there is nothing wrong with him"

"I don't understand," Emma said looking at Regina.

"He won't stop crying," Regina said, "I think there is something deeper here, something we are missing"

"Madam Mayor, apart from really healthy lungs, there is nothing wrong with your son," Dr. Whale said.

"Yes, there is," Regina screamed.

"Regina…" Emma started to say.

"I need to find his birth mother," Regina said firmly.

"Wait, what?" Emma asked eyes widened.

"Maybe there is something genetic, something only this woman can give him,"

"Wow, Regina, no! You can't do that" Emma said feeling the panic crawling her skin.

"Why not?" Regin asked angrily.

"Well, it was…a closed adoption. You can't have access to any information about her"

"And how the hell do you know that?" Regina asked seriously.

"Aren't all adoptions close?" Emma asked nervously "Regina, there is nothing wrong with Henry"

"So, he just hates me," Regina said, tears falling down.

"What? No! No, of course not" Emma said "Can I…Can I hold him?"

"Why? Regina asked.

"I want to show you something"

Regina nodded and Emma smiled at her before walking to the gurney where Henry was lying. He was crying, loud and desperate and Emma could only imagine how Regina was feeling inside. it was desperate to hear him crying like that, and Regina probably felt so helpless for not being able to stop, for not being able to ask him what was wrong, for not being able to comfort him. Emma kissed his tiny forehead before picking him up in her arms. She carefully laid Henry's head on her shoulder and patted his back while singing a lullaby to him. It didn't happen immediately and for a moment Emma thought Regina was right, maybe there was something wrong with him. But little by little Henry's cries subsided until they stop completely.

"See?" Emma smiled at Regina "No more crying"

"This is the second time you manage to do that" Regina said softly.

"It just takes a little practice," Emma said lovingly.

"Do you have any children?" Regina asked.

"I have three," Emma said back.

"Where are they?" Regina asked.

"They're…not here," Emma said sadly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Regina said sincerely "And your husband?"

"My what?" Emma asked confused.

"You have a wedding ring on your finger," Regina said pointing at Emma's hand.

"I don't have a husband" Emma let out a small laugh "I have a wife"

"Oh, I…I'm sorry I presumed," Regina said back "Is she here in Storybrooke?"

"Not really, no," Emma said looking into Regina's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Miss Swan" Regina said solemnly.

"It's okay," Emma said "I'll be with them again"

"Yes, of course," Regina said and then changed the subject "Can you show me how you do that?"

"Yes," Emma smiled "Here, take him"

Regina moved closer to Emma, close enough that Emma could smell her perfume and that perfect natural aroma that belonged to her wife. Regina looked so vulnerable as she reached to take Henry from Emma's arms that all Emma wanted to do was wrap her arms around her wife and tell her that everything was going to be okay, that she was here for her, for whatever she needed. Emma wanted to kiss her and tell Regina how much she loved her, how much she needed her, but she couldn't. She had to settle for watching Regina carefully take their baby boy from her arms and do nothing when her face fell the moment Henry started to cry again.

"It's me," Regina said rocking Henry in her arms.

"No, it isn't," Emma said firmly "Put his head on your shoulder"

Regina straightened Henry in her arms, perfectly mimicking Emma's position from when she had Henry in her arms.

"He won't stop," Regina said desperately.

"He will," Emma smiled at her "Tap his butt and use your other hand to pat his back"

Regina did what Emma told her, but Henry still didn't stop crying.

"Now talk to him," Emma said.

"What?"

"He likes to hear your voice," Emma said "It's how he knows he is not all alone"

"This is ridiculous," Regina said.

"Just try," Emma smiled.

Regina cleared her throat and walked away from her. Emma took a step back, she knew how much Regina was probably hating been this vulnerable. This exposed. This scene developing right in front of her eyes proved to her just how much Regina loved Henry. She loved their boy so much that she was willing to drop The Evil Queen act just to make him stop crying. She wanted nothing more than to see him healthy and happy and Emma felt tears falling down her eyes. How could she ever not fall for this woman? The very first day Emma laid eyes on her she never really had a chance.

