So this story has completely gone in a different direction, however, from the reviews/comments I get, ya'll are okay with it. I've gotten a few reviews/comments with ideas and I love them! Most recently, jeanyoo1 sent me some and I'm totally using them!

Read~Enjoy~Review

Chapter 10

Over the next few weeks, Emma was getting better. She was out of bed more, eating more and getting back in the flow of her new life. She did miss joking, laughing, and hanging out with the girls, but just the thought of being naked in front of people would give her a panic attack. She honestly hated that because she had loved her job. Some people may have looked down on strippers, but she had loved dancing and feeling almost powerful. She sighed as she refocused on her online course and put the other thoughts out of her mind.

"Emma! Girls' night tonight after the set. Please say you'll come." Lilly said into the phone. "We miss you and we get why you aren't here anymore, but please come with. We even got the Dragon and Evil Queen to agree to come if you come."

"Mal and Regina will go?"

"Yes! But only if you come."

Emma could hear the pout in Lilly's voice. "Okay fine. I'll be at the club before closing time."

"Yay!" Lilly squealed. "Thanks, Ems. See you later."

That night, Emma did find she was glad she came out. She had missed the comradery of being with her friends, of laughing with Zelena, teasing Ruby, teaming up with Lilly against them all. She found that Regina and Mal were also a lot of fun when they weren't 'in charge' of everything. Inevitably, however, the subject turned to Emma and what was going on.

"Will you have to testify?"

"Is it one case against all of them or a bunch of individual cases?"

"Is it just for the rape or for the uploading of the video also?"

Emma sighed, gulping the rest of her drink. "I don't know yet. Honestly, I know very little. Mr. K and Maggie have additional charges of distributing child pornography, but honestly that seems like a separate case. The guys who raped me, weren't the ones who uploaded the videos." She said, signaling for a refill and drinking most of it in one gulp.

Regina casually slid the glass away and replaced it with a glass of water. "Let's not talk about this tonight. I know you're all curious and concerned for Emma, but she came to have fun."

Zelena gave a nod. "You're right. I'm sorry Ems. Just…just know that I'm here, okay? I know you have Regina, Lilly, Mal, even my mom, but girl, you've got me too."

"Me too." Ruby said, followed by Ashley and the rest of them.

Emma smiled, though she felt tears in her eyes. "Thanks, so much guys. I appreciate it."

That weekend, Regina and Emma spent Saturday cuddled in bed, not doing much other than watching TV. Emma hated it, but she wasn't quite ready to go back into the sex life they'd had, and Regina understood completely. On Sunday, the two had dinner with Cora and Zelena. Sunday night, Emma got a call and had stepped out on the balcony to take it. Regina wasn't worried, more curious, but trusted Emma would talk to her.

The blonde came in and sat on the sofa next to her. "That was Olivia from SVU. She and Alex were wondering if I'd go in tomorrow."

"To discuss the case?"

"I think so. Honestly, she was really vague. She said that more has come up – though not involving me, but that I could help." She let out a sigh. "The only thing I can think that means is there were others."

Regina closed her eyes. "I'm sure there were others, Emma, but you know it's not your fault."

Emma shook her head, standing. "Anyone after me is my fault for neve saying anything, Regina. I let what happened to me happen to others because I didn't tell anyone."

"Honey, we don't know for sure that that's the case, but if it is, it is not your fault. You were a child, Emma! A child who was abused in the worst way and who, in the past, was never believed. No one would have a right to hold that against you."

"I do. I will hold it against me. I swear Regina, if they did this to someone younger after me, I…"

Regina stood and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend. "You'll talk to Dr. Nolan. Emma, I understand why you'd blame yourself; I truly and honestly do, but honey, it isn't your fault. You didn't tell them to do what they did."

Emma buried her face into Regina's neck, needing the stability of her. After a bit, she pulled back and kissed Regina. "I honestly don't know how I'd be doing this without you, Regina. Thank you so much for loving me and supporting me when you never asked for this. You wanted to date a stripper who had a fondness for kinky sex and now you're stuck with a recluse who has a panic attack if she's touched a certain way." Tears filled Emma's eyes. "I'm so sorry. I promise I'm working on getting better."

