A/N: Hello everyone, I am so sorry for the wait. I hadn't had much motivation over the summer and I've been very busy lately, but hopefully I'll be able to update sooner next time. I hope everyone is doing well!

*Also I am in need of creative distraction and am looking for a dark one-shot prompt if anyone has anything they would like to see. You can send me a PM or if you are a guest reader a review is fine. Thank you! xx

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~ Chapter 100 ~

Regina awoke the next morning feeling quite content. Despite some slight cramping in her limbs due to sharing the small hospital bed with Henry, she was very well rested, and this was something she did not take for granted. Her last few weeks back in Storybrooke had been somewhat miserable in regards to a proper sleep cycle.

Regina breathed a soft sigh as she turned away from Henry to check that Emma was still there. She gave a small smile when she saw the blonde in a deep sleep. Emma had been in her dream, although Regina couldn't quite remember the details at the moment. She didn't want to admit it to Emma, but she preferred when Emma and Henry stayed at the hospital with her, and she always seemed to sleep more soundly. She wanted them to be able to get a proper rest back at the apartment, but even now that she knew she had no one to fear at the hospital, she felt much safer with them by her side. Luckily for her, half the nights when Emma and Henry were supposed to return to the apartment they ended up staying with her anyway.

Regina watched Emma sleeping for a little while longer, until she eventually drifted off again herself.

Emma on the other hand, woke feeling a little nervous. Ever since her conversation with the nurse from the night before, she was afraid that Regina had overheard or that someone would tell her about it. Emma did have terribly strong feelings for Regina, but she wasn't sure if she was ready for Regina to know just yet.

The conversation between Emma and the nurse had been so curious, and Emma was almost afraid to ask about who was on duty last night. What if it turned out that the only nurse on duty had been a middle aged man or something? Emma couldn't recall ever having seen the young woman before, and yet the nurse had seemed to know so much about herself, Regina and Henry. Emma realized she hadn't even asked her name.

Emma reluctantly got out from under the warmth of her blanket and left to wash up in the bathroom. When she had returned, Regina and Henry had both woken up, or more likely one of them had woken up the other. Henry had moved over to the couch. Emma tried to be casual as she studied them both. They both greeted her a good morning, and neither gave any indication as to having heard the conversation from the night before, and so Emma began to relax.

"How did you guys sleep?" She asked, taking a seat beside Henry and giving him a sideways hug which he reciprocated.

"Good," Henry replied.

"Well I think," Regina agreed. "How about you? I always worry about you sleeping on the sofa."

"Honestly don't, it's actually super comfortable and the nurses always give me a warm blanket. Hey that's a good idea… maybe we should look into getting one of those warming cabinets for the apartment." Emma joked.

"Or we could just use the dryer." Regina gave her an amused look. "I'm glad you slept well. Are you two going to head back to the apartment for a bit?"

"I guess I could use a shower… it would also do to save some money on eating out and grab a bowl of cereal for a change." Emma sighed longingly. "Sometimes I really miss Granny's."

"Only sometimes?" Regina raised an eyebrow, knowing Emma's tendency to go there for most meals when she was in town.

"Alright all the time…"

"At least it's saving your wallet."

"Granny's was so cheap though! Diners here charge at least three times the price."

"Because Granny hasn't changed her prices since the eighties." Regina explained dryly.

Emma's mouth dropped open. She had never considered that.

"You know… you could go to Granny's every day again if we went back to Storybrooke." Regina said with a little more sobriety.

Emma's grin faltered when she realized Regina wasn't joking. "Regina we talked about this, it's too dangerous."

"Not if I'd be able to use my magic." Regina replied in a low voice.

Henry looked between them. "But Mom you haven't gotten better yet. What if you still can't use your magic?" He asked fearfully. "And what if someone hurts you again?"

Regina folded her arms in a stance that said: not you too.

"Just give it some more time okay?" Emma said softly. "It'll be better once they let you out of here. No one likes staying at the hospital."

Regina nodded. "I hope you're right."

"I am. You'll grow to love this city as much as Henry does, I'm sure if it."

Regina smiled at Henry but kept her thoughts of disagreement to herself. "Go on you two," she said softly. "The nurses will be in soon to fuss over me. I have to do physical therapy today." She muttered bitterly.

