A/N: Late night update that I couldn't wait to post until tomorrow for you all. :) I know you will be very pleased with it, and will grow anxious (as I now am) for the next chapter to be written out and posted. I make no promises, but given that it will be the beginning of the weekend, I will try my best to have two chapters posted. For now, I hope you enjoy this one. Happy reading and stay tuned for a lot more to come! This story is far from over.

On a quick note, for those of you still panicking over Sidney being the bad guy here, he isn't lol As of now, Leopold is the only villain in this story. And regarding of weather or not he has cameras around the house. He does NOT.

Regina leaned with her head resting on her hands, elbows propped up on the table, a glass of orange juice, not even half empty, placed beside her on the dining room table. If she so much as moved, even a tiny bit, everything would spin and she would surely fall out of this chair.

Suddenly from below her gaze, a tea cup was placed right underneath her, and what followed was the foul smell of… Regina couldn't even put a name to it. All she knew was that it smelled even more horrible than that 'tea' he had fixed Emma when she had become sick.

That made her lift her head up real quick, she quickly regretted that movement. Her world spun just a bit as her nose scrunched up, a crease formed on her brow as she looked up at Sidney's smiling face. "Sidney, what the hell is this?"

"Better you not know, madam." He stands up straight. "But, trust me, this was my mother's cure for any hangover. An uncle of mine drank so much one time, and when my mother gave him a few sips of this, his soul re-entered his body." His shoulders square proudly as he nods.

"You and your mother's remedies, Sidney…" The brunette looks down at the steaming cup, her brow slightly lifted as she raises the cup near her nostrils and groans at the concentrated smell. "On second thought, I don't need your tea to gain back my soul, I need a priest."

Sidney chuckles, leaving Regina be as he's making his way out of the dining room.

"Oh, Sidney!" Regina removes the cup from her lips as she was about to take a sip when she remembered something. "Please, the bottle in the kitchen, could you-?"

She didn't have to finish that sentence. Sidney knew. "Already gone, ma'am. I'd be happy to go to a store later and buy a new one to replace the one you drank. Mr. White will never know the difference."

"That would be wonderful, Sidney, thank you." Regina sighed, seeing another smile and a nod given to her from Sidney before she gave her attention back to the cup that her hands still held. Her nose scrunched up in disgust as she took the first sip.

Regina couldn't even begin to describe what this tasted like, nor would she say if she knew. But whatever this was, she was certain could bring back the dead.

"Good morning, Ms. Emma."

"Good morning, Sidney."

Regina's head snapped back up from lying on her hands again at the sound of Emma's familiar voice, a strand of hair splayed out against her face that she quickly brushed away, running both of her hands freely all over her black mane of hair, combing it over.

"Good morning." Emma greeted, newly showered and fully dressed in a pair of jeans, converse shoes, and a white t-shirt. She was wearing her blue jacket again.

"Good morning," Regina murmured under her breath before taking another sip of whatever Sidney had brought her. She resisted the urge to make a face this time.

"Audrey's still sleeping." Emma announced, serving herself a small portioned breakfast today and some orange juice.

Silence lingered in the room for a minute or two. Emma's talk with David last night more than helped her gather her thoughts in order, but she still needed to figure out one last thing that she knew, she wouldn't know the answer to just yet. While Regina, she couldn't feel more embarrassed with herself than she did right now. She didn't remember much about last night, what was said, or what she did- if she did anything that required a higher level of embarrassment- but, she did remember… A kiss… No. That wasn't what it had been.

"What the hell is that smell?" Emma sniffs the air, causing Regina's body to hunch slightly over the table as her hand lightly brushed along the top of her cup while the blonde obliviously looked around the room and under the table for any sign of a dead animal.

"It must be coming from outside." Regina replied, her eyes darting over to an open window. She needed to remember to brush her teeth again after she was done drinking this nightmare.

Emma's sea green eyes, which looked more like the sea today with the way the sunlight stuck them through the window, fell on Regina, remaining focused on her while she chewed on a piece of bacon. There was so much she wanted to say, apologize, even if she didn't think she owed her any type of apology, but it was just something she needed to do.

