A/N: Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story so long. I really appreciate your support. Thank you also to the few of you who always review, without you I probably wouldn't have kept updating. I hope you like the new chapter!

It was nearing two in the morning and Emma currently felt like the only person still awake in the hospital, even though she knew realistically that couldn't be true. She was lying on the couch in Regina's room, and everything in the ward was so quiet that she could hear the steady breathing of the room's two other occupants. Emma's gaze, as it had been for much of the last few hours, was fixed the sleeping brunette. Emma was blinking back tears but one still managed to escape through her lashes. Seeing Regina lying there, knowing she was going to be okay, at least for a few years... Emma knew she should be happier but she just felt so suffocated by the emotions bubbling inside her. Emma blamed the time of day; every little worry and fear always seemed to intensify in the middle of a sleepless night.

This had been one of the nights when Emma and Henry had intended on going back to the apartment to sleep. That was before Henry had crawled into Regina's hospital bed and had fallen asleep in her arms. Emma knew they were both recovering and knew how important they were to each other in the healing process, and so rather than waking Henry up once it started getting late, Emma had made herself comfortable on the couch and simply allowed them both to sleep. A nurse had brought her some sheets and a pillow and despite how comfortable she felt, she simply couldn't settle down because she couldn't stop thinking about Regina. The room was darkened, but the city lights which crept ever so slightly in from behind the blinds illuminated the room enough for Emma to be able to see quite well.

Emma had tried turning over to face the back of the couch instead, but that had proved even more distracting because she only just kept thinking about the woman sleeping behind her. It hadn't been that long ago that she had nearly lost Regina in the worst way possible, and her heart kept pressing her to check, and check again that Regina was okay.

When Emma had finally accepted that it was going to be useless to continue trying to sleep, she wiped away the stray tear and stood up. After walking slowly for a few paces to stretch her legs, she moved to the window and peeked behind the blinds to look at the Boston city lights. Loving how tranquil the city seemed from up here, Emma let herself appreciate the view for a little while longer, but soon she was unsurprised to find that her mind had drifted back to Regina.

Emma let the blinds fall back into place and turned to look at the slumbering queen again, both hating and loving the tug in her heart that she so often felt when she set eyes on Regina lately. Emma moved to sit carefully on the edge of the bed so as not to wake either occupant up. "Why won't you let me help you Regina?" She whispered. "Just one more time." Emma couldn't understand why Regina didn't even want to know if Emma could be a donor for her. Sure the advanced medicine of this world must seem scary compared to that of the Enchanted Forest, but it was far superior and tremendously safer, which Regina was well aware of. The part that Emma could understand, was Regina's not wanting to put Emma's life in jeopardy. It touched her that Regina wanted to put Emma's safety before her own. She understood where the brunette was coming from; after all she wouldn't want Regina risking her health for her if the roles were reversed. But the doctor had already established that donating a kidney was fairly risk free on the part of the donor, assuming they were strong and healthy to begin with. However Regina just wouldn't hear it. Regina believed magic was the only answer, but Emma feared that going back to Storybrooke would be a death sentence, not just for Regina's life, but for Emma's heart as well.

Even though there was barely a strand out of place, Emma gently brushed Regina's hair back from her face. There was the ghost of a smile on Emma's lips at the sensation of how right it felt to do so, but that smile soon faded when she remembered that the feeling wasn't right. Not in the way she wanted it to be. Even so, she couldn't help but brush her fingers through Regina's beautiful hair one more time, savoring how soft and healthy it still felt even after everything Regina had been through. It had grown out quite a bit since Emma had first met her, but Emma found that the near-shoulder length hair suited Regina wonderfully.

