Regina had gone out to dinner with Emma, Snow, and David that night. Her speech was still a bit slurred, but she told her dinner companions that she had burned her tongue on some coffee before dinner. Only David was suspicious because he was the only one to have heard her slur words before that moment.
"I still can't believe this," David said.
"That I'm dating Regina?" Emma asked.
"That she's dating the Evil Queen?" Regina asked.
"Former Evil Queen," Emma corrected.
"No, that your dating the woman who would technically be your step-grandmother."
"Way to kill the mood, Charming," Regina deadpanned.
Once the check was paid, the two couples left Granny's and began to walk home. It was a nice night and the four decided to walk to the diner. Emma felt a tug on her arm and noticed that Regina had stopped walking. She had a hand on her head and her face was contorted in pain. "Honey, are you alright?"
"I just got a shooting pain in my head."
"Everything alright?" Snow asked.
"Headache," Emma answered.
"Let's just keep walking," Regina said. Emma held her extra close the rest of the way. The two couples reached Regina's house. Snow and David had driven to the house and left their truck there. Emma and Regina went to step up to the walkway that led to the front door when Regina tripped and fell.
Emma gasped, "are you alright?" Snow and David rushed to the fallen woman.
"I think so," Regina said.
"What happened?" Snow asked.
"I don't know. I think I just missed the step."
David and Emma helped Regina to her feet, "you got her?" David asked his daughter who nodded. Snow and David got in their truck to leave but stayed to make sure the two women made it in the house. They saw something else. Regina couldn't lift her leg to enter her home. It took a moment for Emma to help her. Once they were inside, the couple drove off. Emma helped the woman up the steps inside.
"Emma, can I sleep down here tonight?"
"Why?"
"I don't think I can make it up those stairs."
"That grand staircase doesn't look so grand now, does it?"
"No, not at all," Regina's comment shocked the blonde who expected a smart remark, an argument, or at least a glare. Emma helped Regina get settled on the sofa before lying on the floor next to the woman for the night.
The next day, Emma was making breakfast while Henry waited at the table. Regina slowly and unsteadily made her way into the kitchen.
"Mom, are you alright?" Henry asked.
Emma turned around at the question and noticed Regina's condition, "I'm just tired," Regina said.
Henry got up and helped his mom to the table and she didn't even argue. He shot a concerned look at Emma who mirrored him.
"Henry, your grandma is picking you up to take you to school today," Emma said as she gave her son breakfast.
"How long do I have?"
"Probably fifteen minutes."
Henry finished his breakfast and said bye to his moms before leaving with Snow. "Do you think he was upset that one of us didn't take him?" Regina asked.
"No, I think he was fine with it."
"Because he saw the shape I'm in?"
"He just likes his grandma. Do you have any idea what could be going on with you?"
"No," Regina answered. "I better get ready. I have that meeting today."
"Can't you reschedule it?"
"I'd rather get it over with so I can rest."
"I can drive you."
"That's alright," Regina said, "I'm okay to drive."
Emma was skeptical but didn't say a word. She would end up checking in with Regina the entire day. Regina had asked Emma to pick Henry up because she was trying to finish up paperwork. At one point the mayor could no longer focus so she decided to go home. On the drive home, Regina began to feel strange. Her left side went numb and her arm fell from the steering wheel to her lap. She felt both legs take on the same feeling. The last thing Regina saw before she passed out was a large oak tree in her path.