I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

3: Teach Selflessness

Regina was not usually one to care about people. The one time she did, Daniel died — possibly poisoned in her opinion — and she almost married a man older than her father. It was all sorted and put her on this path of misery. Even when she tried to pull herself out of it, it did not work out.

From that point on, she was very selective in who she troubled herself over. She needed to attach herself to people who could stand up for themselves, fight back sound something happen. Daniel never had a chance, so anyone else she ever got involved with needed to have at least a fighting chance. This stray was simply fortunate Regina did not want someone to die in her kitchen. I'll get her on her feet, let her be on her way, and neither of us has to be bothered again.

Regina had to hold the girl up, finding her soaked to the bone and shivering. The girl's teeth clicked together as she breathed hard, like each inhale was a struggle. Every exhale was a wheeze, cutting through the air like the wind outside.

Regina helped get her to the living room. She moved almost robotically, like she could not bend her limbs. She shuffled her feet, which Regina ignored for the moment. She practically dropped onto the sofa rather than sat, body rigid as a board. It was possible everything on the poor dear was frozen. The blue tint of her lips supported that. There was snow built up on her eyelids.

Together they worked the girl out of her drenched, ice cold jacket. It was a cheap leather thing that in no way kept her warm on regular winter days, so today it was little more than a death shroud. The sweat-hood underneath the jacket did a good job at holding in the rain, so it had to feel like she was encased in ice. She's really not dressed for this weather. What was she doing outside?

"Finish taking that off." Regina motioned to the girl's clothing. "I'll get some blankets." Regina stood up and rushed off to the linen closet. She grabbed a blanket, a heavy comforter, and a towel for the girl's hair. When she got back, the girl stood in her underwear, showing no signs of shame, but definitely showing off how rail thin she was. Her ribs showed. I knew she needed food, but this is ridiculous. She's going to need to eat, really eat.

The girl eyed everything in Regina's arms. "All that?" she asked through chattering teeth, wrapping her arms around herself. She visibly shivered, clearly having no control over her body, shaking like a leaf in a violent wind.

"That's hardly all. Wrap your hair first." Regina handed her the thick, deep red towel.

The girl accepted the towel with a trembling hand and dropped it as soon as it was in her grip. She looked down and groaned, as if that was way too far for her to go. Bending was probably unthinkable for her at the moment. Regina picked up the towel and handed it to her again.

"You have to work with me," Regina said, impatience oozing through her voice.

"Trying…" The girl blew out a breath, which rattled like a death keel. She shuddered once more.

The girl rubbed her head with it like she was trying to conduct static electricity. How does she not know how to dry her hair? Regina sighed and rolled her eyes. She dumped the covers on the sofa and then snatched the towel from the girl. Hazel eyes gawked up at her as if she committed a crime. Regina scowled.

"Bend down," Regina ordered.

The girl sucked her teeth, but obeyed without a word. She wobbled, but stayed upright. Regina went to work on her hair. She quickly tied the hair up in the towel and then stepped away. The girl was still shaking, so Regina grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around the girl's shoulders, making sure it was tight. Without thinking, she took the girl's hand, making her hold the thin cocoon closed.

"Sit," Regina ordered.

Once again, the girl went down as if Regina hit a button on her. As soon as she was seated, Regina draped the larger, thicker cover over her. The girl sighed as if a load had been taken off of her shoulders.

"Warm?" Regina asked and earned a sharp nod. "Once you unthaw enough, I'll run you a hot shower to fully work the chill out. You have a change of clothes?" Regina asked and got another nod, a little more eager than the first one, but still short. She was about to rail against the girl for not speaking, as she had so much to say before, but from the blue hue of her cheeks and the way her teeth chattered, the girl probably could not speak just yet. "I'll go put on some tea. Or would you prefer cocoa?" Regina asked.

"Cocoa," she managed through her shivers. Her voice was weak, small, much smaller than the last time Regina heard it.

Regina scoffed. "Figured as much." She went to the kitchen to get started.

