They had spent a while waiting for Henry to able come home. It had been a week since the accident and he was finally able to move about more. The three of them had stayed at the Hospital. Emma had been asked a few times to leave. So she would and after picking up a few bits and pieces to occupy them would sneak back in at night, having made friend with a few of the staff, it was easy. She just had to stay clear of some of the older more strict staff members. She would always be back by the time everyone one else had been put to bed baring magazines and puzzle books. She even went to get her's and Henry's and bought Regina a red one of her own and a few games and books. Emma even managed to find the last Harry Potter book and Henry read it to them. A few chapters a spent rest of the day's there playing games and talking. Emma would nip out to get them food and they would feast then sleep. Soon enough it was time to leave. Regina was a lot better and the only sign she had the flu was a sore thought and a cough. The left the Hospital not knowing what it was going to be like for them when they got home. They all had an idea in mind though. They all wanted to watch Harry Potter.
When they arrived home they had only just through the door when someone knocked it. Emma opened it. Snow was stood there with more food and a load of junk food.
"Henry text and said he wanted to borrow the Harry Potter series. Then he invited David and me over but David couldn't make it, Sheriff business he said. Someone did something or other. I don't really know he was in a rush. I think he's ok... oh god I hope he's ok," Mary Margret said as she started to panic. Emma put both of her hands on her Mum shoulders,
"He's fine, He does this all the time," Emma said trying to calm her. It worked, Snow nodded and walked to the living-room. It then occurred to Emma that Regina may not know she was here. She probably won't be too happy about it. Emma sighed. Well, it's happening may as well have fun.
She walked into the living room and was greeted by a happy Henry and an awkward Regina trying her hardest to talk to Snow. It lasted a little while longer whilst Emma put the first disc in. The movie started. Henry was hooked from the start, Halfway through there was a knock on the door. Regina went to go answer it. She opened it revealing David stood behind it. He pushed through.
"We need to speak where Snow and Emma?" He said looking baffled.
"Calm down Charming. They are in the Living room whats going on?" Regina asked wondering what possibly could be happening now. She followed him to the two woman who was still engrossed in the film.
" Snow, Emma could I talk to you and Regina in the kitchen please?" He asked a little on edge.
They both got up and they all followed him to the kitchen.
"Look I don't know how to say this but we have been trapped in storybrooke again." He said knowing that it probably wouldn't shock them as much as irritate them. Why couldn't people just chill out and maybe talk it out with Archie instead of creating drama?
"So what is it this time, glass bowl, laser beams?" Snow asked.
"Oh I know what about the slice and dice from Resident evil," Regina said more excited than she should be by the prospect.
"Um no Regina, we talked about this, its all fun and games when its a movie but in real life its murder... remember," Emma said sarcastically
"Oh shut it, Swan, I'm just joking I don't picture doing that ... anymore" She said with a playful evil smirk on her face and left it at that at before Snow intervened.
" Seriously you two, a time like this and your making jokes?" Mary Margret exclaimed. Her face held an angry expression. Regina and Emma both looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
" Look, Mum, it's not like this is anything new. It's been happening since I got here." Emma said not phased but a little pissed about being trapped again.
" What is it this time or are you waiting for one of us two to sort it out?" Regina asked also annoyed they couldn't just stay and watch films with Henry.
"Ummm its like errr umm..." David said trying to come up with something to describe what had happened.
"Great work David," Regina said sarcastically patting him hard on the back. "Come on Swan your with me, we are taking my car," She said as she walked past everyone grabbing her coat and keys.
The got into Regina's Mercedes. Regina started the car in silence. It had been a while since they had been completely alone together and no one knew what to say. They drove a little before Emma broke the silence.
" So are you feeling better?" Emma said she couldn't think of something that would break the tension.