Without thinking, Emma began to lean forward but then stopped herself. She pulled back and wrapped her arms around her waist again, gazing down at Regina instead. Before they had arrived in Boston Emma had been so afraid that Regina wouldn't make it. When the brunette had been abducted that fear only increased tenfold, and Emma had been sick at the thought of never seeing her again, of never being able to hold her again. But now, Regina was here in front of Emma, lying safely and comfortably in a place far from Storybrooke where no one wanted to hurt her. Emma knew this would be the perfect time, but she found herself unable to tell Regina how she really felt about her. Emma didn't know exactly when these feelings had began, but it was too late to turn back now. It was the most powerful emotion she had ever felt, and this absolutely terrified her. If Emma were to confess her feelings only to have Regina reject her, if Regina didn't share Emma's feelings in that way, the cherished connection that was between them could crumble, and that was something Emma didn't think she could ever survive.

Emma blinked back more tears as she watched Regina's delicate but steady breathing. Her eyes lingered on the cardiac monitor that indicated the current status of Regina's vitals. For some reason, Emma often found seeing the stability in this form even more reassuring than just observing Regina herself. The sleeping woman made a soft noise. She adjusted her position and turned ever so slightly away from Emma to wrap her arms more firmly around Henry, but she remained fast asleep.

Emma could feel the emotions rising again. She needed Regina. She needed to talk to her, to be comforted by her, but it wasn't fair to wake her up. And even if she did, Emma wouldn't know what to say. Finally, Emma rested a delicate hand on Regina's arm and rested her other hand on the back of Regina's head. Leaning forward carefully, she pressed a soft, affectionate kiss to Regina's temple. Emma closed her eyes, and riskily allowed the kiss to last a little longer than she had intended. Emma's cheek softly caressed Regina's hair, and it took practically all of her strength to pull away. Taking in a deep breath and trying to ignore the hammering of her heart, Emma forced herself to stand up straight again and return to the couch.

Best friends. That's what Regina had called them. But Emma was quickly realizing that Regina was far more than that to her. It had been nearly losing her that had unlocked those deep, wonderful, but scary feelings.

"Sorry to disturb you." A soft voice said from across the room.

Emma quickly looked up to see a young nurse standing in the doorway. She had a kind smile on her face, but she also looked a little guilty for her intrusion. Emma immediately feared that the woman had seen the kiss. She knew it was innocent enough, and it wasn't as though she had never given Regina a kiss before, but those times had been different, and the brunette had been awake. Images of rescuing Regina from Dr. Whale flooded her brain briefly, before Emma forced herself to remember that someone was speaking to her.

"Oh, hey." Emma quickly wiped away her tears and tried to appear normal and relaxed.

"Don't mind me, I'm just doing my rounds." The nurse whispered, entering the room.

"Yeah... no worries." Emma responded, reaching over and taking a tissue from Regina's bedside table. "Is it okay that Henry's there?" She asked indicating the boy. "I know sometimes you guys say it's not safe or whatever."

The nurse smiled softly when her eyes fell on Henry curled up next to Regina in the hospital bed. "Henry has to be one of the sweetest boys I've ever met. It's precious how much he loves his mother."

Emma smiled too as she followed the nurse's gaze.

"Oh–" the woman started. "Not that I don't think he loves you just as much." She quickly added. "It's just–"

Emma breathed a laugh. "Hey, don't worry I get what you mean."

The nurse still looked embarrassed.

"Seriously," Emma grinned. "You're fine. I know our situation is kind of confusing. But yes, we are both his mom, and yes, he loves us both. Or... I sure hope he does at least." Emma said lightly, trying to make the nurse feel less on edge.

The nurse laughed softly as she glanced at the monitor and then at Regina again. "Well, everything looks good here," she said, dropping her voice again in hopes of not disturbing Henry or Regina. "Let us know if you need anything."

"Thanks."

The nurse looked like she wanted to say something else but seemed to stop herself. She turned to leave but when she had reached the doorway she paused, facing Emma again. "Can... can I ask you something a little personal?" She asked a little more quietly.

Emma nodded curiously.

The nurse stepped back towards her so she wouldn't have to speak as loudly. "The other nurses told me you and Regina weren't a couple, but that's not exactly what I've been seeing. I was just wondering if maybe they were wrong?" The woman said softly.

