No major TW for this chapter...

Emma closes the apartment door with a heavy thud, the images of Regina and Morrigan kissing still burning through her mind, they say its nothing like a tragic past to bring lost souls together, but Regina actually kissing someone? Showing any emotion other than anger and smugness isn't her fortay. There's a hell of a lot I need to work out about the woman. And what about Henry, what will he think of their secret romance? This is to huge!..Mary Margret appears from the back room, placing a tray of uneaten food on the kitchen worktop as Henry pulls out a DVD from the drawer.

"You just going to stand there or are you coming to watch this movie with me?"

Emma stares at the DVD of Alice in wonderland.."Yeah kid start without me, I need to speak to Mary Margret for a minute."

"Okay."

The woman in question looks up curiously as her daughter hesitantly approaches and Henry darts off into the living room. Emma notes her father sat on the bed in the next room, dozens of pieces of paper scattered around him as he furiously scrutinizes each piece. She frowns.."What's he doing?"

Mary Margret looks grimly at her husband.."He's reading case files salvaged from the fire. He just turned up with them earlier and hasn't moved since."

"Why is he looking at case files?"

"To keep his mind off Morrigan probably.." She looks to her daughter grimly.."He just needs time."

"Yeah, maybe."

Mary Margret watches Emma play with one of the forks on the tray and she cocks her head skeptically.."Are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

What am I meant to say? No I'm freaking out because I just saw your arch enemy sucking the face of the woman that's been after your husbands head for years..

The reply was sudden and Mary Margret raises a curious eyebrow.."Okay then..So what did you want to talk about?"

"Huh?"

"You just told Henry you wanted to talk to me about something."

"Ugh..Yeah."

Mary Margret stares concerned.."Emma sweetheart, you know you can tell me anyth.."

"Regina and Morrigan were making out." Her mother pauses.

"What?"

"I saw them earlier, Regina was, they were just..Jesus, I cant get that image from my head!"

Mary Margret takes in a sharp breath, her eyes lighting up.."Oh My God Emma! Do you know what this means?!"

"I'm going to be having nightmares for the next week?" Emma grumbles.

"It means that Regina can finally be happy, Morrigan can finally be happy and they both can move on."

"Yeah but sometimes things aren't that simple. What if they cant stand each other in a couple of months?"

"We have to have hope. They've known each other since before the curse, before the Evil Queen apparently...I cant believe it! I knew something was going on!"

Emma rolls her eyes.."Yeah, sure you did.."

"Have you told Henry?"

"No! I'm not saying anything to him and neither are you, you cant tell anyone! If Regina ever found out I knew, she'd have my ass on a platter!"

"I suppose your right, Regina's always been a private person. If this was to get out it could damage hers and Morrigans relationship."

Emma cocks an eyebrow.."When did we start calling it a relationship? It could have been a one time deal or I dunno..friends with benefits for all we know."

"Trust me, Regina's not in the habit of just kissing anyone. She barely lets anyone touch her, except Henry of course."

"So what do we do?"

"We do nothing, things will unravel on their own so we mustn't interfere."

Emma stares skeptically.."Since when do you care so much about Regina and Morrigan anyway? They've tried to kill you and David god knows how many times and evidently cursed an entire kingdom to make you suffer."

Mary Margret's smile slips.."A long time ago, I took away Regina's happy ending, she never would have become the Evil Queen if it wasn't for me."

The blond stares intently at her mothers gathering tears.."What did you do?

"I told a secret..and it destroyed her life."

A tear rolls onto her mothers white cheek and Emma cant help her curiosity, what did she do?..

Henry's voice echos into the kitchen.."Ma you coming?!"

"Yeah!"

Emma watches Mary Margret quietly empty the tray of uneaten food in the sink, Clearly the topic of discussion has passed, but I'll be bringing it up again..Without another word, Emma goes to grab an apple from the fruit bowl but pauses, grabbing an orange instead and exits the kitchen...