"It'll be great." Emma insisted. "It'll make you feel so much better in the long run... and besides, they aren't going to ask you to run a marathon on your first day. It's probably just a bit of mild muscle work."

"If it's so great why don't you do it?" Regina retorted.

"How about this? Once you're out of the hospital we can work out together. I'll be your own personal trainer." Emma replied enthusiastically.

Regina rolled her eyes and flopped back against her pillows.

"I'll take that as a yes then." Emma grinned triumphantly.

Emma and Henry were back at the apartment, both refreshed from showers and both devouring a brunch of heated and buttered muffins, purchased from the bakery across the street because Emma had forgotten to buy cereal.

"Emma, I want to know if I am a match for my mom." Henry's muffled voice said as he chewed a piece of chocolate chip muffin. "Shouldn't we at least find out?"

"Henry she doesn't want you to have this surgery regardless. And don't forget, the doctor said they want the donor to be over eighteen years old."

"But what if we find out that I am a match? And then if she gets even more sick maybe then she'll see that I was supposed to help her all along and she would accept it."

"I don't know Henry, Regina's been pretty clear about the whole situation... but if you want to talk to her about it again you can."

"You heard her, she thinks I'm too young to make a decision like this but I'm not. If it comes from you, another adult, don't you think she would be more reasonable about it?"

"Well I mean she doesn't even want me to take the test so I honestly don't think me talking to her is going to help matters any." Emma shrugged. "And now she's got Montgomery on her side... I'd say our hands are tied kid. I'm sorry."

Henry frowned. "Emma I want to know." He said more quietly. "I don't want her to be sick anymore. I want to know that she is going to be okay."

"I know kid... Me too."

Henry bit his lip. "Emma... you're kind of my guardian now too right? Like legally."

"Yes I am kind of like legally your guardian," Emma repeated with a grin. "Why?" She asked more suspiciously.

"Because... what if you signed the consent form to let me take the tests. And then if I turn out to be a match, we can tell my Mom after we already know."

"Henry..."

"She might be easier to convince if it's already confirmed that we really can help her."

"Or she'll tear our heads off for going behind her back."

"But if it's for her own good…"

Emma sighed. He really wasn't listening to a word she was saying. "Henry, remember the last time I wanted to do something that was 'for Regina's own good', but which I kept a secret from her?"

Henry frowned, thinking.

"When I wanted to... well, kidnap her and force her to come here." Emma clarified, not seeing the need to sugar coat it.

"Oh..." Henry remembered with a guilty expression. "Yeah?"

"Regina was angry with me but it was more than that. She was really hurt by it. She didn't feel safe anymore, and this was at a time when she needed more than anything to know she had people around her she could trust."

"But us taking the tests won't hurt her."

"Maybe not in the literal sense, but she's going to see it as a violation of her trust, and she'll think we don't care enough about her to let her make her own decisions or listen to what she wants. It will show her that we don't have a problem keeping secrets from her."

"But I want to help her." Henry said in a quiet, disappointed voice.

"I know." Emma said, taking his hand and squeezing it comfortingly. "But it's just like last time. It had to be her decision to come to Boston, and it has to be her decision regarding the transplant."

"What can we do to convince her?" Henry asked.

Emma bit her lip. "I might have an idea… you kind of just gave it to me actually… It could push her decision making a bit, but it also might really piss her off. Hopefully not as much as taking the tests behind her back would though… I would still ultimately be giving the choice to her, but it will be a slightly different decision for her to make."

"What is it?" Henry asked eagerly.

Later that day:

"Hey Regina, I'm back."

Regina's eyes searched the space behind Emma as the blonde entered the room. "Where's Henry?" She asked.

"I left him at the apartment… Mary Margaret emailed some work for him to do so he's trying to be a good student. Don't worry, I told him he can call if he needs anything and Stuart is also down in the lobby. I trust him to keep Henry safe."

Emma sat down on the couch, looking a little fidgety.

"Is there something else?" Regina asked in concern.

"Maybe?" Emma answered sheepishly.

"Well what is it?" Regina asked when Emma didn't elaborate.

"Okay… well… here's the thing… Please don't be mad at me."

"Emma…" Regina's tone was warning.

"Okay…" Emma took a deep breath. "I kind of made an appointment to have myself tested." She said quickly, cringing inwardly at the look on Regina's face. "I really want to know if my blood type is a match to yours."

"Emma!" Regina responded in a sharp whisper.

