I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

A/N: there be sexual activity ahead. Consider yourself warned.

6: The Devils Are Here

Regina was on her back on the couch with Emma's weight on top of her, kissing her as if it was the only thing in the world that mattered. It very nearly was the only thing in the world that mattered. She had not realized until they started kissing how much she yearned for that. She had harbored confused affections for Emma for some time now, but had been content to just walk beside her. Now, there was this passion, this carnal carving, and she was ready to come out of her skin if she could not have it. Oh, no, that can't be good.

"Wait," Regina said, causing Emma to pull back. This could not be possible. There was no reason for Emma to want her like this. Why would she?

"What? Did I hurt you?" Emma asked, eyes laced with concern. She looked Regina up and down, inspecting her injuries.

Regina shook her head. "No, no, no. Are you sure this isn't my powers? I never thought you were interested before." And why should Emma be interested? She knew Regina better than anybody, giving her the best reason to stay away.

Emma's brow wrinkled. "It's not your powers. Honestly, I've never actually felt your magic call to me like it seems to do with everyone else, which is why I don't think it was your powers." She shrugged. "I think I've felt this way long before your demigod powers kicked in."

"Really?" Regina could hardly believe that. What could I have possibly done to make Emma feel anything for me?

Emma gave her a sheepish half-smile. "I'm really attached to you, Regina. Why do you think I keep coming back or that I stay?"

Regina gave the obvious answer. "Henry."

Emma caressed her cheek, like she was precious and worthwhile. Regina had not realized how much she craved such a touch and had been deprived her entire life until this very moment. Emma would probably move mountains for her if she asked and not because she was terrified of Regina, but because she wanted to make Regina's life easier in some way. No one else in all the realms had ever been so considerate of her.

"I'm around Henry for Henry, but I'm around you for you," Emma said. "Throughout this whole thing, especially after I stopped drinking, I realize when I'm with you, I'm home."

Regina blinked. She did not expect that. "Really?"

There was so much emotion in Emma's eyes. "Yes, really. You're my best friend, it's true, but you're so much more. You're warm meals. You're a comfortable, and a safe space. You're where it's okay to be Emma, not a savior, not a tool. Just Emma, who makes mistakes and messes up, and you forgive me anyway. You're the person I can count on no matter what. You're the person who will protect me even from myself. You're where I want to be when I'm away. You're where I want to be when I'm scared or hurt or tired. You're home."

Regina was not sure how to respond. Had she ever meant so much to someone who was not her child? No. She could feel herself getting misty and could not stop the tear from her eye. Emma wiped it away with her thumb.

"You gonna say something or just cry on me?" Emma asked with a sniffled laugh.

"I never realized I meant so much to you and I don't understand how when I've done so much to hurt you," Regina replied.

"But, you've helped me, too. That's our thing." Emma shrugged, like it was no big deal. "We break each other a little and we heal each other a little, hopefully just a little more than we've broken each other." That was a decent summary of their relationship.

Regina smiled. "I suppose. I think I've been intrigued with you since you showed up in my life." She caressed Emma's cheek. "I've been confused by you since you pulled me from that fire, but also you coming back for me in the mine, and you trying to include me in things. I was drawn in just a little deeper each time. The affection started, of course, when you saved Henry."

Emma nodded. "I should've known."

"Well, I knew then, no matter what, you'd try to take the best care of my son and I didn't even need magic to force you. Yes, I feared you'd take Henry, but I knew you'd love him properly, maybe even better than I could." She had known since that flash of being like her mother had not understood what it meant to be a parent or love someone, even when she got Henry, but she liked to think she understood now. She would be better to all of them.

"Never."

Regina shook her head. "Yes, at the time, it was very possible. You weren't there when I gave him to your father. Despite the shepherd being who he is, it still was probably the most important decision I've ever made as a parent. I had to learn how to let go."

Emma smiled. "We're learning together. I've had to learn how to hold on." She gave Regina a tight hug.

Regina felt another tear escape. "And, yes, I feel safe with you. You allow me to explore what it means to be me with no judgment. You've been more than a best friend. I don't even know how to explain it beyond you being what I need, where I belong, and a basic necessity. But, also what I want and I want to take care of you, like you do me."