Regina's heart broke for her lover and she cupped Emma's face. "My sweet Swan, you hush now. I didn't want to date a stripper who liked kinky sex, those were just bonuses. I wanted to date the beautiful, slightly annoying, completely entrancing, guarded but fun blonde that stole my heart the moment I met her. My love, we all have pasts and complications, but that's what makes us human. I wouldn't care if we never had sex again, so you get that out of your head right now. The more pressure you put on yourself to "get better", the harder it will be my love. I love you, support you, and am here for you no matter what, so stop pressuring yourself."

Emma shook her head, a lump in her throat. "How did I get so lucky?" She whispered.

"I ask myself that every day." Regina said, kissing Emma softly. "Do you want me to come in with you tomorrow? I have the day off."

"Would you?"

"Of course."

The next morning, Emma was quiet as Regina drove them to the police station. Part of her was curious as to what they wanted her for, but the other part was terrified that others had been trafficked since her. When they walked in, hand in hand, she didn't see anyone other than Amanda, who smiled over at them. "Good morning. I'm really glad you could make it, Emma."

"Thanks. I'm confused on why I'm here."

Amanda gestured for the two to take a seat. "Olivia and Alex wanted to talk about court and to see if you're willing to talk to other victims who aren't so sure about testifying."

Emma sighed, deflating. "There were others? After me?"

"Before, during and after, I'm afraid." Amanda said and looked Emma in the eyes. "Even if you would have reported this, there still would have been more victims. It was a very well-oiled machine and I'm sorry, but it wouldn't have stopped what was going on."

"You really mean that?"

"Yes. Even now with Mr. K and his biggest clients in jail, we know the ring has only shifted."

"How do you know that?"

Amanda sighed and sat back. "I probably shouldn't tell you this but…right now, Olivia isn't here because she's visiting an eight-year-old girl who is in the hospital. She was part of this same sex trafficking ring and is lucky a neighbor called in a noise complaint."

Emma's eyes filled and her hand went to her mouth. "Is she a foster kid?"

"90% of the victims are or were. Yes, she's been in foster care since she was two and her mother was sent to prison for killing her father."

"That poor child. Was it her foster parents who set her up for this?"

"Yes…well in a round about way. They basically 'sold' her and reported to social services that she ran away."

Emma found it hard to breathe as she took this in. "Are there others that young?"

Alex came in and sat down. "Are you telling her about our newest victims?"

"Can we please use the word survivors? I hate the word victims." Emma asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Emma, you're right. Survivors. Did Amanda tell you that thanks to you reporting this, we just saved thirteen girls who were in a group home that was basically a hostel? Thanks to your information, these thirteen girls will no longer be abused every day."

"How old are they?" Emma asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"The youngest is nine and the oldest is sixteen." Alex said. "We've also found survivors your age and older. Emma, you coming to us has saved so many people and has brought others forward." She shifted on the chair. "Are you still willing to testify?"

Emma cleared her throat. "I…I was but now I'm not sure. I mean…this is obviously a big-time professional ring and I do not want to put myself or anyone else in danger." She glanced at Regina and then back at Alex. "I'd never forgive myself if something happened to someone because of me."

Alex was about to say something, but Regina cleared her throat. "May I?" Alex nodded and Regina turned to Emma. "You are so sweet for caring about others, Emma, but put that aside. Put whatever risks you think there are aside just for a moment and tell me you wouldn't want to testify against these monsters who raped you, who raped others, who thinks so little of kids lives, bodies, or even souls. Tell me you wouldn't want to get them back."

"Of course, I would, Regina. I would in a heartbeat, but we can't just put the risk aside. I feel awful for these girls, I feel…I feel at fault, but do you know how I'd feel if you got hurt because I testified? Your mom? Lilly, Mal, Ruby, your club…I could never live with myself."

"We would do everything we can to keep you safe, Emma." Amanda stated. "Your name, address, nothing would be published. In a case like this, we don't have to share the information of the witnesses or vic…survivors."

"Okay, but they'll see me in court when I testify. They'll then know my name, they'll find me."

"You'll be guarded. You'll have around the clock police guarding you all through the trial and for up to six months afterwards."

"What about Regina? The club?" Emma sighed. "You guys don't get it; I have so many people I care about."

