A/N: Only one update tonight, I'm afraid. I kept getting interrupted all day today, so I am lucky to have been able to update at all. The next chapter to come (ch. 31) is one of my personal favorites in this sequel. Happy reading my lovely readers! :) I expect reviews. Remember, for all of those who don't know or don't follow 50 Shades of Grey. There will also be a 3rd part. This isn't the last chapter, yet.

They make their way into Dr. Hopper's office, where a brisk and friendly receptionist greets Emma warmly, a little too warmly for Regina's liking- I mean she's old enough to be her mother, for heaven's sake- and Emma seems to know her name.

The room is pale green with two dark green couches facing two leather winged chairs, and it has the atmosphere of a gentlemen's club. Dr. Hopper is seated at a desk at the far end of the room.

As they enter, he stands and walks over to join them in the seating area. He wears black pants and a pale blue open necked shirt with a tie. His bright eyes seem to miss nothing.

"Emma." He smiles amicably.

"Archie." Emma shakes his hand. "You remember Regina?"

"How could I forget? Regina, welcome." He smiles.

"Gina, please,"

"Gina," he says kindly, ushering both women toward the couches.

Emma gestures to one of them for her girlfriend and Regina sits, trying to look calm. Her hands casually resting on her lap while Emma is seated next to her with one leg over the other. A simple table with a lamp is in between them with a box of tissues placed on top.

Dr. Hopper takes a seat before them, on a winged chair, grabbing his notepad and pulling out a pen from his breast pocket. Looking cool and collected.

"Emma has requested that you accompany her to one of our sessions," Dr. Hopper begins gently. "Just so you know, we treat these sessions with absolute confidentiality-"

Regina raises a brow, causing the man to stop mid sentence. "So, you know, I've signed a NDA."

Both Dr. Hopper and Emma look her way.

"A non-disclosure agreement?" Dr. Hopper's brow furrows, and he glances quizzically at Emma.

Emma shrugs.

Oops. Obviously this is something the good 'ol Dr. didn't know.

"You start all your relationships with women with an NDA?" Dr. Hopper asks her.

"The contractual ones, I do."

Dr. Hopper's lip twitches. "You've had other types of relationships with women?" he asks, and he looks amused.

"No," Emma answers after a beat, and she too, looks amused.

"As I thought." Dr. Hopper turns his attention back to Regina. "Well, I guess we don't have to worry about confidentiality, but may I suggest that the two of you discuss this at some point? As I understand, you're no longer entering into that kind of contractual relationship."

"Different kind of contract, hopefully," says Emma, smiling over at Regina, who immediately knows she's referring to her marriage proposal.

"Gina. You'll have to forgive me, but I probably know a lot more about you than you think. Emma has been very forthcoming."

Regina glances nervously at Emma. What has she said? She wonders.

"An NDA?" Hopper continues. "That must have shocked you."

Regina blinks at him. "I think the shock of that has paled into insignificance, given Emma's most recent revelations," she replies, her voice soft and hesitant.

"I'm sure." The good 'ol Dr. smiles kindly at her. "So, Emma, what would you like to discuss?"

"Regina wanted to see you. Perhaps you should ask her."

Dr. Hopper gazes over at Regina in surprise. "Would you be more comfortable if Emma left us for a while?" He suggests.

Regina looks over at Emma, who's eyes are on her. "Yes." She whispers.

Emma's mouth flattens into a hard line, but she stands. "I'll be in the waiting room." She says, heading toward the door.

"Thank you, Emma," Dr. Hopper says impassively.

Emma is out the door without a glance or a single word to say. Phew!

"She intimidates you?" Archie asks.

"Yes. But not as much as she used to." Regina feels a little disloyal to Emma, but it's the truth.

"That doesn't surprise me, Gina. What can I help you with?"

Regina breathes in before she begins. "Dr. Hopper, I've never been in a relationship before. Well, let me rephrase- I have, but it didn't last long as this one and it wasn't as intense. I lost my virginity to Emma and she is… well, she's Emma. And over the last week or so, a great deal has happened. I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to think things through."

"What do you need to think through?" He asks.

Regina sighs. "Well… Emma tells me that she's happy to give up…" She pauses.

All this was much more difficult than she thought it would be. What was she allowed to say?