"Regina, I want to apologize-"

"I'm sorry, Emma-"

Both pairs of eyes soften for one another. And even that is magical.

Now that the blooming of their mutual attraction was out in the open- for them at least- every little shared moment seemed magical.

"Go ahead." Emma nodded, encouraging the brunette to go first.

"I just feel I need to apologize for my ridiculous behavior last night. And my unwelcome state." Regina's eyes look anywhere else but at Emma, still not being able to overcome her embarrassment. "You must have thought so little of me." Her head shakes.

"Not at all." There's a private smirk at the corner of Emma's mouth, which Regina remembers wanting to kiss last night when she saw it. Today was no different. "Actually, I found it interesting."

"Interesting?" The brunette's brow rises.

"And quite endearing."

Regina scoffs, "You and I evidently have very different aspects against the meaning of those words, Ms. Swan. It's a mystery how we're still friends."

Emma shrugs, "I don't know, maybe opposites do attract. It's like magnets." She takes a sip of her orange juice.

"Magnets?" A crease forms in between Regina's brow.

Emma nods, "You know when you put two magnets together and suddenly, no matter how hard you push them against one another, they just won't attract. But, turn them the other way, and they just click."

Emma always had a strange and beautiful way of looking at things. Regina couldn't help but smile. A smile that was corresponded by Emma's own.

In the blink of an eye, whatever smile Regina allowed to flash before Emma's eyes was then gone, replaced by a frown. "Except we'll never come together. Will we?"

The blonde's thin lips grew thinner in a frown of her own. Could they be together? Could they experience this attraction further to see where things headed with them? What if they could and it didn't work in the end? What if they could and it did work?

Emma opened her mouth to say something, but as she did-

"Good morning." Audrey entered the dining room, her hair a little messed up, and her eyes droopy as she sat next to Emma.

"Good morning," Emma blinked, adjusting her eyes to Audrey. "How are you feeling?"

"You look worse than what I feel, dear. You don't look well at all." Said Regina.

"Ugh, I can't even stand the sunlight today." Audrey shields her eyesight from the sun that beamed through the window. Her hands raked over her hair before hiding her face in her hands, elbows propped on the table. "Remind me never to drink again, Em." Her voice is muffled.

Emma chuckles, chewing through her eggs. "You always say that, yet you drink. I told you to take it easy on those shots last night."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Maybe you should be the one drinking this," Regina pushes Sidney's tea across the table, placing it before Audrey. "You seem to need it more than I do."

Audrey lifts her head before reaching for the cup, and she's about to take a sip, her whole face scrunches up as she pushes it away. "Jesus Christ, mother. What is this?"

"Talk to Sidney, maybe he'll tell you what it is." Regina's attention moves to her phone, upon hearing it ring. Her brow furrowed, because who on Earth could be calling her?

"Who is that?" Audrey asks, just as surprised.

"It's Daniel." Emma's lips thin into a hard line, while Regina answers the call. If he was calling her, she knew it was important. "Daniel?"

"Hey, I'm sorry to bother you, but you need to come to the Orchard. As quick as you can."

"Why? What's going on?" A frown forms on the brunette's brow.

"It's Daisy. Regina. It's time."

Regina raised from her seat, startling both Emma and Audrey. She had a smile stretched out across her lips and her eyes lit up like stars. "It's time?" She exchanged a couple of words with Daniel and informed him she would be there as soon as she could before hanging up the call.

"What's going on, mom?"

"Daisy's about ready to give birth." The brunette breathes.

"Really? That's great!" Audrey smiled, but didn't bother getting up from the chair, not if she wanted the entire world spinning out of control. "So, are you heading over there?"

"Yes, I need to. I can't miss this. I need my purse." Regina rushes off, while Emma turns to look at Audrey in confusion.

"Who's Daisy?" She whispers.

"Daisy is one of the horses. You didn't meet her that time, but she's one of my mom's. She's been really excited about her giving birth. I can't believe the time has finally arrived." Audrey smiles. "I only wish I could go."