Regina was not a fan of cocoa, but Roland loved the stuff. So, she had a supply and method to making it. She also had some shortbread cookies Roland liked to eat with his cocoa. She started the milk for the cocoa and then plated the cookies. She threw in some marshmallows and whipped cream to the hot beverage before making her way back to the girl, who appeared ready to pass out.

It was easy to see how heavy the girl was still breathing, even with the blankets over her. Her eyes were glazed over with lines cutting deep underneath. Her gaze was locked ahead, staring at the wall-mounted television, but clearly not seeing anything. The girl might not even remember where she was. How long was she out in that mess?

"Here you go. You should probably let the cocoa cool off a little." Regina put the mug down on a coaster and plate in front of the girl on the long, black glass coffee table.

Hazel eyes blinked several times before settling on the snack. Then, she turned her eyes up to Regina, looking lost, confused. "Thank you."

Regina folded her arms across her chest. "Oh, you do have some manners. Impressive." She sat down in an armchair next to the sofa, watching the girl.

"Um… yeah. Sorry." She shook, as if a shiver raced through her. She blew out a long exhale and tugged the covers tighter around her.

"All right, apology accepted for the moment." The apology was not for the argument and her all around horrible behavior breaking into Regina's home, but that could wait for her to thaw out. For now, they could do with some basic information. "What's your name?"

"Emma."

Regina pursed her lips. "Emma…? Last name pending?" Emma glanced away, face twitching. Regina sucked her teeth. "I'm not going to call the police. Don't you think I would've done that already?"

Emma sniffled. "I guess."

"So?"

"Emma Swan."

Regina nodded, leaning forward with her hands folded in her lap. Now, they were getting somewhere and hopefully that would continue. "Well, Emma, I'm Regina, and you have some nerve coming back here after what happened before."

Emma's gaze fell on her hot chocolate. "I know. I know." Her voice was still low and weak. She looked at Regina once more. "I'm really sorry. That whole thing was fucked up and I didn't realize what would happen if you knew I was breaking in. I just thought I wasn't taking anything of value, so you wouldn't mind or it would be okay or something. I dunno."

"I didn't mind any of that. Those things weren't valuable, but you did take something valuable. My peace of mind. I definitely minded you coming into my space without my permission, using it in any way you pleased." Regina doubted she would ever feel quite the same in the house again. This slip of a girl robbed her of that.

Emma nodded. "No, I got that after you yelled it and I left and it hit me that it was a shitty thing to do." She sighed, falling deeper into the blanket wrap. "I've never had a home to know what security really feels like, to fully understand what I did, but I've had more than my share of things used without my permission and it sucks. I can't even imagine what it's like to have that happen to your house and that might be part of why I felt okay doing this. It just never hit me, ya know?"

Regina arched an eyebrow. "Never had a home?"

Emma shook her head. "Longest I've ever stayed any place was prison and it sucked, so I know its not what home feels like." Somehow, it was not a surprise she had been to prison, but still Regina did not feel like she was in any danger. "No other place I've ever felt was comfortable and nice. It never occurred to me that I was traumatizing you since I wasn't stealing anything. I actually prided myself on that. You know, I went into houses and just took food or spare change. Nothing worth missing. Then, you yelled at me and I feel so bad about it. It was really bad. I'm really sorry."

"It's all right for now." It was, as Regina was more focused on keeping Emma alive. "We'll revisit it later, though, once you're not a popsicle. What made you come here tonight of all nights?" What the hell was this girl doing out in this storm?

Emma sniffled, tip of her nose now red rather than a cool blue. "I generally sleep in my car, but it died and I was freezing. I got out of the car and just hoped for the best. Didn't even realize I was by your house until I was almost frozen."

This just got worse and worse. It was possible Emma was trying to con her, making her life sound so tragic that Regina had to feel sorry for her. Yes, but would she mention being in prison if that was the case? She doubted it. Emma just seemed to be talking, probably too interested in warming up to think.