Emma lit up at that. It was important for her to know she was wanted. And, god, was she wanted. "I take care of you?" Emma's voice was soft, awed, like a very impressed child. It was a little heartbreaking. How could anyone treat Emma the way they did?

"I wouldn't be able to get through this without you," Regina said. Her powers would have consumed her back in Storybrooke. She would have destroyed everything. She could feel it in her bones, just like she did with this magic. How the hell do demigods live like this? But, then again, demigods did not often live long lives and, if they did, they tended to go mad or isolate themselves. Some overachievers did both.

"You'd be fine," Emma replied.

"No, without you, I'd have self-destructed days into this. I would've literally blown up and blown apart and wouldn't have cared. You held me together," Regina replied.

Emma shrugged, tried to act like it was no big deal, but they both knew otherwise all too well. "Well, you've been holding me together. Maybe we were made for each other."

"Maybe."

"Now, can I kiss you again?" Emma grinned.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Well, if you must." She would love nothing more.

The kissing resumed and Regina found she could not control her hands. She wanted to feel all of Emma, so she kneaded, caressed, and scratched Emma's back. She groaned. The damn t-shirt was in the way. Calm down! No matter what her brain said, her body could not comply. She had fought this battle too long and now it was time for sweet surrender.

"Would it be too soon to take this to the bed?" Regina asked. It probably was, but they had known each other what felt like forever. They had already gone through so many emotional battles together. And, apparently, they already acted like a married couple in so many other aspects of life. They might as well add a perk of marriage to their behaviors.

Emma gawked at her. "Are you sure? I mean, usually you go on at least one date first."

A stone sat in Regina's stomach. Was Emma judging her for her sexual activity? No, that was not like Emma. If anything, this was a poor attempt at humor to alleviate some discomfort.

"Would you like to go on a date first? Or multiple dates? Is this too fast?" Regina asked. She would not mind exploring the city with Emma, but she felt like so much of their time together was the purpose of dating. They knew each other better than almost any other living being. They could share some experiences together, beyond the insane ones they already lived through, but was there still much to learn about the other?

Emma twisted her mouth up for a moment. "I feel like we've been on dates before. Like this. We ordered in and ate together and talked. We do that a lot."

"We do." It was always nice and she appreciated it more than she ever considered now that she thought about it. Just as Emma was able to be Emma around her, she could be Regina around Emma. There were no games or calculations. Hell, there was not even much getting to know each other anymore thanks to Neverland where they talked often about their lives before Storybrooke. It was just them enjoying each other. "But, dating could also be other things. I wouldn't mind traveling New York with you and experiencing things with you or have you take me places you've enjoyed in New York."

Emma blew out a breath. "We kinda do that, too. I mean, not as much as we could. Definitely not as much as Henry, but it's something we've done a little of. I wouldn't mind doing it again, but we've shared plenty of experiences."

"Yes, we have."

Emma's brow wrinkled, as if she lost her point. "Maybe I should just check in." She looked Regina directly in her eyes. "Do you want to do this?"

Regina smiled. "I believe I made the suggestion. Now, do you want to do this?" I hope my powers don't influence the answer. Although, as Emma pointed out, her powers had not affected Emma since the start of this adventure. Why should it start now?

Emma jumped up off of the couch and glanced behind them. "My room or yours?"

"Whichever you're comfortable with."

Emma nodded. "They're both kinda messy." Not a lie. Regina's room doubled as a library and Emma was a slob in general.

"My bed is bigger. More room for… exploration." Regina smirked.

"Sold." Emma was up within the blink of an eye.

Emma yanked Regina off of the couch and down the hall to her room. The enthusiasm was flattering. Despite her dates being bewitched, they never acted like this. They were barely through the door before Emma's mouth was on hers again. Her hands went to Emma's shirt, needing the tank top off. Emma stepped back and let Regina have the shirt. She then stepped out of her shorts and underwear, standing before Regina in all her nude glory. Regina could not help staring. Gawking really. And, it was a little scary the way her heart thumped heavy in her chest, as if she was one the verge of a heart attack.