"You aren't going?" Asks Emma.

"Not feeling like this, Em. I think I need to lie down, my head is about to explode." Audrey holds her head in her hand, rubbing away at her temple.

"You aren't coming?" Regina's shoulder slump as she entered the dining room.

"I wish I could, but I really need to sleep this hangover off, and then maybe shower." Audrey frowns. "I'm sorry, mom. But, give Daniel my best."

Regina moved over to where Audrey sat and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Very well, then. You're right, you should rest." Regina was still experiencing a little hangover herself, but moment's like these she wouldn't miss for the world.

"Will do." Audrey's droopy gaze fell on Emma. "Why don't you go with her, babe?"

Both Emma and Regina's expressions filled with surprise as they looked at Audrey with wide-eyes.

"Me?" Emma asked, pointing at herself for confirmation.

"Yeah," Audrey nudged the blonde's knee with her own. "Given that I'll be sleeping anyway, you should go with my mom. Help her out."

"I don't think I'd be much help, Audrey," Emma turns to Regina.

"Babe, that horse will be in so much pain, it won't even think about kicking you." Audrey chuckled, not noticing Emma's wince at the memory. "Go. I won't have you stay here and be bored while I sleep. Besides, Sidney will be here. I'll be fine. And my mom doesn't mind if you tag along, do you mom?" Her eyes move over to her mother, same as Emma's.

Of course she didn't mind. Regina just didn't expect this coming from Audrey. Then again, it wasn't like she knew what they both had discovered for one another. But if Emma tagged along, that would mean that they would be alone again. Without Leopold and without Audrey. And that could be a very dangerous temptation. Yet, if Regina said no, it would raise questions for Audrey as to why she didn't want her girlfriend tagging along. It was like being between a rock and a hard place.

"Of course not." Regina's eyes landed on Emma's. "But, don't feel obligated to come along. After all, I plan to drive right back just as soon as I'm done."

Emma should stay with Audrey. Care for her. She had promised her that after she returned they would be inseparable. "Well, if you don't mind. I'd love to go." Emma replied. Maybe Regina was right. No one should make a promise they didn't intend to keep.

Regina waited by the car, her eyes trying to the best of their ability to look anywhere but her daughter and Emma kissing goodbye. But she couldn't help it. Her eyes had a mind of their own and they didn't like the sign of affection they saw between them.

"Call me when you're on your way back, okay?" Audrey smiles.

"I will. Rest, and make sure you eat something." Emma places a free hand against Audrey's arm.

"Yes, mom." Audrey playfully rolled her eyes and earned herself a glare from Emma that made her chuckle. "I promise I will eat something. Now, go, my mom looks like she's ready to murder you."

Emma turns to Regina, who looks away from having watched them. She waves to Audrey before she steps down the steps and makes her way toward the brunette's Mercedes where she gives Regina another apologetic look.

"Let's go." Regina opens the driver's side door and hops right in. She wasn't angry at Emma, but at herself. At herself for becoming ridiculously jealous, when Emma wasn't even hers to begin with.

The ride to the Orchard was a quiet one. Emma and Regina would have small conversations here and there, but nothing about Audrey. Regina didn't want to talk about her daughter, for the first time in her life. Especially when the kiss her daughter and Emma were sharing as they said their goodbyes was still playing in her mind.

"It looks like rain will be heading our way." Regina murmured under her breath, keeping her eyes on the road.

Emma's eyes looked up at the gray sky above them, hearing a faint rumble of thunder. She looks over at Regina, drinking in the woman's profile, the structure of her cheekbones, the fine line along her jaw, the shape of her nose, that scar above her lip. "Regina-"

"Please, Emma." Regina's eyes close for a second on her before remaining trained on the road ahead. "I don't wish to talk about it. Or anything for that matter."

Emma was fine with a quiet ride. If that's what Regina really wanted. It gave her time to collect her thoughts and gather up her words for a later conversation. But that didn't mean she couldn't pull out her phone, camera at the ready and snap a quick picture of Regina.

"Em- don't do that!" The loud click of the phone, made the brunette turn, that crease Emma loved so much forming in between her brow.