"You sleep in your car? How old are you?" Regina asked. She had Emma pegged at maybe sixteen from her weight, diet, and the fact that she did not seem to know who Regina was. A homeless teenager would not have a car, though.

Emma's forehead wrinkled. "Is there an age limit to sleeping in your car?"

"No, but you look like a teenager. I would be very shocked if you can legally drive in Storybrooke." Not that legally seemed to be something Emma cared about.

Emma snorted. "No. If I was, I'd be able to put up with a shitty group home to avoid the storm. I'm twenty-two."

Regina nodded. That somehow felt safer than housing a teenager, like she was not aiding a runaway, which definitely would not be a good look for the mayor of Storybrooke. She would also feel better about calling the police if this went wrong.

With the brief moment of silence between them, Emma reached for her hot cocoa and took a sip. She squeaked and her eyes went wide. A flush rushed onto her face.

"This is really good," Emma said and took another sip.

Regina shrugged. "It's cocoa, not advanced chemistry." Of course, she had been accused of treating it, and other things in the kitchen like advanced chemistry. It was not her fault, as that was one of her majors in college. Her mother left her alone with it as long as she ended up in law school. She almost groaned just thinking about it.

Emma took a gulp, getting a little whipped cream on her nose. She smacked her lips together as she swallowed. "Well, I've never had it this good unless I bought it at a store and even then, this is better." She slurped up some more of the drink, which was good. Color returned to her face. "Oh, and that food you made me was good. It was hell finding a microwave to heat it up, but I'd do it all again for more."

Regina shook her head. Does she really think a little compliment will get me back in the kitchen for her? I love cooking, but I'm not on demand for her. "No, you made it perfectly clear you don't need me to take care of you."

Emma glanced down for a moment. "I did say that." She nodded to herself.

"Yes, you did."

Emma's eyes scanned the floor before she looked back up. "I can take care of myself. I'm not helpless. I've lived on my own for as long as I can remember, even when I was with an adult. There's just times a lot is happening at once, like my car breaking down in a snow storm. What are the odds of that?" She gave a little shrug.

"Fair, considering you're sitting here right now." Regina motioned to her with both hands.

Emma nodded. "Okay, good point." She gulped her cocoa and then had a cookie. She hummed as she chewed. "These are really good, too."

"Thank you," Regina said. Emma tilted her head curiously. "I made them," Regina clarified.

"Oh. Wow." Emma shoved the rest of the cookie in her mouth. "You should sell these."

Regina only nodded. If this girl only knew. Baking had been a coping mechanism, an obsession, a release. It had possibly saved her life. Don't think about it. Focus on this moment.

"Feeling warmer?" Regina asked, needing to stay out of her own head.

Emma nodded once more. "Yeah, I'm much better." She shoved another cookie in her mouth. She definitely looked better and sounded better, but she was still making sure the comforters were wrapped tight around her.

"So, what's the plan now?'' It was not like Emma could go back to her car. Maybe she had an idea of what she would do when the storm passed. Regina was not sure, but Emma did not seem like someone who came up with plans.

Emma shrugged. "Don't got one."

Of course not. "Do you ever?"

"Not usually. I mean, I plan for the day, maybe. Nothing really beyond that." Emma drank down more cocoa.

Regina frowned. "How the hell do you expect to get anywhere with no plan?" She could not imagine making a move without knowing what the hell the move was.

Emma possibly waved that off, but it was hard to tell with only her fingers visible in the blanket. "I made it this far. Gotta be doing okay."

Regina could not help arching an eyebrow to that nonsense. "You almost froze to death less than a half hour ago."

"But, I didn't."

Regina did not know what to say to that. In fact, that one paused her brain for quite a few moments. She let Emma finish her cocoa and cookies in silence. Emma seemed very happy as she gobbled down the cookies, a small smile on her face the whole time. She even moaned a little when she ate the last cookie and her plate was as empty as her mug.

By then, Emma seemed warm enough to move. She squirmed in her seat and burrowed deeper into the covers. She was about to be disappointed even more. Time to show her to the shower.

"Onto the next step," Regina said, standing up.

