A/N: Hey team. So, reviews have dropped off. Are people still interested? I'm moving these ladies closer together but given Regina's trauma, I want to be realistic in their timeline, so I'm sorry it's a little slow. I hope they make progress in this chapter though.

The following day, Emma's shift was busy from the moment she arrived at the hospital. It was one emergency after another and she barely managed to snatch fifteen minutes for her lunch before the hectic day thrust her back into the madness. It was a relief when her shift ended and she was able to clock out, dead on her feet as she made the journey home on autopilot.

The heatwave was faltering and the evening was still pleasantly warm but not unbearable by the time she walked through her front door. She wasn't surprised to find Regina in the garden, half way through another book. The brunette, it turned out, was a voracious reader.

"Hi," Emma called, waving from the patio area before making her way down to join the woman who was reclining in the deck chair.

"How was your shift?" Regina asked as Emma sat on the grass and then lay down, letting out a sigh. "Oh, does that reaction mean it was bad?"

"Busy," Emma replied, eyes closed as she stretched her arms above her head. She didn't notice Regina's gaze lingering on her abdomen as her top rode up, exposing her pale skin. "How was yours?"

"Quiet. I'm sorry yours was busy."

Emma shrugged. "Not your fault. Comes with the territory."

"I know, but I'm just here doing nothing while you're working hard. I feel guilty. I mean, it's not like I'm contributing to the bills or anything."

Pushing herself back up to a seated position, Emma set about reassuring Regina. "I'm not asking for you to pay bills or rent or anything. I offered for you to stay here, remember? Honestly, I don't mind. Your job is to stay clean. How are you feeling, by the way?"

"I'm ok," Regina replied simply.

"No cravings?"

"No."

"And you've not …"

"No, I've not used," Regina reassured her.

"Ok, good. And, you know, you could tell me if you did. I wouldn't be angry or anything. I mean I guess I'd be -"

"Don't say disappointed," Regina interrupted. "That's such a cliche. And I would tell you. But there's nothing to tell. The methadone is working. I don't feel any need for anything more right now, promise."

Emma hesitated, considering saying more. She believed Regina. At least, she wanted to believe Regina. And she wanted to respect Regina's assurances that she'd tell her if something was wrong. But niggling at the back of her mind was something Ruby had said the night before. Something she had refused to acknowledge then but that, now, she was starting to accept might be true. But before she could say anything, the sound of a familiar voice travelled down the garden.

"Dad?" she called, turning around and holding her hand to shield her eyes from the sunshine.

"Did you ask him to come here?" Regina asked, her voice curt.

"What? No," Emma replied, turning around to see Regina's face suddenly terrified. "Hey, it's ok. He's probably just dropped in to say hi on his way home. He does this pretty often."

Regina did not look convinced. "So, you didn't tell him about me? I told you I wasn't ready for the police to get involved."

They were whispering now as David drew nearer. "I didn't ask him to come, I promise. But he knows you're staying here and he knows about Killian. I didn't say anything about the drugs," Emma promised as she got to her feet. "Dad, hi."

She hugged him, feeling his strong arms encircle her briefly as she squeezed him back. "Hi princess. Sorry for dropping in unannounced. I just wanted to check in and see how things are going with you."

It didn't take a genius to know that while her father wasn't an infrequently visitor after work, this trip probably had more to do with Regina than Emma. She didn't mind, as long as her father was there to help and not just to gather salacious gossip for her mother. Mary Margaret, she knew, wasn't on board with Emma's decision to help Regina.

"We're good, thanks Dad. Regina, you remember my father, right?"

"Of course," Regina said, getting up out of the deckchair. "It's nice to see you again, Sergeant Swan."

"Call me David, please," he smiled. "It's nice to see you too, Regina. How is your lip?"

"Better, thank you."

"And Emma has been taking good care of you?"

Emma cringed slightly as Regina assured her father that yes she was indeed being well cared for while she stayed at the house. As the two of them spoke, Emma tried to discern how her father felt about Regina's presence in his daughter's life. He had wanted to help Regina, just as Emma had, on that day in the hospital. But his idea of helping women who were being sex trafficked wasn't usually, or ever, to invite them to live in his house. She suspected that he had come over to find out what on earth Emma was thinking. Which, she supposed she understood.

"Dad, do you want a beer?" Emma asked, deciding that she needed one to get through the conversation.

"Yes, that would be lovely. I have to be home for dinner though. Your mum invited the neighbours over. Insufferable bores but I have to be on time otherwise there'll be hell to pay."