Emma couldn't help but smile a little at the brunette's frustrated look. Her goal was to make her laugh, or smile a little. This time, Regina couldn't help but turn and give Emma a small glare that soon turned soft and a smile of her own overpowered her lips.

Once arriving, Emma wasn't sure what was about to happen. She had never seen a horse give birth before, so this was all new to her. But, Regina was a different matter. In this situation, as soon as she made her way out of the car, she took absolute control of the situation. She wore her pair of jeans and a white buttoned up shirt, which she had rolled up the sleeves of, just below the elbow.

She looked amazing that way.

"Regina! Thank God, you're finally here." Emma bit the inside of her cheek, resisting the urge to roll her eyes as Daniel rushed over to the brunette and hugged Regina so tightly.

Okay. She deserved that. Fair was fair.

"I got here as fast as I could." Said Regina.

"Hey, Emma." Daniel nodded at the blonde.

"Hey."

"How is everything looking?" Regina asked, keeping her eyes on Daniel's.

"Daisy's fine. Everything is looking great. She's been pacing a lot already."

Regina smiled, no longer looking upset like earlier. "Is milk dripping? Did you check her?"

"Oh, yeah. Won't be long now until the family grows." He smiles, and can't help himself to hug Regina again, which the brunette returns gracefully.

This time, Emma does roll her eyes. Look at her. She would have never thought she would actually feel jealous of stable boy here simply because he was hugging Regina.

"I want to see her." Regina rushes off with Daniel toward the stables, and Emma quickly follows along.

Emma stops right at the entrance, watching as Regina calmly moves toward Daisy, a beautiful black and white horse. Daniel standing nearby.

"Hey, Daisy." The brunette speaks softly to the animal, not entering her space just yet.

Daniel moves over to where Emma is. "Audrey didn't come?"

"No. She sends her greetings, though." Replies the blonde, not looking away from Regina.

"Oh." Daniel smiles, going unnoticed by Emma. "Do tell her I say hi back. Hopefully she can come next time."

Emma doesn't bother to answer, she's too focused on Regina and how easily the horse communicates with her in its own way. This would be a perfect moment for a picture, which Emma makes a mental note to take one one of these days. She'd rather take one with her camera than her phone.

"Hey, Daisy," Regina speaks softly, her hands caressing along the animal's fur in a delicate manner. "I know, it won't be long now. You're going to be a mom." She smiles.

And Emma can't help but smile along, feeling her heart flutter inside of her chest and the butterflies along her stomach dance like crazy. Regina was truly a beautiful woman.

"She's very good with horses, isn't she?" Daniel smiles along, mutually watching the brunette.

"Sure is." Emma breathes, her eyes not wanting to blink.

The horse made a sound as it began to pace around a little more, moving away from Regina's feather-like touch. It paced in circles, then back and forth until it finally decided to plop down on the bed of hay that found itself underneath her.

"Daniel. It's time!" Regina happily grins, turning her attention back to the horse as Daniel quickly rushes off to be by her side.

Emma is unsure of what to do, so she remains by the doorway and out of the way. Along with the animal's faint groans, she can hear more thunder, rumbling a little louder than what it was on their drive over here.

Even if the sky was a little more gray and gloomy looking, the Orchard remained a beautiful piece of land.

"Emma," Regina beckons the blonde to join her, with a grin so wide it stops Emma's very breathing.

She has no control over her feet whatsoever. She can't deny Regina anything, so without knowing how her feet were able to move her, she was by the brunette's side in the blink of an eye, making Daniel back away a little from being so close to Regina. Well, at least Emma could admit she was happy that that was able to keep stable boy from hovering over the brunette.

"Daniel, go call the vet, please." Regina looks over at him with a smile, and just like Emma, he can't possibly refuse to her command.

"On it." Daniel rushes out of that barn so fast, it makes Emma happy because now she has a little more room to herself.

Only, she chooses to remain close to Regina, right where she is. She watches as Daisy stands right up, groaning as she does, paces around for a little while and stands still for about a minute.