" I'm feeling much better, Thank you for looking after me Emma," Regina said. She was trying to keep up a front but it fell away when she thanked the blond woman. Her being ill had shown her Emma in a different light. She wasn't her usual annoying self. Instead, she was caring and patient. Regina hadn't expected that from her. She always thought of Emma as someone who rushed everything. She liked to be kept on her toes. It was strange to see her being so domestic with her and Henry. She was grateful for Emma's help last month. They carried on chatting about different things on the way to the storybook sign. The stopped the car just before they reached the town line.
" So what first on our town saving agenda?" Emma rolled her eyes and got out her car. Emma followed her. She walked closer to the line. She grabbed a rock and threw it over the line. It went over like it would if there was nothing there.
" Next suggestions?" Regina asked. Emma looked hard at the line.
" We send something living over. Not a person but a bird or something." Emma said. still looking hard at the line then glancing at Regina to see her reaction.
"Sure ok, I will wait here while you catch a fox," Regina said going back to her car and sitting on the bonnet. Emma just stared at her a while and then nodded.
"Great" Emma said she sighed before she walked into the woods nearby. Ten minutes later after failing to catch a small rodent Emma sat on the floor. She didn't have much experience hunting and to be honest she had caught the rat and then freaked out and dropped it. She huffed not sure what to do she sat on a nearby rock. She didn't know how long she had been trying to catch something but it must have been a while because Regina appeared in front of her.
"What the Hell swan I'm sat out here in the freezing cold for you to be sat on a rock! Regina said punctuating the last four words. Emma looked at her. She was kind of pissed off that as the Saviour she couldn't even catch a rabbit.
" I suck, I couldn't even hold a rat, it was gross, who likes them anyway," Emma said she was frowning and acting childish but to be honest she was freezing too and she didn't know what to do. They couldn't go back now.
" Seriously Swan, you are old enough to know that this is pathetic. Stand up now!" Regina shouted at the blond. Emma glared at her and raised an eyebrow. She started got to her feet clumsily. She wobbled as she stretched her freezing muscles.
" Ah, it so cold!" Emma said jogging the spot. Regina looked at her like she was a child misbehaving.
"I guess I'm catching something then," Regina said. She marched off into the woods. She hadn't gotten far when Emma caught up with her.
"You shouldn't wander off without me, could be dangerous! Emma said trying to catch her breath. She stopped for a few seconds then walked by Regina's side who stayed quiet.
" I can handle myself, Sheriff, now if you don't shut up we will never catch anything!" Regina said in a quite but irritated voice. Emma was quiet for a while. Regina walked ahead stopping now and again to look around. After a while, they came across a field with a few rabbits held her hand out to stop Emma from following her,
"Wait. Sit here, I need to concentrate I haven't done this since I was young. Mother didn't agree with little girls who got their clothes dirty." Regina said quietly. Emma just nodded looking across the field before taking a seat in the slightly overgrown fresh grass. She watched as Regina took her shoe off. The Queen slowly suck towards a hedge that seems to have the most available targets. Regina positioned herself so they couldn't smell her. She waited and waited. Emma got bored after ten minutes and started to play candy crush.
After a few more minutes there was movement in one of the rabbit holes. Regina waited until the rabbit had left the hole then quickly grabbed it making sure she held on tight. It jumped around in her hands. Regina wrapped it in her jacket and held it tight. She approached Emma who hadn't even looked up from her phone. Regina kicked the blond shoe lightly.
" Come on swan we can go now," Regina said. Emma continued to stare at her game. Regina raised an eyebrow at the younger girls ignorance. She fake coughed. Nothing.
"Emma...Emma... Swan..." Regina said still trying to pry the woman's attention away from the phone. "Seriously." Regina bent in close to Emma's ear. "EMMA" Regina dropped her phone and surprise attacked Regina to the floor. Luckily Regina kept a firm grip on the now panicking rabbit.
"What the hell Swan!" Regina said trying to stand up without dropping the Rabbit.
"Oh sorry reflex," Emma said holding her hand out to help the Queen of the floor. When they were both on their feet they headed back to the town line. It was starting to get dark so they had to move quickly. Regina teleported them to the town line.
" Ok so the plan, we release the rabbit over the line and see what happens," Regina said walking to the line and taking the rabbit out from its hiding place in her jacket. she set it on the floor facing the town line.