After offering Regina a non-alcoholic drink, Emma went to the house to prepare the beverages. She didn't really want to leave her father and Regina alone together but she figured her father was tactful enough and experienced enough in his role to not say something out of bounds. She kept glancing through the large patio windows while she gathered the drinks, wondering what they were talking about.

Puerto Rico, it transpired, when she returned with the drinks. She wondered which of them chose the conversation topic but her father seemed to be enjoying his travel trips, even though her mother had a desperate fear of flying which limited their ability to travel too far beyond Europe's railway network.

"So, Emma, how was work today?" David asked after taking a swig of beer.

"Busy but good. I've got one more day then a day off."

"And Regina, how are you finding staying here?"

"I'm very grateful to Emma," Regina replied. "Your daughter saved my life."

The glow of pride emanating from her dad almost made Emma gag. Instead, she focused on Regina who was looking at her with a soft expression she'd never seen before. David cleared his throat after a few moments. "And, did Emma give you the tour of the neighbourhood? There are some lovely cafes near the tube station. If you're a fan of brunch, I'm sure she could recommend a few places."

"Actually, I've not been out much in the last few days."

"Of course not, of course," David said at once. "And have you -"

"Dad, if you're due home for dinner, you should leave," Emma interrupted. "Wouldn't want to be late, would you?" She did not want him questioning Regina about anything to do with her past.

"Yes, you're right, princess. Thanks for saving me from your mother's wrath. I only popped in to say hi and also to remind you it's your mum's birthday next week."

Emma rolled her eyes. "I've already got her a present and I saved a reminder to my phone about the restaurant booking. I am capable of managing my own life now, Dad. Adulting remember?"

He chuckled and took a generous gulp of beer. "Well, in that case, I'd better be on my way. I'll see you at the restaurant next Saturday. Regina, you're welcome to join us, if you would like to."

"Thank you, that's very generous," Regina replied meekly.

"I'll see Dad out and make a start on dinner," Emma said to the brunette.

"No, let me cook," Regina said, making to follow father and daughter up the garden. "It's the least I can do given how generous you've been."

Emma didn't feel it necessary to argue. She understood Regina's reluctance to just coast along on generosity from others, even though she, as the giver, was more than happy for that to be the arrangement. It couldn't be easy, Emma recognised, to have nothing and be completely dependent on another person, particularly one she'd only known for a few days.

As soon as they got to the kitchen, Regina set about rummaging through the fridge to find some fresh ingredients to make their dinner. David drained his beer and put the bottle into the recycling bin.

"Well, it was lovely to see you both. Emma, can I have a private word before I leave?"

She followed her dad into the hallway, pulling the door to the kitchen closed behind them. Something told her that whatever was about to be said, Regina shouldn't hear it. "What's up?" she asked as her father grabbed his keys and wallet from the hallway table.

"I ran that address you sent me."

It took Emma a moment to realise what her father was talking about but then she remembered that just before she had entered the building in search of Regina, she had done the sensible thing and alerted her father to where she was going. "Why? I didn't ask you to do that."

"I'm a cop, princess. You can't have expected me to just ignore the fact that you gave me a lead on a sex trafficking operation."

"But Regina hasn't even given a statement. There's no investigation happening, is there?"

"We're putting out feelers," David explained. "That area is known to us for sex workers and there has been a bust of another sex trafficking ring a few streets away. Look, I know you told me she wasn't ready but it would be a big help if we could talk to Regina, get a better understanding of the whole situation. Do you think she'll be ready any time soon?"

"I don't know, Dad. And I promised her she didn't have to talk to anyone until she's ready. She's safe, that's what matters, right?"

David nodded slowly. "Regina's safe, yes. But you're not going to tell me that she was the only woman staying in that building being forced to do things they didn't consent to, are you? I've seen the property, Emma. I know what's going on in there and we need to build our case, so that we can help save all the women who are victims, not just one."

"I know, Dad. I get it. But I don't want Regina to be forced into anything before she's ready. This has to be on her terms."

"I get that, but while Regina's not being forced into anything and gets to do things on her terms, just think about what is happening to the women who are still there. All I ask is that you talk to her, if you can. I think she trusts you, so if you can get through to her, let me know. I can come here to take her statement if that would make her feel more comfortable. She won't have to come to the station."