Emma was lean, of course, easy to tell from her clothes, but there was something about her standing there naked that was on another level. She was visibly strong, lines of muscles hinting at her power. There were scars everywhere as well, showing how lived in her body was. Regina wanted to trace each one, learn its story, and memorize its location.

"If you like what you see, let me see, too." Emma took hold of Regina's shirt.

"Feel free," Regina said.

Emma took a deep breath before she lifted Regina's shirt. Not expecting this moment, Regina had a dark blue camisole underneath, but Emma still paused to look at her. The way Emma's eyes took her in made her feel more appreciated now than anyone who had ever gazed upon her nude, including her recent dates. Emma's eyes held something more than anyone who ever dared to think they cared about Regina.

Then Emma kissed her again while trying to get her out of her pants. It was a bit of a struggle, but with some wiggling, she was out of her pants and underwear without breaking the kiss. Then, Emma pulled her close, held her as if she might never let go. Well, now, Regina needed out of the damned camisole, wanting skin contact.

"Wait." Regina stepped back before Emma could say anything and yanked off the camisole.

Emma's jaw hit the floor. "Fuck."

"Yes, please."

"Well, you did say please." Emma kissed her again and they managed to get in bed without falling over. Several books were not so lucky, but that was a problem for the future.

They started out on their sides, but Regina craved Emma's weight like when they were on the couch. So, she fell onto her back and Emma followed her, on top of her. Usually, Regina would hate this, would feel trapped, but Emma was her safe place apparently. Emma propped herself up on her elbows and stared into Regina's eyes, a soft smile on her lips.

"Is this okay?" Emma asked.

"I appreciate you checking in, but I wouldn't have positioned myself this way if it wasn't," Regina replied.

Emma nodded. "You sure?"

Regina purred and arched against her. "Yes. You're perfect."

Emma laughed. "We know that's not true, but okay. I just… I don't want to mess this up."

"I don't think you can, unless you turn into the very opposite of yourself." Regina caressed her back, drawing circles on her spine. "I want you. I'm happy with you in every way, so I can't see me not being happy with this." It was still surprising, but she did not mind.

Emma grinned and they were kissing again. Their bare skin pressed together, warm and right. She palmed Emma's breasts, body buzzing from the feel, and they both moaned into each other's mouths. It fed Regina's desire, made her carve and want so much more. Regina's hands worked on their own, kneading each breast, pressing Emma's nipples. Emma broke the kiss to let out a loud cry.

"You like?" Regina asked.

Emma nodded and bit her bottom lip. "Sensitive."

"Oh?" Regina was intrigued. She moved and wrapped her lips around a puckered, pink nipple. Emma cried out and the sound made Regina's body throb.

Regina pulled at the gem with her teeth and Emma's breath hitched. The sound was just as delicious as Emma's skin. Regina smiled to herself and twisted the other nipple. Emma jumped against her, pressing their flesh together, sharing warmth between them. Regina would give up her worldly goods for more of those reactions. She licked and sucked the hard pearl between her lips and then switched. She's divine. Emma whined and lost her fingers in Regina's long hair. She massaged Regina's scalp, which was all the encouragement Regina needed to continue.

"That feels so good," Emma said in a breath.

"I want to make you feel so good. Want you to feel how important you are to me," Regina replied.

Emma's breath hitched as Regina dragged her teeth over Emma's nipple. It was remarkable with how responsive Emma was. Her free hand drifted down Emma's side, running along several raised scars. Who hurt you, dear Emma? Regina wanted nothing more than to take care of this body, worship it, give it pleasure, and heal it both inside and out as much as Emma would allow it.

Once she got to Emma's hip, Regina's fingers dipped to the inside of her thigh. Emma whimpered and wiggled against her hand. Without moving her lips from Emma's breast, Regina watched Emma's face as she glided a finger to Emma's center. Emma's breath caught in her throat and she moaned as Regina found her wet and wanting. And then, Emma pulled her hair as she touched her, forcing Regina to look up.

