"Henry," a woman around Emma's age ran out of the house. She took Henry into her arms, "are you okay? Where were you?" The woman was speaking a bit loudly.

"I found my real mom!" Henry yelled and ran inside.

The woman turned towards Emma, "did he say his 'real mom'?"

"Hi," Emma said feeling guilty.

Regina invited the woman inside and to her study, "how did he find you?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

"I'm sorry, dear. What was that?"

Emma stared at the woman, "are you unable to hear?"

"I'm hard of hearing, yes. I haven't been able to find my hearing aid."

"Do you remember where you last had it?" Emma was speaking so the mayor could hear her.

"It was on my nightstand last night."

Emma had an idea, "where's Henry's room?"

"It's upstairs," Regina said, "why?"

"Will you take me there?"

"Sure," Regina was confused. She led Emma upstairs and to Henry's room.

Henry was surprised when Emma walked in, "Emma, you're still here?"

"Where is it?"

"Where's what?"

"Your mother's hearing aid."

"I don't have it."

Emma crouched down, "Henry, I get that you're unhappy, but taking that affects every aspect of her life. You can't do that."

Henry opened the drawer of his nightstand and handed Emma the case with the hearing aid in it. "I just figured if she was extra focused on hearing people that she wouldn't know I was gone."

Emma walked out of the room, "here," she handed the case to the mayor who looked heartbroken.

"Thank you."

"No problem," Emma watched as Regina put the hearing aid on. "So, it's a bit late and I really don't want to drive home tonight. Is there a place in town where I can stay?"

"Yes, but you're welcome to stay here."

"Really?"

"You could have taken Henry and run, but you brought him back to me."

"He's your son."

"I keep telling myself that, but it seems less true every day."

Emma really felt bad for the woman, "I'll take you up on your offer. Thank you," she smiled.

Regina actually enjoyed having Emma around. They were becoming close and Regina began to fear her feelings. As a result, she began sabotaging her relationship with Emma. The blonde was furious by the smear campaign Regina started after Emma decided to run for sheriff. Regina didn't deny the claim or even try to. She and Emma were walking down the stairs, towards the exit. The mayor opened the door. Regina flew back and the door flew off the hinges. It landed on top of the mayor. After the initial shock, Emma got the door off of the woman. She lifted Regina and carried the unconscious woman outside.

A few days later, Emma helped Regina inside. The blonde was working on learning sign language since Regina only had half of her hearing. The mayor was incredibly frustrated by the fact that she had lost her hearing in her left ear, had a fractured hip, and fractured vertebrae. She needed to use a cane to get around for the time being. The hearing aid didn't do anything, so Regina was constantly talking louder than usual. Emma had asked Mary Margaret to keep Henry overnight the first night Regina was home.

"Do you need any pain medication?" Emma asked.

"No!" Regina answered loudly.

Emma crouched down, "honey, a little bit softer."

Regina looked embarrassed, "sorry."

Emma took Regina's hand in hers, "it's okay. I know this will take some getting used to. We'll work on it. Just like we're gonna learn sign language together."

Regina sat there in thought and Emma could tell the woman was trying to figure out the appropriate volume. "Why did you call me 'honey'?"

"That volume was better," she said, "I don't know why I called you that."

"Oh," Regina practically whispered. She even looked disappointed.

"Why don't you tell me why you're disappointed? You never know, I may feel the same."

"I love you," Regina blurted out. "I don't deserve you."

"Why would you think that?"

Regina took a deep breath, "I lied to you about the curse."

"What do you mean?"

"It's all true."

"No, it's not."

"It is and I can prove it."

Regina gave Emma the key to her vault and sent the woman to find evidence. When Emma returned, Regina was practically holding her breath, "why did you do it?"

"Jealousy and anger are a bad combination. I hate that I did it."

"I love you too."

"What? Why?"

"I don't know this Evil Queen, but I do know Regina. I love Regina. I love you."

Regina began to cry and Emma rushed over to hug her. Now they had the task of breaking the curse and dealing with the aftermath.