Happy to be free again it jumped quickly away. As soon as it hit the line, orange smoke surrounded it. It transformed into a dove and flying off.
"Soo we get turned into birds?" Emma asked confused still.
"I guess?" Regina said just as unsure." The real question is who put the forcefield up. The magic feels familiar to me I don't know why. I haven't come across anything like this before" she kept staring at it hoping she could figure it out but nothing came to her.
"Ok, so let's get to work on finding out who put it up. The towns gonna be pissed they can't get out again" Emma said she started to make her way to the car. Regina hadn't heard her because she was lost in thought. Emma made it to the car. Regina was still stood away with the fairies.
"REGINA, GET A MOVE ON I'M COLD!" Emma shouted as loud as she could. Regina jumped a little and looked at an Emma. At first, she looked a little worried but when her eyes hit emmas it changed to walked back to the car and got in. Emma loudly got in making a big to-do of it. Regina looked at her.
"Seriously?" Regina said still annoyed with the blond. Emma just smiled at her whilst shivering. Regina turned the heating on in the car.
"Thanks, I can't believe you caught that rabbit without using magic. " Emma said trying to use the small vents to warm her hands up. Regina stayed silent. When Emma finally warmed up she realized how quiet the women next to her was. Usually, she would make some sarcastic remark or at least said something.
"Regina?" Emma said concerned a little for her friend. She placed her hand on Regina's arm." You ok?". Regina looked at Emma and then at Emma's hand. She placed her own over Emma's.
"I'm fine dear, Just confused and a little hungry, want to stop at Granny's on the way back?" Regina asked not in the mood for cooking.
"Sure?" Emma said drawing out the word. The rest of the ride would have been silent if Emma hadn't put the radio on in hopes of freeing the tension in the car. The first son on was Warrior by Demi Lovato. Emma turned it up. She remembered hearing it once or twice and liked it. Instead of singing along like she would usually she just listened. She hadn't think Regina had been paying attention until after the song finished and the radio presenters took over.
" That song lyrics where very ... inspirational" Regina admitted in a quiet voice. Emma just nodded not wanting to interrupt the brunette. " I especially like the chorus" Regina said in a soft lost voice.
" Yeah so did I! It's a good song for that," Emma said. She looked at Regina who was still driving, they had almost reached the town by now, her face had softened a little. The disorientated look had disappeared and was replaced by a calmness. She didn't realize how long she had been staring at Regina until Regina had noticed how long Emma had been staring at her and was getting uncomfortable under the blinds gaze.
"Emma, why are you staring at me? It's a very unsettling" Regina said unable to stay quiet about the subject any longer. Emma jumped lightly and then sat in her seat. She was quite a moment.
" I was just thinking how much nicer it was when you were ill," Emma said so out of it that she didn't realize what she said.
" Oh thanks, " Regina said hurt. Emma woke up a little and thought back.
"Oh no sorry not that I want you ill, it was just nice being with you and Henry. Like a family, you know. " Emma said rewording her last sentence.
"Oh, well yes it was quite pleasant. You could come around more often if you would like. I know Henry would like it" Regina said hoping the blond would accept her open invitation.
"That sound like it could be fine, Henry would be over the moon, I'm sure we can think of something," Emma said a small smile on her face.
They got to Grannys and walked into the building. Granny was at the counter talking to Archie. It was a quiet evening so there were only a few people there. Emma and Regina took seats at the bar.
" What would you like?" Granny asked looked at Regina to order first.
"I'll have a chicken salad and a cup of coffee," She said and smiled slightly at the woman. She was still a little nervous around some of the Storybrooke residents.
"Sure thing Love," Granny said smiling reassuringly at Regina. " what about you Emma?" Granny asked the blond.
"Umm cheeseburger with fries and um... I'll have a beer" Emma said, wanting to drink something a little harder than hot chocolate."
"Oh, actually could you change my coffee to a glass of wine please ?" Regina asked. The old lady nodded with a smiled and dotted their order down. She fetched them their drinks and left to clean the tables which were all now empty.