"What?! You need this operation Regina! You heard what the doctor said, you could spend years on dialysis! And we don't even know how much longer you have! There might not even be enough time to wait for a donor to become available. I'm ready to do this, all we need now is your consent. I mean, I can take the tests without your consent but I really want you to be on board with it first."

"Emma no. I didn't want you to do that." The brunette's tone was quieter than Emma would have expected, but it was clear she wasn't happy.

"Regina if you ask me to I will cancel the appointment. I promise I'll do what you want. But please know how badly I want to do this. I have to do this."

Regina was shaking her head, "why?" she whispered.

"Because..." Emma's voice broke. "Because I..."

I love you. She wanted to say.

Emma took a deep breath, she hadn't meant to get so emotional so quickly but it had already happened. She had briefly let herself think about the conversation with the nurse last night and it wasn't helping matters in the least. She wanted to take the nurse's advice, she wanted to tell Regina how she felt, but she was too afraid of what could happen. "Because Henry is terrified of losing you, he loves you so much and he is so afraid that you won't get better. He still blames himself for what happened to you. After everything he's been through don't you think he deserves to have his mom?"

"Emma he'll always still have you." Regina whispered, feeling her heart break.

"I'm not enough. He needs you. And..." Emma's voice trailed off, she quickly brushed away a few tears. "And I need you too. I–" Emma closed her eyes, feeling a tear run down her cheek. "I-" She wanted to say it, but she couldn't.

"What Emma?" Regina asked softly. "You can tell me."

"Regina I don't want to live without you."

Regina's mouth fell closed and she held Emma's gaze for a few moments. Emma couldn't tell what she was thinking. "Emma we've known each other barely a year. You hardly know me."

"Regina you know that's not true. I know you better than I've ever known anyone in my life. I want to do this."

"But Emma things could look different even just a year or two from now. I don't want you doing something you might end up regretting."

"There's no way I would ever regret doing something to save your life."

Regina gave a quiet sigh in response. "This isn't like giving me CPR Emma." She argued softly. "And if you did this it wouldn't just affect me; later on this could have serious consequences for your health. This operation doesn't even guarantee that I'll be cured forever... it'll give me maybe ten years?" Regina shook her head. "I don't want you giving up a percentage of your own life to save mine, it's too risky and it's not worth it."

"If it means helping you, it will always be worth it. And the doctor said there is no reason this should shorten my life. But Regina, even if it did, ten more years with you would completely be worth giving up a few years of my own life."

The brunette shook her head again, "you're just being short-sighted."

"Regina, if you were being mauled by ten lions I would still do everything I could to protect you. Now, would you rather I drag you to the zoo to prove it or are you just going to accept that I've never been more serious about anything in my life? I'm aware of the risk that this transplant could pose to my own health, but I want to do this. I swear I'll take extra good care of myself from here on out."

The look in Regina's eyes grew surprised upon hearing that. She knew Emma was just trying to convince her, but the sincerity in Emma's tone was remarkable.

"And Regina… I know things change between people, I know people grow out of friendships, but that's never going to happen to us."

Regina gave her a look.

"I know." Emma agreed with Regina's unstated response. "I know I sound like a preteen giving you a friendship bracelet but I'm serious. Things are different for us because we have something unique bringing us together."

"Henry." Regina answered softly.

Emma nodded. "That kid deserves to have both his moms in his life don't you think?"

Regina gave a short-tempered breath. "Yes, he does. Which is why I don't want you to be my donor."

"It's not going to shorten my life Regina."

"But it could."

"It's not likely."

"But it will always be a possibility."

Emma sighed. "Listen... even if I do end up with health problems later because of this, I would still prefer that over having to watch you suffer any longer."

"Emma," Regina whispered, closing her eyes.

"I mean that Regina. I can't handle seeing you this way anymore, I want you to be able to start living your life again. And if what's happened this year has taught me anything, it's that Henry needs you more than anyone. I wouldn't just be doing this for you and me, it would be for him too. He needs his mother."

"Emma he's not going to lose me. And I can survive without the operation. I'll still be able to lead a normal life if I stay on dialysis."

"But it's never going to be the same. Especially not if you go back to Storybrooke like you keep talking about. Who knows, maybe if you do get the transplant you'll even be able to go back there sooner. There see? That's another reason to let me take the test."