"Gina," Dr. Hopper speaks. "In the very limited time that you've known her, you've made more progress with my patient than I have in the last two years. You have had a profound effect on her. You must see that."

"She's had a profound effect on me, too. I just don't know if I'm enough. To fulfill her needs," Regina whispers.

"Is that what you need from me? Reassurance?" Archie's head cocks to one side.

Regina nods.

"Needs change," he says simply. "Emma has found herself in a situation where her methods of coping are no longer effective. Very simply, you've forced her to confront some of her demons and rethink."

Regina blinks. This actually made sense. Why Emma allowed her to get away with so many misdemeanors as she called them.

"We don't dwell on them- they're in the past. Emma knows what her demons are, as do I- and now I'm sure you do, too. I'm much more concerned with the future and getting Emma to a place where she wants to be."

Regina raises a brow.

"The technical term is SFBT- sorry." He smiles. "That stands for Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Essentially, it's goal oriented. We concentrate on where Emma wants to be and how to get her there. It's a dialectical approach. There's no point in dwelling about the past- all that's been picked over by every physician, psychologist, and psychiatrist Emma's ever seen. We know why she is the way she is, but it's the future that's important. Where Emma envisions herself, where she wants to be. It took you walking out on her to make her take this form of therapy seriously. She realizes that her goal is a loving relationship with you. It's that simple, and that's what we're working on now. Of course there are obstacles- her haphephobia, for one."

Her what? Regina blinks.

"I'm sorry. I mean her fear of being touched," Dr. Hopper says, shaking his head as if scolding himself. "Which I'm sure you're aware of."

Regina nods.

"She has a morbid self-abhorrence. I'm sure that comes as no surprise to you. And of course there's the parasomnia- night terrors, sorry."

"She has described herself as a sadist. Surely, as such, she has needs that I can't fulfill." Said Regina.

Dr. Hopper actually rolls his eyes. "That's no longer recognized as a psychiatric term. I don't know how many times I have told her that. It's not even classified as a paraphilia anymore, not since the nineties." He chuckles, shaking his head. "Emma just thinks the worst of any given situation. It's part of her self abhorrence. OF course, there's such a thing as sexual sadism, but it's not a disease; it's a lifestyle choice. And it's practiced in a safe, sane relationship between consenting adults, then it's a non-issue. My understanding is that Emma has conducted all of her BDSM relationships in this manner. You're the first lover who hasn't consented, so she's not willing to do it."

"But surely it's not that simple."

"Why not?" Dr. Hopper shrugs good-naturally.

"Well… the reasons she does it."

"Gina, that's the point. In terms of solution-focused therapy, it is that simple. Emma wants to be with you. In order to do that, she needs to forgo the more extreme aspects of that kind of relationship. After all, what you're asking for is not unreasonable… is it?"

That actually makes sense. "I don't think so. But I worry that she does." Says Regina.

"Emma recognizes that and has acted accordingly. She's not insane." Dr. Hopper sighs. "In a nutshell, she's not a sadist, Gina. She's an angry, frightened, brilliant young woman, who was dealt a shit hand of cards when she was born. We can all beart our breasts about it, and analyze the who, the how, and the why to death- or Emma can move on and decide how she wants to live. She'd found something that worked for her for a few years, more or less, but since she met you, it no longer works. And as a consequence, she's changing her modus operandi. You and I have to respect her choice and support her in it."

"But she thinks of herself as a recovering alcoholic."

"Emma will always think the worst of herself. As I said, it's part of her self-abhorrence. It's in her makeup, no matter what. Naturally she's anxious about making this change in her life. She's potentially exposing herself to a whole world of emotional pain, which incidentally, she had a taste of when you left her. Naturally she's apprehensive." Dr. Hopper pauses. "I don't mean to stress how important a role you have in her Damascene conversion- her road to Damascus. But you have. Emma would not be in this place if she had not met you. Personally I don't think that an alcoholic is a very good analogy, but if it works for her for now, then I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt."

Give Emma the benefit of the doubt…

"Emotionally, Emma is an adolescent, Gina. She bypassed that phase in her life totally. She's channeled all her energies into succeeding in the business world, and she has beyond all expectations. Her emotional world has to play catch-up." Hopper explains.

"So, how do I help?" Asks Regina.

Dr. Hopper smiles. "Just keep doing what you're doing." He grins. "Emma is head over heels. It's a delight to see."