"Oh crap look how late it is. Henry isn't going to be happy with us." Emma said only just noticing it was almost ten.
" I'll just check up on him now," Regina said and pulled out her phone and dialing for Henry.
"Hey Mom," He said sounding a little tired.
"Oh, sorry sweetheart did I wake you? I just wanted to call to say me and Emma are just running late. I just call to check on you" Regina said to her son who yawned down the phone.
"No Mom it's fine I'm glad you called. I was getting worried but Grandma said to wait until one of you called. What happened at the town line?" Henry said. She could hear him sitting up in his bed.
"Oh nothing Dear, The force field changed a rabbit into a dove, I caught the rabbit because Emma couldn't catch anything" Regina sniggered slightly.
"A dove, that's strange. I don't remember anyone turning things into dove in the storybook. Maybe its someone from somewhere else!" Said Henry who ten seconds ago was yawning now he was fully awake and very excited.
"I wouldn't get you hopes Henry they might be a villain as far as we know." Regina reminded her son.
"What kind of villain turns things into doves?" Henry said sarcastically.
"you look into tomorrow, for now, go back to sleep," Regina said smiling at her son's enthusiasm.
"Sure thing Mom, I love you Mom tell other Mom I love her too, night," He said. Regina smiled
"I will my prince, I love you too, goodnight," She said softly. She hung up the phone. Emma was halfway through her beer when their food came. They both asked for a top up.
"Henry said he loves you and goodnight," Regina said putting her phone back in her bag.
"Awee our son the softly," Emma said grinning.
"He's a sensitive soul is all," Regina said trying to stick up for Henry in his absence.
"Well, he must get his soft side from you" Emma giggle. "You're definitely a softly"
"Really Swan, I wasn't the one crying at a photo of a puppy on Instagram yesterday," Regina said raising her eyebrow at the blond.
"Hey that tiny thing was cuddling with a baby, and when I sent it to you I saw your face, don't lie to me I can tell," Emma said in a teasing tone.
"Well, like you said it was cuddling the baby but I didn't cry," Regina said trying to make a point.
"No, you just forwarded it to all your contacts. Including rumple?" Emma said trying not to laugh at the Queen.
"I'll have you know Puppies are the dark one's weakness that and roman noodles. He says he hates them, He has an entire cupboard full of them." Regina laughed hard and Emma joined in.
They talked more and laughed. Once they had finished their food they opted to walk safely home. When they got to Regina invited Emma inside. She leads the blond into the kitchen to fix them a drink. Emma took a seat the table in the center.
Regina brought over a couple of glasses and some red wine.
"Hope you like it, its one of my favorites" Regina said smiling she set the glasses down and popped the cork out of the bottle. She poured an equal amount into each glass and placed the bottle down carefully. She handed Emma her glass and tapped her own against it.
"So at the line, you said the magic felt familiar to you. Is it dangerous?" Emma asked taking a sip of wine after and tasting it. She made a nose of appreciation and nodded to the brunette.
"You definitely know your wine," Emma said took another sip and savored it." yum"
"Thank you years of experience," Regina said sipping her own.
" So the magic?" Emma asked not waiting to divert of her subject.
"I'm not sure I must have only sensed it 's strong though, their using blood magic but there's something else there too" Regina said she sighed and took a seat next to Emma.
"Is there something else?" Emma asked knowing Regina had something else on her mind. She didn't want to pry but she didn't like seeing the brunette so downhearted.
" Maybe, I feel like I'm missing something, something really important. I just can't work out what it is" Regina's voice was quiet and thoughtful.
"It will turn up. it always does" She said reassuring Regina.
"But what if there's a reason I can't remember what it is." The Queen added darkly.
" We will sort it out, it's what we Hero's do!" Emma stated she put her hand in Regina's and smiled at the woman next to turned her hand over and held onto the Saviour's hand. She looked scared but she knew they would work it out soon enough. She just didn't know what would happen once they did.