"Is everything all right?" Regina asked. She was still not exactly sure how to do this without taking complete control. Her dates never seemed to mind. Yes, some "fought back," more as foreplay than anything else, but eventually happily surrendered to her.

"Everything's fine. You?" Emma's grip was tight in her hair.

Regina groaned. "Do it again." She flicked Emma's nipple with the tip of her tongue.

Emma arched an eyebrow and then smirked. "You like that?"

"Only when you do it." She never would have allowed anyone else to do it. She had flashbacks of her marriage bed in the past, even when she was in total control, so she did not let a lot of people touch her in general. Even now, while dating, and enjoying herself in an innocent manner, she did not allow dates to touch her much.

Emma smiled and gathered more of Regina's hair in her grip. She massaged Regina's scalp, which was nice as well. "Maybe when it's my turn."

"We'll see." Regina stroked her, making Emma whimper as she dripped all over Regina's fingers. It was amazing.

Emma moved on Regina's fingers and that was enough for Regina to pull away enough to watch Emma. Emma looked at her, bit her bottom lip, and bucked her hips.

"Fuck," Regina said. "I want to be inside of you. Can I?"

Emma nodded. "You don't have to ask again."

Regina would always ask, but she slipped one finger into Emma, who let out a loud moan. This is a thing of beauty. She was inside of Emma, touching her deep, as Emma's desire coated her fingers. The way Emma's body hugged, held her, and welcomed her. I'm home. It was such a mindblowing concept and mixed with her arousal, it made her tremble.

"Regina." Emma's voice was a broken moan calling for her and it just set Regina even more aflame. She was not sure how she had not burned the place down yet.

"Yes, Emma." Regina dragged her teeth down Emma's soft breast.

Emma's hips picked up speed. "More. More. More."

"Always." Regina added another finger. Regina could hardly describe the noise, the high pitch squeal from Emma, as she rode Regina's hand. Regina had to exhale slowly to maintain control of herself. She moved her other hand to Emma's waist, just needing to caress her as she moved, chasing her climax and making Regina's body hum with each movement.

Regina adjusted her hand, pressing her palm to Emma's clit, which earned her hair a solid yank. Her core clinched around nothing, gushed against Emma's leg, and the world vanished for a moment, but she recovered. Regina pumped her fingers in time with Emma's body and popped Emma's neglected nipple back into her mouth as she stroked Emma's hip.

"Fuck, Regina. So good," Emma said, her voice a slur as her body trembled.

Regina twisted her fingers inside of Emma, who cried out and fell against Regina as she fluttered around Regina's digits. Emma panted next to her ear. It was perfect.

For a second, Regina thought Emma would fall asleep. It was not unheard of. Thanks to her powers, she had partners fall asleep halfway through sex. But, then she felt kisses on her neck. Maybe her powers really did not work on Emma.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma was sleepy, but she needed to taste Regina right now or she would regret it forever and always. Their first time together could not have her fall asleep from one orgasm. She kissed Regina's neck and worked her way down, wet kisses going down to Regina's collarbones. One hand drifted up Regina's side and cupped Regina's breast. Regina moaned.

"I should warn you, I'm a biter." Emma said. In fact, she had what would probably be called an "oral fixation" and she wanted to explore that with Regina. She was not sure how Regina would like that, especially since she did not have the ability to just heal any marks after everything was said and done. And, no, she did not have details of Regina's sex life in her marriage, but she knew enough that Regina could interpret bites as claiming her and that would not fly. Hey, she liked you pulling her hair, so you might be in luck here.

"Bite what you like, but don't stop," Regina replied.

Emma's heart thumped in her chest. Regina was fine with bite marks and hair-pulling? Emma knew Regina more than well enough to know what that meant. Those were actions backing up words. Regina trusted her completely and totally.

Emma took Regina up on her offer and bit Regina's collarbone. It made Emma shiver and her hands ran themselves over Regina's body without a thought. This is the best thing to ever happen to me outside of Henry finding me.

Regina gasped, as if she had not expected that. Emma looked up, checking to make sure Regina was fine. Regina stared back at her with dark eyes and nodded. She wanted Regina to look at her like that all night, open, wanting, accepting, but most of all, trusting. That was enough for Emma.

