A/N: Here is the next update on this story, (which I know) I owed you yesterday. (Sorry!) This chapter was definitely one of my favorites to write out, and interpret with my own spin on it and added scenes. So I hope you all fully enjoy it! Also, for my readers and followers awaiting the last set of updates on my story: A Royal Summer. You will be happy to know that I have been working on it and it will updated once it is finished. ;) Happy reading!

Emma stared at the empty space where the book was. If everything in this house obviously had some type of sentimental value, then the book must have, too. Which made Emma hate herself even more. On the other hand, she would still hate herself because she would once again let down Henry once he found out how she got the book. To the sound of footsteps behind her, Emma whirled around, eyes wide.

"What?" She asked, her heart thumping inside of her chest.

"What?" Zelena's brow furrowed at the blonde's strange and nervous behavior. She reached for an envelope in between all of her papers she held behind her arm, handing it over to the blonde. "Your first paycheck."

Emma reached over for the envelope, watching as Zelena exited the room. She tore open the envelope, eyeing the check inside. $20,000.

Ingrid was rushing out the door, already late for work. She locked the door and rushed down the hallway, down the stoop of her apartment building when Emma, climbing out of a yellow R8 stopped her in her tracks. "Emma?"

"Hey." Emma walked up to Ingrid. "Is Henry here? I really need to talk to him."

Ingrid blinked, prying her eyes away from the expensive looking vehicle. "No, he's over at a friend's house for the day. Having a sleepover."

"Shit," she mumbled to herself.

"What-? Did you win the lottery?" Ingrid's eyes turned back to the car, growing wide as she looked back into Emma's own eyes. "Don't tell me you-"

"No!" Emma scoffed, "It belongs to my boss. It beats taking the bus all the way over here."

"I'm sorry." Ingrid gave Emma an apologetic look. Her eyes turned back to the car right after. "So, Regina is really loaded, huh?"

Emma nodded. "It would appear so. Look, uh… can you please, tell Henry that I need to talk to him?"

"Why? What's wrong?"

She looked away for a moment, tucking her hands inside her jacket pockets.

"Emma?" Ingrid called out to her once again, knowing something was up.

"The uh…" She paused, her eyes locking onto Ingrid's. "The book I gave him, I have to get it back."

"Why?" She frowned, knowing perfectly well what Emma would say next.

"Because…" Emma sighed, feeling absolutely horrible. "Because it-"

"It wasn't yours to give." Ingrid stated the fact, anger displaying in her eyes. "Jesus, Emma," she breathed, shaking her head.

"It was before I landed this job."

"Still," Ingrid snapped. "Do you have any idea how Henry will feel?"

Emma frowned, remaining silent.

"You are never going to gain his forgiveness this way. His trust."

"I know." Emma swallowed down the lump in her throat, her eyes watered. "Look, I fucked up, And I don't expect Henry to understand, but I'm trying to do the right thing. Regina, she… she doesn't deserve this either. She's a good woman."

"Regina?" Ingrid's brow raised, the corner of her lip tilted up in a tiny smirk. "You two are on a first name basis, now?"

Emma rolled her eyes, "Come on, Ingrid- I'm trying to do the right thing here."

"Well, the right thing to do would be to tell your son the truth. Tell him, you fucked up. Tell Regina." She sighed, "You should take him out sometime. I know Henry will enjoy that. Take him to a baseball game or something."

"Here." Emma dug inside her back pocket, pulling out her first paycheck and handing it over to Ingrid.

"What's this?" Ingrid glanced down at the envelope.

"It's my first paycheck."

Ingrid's eyes grew wide at the sight of the amount written on the check. She looked up at Emma. "You make this much?" She asked, shocked.

"Yeah," Emma nodded.

"I can't take this, Emma. It's your money, you've earned it."

"Take it. Use it for Henry. Get him whatever he wants, use some of it for yourself. Save it or spend it, it doesn't matter. It's the least I can do after you've looked after him for me and saved him from sharing my same fate in a foster home."

Ingrid nodded, folding up the envelope and placing it inside her jeans pocket. "Thank you. Just make things right, Em."

"I will." Emma nodded, climbing back into the car and driving away. Explaining it to Henry would be hard enough. How would she even begin to explain her stupid reason to Regina?

She drove back as fast as she could, reeving past one car, then another, not caring that some cars honked at her and one hand furiously stuck out its car window to flip her off. Occasionally driving past a few red lights. The damn pager had been going off, and she knew Zelena was looking for her. She needed to get back. She could not lose this job. She wouldn't.

Beads of sweat were already coating her forehead, her eyes scanning the busy streets, her hands gripping tightly onto the steering wheel. Was this how race car drivers felt like?