"Henry," Regina whispered "I promise if you just tell me what you want, I will do anything for you. Anything"

Emma closed her eyes. It was almost too much for her to watch. This right here was everything she ever wanted for her son when she gave him up for adoption. She never doubted Regina was everything she ever dreamed for her son, but to be able to witness this, be able to see Regina putting Henry first and forgetting the whole Mayor/Evil Queen façade out of love for such a tiny little thing made Emma's heart swallow with love and proud for her wife. She loved her so much.

"Please, just give me a chance"

And then Henry stopped crying. Regina looked back at Emma and gave her a watery smile that Emma eagerly returned. She walked closer to them, God how much she wanted to kiss Regina. She wished she could just envelop the two of them in her arms. Was Henry too big for her to do that when she got back home? Emma patted Henry's head and looked into Regina's eyes and for a brief moment there, she saw her wife looking back at her.

"I told you," Emma said "He likes the sound of your voice"

"Thank you, Miss Swan,"

"I told you, Regina," Emma said "I'm here for you"

"Right," Regina shook her head and then, the facade was back on "I should get Henry home"

"Yes, of course," Emma smiled.

"I appreciate all your help" Regina walked to the chair and picked up the nursery bag.

"I'll drive you home," Emma said.

"There is no need for that, Miss Swan"

"I think he fell asleep, Regina"

"I have a baby seat in my car"

"Don't you rather hold him for a little while longer?" Emma asked. She knew that would do the trick.

"Well, I have my car, so," Regina said passing through the glass door.

"That's fine with me," Emma said "I don't have a car. Besides your house is much closer to the Sheriff station"

"The Sheriff Station?" Regina asked.

"Oh, yeah, I'm the new deputy," Emma said flashing her star badge.

"Graham hired you?" Regina asked "He didn't tell me about that"

"Oh, well, he had it in his budget," Emma said awkwardly.

"Well, I suppose the city need thoughtful deputies," Regina said.

"You are not upset that he hired me?" Emma asked.

"Why would I be upset about that?" Regina asked.

"No reason"

They reached the black Mercedes Regina had so carelessly parked in front of the hospital earlier. Regina gave Emma the keys and she gallantly opened the door for Regina and Henry to get in. After they were both secure inside the car, Emma walked around it and got in herself. The drive to Regina's mansion was one that melted her heart on a whole different level. It bought her back to a time when the twins were newborns and how Regina was always sniffing their heads. She couldn't get enough of it. And now, here Regina was, doing the same to Henry. He had stopped crying and was sleeping safe and sound tucked in Regina's arms while she sniffed his baby head.

"I love that smell," Regina said.

"I know," Emma said and looked at Regina's confused gaze "Baby smell is the best. Even the coldest heart on earth can't resist that"

"I supposed so," Regina said looking at Henry.

"You are a good mother, Regina," Emma said.

"You don't know me, Miss Swan,"

"I know that you adopted a child that you know nothing about," Emma said "And I know that you love that kid more than you love yourself"

"How do you know that?" Regina asked.

"I can see these things," Emma smiled "And he loves you too, you know?"

"I hope so,"

"He does," Emma said "Henry loves you, Regina"

Regina smiled at Emma and sniffed Henry's baby head again. They arrived at the mansion and Emma made quick work to help Regina inside the house. She waited in the kitchen while Regina went upstairs to put Henry in his crib. She looked at the watch and saw how late it was. She should go back to the station, she should have been there over two hours ago, but she didn't want to leave Regina just yet. She checked her phone and since there were no calls or texts from Graham, Emma decided to make something for them to eat. If she knew Regina, and she knew Regina, she probably didn't eat all day.

Emma opened the fridge to see what was inside. She saw a container with leftover roasted chicken and how her mouth watered on the spot. Regina did the best roasted chicken. She took out the container and washed her hands before starting to shred the chicken with her hands. When she had a good amount of it, she cut an onion in a half-moon shape. She picked up a large pan from the cabinet under the sink and put it on the stove with a dash of olive oil. She added the chicken and the onions and while they were frying in the pan, Emma started to work on a salad.

"What are you doing?" Regina asked when she entered the kitchen.

"Oh, hey," Emma said giving one last stir in the chicken "I've made us lunch"

"I can see that," Regina said, arms crossed "Why?"

"Well, I figured you didn't have time to eat with Henry and all," Emma said while fixing the plates "Come one, seat down. It's all done"

Regina sat down on the island as Emma walked back to her with two plates in hand. She asked if Regina wanted to drink anything and when she said just a glass of water, Emma took two wine glasses instead of regular cups and filled them with water. She sat down next to Regina and moaned when the first taste of the chicken hit her tongue.