Alex knew Emma was getting more and more upset, so she tried a different tactic. "Emma, I understand what you're saying, and I do get it. I really do. Would it make you feel better if I told you this ring of pedophiles have absolutely no history of violence…well okay other than rape of course, but I mean, they've never once gone after, attacked, or killed anyone who has escaped, turned them in, or even testified against them in the past. And yes, seven of them have had previous trials. With your information and the help of Maggie, we now have the ringleader."

"Maggie…do they think they got caught because of her or do they know about me?"

"They think it's because of her. Your name has not been mentioned."

Emma bit her lip. "If Maggie agrees to keep them thinking it's because of her, then I'll testify."

"I'm sure that won't be a problem. Let me go see if I can push a phone call through to her now." Alex stated and went to an office to use the phone.

Emma looked at Amanda. "What happened to the girls at the group home? What's going to happen to the one at the hospital?" If Emma could, she'd take in all fourteen girls, but she knew that was extremely unrealistic. She did, however, wonder how Regina would feel about her doing foster care for the one in the hospital.

"They will have extensive therapy and they've all agreed they want to stay together; so for now, they will be moved to another group home that also offers therapy. They will be checked on every day, Emma. This will not happen again to them. Madison is a bit different. She's terrified of going to a new family, but you know that at her age, they hate putting kids in group homes. She'll be in the hospital for a few weeks, so they have time to figure it out."

Regina noticed Emma was deep in thought and was wondering if she was thinking the same thing she was. If Emma was, she'd say yes in a heartbeat, even if that meant changing quite a few things in her life. Maybe it was time she and her mother discuss if Zelena will take over the club or if Mal would. Regina had more than enough between savings and her inheritance from her father where neither she nor Emma would have to work. Maybe she could simply step back…maybe she was completely off track in what Emma was thinking.

Alex came out with a smile. "We'll have her signed agreement, but Maggie was more than happy to keep saying she gave names and keep you out of it."

Emma took a breath. "Okay, then I guess I'll testify."

"Your answer to this won't change anything, but she did ask me to ask you if you'd consider visiting her again."

Emma sighed. "Maybe one day, but I just can't right now. I know she's apologized and is cooperating more than she needs to but I just…I can't."

Alex put her hand on Emma's. "I understand, and so does she. Now, what are the chances I can get you to talk to some of the others? The younger ones are all fine with testifying, but the ones your age or older are a bit more on edge because they're afraid of it bringing up bad memories."

"Of course, they are." Emma said. "They'd be crazy not to think that. Alex, I can't and won't force anyone to do it, but I'll talk to them."

"Is tomorrow too soon?"

Emma shook her head. She then licked her lips. "Can I talk to the younger ones? Can I see Madison in the hospital? Maybe it would make them feel better to see that they will get past this."

Amanda smiled. "We were hoping you'd ask. Yes, we've already talked to social services and they agree that it may help them if you or others your age would talk to them. Would it be too much for you to do that tomorrow as well?"

Emma shook her head. "Can I do it before I talk to the others? I'm thinking it'll give me motivation."

"Yes." Amanda slid over a piece of paper. "This is their new home. Meet me there around ten?"

"I will. And Madison?"

"Let me see if Liv will answer her phone. She may not be up for company right away." Amanda said and sat back, calling Olivia.

Emma looked at Regina. "If she is up for it, would you mind?"

"Not at all. Do you mind if I come with you tomorrow?"

"I'd love it if you did." She looked at her watch. "And you're sure you want to come with to my appointment with Dr. Nolan this afternoon?"

"Yes. Positive."

Amanda hung up and looked a bit surprised. "Olivia asked her if she'd want to meet someone who went through what she did and she said yes. She wants to meet you as soon as you're available."

Emma smiled a bit. "I'm available now. I mean, if we're done here."

"We are." Alex said, touching Emma's shoulder. "Thank you so much for everything you're doing, Emma."

Emma gave a nod. "It's just as good for me as it is for you."

Amanda handed Emma another piece of paper. "There's her hospital and room number. Check in at the desk and tell them Olivia is expecting you."

"Thank you so much." Emma said, taking the information.

The ride to the hospital started quiet, but Regina couldn't stop herself. "Emma? How long does it take to get licensed for foster care?"

"It depends on how fast background checks go through and how fast you can finish and pass the training. I think the shortest is three months and the longest is a year." She looked over at Regina. "Why?"