"Shit," she mumbled to herself at the sound of sirens crying behind her. Her eyes glanced up into the rear view mirror, seeing a cruiser keeping up with her speed. A hand sticking out the window, signaling her to pull over.

With a heavy sigh, Emma had no choice as she pulled into the first parking lot she spotted once she was off the bridge, repeatedly cursing herself. She could have easily lost him with this car, but that would have turned into another matter entirely.

"Shit!" She hissed, rolling down her window as she could see the figure of an officer approaching her driver's side window. "Officer, I have a perfectly good explanation as to why-"

"Emma?" The officer's body bend down, revealing a surprised Graham as his eyes drank in the blonde's surprised and pale features, along with the expensive car she was driving.

"Jesus, Graham," she mumbled, her eyes closing and head leaning back against the leather seat. All of her color coming back to her cheeks.

"What…" The man's brow furrowed, wondering how in the hell did Emma own a car this luxurious when the last time he saw her, she didn't have two dimes to rub together. "What's going on here? Did you suddenly win the lottery overnight?"

Emma rubbed away at her forehead, her elbow resting against the window frame of the rolled out window. "Don't I wish. This belongs to Regina." She took in Graham's puzzled look, quickly explaining. "The woman I've been looking after. You called as a favor to me, you spoke to a Zelena Mills."

"Oh!" Graham smiled, feeling relieved to know that Emma wasn't back to her old ways. As much as he missed seeing her around, and conversing with her on his lunch breaks, a cold cell was no place for her. "So, that job's been working out well for you, huh?" He smirked, placing his free hand against the roof of the car to lean in.

"Yeah," she nodded. "In fact, that's why I was speeding- I had to come down to the other side of town to drop off my first paycheck to my son, and I didn't realize I was already running late to get back. I was only given a couple of minutes to be out." She smiled.

Graham chuckled, "That's very responsible of you, Em. However you did run across three red lights back there."

"I know, I'm sorry- and I know that doesn't excuse my rush against traffic but-"

"You're right, it doesn't." His pen began scratching away at his notepad.

A notepad Emma knew too well. She closed her eyes, leaning her back against the seat, expecting to hear the rip of the sheet at any given moment. Don't fuss, Swan. You rightfully deserve that ticket. Just take it, pay for it and go on your way. Be thankful it was Graham who stopped you and not some other cop who would have given you hell for speeding.

Her eyes opened at the sound of the ticket being ripped from the officer's notepad, her hand reaching for it as Graham handed it to her. "I expect you to follow this accordingly," he said, leaving Emma to gawk at the phone number written on the ticket in clear black ink. He smiled once the blonde looked back up at him. "You owe me a date. It seems it was meant to be that we run into each other again."

Right! The so-called date if she saw him again. Emma smiled, relieved once again that he was letting her off that easy.

"Just obey all the road signs next time, hm? I don't want you getting yourself hurt." He smiled.

She smiled, because it was the only thing she could think of doing. "Thanks."

"Let's just call it a warning. I'll be waiting for that call." He winked, walking back to his cruiser.

Emma watched him get into his cruiser through the rear view mirror once again. Her eyes fell on the ticket which held the man's phone number. Her head turned to the officer's cruiser driving past her, a smile and a wave directed at her. Graham was a good man, and Emma has had her fair share of experiences in dealing with cops. And Graham was one of the best and a decent human being.

Emma made her way in through the elevators, scoping the place out first to make sure no one saw her leave. Once the coast seemed clear, she made her way into the kitchen, opening up the compartment of keys and hung back the R8's keys. She stopped on her tracks, eyes wide at the sight of Zelena right behind her. The woman was like a ninja.

"Where have you been?" Zelena asked, her hand on her hip, awaiting an explanation.

"I had to run a quick errand." Emma decided that was simple enough without giving too much away.

Zelena's eyes glared. "Strike three."

"That was a foul tip."

"Which I caught. So, now you're out." That was her last word.

Emma's heart began thumping inside of her chest. She could not lose this job. "Come on, Zel, look, I haven't seen my son, I had to take my check down to him. It's not my fault he lives on the other side of town. That's why I took the car, it's faster than a bus."

"Who said you could take the car?" The woman demanded.

"I did." Heads turned to the sight of Regina, her eyes trained on her sister.

Zelena's mouth parted in shock, because it's true her sister could have a heart of gold with anyone. But, why on earth would she trust someone like Emma Swan with one of her vehicles? That was new. However, if she gave her free reign, then that must mean Emma told her she was leaving.

She nodded, eyes on her sister. "Alright." Her eyes turned to the blonde's shocked look before walking away.