Morrigan fidgets with her hands anxiously, staring through the window at the withering tree outside, Damn it Henry! You and that bloody candy! Regina was right, I shouldn't have had any. I'm on a major sugar high, in a session with the bug and he's trying to talk to me about my past..Ugh..

"Morrigan?"

She refocuses on Archie and shifts awkwardly from her perch on the windowsill.."I wasn't listening..sorry."

"Its okay, what were you thinking about?"

"Just today's events."

"Well you certainly seem more open. Did something happen?"

Morrigan pauses, there's no way in hell I'm telling the bug about me and Regina, about the kiss..I wonder when the Queen will visit? She said she'd be back before the session. Must have got held up..

"Ive had enough of dwelling in misery and Ive decided to move forward."

Archie beams.."Well that's fantastic, I'm glad you've decided to make that personal step, but be careful, its not going to be an easy journey."

She frowns.."I know that. I thought my progress would alleviate you Dr Hopper."

"It has, but I'm just saying its going to be difficult and I don't want you to dive into things that ultimately cause more damage. You've had a lifetime of tragic experiences, some that have caused extensive damage not only to your body but to your mind. I'm just cautious that you may rush into things."

Her frown deepens.."So you don't think I can do this? That I can change?"

"Of course I believe you can change, you already have, but I'm just saying that perhaps don't go down this path alone. There are people that want to help and you should let them."

"Isn't that why your here? Why I'm forced to listen to your incessant ramblings twice a day!"

Archie simply closes his notebook and stares at furious green eyes.."Yes, I am here to talk and I'm here to listen but this isn't about our sessions Morrigan. I'm talking about friends and family, people to associate with."

She grits her teeth.."I thought we've already been threw this! I have no friends, I have no FAMILY!"

The sudden angry outburst doesn't affect the smiling man.."You have more friends than you know, Regina and Henry for starters."

Morrigan softens.."I..They're.."

"A start, and over time you'll adapt, find new friends and build new relationships, then finally have a family of your own.."

Tears begin to pool and Morrigan shy's her face to stare out of the window, A family? friends? Is that a possibility? How can I have a family without Elinor?..

Archie spots Regina sliding alongside the viewing window and gathers his things.."Its time to think about your own happiness Morrigan. I'll be back tomorrow so..just think about it okay?"

Silence...Archie smiles weakly, sliding from the room and leaving it ajar for the older woman.

Immediately Regina can sense the tension, somethings troubling her..She places her bags on the table and glides to the window, leaning against the frame while brown eyes study a dazed Morrigan, what's she thinking about? I feel compelled to ask but her sessions with the bug are her own, whatever they discuss, if she wishes to share that information then she will. I wont mess this up again..A few minutes pass as Morrigan continues to stare placidly through the window.

Regina gently places a hand on the woman's knee and squeezes lightly.."Morrigan?"

Green eyes refocus and soon find Regina next to her. Morrigan frowns, when the hell did she get here?..

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry, I must have zoned out."

Regina stares concerned.."That does seem to happen quite frequently, maybe we should get you checked out, maybe there's.." Morrigans grin stops her mid sentence.."What?"

"There you go again, getting yourself flustered.." Morrigan slides from the windowsill, blatantly aware of the warm hand slipping off her thigh and walks to the bed.."Careful, you almost sound like you care." She chuckles before turning back but her smile slips looking at guilty brown eyes.

"I do care.."

Morrigan takes a hasty step forward, mentally slapping herself and quickly takes one of the former Queens hands.."I know I'm sorry, forgive me?" Regina cracks a smile at her elicited pouting and squeezes her hand in return.

"Of course."

Morrigan watches brown eyes dart to her lips but something isn't quite right. She can see the woman's hesitance and frowns slightly, something's different, something's changed..

"Is everything okay?"

"Yes...No, it isn't."

There hands slip apart and Morrigans heart plummets, have I upset her?!..