Emma nodded but folded her arms. Her father was right, she knew that. Regina isn't the only victim. But it didn't make things any easier. While she wanted to help the other women under Killian's control, her overriding instinct was to protect Regina. That had to be her priority. She couldn't let anything happen to Regina, she couldn't risk her fledgeling sobriety.

When her daughter didn't speak, David lent forwards and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Have a good evening, princess. Take care of her. If you need anything, call me."

"I will. Thanks, Dad. See you next Saturday."

The door shut behind him and Emma let out a sigh. She knew her father was trying to help but she also wasn't sure how she felt about him being involved. While she trusted him implicitly and understood that he was great at his job, there was something about the gentle pressure that he was exerting on Regina, through Emma, that made her nervous.

Back in the kitchen, Regina was already busy chopping vegetables. "Need a hand?" Emma asked as she got a second bottle of beer out of the fridge.

"No, I've got this. You've been working all day. Is Ruby going to be home for dinner or is it just the two of us?"

"Just us. She's on the late shift. Did you see her earlier?"

"Briefly, yes."

When Regina didn't elaborate, Emma got curious. "Everything ok between you two?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?"

"No reason," Emma shrugged. Her mind wandered to the conversation she had had with Ruby the night before. She knew her best friend had concerns. She also knew that her best friend had trouble not speaking her mind, even when it wasn't appropriate. Which was why she was a little surprised that Ruby hadn't said anything to Regina, given that the two of them had been alone in the house that morning for hours. In fact, Emma realised, if she didn't speak with Regina herself, Ruby's self control might run out. "Ok, so Ruby's a little concerned."

Regina paused mid-cut and placed the knife beside the chopping board. "Oh?"

Gesturing to the barstool next to her, Emma waited for Regina to take a seat before continuing. "Yeah, she's just worried that we're not really prepared for what this is going to mean."

"This being?"

"You getting clean. Whatever happens with Killian. I mean, I guess there'll be visa issues soon enough. Just, the future, I suppose. She's worried for you, and for me."

"I see, well, I suppose it's nice that she cares."

Emma nodded. "Yes but it's not her business. It's ours."

"Well, technically I think it's my business," Regina corrected her. "It's my life, my addiction, my uncle, my visa problems. Although, I do acknowledge that you are now involved and that you have offered to help. So, well, if Ruby doesn't think it's a good idea, I can find somewhere else to stay."

"No." Emma's hand shot out and landed on top of Regina's on the counter, even though the brunette had made no move to physically leave. "No," she repeated more quietly. "I don't want that. And that's not what Ruby was saying. She's looking out for us both. She has some experience working with people with addictions and she knows how hard it can be to get clean, on both the addict and those around them. It's a journey and it's not always an easy one. Relapses," she watched Regina's face to see if there was a reaction. Nothing, "setbacks. You know, it's hard. She just wants to make sure we're both ok."

"That's kind of her. She's a good friend to you."

Emma smiled. "Yeah, she is and I appreciate her concern but I wanted to speak with you about it just in case she does say something to you. I want you here, Regina." Fingers wrapped beneath Regina's hand, squeezing lightly. "I want to be right by your side while you get clean, however long it takes and whatever that journey looks like. And whenever you decide you're ready to tell me about what happened with Killian and whatever you choose when it comes to getting the police involved, I will support you in that choice. As for the visa stuff, I don't have any experience with that but I can google the shit out of how the home office works."

In contrast to the tears now sparkling in Regina's eyes at Emma's sincere words, the brunette let out a chuckle at the last comment. "Thank you, that's sweet."

"Why are you crying?" Emma asked, thumb brushing over the smooth skin of Regina's hand.

"I don't know," Regina said, reaching up to swipe at the tears which had spilled down her cheeks. "I shouldn't be crying. I'm safe. I'm free. I suppose it's all a bit overwhelming. I just … no one's cared about me for so long. Maybe I forgot what it felt like."

Emma slid off her stool and opened her arms wide. At a brief nod of consent from Regina, she gathered the woman in them, drawing her close and letting the brunette sink into the embrace. She felt Regina's head rest on her shoulder, her ribcage trembling slightly as she cried silent tears. "I care about you, Regina," she whispered into the soft brown locks which tickled her nose. "A lot. More than I realised."

There was no response but Regina's arms snaked their way around Emma's waist, hugging her back. Emma closed her eyes and pressed her face a little closer into Regina's hair. It was then that the realisation hit her. Ruby had said something else the previous evening which she'd protested against. As always, she hated it when Ruby was right.

A/N: So, moving faster but still realistic? That's what I'm hoping for!