Emma couldn't believe what just happened. Regina knew nothing about this, yet she stuck up for her. Why? Who in the right mind would want to help her out like this and without asking for anything in return. Why did she even care so much? That was the real question. Be as it may, there was only one thing Emma thought to say in that very moment.

"Thank you."

Regina nodded, her eyes trained on the blonde.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be late. There was traffic and then a cop pulled me over-"

"Emma." Regina's voice was soft. "It's fine. You have every right to that car as my carer. And you were right."

"About what?"

"That car has spent so many years parked in that garage… it deserves to get out once in a while." The corners of her lips tilted up into a smile before she turned on her chair and exited the room.

Emma was left with a smile stretching across her lips. Even more so now, Regina deserved to know the truth about her stealing that book for Henry. She did just help her keep her job after all.

Regina's eyes parted open feeling it was becoming hard to breathe again. She felt herself wheezing as usual, and all she could do was stare at the sealing. Praying this time for death to get it over with and take her.

That night was a restless one for Emma. She could do nothing more but pace back and forth inside the privacy of her bedroom. She kept going over how she was going to tell Regina the truth in her head, and every one of those lines began with, 'I really need to tell you something.' or 'I need to come clean about something.' But neither of them seemed like a very good start to her confession.

"It was a mistake. I know it. I'm sorry. Truly- truly- sorry." She sighed, collapsing on her bed, her arm draping helplessly over her eyes. What am I going to do? Emma had stolen many things in the span of her life, but never has she ever been so terrified to confess it. She really liked Regina, and she was thankful that she didn't become angry for taking one of her cars to get around in earlier. But this? How was she going to handle it?

A faint wheezing sound came from the monitor that laid beside her on the bed. It caused Emma to turn towards the device and sit up rapidly. Regina! "Shit!" She hissed, jumping out of the bed and racing out of her door and into the brunette's room without knocking.

The pound on her bedroom door was loud enough to make the brunette's eyes move toward Emma's racing figure. It was dark, but the lighting the city provided through her window beamed on her so well, she could see her worried features.

"Regina! What's going on?" Emma's eyes were wide, panting short breaths of air with each spoken word. "What's wrong? Is this it? Is it an attack?" She could hear the wheezing sound come out from Regina's lips and began looking around the room for anything that might be able to help. Her eyes falling on a- oxygen tank! "Air! You need air!" She reached down for the tank, quickly turning the knob until she heard a hiss coming from the tank.

Beads of sweat covered Regina's entire face, her eyes giving Emma all of their attention, watching as the blonde worriedly reached for the mask that was hooked up to the oxygen tank and placed it over her mouth and nose. She could feel the oxygen brushing against her nostrils, but even then she refused to breathe.

Are you fucking kidding me? "Regina, breathe." Said Emma, taking notice of the woman's refusal. "Come on. Regina!"

Regina shook her head a little more, grunting this time as she brushed Emma's hand away along with the mask with her action.

Emma backed off, gawking at the stubborn woman in awe. "What? So that's it? You're refusing to breathe?" Her eyes becoming glassy, her voice cracked as she asked this. "For what? What the hell are you trying to prove, huh?" She watched as Regina continued to wheeze for a breath of air. Suddenly, she became angry. "Look, shit happens, but life always gives you a second chance, one way or another. Well, this is yours!" She placed the mask back against the woman's face.

Regina's eyes connected with Emma's as her wheezing became muffled by the mask over her face. She noticed a single tear roll down the blonde's cheek. She was crying. Emma was crying. For her.

"Do you really think the world is better without you in it? What, do you really think that no one will give a shit if you die right now? Well- I do!" Her voice cracked again, this time her bottom lip trembled. "Okay? Now either you take a breath right now, or I will give you mouth to mouth, and that'll be the only kiss you get from me, I can promise you that."

Regina wheezed, only this time it wasn't due to lack of oxygen but laughter. A laugh that involuntarily escaped her, followed by another slight wheeze that this time asked for some oxygen. Her eyes blinked as she felt Emma place the mask over her face again, her lungs appreciating the gaseous element that filled them.

Emma blinked along with her, wiping away at her fallen tears with her free hand, and those that obstructed her vision. She watched the woman's chest rise up after taking a much needed breath and sighed in gratitude.

The brunette calmly breathed time and time again, slowly. Her head moved to the side to indicate Emma that she was stable enough to breathe now. Emma's trembling hand moved away from the woman's face, watching her cautiously.

"What…? Is it over? Are you alright now?" Emma asked, her voice filled with fear.

After a few exhaled breaths, Regina nodded. "Y-yes."