"Whoa," Emma's eyes can't believe what they begin to see. She can see a white, clear colostrum. It looked like a wet rubber blanket hanging right out from the horse.

Regina's eyes look over to Emma, seeing the shocked look on the blonde's face, her eyes never blinking as they can't look away from seeing the animal pace around a few more times, lay down on its side before standing right up again to repeat its steps. "It's remarkable, isn't it?" She whispers over to Emma.

Emma feels free to look at Regina this time. "That's not quite the word I would use right now." She whispers back, hearing a soft chuckle escape Regina that makes her smile a little. "Shouldn't someone be helping her? I mean having that hang out of her must feel uncomfortable."

"She has to do it on her own first. You see her moving around?" Regina nods toward the horse. "It's to position the foal- that's what we call newborn horses- it's to position it property before delivery. Once we see the first sign of the foal, you can help me position it a little better."

"Me, what?" Emma's green eyes grow impossibly wide, and the very sight makes Regina smirk as she gives her attention back to the horse, who paces around a little more before lying on its side once again.

The Colostrum became a little more visible. Now it looked like a rubber bag. Emma could see something inside of it, which she assumed was the- what did Regina call it? Foal? Daisy grunted a little more as she laid on her side one last time, before standing up and pacing just a little more. How much time passed, Emma wasn't sure, but surprisingly, she didn't mind being here.

Regina was by her side, teaching her something new that Emma never imagined learning about.

What could be better?

"You want to know something?" Emma whispered, keeping her eyes on Daisy. She heard a faint hum from Regina that told her she did want to know that something. "As haunting as this is, standing here. I'm glad I'm here with you." Green eyes look at Regina this time, drinking in her beautiful smile through her side profile again.

Regina turns to face Emma this time, her eyes piercing right through the blonde's soul. "Me, too." She whispers. And it's that whisper that becomes Emma's heart's undoing.

And just like that, whatever jealousy was previously felt from either of them vanished completely.

Daisy grunted a little louder this time, gaining the attention of both Emma and Regina by disrupting their little bubble of a moment. She stood up from having lied on the hay bed and as she stood, Regina could see the two front legs of the foal.

"It's time!" She grins, rushing into the stable to be at Daisy's side after she washed her hands all the way up to her forearms first. Her hand softly brushed along the animal's fur while she took a quick look behind the horse.

Emma froze, because seeing Regina stand so freely and so confident behind Daisy that way, reminded her of the kick she had received from Rocky. But what shocked her all the more was seeing how Regina slipped one of her hands right inside of the animal.

It was a wonder how Daisy was so quiet through it all.

"Emma, come help me." Regina nodded her over, and Emma felt herself blink. Her feet refused to move. "Come on in, it's okay. Just make sure you wash up first." She nodded toward a bucket of water and a bar of soap that was placed nearby. There was another smile from the brunette that broke whatever curse rooted Emma to the ground.

She had to be crazy to be doing this, but off Emma went, stepping inside of the stable, one foot at a time after having washed her hands as instructed. And upon nearing Daisy, she just stood by her side this time. The last thing she needed was another kick to the face.

"You may want to remove your jacket, and roll up your sleeves for this." Regina informed her, watching as Emma frighteningly did just that.

"Wait, you don't want me to-?" Emma froze, her eyes wide as she was too afraid to know the answer to her question.

If this was a horror movie, the thunder rumbling loudly outside of the barn, startling the other horses would have been a perfect addition to this nerve wrecking moment.

"That's exactly what I need you to do. Daisy is having a little complication, and she needs two people to assist her."

Emma bent down by Regina's side, and she can be the first one to tell you, that never in her wildest dreams did she think of being placed in this position. She preferred looking at Regina rather than up Daisy's-

"Alright," Regina continued instructing without so much as flinching. "I'm going to need you to help me adjust her baby, just a little more. Can you do that?"

Locking eyes with Regina's, Emma could do nothing but nod. Shit. She would jump off a damn bridge if she asked her with that sparkling look in her eye.

"Good. Now, just insert your hand…" Regina gently grabbed onto the blonde's wrist, guiding it until she knew Emma's hand was inside she felt free to let go.