Emma kissed her way to Regina's boobs and wasted no time taking one into her mouth and scraping it with her teeth. Regina's breath hitched with each graze of her teeth. I want to do this all the time.

"More." Regina moaned and her body dipped.

Emma took that to mean more teeth, so she bit Regina like one of her apples. Regina cried out and that energized Emma. She left several bite marks on Regina's breasts and stomach. Each one drew amazing noises and sounds from Regina. It was like having a cheer section.

As Emma made her way down Regina's body, leaving evidence of her mouth wherever she could. And then she reached her destination and left her teeth out of it. Now, it was all about her tongue and what it could do for Regina. She wasted no time taking a long lick. Fuck, she tastes good everywhere.

"Emma!" Regina moaned and it was music to Emma's ears. Then, Regina threaded her hands through Emma's hair and it was the best.

Emma wanted to show Regina how good she could be, so Regina only moaned her name from now on. Regina only needed her from now on. So, she put her mouth to work, displaying all her talent and what it could do.

Regina cried out, clenched the sheets, and then her hands went back to Emma's hair, but only for a moment. Then, she grabbed Emma's shoulders, her blunt nails digging in. Emma wrapped her hands around Regina's hips, moving her body with Emma's tongue. Emma looked up Regina's body, just wanting to check on her. Her eyes were shut, her mouth open as moans spewed forth, and she seemed to glow.

Emma eased away to ask one important question. "Can I?" Then, she wrapped her lips around Regina's clit again, lapping the gem with care.

Regina let loose a long, low moan. "Yes!"

Emma stopped breathing as she slid inside of Regina for the first time. The warmth was enough to stop her heart. Then, Regina pushed down on her, showing how much she wanted this and Emma doubted she would ever be the same. She worked one finger and then two, making sure her mouth never left Regina. Regina's breath got high pitched as she fluttered around Emma's tongue and fingers.

Emma wanted to keep going, to bring Regina pleasure all night, but she could barely keep her eyes open. She made herself comfortable against Regina's thigh, planning to move as soon as she got a second wind that never came.

-8-8-8-8-

"Emma?" Regina said as she felt Emma's body go heavy against her. So much for her powers not affecting Emma. Regina took a deep breath and was hit with the rush she was becoming accustomed to, but there was something more. Her back itched, around where her tattoos were.

Sitting up, being careful of Emma, Regina reached around and touched where she was sure one of her tattoos was. It was cool to the touch. And, the rush inside of her died down, just a little. She did not feel like she would come out of her skin if she did not do something that very moment, but she still had to move.

"Did her magic help charge the tattoos?" Regina was not sure, but she knew just what she had to do with her time.

She eased herself out from under Emma and settled Emma in the bed as best she could. She put a pillow under Emma's head and covered her fully before going to her ensuite bathroom for a shower. While she waited for the shower to warm up, she tried to look at her tattoos in the bathroom mirror. Unfortunately, the medicine cabinet mirror was too small, she was too short, and she was not an owl. Something happened there, though.

"Did Emma's magic get the tattoos to start working?" Regina asked the air as she stepped into the shower. She would not be surprised if that was what happened. Emma had that effect on her for whatever reason.

But, if Emma could charge the tattoos would that mean they could work? They were not at the moment, but they cut in on the maniac high that usually followed sex for her, so they did something. Now, she had something else to research when she got out of the shower, which was good. She needed some place to direct her energy since she definitely would not be sleeping tonight.

-8-8-8-8-

Emma groaned as the smell of coffee invaded her tired mind. She wanted to sit up, but was exhausted. She took a deep breath and strained every muscle it felt like to move. Come on, body, we got this. It took all of her strength to sit up. She groaned, which transformed into a yawn, and realized she was in Regina's bed. For a moment, she was confused and then it all flooded back to her. Oh, that's right! Her body was ready to melt into the bed as she recalled her night with Regina. She smacked her lips, hoping to taste Regina, but only the flavor of a hard sleep lingered.