"God, you make the best roasted chicken," Emma said.

"You say that as if you have tried it before," Regina said looking at her.

"What can I say? This is the best chicken I ever had"

"I can't figure you out, Miss Swan"

"What?" Emma asked with her mouth full.

"I can't remember you," Regina said "You don't seem to fear me"

"Why would I fear you?"

"Why indeed"

"I think you are just stressed because of Henry" Emma smiled and looked at Regina's untouched plate "Eat!"

"You are giving me orders now?"

"Wouldn't dream of it" Emma laughed "Please?"

Regina held her gaze a minute longer before picking up the fork and take a bite of the food. Emma smiled as she watched Regina taking one bite after another until her plate was completely clean. When they were done, Emma took both plates and glasses to the dishwasher. Her phone rang inside her jacket and she sighed when she saw there was a text from Graham telling her she needed to go back to the station.

"It's Graham," Emma said "I have to go back to work"

"Of course," Regina said standing up "I appreciate all your help today"

"Any time, Regina," Emma said "I mean it"

"I'll walk you to the door,"

Emma left the house and started to walk back to the station. God, it was so good to be this close to Regina even if she wasn't her Regina yet. It didn't matter, Emma noticed. It didn't matter if it was past, present, or future. She loved her. She loved every single form of Regina.

Storybrooke – Present Day

"Mom?" Henry said "Mom, you are squeezing me"

Regina had her arms wrapped around Henry in a tight hug. She couldn't help the emotion from the dream she had the night before about him and…Emma. It was so real, Regina felt like it actually happened. Like all the dreams she had before of Emma ever since she fell into that portal. The dreams that didn't really feel like dreams at all. Regina squeezed him tighter and Henry gasped for air before Regina started to lose the embrace a bit. Perhaps she was squeezing him too tight but she needed that. He was her firstborn. He was the first one who taught her how to love again.

"I love you, Henry," Regina said looking into his eyes. Henry was as tall as she was now.

"I love you too, mom," Henry said back to her "Are you going to the vault?"

"Yes," Regina said "And you need to get ready for school"

"Well, I was in the middle of it when you walked in and hug me," He said cheekily.

"You are too much like your mother" Regina smiled.

"Funny, she says I'm too much like you," Henry laughed.

Regina smiled sadly and walked out of his bedroom before Henry could see it. She missed Emma so much. And she was missing so much already even though she had only been gone for four days now. Four days without her and Regina missed her like crazy, if it wasn't for their children Regina wasn't sure how she would be able to handle it. She walked inside the twin's bedroom and gently woke them like she did every morning. They hugged her and didn't let go until Henry walk in to help Regina. They had become a little more dependent on her ever since Emma went missing. And like every morning Regina made sure to tell them how much their momma loves them and how much she would work to bring her back home. Her heart always broke a little when they asked when. When indeed!

After the morning routine was over, Regina drove Henry to school before dropping the kids with Snow. She wasn't working that particular morning and told Regina she had no problem watching them for the day. It was a relief since Regina have to think about the dreams that she was having. She needed to think what the hell was that all about. She parked in front of Snow's building and quickly walked the twins upstairs.

"Hi, grandma," They said together when the woman opened the door.

"Hi, monkeys," Snow said "Go inside, grandma made a chocolate cake"

They didn't need to be told twice as they let go of Regina's hand and ran inside the apartment.

"Thanks," Regina laughed.

"It's no problem, Regina," Snow said "How is the searching going?"

"Not good," Regina sighed "But I'll find her"

"I know you will," Snow said "You know something funny happened the other…"

But Snow couldn't finish her sentence as they heard something crashing back in the apartment.

"It was Sammy," Olie shouted.

"Not true," Sam shouted back.

"Oh, for God's sake," Regina rolled her eyes "Do you want me to…"

"No!" Snow said interrupting her "Go, I'll handle this"

"Thank you,"

And just like the twins, Regina didn't need to be told twice as she quickly left the building. In her vault, Regina took a pen and a notebook and tried to write what had happened, what had actually had happened on the days she was having those dreams about Emma. Two hours later, the paper was still blank.