Emma looked up at her with big, curious eyes. "Meaning what?"

"I'm going to show you to the bathroom and you can take a shower."

"Oh. That'll be nice. I haven't had a chance to do that in a couple of days." Emma popped up, still not caring that she was in her underwear.

Regina was not shocked by the eagerness if Emma had not bathed in days, but then again, she probably did not get a chance to shower daily if she was living in her car. Emma grabbed her knapsack from off of the floor and followed Regina upstairs to the guest bathroom without an incident.

"Your house is really nice," Emma said, sounding humble as she stayed behind Regina as they climbed the stairs.

Regina did not bother to glance back at her guest. "Thank you. I'm surprised you didn't give yourself the grand tour."

"Never went beyond the kitchen, I promise."

Regina found herself believing that. "All right." She had no plans to give Emma a tour, even as they hit the second floor. She went straight to the bathroom, glad it was the first door when they hit the landing. She opened the door to the bathroom. "Fresh towels and washcloths are in here." She motioned to the narrow closet just inside the bathroom by the door and the shower. "Use any of the shower things you'd like. While you shower, I'll make you something to eat and turn down the guest room."

Emma blinked. "You want me to stay?"

"Why would I go through this effort if only to send you back into the storm to freeze to death?" That did not make any sense.

Emma gave a shrug. "Good point."

"Yes, I've been known to make them. So, as I said, I'll make you something to eat and then turn down the guest room."

"You don't need to do all that. I don't need a room. The sofa's good enough."

Regina arched an eyebrow. "Really?" Not that she would go along with that. She would be the excellent hostess she had been raised to be, even if her guest was a pest.

"Yes, really. You're going through a lot of trouble for me and I don't want to be more of a pain."

Regina's frown deepened. "That's not a pain. You're a guest."

"I'm a guest?"

"Yes, once I invite you to stay, you're a guest. There is an etiquette to this."

Emma puffed out her cheeks. "The sofa's fine then. I wasn't sure you'd let me stay point blank, so all of this has been a bonus as far as I'm concerned."

Regina sucked her teeth. "Well, obviously I'm not going to help you out only to put you back out in that mess."

Emma shrugged. "Maybe."

Regina managed to control her face at that point. Emma had very low expectations and they were not good, especially for her survival. It caused a troublesome sensation in Regina's chest. She left Emma to her shower and went to make something simple. Penne with tomato sauce, tomatoes, and spinach was easy. She made it on auto-pilot as exhaustion crept into her bones. This was a lot, even though it did not seem like it.

By the time the food was done, Emma was back on the sofa, wrapped in both blankets, looking quite refreshed. Her hair was wet, but her face was bright, lively. Regina put down the food on the coffee table. Emma stared at her.

"Eat. You know where dishes go. When I wake up, you better still be here or I promise you'll regret ever crossing me," Regina said.

Emma nodded and then dived into her food. Regina got up to get a proper pillow for Emma and put a bed sheet on the couch. Emma was finished eating by the time she came back. It was not surprising at this point.

"There's more on the stove. Use the serving spoon rather than your dish spoon," Regina ordered. That probably needed to be said. Emma did not seem like she had the luxury of even being raised by wolves.

Emma nodded again and made her way to the kitchen. Regina fixed up the couch in that time. Emma paused upon her return.

"You didn't have to do all this," Emma said.

"I really did." She would not have a dead woman on her conscience, even if the woman broke into her home and stole from her on multiple occasions. She had done enough wrong in the world. It was nice to do something right. "Now, I'm going to bed. Again, you better be here when I wake up."

"I will."

Regina was not sure if she believed that, but she would not stay up all night, watching Emma. She retreated upstairs and collapsed into her bed, exhausted. The morning would come too soon. She took her pepper spray from her robe pocket, putting it under her pillow. She doubted she would need it, but it was better safe than sorry.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma would have thought she was stimulated enough to stay up all night. She almost died, after all. It was not the first time, but this seemed like it was the closest. She had worried she would not make it, but then it all passed and now it seemed like some weird dream.