Emma's eyes grew wider before blinking. This sure wasn't on her to do list today. "I'm very sorry about this," Emma leaned her head a little, her eyes falling on Daisy who stood absolutely still. "I just can't say no to her." She nodded toward Regina, who couldn't help but smirk.

"I can promise you, Emma, she's fine." Regina kept her grin.

"Are you sure about that?" Emma scoffs, her eyes falling on Regina. "I mean, would you be fine if I had my entire hand right up your-" Her cheeks grew crimson red, just as Regina's did. "Never mind." Clearing her throat, Emma decided to focus on the task at hand.

After blinking a couple of times, Regina also returned to her duty, deciding to concentrate on Daisy. "Now, I need you to go in a little deeper for me and you'll feel-"

"Whoa… Daisy, I am so sorry, I don't know what I'm grabbing right now." Emma's eyes grew wider, her mouth falling to the floor.

"That's her baby." Said Regina.

Emma couldn't describe this feeling. It was wet, warm, and very slippery. Her face scrunched up. She was more worried about hurting either mama and baby, than she was about messing something up. Especially when the two front little legs were right near her face.

"Alright, now I'm going to need you to help me turn her baby, just a little. You ready?"

"No, but go for it."

"Alright, grab onto it with me, and when I say go, you'll push up a little with me and pull very gently."

Emma nodded, unsure of what to say. She just waited.

"Go! Push up!" Regina does just that, feeling Emma doing the same. She can hear another 'whoa' expressed out of her lips in surprise. "Good, now pull just a little bit. And, there! It's positioned better!" A grin spreads across the brunette's lips as she pulls her hand out of Daisy and steps back.

Emma doesn't even wait for further instructions as she does the same thing, stepping immediately back to where Regina is, and watches in awe as Daisy drops to the ground again, and her baby slides out of her a little more to where its head is exposed.

"We did it!" Regina smiled over at Emma, who surprisingly, underneath her shocked state smiled back. Their eyes turned back to Daisy, who had pushed her baby out a little more, until Regina's eyes glanced down to find the edge of Emma's fingers lightly brushing Regina's as both their hands were placed against the wooden door of Daisy's stable.

Green and brown eyes found each other again in a locked gaze.

Emma and Regina stood so close together, their shoulders touched, and the edge of their fingers continued to dance in their gentle caress. The smears of blood and slippery substance going unnoticed.

This was yet another shared moment added to their list.

And as horrific as what had to be done began, Emma didn't think too bad of it anymore. Especially when she dared to touch Regina just a little bit, and the brunette didn't pull away like she thought she would.

"Hey! Sorry!" Daniel ran in, startling them both and causing them to part. "I couldn't get a hold of Dr. Phillips, uh, so, Dr. Fisher will be checking up on them." Eyes turned to Dr. Fisher, who was a tall blonde woman, who smiled back at them.

"By the looks of it we have a newborn." Dr. Fisher smiled, seeing Daisy lick away at her baby, which remained against the bed of hay. "May I?"

"Please." Regina steps aside and Emma does the same thing, allowing the vet to enter the stable and kneel before Daisy and her baby. "Why don't we head inside the house? We'll need to wash up." Regina whispers over to Emma.

"Yeah," Emma nods, immediately making her way out of the barn and heading toward the house.

"Stay with her, please, Daniel." Regina placed her clean hand against Daniel's bicep as she smiled at him.

"Of course."

Upon entering the house, Emma could notice by looking out of the windows that the sky had turned dark. She could feel her phone vibrating inside of her pocket, and reached for it with her clean hand. "It's Audrey," she looks at Regina. "She's probably wondering how things are going."

"Answer it." Regina nods.

Just as Emma's thumb was about to press on the call button, she surprises Regina by tucking her phone back inside of her back pocket. "No. It's okay. I'll call her later. I'd rather wash up first."

"Of course. My um, bedroom is just down that hallway there, to your right." Regina points to the hall over Emma's shoulder. "Help yourself to a clean shirt. Bathroom is right across from my bedroom."