"Emma..." Regina sighed.

"Please Regina. This is really important to me. I know it's a big decision but there are only four people in the world I would be willing to do this for and you are at the top of that list."

Regina's eyes flicked over to her. She didn't respond.

"Regina will you let me keep the appointment? Please?"

The brunette was quiet for some time, clearly deep in thought.

"Regina?" Emma asked, feeling her heart sink deeper by the second.

"Okay." Regina whispered, looking away from Emma.

Emma felt like a truck had hit her, but a good truck, like one made of clouds and stars and rainbows. She was terrified for a second that she had misheard. "Really?" She asked in relief.

Regina met her gaze again. She nodded.

"Oh my god," Emma pulled the other woman into a tight hug. "Thank you. Thank you thank you Regina." She gushed into the other woman's hair.

"I can tell you're not going to give up." Regina responded softly, closing her eyes as she returned the embrace and rested her chin on Emma's shoulder. "And Emma… this really does mean a lot to me, despite how I've been reacting to the idea. I'm just really afraid that something bad will happen to you because of this."

Emma closed her eyes, finding herself unable to let go of Regina just yet. "I know you are, but nothing will, I promise." She felt Regina's hand rubbing comforting circles on her back, but Emma got the feeling that it wasn't her whom Regina was trying to comfort.

"Thank you Emma." Regina whispered.

It was getting closer to evening and Emma had gone back to the apartment to see how Henry was faring. Shortly after Emma had left Regina had requested to speak with Dr. Montgomery, who was able to come see her about half an hour later. Regina knew what she had said to Emma, and at the time she had even meant it, but now after the fact she was starting to panic.

"I can just wait until a donor kidney becomes available. That would be better right? I don't mind staying on dialysis until then." Regina was saying to the doctor.

"Regina you know that could take years." Dr. Montgomery reminded her gently. "Unfortunately there are a great number of other patients waiting in line before you, and I don't think I need to remind you of the severity of your condition."

"I don't want the transplant." Regina repeated. "Not from Emma."

Dr. Montgomery pulled a chair away from the wall and brought it up to the side of Regina's bed. She took a seat.

"Might I ask what's bothering you so much about this procedure?"

Regina sniffled, shaking her head.

"What is it?" The doctor pressed kindly.

"I don't know." Regina mumbled.

"You do know," the older woman said softly. "Please tell me what it is, I'm sure I can help assuage any fears you have regarding it. I promise, I've specialized in this my entire career, you're in safe hands with me."

"It's not..." Regina wiped a tear away. "It's not myself I'm worried about."

"You're worried about Emma."

Regina gave a small nod.

Montgomery placed a comforting hand on Regina's arm. "I understand your concerns for Emma's health, but she'll be perfectly fine. And this was her choice. We didn't ask her to consider donating, she was the one who came to us asking to be tested."

"It doesn't matter." Regina replied in a trembling voice. "I didn't ask her to do it, and she didn't consult me first. If she had I would have told her not to bother."

"Forgive me for saying it but I think that's exactly why she did not ask you first. As I've mentioned before, with a transplant like this the risks for Emma would be minimal. Why are you so certain something bad is going to happen to her?"

"I'm not. But I know first-hand what this is like, and I don't want Emma to have to go through anything remotely like this in her future. If she gives one of her kidneys to me, and then god-forbid, if something ever happened to her other one, then she would be right where I am now."

"Regina there is no reason to assume that would ever happen to her. Most of our donors continue to live long, healthy lives. But I assure you if anything ever did happen to Emma, and she became in need of a new kidney, she would be put on the priority list for a transplant because of her being a living donor for you now."

"I would still rather not risk it. I should be the one waiting for a donor, not her a few years down the road."

"Regina this is something I've been wanting to talk to you about in the next couple of days… When you first came to us your renal function was among the worst I've seen in years for a patient in your age group, and I deal with many of the country's most severe cases. This is partly because of the setbacks you faced which prevented you from receiving initial treatment. The majority of the patients I see who are dependent on dialysis have a life expectancy of approximately five years. This is because while dialysis certainly can help keep someone alive, it only provides about ten percent of the work of a properly functioning kidney. Of course, there are many patients who live beyond the typical five-year span, and thankfully many more of these patients do receive a donor organ within that time frame, but unfortunately we just don't have the ability to save everyone."