Regina sits on the bed, staring at her fidgeting hands.."Is this what you really want?"

"What I want?"

Regina looks up, pain and uncertainty shining in brown eyes.."Its hard for me to admit but I..I feel differently around you, I care and.." She rises from the bed, irritated and pacing.."And I'm uncertain. I haven't felt like this in a very long time, not since..since Daniel.."

Morrigan stares at the woman's back, Daniel?..

"I'm unsure that you.." Regina refocuses.."That you don't.."

Morrigan quickly cups the exposed woman's cheeks and slowly leans in to gently press their lips together. She can feel Regina wanting to deepen the kiss but reluctantly pulls away, there's things that must be said first..

"I do feel the same way, I always have but I was afraid to say anything, afraid to expose my true feelings because if you rejected me, I don't think I could have survived. The moment I saw you, I mean really saw you sat next to me on that rock, I knew I found something more, something without equal to happiness."

Regina leans into her touch, their foreheads pressing together and eyes slipping shut.."I'm sorry for everything Ive done to you, I truly am. I just wish I could take everything back."

Morrigan pulls the woman into a tight hug, lacing a gentle hand through raven hair.."I know." She feels Regina's quiet cries against her shoulder and only wraps the woman further into their hug, For the first time since Elinor was in my life, I feel..lighter..

Both women stand serene a moment longer before Morrigan pulls back, brushing a strand of hair from the mayors flushed face and tucking it behind her ear. A couple suddenly rush by the viewing window and they both fly apart, Regina wiping her eyes and quickly taking a deep breath.

"I think we should maybe talk if your comfortable?"

"Of course."

They both sit on the bed, green eyes glancing at the nervous mayor as a weak grin slides onto Morrigans lips, perhaps its time to lighten the mood no?..

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable, so I'm going to let you make the rules."

Brown eyes narrow questionably.."Rules?"

Morrigan waves her hand idly.."I know your a stiff for etiquette, so is there anything you don't want me to say or do?"

The mayor pauses, seeing a ghostly grin tug at pink lips.."Stiff?"

Morrigans grin only widens.."Well not in every sense of the word, I seem to recall you being very flexible at a certain execution of yours."

"Oh dear.." Regina smirks, slowly closing the gap between them and hovering by the woman's ear.."You have no idea what I'm capable of."

The whisper sends shivers down Morrigans spine, her thighs clenching at her building arousal, play it cool Morrigan, Play it cool..She slowly levels herself with the regal woman.

"And as your well aware.." She darts forward, their lips brushing.."I like a good challenge, my Queen.."

Morrigan purrs Regina's former title purrs and watches pupils dilate in lustful brown eyes as the regal woman softly clicks her tongue appeased. Someone suddenly scrambles by the viewing window causing the pair to fly apart again and Regina sighs.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

Morrigan see's through the blatant lie.."No your not, please tell me."

Regina fidgets, brown eyes not quite lifting from the bed.."We need to keep this to ourselves for the moment. With everything that's going on, with Henry..

"I understand, its fine Regina as long as your happy.."

Regina looks at Morrigans unwavering smile and cant help her threatening tears, how have I found this? How can I have happiness after everything I've done, the atrocities I've committed? A lot of that evil was done to her but yet here she is. Perhaps Morrigan and Henry are right, maybe I can find my happy ending, maybe I can redeem myself..

"Regina?"

Regina shakes her head weakly and smiles, cupping one hand to the woman's cheek and stroking the skin lightly.."I'm fine, I just..I thought I'd never have this."

"Me too.." Morrigans stomach growls viciously and she shy's back, cheeks heating a gentle red. Regina chuckles, rising from the bed.

"Sorry about that." Morrigan watch's the regal woman click over to the table and take out plastic containers from her bag.

"No need to apologize, that wolf in your stomach hasn't eaten for four days."

Morrigan chuckles weakly.."I guess not...Hey Regina?"