Regina was possibly the nicest person Emma had ever met. Emma was lucky in that regard and Emma was never lucky. But, she did not have the energy to think about that, not while she was warm, full, and safe. It was very rare for her to be all three of those things at once.

So, after washing her dishes, including the pasta pan, she laid down on the sofa and was out as soon as her head hit the pillow. After sleeping scrunched up in her bug for several weeks, a couch was like heaven. Having a real pillow rather than her book bag was a bonus. She would not be surprised if she slept for the rest of the week.

-8-8-8-8-

The snow was still falling in the morning, which was more than enough reason to stay home from work as far as Regina was concerned, not that she would have made it to the office if she tried. Emma was still on the couch and that was even more reason. Emma's face glistened with sweat. Regina pressed a hand to her forehead to find Emma burning up. Emma groaned at the touch and her eyes fluttered open.

"I don't feel so good," Emma moaned, her cheeks bright red.

"You have a fever. Stay here. I'll make you some soup and tea," Regina said.

Emma hummed as her eyes eased shut. "You keep feeding the stray. That's why I came back."

"Obviously a poor decision on my part."

"Adopt a stray. They make great pets." Emma pulled her blankets closer to her neck.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Stay there, idiot."

"That could be my pet name." A dopey smile spread across her flushed features.

"You're feverish."

"You're hot, too." Emma laughed at her own joke, but the laugh was low and turned into a brief cough.

Regina decided to quit while she was ahead. She went to the kitchen and also sent an email to remind everyone not to bother coming in for the day. She urged anyone who could work from home to do so, but they would see what everything would look like tomorrow. She had already closed any public places last night and she would probably keep those closed for the next two days until the snow could be cleared properly.

She made Emma some oatmeal with honey as that would be faster than soup, but also took out everything she would need to make soup soon enough. Emma ate the oatmeal and drank peppermint tea almost mechanically and then fell back to sleep. It was possible instead of being sick, her body just crashed for having a moment of relief from survival mode.

Regina let Emma sleep and went to her office, curling up on her chaise with her laptop. She did what work she could from home while she had the time to herself. If it's not one thing it's another. At least Robin was not bothering her about coming over.

Of course, she jinxed that. He texted her as soon as she got a flow going with work. Are you all right? Well, at least it was sweet.

I'm fine. You? She turned her attention back to her laptop.

I'm fine. Would you like me to come over and keep you warm? Of course, he followed that with a damned wink emoji. And just like that she was done with texting Robin until the mood struck her again. In fact, I should go check on Emma and make that soup. With her laptop in hand, Regina made her way back down to the living room. Emma was still asleep. She made herself comfortable in the armchair by the couch. She would make the soup soon.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma's body ached and she was cold. Did I fall asleep in the car during the storm? No. The cushion below her was much too comfortable.

"If you're awake, finish your tea," a stern, but kind voice ordered.

Emma yelped and her eyes burst open. This was not her car. Oh, right. She made it to that lady's house. No, not that lady. Regina. Her savior. She sighed.

"Tea?" Emma echoed, voice gruff, throat dry. She pulled her covers closer.

"Yes, tea. In front of you. You started drinking it and then drifted off again," Regina said, sitting across from her.

Emma's eyes went to the tea cup on the coffee table in front of her. There was an empty bowl next to it. Flashes went through her mind and she remembered. I had soup earlier. Regina made me soup and a sandwich for lunch.

"Let's see how you're doing now." Regina stood up and grabbed a weird looking device like she was going to check Emma's ears, but the end was too big.

"What are you doing?" Emma asked, flinching away.

"Just taking your temperature. You were running a fever all morning, but it broke around noon." Regina ran the thing along Emma's forehead and stepped back. "Oh, okay. Barely 99 now."