Regina stopped at the red light. "I could be wrong, but when they were talking about Madison and the others, I swear I could tell in your face that you wanted to take them in." She looked over. "I do too. I know we can't take them all in, I do know that, but baby…maybe we can take in Madison."

Emma smiled, her heart soaring. "Really? You'd want to do that?"

"Yes, Emma. Until today, I never thought about kids to be honest. Yes, sure, maybe like a 'one day I'd like kids', but nothing serious. But…after knowing what you went through and what this girl has gone through, I just feel this need to show her there are good people out here. I want to love her and nurture her, be here for her. I know she will have issues, of course she will, but I want to be here to help her through them." She laughed a little. "I haven't even met her, but I want this."

A honk from behind them made Regina start driving again. Emma opened her mouth a few times, but closed it.

"What are you thinking, my love?"

"I…I agree with everything you're saying but I'm scared. I'd have to make sure with Dr. Nolan that she thinks I'm emotionally and mentally ready to do this. I also…I'm not sure how good it would look to have 'stripper' in my employment history or, for that matter, currently unemployed."

"Okay my love, the first thing we do is talk to Dr. Nolan. If she thinks you're ready, then we go ahead with it and be honest. We've done nothing illegal, and you don't have to say stripper. Simply…entertainer or something. Also, you're not unemployed, you're a student who is also, as of Wednesday, officially a financial intern for a thriving business."

"I am?"

"You are. If you want it. Mal and I have been so busy that we haven't been able to go over the books and I need to balance them. You can do that, right?"

"Yes, I can. I will! Thanks, Regina."

"No thanks needed. It's what we discussed." She said, parking the car. "Now, let's go meet Madison."

Olivia greeted Emma and Regina with a smile. "She's excited to meet you. Honestly, she was pretty quiet and subdued, but when I told her there was someone who had gone through what she did wanting to meet her, she lit up."

"It's always nice knowing you're not alone." Regina said softly. "Even for kids."

"You're right." Olivia started towards the room. "She's been badly beaten, just so you're prepared. Bruises, a cast on her arm, a boot for her broken ankle, but she's a survivor."

Emma stopped in the doorway, her heart skipping a beat. "She…she looks just like me when I was her age." From the blonde hair to the blue green eyes, the dimple in her cheeks and her chin, Emma could swear she had gone back in time and was visiting herself. She felt Regina's hand on her back and stepped in the room.

The girl looked up at the newcomers and pulled the blanket up. Yes, she wanted to meet this Emma, but now she felt shy. "Hi." She said quietly. "Are you Emma?"

Emma smiled a bright smile. "I am. You must be Madison?" The girl nodded. "This is my girlfriend Regina."

"Hi." Madison said. "You can call me Maddie."

"Can we sit, Maddie?" Emma asked, and when Maddie nodded, Emma sat on the chair by her bed. "I know Olivia told you that I had gone through a lot that you have. I just want you to know that if you have any questions, just ask them."

"How old were you when it happened to you?"

"Sixteen, so older than you."

"Were you a foster kid?"

Emma nodded. "I was. I was ten when my parents died in a car crash and I went into the system."

"Did you like foster care?"

Emma chuckled. "I hated it. I mean, I had some good homes, but most of them sucked."

Maddie sighed. "I thought I had a good home."

"I did too when it happened. But honey, you will have a good home. Unlike me, you will have help, you'll have people looking out for you."

Maddie's eyes filled with tears. "Will I ever be normal?"

Emma couldn't stop herself as she reached out for the little one's hand. "You are normal, my love. You went through a terrible experience and yes, you'll have nightmares, you'll have mood swings, but baby, that's normal."

Maddie smiled and wiped her eyes with her free hand. "Are you a foster mom?"

"Not yet, but it's something Regina and I are talking about."

"If you do become one, can you ask for me?"

"If they let me, then yes."

At Emma's appointment, they talked about a few different things. They talked about how she truly felt about testifying, about how she felt guilty for not being able to be sexual with Regina – though Regina assured Emma she was in no rush. Finally, they talked about foster care.