"Hmm?"

"Is that why you didn't come back earlier? Because you were thinking about us? You said you'd come before my session and when you didn't show, well I wasn't sure if you got caught up with work or.."

"Yes.." Regina returns to the bed, two large plastic containers in one hand and silverware in the other.."I'm sorry I didn't return before your session, I was rather..confused after what happened earlier."

"Its okay, you needed time, I understand." Her stomach growls again and quickly she slaps a hand over it, fuck sake! Why is my stomach hell bent on disrupting private moments with Regina!..

The mayor smirks, extending the plastic containers and cookery.."Eat."

Morrigan gratefully takes the items and bows her head slightly, catching a delectable whiff of tomato and basil. She carefully opens the containers to find a very generous slice of lasagna in one compartment and salad with homemade potato salad in the other.."Thank you, this looks great."

"Your welcome.."

Morrigan hastily picks up her fork and cuts into the lasagna.

"I'm surprised your still hungry after eating all that candy Henry brought."

Morrigan happily swallows her first mouthful of lasagna and scoops more onto her fork.."Those Hershey bars he got were.." She freezes, her fork pausing just shy of her open mouth, shit! Busted!..She looks up painfully, the woman's glare and raised eyebrow greeting her.."I eh..I only tried a piece after the sheriff.."

"Oh so it was Miss Swan's fault?"

"Eh..Yep."..Phew. When in the shit, blame Swan..She happily plops some more lasagna into her mouth.

"I see, so the sheriff forced you to eat it."

Morrigan nods.."Yep. She said she'd lock me up in that crap hole she calls an apartment if I didn't try any."

Regina can see the poorly hidden smirk on pink lips as green eyes avoid her accusing glare, blaming Swan is a tactical move, but ultimately a sloppy one..

"And what of my son? Did she threaten him with incarceration if he didn't partake in your sugar splurge as well?"

Morrigan clears her throat.."Yeah but luckily I protected the boy from Swans vicious threats and the sugary treats by throwing myself under the bus."

"Oh? How so?"

She watches Regina cross one leg over the other and lean towards her slowly, Don't lose your nerve! Its her intimidation tactic..Morrigan shifts slightly.."I agreed to help him with his homework in the sheriff's sted..And in return, Henry was saved from Swans wrath."

Nice..She smiles to herself but glancing over, she notices Regina continues to lean towards her, this looks bad..Green eyes uncomfortably flicker between her food and the former Queens direction.

"How very noble, sparing my son like that and helping him with his homework dilemma." Regina clicks her tongue, brushing an arm against the younger woman and Morrigan clears her throat.

"Yep that's me."

"Tell me, what did you help him with? Fractions? English?"

Crap she's going in for the kill!..She can feel the brunettes eyes burning into the side of her skull.."Neither, it was chemistry."

Suddenly there's a puff of warm air against Morrigans ear and she freezes, double crap..

"I helped Henry with his homework this morning dear and I'm certain it was fractions."

AHH! Game over!..

"Shit.."

Morrigan glances at the smug mayor, their faces mere inches apart and she huffs her irritation, Damn! Better luck next time..Regina chuckles, hooking a finger under her chin and leaning in.

"Nice try." Regina kisses the corner of the woman's mouth and pulls away grinning.

"Until next time."

"I very much doubt it."

"We'll see.." Morrigan grins, I'll get you next time..

After ten minutes of indulgence, Morrigan neatly places the Tupperware on the bedside table, that was the best meal Ive ever had..

"That was delicious thank you, probably the best food I've ever tasted."

"Your welcome...I was wondering if you perhaps wanted to..come back to the mansion tomorrow?"

Morrigan smiles at the awkwardly shifting woman.."I'd love to, quite frankly I'm sick of it here, too many unpleasant memories." She swallows harshly, her smile slipping.

"Everything will be alright..eventually."

Morrigan nods weakly, yeah, perhaps everything will be...