Regina actually smiles at this. "May I ask you one more thing?"

"Of course."

She takes a deep breath. "Part of me thinks that if she wasn't this broken she wouldn't… want em." She's here, so she might as well say it.

Dr. Hopper's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "That's a very negative thing to say about yourself, Gina. And frankly it says more about you than it does about Emma. It's not quite up there with her self-loathing, but I'm surprised by it."

"Well, look at her… and then look at me."

Dr. Hopper frowns. "I have. And I see two attractive young women. Gina, why don't you think of yourself as attractive?"

Regina shifts uncomfortably. Because this session wasn't supposed to be about her. It was all supposed to be about Emma. There's a knock at the door, followed by the familiar figure of Emma coming back into the office.

"Welcome back, Emma," he says.

"I think time is up, Archie."

"Nearly, Emma. Join us." He motions toward the empty couch.

Emma sits down, beside Regina this time, and places her hand possessively on the brunette's knee. Her action does not go unnoticed by Dr. Hopper.

"Did you have any other questions, Gina?" Dr. Hopper asks and his concern is obvious.

Regina shakes her head.

"Emma?" He turns to the blonde.

"Not today."

Hopper nods. "It may be beneficial if you both come again. I'm sure Gina will have more questions."

Emma nods reluctantly, clasping the brunette's hand. "Okay?" She asks with a smile.

Regina smiles and nods. Yes, they are going for the benefit of the doubt.

Emma turns to face Dr. Hopper. "How is she?" She asks softly.

She, who? Me? Regina looks from Emma to Dr. Hopper in silence.

"She'll get there," he says reassuringly.

"Good. Keep me updated on her progress."

"I will."

Oh… they're talking about Lily.

"Shall we go celebrate your promotion?" Emma turns to Regina, her eyes sparkling like diamonds.

Oh, that look of glee in her eye. It was one of Regina's favorites.

She nodded and stood up right with Emma. Both women were ushered out by the good doctor himself as they waved their goodbyes.

As they are walking along, Emma turns to Regina. "How was that?" She asks.

"It was good." She says simply, giving nothing away.

Emma regards her suspiciously, and Regina cocks her head to one side.

"Ms. Swan, please don't look at me that way. Under doctor's orders I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt."

"What does that mean?"

"You'll see."

Emma smiles, her eyes narrow. "Get in the car," she orders while opening the passenger door of the Mercedes.

Regina fishes for her phone inside her purse as she feels it buzz. Daniel! She had almost forgotten about him. "Hi, Daniel." She looks over to Emma, who's lips are pressed into a hard line and her green eyes have darken.

"Gina, hi…"

"I'm sorry I haven't called you. Is it about tomorrow?" Regina asks Daniel, her eyes not leaving Emma.

"Yeah, listen- I spoke with some guy at Swan's place, so I know where I'm delivering the photos, and I should get there between five and six… after that, I'm free."

"I was talking to Emma about that, and if you wanted to, she says you can stay at her place."

Emma remains silent.

Daniel is serious for a minute, absorbing the news. "Okay," he says eventually. "This thing with Swan, it's serious?"

Regina's eyes turn to Emma, who is looking at her. "Yes."

"How serious?"

Oh, Daniel, don't do this. Not now. Regina rolls her eyes. "Serious."

"Is she with you now? Is that why you're hardly answering?" He asks.

"Yes."

"Okay. So are you allowed out tomorrow?"

Allowed? Regina scoffs, "Of course I am."

"So where should I meet you?"

"You could pick me up from work. I"ll text you the address," she offers.

"Okay. What time?"

"Six?"

"I'll see you then, Gina. Looking forward to it. I miss you."

Regina grins. "See you then." She hangs up the call, turning her attention back to Emma.

Emma is leaning against the car watching her girlfriend carefully, her expression impossible to read.

"How's your friend?" she asks coolly.

"He's well. He'll pick me up from work, and I think we'll go for a drink. Would you like to join us?"

Emma hesitates, her green eyes cool. "You don't think he'll try anything?"

"No, Emma, I don't think he will." Her tone is exasperated- but she holds back from rolling her eyes.

"Okay." The blonde holds her hands up in defense. "You hang out with your friend, and I'll see you later in the evening."

Regina blinks, her brow slightly raising after. Really? That's it? She was expecting a fight. This certainly threw her off balance.

