"Henry, you're going to be late for school!" Regina shouted as she walked down the stairs. She was on one of the last steps when her hip spazzed. She grasped the railing with both hands to keep from falling and slowly lowered herself onto the step. "Henry, I need help."

Henry was walking down the stairs and saw his mom, "what's wrong?"

"I think I'm going to need help walking today."

"I'll be right back."

Henry rushed upstairs and came back a few moments later with a cane. He helped his mom up and held onto her as they walked down the stairs where he handed her the cane. "Thank you," she said. Regina hated when she needed to use her cane, but by now everyone, well almost everyone, knew about her disability. Sometimes her muscles would spazz, shake, or move uncontrollably. "Henry, call Miss Swan and ask her to take you to school. I can't drive right now. I'll call the school and let them know you may be late."

Henry called Emma while Regina went to the living room to sit, "Henry, what's up? Shouldn't you be at school?"

"That's why I called. My mom's not feeling well and I need a ride."

"Um, yeah, I'll be there in a few."

Henry hung up and went to find his mother, "Emma's on her way."

"Why don't you wait outside for her?"

"I was just gonna ask if you wanted me to."

Henry and Regina said goodbye and he left. Emma pulled up a few minutes later and Henry was already walking to the car. "Hey, kid," she said.

"Thanks again for the ride."

"It's no trouble."

"I'm about to ask you a favor and you won't like it."

"You want me to go stay with your mom while you're at school," it was more of a statement than a question.

"I'm still really mad at her, but she can't be alone right now."

"Don't worry, kid, I'll go help her. Hopefully, she doesn't kill me."

After dropping Henry off, Emma drove back to Regina's. Henry had given the blonde his house key to get inside. Emma walked to the living room where Henry told her his mom was. "Miss Swan, how did you get in here?"

"Henry gave me his key. I know you'll be mad, but he asked me to stay with you while he's at school."

"Okay," she said softly.

"Seriously?"

"Henry hasn't shown much love or concern for me in months. I'll accept your help, for him."

"Great, so what's going on? You don't look sick."

"My muscles act up sometimes. My hip was spastic this morning and I'm having difficulty walking," she gestured to the cane.

"Did you eat?"

"Not yet," she answered.

"Is it okay if I make you some breakfast?"

"Can you cook?"

"I can make breakfast food. It's not complicated."

"Sure, knock yourself out."

Regina went to stand but Emma stopped her, "you don't have to get up. I'll just look at what you have and fix something up." Emma went to the kitchen and found pancake mix. She also knew that Regina loved apples so she decided to make apple pancakes. Once the food was ready and on the table, Emma went to get Regina. "It's ready," she said, "do you need help?"

Regina nodded and Emma walked over to aid the woman. "It smells good," she said, "what did you make?"

"Apple pancakes," she answered. Emma noticed how Regina's body was shaking. She helped the mayor to the dining room and into a chair. Emma made sure to not look at Regina's hands as she ate. They shook the entire time and Emma knew the proud woman would be embarrassed.

"These are really good."

"Thank you," Emma smiled.

"I know I'm stubborn and a pain in the ass, but I do appreciate your help."

"I know and you can ask me for help anytime."

"Thank you for not staring."

"At what?"

Regina smiled, "nothing."

Once the two women were finished, Emma began to clear the table. She had placed the plates in the sink when she heard a pained cry. Emma ran back to the dining room and found Regina on her hands and knees, leaning against the wall. "Regina, what's wrong?" Emma ran to her side.

"My back," she said as she grits her teeth in pain.

Emma helped Regina lie on the floor on her back. The woman was in a great deal of discomfort and Emma could see her panicking. When the episode was over, Emma had Regina stay still for a few minutes before helping her up and handing her cane back to her. "You alright?"

"I think so," Regina said breathlessly, "thank you."

"Put your arm around my shoulders," Emma wrapped an arm around Regina's waist and helped her to the couch. "Who used to stay with you when this happened?"

"Well, no one."

"Wait, you had to go through that on your own?"

"Yeah," she shrugged, "there was no one available to help."

"Anytime you feel like this I want you to call me. You don't have to go through this alone anymore." Regina smiled a tearful smile at the blonde and Emma lightly squeezed her shaking hand. The mayor began to feel bad about how she had been treating Emma. She had been so rude and nasty to her and yet, Emma was there helping her without complaint.

It was almost time to pick Henry up and Emma was a bit hesitant to leave Regina alone.

"Miss Swan, I'll be fine for a few minutes."

"Is there anything that you need before I go?"

"I'm good," Regina smiled. Emma turned to leave, "wait," the mayor waited for the blonde to turn around, "I was wondering if maybe you could stay tonight and help?"

"I'll pack a bag before I come back."

"Thank you," Regina gave the woman a grateful look.

When Emma and Henry arrived, the boy went straight upstairs without acknowledging his mother. It hurt Regina to see her son pull away from her. Emma told the woman she was just going to put her bag in the guest room and return shortly. When she did, she sat next to Regina on the couch. Emma only needed to stay the night because Regina was better the next day. Henry was upset to see Emma leave the house and even tried to go with her. Regina became angry at Emma and had decided that helpful or not, Emma Swan needed to leave Storybrooke.