Regina gave a disheartened sigh, wrapping her arms around herself and dropping her gaze.

"Regina, I still remain hopeful that your condition will improve, but if it does not, with the state that your health is currently in you're not looking at a possible five-year life expectancy."

Regina looked at her in shock. "But I was told I was responding well to the treatment."

"Yes, but not as well as I was hoping you would." Montgomery replied gently. "My best guess is that in the state you are currently in you can survive on dialysis for maybe one year if luck is on your side. I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Regina, if you choose to remain on dialysis and if your condition does not improve, it is of my opinion that you won't live long enough to see your son graduate elementary school."

Regina's breath caught in her throat at the words. "But... but that's only if I don't receive a donor kidney right? And there is still a chance that one will eventually become available."

"Yes there is always a chance, but there is no telling when, or even if that may happen. Because of the severity of your condition, I can try to move you further up the list, but unfortunately I can't put you at the top. There are still far too many people who are in need of a transplant, and many of them are as sick as you are or worse."

"I understand." Regina thought back to a past conversation with Henry. He had insisted that she should be first in line. His reasoning was that other patients had been on dialysis and she never had, therefore her health was much poorer than anyone else's. She had explained to him then why she shouldn't receive special treatment, and it was the same reason she didn't expect it now. Her heart warmed slightly at the memory, that was the day Henry had first offered to give her one of his kidneys.

"You said thousands of waitlist patients die every year," Regina said quietly. "Thousands."

"Yes." Dr. Montgomery replied softly.

"And if I accept a living donation, that means one more person on the waitlist has a better chance at receiving a new kidney. One more person can survive."

"Yes that's true."

Regina breathed a heavy sigh. "I don't know what to do." She whispered. "If Emma is a match for me and I don't accept the transplant from her, I have a greater chance of not surviving, and I'll definitely be robbing someone else at their chance for a longer life. But if I do accept it, I risk doing damage to Emma's health in the future. How am I supposed to make a decision like this?"

"You can't look at it that way Regina. Worrying about the endless possibilities will only cause you unnecessary stress. We don't know what the future holds, and therefore we can't let our actions be influenced by maybes and what-ifs."

Regina looked into the other woman's eyes desperately. "I just don't want Emma to get hurt by this."

"This was her decision and she is well aware of the risks. But I can assure you, if she does end up having the surgery, she is very likely to make a complete recovery and will continue to live a long and healthy life."

Regina wiped away a few tears before wrapping her arms more tightly around herself. The older woman watched as her patient dropped her gaze and closed her eyes, obviously at war with her thoughts.

"But Regina please know something, if you really don't want to take Emma's kidney, or if you really do believe that your body will reject it, the chances are it will. This has to be completely your decision, you have to want to accept it or Emma will have given up her kidney for nothing. No one can force that on you. It may seem inconsequential but our emotions do play a great role in these situations."

Regina frowned as she considered the doctor's words.

"If you want to remain on the waitlist and continue on with the dialysis, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, that is what we will do." The doctor continued. "No one would condemn you for looking out for the wellbeing of your friend. But if Emma does turn out to be a match for you, and if you do decide to accept the living donation, I promise we will take every single precaution necessary to ensure Emma's continued health. She is young and strong, and if she continues to take care of herself there is absolutely no reason that her life should be affected badly by this procedure."

Regina was quiet for some time, letting it all sink in. "What would you do?" She finally asked.

Montgomery smiled. "This isn't about me. Every situation is unique. I understand your hesitancy, you care a great deal for Emma; but she also cares deeply for you, and that's why she wants to do this for you. However, because of this wonderfully strong love that she has for you, I know she'll support your decision whatever it may be. So take your time, think about what it is that you want and only do what you think is best. If you feel you need it, I can arrange another appointment with your counsellor if you want someone else to discuss this with. And Regina please know that if you wish to talk to me again before you make your final decision, just say the word."

Regina shook her head, "I'm sure you don't have time in your busy schedule for that."

Montgomery placed her hand over the younger woman's. "I'll always have time. I mean it Regina, don't ever be afraid to ask."

"Thank you," Regina whispered, lowering her gaze and blinking back a few emotional tears as she squeezed the doctor's hand gently. "I think..." Regina breathed a heavy sigh, shaking her head. "I think I'm going to let her do it."

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A/N: Thank you for reading, please let me know what you think! Take care xx