"Honestly Emma, only you can decide if you're ready for that. If you're looking for my professional opinion, I think it could be amazing for you and for the child. You've been in foster care, you can relate to them, understand them, get where their anger or sadness is coming from, and comfort them. I'd honestly give you a glowing reference. Emma, you've come so far since I started seeing you and if it weren't for the upcoming court cases, I'd recommend going to once a month. However, I think I'd like to keep it once weekly as we go through that."

"I forgot about that." Emma said sadly. "I'm not sure if I can even look at foster care while this court stuff is happening."

"It takes one call to find out." Dr. Nolan said with a smile. "Now, is there anything else to talk about today?"

"You really think it would be okay to look into doing foster care?" Emma asked, needing to hear it again.

"Yes. Emma, I do want you to realize you may not get Maddie, but I really think that keeping busy is going to help you. Honestly, it sounds like this would be good for you both. The only thing I worry about is what would happen to the child if you two split up?"

Emma looked at Regina. "I didn't think of that either. I mean, I don't plan on splitting up, but I guess most couples don't."

Regina took Emma's hand and looked at Dr. Nolan. "I don't plan on splitting up with her either, but if for some reason that happened, I do believe she and I would be adults about it. The child would still be a part of both of our lives and Emma, and I would do everything and anything to keep that child happy."

Emma smiled softly. "I agree. We would do whatever is best for the child we may or may not have."

"Then if it's my permission you need Emma, you have it." She said with a smile.

"Thanks."

On the way home, Emma looked over at Regina. "We're doing this?"

"I want to, Emma." Regina said. "Do you?"

"More than almost anything."

"Then I'll make some calls tomorrow after we talk to the other girls and the women."

Emma felt butterflies in her stomach the next day when she walked up the sidewalk to the group home. She held Regina's hand and smiled at Amanda. "Morning."

"Good morning. Thank you for meeting us. How are you feeling?"

"Nervous, but good. Um…do you know how Madison is doing today?"

"Emma, something about your visit really helped her. Her social worker and nurse said she is coping much better than before."

Emma smiled softly. "I'm glad." She took a breath. "It's going to kill me to see all these girls and knowing what they went through."

"I understand, but they're really looking forward to seeing you."

"Well, let's go." Emma said with a smile.

They walked in and after greeting Mrs. Jacobs, they were taken to a large living room that had chairs set up in a circle. "Girls, this is Emma."

Emma smiled warmly at the girls and instantly could see in their eyes that they were survivors just like her. "Morning." She said, sitting. "This is my girlfriend Regina."

"Are you with a woman because of what happened to you?" One of them asked, making another nudge her.

"It's okay." Emma assured her with a kind smile. "No. Even back when this was happening to me, I had already known I liked girls…women." She looked around. "Can I maybe hear all your names?"

They went in a circle stating their name and age and Emma tried her best to remember them. "Thanks. So, I hear you're all going to testify? That's very brave."

"Are you?" Penny, the eldest asked.

"I am. After this, I'm meeting with other survivors who are adults now to talk to them about testifying as well."

"Do you go to a therapist?" Viviana, the youngest asked.

"I do. I didn't before, but I do now. She helps me a lot. I know some of you may be scared or think you don't need a therapist, but I urge you to at least give it a try."

The group talked some more and in the end, both Emma and Regina were promising to come back and to stay in touch with all of them. On the way to the police station, Emma bit her lip and looked at Regina. "Regina? Does Grace do any private lessons? I mean…I don't wanna teach these girls to strip, obviously, but dance is such an outlet. If I paid her, do you think she'd do something like that with the girls?"

Regina smiled softly. "If she won't, we'll find someone who will. Maybe the girls at the club would come with and we can have a fun group day."

"I'd like that, and I think they'd like that."

"I'll add that to our list of things to look into."

"We can do all of this together later, baby." Emma said, taking Regina's hand.

At the station, Olivia greeted Emma with a hug. "Thank you so much for everything you're doing. Emma, between Maddie and the girls at the home, you're making a huge difference."

"You heard from them?" Regina asked.

"The girls? Yes. Well, Mrs. Jacobson called and just couldn't say enough good things about you, and she said the girls felt so much better knowing you've survived this and are thriving."

Emma couldn't help but smile a little. "I'm glad they know that. They have their whole lives ahead of them."

"Emma, Regina, nice to see you again." Alex said as she came into the office. "I have everyone ready. All but two are here, so there's six."