"Regina?" Emma looked to the side, but saw she was alone. That explained the coffee smell.

With another groan, Emma tried to get out of bed, but she was worn out. Regina must have drained her. She was not sure what to do. Why would this be the thing her powers actually worked on me with?!

"Regina?" She could barely yell.

"Coming!" Regina replied.

Emma breathed a sigh of relief. Regina came in carrying a steaming mug on a saucer. Coffee. She placed the coffee on the end table and then turned to Emma.

"How are you feeling?" Regina asked.

Emma yawned and rubbed her eye. "Tired."

Regina nodded. "I was afraid of that. You've been asleep for two days."

Emma's eyes almost fell out of her skull. "Yikes!"

"Meanwhile, I've had energy, but not quite as much as I usually am after sleeping with someone. Yet, somehow, it crept up on me and I haven't slept. I can't begin to tell you what I've gotten done in two days." Regina sighed as she sat on the bed. "I feared I killed you at first."

Emma's brow wrinkled. "Why?"

"I did everything I could to wake you and nothing, both yesterday and the day before. Yes, you were breathing, but it was like you were in a coma. I wasn't sure what to do. I was looking for a doctor when you called for me."

"Wow. Your powers did that?"

Regina rubbed her forehead. "I think it was our combined magic. At first, I thought your magic charged my tattoos enough to keep me from being hyper, but I think you actually super-charged them, which is why you were practically dead to the world."

"So, what now?" There had to be something they could do. Regina would probably get worse if they did not figure out how to get the tattoos to turn on.

Regina rubbed her face with one hand. "I'm going to make you some food, as I'm sure you're hungry and we can talk. I did some reading up on what happened to you and why my tattoos reacted the way they did. I'm sure we can still have a fulfilling relationship without sex."

Emma blinked. That seemed like an extreme. "Why without sex? Okay, I was in a coma, but we have to find a way to contain your powers. Or, I learn how to control my magic and I could charge the tattoos enough to get them working. There are options. This is just more motivation for me to figure out what to do because I damn sure won't not have sex with you again. I definitely want to be able to cuddle after." They seemed so close. She would not give up now.

"Emma, you die if we continue on. My tattoos sucked more energy from you than my powers alone have from others."

"Well, what about another tattoo?"

Regina glared at her. "Are you not listening? Another tattoo would just take more from you and probably would put you in a coma."

"Yeah, but you said before that my magic actually charged the tattoos. What if this is the jump you need? I can provide you with the magic you need to balance out your powers. We just need to figure out how many tattoos you need for distribution or something, right?" It made sense in her head.

"Emma, do you know how dangerous that is?"

Emma scoffed. "Dangerous like swallowing up a death curse in a well because I might be coming through a portal?"

Regina frowned. "That was different."

"I don't see how. We just have to get the right amount of tattoos and let me charge them."

"What part of 'you could die' are you not understanding? I won't be a part of something that could kill you."

Emma scoffed. "You can't stop me. Oh, wait, no, that sounded very non-consensual and consent is sexy. Either way, we have to keep searching for ways to help you, anyway."

Regina sighed and ducked her head. She looked small for the first time to Emma. "What if there is no helping me?"

Emma wanted to wrap her arms around Regina, but she had a feeling it would not be welcomed right now. "What do you mean?"

"Emma, my back is covered in tattoos and I still drained you enough to put you into a coma. We're spinning our wheels here. We have to accept this is my new normal."

"So, you'll just go back to having sex with strangers and possibly kill one of them?" Emma would never accept that and she would never let Regina do something she would later regret. This new Regina, who was allowed to be herself, would never be able to live with killing someone, especially an innocent person she actually liked on some level.

"Well, when you put it like that…" Regina rolled her eyes, but she still seemed so tiny. She had a chance to live a normal life, the one robbed of her too often, and that had to weigh on her, especially when it was so close.

"Look, we still have tons of books to go through. You already started doing that. And, we have my crazy plan since we know I can power up your tattoos. It might not be what you want to do, but it's still a plan. Don't throw in the towel just yet. We got this." Emma grinned. She was confident they would figure this out, especially after breakfast.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: the end.