"You don't have to do that." Emma shakes her head.

"Yes, I do. Your shirt got dirty and you can't wear that on the drive back, or Audrey will think you murdered someone." Emma chuckles, that smirk Regina has grown to love was back, and hypnotizing as ever. "Go. I'll wash up in the kitchen sink."

Emma does as she's told and heads down the small hallway until she reaches Regina's bedroom, while the brunette begins washing her hands and forearms right on the kitchen sink. Her head turns to the sound of both doors opening up, and she catches sight of Daniel entering out of the corner of her eye.

"Hey."

"How are they?" Regina continues to wash her hands, constantly looking over her shoulder until Daniel stands by her.

"Wonderful. They're doing absolutely great. Both mama and baby are healthy." Daniel smiles.

"I knew they would be." Says Regina, with a smile of her own. "Poor Daisy, she'll be exhausted for the rest of the day."

"I can imagine so." Daniel's eyes move over toward the sky just outside the windows, hearing another rumble of thunder. "Are you going home after this?"

"I must. Audrey is at home, not feeling well and I'm sure Emma wants to get back to her." The thought of her own words made bile rise to her throat that she quickly swallowed down.

"Regina, you can't possibly drive out in this weather right now. Have you seen it outside? Have you been listening to the thunder? It is bound to start pouring any given minute."

"I'm sure it'll be fine, Daniel." Regina sighs.

"Well, I disagree. And come on, you know the weather better than anyone here. You know I'm right." Daniel stands his ground, even if Regina's eyes are glaring right at him. "I refuse to let you leave. Or Emma."

"What's going on?" Heads turn to the sight of Emma, gawking at each of them.

Daniel's brow slightly rises as he looks back into Regina's eyes, leaving the brunette no other choice but to sigh as she turns her attention to Emma. "I'm afraid a really bad storm is coming our way. We may have to wait it out for just a little while. We'd be risking a lot driving out right now."

"That bad?" Emma's brows hit her hairline. It was a stupid question, because the evidence of how bad the weather could become was staring her in the face.

"I'm afraid so. I'm sorry, Emma." Regina's shoulders slump.

"No- hey, if we have to wait it out, we'll wait it out. No problem. I'll just um…" Emma fishes her phone out of her back pocket and flashes it before them. "I'll call Audrey to let her know."

Regina nods, seeing Emma step outside on the porch to make her call. "Can you make sure that the animals are secure inside the barn, please? You know the procedure." She turns to Daniel.

"Yeah, of course. You don't even have to ask." Daniel smiles. "Listen, just in case you have to wait long, there's some food in the fridge and some beverages. I like to stock up when I know the weather is going to get bad."

"Thank you, Daniel." Regina smiles, her arm giving him a gentle squeeze along his bicep. "I really don't know what I'd do without you."

"Are you kidding? You'd be lost without me." He feels free to pull in the brunette for another hug upon hearing her chuckle.

"Oh, no. Is it really that bad?" Audrey's voice sounds through the other end of the phone.

"Well, your mom seems to think so." Emma paces along the porch.

"Well, if anyone knows about that, it's her. So, best you do what she says and wait out. I wouldn't want you guys getting into an accident because you wanted to get home. Just call me if anything changes."

Emma's eyes look through one of the windows of the house to see Daniel and Regina breaking free from their hug, as Regina smiled up at him and stood on her tippy toes to place a kiss along his cheek. Emma's lips became dry and grim thin as she swallowed down another unexpected lump that formed inside of her throat.

"Em? Are you still there? Did I lose you?" Audrey's voice startles Emma out of her thoughts, causing her to rapidly blink and look away from the window.

"I'm sorry, no- still here."

"Don't worry about a thing, babe. I'm sure it won't be as big as my mom thinks and you'll be able to drive back sooner rather than later. You'll see. It'll all blow over soon."

"Yeah," Emma breathes, her eyes falling on Regina and Daniel again. "Right." She murmurs that last word. The storm was the least of Emma's worries. What worried her, was what the hell was she going to do with this jealousy building up inside of her?