Emma nodded. "Lead the way." Again, when Emma came in the room, she couldn't get over all the haunted looks in these women's eyes.

"This is Emma Swan. She is the one who came forward and got all of this going." Alex said and Emma gave a small waive before sitting.

"Hi. This is my girlfriend Regina. I hope you don't mind her being here."

Head shakes and shrugs were given, and one woman sat forward. "Emma, you're really testifying?"

"I am." She replied, nodding her head. "It took a lot of thinking, but yes, I am." She sat back. "I just recently found out that I was recorded and put online, and in a way, it felt like it was all happening to me all over again. I met with the woman who set me up with these monsters and…I want to take my life back. Yes, I thought I had moved on, but one touch sent me right back." Emma told her story, not at all ashamed of being a dancer. "I want to have a hand in punishing them all. What they did to us was wrong, it was terrible, and we didn't deserve it. It took me so long to realize that, but I didn't deserve it; you didn't deserve it either."

The women were quiet for a bit, some dabbing their eyes. Courtney looked at Emma and nodded. "I'm going to testify. You're right, we didn't deserve this."

Two hours later and everyone had agreed to testify and numbers had been exchanged. They all also agreed to try and meet up once a month for a 'support' group of sorts. Emma told them about meeting the younger girls and some of them decided to meet them as well.

"Thank you, Emma." Alex said, walking them out. "Seriously, you have no idea how much you just helped. We're going to nail these bastards."

Emma smiled. "I hope so. Thank you for taking this case, Alex."

After a late lunch and a few phone calls, the women were set up to meet with social services later in the week and told they could get started on getting their fostering licenses. Also, Grace agreed to do not just one, but a six-week course at her studio, with the girls from the group home once a week with the intention of them being in a recital at the end. Emma called Mrs. Jacobson and she called her back saying all the girls were excited to take classes. "We have it set for Monday evenings so maybe you and the other girls from the club can come help out."

"I will and I'll talk to them." Emma had assured her. "Thank you, Grace. I can't wait."

Emma and Regina lay in bed that night and Emma smiled at her. "Regina? I…make love to me?"

Regina ran her fingers through long blonde locks. "Are you sure? Emma, there's no pressure."

"I know, and I appreciate that." Emma said, placing kisses on Regina's neck. "I spent all day telling other survivors that they can and will have normal lives and I realized I want my normal life back." She pulled back and looked into chocolate eyes. "You have been nothing but supportive and understanding and Regina I…I love you so much. These last few months with you have been the best in my life. Regina, I need to feel you again."

Regina leaned forward and kissed Emma. "I love you, too my Swan. Being with you has been the most amazing experience of my life and…damn it, this isn't how I planned it but Emma…marry me."

Emma froze and gazed into Regina's eyes, seeing nothing but hope there. "Really? You mean that? You…you wanna marry me even after everything you know I've been through?"

Regina sat up and took Emma's hands. "You are the strongest, most amazing woman I have ever met. You've been through more than any one person should ever go through and look at you! You're so strong, you support others, you are fucking amazing. Emma, I knew a while ago that I wanted to marry you, but I knew it was too soon to ask. I know it's still soon – we haven't even been together a year, but I know without a doubt, I want to marry you." She reached over into her nightstand and got out a small box. "I got this for you and planned out something much more romantic, but tonight just felt right."

Emma, with tears in her eyes, opened the box and saw the perfect, not too flashy, but obviously not cheap ring. She looked back at Regina and started laughing.

Regina was confused and her face showed it. She looked down. "I thought you'd like it."

Emma stopped laughing and lifted Regina's chin. "Regina, I love it. I'm sorry it's just…" She huffed and went to the closet, coming back and handing Regina a small box. "I also had this all planned out but have been too scared to ask. Open it and you'll see why I'm laughing."

Regina's hands shook as she opened the box. She smiled and started her own laughing. "Emma, it's beautiful." The rings were almost exactly alike, the difference being Emma's was silver while Regina's was gold. She looked at her blonde. "We're getting married?"

"We're getting married." Emma said before squealing. "WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!"

That night, the two reconnected in ways that left them both pleasingly sore and satisfied. Regina fell asleep easily while Emma watched and then lay in Regina's arms looking at her ring. The future had many uncertainties, but one thing she knew for sure was she would never again face it alone.