Emma grabbed her tea. "A fever? I guess that would explain all the weird dreams I had." Then she glanced at the soup bowl. "Although, it seems like some of those weren't dreams. That was the best oatmeal and soup I've ever had. What brand was the soup? I've never had soup with noodles like that or the chicken shredded like that. That's why I thought it wasn't real." None of the food throughout the day seemed real. It tasted way too good, like she was trapped in a fancy restaurant, which was why she assumed she dreamed the whole thing. Of course, her full stomach was not a dream and should have clued her in on things.

"There is no brand for that soup," Regina replied as she sat back down and put the weird looking thermometer down on the coffee table.

Emma gulped her tea. Peppermint. Delicious. It was warm, not hot, but still felt good all the way down. "Excuse me?"

"I made that soup from scratch."

Emma blinked. She was not sure what that even meant. "How do you make soup?"

Regina tilted her head. "Like you do any other meal."

Emma still did not get it. "I've only seen it in cans and at restaurants. Nobody makes soup."

"I do and did for you all day."

Emma nodded. "And you're real good at it. Are you a chef? Your kitchen's always so full."

"I like to cook."

"Well, you're really good at it. And…" Emma looked around. "You're really good at taking care of people."

Regina curled her lip, as if Emma had insulted her. "You don't know me."

"I don't and you don't know me, but you kept me from dying, twice."

Regina rolled her eyes. "A fever is not deadly."

"Sometimes it is. You fed me and wrapped me in warm blankets and took my temperature. You made me dinner and breakfast and lunch… and you should just adopt me already," Emma said with a laugh, but her heart lurched. No one ever adopted her.

Regina frowned. "Is your fever back?" The question made Emma's heart break a little.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because all morning all you kept talking about was how I took in a stray and fed you, so that means I have to keep you. I took it as rambling since during our last encounter you made it quite clear you are not a stray."

Emma nodded. "I did say that." Why did I say that? She was being so nice to me and I acted like it was a crime when I was the one committing a crime.

Regina waved it off, as if it was nothing, even though she made it clear that Emma needed to stay, probably to talk about that. "Yes, so again, I took it as your fever doing the talking. You also mentioned your car flying here."

Emma laughed, even as light dimmed inside of her. "Okay, yeah, I was out of my mind." Much of her fever dream of the day already faded from her mind. It sounded like she was in outer space there, but it did not stop the ache in her soul. No, no one ever adopted her.

"Right now, the snow is high and still going on, but if you want, when it's possible, we can get your car towed somewhere."

Emma nodded. "Okay." She could not afford a tow, but no reason for Regina to know that. She glanced out of the window, wanting to see where the snow was. It was piled high, blanketing everything in white. I definitely almost died last night.

"Since you seem better, would you prefer a heartier dinner or do you think soup would be best?"

Emma did a double-take. "Wait, I can stay for dinner?"

Regina pursed her lips. "Should I be throwing you out into a snowbank? Which I promise you I will do should you get on my nerves."

"Oh, I don't doubt that." A teasing grin worked it's way onto Emma's face. "So, you are adopting me?" Stop asking that! What the hell is wrong with you?

Regina rolled her eyes. "I'm merely feeding a stray."

Emma curled into the fluffy blanket. "This is feeding?" She smirked.

Regina scowled, wielding like a superpower and she was trying to slay Emma with it. It was hard to be frightened of a woman who made her homemade soup, though. "You know what," Regina said in a casual way that was scary. "Maybe I will adopt you." Her eyes twinkled.

Emma blinked as a shock jolted through her body. "Really?" Oh, she thinks she's got me somehow.

An evil smirk curled its way onto Regina's face. "Yes, I could always use a pet. Hell, people always call me a witch, might as well have a feral familiar." There was a challenging glint in her eye. She even squared her shoulders, like she was ready for battle.

Emma got what this was immediately. She was expected to get offended, blow up, and storm out of Regina's house. Then, her frozen death would not be Regina's fault, but two could play this game.

Emma smiled. "I accept."

Regina's face twitched as her smirk tensed into a tight grimace. She was not expecting that. I'm getting good at this. It was like she was meant to face Regina in these little stand-offs. Well, Regina's move now.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: Regina makes her move, doubling down on her offer.