The blonde sighed deeply, this time dropping to her knees beside the woman's bed, her head lying against the edge of the mattress. "Oh, thank God," she breathed out her murmur like a prayer. "Thank God."

Regina's eyes looked down at Emma, taking notice in the woman's hand resting against hers. Her lips parted in surprise. Because right now, there was nothing more she would love to feel the warmth of Emma's hand resting on top of her own. And it was at this moment- right now- that for the first time ever, she no longer wished to die.

"Can you- would you help me over to my chair, please?" She whispered, her breathing more in control.

Emma's head lifted up as quickly as her body did from the floor. She moved quickly toward the brunette without asking a single question, just obeying, helping Regina out of her bed and into her chair carefully, strapping her in, all too familiar with her duties now.

Her brown eyes looked up into the awaiting blonde's green ones. "Now, open the doors to my terrace." She nodded toward the two white framed, glass doors, watching Emma quickly open both of them and awaiting her next instructions. "Now, take me outside."

Thin lips parted, "You're not going to ask me to throw you off the balcony, are you?"

Regina let out a small chuckle, shaking her head. "I just want to sit out there a while. I promise I won't move." Her tone was filled with a hint of sarcasm.

Emma's eyes were narrow as she watched the brunette and moved behind her chair, "I hate to be so honest right now, but I'm actually thankful you can't move. Otherwise, I'm sure you would try to throw yourself off of that balcony."

Regina released another chuckle, feeling her chair being pushed by Emma as they headed out into the balcony. There was a beautiful view of the city, and there was a light breeze in the air tonight that Regina was appreciative about. Emma looked out at it before turning back to the brunette who's eyes were trained on her.

"Do you need anything else?" She asked her.

"Just your company." Said Regina, happy to see a tiny smile tug at Emma's lips, her body leaning up against the balcony's stone rail. "It wasn't a pretty sight, was it?"

"Definitely not my top favorite moment. Does that happen a lot?" Emma asked.

"On occasions. This was the worst one."

"Does anything hurt?"

"My legs." Regina murmured, feeling the pain become more noticeable at the mention of her pain. "Ironic how I can't feel them, yet I can feel their pain." She chuckled.

"Do they give you anything to take for that?" Asked Emma.

"Different medications. The doctors call it involuntary contractions. Muscle spasms. There isn't enough movement in my legs, so it's to be expected." She paused, taking in the sounds of distant honking echoing throughout the city. "The medications… They can only help so much. Until they don't. The pain becomes unbearable sometimes."

"Enough to make you want to off yourself?" Emma frowned. She knew Regina didn't care much about dying, but until tonight, she became sure of just how much.

"No. But losing my wife does." Her eyes displayed a sadness Emma had never seen before.

What could Emma say to that? There was no right way of giving this woman hope to cling to life.

"I've never lost anyone in my life," She still tried her best. "And I didn't know what type of woman your wife might've been, but I'm sure she wouldn't want you doing this to yourself." She paused, her eyes locking on saddened brown ones. "Like I said in that room; confined to a chair or not- you have so much to live for, Regina. I mean, look at all you have-" she motioned to the balcony and doors of the bedroom. "Your sister… she may come off as the wicked witch of the West, but she cares. She worries about you."

Regina chuckled, "You don't know the half of it, Emma. You don't know what I have to live with day after day, night after night, eating away at whatever feeling is left in my body."

Emma scoffed, "And that gives you the right to want to kill yourself? Come on, Regina," she pushed herself away from the balcony, sitting in a chair that was near the brunette, her eyes trained on the woman's sadness. "I don't know much about you either, that's true. I don't know half of what you've been through, just like you don't know what I've been through- which has led me to some shit choices if we are being honest. Yet here I am, finally holding onto a job, trying to keep the most stubborn woman alive all to give my son someone he can finally be proud of."

"You seem decent enough to me. And if your son isn't proud of you, then I am…" Regina's eyes remained connected with Emma's as she said this. "You did a pretty heroic thing tonight. Not a lot of people have the bravery to deal with someone like me."

Great. Now I'm a hero. Emma shook her head, sighing. "I'm no hero."

"You are to me."

She chuckled, "Once a thief, always a thief. But, thank you." She paused, noticing the tiny smile on Regina's lips. It was now or never, Swan. "Regina…" Her hands tucked inside her pockets. "There's something-" She stopped, hearing the woman groan and seeing her eyes close before her. "What? What's wrong?" Her body standing from the chair in full alert.

Regina's head shook, "It's the pain. Nothing's helping." Her breath trembled. "It's like being on fire."

Shit. I can't leave her to suffer like this. Emma's light bulb came on, thinking of the only solution she knew would surely work, and maybe even take Regina's mind off of her condition for a while.

"I may know something that will help."