This took Emma by surprise, she opened her mouth but didn't know how to respond. A recent memory engulfed her, it was of the last time someone had said something like this. It had been the day Regina had been moved from the ICU. Apparently for days the staff had innocently been believing that Regina and Emma were partners, and Dr. Montgomery had been the one to finally ask how long they had been together. Henry had looked mortified at the thought and Regina's face had gone ashen. In the end it was Emma who had stammered out that they were not a couple, and after a deferential apology from the doctor, no one had ever brought it up again.

"I know, it's probably not cool to admit to you that we talk about the patients to each other but..." The nurse went on, shrugging helplessly.

"It's okay. I mean, it is kind of your job too." Emma said. She was grateful for the darkness of the room because she was certain her face had gone red. "And I can see why people might have thought that... I mean, our situation is kind of unusual. And Henry and I are always here and Regina and I do share him but... Regina and I are just friends. It's a long story but just over a year ago I didn't even know her."

"Regina adopted Henry right? Is that how you met?"

"Well, she adopted him when he was a baby. But last year... I guess Henry wanted to know where he came from. He came and found me here in Boston and asked me to come home with him. I had only planned to take him back to his mom and then leave again, but once I got there it was a little harder to go. I wanted to stick around a little while to see how he was doing because you know, he's still my kid... I wanted to know he was okay. And, well, after I'd gotten to know him I found it really difficult to leave."

"And Regina too?"

Emma bit her lip. "That part is a little more complicated, but yeah, eventually." She said, not really wanting to share any more.

"You know, things are different now... You don't have to hide who you are. You know... if that's what's wrong. Who cares what other people think."

"What are you talking about?" Emma's brow furrowed.

"You and Regina." The nurse answered simply.

"Oh." Emma tensed. "I told you, we're just friends." She said guardedly, although she heard her own voice catch in a way that hinted at the possibility she was lying. She hoped only she had heard it.

The nurse frowned, she looked quite disheartened as she glanced back at Regina. "I'm sorry... I probably shouldn't have said anything. It's none of my business and it's so unprofessional of me to assume." She breathed a heavy sigh. "Sorry. It's just... you guys seem so inseparable. I'm sorry for bringing it up..."

"Hey, don't be. Look, I get what you're saying... and I could see why you might think that." More than I would like to admit, Emma added to herself, amazed by this woman's timing. "But we're not hiding. And we're not even a couple. I know you mean well but we're just friends, that's all."

The nurse had a questioning look in her eyes and Emma sighed internally. "I gave up Henry the day he was born... I was only eighteen and I didn't think I was ready to raise him the way he deserved. Regina adopted him, and she's been an amazing mom to him since. Seriously I couldn't have asked for a better mother for my kid. Now that I've gotten to know the both them they've become my family, but Regina and I, we'll only ever be just friends." She repeated.

The nurse hummed in understanding, nodding her head. "Well, even if you aren't you know... a couple," she started sheepishly, "I still think it's really cool how Henry brought you two together. It's nice for him that he can have you both in his life."

Emma smiled, nodding softly in agreement.

"I grew up with two moms..." The nurse continued, surprising Emma. "We were really happy, and they loved each other so much. But then when I was thirteen one of my moms got into a really bad accident. She didn't make it." The nurse ended quietly.

"Shit..." Emma whispered, shaking her head. "I'm sorry."

The nurse smiled in appreciation. "It was a long time ago but... it still hurts. And my other mom never really moved past it. That's why I always believe that if two people are meant to be together, they shouldn't waste a single moment. But... I can see I was wrong about you and Regina. I guess without meaning to maybe I was projecting my own life onto yours... Sorry again for butting in. It really was none of my business."

"Honestly it's alright." Emma said. "Like I said our situation is kind of confusing."

The nurse's eyes were downcast. "You said things were complicated between you and Regina when you first met... but seeing you guys now you would never know it. Did she originally not want Henry to meet you or something?"