"See? I can be reasonable." Emma smirks.

"Right. Can I drive?" Says Regina.

Emma blinks, surprised by her girlfriend's request. "I'd rather you didn't."

"Why's that, exactly?"

"Because I don't like to be driven."

Regina's hand goes to her hip. "You seem to tolerate Gold driving you."

"I trust Gold's driving implicitly."

"And not mine?" Regina rolls her eyes. "Honestly, your control freakishness knows no bounds. I've been driving since I was fifteen."

"Well, I like driving you."

Regina's brow raises. "Is this my car?" She demands.

Emma frowns. "Of course it's your car."

"Then give me the keys, please. I've driven it twice, and only to and from work. Now you're having all the fun."

Emma smiles. "But you don't know where we're going."

"I'm sure you can enlighten me, Ms. Swan. You've done a great job of it so far."

The blonde is stunned to say the least.

"A great job, huh?" She murmurs.

"Mostly, yes." Regina can't help the blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Well, in that case." She hands her girlfriend the keys, walks around to the driver's door and opens it for her.

While they drove, Bon Jovi filled the car at medium volume. Regina was surprised when she heard singing coming from beside her. She sings too? She had never heard her sing before. She certainly couldn't ever picture her as the singing type, but of course she could sing beautifully.

"Turn left," Emma instructs her, watching her carefully.

"Where are we going?" Asked Regina, keeping her eyes on the road.

"It's a surprise." She grinned. "What did Dr. Hopper say?" She asked.

"He talked about FFFSTB or something."

"SFBT," Emma chuckled, "the latest therapy option," she muttered.

"You've tried others?" This is new.

Emma snorts. "Baby, I've been subjected to them all. Cognitivism, Freud, functionalism, Gestalt, behaviorism… you name it, over the years I've done it," she shrugs.

"Do you think this latest approach will help?" Asks Regina.

"What did Hopper say?"

Regina sighs. "He said not to dwell on your past. Focus on the future- on where you want to be."

Emma nods, her expression cautious.

"He also talked about your fear of being touched, although he called it something else. And about your nightmares and your self-abhorrence." She looks over to Emma, who looks pensive.

"Eyes on the road, Ms. Mills," she teases, smirking.

"Dr. Hopper doesn't think you're a sadist."

"Really?" Emma says quietly and frowns.

"He said that term is not recognized in psychiatry. Not since the nineties."

Emma exhales sharply. "Well, Hopper and I have differing opinions on this."

"He said you always think the worst of yourself. I know that's true," Regina murmurs. "He also mentioned sexual sadism- but he said that was a lifestyle choice, not a psychiatric condition. Maybe that's what you're thinking about."

Emma's lips set into a grim line. "So- one talk with the good doctor and you're an expert," she says acidly.

What the hell? Regina scofs, "Look, Emma, if you don't want to know what he said, then don't ask me."

Emma was right. What the hell did she know? Even Regina knew she didn't know anything about these medical terms. But she sure as hell can list her silent points on her- her control-freakishness, her possessiveness, her jealousy, her over-protectiveness- and she can totally understand where she's coming from. She can even understand why she doesn't like to be touched- she's seen the physical scars. Regina can only imagine the mental ones.

"He also called me your lover."

"Did he, now?" Emma's brow raised. "Well, he's nothing if not fastidious about his terms. I think that's an accurate description. Don't you?"

"Did you think of your subs as lovers?" She had to ask, hoping to God that she didn't.

Emma's brow raises again, slightly. "Turn right here," she instructs first. "And no, Regina. They were sexual partners," her voice sounded cautious again. "You're my only lover. And I want you to be more."

Regina couldn't help but smile, and inside her heart wanted to leap out of her chest at the thought of being more to Emma. Much, much more. But, she didn't want to give anything away on how happy that thought made her.

"I know," she whispered, trying hard to hide her excitement. "I just need some time, Emma. To get my head around these last few days."

Emma nods, turning the music up and their conversation is finally over. She instructs her to turn right as soon as the traffic light turns green, and they are driving far away from the city, onto a quiet Suburban neighborhood. Regina's eyes glance over at the street sign, 100W 57th. St.

"Where are we going, Emma?" She asks again, baffled by the enormous houses.

"Surprise," she replies and smiles mysteriously.