Emma breathed a heavy sigh. She knew she didn't have to answer, but it was kind of nice having the distraction, and the young woman was kind, even if she was a little too upfront. "Henry was going through some tough times, he thought maybe knowing his birthmother would help. He came and found me without Regina's permission so... well I'm sure you can imagine how the whole thing upset her pretty badly. At the time she thought it meant he didn't love her. Things were pretty rocky between her and I for a while."

"What changed?" The nurse asked softly.

"We became friends." Emma shrugged with a soft smile. "Just friends," she said a little more quietly as her gaze drifted towards the sleeping woman again. "Regina got sick and I stepped in to help out because she doesn't really have any other family. It's hard to say exactly when it happened, but we grew really close."

"Oh." The nurse nodded. There was a curious look in her eyes as she studied Emma, and the blonde worried that the woman was seeing right through her, despite her apologies for her presuppositions before.

Emma bit her lip distractedly, meeting the nurse's gaze again. The blonde was partially wondering if her brain had conjured up this nurse to work through her feelings. But she knew she wasn't crazy, or dreaming for that matter, and the most real thing about this conversation was Emma's increasing worry that Henry or Regina would wake up and overhear.

The nurse seemed to instinctually pick up on the sense that her presence was no longer wanted. "I guess I should probably get back to work," she said softly, glancing at Regina and Henry to make sure she and Emma hadn't disturbed their rest. She turned to leave before stopping herself again.

"I know what you said, and feel free to tell me to shove off and mind my own business but... if by any chance you do have feelings for her... feelings that you're keeping hidden... you really should let her know. You never know, maybe Regina feels the same way but doesn't know how to say it."

Emma was about to deny it again but it was clear the nurse had figured out that Emma had been lying to her. Maybe this was what Emma needed; to finally admit this to someone. Maybe it was better to first admit it to an impartial stranger, to see how she felt once the truth was spoken out loud. Emma shook her head a little, feeling at a loss. 'Fuck it', she decided.

"But if I did have feelings..." Emma began guardedly, "and if Regina doesn't feel the same way – which I don't think she does – I wouldn't want my telling her to change things between us." Emma replied quietly. "I wouldn't want to ruin what we already have. She's a really good friend."

The nurse nodded softly in understanding, but Emma could see the poorly concealed relief in her eyes as her suspicions about Emma's feelings were confirmed after all. Emma knew the woman was happy she hadn't made a complete fool of herself by insisting there was something between Emma and Regina that wasn't, but soon there was a sad smile on the nurse's lips as her gaze moved to rest on the sleeping mother and son again.

The younger woman was about to say something but Henry groaned in his sleep, forcing her to stop and listen for a few moments. Thankfully he and Regina were both still fast asleep. "I wish you well." She finally said. "I know it's scary but, as with any relationship, you'll never know if you don't try." She said with sincerity before moving to leave again. "I really should go finish my rounds before someone comes looking for me." She added more lightly. "It was nice talking to you."

"Hey," Emma stopped her quietly. "Don't..." She sighed, already disappointed in herself for spilling to someone. She had thought she wanted to, but now that the truth was out she felt exposed. Did she just make a huge mistake? What if this got back to Regina? "Please don't tell anyone what I just told you okay?"

The nurse gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

Emma gave her a small smile in return, hoping she could really trust this stranger. The nurse's words had Emma wondering though, if there really was any possibility that Regina felt the same. Emma didn't want to confess her feelings to Regina unless she was sure the other woman shared them. She didn't want to jeopardize the wonderful relationship they currently had. But on the other hand, if she never told Regina...

Emma breathed a heavy sigh as she was left alone with her thoughts again. Maybe it would be enough to simply stay with Regina, without being 'with' Regina. Maybe it wasn't worth the risk of losing her forever.

Emma slipped under the blanket on her makeshift bed and continued to watch the other woman sleep. "Goodnight." She whispered.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, please let me know what you thought. Take care xx